The IFB Beat 10-19 Edition

 

From the Editor

October is a time to celebrate the value and talent of people with disabilities, enjoy some Halloween fun and focus on our health and well-being. Here’s what’s happening this week:

This Week at a Glance

– Celebrating Ability, Elevating Opportunity
– Halloween Fun at IFB: a Haunted Hall at the Asheville facility, and a costume contest, parade and other festivities at the Winston-Salem facility
– A New Way to Save
– October is for Awareness—and Action
– Health & Wellness: schedule a flu shot and get tips for washing your hands properly
– Employee Spotlight: Katiria Vazquez Martinez
– Community Corner: virtual low vision social and support groups in Asheville
– Fall Into Fun: family-friendly activities, haunted attractions and live theater happening around Winston-Salem

Take a few minutes to explore this week’s updates, discover something new and join in the fun. Thanks for reading and have a great week!

 

Have an HR, history or event-related question you’d like to ask me and have addressed in the 10-26 Beat? Send it to apowell@ifbsolutions.org and check back next week.

Thank you for strolling the Beat. See you next week!

Quote of the week: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier

Anastasia Powell, Communications Manager
336-245-5698

 

 

Additional Quick Links

– Winston-Salem, Fight the Flu
– Atrium Health Clinic Tip of the Month: Handwashing
– Tap In
– Winston-Salem Support Groups
– Jobs

IFB Beat Phone Lines
Support Group Zoom Links
Beat Archives

 

Celebrating Ability, Elevating Opportunity

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities and raises awareness of barriers that can prevent people from finding meaningful employment and building careers.

The 2026 NDEAM theme is “Celebrating Value and Talent.” The U.S. Department of Labor is carrying last year’s theme forward in honor of America’s 250th birthday. It highlights the important role people with disabilities have played in shaping workplaces, communities and our economy.

Did you know?

NDEAM recognizes disabilities you can’t always see.

Disabilities aren’t always visible. NDEAM recognizes the contributions of workers with both visible and nonapparent disabilities, including mental health conditions. It’s a reminder that you can’t tell everything about a person’s abilities or experiences just by looking at them.

 

 

Halloween Fun at IFB

Halloween is right around the corner, and we’re looking forward to celebrating with a little creativity, costumes and treats! Employees at our Asheville and Winston-Salem facilities are invited to join in the Halloween fun. Details below.

Asheville Employees

Wear your costumes one and all!
And dare to walk the “Haunted Hall”!
’Cause if you do and make it through,
There’ll be tricks and treats just for you!
Wear a costume that will make you shine,
And remember the day for this is Thursday, October 29!

Winston-Salem Employees

Join us on Thursday, October 29, for a morning of Halloween fun!

Costume Contest and Parade

• Time: 10 a.m.
• Costume categories: Scariest, Most Creative, Best Group, and Best Overall
• Popcorn: Distributed to all employees during second breaks

Candy Corn Count Game

Put your guessing skills to the test in our Candy Corn Count game! A jar of candy corn will be available in the canteen, where you can estimate how many pieces are inside. You’re welcome to touch and feel the jar to help make your guess. The employee who guesses closest to the actual number will win the jar of candy corn! If you need assistance participating or would like help submitting your guess, an HR representative and/or Al will be available to assist.

“Boo” Party

Employees who participate in the Halloween parade and costume contest are invited to join the “Boo” party in the TADS room. The room will be filled with Halloween treats—not tricks! So, dress up, join the fun and let’s make this Halloween a memorable one at IFB!

 

A New Way to Save

Did you receive a letter from the IRS about retirement savings? Learn about the new Saver’s Match program below.

The new Saver’s Match program launches in 2027 and may help you grow your retirement savings. If you qualify, the federal government may match up to 50% of your retirement contributions. Click the link below to learn who qualifies, how the program works and how to prepare!

Saver’s Match, Internal Revenue Service

 

October is for Awareness—and Action

 

Domestic violence affects millions of people across the United States. One in four women and one in seven men experience severe physical violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, digital and financial abuse.

Recognizing the warning signs of unhealthy or controlling behaviors is an important step in seeking support for yourself or someone you care about. Explore the documents below to learn more about domestic violence and access available resources, support services and information.

PDF versions:

Domestic_Violence_Resources
Domestic_Violence_Info_Flyer

 

To open these two accessible versions, copy and paste each link into a new browser tab. If a browser security warning appears, proceed, download the files, and open them in Microsoft Word.

Domestic_Violence_Resources_Accessible
Domestic_Violence_Info_Flyer_Accessible

 

Health & Wellness

Winston-Salem, Fight the Flu

Schedule your appointment today!

Help protect yourself during flu season. IFB employees and eligible dependents (legal spouses and children ages 18–26) can schedule an appointment to receive a flu shot with Nurse Kayla.

Ready to roll up your sleeve? Call 336-716-8301 to schedule your appointment while supplies last.

 

Atrium Health Clinic Tip of the Month: Handwashing

One of the best ways to stay healthy is to wash your hands often. Washing your hands helps stop the spread of germs that can make you and others sick.

When you should wash your hands

• Before eating or preparing food
• After using the bathroom
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
• After touching animals or pet food
• Before and after visiting someone who is sick
• After touching garbage
• When you touch things that a lot of people are touching, like doorknobs and shopping carts
• If you are exposed to chemicals, such as those used for cleaning

Step-by-step washing

1. Wet your hands. First, turn on the faucet and get your hands wet with clean, running water. Warm or cold water both work fine.
2. Add soap. Apply soap to your wet hands. Make sure to use enough to cover them
   completely.
3. Rub together. Rub your hands together to make bubbles. Scrub all parts of your hands. Do not forget the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice to make sure you are scrubbing long enough.
4. Rinse your hands. After 20 seconds of scrubbing, rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands. Use a clean towel to dry your hands or let them air dry. If you are in a public place, try to use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.

If you do not have soap and water

Sometimes, you might not have soap and water nearby. In that case, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Put some on your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Washing with soap and water is best when your hands are visibly dirty.

 

Employee Spotlight: Katiria Vazquez Martinez

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Katiria Vazquez Martinez, a sewing machine operator at IFB’s Puerto Rico facility. For the past year, Katiria has been part of the IFB team, taking pride in a job well done. Get to know Katiria a little better, from her favorite food to the words of encouragement she lives by.

Q: Where did you grow up?
A: Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico

Q: How long have you been with IFB, and what brought you to the organization?
A: I’ve been with IFB for one year and three months. I joined the organization because I needed to earn an income to support my family.

Q: Do you have any fun facts or hidden talents you’d like to share?
A: No hidden talents or fun facts to share!

Q: What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?
A: I enjoy listening to music and spending time with my daughter.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite food or meal?
A: Lasagna!

Q: What do you enjoy most about working at IFB?
A: I enjoy being able to produce and get my work done.

Q: What’s a quote or word of advice you’d give to a friend?
A: “There is no limit. We should always think about what we want to do and have the desire and strength to overcome any situation.”

Thank you, Katiria, for being part of the IFB team and sharing a little about yourself with us. We’re glad to have you on board!

Special thanks to Human Resources Representative/Recruiter, Gladymar Aponte Quintana, for supporting these highlights. Who knows? You might be next in the spotlight! Stay tuned, and thanks for reading.

 

Tap In

Did you know that IFB is active on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn? Check out last week’s post, and give us a follow!

Thursday, October 15: It’s White Cane Awareness Day, a time to recognize the white cane as a vital tool of independence for thousands of people who are blind or visually impaired. Join us in advocating for pedestrian and public safety and educating others.

 

Winston-Salem Support Groups

If you’re interested in attending a support group, please review the update here: https://ifbsolutions.org/the-ifb-beat-12-16-edition/#two-d

 

Community Corner

Low Vision Support is Just a Click Away

Each month, there are two opportunities to connect virtually with others in the Asheville area who are blind or visually impaired.

The Asheville Low Vision Social Meeting and Asheville Low Vision Support Group Meeting provide opportunities to connect with others, share experiences and build friendships in a welcoming and supportive environment—all from the comfort of your own home!

Meeting schedule

• Asheville Low Vision Social Meeting: second Friday of each month, 10–11:30 a.m.
• Asheville Low Vision Support Group Meeting: fourth Friday of each month, 10–11:30 a.m.

Both virtual meetings are independently organized and led by community member Judy Davis. These meetings are not sponsored or organized by IFB Solutions.

Click the link below to join either meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8281700967

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,,8281700967#

Join meeting by phone call: 312-626-6799
Meeting ID: 828 170 0967#

For more information, please contact Grant Weathers gweathers@ifbsolutions.org 828 667 9778, ext. 5820.

 

Fall Into Fun

Halloween is just around the corner, and things are getting spooky in Winston-Salem. Embark on a ghostly tour. Catch a thrilling live show. Attend a costume party with the kiddos. Whatever type of fun you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.

 

Family-friendly

Pumpkin Pick Hayrides at Tanglewood. Take a tractor-drawn hayride through scenic Tanglewood Park to the pumpkin patch, where families can choose a pumpkin and enjoy plenty of fall photo opportunities. Rides are $12 per person. Reservations are required; call 336-766-9540.

Fall on the Farm at Smith Hollow. Head to Smith Hollow Farm in Kernersville for a classic fall farm experience featuring a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, farm animals, and more. The farm is open on select Saturdays and Sundays through early November.

October 21
Little Whimsies. 6:30–8 p.m. Wicked Whimsies spook trail in nearby Pfafftown offers a gentler, kid-friendly version of its haunted forest for one night only. Expect costumes, candy, and mild scares designed for younger Halloween fans.

October 23
Downtown Witches Walk & Night Market. 6–10 p.m. Don your best witchy attire and begin at CasaShanti before strolling through the Downtown Arts District to collect letters that reveal a secret word. The free festivities also include a night market with vendors, music, performances, pumpkin activities, and trick-or-treating.

October 24
Ghoul Times at Kaleideum. Noon–5 p.m. Let the ghoul times roll with trick-or-treating throughout Kaleideum, wacky science experiments, face painting, Halloween crafts, a haunted hallway, and a spooky obstacle course. The day ends with a rooftop costume party and Monster Mash. Admission is $7 online or $10 at the door; children under 1 are free.

Lewisville Shalloween Festival. 1–2:30 p.m. Shallowford Square welcomes little monsters ages 0–12 for an afternoon of activities, games, crafts, candy, and a costume contest. The family-friendly Lewisville event is free to attend.

Boo! At Bethabara. 1:30–4:30 p.m. Celebrate a hauntingly historic Halloween at Historic Bethabara Park. The free afternoon includes a Fear on the Frontier walk, regional ghost stories, a magic show, visits with feathered creatures, and other family-friendly activities.

Ghoul Moon Festival. 4–10 p.m. The West Salem Art Hotel and NCMA Winston-Salem host this free neighborhood festival filled with live music, visual art, vintage and maker vendors, costume contests, food trucks, drinks, and hands-on fun. Younger visitors can brave the kid-friendly “Ghoul Moon Maze.”

October 28
STEAM for Kids: Spooky Experiments. 4–5:30 p.m. Children and tweens can conduct Halloween-themed experiments—including the creation of screaming ghosts—at the Clemmons Branch Library. Registration is required.

October 31
M&C Boo-tiful Creations Halloween Craft Fest. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Musten & Crutchfield Food Market in Kernersville hosts a family-friendly Halloween market featuring handmade goods, local makers, food trucks, treats, and plenty of festive atmosphere.

Downtown Kernersville Trick-or-Treat. 6–8 p.m. Downtown Kernersville closes out October with a free trick-or-treating celebration as local merchants open their doors and hand out candy. The evening also includes the community’s annual Hallowheels festivities.

 

Halloween Fun for Grown-ups: costumes, cocktails, live music and other 21+ fun

October 22
Halloween Bingo. 6–9 p.m. The Junior League of Winston-Salem returns to The Nash for an evening of bingo, costumes, music, games, food, drinks, and prizes. Proceeds support the organization’s community initiatives.

October 24
Mystery After Dark at Körner’s Folly. 7 p.m. Explore the 22 rooms of Körner’s Folly after the lights go down. This guided tour examines Victorian spiritualism, intriguing objects from the museum’s collection, stories of those who lived and died in the house, and findings reported by paranormal investigators. Tickets are required; ages 13 and older.

Halloween Bash at Foothills Tasting Room. 7–10 p.m. Foothills Brewing gets into the spirit with costumes, drinks, and live music from a full band at its Kimwell Drive tasting room.

October 30
Horse Breakfast Halloween. 9 p.m. The band Horse Breakfast is the headliner for this Halloween eve show inside Monstercade, Winston-Salem’s horror-themed dive bar and music venue. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

October 30–31
Halloween Bash at Wise Man. (Various times) Wise Man Brewing’s annual Halloween bash returns for two nights with special beer releases, food trucks, live music, face painting, fire spinning with glowing, ignited props, and costume contests with prizes. Family-friendly and free to attend, the double-feature celebration runs Friday and Saturday.

October 31
Winston-Salem Halloween Bar Crawl. 3–10 p.m. Gather your costumed crew for a ticketed crawl through participating downtown bars, beginning at Southern Drift Brewing Company. The event is open to guests 21 and older.

Pandora’s Jukebox Halloween Costume Party. 9:30–11:30 p.m. Celebrate Halloween at Village Square Tap House in Clemmons with Pandora’s Jukebox, an interactive cover band that lets the crowd help choose the setlist. Costumes are encouraged, and each show offers a different soundtrack.

Halloween at Monstercade: Devil Disco Darlings. 9 p.m.–2 a.m. Monstercade keeps Halloween going into the early morning with a dark and lively Devil Disco dance party. Tickets are $10.

 

Stage Frights & Delights: local live theatre shows for the spooky season

October 22–31
Camel City Playhouse: Evil Dead: The Musical. Camel City Playhouse combines the Evil Dead trilogy into one wildly campy—and very bloody—stage musical. Five college students arrive at an abandoned cabin, accidentally unleash an evil force, and proceed to sing their way through the resulting chaos. Evening performances begin at 7 p.m.; Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.

October 23–31
Theatre Alliance: The Rocky Horror Show. Theatre Alliance invites audiences to do the Time Warp again during its tenth annual production of the cult musical. The 95-minute Halloween party mixes rock music, campy comedy, science fiction, and audience participation. Performances begin nightly at 7:30 p.m.

October 25
Candlelight concert: Halloween Classics. 3:45 p.m. A string quartet performs Halloween favorites beneath a sea of glowing candles at the historic Millennium Center. The tentative program includes music from films such as “The Exorcist,” and “Halloween” along with “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Time Warp.” Ages 8 and older.

 

Haunted Attractions & Spooky Tours

Old Salem Night Watchman Tours. (Various dates) Join costumed guides on a lantern-lit tour of historic Old Salem, site of some of the city’s most famous ghost stories. Hear tales of spirits, ruffians, corpses, and unexplained happenings—all drawn from historical records. Designed for ages 10 and older, the immersive, 60-minute tours cost $50. Tours are offered Oct. 16–17, 24, and 29–31, with six departures nightly between 6:30 and 7:45 p.m.

Carolina History & Haunts Tour. (Thursday–Sunday) Explore downtown’s Historic West End by lantern light during this top-rated, 90-minute walking tour. Along the way, expert guides blend local history with stories of mystery, untimely endings, and former residents who may never have left. The approximately 1-mile tour costs $20 for adults and $15 for children. Reservations are required; tours accommodate groups of four to 25 guests.

Downtown True Crime Tour. (Saturdays) Explore downtown’s darker side during this one-hour walking tour featuring stories of family massacres, cult leaders, murder mysteries, and some of the city’s most infamous crimes. Regular tours depart from Fair Witness Fancy Drinks each Saturday at 4 p.m. and cost $15. Reservations are required. Custom tours can also be booked daily by special request.

Mystery & Mayhem Segway Tour. (Daily by reservation) Glide through Winston-Salem with Triad ECO Adventures while hearing strange stories of murders, suspicious characters, specters, and local legends. Daytime tours are available throughout the season, with special Night Lights tours offered during October. Tours last up to two hours, including training, and pricing varies by group size.

Wicked Whimsies. (Fridays and Saturdays) This fairy-tale-themed haunted trail in Pfafftown twists beloved childhood stories into something far darker than the Brothers Grimm imagined. Encounter more than a dozen eerie scenes while wandering through the forest after dark. Recommended for ages 12 and older, the trail is open from 7:30–10:30 p.m. Oct. 2–3, 9–10, 16–17, 23–24, and 30. Tickets start at $15.

Nighttime Corn Maze. (Fridays and Saturdays) Armstrong Artisan Farm in Walnut Cove invites visitors to tackle its family-friendly, 5-acre corn maze after sunset. Arrive earlier to explore the pumpkin patch, sunflowers, country fair, and farm games, then stay for an after-dark adventure. Night-maze trips are offered from 7–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings, Sept. 25 through Oct. 31. Admission is $15, and reservations are not required.

 

 

HR & Opportunities

Jobs

Utility Person, Facilities (Asheville)

Education and work experience

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• General maintenance experience preferred.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909/jobs/251358

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/portal/8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909/jobs/251359?jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909. For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@ifbsolutions.org.

 

IFB Beat Phone Lines

English line: 336-245-5691

Spanish line: 336-245-5663

 

Support Group Zoom Links

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/86167111929?pwd=G9vSBWcnTFrMHixqb19TpU7q8sQW1N.1

Meeting ID: 861 6711 1929
Passcode: 992614

One tap mobile:
+13126266799,86167111929# US (Chicago)
+16465588656,86167111929# US (New York)
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
877 853 5257 US Toll-free