Welcome Our Two Newest Colleagues

 

Please join me in welcoming to Windermere our  newest colleagues;

 

 

Christina joins us in Windermere's Café

 

Madeline joins us in Banquets & Catering

Guest Feedback

Hello

 We very much enjoyed our stay at your facility.  We found the staff to be polite and accommodating.  The setting is quiet and serene and we enjoyed it. (Birds, deer and turkey sightings) We were in London for my wife to have eye surgery and the pleasant surroundings helped to make it less stressful.  We hope to return at some point under more favourable circumstances.

One minor suggestion:  We would have found it helpful to have more than 2 face clothes.

Thank you for your services.

Roy Turner

The Breast Show in Town, this weekend

9^th Annual Breast Show in Town – bringing together inspiration for your Body, Mind & Spirit!

May 2^nd & 3^rd, 2014

Expecting 50 – 75 people to attend

Friday evening –  fun evening for ladies with a PJ party, shopping, wine tasting, lingerie fashion shop, fireside libido chat, massages, readings, belly dancing and a boudoir photo shoot!  Serving staff will be encouraged to wear “appropriate” sleepwear that evening

Saturday – full day of learning workshops, energy therapy sessions, body/mind breaks & more shopping – Staff to wear standard uniforms

 I will be here both days to ensure the ladies are taken care of.

 
Brenda

Hockey Banquet

We hosted the Devilettes girls team that we sponsor year end hockey celebration last night, was a fun night ..........

Table decorations....

 

 

The Ice Cream Sundae Bar was a HUGE hit.....

 

Thanks to all for a fun night, the girls and parents had a blast.

Guest Feedback

Gwen

 

John and I would like to thank you and your wonderful staff for the kindness and courtesy extended to us during our stay at the Windermere Manor Hotel from March 25th through April 16th.

 I especially want to thank you for accommodating my needs (toilet seat and the firm armchair that you so kindly took out of storage). It helped to extend my stay at a time when my husband needed me the most.

 I apologize for my share of cigarette butts discarded on the lawn up until the time the "butt stop" was made available at the curb. I should also apologize for the "rambling", talking your ear off, along with the ears of your other staff members. 

 I met and talked with so many wonderful people who were staying at the hotel.

 Thank you again Gwen, and should the need arise whereby John and I have to return, we will surely look forward to staying at the Windermere Manor.  We will recommended it to all of our friends.

 Isabel Del Rossi 

Team Meeting 10

Ontario Federation of Homes and Schools Association starts on Thursday, around 90 guests for the duration.
The director of education will be speaking at this conference.
Conference ends after brunch on Sunday, we do anticipate more changes and tweaks as this event unfolds.
Power of Networking group now has a 4 menu cycle.
Year end is this Wednesday ! New fiscal year starts Thursday !
Western Financial Services in for day meeting next Friday.
Breast show in Town is next weekend - Brenda will blog more details about next week, server staff will be in pyjamas for this event ! Going to be a wild weekend.
Christian Legal Fellowship group starts next Sunday evening and runs for the week.
Team meeting will be Thursday rather than Wednesday next week.
Easter Brunch review - brunch went well, did 258 covers @$32
Good Friday in Cafe went very well, did 104 covers.
This Friday Jazz night in Cafe looks like selling out again, challenge is no guests want to have dinner before jazz starts at 7.30pm. Dr Campbell's daughter is playing this weekend.
We will be having a staff server and cooks meeting to discuss new menus and communication prior to May 15th.
Hotel at #13 on Tripadvisor, Cafe at #8
Pre authorization is up and running on 5 Star.
Loading dock area is getting there, clean up almost complete.
Will try some pre-made pasta dishes for large group eating from pasta bar this Friday.
Mother's Day brunch is May 11th, reservations at 70 right now.
Ensure all expenses and invoices are in for next Wednesday, fiscal year end.
Izabela has interviews this week for caretaking and housekeeping staff.
Health & Safety meeting next Tuesday at 2pm.
May's Cafe Jazz schedule has been finalized, 5 Friday's in May.
New hospital room flyers have been printed.
New Spring Summer room packages now in place, replaces the Winter Wonderland special.
Wedding pace report, at 5 more weddings than last year so far with still time to sell ! 2015/16 at 19 weddings already.
Weekly Cafe specials to be ready and sent to Hannah by 5pm each Tuesday.

Windermere's New Room Package Deal

 

Check out our Spring & Summer Sensations room package deal, sure to be a great hit

Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations

We are hosting a major conference this week, filling the hotel and food & beverage operation -

Conference dates – April 24^th – 27^th, 2014

Mandate for conference:  Brings together concerned parents and educators

 

Board Members (12)  here  on Thursday & Friday for daytime meetings

Last year held at The Hilton, and did not have a great experience

Friday night – GH – Tradeshow & Cocktail Reception – Opening Remarks 7 pm – VIP –

 

Director of Education for the TVDSB  – Laura Elliott

Saturday – all day workshops – 72 people/and the Gala in the GH on Saturday night for 93 people

Sunday wrap up for 36 people with a working Brunch in the Grand Hall

 

I will be on site all the days to assist with whatever is needed.

 

Brenda

Granddaddy of local jazz adds grand-daughter | The London Free Press

Granddaddy of local jazz adds grand-daughter | The London Free Press

Farewell & Best Wishes to Wylee

Wylee Fulop has made the next step for his career in taking on his next challenge as a chef apprentice under Chef Micheal at the Hunt Club.  I would personally and on behalf of all the employees at the Windermere Manor like to thank Wylee for his years of work and wish him nothing but success in the future.  I hope all that you have learned and experienced at the Windermere will be of asset to you in your exciting times to come.

Wylee not only brought wit, character and eagerness to each day but brought a sense of passion towards his co-workers and will be missed by all.

 

Shawn Desmarais

Thanks Julia

 

 

Sad for us but happy for Julia, at the front desk.

She will be leaving us here  at the Windermere and moving on.

Julia has been with us for almost a year and has been a great team member!

She worked in Banquets as well and I know that we will all miss her very much.

 

Julia has been offered a five month contract to work in Muskoka in a very classy resort.

Maybe after  she gets settled in to her new job, she can send us some pictures, for the Blog.

We wish Julia all the best in her new job and hope that she will come back to visit us, when she is in London.

Thanks Julia, for all your hard work and putting up with all of us!

All the best in the future!!

Gwen

******PIZZA ALERT ******

It's lunchtime on Good Friday, there's pizza in the staff room but you better be quick, our squirrels know it's there !

Happy Easter Weekend

Wishing you all a Happy Easter Weekend, the hotel is rocking this weekend with a sold out Café tonight for jazz and dinner, wedding on Saturday and around 240 for Brunch on Sunday.

 

My personal thank you to all who are working this holiday weekend, I appreciate it can be tough when the rest of our friends and family are having a relaxing long weekend while we're busier than ever here at work, thank you all. 

Team Meeting 10

Good Friday sold out this weekend, using Grand Hall for group of 30.
Easter Sunday Brunch sold out at 258 guests.
Easter eggs instead of pillow chocolate on Saturday.
Wedding this Saturday, ceremony on site in the Atrium.
No business on Easter Monday.
Motivational speaker this Wednesday - Nick Hall
Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations starts next Thursday, this large event goes on until Sunday 1pm.
Andrea is looking to hire a Cafe server.
Last Diva day went very well.
New Spring Cafe menus being worked on.
Garden boxes  - see Shawn if you'd like a box for the Summer growing season.
rooms are at 891 today, last year same day 772.
Hotel at # 13 on Tripadvisor, Cafe at #8
Julia at front desk last day is this Friday.
Spring & Summer room package starts today.
Breakfast on Good Friday 8am to 10am in The Grand Hall.
Brenda working on new brochure for hospital/medical stays.

The Master Builder

Spent the weekend building a house for my daughter's dog, apart from a lack of a floor, walls, door and windows it's quite the masterpiece !

More Housekeeping Babies

We bid a fond farewell to Jane today as she goes off to have a baby boy..........

Helping out at Jane's lunch were 3 of our most recent housekeeping girls,  Amelia, Raya and Lameese

Christina and Amelia...

Layla and her older daughter Raya..

Jane and some random people that always show up for a free lunch ! All the best Jane

It's On | The London Free Press

It's On | The London Free Press

Hello Angel

Angel from our housekeeping team popped in the other day to show of her new baby girl, Alessandra. I'm sorry I missed the visit but hopefully both Angel and Alessandra will visit again soon.

Weekly Team Meeting 9

Wedding this Saturday, 83 guests, ceremony on site at 1pm.
Diva Day this Sunday, having brunch menu, using Grand Hall, all meeting rooms and some hotel rooms. Numbers are around 70.
London Life coming in this Monday to go over set up for upcoming event.
Church community breakfast next Saturday.
Good Friday  - Cafe will be full for fish fry dinner.
Easter brunch at 203 so far, last year was 197.
Breakfast in the Cafe all weekend.
Brenda booked out first Christmas party for this year ! lead came from Teresa.
Brenda working with Janet and a photographer on getting some updated pictures from around Windermere.
Neil and Brenda doing the big bike run on June 19th with SKAL. Let Brenda know if you'd like to join us.
Jane from housekeeping's last day this Friday, Jane's having a baby boy in early May, little going away party for Jane in this Friday.
New Spring rooms package coming soon to replace Winter Wonderland package.
Up 138 rooms month to date over last year.
Julia from front desk is leaving us, Julia is heading to Muskoka to work for the Summer.
This month end is also our fiscal year end.
New gaskets required for walk in fridge doors, Will order this week.
Kitchen is now making and baking their own bread, well received so far.
Hannah is looking for servers for Cafe and banquets.
Cafe is at #8 Tripadvisor, Hotel is #13.

Caretaking & Housekeeping Staff

We are looking to hire for a few positions in the caretaking and housekeeping department. If you know of anyone who may be interested please let Izabela know.

SKAL Dinner London Airport

Brenda and I were at the SKAL dinner at London Airport last night, we had a behind the scenes look at the airport and listened to an update from the airport manager as to how the London airport hopes to grow over the next few years.

Did try to avoid traffic by flying back but Brenda lost the key to her airplane !!

Guest Feedback

Hi Christina.

Well, kudos all around to you and your staff.  You knocked it right out of the park last night!!  Robert was great, our server and our bartender were just excellent.  Tons of compliments all around from my staff... you made me look pretty damned good.

I look forward to hearing from you, and to coming back again soon!  (...like maybe Friday to see my friends Oliver and Sonja...)

 
Ralph
Ralph Lembcke, GSC
Professor



Great feedback, thank to all involved.

More Crazy Birds

If you survive the angry geese on your way into the park and make it up the hill to the Manor we have another angry bird waiting for you !

Our resident Northern Cardinal is nesting just outside the North Meeting Room, the large windows are close to his nest. Whenever he sees his own reflection in the windows - he attacks the window thinking it's another male bird after his chick.

We will be adding some non reflective materials to the affected windows in an effort to prevent our angry bird from hurting himself and annoying the meeting room users.

Mr & Mrs Angry are back

Mr & Mrs Angry are back in front of the Mogenson building.........................

This real sweetheart of a bird doesn't really like sharing the building with mere tenants and RP staff and she has a particular dislike of people wearing Canada Goose coats !

Run Done !

I'm the older husky guy towards the back.

 

I did finish the 30km road race, thanks to all for your words of encouragement and support.

 

 



 

This was my favourite sign en route

 

 

The end in sight.....

 

 

Time 3 hours, 27 mins, 47 seconds, that got me a beer, a snickers bar and a medal !

Guest Feedback

Hi Brenda,

 

It was nice seeing you the other day when I came to Veronica & Joe's wedding. 

 

I wanted to share with you that the hospitality staff did a fabulous job! Their manager and every single one of the staff. The attended to is so kind and respectful, never missed a beat and went beyond all expectations when we asked for anything. The food was also excellent! I really wish I could share this with all the hard working people in the kitchen and outside who served us.

 Congratulations on such impressive  management and staff selection! 

 

Hope to see you soon again,

Cheers,

Hida

Hida Behzadi M.A., B.A.

Creative Director

City kicks in $5M start for medical research | The London Free Press

City kicks in $5M start for medical research - Research Park News

Spaghetti Tree Planting Today

You may see some contractors around the Research Park today, they'll be here most of today planting the new spaghetti trees, these trees are common in Europe where pasta is very popular.
This will be a nice fit for our daily pasta bar, we can boast that we grow our own spaghetti right here on site.

A pic of Lirpa Sloof, harvesting the spaghetti in Switzerland.

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