January 2011 Newsette

Meridian Hills Country Club

Newsette www.meridianhillscc.org

Our Warmest Thanks

January 2011

All of the Meridian Hills employees would like to send our most sincere gratitude and warmest thanks to the membership for their generous contributions to the annual Christmas Bonus Fund. We appreciate you recognizing all the staff members, both those that you see everyday and those that work behind the scenes. We have a lot to be thankful for at our Club, and we truly appreciate your generosity. It is our pleasure to serve you each and every day.

To view pictures from the MHCC Employee Party turn to page 4.

Meridian Hills Country Club - Indianapolis, Indiana

President’s Message Board of Directors Mark W. Ford President Steve Webster Secretary Dan Baker Jeff Cristee Janet Griffith Estes Haydon Hapak Chris Seger Ken Stella Jim Zoccola Legal Counsel Todd Hillman Treasurer

Management Team Kevin O’Laughlin, CCM Club Manager Ludo Aaron Head Tennis Professional Jack Barber Head Golf Professional Craig Gasaway Banquet Manager Ashley Goldman Communications Coordinator Jim Hess Golf Course Superintendent Kelly Letzler Catering Coordinator Joe Miller Executive Chef John Peterson Dining Room Manager Lisa Strachota Director of Membership & Marketing Meridian Hills Country Club 7099 Spring Mill Road Indianapolis, Indiana 46260 317.255.2496

January 2011

Walking around the Club this December, you would have to be Grinch-like or Ebenezer Scrooge not to feel the energy and enthusiasm brought to the job at hand by all the individuals employed at Meridian Hills Country Club. It’s one compelling reason why so many members voluntarily contribute to the annual employee Christmas fund.

Contribution or not, recognition and a thank you for a job well done means something, so we should not be shy in extending our “Thank Yous” to the staff who work so hard top to bottom to make Meridian Hills Country Club an experience on every visit.

And with New Year’s Eve all but in the record books, Mark W. Ford 2011 promises to be more of the same . . . only better! At Club President least that’s the New Year’s resolution and one we ought not to forget! Maybe that’s the mantra for 2011 – great facilities, great food, even better than great service. Hold your Club to that standard and I will be very surprised if we do not catch up to your expectations (maybe even exceed them on occasion).

And then it’s January. The good news here is that January is our deep clean month...carpet, furniture, touch-up paint applied when the Club is closed from January 24th to February 8th.

Otherwise, we will be operating on something of a limited menu for a couple of months as the Club prepares for another season. Spring will be here before we know it . . . such is the outlook of the eternal optimist.

Lastly, you should know that just a couple of weeks ago Dale Duncan advised that he had accepted a job operating two (2) newspapers in Portland, Maine, and, therefore, he was resigning from the Board of Directors. Dale will really be missed as his service on the Board was marked by his common sense and ability to cut to the heart of an issue without offending anyone. But I know Dale will also be missed in the card room and on the golf course. The guy loses more scorecards between the cart area and handicap posting than anyone I know. Dale is a steady hand and although we all wish him tremendous success in his new position, we should also look forward to his return.

Our upcoming January leads the Board to selecting Dale Duncan’s successor and focusing on a new member initiative. We have an objective of staying ahead of the curve. That will not change as we work toward elevating our membership numbers while maintaining our commitment to attracting new members who share our respect for what we have created here.

Best wishes for the New Year,

mark.ford@icemiller.com

Our Newest Additions Zach and Abby Ford and big brother Bennett, welcomed a baby girl, Elizabeth Rosemary, (Elly Rose) into the world on October 18th.

Congratulations to all, including proud grandparents, Club President, Mark Ford and his wife Linda!

www.meridianhillscc.org

The Club certainly enjoyed another great Holiday Season, and I would like to thank the many members that utilized the Club for private events and regular dining during this festive time of year. It is always the busiest month of the year for the food and beverage staff, and this year was no exception.

Message from the Manager

For those of you who have already transplanted to the south for the winter, as well as those who are in the process, I hope that you have a wonderful winter and Kevin O’Laughlin, CCM we look forward to seeing you in the spring. Just a Club Manager reminder that the clubhouse will be closed this year for a two week period from Monday, January 24, 2011 thru Tuesday, February 8, 2011.

As I referenced in last month’s Newsette, a few changes in our dining operations will take place beginning in January 2011. In order to reduce food and labor expense during our slowest time of the year, January and February, the Club will make the following changes: • We will offer a limited dinner menu on Tuesday evenings consisting of soups, salads and sandwiches. Please see the menu which has been included in this month’s Newsette on page 5.

• Our Tuesday Night Homestyle specials will be moved to Thursday Nights • Again this year, we will also be closing in January, February and March on Sunday evenings for regular dining after the Breakfast Buffet.

Also another important reminder, we have made some changes to the Sunday Breakfast format.

• Beginning on January 2, 2011, our Sunday Breakfast Buffet will be streamlined to offer limited breakfast selections for a reduced price. Our goal is to make this option more affordable to allow our membership to bring their entire family out to the Club to enjoy breakfast/brunch.

• The Breakfast Buffet will be the only menu available on Sunday’s. A la carte service will not be available. Please see the menu which is included on page 6 of this Newsette.

If you still have not made plans for New Year’s Eve, consider Meridian Hills.

Reservations are still available and we would love to see you here at the Club. As always, if there is anything we can do to make your experience here at the Club more enjoyable, please let us know.

Happy New Year, Kevin

www.meridianhillscc.org

Table of Contents

2 - Presidents Message 3 - Message from the Manager 4 - Employee Party Pics 5 - Membership Update 6 - New Tuesday Menu 7 - Club Reminders 8 - Club Closing 9 - Valentine’s Brunch 10 - Poinsettia Tree 11 - Tennis Update 12-13 Calendars 14 - Club Hours

Ladies’ Duplicate Bridge Ladies Duplicate Bridge is held the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month until golf starts again. It begins at 10:00am in the ladies’ card room. All are welcome, you only need a partner to play, not a table of four.

So come join us!

January 2011

MHCC Holiday Party

Many thanks to Martin for photographing the evening. Also Congrats and Best Wishes to him & Mickey, who informed us that they are expecting!

www.meridianhillscc.org

January 2011

Membership Update

Happy New Year from your Membership Committee! We are confident 2011 will see a continuation of the success the Club enjoyed in 2010 in attracting new members. Our momentum was good in the last months of 2010. You may recall the Club’s fiscal year begins October 1, and the last three months of the year we added 5 new members. Unfortunately, we also have continued to feel the lingering after effects of the slow economic recovery and along with a seasonal trend we’ve experienced a drop of 8 members. So, we are finishing 2010 with roughly the same number of members as we began the year in January (765 vs.

771). In comparison, Meridian Hills had just over 800 members at the end of 2007.

A key goal of the Membership Committee for 2011 is to increase the pace of new members joining the Club. We are working closely with the Board of Directors and Lisa Strachota, Director of Membership and Marketing, to both refine and add new strategies and ideas to boost interest in the Club. Look for a few new programs to be announced in the coming months!

George Farra Membership Committee Chairman

At the same time, please remember that Club members are the number one source of new members each and every year. Your friends and family who may be interested in joining at a Clubhouse, Tennis or Golf membership level are welcome to contact Lisa to learn about the different programs available. We are particularly interested in increasing the number of younger members through the different Junior membership options. Please remember all of the younger family-oriented programs such as Kids Club, swimming, tennis and golf as well as the various events focused on Halloween and Christmas.

Thank you again for your support of both our Committee and Meridian Hills. Your thoughts, ideas and comments are welcome any time and I can be reached at gfarra@woodleyfarra.com or (317) 269-0225.

Welcome New Members James and Kathleen Art Ryan Fire Protection 9740 E. 148th Street Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 774-2828 7050 N. Pennsylvania Street Indianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 205-9109 Resident Tennis Sponsors: Steffonie Ryan, Kathleen Leppert, Buffe Challand, Todd Morris

Karin and Andrew Held 7440 Holliday Drive East Indianapolis, IN 46260 (317) 251-1158 Junior Tennis Sponsors: David Held, Dr. Erik Barrett, Dennis Barrett, Kevin Stitle

David and Christina Ricks Eli Lilly Lilly Corporate Center Indianapolis, IN 46285 (317) 651-8727 7550 North Washington Blvd.

Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317) 405-8585 Resident Golf Sponsors: Dr. Pat Kersey, Kevin Stitle, Dr. John Bamforth, Dr. Lance Rettig

Starr Townsend 5121 North Washington Blvd.

Indianapolis, IN 46205 (317) 251-8067 Resident Tennis Sponsors: Ted Dunn, Fritz French, Ellen Townsend, Nancy Dunn

www.meridianhillscc.org

January 2011

Meridian Hills Tuesday Menu Meridian Hills Tuesday Menu MHCC Chili Cup 3.5 Bowl 5

Spinach & FrisĂŠe dried cherries, oranges, toasted pecans gorgonzola and port wine vinaigrette 7.5

Vegetable Soup Cup 3.5 Bowl 5

Miller Salad shrimp, sea legs, toasted almonds, herb croutons seasonal greens and creamy garlic dressing 14.5 (substitute jumbo lump crab for sea legs 22)

Soup of the Day Cup 3.5 Bowl 5

House Salad choice of dressing 4

Caesar Salad served in a crisp parmesan basket with marinated tomatoes 5.5

Chop Salad julienne lettuce, bacon, tomato, hearts of palm bleu cheese, crispy shallots and parmesan dressing 6.5

Rockwell Salad char-broiled chicken breast, seasonal greens sliced apples, crumbled bleu cheese, spiced walnuts and port wine vinaigrette 12.5 Southwestern Salad grilled sirloin on field greens with black bean & corn relish, tomato, avocado, jack and cheddar cheese with southwestern ranch dressing 14.5

Traditional Club Sandwich boarshead honey ham, oven roasted turkey bacon, lettuce and tomato on your choice of bread or toast 9

Reuben Sandwich house cooked corned beef with sauerkraut melted baby Swiss and russian dressing on toasted rye 12.5

Chicken Avocado Club grilled chicken breast topped with avocado apple smoked bacon, tomato, swiss cheese and herbal mayonnaise 9.5

Beef Tenderloin Sandwich sliced tenderloin of beef on toasted focaccia with avocado, roasted tomatoes provolone cheese and pesto aioli 16.5

Grilled Black Angus Burger ½ lb black angus ground beef patty served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle 9 - Available: black & bleu or mushroom swiss

Homemade Fried Chicken Sliders three buttermilk chicken breast served golden brown on mini-buns with chipotle mayo, lettuce, tomato and pickle 14.5

Slow Roasted Pork Sandwich sliced roasted pork on a toasted kaiser roll topped with smoked gouda caramelized onions and chipotle BBQ sauce 10.5

Vegetable Quesadilla guacamole, sour cream and salsa 10 (Add: grilled chicken or steak 2)

*The Tuesday Night Homestyle Specials will be moved to Thursday Nights*

January 2011

www.meridianhillscc.org

Club Reminders

NEW SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET MENU Every Sunday from 10am - 2pm

Cold Food & Breakfast Pastries Assorted Fresh Fruits & Assorted Breakfast Breads and Pastries

Hot Selections Chef’s Choice of Breakfast Entrée Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Apple Smoked Bacon & Sausage Links

Omelet & Waffle Station Omelet’s Made to order, a selection of ingredients to choose from Belgian Waffles with whipped butter, warm syrup, cut berries, and chopped nuts

*There is no a la carte service available during the breakfast buffet* HANDICAP PARKING

The Handicap Parking Spots in our parking lot are for HANDICAP MEMBERS & GUESTS ONLY. We have noticed that vehicles who do not have Handicap Parking Permits have been occupying those spaces that are reserved for those that in fact need them. Please be aware that if we find that you are parked in one of those spots, we will have your car towed.

In case of Emergency

In late October, the Club experienced a power outage that lasted for over 6 hours. During this time, our phones, internet and computers were down. We had no way to contact the membership, and in turn, the membership had no way to contact anyone at the Club. Should this ever happen again, please feel free to contact Kevin O’Laughlin, Club Manager, on his cell phone. The number is 317.319.6420.

PLEASE USE THIS FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY.

Automated External Defibrillators AED’s

Meridian Hills has recently updated all of our Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s). There are over 20 full and part time staff members, here at the Club, who have been trained on the use of these devices for cardiac emergencies. For your knowledge and awareness, these AED’s are located in the following areas around the Club; The Reception Desk, Pro Shop, Fitness Center, Grounds Department, Tennis House and the Manager’s Office.

www.meridianhillscc.org

January 2011

Club Closing Club Closed

January 24th, 2011 - February 8th, 2011 As has been the case for several years, the Club will be closed for two weeks in late January & early February for our annual Club maintenance projects. The Club will close beginning Monday, January 24, 2011 and will reopen on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. All facilities will be closed except for the Fitness Center and Paddle Tennis courts. Dining reciprocity has been offered to our members at the Columbia Club, Woodland Country Club and Woodstock Club. Please call each Club for hours of operation and for reservations.

Dining Reciprocity: Columbia Club 767-1361

Woodland Country Club 846-2588

Woodstock Club 926-3348

January Schedule for the Golf Shop

Saturday, January 1st CLOSED – Beginning of Winter Shutdown *The months of January and February, the Golf Shop will be CLOSED. We will re-open March 1, 2011* Emergency Contacts for the Golf Shop In the event that you would need your clubs, or any other emergency that may come up in January – February, please contact us on our cell phones below.

Please keep in mind that these are cell phones and should be called for emergencies only.

We will still be checking the email contact daily as well.

Jack Barber Michael Bembenick Dave McConnell

317-319-6422 574-274-0057 630-388-9890

As special orders arrive, we will notify you as soon as they come in to make arrangement for pick-up, or to put in lockers.

January 2011

www.meridianhillscc.org

Valentine’s Day Brunch

Valentine’s Day Brunch Sunday, February 13, 2011 10:00am – 2:00pm

MENU

Assorted Fresh Fruits & Salad Domestic & Imported Cheese Display Smoked Salmon Iced Shrimp Cocktail Scrambled Eggs & Breakfast Potatoes Apple Smoked Bacon & Sausage Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Cabernet Sauce Cheese Blintz with Seasonal Berries Chef’s Selection of Fresh Vegetables Belgian Waffles with Whipped Butter, Warm Syrup Cut Berries and Chopped Nuts Omelets Made to Order with a selection of ingredients to choose from Assorted Breakfast Breads and Bakeries Pastry Chef’s Dessert Selection

A La Carte Menu Unavailable Club Closed for Dinner Service www.meridianhillscc.org

Adults: $21.95 Children 10 and under: $13.95 Children 3 and under are free!

Reservations required

January 2011

Poinsettia Tree Donations

MHCC Poinsettia Tree Donors This beautiful Poinsettia Tree is made possible by many of you who donate a poinsettia in memory of or to honor someone very special in your lives. We thank all of you for your thoughtfulness and for helping to make our entryway even more spectacular during the Holiday Season.

Jane & Al Blake...............................................in memory of Viola Zapp, 5 poinsettias Ruth A. Burns................................................................in memory of Ralph M. Burns Charlene Eckhart..................................................................in memory of Bill Eckhart Mrs. Carolyn “Cay� Fox.................................................. in memory of Michael J. Fox Jeanne B. Grumme..............................................................in memory of Fred Grumme Tom Grumme Family.....................................in memory of Fred Grumme & Jan Russell Nita Johnson...............in memory of Weldon Johnson, Bill Eckhart & John Weissert Dessie Koch............................................in memory of John Partenheimer & Stu Koch H.J. Lacy....................................................................in memory of Howard J. Lacy III Rosalie Lange..........................................................................in memory of Philo Lange Mrs. William M. Myers................................................in memory of William M. Myers Carolyn M. Schaefer.......................................in memory of Norb F. Schaefer, Mr. and Mrs. N.F. Schaefer, Sr. and Terry Gray Hildred Shafer.....................................................in memory of my husband, Don Shafer Beverly Sinclair......................................................................in memory of Neal Sinclair Avis Skinner........................................in memory of Bob Skinner and son Scott Skinner Michael Stayton............in memory of Dr. Chester A. Stayton, Jr. & Betty R. Stayton Elaine & Steve Stitle.......................................in memory of Mary Jane & Ed Simmons, Pauline Stitle & Harry Stitle Jill Tuttle.............................................................................in memory of Judith Tuttle 10 January 2011

www.meridianhillscc.org

Tennis Update

Great job to everyone who participated in the State Tourney. Congrats to Chad Coellner and Tobin Richer (pictured) who were finalists in the last chance bracket, to Ryan Snow and Jim Siegel who were quarter finalists and Steve Webster who was a semi-finalist. We had a record 65 players participation!

Don’t forget to enter the National Tournament in February.

Ludo has 45 ladies going to Florida on his tennis trip, its not too late to sign up.

Tennis players are going to The Long Boat Key Club in Sarasota on February 8th to February 12th.

Sunday

Monday

PADDLE CALENDAR ~ January Tuesday

Men’s Events

League Night

Women’s Events

Mixed Doubles

2

3

4

9

10

16

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1

Men’s Play Saturday am Starts at 8:00am

5

6

7

8

11

12

13

14

15

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Men’s Night starts at 5:30pm

Men’s Night starts at 5:30pm

Men’s Night starts at 5:30pm

Men’s Night starts at 5:30pm

League Night starts at 5:00pm

League Night starts at 5:00pm

League Night starts at 5:00pm

League Night starts at 5:00pm

www.meridianhillscc.org

Ladies Group starts at 9:00am

Ladies Group starts at 9:00am

Ladies Group starts at 9:00am

Ladies Group starts at 9:00am

Men’s Play Saturday am Starts at 8:00am

Men’s Play Saturday am Starts at 8:00am Men’s Play Saturday am Starts at 8:00am

Men’s Play Saturday am Starts at 8:00am

11 January 2011

January 2011 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Meridian Hills Country Club Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1

2

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

3

Clubhouse Closed

4 Tuesday Menu

No a la carte available

9

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

10

Clubhouse Closed

5

Pasta Night: Cheese Manicotti

6 Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions

New Member Reception 6 - 7:00pm

Ladies Duplicate Bridge 10:00am

11 Tuesday Menu

12

18 Tuesday Menu

19

Pasta Night: Chicken Parmesan

7

Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

Clubhouse Closed

8

13 Dinner Special: Fried Shrimp Basket

14 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

15

20 Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions

21 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

22

28

29 Clubhouse Closed

No a la carte available

16

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

17

Clubhouse Closed

Pasta Night: Shrimp Diablo

Ladies Duplicate Bridge 10:00am

No a la carte available 23

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm No a la carte available 30 Clubhouse Closed

24

31

Clubhouse Closed

25

Clubhouse Closed

26

Clubhouse Closed

27

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Visit www.meridianhillscc.org for more information about these events

February 2011 Sunday

Monday

1

Tuesday

Meridian Hills Country Club Wednesday 2

Thursday 3

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Pasta Night: Wild Mushroom Ravioli

Clubhouse Closed

6

Clubhouse Closed

13 Valentine’s Day Brunch 10am - 2pm

7

14

Clubhouse Closed

Clubhouse Closed

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

Friday

5

Sunday Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

Clubhouse Closed

9

10 Dinner Special: Fried or Oven Roasted Chicken

11 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

12

15 Tuesday Menu

16

17 Dinner Special: Veal Liver & Onions

18 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

19

25 Friday Night Prime Rib Buffet

26

Pasta Night: Chicken Picatta

Ladies Duplicate Bridge 10:00am

21

Clubhouse Closed

22 Tuesday Menu

23

Pasta Night: Shrimp Diablo

24 Dinner Special: Meatloaf

No a la carte available 27

Saturday

8 Tuesday Menu

No a la carte available

20

4

28

Clubhouse Closed

No a la carte available

Visit www.meridianhillscc.org for more information about these events

Club Hours of Operation Club Receptionist

Tuesday - Sunday

317.255.2496

Managers Office

Tuesday - Sunday

317.255.2497

Accounting Office

Monday - Friday

317.251.3636

9:00am - 9:00pm

9:00am - 6:00pm

9:00am - 5:00pm

Dining Hours

Lunch Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 5:30pm - 9:00pm Breakfast Buffet Sunday only 10:00am - 2:00pm *Reservations can be made by calling 255.2496*

Membership

317.860.1556

Catering

317.860.1536

Golf Pro Shop

317.255.3369

Tennis Pro Shop

Kids Club

317.255.1319

January & February Hours Monday - Sunday Closed

Friday

Saturday

Fitness Center

317.255.0605

5:00pm - 8:00pm 8:00am - 12:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm *with reservations*

Monday - Sunday 6:00am - 9:30pm *Call Fitness by Design at 574-0782 to schedule your MHCC orientation for unlimited access.*

Lisa Strachota, Director of Membership Kelly Letzler, Catering Coordinator

visit us on the web at www.meridianhillscc.org

14 January 2011

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