Executive Hotel and Boutique Accommodation in St. John'ds

Leaside's Staff

A note from Elaine: There is no doubt about it. The small business creed says that you are only as good as the people who work for you. I have the best staff. May I introduce them to you? Elaine

Nicole Bailote

Nicole is a classic! She is just one of those wonderful reasons why our visitors are always so impressed with Newfoundlanders. Born in St. John’s, Nicole is eldest in a family that pairs a Portuguese dad with a Newfoundland mom. She attends Memorial University part-time, and is in her final year of a language degree. Indeed, Nicole speaks five languages – English, Portuguese, French, Spanish and Italian. Isn’t that amazing? Nicole manages Leaside, plain and simple. She makes it all work – and work well. Leaside is always in some form of growth – whether it is updating a room, or adding an apartment to our St. John’s Executive Apartments portfolio – so I am not always available at Leaside. Nicole’s adeptness allows me considerable flexibility with where I do my job. She is Team Leader – and takes her work very seriously. .

Pauline Foley
Pauline is our newest employee! Hers is an interesting story – long before I every met Pauline, her daughter, Crystal, was the resident night manager for Leaside. I know now where the daughter got her strength and focus. Pauline is a part time cook and a full time housekeeper here at Leaside Manor. That sweet daughter of hers has given Pauline an adorable grandson – who is at risk of becoming the Leaside mascot – so gorgeous is he! Pauline will serve you breakfast most mornings – say hello to her. She is a little shy, very thorough, and a solid Newfoundlander through and through.

Bob Hart
We affectionately call this gentleman “young Bob”. For the longest time, we had two Bobs working for us – the elder has passed on...but this Bob’s handle remains. Bob is our painter, labourer, and man-who-will-do-all-to-help-us. We own several two-apartment houses in or near the downtown area, and Bob is invaluable in keeping them looking new. But his work doesn't stop there – in winter you will see him pushing along our snow blower and shovelling our clients out. He is a St. John’s native, and has been with Leaside for many years. And we are most grateful to have him with us.

Ava Hawkins
Ava is my dear friend and Leaside’s primary caterer. I describe her, affectionately, as the city’s best and “holiest” caterer. Scarcely a function goes by where you don’t find Ava taking a moment out to practice Reiki on one of the clients whose needs present themselves to her. When I ask Ava what she thinks was her most prominent gig – she says perhaps preparing and serving His Highness, Prince Edward when he visited St. John’s; or maybe it was when former governor general, Adrienne Clarkson, personally called to request she cater one of her functions. In truth – Ava loves all her clients – and they must love her...her repeat business for organisations such as the province’s Law Society, just to mention one, is most noteworthy.

Ava was born near Budapest in Hungary, and has lived for 27 years in St. John’s. I call her the Hungarian Princess and you may call her at 579-0680.

Tori Miles
Tori, along with Vicki and Karla, has been with me the longest! In fact, she is the only one left of a group of half a dozen students, including my own daughter, who built Leaside with me. They were all like daughters to me. I know that I won’t have her for much longer...life will pull her onwards. I am grateful for her help over these many years. Tori is in her final year at Memorial University where she is studying psychology. Summers find her far from the “rock” working and visiting with family in Ottawa. Because of her school schedule, Tori often does the evening shift. So – those husky tones that book your rooms in the late afternoon or early evening belong to a young woman who has seen Leaside through a lot of change, renovation and growth. Get to know Tori – she is a fun-filled soul!

Ashley Murphy
Ashley is new to Leaside – she is a student who joins our summer staff. She is a student at Memorial University, and is studying psychology with some notion of switching to nursing. She loves to jog and swim and has the youthful energy to attest to being strong in both. We welcome Ashley to the Leaside team!

Karla Norris
Where to begin! Karla has worked with me, on and off, for at least 10 years. She works out of her home now – does freelance constancy in website development and management. Home is in Witless Bay. In the past, Karla ran the front desk at Leaside for several years. She built our website, and is responsible for most of the major upgrades and changes. These days, Karla and I have a very flexible working relationship: she is happily balancing daughter Abby, and the challenges of being a new mom with Leaside’s website needs. We are happy to share Karla with such a sweet distraction.

Peggy Price
Peggy is our resident night manager. She is a Newfoundlander come-back-from-away. Lived most of her adult life in Toronto. She took a giant step forward a year or so ago and moved back home. Today, she makes Leaside her home. If you transact with Leaside after hours – Peggy will be the one you will most likely work with. She has become a very critical part of our operation – you can find her in the kitchen cooking breakfast a couple of days a week, or sorting out the mountains of laundry that Leaside generates. When time allows – she helps out with accounting-related paperwork. She is busy! And we are delighted to have Peggy with us.

Nenia and Jim Roberts
You will no doubt meet both of these people when you visit Leaside. They actually live in the house! Jim is a fine carpenter and there is no doubt…Leaside Manor and our apartments – St. John’s Executive Apartments – provide loads of carpenter opportunities. Jim was born in Triton and Nenia in Springdale, so they are true Newfoundlanders. Lived away for a few years in Ontario – like so many of us – and now back on the rock! They are good people – and can often be found with Jim picking away on his guitar and Nenia singing along. Perhaps you can convince them to play a tune for you when you are here.

Vicki Skinner Vicki has been with me from the beginning of time, it seems! We have seen each other through the growth of five additional rooms in the house and two sweet children on her part. Vicki lives in Torbay, commutes to work daily, and does a great job of balancing working for me and raising a family. She is an integral part of Leaside’s team – has done everything from morning cook to chief housekeeper – and taking bookings on the side.

	Dave Walsh Dave – well, if God had a right hand man – it would be Dave! He is a multi-talented carpenter who can do just about anything! With as many properties as Leaside now has, Dave is invaluable. Whether it is wiring, plumbing, or finished carpentry – he is “the man”. Dave has a classic Newfoundland, self-deprecating sense of humour. I don’t know where he find his one liners – but they come aplenty. Dave has worked with Leaside for at least 10 years – and it would understate it to say that we are very happy to have him on our team.