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 and is in her final year of a language degree. Indeed, Nicole speaks four languages – English, Portuguese, French and Spanish. She wears several hats at Leaside. Wicked, right? When not working with Lisa and her team in the housekeeping area, Nicole takes over the desk duties from Craig or shares the cooking duties and responsibilities with Janet. Highly organized, with strong people skills, Leaside is hoping to use Nicole’s strengths to work with international marketing.

Bob Hart
We affectionately call this gentleman “young Bob”. For the longest time, we had two Bob’s working for us – the elder has passed on...but this Bob’s handle remains. Bob is our painter, laborer, 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 shoveling 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.

Eva Hawkins
Eva 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 Eva taking a moment out to practice reiki on one of the clients whose needs present themselves to her. When I ask Eva 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 to one of her functions. In truth – Eva loves all her clients – and they must love her...her repeat business for organizations such as the province’s Law Society, just to mention one, is most noteworthy.

Eva was born in Miskols, near Budapest in Hungary, and has lived for 27 years in St. John’s. She has two children is soon to be a grandmother. I call her the Hungarian Princess and you may call her at 579-0680.

Janet Hutchings
Janet is Leaside’s cook/housekeeper. We think she is amazing! Any effort to cut back her hours and ensure she “has a life” falls on deaf ears. She loves to cook – be it for breakfast or for a meeting or cocktail reception.

Born in Heatherton near the Codroy Valley on the province’s west coast, Janet has an eclectic food background; she has 30 years experience in the part-time catering business. She also is a hydroponic gardener, and she and her former partner established a small business which today provides hydroponic lettuce and herbs to many St. John’s restaurants. Janet also champions Leaside’s green initiatives in the kitchen. We anxiously await that first load of Janet-inspired kitchen compost.

Her nickname is “Jazzie” – and her work at Leaside is much appreciated. We are not sure what we would do without her.

Cindy Mews
Cindy is another student who works part-time for Leaside. St. John's-born Cindy holds down a couple of jobs - the Tim Horton's cup in her hand when she shows up at Leaside is probably an employee perk - 'cause that's where you find her when she is neither at home, nor at school, nor at Leaside. New to Leaside, we hope to keep her around for some time.

Tori Miles
Tori, like 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.

Karla Norris
Where to begin! Karla has worked with me for at least seven or eight years. She works out of her home now – does freelance consultancy in website development and management. Home is in Witless Bay. In the past, Karla ran the front desk at Leaside for several years. Karla and I have a very flexible working relationship.  These days she is building our new apartment website www.stjohnsexecutiveapartments.com and likely will be putting together a new site for the 39 Topsail Road address that is Leaside Manor. Karla’s work is the reason that Leaside does so very well on the search engines. We have gone through a lot together, and she is very dear to me.

Carolina Roberts
Carolina hails from Columbia – near Bogota. She is a new Canadian, and has been in the country since 2003. Carolina is an engineering student at Memorial University, and with that schedule is only able to work with us one day a week -- on the weekends. Let's hope we soon have lots of Spanish-speaking guests to take advantage of Carolina's mother-tongue. We understand that Carolina is a wicked salsa dance instructor - watch out for her moves in the dining room :)