View the Lifestyle magazine to learn more about what’s happening around the Club, departmental updates, and upcoming events
ON THE COVER
PARK & FARMS TEAM
Interested in joining the team? Contact Staff Engagement Coordinator Madison Elena at melena@bcc1898.com
Madison Elena
Shantae Fauntleroy
Jessica Noffsinger
Abby Rodriguez
Hannah Schmitt
QUICK LINKS
BCC Staff Page
Helping Hand Website
Staff Pastry Shop
Towson Mental Health
Password: BCC1898
TILLY THE BEAR
Can you find the Park & Farms mascot, Tilly? If you do, click on him to be entered into a monthly raffle for a gift card!
Chef Kevin Keller posing with a photo with the Easter Bunny at the Easter Egg Hunt, March 24, 2024
GREAT PEOPLE MAKE FAVORITE PLACES
BCC has created an actionable statement that helps define our philosophy known as The Simple Truth: Great People Make Favorite Places. Below is a small sample of staff members who are helping to make BCC your favorite place.
Staff Member of the Month
Leadership Award
NOVEMBER 2024
Mike Horn, Personal Coach/Trainer
Over the past three years at BCC, Mike has become an incredible trainer, teammate, and vital part of our team. Mike’s commitment to his work and dedication to growth have made him a standout member of our staff. Recently, Mike stepped up to help facilitate training for Jenna’s clients while she was on maternity leave, balancing his full schedule and studies. His dedication has earned him glowing feedback from members of all ages. Mike also demonstrates strong leadership by proactively taking on responsibilities for events and new member onboarding. Whether at Five Farms or Roland Park, Mike brings positive energy and enthusiasm daily, embodying our Simple Truth “Great People Makes Favorite Places.” We are proud to celebrate Mike’s growth and this welldeserved recognition!
Jared Hedrick, Food & Beverage Manager
Since becoming Assistant Food & Beverage Manager in March 2024, Jared has excelled in his role, earning a promotion to Food & Beverage Manager in January 2025. He has taken on staff scheduling, payroll, and onboarding while continuing to lead with dedication. Jared recently passed his WSET Level-1 Wine Exam and became a certified TIPS alcohol safety trainer. His passion for beverages helped create cocktails for the Chef to Chef Conference and BCC’s Harvest Rye, available to members starting March 20. We’re grateful for Jared’s contributions and excited for his continued growth at BCC!
Simple Truth Award
Caroline Fitzsimmons, Personal Coach/Trainer
When Caroline learned that one of her longtime clients, a BCC member, had unexpectedly lost their family dog, she, with the help of our Director of Member Experience Abby, arranged for a watercolor framed portrait of the dog to be given as a gift to the family. What makes this even more remarkable is that Caroline organized everything during her very first week at BCC.
APRIL 21
SPRING ALL-STAFF
Five Farms | Doors open at 8:30am Meeting starts at 9:00am
JULY 28
FIRST FRUIT FARMS
20431 Middletown Rd, Freeland MD
9:00am-11:30am
Registration required
REGISTER
Save the Date Motivation Corner
IN HONOR OF FINDING BCC’S THEME FOR THE 2025-26 YEAR, STACKING HABITS, DELIVERING EXCELLENCE, WE HAVE A VIDEO THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF HABITS AND HOW THEY CAN BE IN OUR CONTROL AND EVEN A SUPERPOWER IF WE MAKE A CONCERTED EFFORT.
video
Springtime In Baltimore
Birds are singing—Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, and American Robins are among the first to emerge after winter. Listen closely for the spring peepers (Pseudacris crucifer) and western chorus frogs (Pseudacris triseriata), whose tiny voices create a lively chorus at dusk.
Butterflies and bees are also making their appearance, with the first bees being the queens that survived the winter.
It’s hard to resist the fluttering appeal of butterflies with their delicate wings, zig-zag flight and graceful presence in our gardens. So, why resist? Revel in butterflies’ visits and do more to attract them to your gardens.
This means having flowers blooming from spring to frost. Different butterflies emerge at different times and need fuel to fly.
Flat-topped plants with single flowers provide good landing pads for butterflies. Think zinnias and yarrow or other plants butterflies can easily grasp. Choose native plants such as purple coneflowers, asters and goldenrods that have evolved with native butterflies to provide maximum nutrition.
Plants that attract butterflies
• Black-Eyed Susans
• Milkweed
• Bee Balm
• Goldenrod
• Purple Coneflower
• Mountain Mint
• New England Aster
• And more!
LEARN MORE
WHAT IS BCC YOUNIVERSITY?
BCC YOUniversity is a continuing education program geared to promote personal and professional growth for all BCC staff.
STAFF REQUIREMENT
All year-round Full-time and Part-time staff are required to participate. Seasonal staff are welcome to attend with supervisor approval.
• Full-time staff are required to obtain a minimum of 4.5 credits within the fiscal year (March 1-February 28)
• Part-time staff will be required to obtain a minimum of 3 credits within the fiscal year (March 1-February 28)
• All new staff are required to take one BCC Basic History course
NO SHOW POLICY
.5 Credit deduction for not attending class without prior cancellation notice. To cancel your class, login to Sign-Up Genius or contact Lauren Kourtsounis at lkourtsounis@bcc1898.com
PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ETIQUETTE
Walking us through a workplace necessity, our Director of Communications Rachel Upton, will enlighten us on the do’s and don’ts of professional email etiquette. No matter your current position, this information is invaluable to your future and the way that you communicate with your peers and supervisors. Join us for 30 minutes, and you will be walking out of the room with fine-tuned skills and a newfound sense of confidence when interacting with others! This class is required for all Leadership and will be offered throughout the year.
APRIL 8 | 3:00PM | .5 CREDIT
SQUASH BASICS
Our Director of Squash Wade Johnstone, brings an exciting and dynamic approach to teaching the sport’s fundamentals. With a focus on footwork, technique, and strategy, he ensures players of all levels develop a strong foundation. Beginners will quickly grasp the basics like grip, stance, and key shots, while intermediate players will refine their skills and sharpen their game strategy.
Wade’s coaching emphasizes fluid movement and smart positioning, helping players gain control and confidence on the court. This session is the perfect opportunity for coworkers to come together, have fun, and improve their squash skills. Whether perfecting your forehand drive or mastering the drop shot, everyone will leave feeling more confident and energized.
APRIL 10 | 2:00PM | 1 CREDIT
BCC GOVERNANCE
APRIL 15 | 2:00PM | .5 CREDIT
CREATING A VISION BOARD
“Creating a Vision Board,” taught by Shantae Fauntleroy, is an empowering class designed to help participants manifest their goals and dreams. Shantae guides attendees through the process of visualizing their aspirations, turning abstract ideas into tangible representations. By using images, words, and symbols, participants create personalized vision boards that inspire and motivate.
Shantae’s approach encourages self-reflection and clarity, allowing individuals to connect deeply with their personal desires and ambitions. This hands-on session fosters creativity, mindfulness, and positive intention-setting, helping participants align their actions with their dreams. Whether it’s for personal growth, career goals, or life aspirations, this class provides the tools to build a visual roadmap for success and fulfillment.
APRIL 16 | 2:00PM | 1 CREDIT
CIRCUIT TRAINING
PERSONAL MEMBER
BCC 1 Credit 60min .5 credit 30-45 min
Taught by Jessica Taylorson, “Circuit Training” is a high-energy fitness class designed to improve strength, endurance, and overall fitness. Participants move through a series of stations, each focusing on different exercises that target various muscle groups. This full-body workout combines cardio and strength training, ensuring a balanced approach to fitness. The class is suitable for all fitness levels, with modifications provided to accommodate individual needs. With a fun, fast-paced environment, “Circuit Training” keeps participants motivated and challenged while helping them build stamina, increase strength, and burn calories effectively. It’s an engaging way to reach your fitness goals!
APRIL 24 | 12:00PM | 1 CREDIT
Pork (or Chicken) Pozole Verde MAKES 6-8 SERVINGS | CHEF JAMES MITCHEM
This is my favorite preparation of Pozole. Though red (Rojo) pozole is the most common, I love a good Verde sauce. Pozole is a Mexican stew classically consisting of pork and hominy. Hominy is corn that goes through a special process of soaking dried corn in an alkali solution which removes the hull and germ of the corn and causes it to double in size. A similar process is used to make corn tortillas. This recipe is the Verde (green) rendition, but you can also make red (Roja) and a white (Blanco) version of this dish. For the Roja version it will use red salsa containing many guajillo and other chili peppers which get blended into the stew and the Blanco version omits blending red or green salsa into the stew all together (this is the red and green sauces given as most taco joints). Pozole is often served during celebrations like new year’s and birthdays in and around Mexico but is comparable to making an amped up version of beef stew in the crockpot at home.
Ingredients
4 lbs. bone in or boneless pork shoulder
4 tablespoons neutral oil divided
1 medium to large white onion roughly chopped
6 garlic cloves, crushed & root end removed
2 bay leaves
8 cups of chicken stock
2 teaspoons ground cumin
32 oz. can white hominy drained
3 poblano peppers stem & seeds removed, and cut in half
6 large tomatillos husks removed, rinsed, and cut in half
1 jalapeño stem removed & cut in half
1 cup chopped cilantro leaves and stems packed
Kosher salt (to taste. If using store bought stock, you may not need to add any)
Freshly cracked black pepper
Add your favorite toppings and be generous with them
Examples:
Thinly sliced radishes
Thinly shredded green cabbage
Diced white onion
Chopped cilantro
Lime wedges
Cotija cheese crumbled
Corn or flour tortillas warmed
Avocado
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Liberally season the pork shoulder all over with kosher salt and pepper (go light on salt if using store bought stock). Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large (5 qt) Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is very hot, sear the pork all over so that it’s deeply golden brown. Turn off the heat and add the onion, garlic, bay leaves, cumin, and chicken stock.
2. Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and transfer to the oven for 3 hours, turning the pork 1-2 times. Once the pork is tender, remove the Dutch oven from the oven and let the pork rest in the juices for 30 minutes. With a spoon, skim any rendered fat that has risen to the top.
3. While the pork rests, crank the oven temperature up to 425F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and toss the poblanos, jalapeño, and tomatillos with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes (checking halfway) or until the veggies are soft. (this is the “Verde” – for a shortcut, simply use premade salsa Verde)
4. Remove the pork from the broth and shred with forks. Set aside and keep the bone and discard any chunks of fat.
5. Discard the bay leaves from the broth. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the onions and garlic from the broth into the carafe of a high-powered blender (It’s okay if you don’t get all the onions). Add 1 cup of the broth and all the roasted veggies from the tray, including their juices. Add the chopped cilantro and blend until smooth.
6. Pour the green sauce in the Dutch oven with the rest of the broth and add the shredded pork, pork bone, and hominy. Simmer for 45 minutes on medium-low heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
7. Serve topped with shredded cabbage, diced onion, cilantro, sliced radishes, cotija, and lime wedges. Enjoy with warmed tortillas on the side for dipping.
Bonus Tips
• You can also cook the pork/chicken in a slow cooker instead of a Dutch oven until tender and follow the remaining steps.
• Cook the day before; this will taste better the next day and makes it easier to remove excess rendered fat that will solidify on top when chilled. With a spoon scrape off any solid fat on top before reheating.
• Make with chicken breast, whole chicken or even turkey meat. If doing so, reduce the cooking time to about 45 minutes or until the meat has an internal temperature of 165 degrees when checked with a thermometer at its thickest part.
• This can be made vegetarian by using vegetable stock and replacing the meat with your favorite beans/legumes.
BCC Cares
Grab a co-worker or go on your own to these volunteer opportunities in and around the Baltimore area
WEEKLY FOOD PANTRY
Ongoing | 10:45am-2:00pm
BOOKS FOR KIDS DAY
Saturday, May 3 | 9:00am-2:00pm
Books for Kids Day is the Maryland Book Bank’s annual book collection event, where volunteers help us sort and organize over 25,000 books!
Books for Kids Day has a significant positive impact on literacy, education, and community development. By participating, volunteers ensure that children, educators, and families in underserved communities have access to high-quality books.
SUPPORT NEW NEIGHBORS WITH A WELCOME BAG
When families move into AHC’s affordable housing communities, we like to give them Welcome Bags filled with essential household supplies to say “welcome home.”
Volunteers will purchase items and assemble the bags. The bag can be a reusable grocery size bag, small laundry basket, or bucket. For purposes of hygiene and dignity, we ask that all items are new, unopened and unused. Please make sure items fit into the bags and limit your donations to the items listed below. We do not have the space or capacity to accept other items. Most volunteers find it useful and cost-effective to purchase items in bulk, as long as each final product has all the necessary items in it.
LEARN MORE
SENIOR CENTERS
Ongoing | 8:00am-4:00pm
Baltimore County has 20 senior centers located throughout the county as well as 1 virtual center. These centers offer many activities to engage the mind, increase health and wellbeing, connect to the community, travel the world and meet new friends.
Volunteering at a senior center allows you to share your professional or personal skills in a rewarding work environment. Each year, over 2,200 individuals volunteer in County senior centers. As nonprofits, volunteers are critical to senior center operation.
PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR SUPERHERO SUPPORT INC.
Ongoing | Varies
As a non-profit organization of superhero causeplayers, we strengthen our community by supporting nonprofit fundraising, hosting community-building events, and visiting ill / injured superhero fans of all ages.
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SANDWICHES & SMILES
On Thursday, March 20, BCC Staff distributed 50 oranges, 40 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, water, and 40 bags of cookies. Tying it all together were the sandwich bags that BCC Staff members left heartfelt messages on, the amount of smiles they evoked was countless. This trip wasn’t just about distributing goods—it was about fostering a sense of community, showing kindness, and doing what we can to make a difference, no matter how small. Every interaction was a reminder of the power of giving and the positive impact we can have on others' lives. The BCC team left downtown feeling fulfilled, knowing that we had made a meaningful contribution to the well-being of those who needed it most. Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a wonderful time. We’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to give back to the community!
BCC FOOD DRIVE
Thank you all who donated to our food drive! We were able to raise over 140 pounds of food!
To increase accessibility, there will be boxes to submit kudos for your teammates in the breakroom! These can be small pick-me-ups that make a huge difference in someone’s day. It could be about how they stayed late to help close, always opening the door for others, or the general kindness they bring to the work environment.
GOLF
From: Robb Merritt
Cathy Kim is just a great teacher and great person.
RACQUETS
From: Alexander Stern
Jacob does an excellent job teaching my 5-yearold son. He always makes sure it is a fun and challenging environment, and I have already noticed improvement in my son’s skills. I am excited for my son to keep playing and keep improving!
CLUB EVENTS
Oyster Roast
From: Mary Friedel
Loved the event immensely.
Dim Sum Dinner
From: Lauren Eberle
The array of food was amazing! Delicious and wonderful snapshot of all the culture has to offer. The decor was gorgeous and hosting in the kitchen is so unique and special! I would absolutely recommend this event to other guests!!!! Well done, as always!
From: Tara Gupta
Event was awesome!! So creative and so nice to have such an authentic experience. As always, BCC culinary and dining staff aim to beyond please. Beautiful presentation and delicious! An amazing treat - from the matcha cocktail to all the courses. I also love that Caroline was there to explain the real dim sum experience and give us her expertise. So nice to learn from her. Thank you for such a lovely evening.
À LA CARTE DINING
From: Jennifer Burger
Brittany went out of her way to provide us with an exceptional dining experience!!! We asked for a special menu request and she surprised us with our request. She had the chef prepare the menu item along with the special sauces. She even sent us home with the remaining sauce. Wow!! We were blown away. It made our experience extremely memorable. I have to also mention Dakota!!! She is phenomenal -top notch. Absolutely amazing. She is simply on top of everything and handles it with ease. She deserves huge recognition. Every time we dine and she is there we have a perfect experience thanks to her. Can’t sing her praises enough. Also Jane is an absolute pleasure. She is just pure joy and an amazing server. She adds so much positivity to BCC. Thank you BCC!
From: Margaret Arnold
Once again, the staff and BCC shined! I had hosted a work recruiting dinner and everyone had a wonderful time. Special thanks to Chef for making note that I was coming and having a super vegan entree on the menu. I felt very taken care of. Hannah was a great server, and she was on top of everything, including a last-minute birthday request. BRAVO!
From: Richard Ehrlich
Shaved broccoli salad was outstanding, as were the onion rings.
From: Elizabeth Sieck
I was delighted to be informed by a flyer on the bar that it was National Margarita Day. I chose one that was different and thoroughly enjoyed it - Blood Orange. I had the French Onion Soup, which is one of my favorites, and it was perfect for a cold winter night. The Trophy Bar staff was wonderful and attentive.
From: Nancy Hinds
Our waitress Cynthia is the best. She’s a true pro and fun to interact with. She has a great sense of humor, and she seems genuinely happy to help us when we come for dinner.
From: Peggy Kohlhepp
I feel very special to enjoy the wonderful BCC experience. Always a treat.
From: Samantha Beecher
Jane was so sweet and gave great dinner recommendations.
From: Laura Wille
Food was great and the server, Brooks, was excellent!!!!!
From: Edward Civera
Crab cakes were prepared perfectly, and we had a great waiter who made the dining experience excellent.
From: Dominick Valencia
The staff. It was so great to see Kayla, Danny, and. Sharyl again! I’ve been away on vacation for several weeks and returning to BCC and seeing the staff made me so happy. As always, their service was impeccable and just interacting with them is such a pleasant experience! Thank you all very much!
MARCH NEW HIRES
West Course Assistant Superintendent
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Bibi Talabi Earned Photoshop Certificate
Let’s Celebrate!
At Park & Farms, we believe every achievement—big or small—deserves recognition. Whether you’ve earned a new certification, bought your first home, gotten married, or received a promotion, we want to celebrate these milestones with you! So don’t be shy—let us know what’s new in your world, and let’s cheer each other on! Email yours or other’s accomplishments to Madison at melena@bcc1898.com.
BCC SPort tICKetS
Please
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
BCC is offering four complimentary Baltimore Orioles tickets with a parking pass to each home game—which can be yours to win!
Tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of multiple requests, a lottery system will be utilized.
ORIOLES TICKETS
Michael Mastrangelo
Garland Parvizi Started College at UMGC for Business Administration
