a special tribute...
THE FINAL PROOF
employee newsletter for AGS, AGI, and Maryland Comp. Volume 1 • Issue 11 • November 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Welcome to the team! Xavier Robinson
AGS Maintenance Originally from Grayton, MD Previously - Receiving at AGS
Special Tribute pg. 5-6
Welcome back Xavier!
Birthdays Jerson Dikit Nathan Jones John Allem Jeff Gomes William Queen Raymond Stewart Allan Rabil Rella Sessa Michael Burroughs Theresa Hendricks Christopher Mead Cindy Rohrabaugh
Anniversaries Denise Aorilio Rick Brown Greg Carlucci Brian Coache Theresa Hendricks Cheryl Jonelis John Woodland
November 1 November 1 November 4 November 6 November 7 November 11 November 20 November 22 November 22 November 25 November 27 November 30
12 years 12 years 16 years 24 years 21 years 5 years 26 years
New AGS Video for November! Scan the code to learn about the new Hunkeler Plow Folder at AGS or visit www.youtube.com/ watch?v=0L7azIVeuXs
Local Flu Vaccinations COMMUNITY LOCATIONS
HEALTH DEPT. LOCATION
Tuesday November 8th 3pm-7pm- ALL AGES Piccowaxen Middle School 12834 Rock Point Rd. Newburg, MD 20664
Saturday November 5th 10am-2pm- ALL AGES Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Hwy. White Plains, MD 20695
Thursday November 10th 3pm-7pm-ALL AGES Smallwood Middle School 4990 Indian Head Hwy Indian Head, MD 20640
Friday December 9th 9am-4pm- ALL AGES Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Hwy. White Plains, MD 20695
Tuesday November 15th 3pm-7pm- ALL AGES Thomas Stone High School 3785 Leonardtown Rd. Waldorf, MD 20601
Thursday, December 15th 3pm-7pm- ALL AGES Charles County Dept. of Health, 4545 Crain Hwy. White Plains, MD 20695
Thursday November 17th 3pm-7pm- ALL AGES La Plata High School 6035 Radio Station Road La Plata, MD 20646
*Annual Flu Vaccine is recommended for all persons at and above 6 months of age.
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start to finish tips on how to host a great Thanksgiving
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Remember: It’s just a meal. Create A Budget: Make sure you know how much money you’re willing to spend. How many people you’re going to invite. And what you’re going to serve not only for dinner but also for appetizers and desserts. Take Inventory: Check what food items are already in your pantry. Buy everything food related before you start cooking. There is nothing worse than to have to stop cooking dinner because you forgot to pick-up the turkey or the special seasoning you use for your pumpkin pie. Make A Plan: Once you’ve made a plan start going to the grocery store during off hours and pick up nonperishable food items first. Then make sure you check off what you’ve bought so you’re not buying doubles of certain items.
Above: Allan Rabil, AGS Senior Sales Director, shows what not to wear to Thanksgiving dinner
Prep: Prepare as much food as you can before your dinner guests start to arrive. Think Ahead: Be prepared for unexpected overnight guests, which may include kids and friends. Always have extra bedding and toiletries available. Give Jobs: As guests begin to arrive, start assigning jobs. Have them start taking coats as other people begin to arrive. Have them answer the door or refill appetizer trays. Love: Accept family members for who they are. Your family members will try your patience but they are your family and have helped contribute to who you are today. So be patient. Be caring and love everyone.
Thanksgiving Thursday
November 24th For more tips visit: http://holidays.kaboose.com/ thanksgiving/
Written by Sara Valcarcel
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team member spotlight Rella Sessa MDComp When did you start working for MDComp? April 12, 2005 What was your first job title and what is your now current job title? Desktop Operator, Typesetter, Paginator. Desktop Publishing, Project Management What is your favorite activity to do in your free time? Boating in the summer and reading What is your favorite food? Crabs and shrimp If you could be exceptionally good at any one thing, what would it be? PATIENCE! What advice would you give someone just starting out at MDcomp? Enjoy what you do. What is one fun fact about you? Volunteer for a charity in Baltimore County that gives children, who do not have an opportunity to go out on the bay, a chance to experience being on the bay with fishing and crabbing. At the Charity, children have the opportunity to go out on the water in kayaks and canoes after learning the safety issues involved with them. Is there anything else you would like to share? Volunteering for the Coast Guard Auxiliary for the past 9 years. Help teach boating safety classes for the CG Auxiliary and the Department of Natural Resources; anyone wanting their vessel examined, will examine for free; the examination is based on federal and state requirements for anyone going out on a boat.
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Can you guess who submitted these photos? 2
A) Chris Farina B) Tommy Rison C) Larry Oakley
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A) Larry Oakley B) Chris Farina C) Stan Kozloski
A) Crystal Dirolf B) Jason Brynes C) Buck Greer
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A) Ken Cratty B) Dustin Crowther C) Jae Martin
A) Rella Sessa B) Crystal Dirolf C) Jason Brynes
EMPLOYEE FUN
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What Is Your Favorite Thing About The Fall Season? Terry Kilakis - The cooler weather and the falling leaves Allison Yates - The allergies it brings me every year Kristi Grady - smashing pumpkins Cindy Rohrabaugh - The colorful leaves and being able to wear sweaters Tom Eicholtz - cool weather golf Joanne Cowley - HALLOWEEN!! Calvert Thomas - I get to spend more time with my family
1 - (C) Larry Oakley, 2 - (B) Jason Brynes, 3 - (A) Larry Oakley, 4 - (B) Dustin Crowther, 5 - (C) Jason Brynes
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one door closes...
another one (will always) open.
A
GI was opened by AGS in 1992 as a company that came to be known for its versatility, digital printing capabilities, and a knowledgeable and friendly staff. It was AGI that helped with the advancement of digital color printing at AGS. AGI also was the first company in the AGS family to offer creative Design services. AGI has always known that delivering quality work would be highly valued by their customers, and that it was critical to becoming a successful business. John Allem, the Operations Manager, could not stop complementing everyone who worked with him while at AGI. He expressed how dedicated everyone at AGI is and how great they are as team. Allem shared memories about when AGI received Kaiser Permanente as a customer and how wonderful it was to be located right in the heart of Washington D.C. Allem also described how exciting it was when AGI received
Janine Jackson Janine began her career with AGI in December of 2005. Her first position was as a CSR but recently took over John Allem’s position as AGI’s General Manager. Janine, originally from DC, attended Mount Vernon College, now known as George Washington University. She said she will miss the prime location of AGI and the close proximity it is to the metro, restaurants and all of DC’s best attractions.
Jae Martin Jae, AGI’s current Graphic designer began her career with AGI in September of 2000 in a position in Prepress. Jae originally from Korea, attended University of Maryland, Baltimore County and earned a degree in business. She is married and has two children named Kris and Izzy. Jae said she will miss the closeness of the staff because as she stated, “We’re like family.”
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the new Scitex Brisque workflow for Electronic Pre-Press, with the help of CGX. “That was an investment that instantly made us the premium Service Bureau in the downtown market,” he said. Allem explained, “it seems like we had to reinvent ourselves every 5 years because our core products and customers kept changing”. The latest “new” development for AGI was the foray into Large Format Printing. This is an area we hope to advance more into now that we’ll have the AGS facility behind us. But in the end it is the people that make AGI what it is. Allem made it clear that the staff was terrific, and that he was very grateful to have such a great group of people to work with.
Dante Bryant Dante started working for AGI in November of 2005. Dante a digital press operator attended Frostburg State University, in Maryland. It was Dante who stated his favorite memory of AGI was when he played an April fool’s joke on John saying he needed to take a month off work. Dante said, “John’s face was priceless.”
John Allem John began his career as the Service Bureau Manager at AGI in the year 1995 and it was later that John was promoted to Director of Operations at AGI. John’s favorite memory of AGI was when all the AGI staff, including spouses, went to Rosa Mexicana Restaurant in Chinatown to celebrate a good year-end.
Jenn Winkowski Jenn, an LDP Associate, started her 1st rotation at AGI in September of 2011. Jenn’s roll at AGI is to go wherever AGI needs help. Jenn has learned how to operate the DocuColor and all the binding and finishing machines. Jenn said, “Overall the most rewarding experience is knowing I can complete a job, start to end.” Jenn will miss working in the city because while commuting to AGI she is able to take the metro into work. Jenn said she will also miss the friendships she’s created at AGI. 6
Delicious. Easy Cream of Crab Soup INGREDIENTS • 2 - 10.50 oz cans Cream of Celery Soup • 2 - 21 oz cans of Heavy Cream • 4 tbsp of butter (1/2 stick) • Old Bay to taste • 1 lb of Crab meat
DIRECTIONS
1. Melt butter in a large sauce pan over medium high heat 2. Add Cream of Celery Soup and Heavy Cream 3. Stir occasionally until all is combined to a smooth consistency (20 minutes) 4. Fold in crab meat (with shells if desired) 5. Add Old Bay to taste Serve with crackers Submitted by Ken Cratty
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili INGREDIENTS • 2 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup Progresso chicken broth (from 32 oz carton)
• 1 large onion
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 medium stalks celery, sliced for
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
about 1 cup • 2 medium carrots, chopped for about 1 cup • 1 can (28 oz) Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes, undrained • 1 can (15 oz) Progresso black beans, drained, rinsed
• 1/4 buffalo wing sauce (from 12 oz jar) • Crumbled blue cheese, if desired
DIRECTIONS
1. Spray 5 to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix all ingredients except buffalo wing sauce and cheese. 2. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours. 3. Stir in buffalo wing sauce. Serve sprinkled with blue cheese. Submitted by Crystal Dirolf - Note from Crystal, this is called ‘chili’ but turns out more like soup, but equally delicious! Enjoy!
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meet our clients (AIR) American Institutes for Research Sales Rep, Mike Akers CSR, Allison Yates As stated on their website, “AIR’s purpose is to conduct and apply behavioral and social science research to improve people’s lives and well-being, with a special emphasis on the disadvantaged.” AIR is an outstanding organization who has become one of the largest behavioral and social science researchers in the world. With the goal to use the best sciences available to bring the most effective ideas and approaches to enhancing everyday life, AGS has strived to help meet these goals by providing the best print and technology services. Working with AGS since 2004, we are honored to have AIR as a client. – Written by Dustin Crowther, content derived from http://www.air.org.
(TEI) Tax Executives Institute Sales Rep, Brian Coache CSR, Theresa Hendricks The Tax Executives Institute was one of the first clients I called when I got into sales. They have been a client ever since. We have been working together for over 22 years and do a majority of their printing. We print their annual Roster (directory), bi-monthly magazine, misc. books and meetings materials. AGS has also helped them with their office products and CD needs. The organization values AGS as a business partner, a valued consultant, and as a friend. – Written by Brian Coache
AGS Welcomes a New Vision, New Leadership and a New Logo AGS has welcomed a new leadership team, a new vision and a new logo. With first look at the logo, you notice the bold red arc, representing the start of a new horizon for AGS. The colors have been reverted back to the original black and red, mimicking the earlier days of AGS. The logo creation was given as a side project to the Associate team, and after many long nights and 25+ logos and numerous variations, management chose this logo, designed by Christina Hensch. The future is bright and with many new clients and better relationships with existing clients, AGS is headed great places. Written by Dustin Crowther
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try your luck. (after hours)
Family November Glazed Carrots Pies Good eating Pilgrims Gravy Pumpkins Holiday String Beans Ice Cream Stuffing Indians Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes Turkey
S G G X X I K H G P L Q C S Z E Y C N K V V D S S R D J G Z E I G E S I H Z U X T T A B S K S I Y O K N T O P B H U O V Y V N M P M N R A A L V X U F R Y I T H I H A I U E E I E G Y F R Z Y Y A R I E F T B D D P T L I A K F F Q G V R X R G O A J F I N C E E A K L E C K E N O Y W Q M G D G S X A I D E F B I G P J I A W E F R P A P T C H M R K E L L F O Z J P F K T J I Q E T B I E A S O A Y V F F X D W M V S D Q L A M I L P I N D I A N S O F D U U G L I G V C V E B T B J N C B Z P A B D F B S N I K P M U P H M M A S H E D P O T A T O E S F J Q G T H A N K S G I V I N G P I http://puzzle-maker.com/WS/index.htm
(lol) laugh out loud
sudoku.
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6 7
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An RGB walks into a CMYK doctor’s office. Receptionist says, “Hey, aren’t you out of gamut?”
6 9 4
Why did the printer forget to say goodbye to his wife? - He was pressed for time. What type of hunting do printers prefer? - Trapping.
4 9 1 5 2
What did the typographer say to the printer who wouldn’t stop talking? - “Get to the point.” http://www.prepressure.com/library/fun/printer-jokes
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7 4 6 4 9 8 3 7 5 1 2 6 1 6 9 8 6 9 8 2 3
http://www.printablesudoku99.com/
we are... 10
katie’s corner
message from the president Thank you all for a positive and strong start to the Fall. I’m looking forward to seeing what we accomplish in November. We have the new digital stitchliner arriving this month, a new offline intelligent inserter arriving with it, a used jumbo inserter and we’re expanding our storage capacity by almost double – seems to me that we’ve been incredibly busy. There is more I’m working on for our growth plan – including a post coating unit for the digital inkjet web, a perfect binder, Prinergy workflow for prepress and building changes. We’ll also be adding 5 new LDP Associates to our team and I’ll finally wrap up the revamp of the LDP Program at AGS that I’ve been working on. My guess is that we’ll also see a large influx of temp labor to support our ebbs and flows. With all of the new equipment and changes, there are opportunities for your own personal growth. I hope that if you would like to grow with the company that you will speak with your supervisor, John Allem or me. As I’ve shared, I feel our best and strongest assets are our team members and I want to see everyone get a chance to grow with AGS.
Halloween 2011 AGS Team Members celebrate Halloween with a friendly costume contest and many delicious desserts. Congrats to Cindy Rohrabaugh for the most creative costume!
THE FINAL PROOF Editor: Sara Valcarcel Photography: Dustin Crowther and Jenn Winkowski Layout: Dustin Crowther and Christina Hensch If you would like to contribute to The Final Proof in anyway, please e-mail Sara Valcarcel at svalcarcel@ags.com
Correction from Oct. Issue In the previous issue of the Final Proof, we unfortunately overlooked a typo in the “What Do You Do While Your Kids Are Away at School?” - Tammy Brown stated she “Volunteers at the library.” We mistakenly wrote this was said by Tommy Brown. Apologies! Thanks for letting us know, Tammy!