Sample pages from Matt Bertone's coloring book, "Arthropods!"
N.C. State's Bertone Creates Coloring Book of Insects and Other Arthropods
Matt Bertone, the director and diagnostic entomologist of NC State’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, created a coloring book called “Arthropods! A Coloring/Learning Guide for Young Naturalists."
Most coloring books focus on drawings of cartoon characters for kids or peaceful designs for adults. If you’ve been looking for a (free) coloring book that focuses on the diversity of arthropod life – from insects to arachnids – N.C. State has a treat for you.
Matt Bertone, the director and diagnostic entomologist of NC State’s Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, created a coloring book called “Arthropods! A Coloring/Learning Guide for Young Naturalists.” You can download the coloring book, for free, here.
The book may be particularly handy for anyone seeking learning or enrichment activities for kids to engage with at home.
“I started this book in 2008, but never really finished it,” Bertone says. “I had recently completed my Ph.D. and hadn’t found my professional path yet. So, I considered making and selling coloring books. More than 12 years later, I have a position I really enjoy, helping people identify and understand the arthropod species that live all around us. Recently there was a tweet about what people would have done if they didn’t get their job, and I chimed in about drawing coloring books, promising to share this. Then I figured with lots of people at home with kids, that this might be the most opportune time to give a little back to folks and release it for free.”
In addition to illustrations for coloring, the book offers information for young readers about arthropod diets, habitats and diversity. However, Bertone notes that the book was written in 2008, so some of the terminology may have changed. In other words, taxonomists, please don’t get upset with him.
Source: N.C. State Department of Entomology
Schopen Pest Solutions Promotes Sepsey to GM
Wendy Sepsey, who started with Schopen three years ago as director of billing, becomes the company's first general manager.
FORT MCHENRY, Ill. - Schopen Pest Solutions announced the promotion of Wendy Sepsey to the role of general manager.
Sepsey was hired as director of billing nearly three years ago and has proven herself an incredible commodity within the organization, according to owner Pete Schopen. The 49-year-old mother of three lives in Spring Grove, Ill., with her husband Joe.
During the past three years, Sepsey has helped Schopen Pest Solutions move away from paper billing and has helped their client's navigate through a payment portal via their website. Sepsey has a passion for pest control and recently earned her Wisconsin certificate and license.
"It's so nice to work with a team that lives our core values every day and truly cares about the client's happiness," said Sepsey.
In 2021, Sepsey and Schopen Pest Solutions are looking to create a sales department, open a Wisconsin branch and surpass $3 million in sales. Schopen Pest Solutions will be celebrating its 15th Anniversary this April and Sepsey becomes the first official GM in the company's existence. She said, "This is an incredible opportunity for me and for our company. I've put a lot of time and effort into Schopen Pest during the past three years and it is wonderful to be recognized for those efforts."
Big Blue Bug ‘Masks Up’
To help with mask-wearing awareness, Big Blue Bug Solutions has adorned its iconic Big Blue Bug with a painted-on facemask and added a banner thanking essential workers.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – As one of the most recognizable figures in the Providence, R.I., skyline, the 58-foot, 4,000-pound Big Blue Bug is seen daily by thousands of Rhode Islanders. With the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent need to raise awareness about mask-wearing, it was only natural that the bug — whose actual name is Nibbles Woodaway — was called into action.
The bug has been adorned with a painted-on facemask and Big Blue Bug Solutions added a banner thanking essential workers.
“The community reached out to us and overwhelmingly said ‘the bug needs a mask,’” said Brian Goldman, president of Big Blue Bug Solutions. “We are right down the street from some of the major hospitals in Rhode Island, and we work with a lot of [hospital personnel]. We felt it was a great way to spread the message [about the importance of mask wearing] and also to say thanks to all of the frontline workers.”
How did the Big Blue team make a mask that big? “It’s actually painted on, which was the suggestion of one of our employees. It was the right decision because it can withstand the weather,” said Goldman, who enlisted local painter Mike Moffitt, from Dennis Moffitt Painting, Providence, R.I. Moffitt, who has experience with specialized painting projects, painted the mask on from a lift.
The Providence community also got involved when it came to deciding how to decorate the Big Blue Bug for the holidays. In a normal year, the bug is adorned with antlers, bulbs and a red nose. “People were proactive and said, ‘You know the proper way to wear a mask is to have it cover the nose,’” said Goldman, who agreed and made sure that the bug’s nose remained covered during the holidays.
Big Blue Bug Creator Dies at 88
George Cardono, creator of the Big Blue Bug, passed away on Jan. 27, at age 88.
An accomplished artist, Cardono’s most well-known and visible piece is certainly Nibbles Woodaway, the 58-foot-tall, 4,000-pound Rhode Island landmark that appeared in the comedy masterpiece “Dumb and Dumber.”
Steve Goldman, retired CEO of Big Blue Bug Solutions, told PCT that he and his late father, Leonard, brought on Cardono in 1980 to help design a billboard to be placed atop the company’s building on I-95.
“We met with George and he asked us to think about what we can do to make the billboard unique, and I said, ‘Well, we are in the pest control business, what about putting up a giant replica bug? Everyone’s eyes lit up. It was like a light bulb went off,” Goldman said.
The group decided on a termite swarmer since these are a visible pest that gets the company’s phones ringing.
Cardono, whose background included not only art, but engineering and architecture, took it from there. “He designed it, he created it, he built it and he installed it,” Goldman said. This process included choosing fiberglass steel for the bug’s body and mounting the bug into the building’s steel girders – a decision that has kept the bug anchored atop the building and helped it withstand sometimes fierce New England winds.
The bug was originally painted purple, but as it weathered (UV rays) that purple turned to blue. “We re-painted it after the first time it happened, but then threw in the towel. It worked out perfectly because Big Blue Bug has such a great alliteration.”
Goldman said he and Cardono stayed in touch throughout the years, and in June 2002 Goldman called on Cardono to help dismantle the bug, clean it up and refurbish it. “While [Nibbles] was down we took it on tour throughout Rhode Island and you would not believe the reception Nibbles got from the public,” Goldman said. The highlight of that tour was Nibbles’ participation in the Bristol, R.I. Fourth of July parade, where it was the last float, akin to Santa Claus being the last float during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
“It's just something that has become endeared by the entire state of Rhode Island,” Goldman added. “George is part and parcel of that. He knows he created a landmark and an icon that hopefully will live forever.”
Versacor Promotes Jason Tucker
Tucker is now managing the company’s South-Central District, which is comprised of East Texas, NW Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
SOUTHLAKE, Texas – Versacor announced it has promoted Jason Tucker to district manager.
Tucker is now managing the company’s South-Central District, which is comprised of East Texas, NW Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri.
Tucker joined Versacor in 2013 as a branch manager.
Green Pest's Willey Named a '40 Superstar Under 40'
Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions Senior Vice President of Operations Josh Willey was named to the Chester County (Pa.) '40 Superstars Under 40 List' by Vista.
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - Green Lawn Fertilizing/Green Pest Solutions Senior Vice President of Operations Josh Willey was named to Chester County’s 40 Superstars Under 40 List by Vista. The 2021 List of Vista Millennial Superstars celebrates Chester County’s most dynamic business and professional leaders under the age of 40, who are shaping the county’s future.
In his current role, Willey is at the pulse of everything at the firm, from sales to customer service and operations.
“Josh is just an overall great person both personally and professionally! Josh is an incredible leader! He has made an impact at Green Lawn Fertilizing and Green Pest Solutions since his first day and has been instrumental in helping build our leadership team and drive continuous improvement in all aspects of our business,” said Matt Jesson, president/owner. Since 2017 the company’s revenue has more than doubled from $10 million to $23 million.
Willey has put an emphasis on training, development and education. He created a leadership development program at Green Lawn and Green Pest to assist front line employee’s development into management. In October 2019, Willey completed a three month executive education program at Stanford University.
“It’s an honor to be listed among this group of 40 young professionals who are having a huge impact on Chester County businesses. I certainly would not be where I am today without the help of countless colleagues throughout my career and I try whenever possible to pay things forward by helping others advance their careers,” said Josh Willey.
Vista Today received over 200 nominations of millennials from all across Chester County who are breaking down walls, shattering expectations and doing remarkable work in both their profession and their community.
Posted by Brad Harbison
Brad Harbison
Steve Goldman, retired CEO of Big Blue Bug Solutions, told PCT that he and his late father, Leonard, brought on Cardono in 1980 to help design a billboard to be placed atop the company’s building on I-95. 
