Staff Newsletter - December 2024 by membership-bcc1898

Madison Elena, Shantae Fauntleroy, Taryn King, Jessica Noffsinger, Abby Rodriguez, Hannah Schmitt, Carrington Windl

GREENFOLDER STORIES

Mr. John Minutoli was engaged in Rome this past week. Kent was aware of this special occasion and had the events team and Abby organize a BCC Wedding box (includes wedding venue info, champagne flutes, and BCC cookies), along with a fancy bottle of champagne and framed engagement photograph. This gift was delivered to Mr. Minutoli's house on the day he was arriving home from Rome so that BCC could be one of the first to congratulate him!

The Higgins family just moved into a new home and Cathy wanted to proide a housewarming gift. We created a gift basket with Champagne flutes, sparkling rose, a BCC blanket, and chocolate chip cookies to welcome them to their new home.

Taryn King, a relatively new staff member, is in her first year of managing the bowling leagues at Roland Park. During one of the Ladies' Tuesday Morning Bowling meets, Taryn observed that Mrs. Wilhelmson was wearing a sling, and learned she was unable to bowl due to dislocating her shoulder over the weekend. Taryn decided to put together a care basket for her that included a BCC Logoed Basket, Teas, a Bowling Pin Mug and a note. Mrs. Wilhelmson was so thankful she even told Taryn that it was worth dislocating her shoulder to receive the basket.

Mr. Obrecht frequently dines at Five Farms for lunch and his assistant always calls to make his dining reservations. One day, his assistant called and let Patricia know that she had the honor of joining Mr. Obrecht for his reservation because it was her birthday. Patricia went above and beyond to ensure that Mr. Obrecht’s assistant was treated like a member. The Club decorated a birthday dessert plate for her and had a birthday card signed by the staff. This was a surprise to both Mr. Obrecht and his assistant and was so appreciated by both.

Mrs. Rukert had to undergo surgery for a double mastectomy and many staff members wanted to send her our love and support. The Club organized a gift basket for Mrs. Rukert and sent a dinner to her home to help during her recovery period. Two cards were signed by staff and leadership to show her extra love.

While filming content for social media, Rachel Barnes & Cathy Kim learned that Charlie Ilardo's 10th birthday was approaching and learned that his favorite BCC treat was the oreo milkshakes from the pool café. Rachel organized with the culinary team to have a special oreo milkshake made for Charlie on his birthday and even purchased "1" "0" balloons for Charlie to deliver to him at home on his birthday, making the day extra special.

What sets Baltimore Country Club apart from other country clubs? Our people! Our staff members take every step to go above and beyond to accomplish our Simple Truth: Great People Make Favorite Places. Often, there are easy ways to make a positive impression on our members from saying happy birthday to congratulations on an award. However, not being afraid to make the big gestures is what distinguishes us.

We love sharing these stories of the Simple Truth! Submit your Simple Truth experience by filling out the Green Folder Stories form, located at the bottom of the Park & Farms email, in Park & Farms, the staff webpage, or scan the QR codes in the staff breakrooms. BCC encourages all members to submit their own or fellow staff members’ Green Folder Stories.

Save the DateS

DECEMBER



STAFF APPRECIATION

BRUNCH & SALE

Five Farms

Keep an eye on your calendar for upcoming details

CLUB CLOSED

Enjoy your holiday break!

JANUARY

 CLUB CLOSED

Happy New Year!

 STAFF HOLIDAY PARTY

Location: B.C. Brewery

STAFF APPRECIATION

Brunch

&

Sale

Mark your calendars for the annual Staff Appreciation Brunch & Golf Sale! Here is your chance to grab some discounted BCC gear, wine, and spirits—just in time for the holidays!

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17

FIVE FARMS

GOLF & RACQUETS SALE

9:00am-2:00pm | Cash, Check, & Card Accepted

CLEAR THE CELLAR SALE

9:00am-2:00pm | Must Show ID, Cash, Check, & Card Accepted

STAFF BRUNCH

10:00am-1:00pm | Replaces Lunch Staff Meal

Chef Mike made a very special trail mix for a cart snack on the first day of the Member-Member Tournament and while I was check on the course stations I saw Mr. Paul Danko Sr and he made a point to stop me and ask about the trail mix. He said it was delicious and wanted to know if we sell it or offer it in ALC. I let him know that we made it especially for the tournament, and he recommended that we sell it because he couldn't get enough! I told Chef Mike about it and we decided to make a little care package with a bunch of trail mix snack bags. Denise was at the front desk and found out that he was coming in for golf on Sunday so I left him a gift bag stuffed with trail mix! I left it with the golf shop so they could present it to him when he arrived for his tee time. He was very surprised and very pleased and excited to have more of the treats!

ROASTED CRANBERRY

TRAIL MIX

Yield: 1200g/42.3oz

216g/7.6oz Toasted walnuts, almonds, or pecans

240g/8.5oz Small pretzels

240g/8.5oz Dried cranberries

2 Egg whites

201g/7.1oz Granulated sugar

110g/3.9oz Brown sugar

4.9g/0.2oz Ground cinnamon

4.9g/0.2oz Salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 225F

2. Beat eggs whites till foamy. Then mix sugars, salt, and cinnamon.

3. In a large bowl, combine the nuts, pretzels, and cranberries. Coat the mixture with egg whites, then toss with cinnamon and sugar mixture.

4. On a greased sheet pan, spread out the mixture evenly. Place in the oven for about an hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Celebrate the Holidays Around Baltimore

MARYLAND HOLIDAY LIGHT SPECTACULAR

December 12–December 30 | Open Nightly 5:30pm-10:00pm

Light up the season with an ALL NEW outdoor Holiday Light Spectacular! Share the magic of the holidays with family and friends! With admission as low as $10, this would make a beautiful way to admire all the season has to offer. Located less than 10 minutes away from the Five Farms location, it is easily accessible to all!

CHANUKAH IN CANDYLAND

Chabad Owings Mills: Sunday, December 29 at 4:00pm

A completely FREE event to help you celebrate your Chanukah in a lighthearted and whimsical fashion. The venue will be filled with fun games, crafts, latkes, gelt, dreidels, and pizza! One of the featured activities will be lighting the Menorah, a wonderful way to dedicate the holiday season to your friends, family, and everything that matters most.

MORE INFORMATION

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE IN BALTIMORE

November 23-December 24

Sunday-Thusday: 12:00pm-8:00pm

Friday-Saturday: 12:00pm-9:00pm

Named one of the best Christmas markets in the US by Timeout in 2023, our market features over 60 vendors in charming wooden booths. Illuminated by thousands of lights, including the stunning Glühwein Pyramid, a traditional German mulled wine tower, Christmas Village in Baltimore offers both indoor and outdoor holiday markets, a carousel and ferris wheel, a heated tent, and a beer garden. Warm up with a mug of glühwein and freshly grilled bratwurst, or enjoy a stein of German beer from Hofbrau.

MORE INFORMATION

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET

November 29-January 1 | Open Nightly 6:00pm-11:00pm

Miracle on 34th Street is a display of holiday lights that takes place annually on the 700 block of 34th Street The display, which involves the residents of most of the houses on the block started in 1947. The location becomes a major attraction for visitors from all over the area.

HolidayTraditions

Learn about some of the holiday traditions from your fellow staff members!

KENT JOHNSON, GENERAL MANAGER

Our General Manager, Kent Johnson, is renowned for his fun bow ties and eccentric seasonal suits, but did you know that his Christmas tree carries these same traits? Several years ago, Kent and his dear wife Shannon were in downtown Baltimore when they stumbled upon a restaurant showcasing a unique display: an upside-down Christmas tree! Shannon recalls thinking, “Our family is such a goofy bunch; we would all love to recreate this!” With some logistical planning, they had the tree hanging from the ceiling, and it has been a beloved tradition ever since!

SUZY JEWETT, GOLF MAINTENANCE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

After talking with Suzy, it is clear that Cuba and many other Hispanic cultures go all out for ‘Noche Buena’, the holiday that celebrates what we know as Christmas in the U.S. Her and the family celebrate a full 12 days, called ‘Carnival’, starting on the December 24 and ending on January 6. There is no Santa Claus; they celebrate the Three Kings, who bring presents to the children on the last day, January 6, also known as the Epiphany. The food is as extensive as it is important, so the dishes will be prepped many days in advance. There will typically be a whole roasted pig in mojo seasoning, black beans, yuca, Spanish wines, and tarron, which is an almond dessert that pays homage to the Bible as it originated from the Middle East. There is midnight mass on the December 24 to kick off Carnival; it’s common for people

JEREMI MARASIGAN, COOK

Jeremi and his family are from the Philippines, but they celebrate Christmas similar to most. There’s always a delicious ham, a cheese ball for an appetizer, drinks, and gifts for everyone. What makes his celebration so unique is the excitement and anticipation on Christmas Eve; they all stay up until midnight when it becomes Christmas Day. Once the day has turned, everyone gathers around the tree and exchanges gifts; afterwards, they will have a family meal together. The night keeps going until everyone is tuckered out from the festivities and heads to bed.

MERCHANDISE MANAGER

In the Kesten household, they celebrate Chanukah in a traditional manner. This means lots of pastries, specifically jelly donuts, dreidels, and the lighting of the menorah. The reason why pastries are so prevalent during this time is because oil holds a lot of significance during the holiday. As a symbol of God’s presence in the sacred temple, they lit an oil lamp. There was only enough oil to light the lamp for a single day. However, the lamp remained alight for eight days. This story is known as the miracle of Hanukkah, which is still celebrated today around the world.

We are excited to announce a special raffle in support of Helping Hand, our committee that’s dedicated to assisting staff members during financial crisis. By participating, you not only stand a chance to win fantastic prizes, but you’ll also be supporting a great cause!

How to Enter

If you’re currently actively enrolled for voluntary staff member payroll contributions - then your name has already been added to the raffle! If you’re not currently enrollednow is the time for your chance to win!

contRibutE ViA PAyRoLL

The organization is funded through voluntary staff member contributions that are tax deductible through our 501(c)(3) status.

Contributions can be as low as $1 per pay period and can be adjusted at any time. This is a great way to help your coworkers that may find themselves in need of assistance.

ToyDrive

DONATIONS DUE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 9 DROP-OFF IN THE BREAKROOMS

‘Tis the season of giving! Helping Hand is hosting their annual toy drive to support our staff members in need during the holiday season. A small way to make a huge impact is by donating newly purchased toys or unopened ones that you haven’t yet found a purpose for.

Every toy donated will go to a child in need, ensuring they experience the magic of the season. Your generosity can make a lasting impact in their lives, spreading smiles and warmth during the holidays.

Your support is invaluable, and together, we can make this holiday season a little brighter. Let’s come together and make a difference by sharing the joy of giving!

MEMBER SURVEY RESPONSES FROM HAPPOMETER

I love all about my 50 years at BCC. THE BEST. I belong to four Clubs. BCC IS THE BEST!!!!

Andrea made the lunch!! She was in on our family’s surprise for our daughter Annie — Taylor Swift tickets! She brought out props and played along with a fake menu including a ton of Taylor Swift references. Simply incredible!

Ashley was terrific, as always. She’s kind, personable, just the right amount of attentive and a joy to interact with. She also highly recommended the night’s special, meat loaf. It was superb. Perhaps the best meal we have had at BCC. Please consider adding to the permanent menu.

David may be the best instructor in Maryland and he gave more time than was allotted to make sure I learned a concept. I am very grateful!

Food and wine pairing were wonderful.. the Wagu Mosiac was over the top and Virginia oysters were plump and right sized. I particularly liked the aged pork. Desserts were exceptional, especially the squash mousse and donuts! Service was impeccable. Chef and Erik should be very proud!!

Jane is ALWAYS the most attentive and professional server. She is a leader among her peers. Upon leaving dinner, Jane was the superstar who made the effort to assist us.

The Eggplant Parmigiana was delicious. I am so glad it is on the menu. We were on a schedule for a performance. Maggie kept our dining experience moving along in a timely manner.

Great that it was complimentary and fun for all ages. The donuts were delicious and a decent variety. I’d attend again and encourage other dads to sign up.

I love all the different food stations and being able to try different wines. The atmosphere is so fun, love how you use all the rooms too. Special shoutout to the staff who worked so hard. I saw a guest back into a server and knock over her tray of empty glasses. Within 30 seconds Erik was there with a wet floor sign, Brittany was sweeping up broken glass. You guys are unbelievably hard workers!

Alyssa and David were very positive and ran a good clinic with good drills., we got to hit a lot of balls. It was well organized and planned. I think they did a good job and it was fun and beneficial.

Wade, I appreciate the lessons you give and have given me and my grandsons over the years. Those hours are a "value added" benefit to our lives. Keep Rolling!

Our waitress was very good, and staff is always attentive.

Danny and Gio. These two are a real combo.

Everything was wonderful - from the planning stage we received great advice and options. On the day of the event, the room was set up and decorated when we arrived, our event coordinator, Caroline helped keep things running smoothly and dealt with delays, the food was perfect to every detail. We were assisted and advised in the planning - everyone was professional and helpful, we were happy with everything. Thank you!

This was a TON of fun! Loved the food and wine stations, loved the layout of it all, just really had a great time. My husband and I will definitely come again!

The overall experience - comfortable beautiful environment, excellent staff, and the food was excellent as always. Kent Johnson, our incredible Club Manager, stopped at our table. He has the uncanny ability to greet each guest while keeping a watchful eye on everything around him. He makes each guest feel like he's delighted to see them, and cares that they’re happy with their experience at The Club. His positive manner is reflected throughout the Club, in the excellence of the staff and their team spirit.

To: Blessy Kimathi

Blessy made a wonderful dinner service. We had to be quick to make sure we got any because word traveled quickly and everyone wanted a bite. The crab-stuffed cod and beef were absolutely out of this world. She deserves big kudos for the dinner and every other delicious meal she’s prepared.

From: Danny Coker

To: Kevin Lawrence

Kevin is always a smiling and friendly face to greet members and staff alike as they enter the Five Farms Clubhouse. Kevin does a great job overseeing the valet team, and the entire team provides a welcoming and friendly greeting to start the member experience at the Club off on the right foot.

From: Member Relations

Kudos Korner is composed of different compliments or ‘kudos’ heard around the halls and sent to Staff Engagement Coordinator Madison Elena melena@bcc1898.com. This is to make sure that even if you haven’t heard it from a coworker directly, they are thinking of you! There’s a lot of gratitude to be spread. Thank you for all that you do!

To:

Events

The Events team went out and got Insomnia cookies for the Roland Park office. It was such a kind gesture, and everyone enjoyed the sweet treats. What made the experience so genuine and kind is that they thought of me when they were out and made sure to get a vegan cookie so I could enjoy dessert as well. It really warmed my heart!

From: Rachel Barnes

To: Dennis Kircher

Denny is always so kind and helpful, especially when looking for specific materials or exploring new hobbies. When I was looking into wood carving, he sent me home with wood samples so that I could try my hand at it without spending too much money. There are endless examples of his generosity and warmth; the man is multi-talented and full of knowledge.

From: Madison Elena