January 2011 Newsette

Meridian Hills Country Club - Indianapolis, Indiana

NewsetteMeridian Hills Country Club

January 2011www.meridianhillscc.org

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.

Our Warmest thanks

To view pictures from the MHCC

Employee Party turn to page 4.

www.meridianhillscc.org2

January 2011 www.meridianhillscc.org

Board of DirectorsMark W. Ford PresidentSteve Webster SecretaryDan Baker Jeff CristeeJanet Griffith EstesHaydon HapakChris SegerKen StellaJim Zoccola Legal Counsel Todd Hillman Treasurer

Management TeamKevin O’Laughlin, CCM Club ManagerLudo Aaron Head Tennis ProfessionalJack Barber Head Golf ProfessionalCraig Gasaway Banquet ManagerAshley Goldman Communications CoordinatorJim Hess Golf Course SuperintendentKelly Letzler Catering CoordinatorJoe Miller Executive ChefJohn Peterson Dining Room ManagerLisa Strachota Director of Membership & Marketing

Meridian Hills Country Club7099 Spring Mill Road

Indianapolis, Indiana 46260317.255.2496

President’s Message

Mark W. Ford Club President

Our Newest AdditionsZach 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!

[email protected]

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, 2011 promises to be more of the same . . . only better! At 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,

www.meridianhillscc.org www.meridianhillscc.org � January 2011

Message from the Manager

Kevin O’Laughlin, CCM Club Manager

Table of Contents2 - Presidents Message3 - Message from the Manager4 - Employee Party Pics5 - Membership Update6 - New Tuesday Menu7 - Club Reminders 8 - Club Closing9 - Valentine’s Brunch10 - Poinsettia Tree11 - Tennis Update12-13 Calendars14 - Club Hours

LAdies’ duPLiCAte

Bridge Ladies Duplicate

Bridge is held the 1st and �rd

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!

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.

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 we look forward to seeing you in the spring. Just a 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 NightsAgain 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

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www.meridianhillscc.org

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!


January 2011

www.meridianhillscc.org 5 January 2011

Membership Update

george Farra Membership Committee

Chairman

Welcome New MembersKarin and Andrew Held7440 Holliday Drive EastIndianapolis, IN 46260 (�17) 251-1158Junior Tennissponsors:David Held, Dr. Erik Barrett, Dennis Barrett, Kevin Stitle

starr townsend5121 North Washington Blvd.Indianapolis, IN 46205 (�17) 251-8067Resident Tennissponsors:Ted Dunn, Fritz French, Ellen Townsend, Nancy Dunn

david and Christina ricksEli LillyLilly Corporate CenterIndianapolis, IN 46285 (�17) 651-87277550 North Washington Blvd.Indianapolis, IN 46240 (�17) 405-8585Resident Golfsponsors:Dr. Pat Kersey, Kevin Stitle, Dr. John Bamforth, Dr. Lance Rettig

James and Kathleen ArtRyan Fire Protection9740 E. 148th StreetNoblesville, IN 46060 (317) 774-28287050 N. Pennsylvania StreetIndianapolis, IN 46220 (317) 205-9109Resident TennisSponsors:Steffonie Ryan, Kathleen Leppert, Buffe Challand, Todd Morris

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!

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 [email protected] or (�17) 269-0225.



MHCC ChiliCup 3.5 Bowl 5

Vegetable SoupCup 3.5 Bowl 5

Soup of the DayCup 3.5 Bowl 5

House Saladchoice of dressing 4

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

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

Meridian Hills Tuesday MenuSpinach & Friséedried cherries, oranges, toasted pecans gorgonzola and port wine vinaigrette 7.5

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

Rockwell Saladchar-broiled chicken breast, seasonal greens sliced apples, crumbled bleu cheese, spiced walnuts and port wine vinaigrette 12.5

Southwestern Saladgrilled sirloin on field greens with black bean & corn relish, tomato, avocado, jack and cheddar cheese with southwestern ranch dressing 14.5

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

Grilled Black Angus Burger½ lb black angus ground beef patty served with lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle 9 - Available: black & bleu or mushroom swiss

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meridian Hills Tuesday Menu

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

www.meridianhillscc.org www.meridianhillscc.org 7 January 2011

Club Reminders

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 eMergeNCyIn 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 �17.�19.6420. 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.

NEW SUNDAY BREAKFAST BUFFET MENUEvery Sunday from 10am - 2pm

Cold Food & Breakfast Pastries

Assorted Fresh Fruits & Assorted Breakfast Breads and Pastries

Hot SelectionsChef’s Choice of Breakfast Entrée

Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Potatoes, Apple Smoked Bacon & Sausage Links

Omelet & Waffle StationOmelet’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*



Columbia Club767-1�61

CLuB CLOsedJanuary 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:

Woodland Country Club846-2588

Woodstock Club926-��48

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 shopIn 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 �17-�19-6422Michael Bembenick 574-274-0057Dave McConnell 6�0-�88-9890

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 schedule for the golf shop

Club Closing


Valentine’s Day Brunch

Valentine’s Day BrunchSunday, February 13, 2011

10:00am – 2:00pm

MENUAssorted Fresh Fruits & Salad

Domestic & Imported Cheese DisplaySmoked Salmon

Iced Shrimp Cocktail

Scrambled Eggs & Breakfast Potatoes Apple Smoked Bacon & Sausage

Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with Cabernet Sauce

Cheese Blintz with Seasonal BerriesChef’s Selection of Fresh Vegetables

Belgian Waffles with Whipped Butter, Warm SyrupCut Berries and Chopped Nuts

Omelets Made to Orderwith a selection of ingredients to choose from

Assorted Breakfast Breads and BakeriesPastry Chef’s Dessert Selection

A La Carte Menu Unavailable Club Closed for Dinner Service

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

Reservations required



Poinsettia Tree Donations

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

MHCC Poinsettia Tree DonorsThis 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.


PADDLE CALENDAR ~ JanuarySunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

1Men’s Play

Saturday am Starts at 8:00am

2 � 4Men’s Night

starts at 5:�0pm

5 6League Night

starts at 5:00pm

7 Ladies Group

starts at 9:00am

8Men’s Play

Saturday amStarts at 8:00am

9 10 11Men’s Night

starts at 5:�0pm

12 1�League Night

starts at 5:00pm

14Ladies Group

starts at 9:00am

15Men’s Play


16 17 18Men’s Night

starts at 5:�0pm

19 20League Night

starts at 5:00pm

21Ladies Group

starts at 9:00am

22Men’s Play


2�

�0

24

�1

25Men’s Night

starts at 5:�0pm

26 27League Night

starts at 5:00pm

28Ladies Group

starts at 9:00am

29Men’s Play


Tennis Update

Women’s Events

Men’s Events League Night

Mixed Doubles

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 TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday

1 Clubhouse

Closed

2Sunday

Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pm

No a la carte available

�Clubhouse

Closed

4Tuesday Menu

5Pasta Night:

Cheese Manicotti

new member reception6 - 7:00pm

6Dinner Special:

Veal Liver & Onions

Ladies Duplicate Bridge

10:00am

7Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

8

9Sunday



10Clubhouse

Closed

11Tuesday Menu

12Pasta Night:

Chicken Parmesan

1�Dinner Special:Fried Shrimp

Basket

14Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

15

16Sunday



17Clubhouse

Closed

18Tuesday Menu

19Pasta Night:

Shrimp Diablo

20Dinner Special:

Veal Liver & Onions


10:00am

21Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

22

2�Sunday

Breakfast Buffet 10am - 2pmNo a la carte

available�0

Clubhouse Closed

24Clubhouse

Closed

�1Clubhouse

Closed

25Clubhouse

Closed

26Clubhouse

Closed

27Clubhouse

Closed

28 Clubhouse

Closed

29Clubhouse

Closed

January 2011 Meridian Hills Country Club

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

Sunday Monday TueSday WedneSday ThurSday Friday SaTurday1

Clubhouse Closed

2

Clubhouse Closed

�

Clubhouse Closed

4

Clubhouse Closed

5

Clubhouse Closed

6Clubhouse

Closed

7Clubhouse

Closed

8Tuesday Menu

9Pasta Night:

Wild Mushroom Ravioli

10Dinner Special:

Fried or Oven Roasted

Chicken

11Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

12

1�Valentine’s Day

Brunch 10am - 2pm


14Clubhouse

Closed

15Tuesday Menu

16Pasta Night:

Chicken Picatta

17Dinner Special:

Veal Liver & Onions


10:00am

18Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

19

20Sunday



21Clubhouse

Closed

22Tuesday Menu

2�Pasta Night:

Shrimp Diablo

24Dinner Special:

Meatloaf

25Friday Night

Prime Rib Buffet

26

27Sunday



28Clubhouse

Closed

February 2011 Meridian Hills Country Club

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


January 2011

visit us on the web at www.meridianhillscc.org

Club Receptionist 317.255.2496 Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 9:00pm

Managers Office 317.255.2497 Tuesday - Sunday 9:00am - 6:00pm

Accounting Office 317.251.3636 Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Dining Hours Lunch Tuesday - Saturday 11:�0am - 2:00pm Dinner Tuesday - Saturday 5:�0pm - 9:00pm Breakfast Buffet Sunday only 10:00am - 2:00pm *Reservations can be made by calling 255.2496*

Membership 317.860.1556Lisa Strachota, Director of Membership

Catering 317.860.1536Kelly Letzler, Catering Coordinator

Golf Pro Shop 317.255.3369 January & February Hours Monday - Sunday Closed Tennis Pro Shop 317.255.1319 Kids Club 317.255.0605 Friday 5:00pm - 8:00pm Saturday 8:00am - 12:00pm & 5:00pm - 8:00pm *with reservations*Fitness Center Monday - Sunday 6:00am - 9:�0pm

*Call Fitness by Design at 574-0782 to schedule your MHCC orientation for unlimited access.*

Club Hours of Operation

Documents

January 2011 Newsette