The Paddle Crew (Updated March 15, 2013)
Our Winter Staff |
|
 |
 |
THEREZA CONONI
"Tree"
South Hero
Waitstaff
"Tree" is first and foremost our friend. She began working for us shortly after we opened our doors and has become an invaluable team leader. Over the years, she has mentored all of our front-of-the-house staff. With a keen eye for detail, and a real concern for the wellbeing of our little company, she has earned our deep respect and gratitude.
Currently a full-time student at Johnson State, she's working on a Bachelor Degree in Wellness & Alternative Medicine. Besides the love for her two dogs, Lilly & Caesar, her interests include: the lake, yoga, reading, knitting, jazzercise, running, kayaking, snowshoeing & canoeing. |
|
 |
SHELAGH COOLEY
South Hero
Bartender
Originally from South Hero, “Shelagh Shine” has returned to Vermont from traveling and living in Southeast Asia to spend time with friends and family. She enjoys cross-country skiing, triathlons, and Phoebe’s cooking. Shelagh has a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Economics from Pomona College and is finishing up a Master’s in International Development from Clark University.
We are quite proud to have this dynamic woman sharing her time with us at The Paddle - she's awesome! Her smile and wit is infectious ... you're going to love her ;)
|
|
 |
CODY DANFORTH
Milton
Waitstaff
Our dear friend, Debbie Danforth proudly shows off a St. Lawrence University lacrosse program from this spring with her son, Cody, on the cover. We've asked this young man if he would consider being a waiter for us this summer ... and he said "yes" - he wants to! We couldn't be more tickled. He's an awesome young man with a killer smile and outgoing personality.
Watch for an updated bio and picture when he joins the Paddle Crew! |
|
 |
BARNABY ALLEN
South Hero
Waitstaff
Not only an athlete and a scholar, but also Barnaby is a mechanical genius. He has been with us here at the Paddle since September, 2011.
He lives here in South Hero and enjoys both the winter and summer activities the islands have to offer. He has many projects that he is constantly working on both here in Vermont and out West, in Washington state where he is planning to reside one day.
He has two cats which demand attention and he is trying to train unsuccessfully.
Barnaby is truly "piece of work", and we mean that in the most positive way! (Big smile & a wink!)
|
|
 |
BRYCE COLVIN
North Hero
Busser
Bryce is a sophomore at Colchester High School. Her passion is soccer, but she is involved in many more activities! In the summer, she enjoys hanging out on the beach or on the lake. In the colder months, she loves trabelling, as well as snowmobiling. Truly an outgoing gal, she loves to spend time with both family and friends.
We feel extremely fortunate that Bryce is working with us at The Paddle. Hired this winter, she came with bussing experience, a killer smile and a warm personality. We know you'll like her as much as we do ;)
|
|
 |
ANNA KARNEZOS
Colchester
Waitstaff
Currently a sophomore at the University of Vermont, Anna is pursuing a double major in math & music. In her spare time, she loves the viola & guitar & is an active participant in a quartet that plays fro weddings & corporate functions. She also enjoys sailing & kayaking on lake Champlain.
Anna is the daughter of some of our favorite customers. In fact, it was during their dining experience that Mandy asked Anna to work. "She's so sweet & kind, plus she has a killer smile," Mandy said ... adding: "I just wanted her to be a part of our Crew!" |
|
 |
SARAH TAPARAUSKAS
Colchester
Waitstaff
Sarah lives with her partner Adam, German Shepherd Raya, and a small flock of poultry. This ambitious gal runs a small gardening company, Sweet Fern Gardening, ... and designs and maintains gardens in the larger Chittenden County area. We're excited that Sarah will be working with us this summer on our property here at The Paddle!
Sarah just recently joined our Paddle Crew but you'd never know it - she fits in great. We love having her - with her sweet smile and kind eyes, she warms you over. She also happens to really like The Paddle Pup ... which is a good thing because Wyeth loves her and tends not to leave her alone. |
|
 |
SARAH CORMIER
Hinesburg
Waitstaff
Another wonderful addition to the Blue Paddle is Sarah. As a native North Hero gal, she chose to attend Essex High School. Among Sarah's interests is her love of art.
She prefers painting with acrylics, and welcomes the designing process with open arms. For those folks interested in seeing her art, stop by Hero's Welcome - she painted a bench for them which is on display.
Customers of our restaurant have left comment cards about her smile since she started working with us this winter! |
|
 |
NATHAN FEDERICO
South Hero
Busser Extraordinaire
This hard-working young man is currently a Sophomore at Essex High School. Nathan has two older sisters and a younger brother. Besides playing on his school's varsity soccer team, he enjoys history class, photography class & track and field.
Planning to attend college out of state in the fall of 2014, we know he will
succeed at anything he pursues. Right from the get-go, Nathan has made his mark at The Paddle. With an attention for detail unmatched by most, he has become an invaluable busser and "assistant" to Mandy when she's hostessing for the evening.
Nate's family is truly one of our all-time Paddle favorites ... |
|
 |
JAMIL HANDY
South Hero
Busser
Jamil just graduated from Essex High School where he played rugby fro 3 years. He'll be attending UVM in the fall. He likes fishing, boating & is an avid ping pong player!
Having known Jamil's dad for almost 25 years (what a nice guy!), we knew that this young man would be a great fit for The Paddle. He's super nice & very polite ... |
|
 |
ERIC GOODRICH
Grand Isle
Sous Chef
Recently hired for Garde Manger, Eric is doing a "great job" in the kitchen, according to Phoebe. As an outdoor enthusiast, Eric loves hunting & fishing &, one day, hopes to become an arborist! When he's not at The Paddle, Eric works at the Grand Isle Nursery as a landscaper. He graduated from Essex High School last year.
Keep up the good work, Eric ... & keep on smiling! |
|
 |
MATT Hemingway
Grand Isle
Kitchen
Matt is just a great guy! He wears many hats at The Paddle, primarily dishwasher extraordinaire. (As Phoebe says - one of the most important jobs in a restaurant that washes every dish by hand because it determines the flow of the kitchen and, consequently, the flow of the dining room.) In his off time, he happily lends a hand to Mandy in helping her with anything outdoors.
When asked for a bio, Matt wrote this (another reason why we love him): "I like to work, hang-out with friends, love to enjoy my days off, and most importantly, I like working for the Blue Paddle Bistro."
|
|
 |
MARC TOMASIK
Grand Isle
Owner of Grand Isle Home Services
Marc is our "go to" guy for anything that needs to be done on or in our restaurant. We hired Marc six plus years ago when we were able to make the upstairs into additional service space. Marc completely transformed the two rooms into beautiful dining spaces, installed a second floor restroom and built us an exterior fire escape stairway.
Since then, he is the only person that Mandy will let work on The Paddle - for two reasons - he's the best & he's become a dear friend. "When both Marc and Phoebe are here, I'm loving life. I'm with by two best friends," says Mandy. |
|
 |
WYETH RAY HOTCHKISS
South Hero
Mascot #1
Serving in the capacity as the "Official Paddle Pup", Wyeth loves both bird hunting with partners-in-crime, Mandy & Phoebe! She has become quite the accomplished all-around dog. At 9 months, she received the first two orange ribbons of her Junior Hunt Test requirements, as well as second place in the Dock Dog competition held at the Champlain Valley Fair in 2010. She's an awesome frisbee catcher and just a really nice dog. P.S. She also loves her younger brother, Watson.
|
|
 |
WATSON RAY HOTCHKISS
South Hero
Mascot #2
 15 month-old Watson is Wyeth's true brother and, in some ways, couldn't be more different than his big sister. One thing they will share is bird hunting - training has already begun! Mandy flew out to Wisconsin in February to bring home this little guy where she fell & fractured her knee cap. Two days later she returned home on the plane with this pup on her lap and her leg in a huge brace. Watson, like his sibling two years prior, never made a "peep" during the return trip. He did, however, make a lot of TSA & Delta personnel, as well as fellow travelers, smile!
|
|
 |
GRACE EMERY
Milton
I will miss you, Gracie, ...
and will forever remember you.
Your friend, Mandy
A couple of years ago, Gracie came to The Paddle inquiring about a job. Unfortunately, we had already filled all our summer waitstaff positions; however, we did need an extra person to assist with our special events and offered this young lady that opportunity which she enthusiastically accepted. And we're glad she did! Gracie attended Milton High School where she enjoyed history & english, as well as field hockey. In addition to her school pursuits, Gracie had been a camper at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta for a number of years. When asked if she liked the experience at camp, she proclaimed: "I love it!"
(pictured with Caroline Casey) |
|
|
|
