SOUTH SEAS FAMILY CHRONICLE
APRIL 2020
WE MISS YOU! Dear South Seas Family, We pray all of you and your families are safe and healthy in these uncertain times. This inaugural newsletter, South Seas Family Chronicle, is being created as a way to stay connected and keep you informed. Currently the resort remains closed to guests. There are a few unit owners on property, however with all features, beaches, pools, golf course, etc., closed, the resort is very quiet. The other inhabitants of our amazing resort, Ospreys, Eagles, Rabbits, Lizards, Dolphins, etc., are enjoying the opportunity to venture more than usual and are visible more frequently. Guests will travel again and we are committed to doing whatever it takes to put our South Seas family back to work as soon as possible. You mean the world to us! Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us on the leadership team. Take good care of yourself and take good care of each other. All the best, Your Leadership Team
UPDATES FROM HR Our parent company Aimbridge Hospitality has recognized the concerning time with the Covid-19 virus and introduced this new Rehire Policy for all Aimbridge properties and associates.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: REVISED RE-HIRE POLICY DUE TO COVID-19 Recognizing the uniqueness of the COVID-19 situation and the extreme impact it has had on our industry, we are excited to announce that we have made some exceptions to our rehire policy in the event that business conditions improve and our hotels are able to call some of our associates back to work prior to January 1, 2021. The following rehire terms will apply to anyone rehired before to January 1, 2021: • Your seniority date at the time of separations will be retained. • All previous Paid Time Off balances (Vacation, Sick and/or PTO) that were not paid out at separation will be reinstated upon rehire. • If you were a full-time benefit eligible associate prior to layoff, you will be eligible to re-enroll in health benefits, which will become effective on the first of the month following your date of re-hire.
• All previous time worked will count towards fulfilling the waiting period and for calculation of time for 401(k) employer match vesting. Please note that while Aimbridge remains optimistic that this crisis will pass soon, we have no way of knowing if or when our hotels will return to normal operations. The ability and timing to re-open each hotel will depend upon the specific market conditions, the brand, and the ownership of the property. We will do our best to keep everyone updated on the status of your particular hotel. Please consult with your manager or your HR representative for additional details or if you have questions.
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CHEF DENNIS’ QUARANTINE CHILI CHILI RECIPE • Pancetta (or bacon): The flavor instantly kicks this beef chili up! • Ground beef: I use a leaner cut of ground beef. • Veggies: A mix of bell pepper, onion, and garlic. • Chili peppers: º 1 jalapeño to give some heat º 1 can of diced green chiles to add some subtle mild undertones º 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce to add that signature smokiness • Beer + beef stock: A bottle of beer is my favorite trick for making an extradelicious broth. I use an IPA, but any favorite bottle of beer that you happen to have on hand will do. • Fire-roasted tomatoes: If you can’t find these at the store, regular diced tomatoes will also work. • Beans: 2 cans of whichever type(s) of beans you prefer, rinsed and drained.
I use one can each of pinto and kidney beans. • Seasonings: A blend of chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. • Toppings: I suggest you pile on as many toppings as possible. My favorites include diced avocado, chopped fresh cilantro, diced green or red onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and sour cream.
HOW TO MAKE THE CHILI 1. Brown the meat. First, brown the pancetta (or bacon) and beef in the stockpot, and transfer the cooked meat to a separate clean plate. There should be at least a tablespoon of grease left in the pan, which you will use to sauté the veggies. 2. Sauté veggies. Next, sauté the onion, red pepper and jalapeño until softened, followed by a quick sauté of the garlic. 3. Add remaining ingredients: Add beer
to the stockpot and use a wooden spoon to gently scrape up any browned bits that are stuck to the bottom. Finally, add the cooked beef and pancetta (or bacon), beef stock, tomatoes, beans, chicken, green chiles, chipotle chili in adobo, chili powder, smoked paprika and cumin to the stockpot and stir to combine. Let the chili continue to cook until it reaches a simmer. 4. Simmer: Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and continue to simmer the chili for about 20 minutes. 5. Season: Taste and season with salt and pepper, as needed. If the broth seems too thin to your liking, you can let the broth simmer uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until it has reduced and thickened a bit. 6. Serve: When you’re ready, ladle the chili into serving bowls and pile them high with lots and lots of your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
JAMES' COCKTAIL RECIPE
THE CRANBERRY QUARANTINI Ingredients: • • • • •
30 ml Grand Marnier 30 ml Cranberry Juice 45 ml Vodka 15 ml Apple Juice Top off Champagne or Sparkling Wine
Serve in a martini glass and enjoy. Cheers!
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NEEDING FITNESS INSPIRATION? WE PULLED SOME GREAT ARTICLES FOCUSING ON STAYING ACTIVE AT HOME!
THE BEST AT-HOME WORKOUTS TO TRY
YOGA ROUTINES FOR YOUR QUARANTINE
4 FITNESS CHALLENGES TO TRY AT HOME
While your favorite boutique workout class or fitness center might be temporarily shut down or you might not feel comfortable going, that doesn’t mean you should stop sweating. In fact, working out might be one of the best ways you can pass time while you’re self-quarantined. You don’t have to own a Peloton bike or have any equipment to get in a good workout at home. Here are the exercise programs to try:
There’s never been a better time to take a deep breath and do some stretchingEven people who are beginners or have never tried yoga at all can do a home practice — and it might even be a better way to start out than going to a yoga studio where you’re surrounded by limber pros confidently launching into handstands. (Not that that is even an option right now during this time of self-isolation.)
Exercise might just be more important than ever. Not only will you need to keep your body moving to stay healthy while cooped up inside, but the endorphins rush from working out will do wonders for your mental health – particularly in these anxiety-inducing times.And just because you don’t have loads of fancy gym equipment doesn’t mean you can’t push yourself – which is what any of these feats will do…
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DIVE INTO A
GREAT BOOK
NETFLIX
RECOMMENDATIONS A laugh in dark times? The stakes are high in “The Good Place” — the fate of humanity hangs in the balance — and yet the ragtag team fighting to save us all are gloriously, painfully human (even though some of them aren’t, technically). This show strikes a great lowbrow/highbrow balance.
SOME GOOD NEWS Despite the confusion, uncertainty, grief, and despair the pandemic has caused, there’s never a bad time to look for the positive side of things. Sick of all the sad news in the media,
John Krasinski decided to change the narrative by creating a Youtube channel called “Some Good News.” The new show is dedicated to heartwarming, inspiring, and uplifting stories from
around the world. His very first episode welcomed a special guest—Steve Carell—to commemorate the 15th anniversary of The Office.
HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SEE / RECOMMEND? EMAIL VERDELL AT VEKBERG@SOUTHSEAS.COM!
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LET’S LOOK BACK ON
THE GOOD TIMES!
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JUST FOR FUN MOVIE TRIVIA (A) Question 1: In which movie did Humphrey Bogart play Charlie Allnut?
Question 6: In which film did father and son actors Will and Jaden Smith first appear together?
Question 2: Which movie features the song Ding Dong the Witch Is Dead?
Question 7: Who directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy?
Question 3: What names were given to the three tunnels in the movie The Great Escape?
Question 8: In the Star Wars movies, which moon is home to the Ewoks?
Question 4: In which 1979 film was the spaceship called Nostromo?
Question 9: The 2014 movie The Theory of Everything details the life of which British scientist?
Question 5: What word beginning with M describes both a New York borough and a Woody Allen film?
Question 10: Which actor plays the role of Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men film series?
GUESS THE MOVIE BASED ON THE EMOJI! (B)
ANSWER KEY
Patrick Stewart.
10.
Stephen Hawking.
9.
9. 8.
8. Endor.
7.
Peter Jackson.
7.
The Pursuit of Happiness.
6.
6. 5.
5. Manhattan.
4.
4. Alien.
3.
Tom, Dick and Harry.
3.
The Wizard of Oz.
2.
African Queen.
1.
A
2. 1.
B
Lord of the Rings Chicken Run Freaky Friday The Wolf of Wall Street Ocean’s Eleven The Breakfast Club Midnight in Paris Paranormal Activity Beauty and the Beast
APRIL BIRTHDAYS April 2
Lisette Lamarche
April 18
Micheline Senat
April 4
Leanne Zephir
April 19
Samantha Costa
April 6
Jarvis Baker
April 21
Lebonheur Badeau
April 7
Donald Jones
April 21
Marie Reste Ismeus
April 7
Kevin Lacasse
April 22
Kimberly Morris
April 8
Zita Jauniene
April 23
Callison Atkinson
April 9
Robert Walter
April 23
Susan McBride
April 10
Bernadette Premise
April 25
Daniel Ortega
April 12
Alexandra Dorval
April 25
Kenneth Clasen
April 12
Ryan Berecz
April 26
Tinashe Sibanda
April 14
Gina Princivil
April 28
Alexander Fuentes
April 15
Jacques Petit Homme
April 29
Jeffrey Hammerly
April 16
Amanda Dombkowski
April 30
Fiorella Rodriguez Vega