EXMOOR
EmployeeNews
No 7 | July / August 2024
ALetterfromYourHumanResourcesTeam
DearExmoorTeamMembers,
Wewanttotakeamomenttoexpressoursinceregratitudeforallyourhardworkanddedicationoverthepastfew months Yourcommitmentandefforthavenotgoneunnoticed,andweareincrediblyproudoftheprogresswe'vemade together Wehavereceivednumerousemailsfrommembersandguestscomplimentingourteam,andwewanttosay thatyouallshouldbeproudofthehardworkyou'vebeenputtingin
Wearealsoexcitedtosharethatwearealmostdonewiththerenovationsofournewemployeebreakroomspaces! Theseupgradesincludenewtables,acomfortableloungearea,andseveralotherimprovementsdesignedtomakeyour breaktimemoreenjoyableandrelaxing
Aswepreparetoenjoythesenewsharedspaces,wekindlyremindeveryoneoftheimportanceofcleaningupafter ourselves Bykeepingtheseareastidy,weensureapleasantenvironmentforallteammembers. Thankyouonceagainforeverythingyoudo Let'scontinuetoworktogetherandfinishthesummerstrong!
-MorganandMarisol
MemberQuotes
-From an Evanston Golf Club Member
Keep up the great work!
“ On the day of the event, "Team Exmoor" was AMAZING Chef presented a most delicious luncheon and the cake was not only exquisite but was a piece of artwork we hated to cut into!
The staff who took care of us were definitely the "A Team" and made everything run smoothly from start to finish Please thank everyone for all they did to celebrate Amy ”
- Regarding a Bridal Shower
“Thank you for an outstanding job by the Exmoor team yesterday. I know what was required to get the course ready with all the rain and it was in such great shape. So many fantastic comments by our guests and Exmoor showed why it is considered such a premier club Truly a wonderful experience ”
- Regarding the Clearbook Outing
Books:
StaffRecommendations
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren (Romance/Comedy)
Recommended by: Karen Betancourt
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl (Biography)
Recommended by: Marie Grimaldi
The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda (Mystery/Thriller)
Recommended by: Morgan Jones
Movies/Shows:
Rocky III (Sport /Action): Prime Video
Recommended by: Eddie Gonzalez
Ted Lasso (Sitcom): Apple TV
Recommended by: Eric Hogan
The Shining (Horror): AMC+
Recommended by: Randy Robertson
Weird Science (Comedy/Sci-Fi): Hulu
Poncho Cerrillo
She’s the Man (Comedy/Sport): Paramount+
Recommended by: Morgan Jones
Your Honor (Thriller Series): Netflix
Recommended by: Greg Smith
John Wick (Action): Peacock
Recommended by: Brad Griffin August
Recommended by: Aracely Bonilla
**Please note that these dates have no affiliation with Exmoor, rather these are fun facts for everyone to enjoy!
Spotlight on Feliciano Huizar: A Legacy of Service and Family
In this edition of our employee newsletter, we shine a spotlight on Feliciano, a cherished member of our Exmoor Country Club family With an impressive tenure of over 42 years, Feliciano’s journey from a small town in Mexico to becoming a cornerstone of our Men’s Bar is nothing short of inspiring
Feliciano came from Teocaltiche, a small town near Guadalajara, Jalisco At the age of 22, he made the bold move to the United States, where he began his career at Exmoor in 1982. Initially working in the locker room, he transitioned through various roles from cleaning shoes to bussing tables and ultimately, to bartending in 1989.
Over the years, Feliciano has seen many changes at Exmoor He remembers a time when the minimum wage was only $3 35 per hour He experienced changes to various rooms and the locations of the Ballroom Bar and Kitchen Bar Despite these changes, Feliciano embraces the club’s evolution, appreciating the improvements made to enhance the overall experience
He reflects on working alongside longtime colleages like Artie, Jesse, Felipe, and Jose Montenegro “I see everyone here as family,” he shares “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing many members’ fathers, sons, and even their grandkids ” His personal touch is evident in how he knows members’ favorite drinks and food orders by heart
Feliciano's influence extends beyond his professional role. His family ties are deeply embedded within the club, with his three brothers also working at Exmoor in the past. They all began their journeys in the Locker Room and slowly ventured out into other departments. Feliciano fondly recalls, “I was working alongisde my brother, when I started Then, my other brother, Monico, who is Chuy’s dad wanted to come work for Exmoor as well, so I gave him my spot in the Locker Room and I moved to bussing ” Today, his daughter Laura, son Fernando, cousin Jesse, nephew Chuy, and greatniece Angie are all contributing to Exmoor’s vibrant community
The memorable no-tie events of the late '80s, with performances that drew crowds of up to 600 members, remain a highlight of his career. Reflecting on his time at Exmoor, Feliciano says, “I don’t really miss anything from the past because everything that has been done is to make the Club better ”
Feliciano’s dedication and heartfelt connection to Exmoor Country Club exemplify the SPIRIT of our community We are grateful for his years of service and the countless memories he has helped create
TeamMemberRecipe
Banana Bread
-Adriana Alvarez, Pastry Chef
servings: 10 loaves total time: 1 hr 30 mins
Ingredients
12 ounces of butter
2½ pounds of sugar
5 pounds of bananas
7 eggs
1 ounce of vanilla extract
12 ounces of buttermilk
2 ounces rum
44 ounces of all purpose flour
1 ounce of baking soda
½ ts of clove powder
½ ounce of salt
12 ounces of walnuts
Directions:
1
Preheat Oven to 350ºF
In a small mixing bowl, stir butter and sugar until a cream consistency is formed
3.
2 Then, slowly add eggs, buttermilk, bananas, rum, and vanilla Mix until well incorporated
4. Sift dry ingredients together, then add to the mixture
5 Add walnuts and fold in 6 Scale 6 oz of the mixture into a small aluminum loaf pan
7 Bake for 40 min
TeamEngagementSurvey
We are pleased to announce the upcoming team engagement survey, which will be conducted from July 27 to August 12 This survey is a crucial tool for gathering insights and feedback from our team, helping us to understand their experiences, concerns, and suggestions for improvement
We want to EMPHASIZE this survey is entirely for your benefit and it is anonymous and completely confidential
From previous survey results, we have implemented several improvements, such as introducing a short-term disability benefit for year-round employees, increasing the amount of our company-paid life insurance policy, renovating and expanding the employee breakroom, improving work-life balance by reducing overtime, and hiring additional staff However, we cannot continue to make more improvements without your feedback
Thank you for taking a few moments to provide your honest feedbackIf you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to reach out to HR
CelebratingTeamMilestones
Anniversaries
One of the most important things that Exmoor Country Club prides itself on is our employee's tenure We are very fortunate to have a team that has been working at the Club for many years, some employees have even watched some of our members’ children grow up These relationships, whether they are just starting to form with members, or have been for years, is what sets Exmoor apart from other clubs’ service to our members and guests
Thank you for making Exmoor a special place to work!
July
1 Year of Service
Adam Daroczy (Grounds)
4 Years of Service
Fernando Huizar (Locker)
7 Years of Service
Randy Bauwens (Admin)
8 Years of Service
Aron Mendez-Hernandez (Golf)
9 Years of Service
Bernardo Lopez-Bravo (Grounds)
11 Years of Service
Rogelio “Roy” Reyes (Kitchen)
13 Years of Service
15 Years of Service
Marco Moran (Engineering)
16 Years of Service
Salvador Barrios (Kitchen)
24 Years of Service
Andrea Zavaleta (Locker)
38 Years of Service
Leonel Esquivel (Grounds)
July Birthdays
Leon Amaro 07/01
David Pollack 07/02
Leonel Esquivel 07/03
Kevin Liu 07/03
Jonathan Hough 07/04
Alfredo Garcia 07/08
Roy Reyes 07/08
Luca Ferraioli 07/10
Humberto Zagal 07/12
Jesus Flores 07/15
Israel Ortiz 07/15
Paulino Santiago Hernandez (Kitchen) Leon Amaro (Bar)
August
2 Year of Service
Greg Smith (F&B)
5 Years of Service
Oscar Rodriguez (Grounds)
9 Years of Service
Ted Piontek (Grounds)
18 Years of Service
Oliver Villarreal (Grounds)
34 Years of Service
Epi Gomez (Grounds)
42 Years of Service
Feliciano Huizar (F&B)
Greg Vitanovec 07/15
Emily Chabraja 07/19
Maria Martinez Garcia 07/20
Dylan Walsh 07/20
Alex Bradshaw 07/21
Austin Nagle 07/22
Avery Hensel 07/24
Arianna Nebolsky 07/28
Greg Smith 07/28
Paige Tomek 07/28
Carlos Jimenez 07/31
August Birthdays
Eli Perez 08/01
Annie Chusin 08/03
Bernardo Luna Hernandez 08/06
Cristal Carranza 08/07
Luis Aguilera 08/08
Genevieve Levinson 08/10
Cruz Martinez Galaviz 08/11
Marcelino Crisostomo 08/13
Jason Slover 08/15
Ted Piontek 08/16
Amanda Kelly 08/21
Judith Gonzalez Romo 08/23
Cody Mitchell 08/24
Armando Tejeda 08/24
Randy Bauwens 08/24
Emilio Gutierrez 08/29
Andrea Avila 08/30
Rosalio Gutierrez 08/30
Ramiro Ruiz 08/31
Jack Piontek 08/31
Taylor Kaszuba 08/31
Rachel Pogany 08/31
Happy Birthday to all of you and we hope you have the best day!
NewEmployeeFeature
MARYANN KALO
Position: Receptionist Department: Front Desk
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Doing my skincare routine & watching a comedy movie/show with my dog. What TV/movie/book character you would compare yourself to?
Cinderella.. should I really explain why? lol
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? Golf & Gardening
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? It was in 2022 in Arizona. I learned a lot about myself and grew a lot as a person on that trip
What your favorite fun fact? I’m a Licensed Esthetician and love anything skincare related!
What quote do you live by? “This is the day The Lord has made, let us rejoice & be glad in it.”
What has been your favorite part about working at Exmoor so far? Meeting new people and all the friendly staff members.
PAT MURRAY
Position: Assistant Golf Pro Department: Golf
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Cook Dinner and hang with my dog and girlfriend
What TV/movie/book character you would compare yourself to? I got made of fun as a kid for looking like Harry Potter so I’ll go with that!
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? 3 steak tacos
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? New Zealand and Australia People were so down to earth and the nature was amazing.
What your favorite fun fact? There are only 5 schools that have had a Super Bowl winning quarterback and President as alumni. Stanford, Michigan, Miami (OH), Navy, and Delaware
What quote do you live by? “Take it easy”
What has been your favorite part about working at Exmoor so far? The staff here has been my favorite part Truly enjoy coming into work everyday.
SPENCER SCHACHTER
Position: Server Assistant Department: Banquets
Hometown: Highland Park, Illinois
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Taking a long walk.
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? Pickleball
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Lobster Mac and cheese
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? Visiting Cancun the past two winter breaks with my family of 10 cousins and spending time with one another
What your favorite fun fact? I have biked over 50 miles in one ride
What quote do you live by? “Be true to yourself”
What has been your favorite part about working at Exmoor so far? How friendly all of my coworkers are to each other.
NewEmployeeFeature
AARON LIEBERMAN
GUTO GHIDINI
Position: Tennis Intern Department: Racquets
Hometown: Brazil
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Taking a shower and listening to some music
What TV/movie/book character you would compare yourself to? People at the tennis shop tell me I’m Dani Rojas from Ted Lasso I’ll take that as a compliment I guess hahah
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? Surfing
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? Rio de Janeiro on May 2023. One week in the most beautiful Brazilian city with my best friends. It was awesome!
What your favorite fun fact? I have a sister 18 years younger than meshe’s the cutest!
What quote do you live by? “Peace begins with a smile ” - by Mother Teresa
Position: Bartender Department: Cabana Bar
Hometown: Grayslake, Illinois
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Going for a bike ride
What TV/movie/book character you would compare yourself to? Phil Dunphey from Modern Family
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? Playing guitar
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Anything italian
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? Going to Italy with my family. Great food and scenery
What your favorite fun fact? I did karate for exactly 1 year
What quote do you live by? “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”- Wayne Gretzky - Michael Scott
What has been your favorite part about working at Exmoor so far? Meeting the members
TESS UIHLEIN
Position: Lifegaurd Department: Pool
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
What is your favorite way to unwind after a hectic day? Watching movies on the couch with my dogs.
What TV/movie/book character you would compare yourself to? Bella from Bella and the Bulldogs because I have three brothers who play football in college I am always surrounded by football like her
Is there a hobby you have always wanted to try? I’ve always wanted to learn the guitar
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? I would eat tacos for the rest of my life.
What has been your most memorable vacation so far and why? A trip to Anguilla over spring break. I went with my good family friends and they had the best sunsets
What quote do you live by? “Be in the moment.”
What has been your favorite part about working at Exmoor so far? I love being able to get to know the kids and guards at the pool I also love being in the sun all day.
TeamInsights
Our Culture
The SPIRIT of Exmoor represents the core values that we hold ourselves to in how we approach our jobs and how we treat our members and each other Living up to the SPIRIT of Exmoor makes the club great, creates a work environment we want to be a part of, and creates a place that other talented people want to join
How do you incorporate the SPIRIT of Exmoor into your day to day life?
Our Core Values
We Support and improve the club in everything we do
We Protect our family-oriented workplace
We Inspire each other and work together
We Respect and empower each other
We Innovate and never stop learning, evolving and growing
We value Tradition by honoring the past and helping shape the future of Exmoor
Our Mission
We demonstrate Whole-Hearted Hospitality through effort, recognition, innovation, and service excellence; doing so creates great experiences for our members and each other
Employee Updates & Reminders
Monday Outings
Our Simple Truth
Appreciation is the Heart of Everything
Below are dates for upcoming Monday outings for the rest of the 2024 season Please keep these dates in mind as parking instructions may be changing to accommodate these events.
August 26th - Ascension IL Foundation
September 9th - RSM
September 23th - Blessing in a Backpack
October 7th - Outing
Upcoming Employee Events
Employee Summer Party will be taking place August 5th.
Pool will be open from 3:00PM-5:00PM
Food and Entertainment will be from 5:00 PM-8:30PM
We will continue to do the raffle like we have done in past with this years prizes including but not limited to
Ninja Woodfire Grill
Flat Screen TV
JBL Speaker
Apple Airpods Pro
Chromebook
Digital Camera
Nugget Ice Maker
Amazon Fire Tablet & more!!
Open Enrollment will be taking place September 2nd - September 13th
For those of you who are not familiar with open enrollment, it is a window of time that happens once a year when eligible employees can sign up for health insurance, adjust current plan(s) or cancel the plan If you miss it, you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period to make any changes With that being said, we will be announcing our open enrollment meetings soon to educate everyone on the potential new plans
Don’tMissOut!
Lost your pay stub and need to reference it? Want to sign up for direct deposit? Need to request time- off? Moved and you need to change your address? Look no further!
Scan the QR Code below to download the Paycom app!
EmployeeReferenceGuides
Contact Information for Human Resources
Marisol Sandoval HR Coordinator
Email: marisol@exmoorcountryclub org Phone: (847) 579-6864
Morgan Jones Director of Human Resources
Email: morgan@exmoorcountryclub org Phone: (847) 579-6884
The Health Benefits of Camping
Millions of Americans enjoy camping each year, especially as temperatures rise and days get longer in the summer. Moreover, interest among noncampers has been growing steadily for years. According to a 2024 report by camping platform Dyrt, more than 20 million Americans have gone camping for the first time since 2021, including 5.5 million first-time campers just in 2023.
Camping has seen a resurgence in popularity as more people seek ways to unplug from their daily routines and reconnect with nature. Beyond the scenic views and adventures, camping offers the following wellness benefits that can significantly enhance your physical and mental health:
• Increased physical activity—Camping naturally encourages movement. Activities such as hiking, setting up camp or gathering firewood provide a full-body workout.
• Boosted immune system—Fresh air improves respiratory function and boosts the immune system. Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and immune support.
• Better sleep—Natural light regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, which can help reset sleep patterns. This can lead to deeper, restorative sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed.
• Reduced stress—The calming effect of natural surroundings helps lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
• Enhanced mood—Exposure to green spaces and natural light can improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Being outdoors can also trigger the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancers.
• Elevated mental clarity—Camping provides an opportunity to disconnect from technology and daily distractions, allowing for mindfulness.
• Heightened creativity—Immersing yourself in nature can stimulate creativity and encourage problem-solving.
Whether you’re a seasoned camping pro or an eager newcomer, it’s a good idea to review camping safety before heading outdoors. Also, always strive to leave things better than you found them so others can enjoy the beauty of nature as you have.
Drowning Rates on the Rise
After two decades of decline, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that accidental drowning rates are increasing in the United States. According to the latest data, more than 4,500 people died due to drowning each year from 2020–22, which is 500 more individuals per year compared to 2019.
Drowning has long been the leading cause of death for preschool-age children. However, it’s important to note that roughly 15% of adults— 40 million people—don’t know how to swim, and more than half of adults have never taken a swimming lesson. The new CDC study found that, in general, many Americans lack the skills they need to stay safe in the water. Regardless of age, it’s important to learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Check out the infographic below for water safety tips to help prevent drowning.
Are You Up to Date on Your Immunizations?
August is recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month to promote the importance of immunizations at all life stages.
Vaccination protects against severe illnesses and complications of vaccine-preventable diseases, including measles, polio, hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis and COVID-19.
Vaccinations are so vital that the CDC offers immunization schedules to help you understand if you or others are up to date on shots:
• Infants and children (birth to age 6)
• Preteens and teens (ages 7-18)
• Adults (ages 19 and older)
• Pregnant women (before, during and after pregnancy)
Talk to your doctor for more information on vaccines or to learn more about which ones you may need.
Makes: 3 servings
Ingredients
3 large firm tomatoes
8 oz. low-fat cottage cheese
½ tsp. dried basil
⅛ tsp. black pepper
3 Tbsp. breadcrumbs
Cooking spray
Preparations
1. Wash the tomatoes and cut them in half.
2. Mix the cottage cheese, basil and black pepper.
3. Spread cheese on the tomato halves.
4. Sprinkle the halves with bread crumbs and spray them with cooking spray.
5. Spray the broiler pan with cooking spray. Place the prepared tomatoes on a pan and broil for about 10 minutes.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Total calories127
Total fat3 g
Protein11 g
Sodium307 mg
Carbohydrate15 g
Dietary fiber3 g
Saturated fat1 g
Total sugars8 g
Source: MyPlate
Mobile Mental Health Hub
Our mental health hub provides interactive resources to support your wellbeing. Explore informative videos, relaxation techniques, and educational materials - all at your fingertips.
Scan the QR code or go to the link below to access the mental health hub.
https://view.onedigital.com/mentalhealthhub
Light Sensitivity Causes, Symptoms and Management
When light feels uncomfortably bright — whether from sunlight, indoor light or a bright screen — it can cause eye discomfort known as photophobia.1 This discomfort can lead to squinting, watery eyes or closing the eyes. Prolonged exposure can cause eye fatigue.
Fortunately, plenty of solutions exist to help increase comfort when bright light is unavoidable.
Causes of Light Sensitivity
While optic nerve disease and other eye issues such as glaucoma or dry eyes can be the culprit, light sensitivity can have many triggers, including:1
• Migraines
• Head trauma
• Dental issues
• Some medications
An eye doctor or primary care physician can help figure out what may be causing photophobia and how to manage it.
Symptoms of Light Sensitivity
Feeling as though light is too bright isn’t the only symptom of photophobia. People with it can also experience pain or discomfort, eye fatigue, tears or dry eyes, difficulty reading, excessive squinting and seeing bright spots no matter the lighting condition.1
Outdoor light is just one kind of light that can be irritating. A hallmark of light sensitivity is that regular indoor lighting also appears too bright.1 In an office environment, where digital screens and blue light can cause eye fatigue and fluorescent lights can cause headaches, the eyes can feel even more sensitive. 2, 3
Managing Light Sensitivity
Fortunately, there are many ways to protect eyes sensitive to light, and all come with protection against harmful ultraviolet rays. Since 50% of UV rays can be absorbed indoors4 and can cause damage to the eye such as premature aging, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,5 it’s important that lenses for sensitive eyes protect against those rays.
Tinted Lenses
Like sunglasses, tinted lenses are an obvious choice for outdoor light exposure, but with lighter tints, they can be useful indoors as well. In addition to fitting any style and price range, standard tinted lenses also protect the eyes against UV rays and filter blue-violet light. If light sensitivity is particularly disruptive, consider a tinted lens with a higher intensity — the higher the intensity, the darker the lens, and the better visibility will be.
Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses are a type of sunglasses that offer added protection from reflected glare. Since rain, snow, concrete, wet asphalt and other vehicles on the road can all cause glare, polarized lenses are excellent for driving, walking or any kind of commute. Many polarized lenses sharpen the contrast between colors and allow the eye to see true colors, no matter how bright. And of course, they prevent eye strain and fatigue associated with light sensitivity.5
Photochromic Lenses
Also known as Transitions® lenses, these lenses are excellent for people who switch between indoor and outdoor activities. They react to UV rays and some visible light, causing the lenses to tint in reaction to the light around them, so it’s clearer indoors and darker outdoors. They also protect against UV rays and filter blue-violet light.
In addition to finding the perfect lens, we recommend wearing hats outdoors, investing in dimmable lights in the home and talking with an eye doctor or primary care physician about ways to alleviate the symptoms.
Source: eyemed.com
1 Moawad, H., MD; “Overview of Photophobia”; Verywell Health; verywellhealth.com; Updated Oct. 24, 2022.
2 Weber, B.; “How to prevent fluorescent light headaches”; Medical News Today; medicalnewstoday.com; May 9, 2023.
3 “How blue light affects your eyes, sleep, and health”; UC Davis Health; health.ucdavis.edu; Aug.x 3, 2022.
4 Venosa, A.; “5 Sneaky Ways You’re Being Exposed to the Sun’s UV Rays”; Skin Cancer Foundation; skincancer.org; June 21, 2022.
5 “Protecting your eyes from the sun’s UV light”; National Eye Institute; nei.nih.gov; July 5, 2022.
August5th,2024
3PM-8:30PM
Pool 3-5PM
Food&Entertainment 5:30-8:30PM
Live DJ, Buffet, Games, Prizes and more!
Hope to see you there!
