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Gin Mill’s ‘trendy food’ earns recognition
DECATUR — The Gin Mill restaurant has been recognized for offering ”trendy food skillfully presented in a remarkable setting” by the AAA auto club.
The downtown Decatur restaurant earned the three-diamond rating following an unscheduled visit by an AAA inspector. While there have been other three-diamond restaurants in the past, the Gin Mill is currently the only three-diamond restaurant in Decatur.
The notes on the visit read: “Old-fashioned cocktails pair nicely with the distinctive variety of dishes served at this eclectic spot located in a historic downtown building. Soups and sandwiches are featured at lunch and include a fried gator po’boy and a hoagie featuring chorizo and chimichurri. Seafood and chops selections are more hearty with such options as their signature Beef Blackstone served over brioche and red pepper crab cakes. A small plates menu features street tacos and a bowl of marinated P.E.I. Mussels.”
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Restaurants must pass an on-site evaluation with 13 minimum requirements to be approved as a diamond property. There are 57 elements included in the score that determines a property’s diamond level.
There are five diamond levels for restaurants. The designation is good for one year.
Among the unique features that add to its appearance is the bar, which was the original lobby bar of the Congress Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Gin Mill, located at 124 E. Prairie Ave., turned 10 years old in December.
“We focus on consistency with the high quality of our food, and service that you would expect at a high-end steak house in Chicago,” owner Kevin Dawson said. “We hope the Gin Mill will go down in Decatur history books as one of the city’s famous restaurants.”
If you’re looking to make a change and take on a new role in the New Year, we have some advice this morning.
Leamon earns sex abuse prevention certification
DECATUR — Decatur Family YMCA’s Candace Leamon has earned the Certified Praesidium Guardian designation from Praesidium, a national leader in risk management of sexual abuse of vulnerable populations.
Leamon joins a community of professionals who have demonstrated that they are committed to creating a culture of safety through risk management and best practices in sexual abuse prevention.
To attain certification, Leamon successfully completed a robust process, where she became proficient in best practices in organizational abuse prevention that includes specific steps to prevent incidents of abuse by employees, volunteers, or program participants. Leamon also demonstrated her knowledge on how to respond effectively if an allegation or incident occurs, and how to ensure that Decatur Family YMCA stays current and consistent in the implementation of abuse prevention best practices.
Leamon will be certified for three years, and during this time will continuously work towards creating a safe environment and demonstrating their commitment to protecting those in their care from abuse.
Brandenburg
LLCU promotes Ashley Brandenburg
DECATUR — Land of Lincoln Credit Union has announced that Ashley Brandenburg has been promoted to the role of assistant vice president controller.
Brandenburg will be monitoring Land of Lincoln Credit Union’s financial health and managing its financial records.
“Ashely has been with the credit union for a short time but has already made a tremendous impact while overseeing our accounting department,” stated Robert Ares, LLCU chief executive officer. “In her time here, Ashley has proven her vast knowledge in accounting and has implemented thorough practices in that area. I am confident that Ashley is the best fit for this role and that she will continue to serve the credit union with diligence and efficiency.”
Brandenburg previously served as LLCU’s accounting manager. She came to LLCU from Wolfram Research, Inc. out of Champaign, where she was an accounting specialist and tax accountant.
Her office is located at 4850 E. Prosperity Place in Decatur.
Randall Residences staffers earn dementia certifications
DECATUR — Randall Residence of Decatur is proud to announce that Beth Bolyard, Diana Voiles and Robin Luna have earned Certified Dementia Practitioner certification.
The Certified Dementia Practitioner certification is a rigorous program designed to equip professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills required to provide exceptional care and support for individuals living with dementia.
This certification underscores their commitment to excellence in dementia care and positions Randall Residence of Decatur as the go-to resource for dementia education in Macon County.
“This achievement shows our joint commitment to create remarkable living experiences for seniors in Decatur and Macon County,” said Christopher Randall, CEO of Randall Residence.
The community recognizes the growing need for specialized dementia care and is dedicated to serving as a hub for education and support. Families and individuals seeking information, resources, and compassionate care for dementia can turn to Randall Residence of Decatur with confidence.
Most common causes of workplace stress
Most common causes of workplace stress
Each weekday, roughly 1 million adults in the U.S. miss work because of stress, according to Zippia Research. Absenteeism induced by depression and other mental health conditions costs businesses $51 billion a year, treatment amounts to an additional $26 billion, and at least 4 in 5 Americans (83%) suffer from workplace stress.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that “stress accounts for 75% of all doctor visits,” which include a wide array of complaints, such as “headache, back pain, heart problems, upset stomach, stomach ulcer, sleep problems, tiredness and accidents.” What’s more, a 2023 American Psychological Association survey found that while 77% of American workers are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with mental health support from their employers, 53% said their employers think the workplace is better for mental health than it actually is.
While workplace stress can affect all workers, a 2022 report by Wysa found that people under the age of 44 were more likely to say they experienced work-related stress. A combination of stressors, magnified by the economic and public health climate under which they entered the workplace, might be to blame.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in people’s priorities and in the way they perform their daily work duties. Hybrid and remote work took over, and once companies and employees adapted to new methods (with the aid of technology), few were willing to go back to the strain that long commutes and endless office hours took on their health and families.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 3.7 million people quit their jobs in June 2023, almost 400,000 less than in the same month of the prior year. Most walk-outs happened in the Southern states, with the Midwest following far behind. Analysts cannot agree on the main causes of high job mobility rates, though polls support the idea that companies that strengthen corporate wellness programs may increase employee retention. According to Harvard Business Review and the CDC, these programs’ benefits include increased engagement, higher productivity, fewer sick absences, employee longevity, and higher morale.
Citing Zippia Research data, Wysa looked at common causes of workplace stress and how workers and companies can manage them.

Interpersonal issues
It can be hard to mesh with co-workers, especially if there is a disparity in workload, shifting responsibilities, and a mix of personality types among the team. And in a highly competitive environment or under a despotic boss, real trouble might not be far away. People can seek support to resolve interpersonal issues outside work and from human resources departments.
Change in leadership
How company leaders act can make a work environment better or worse. What managers, supervisors, and senior leaders “say, feel, and do hugely influences their team’s physical and emotional well-being,” according to Harvard Business Review.
A new boss will likely have a different management style and may prompt changes in work procedures as soon as they take over the position. These shifts shouldn’t be a stressor on their own—but when combined with unclear instructions or unreal expectations, they can disrupt the workflow and cause uncertainty and confusion.
Business Achievements celebrate new hires, promotions and business and employee honors. Send information to scott.perry@lee.net.
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