LOCALadk Magazine

Starting the Precedence, From the Ground Up My first day at the Golden Arrow wasn't behind a desk. I chose an unconventional entry: I started in housekeeping. In my new job, I made beds, I cleaned bathrooms, and I learned the little details that made the rooms different. Also, I learned just how hard a job housekeeping can be! The other housekeepers told me that they never expected to see me in their department; that they thought I would have just assumed a job behind a desk and would never interact with them. It meant a lot to them that I wanted to see the hotel from their perspective, and it meant a lot to me that I had earned it. Next, I gained experience in customer service in the front desk and reservations department. I learned that when speaking with guests, I had to be empathetic and understanding of their needs - even if their problems had absolutely nothing to do with the hotel. A Lasting Legacy Thankfully, the majority of our guests couldn't be nicer. Many are like family, returning year after year and recounting stories from the past 40 years as if we were flesh and blood. They tell stories of when they met my grandfather, and the stories he told of coming to America, meeting his wife, and first starting a small business in Lake Placid, NY. 40 years later, my grandparents' legacy carries on. Today, thanks to my aunt Jenn, the hotel is a leader in eco-friendly lodging. Thanks to my father Peter's skilled craftsmanship and vision, the grounds have never looked better. And now I'm working to improve the hotel's rooms, in my role as Director of Beautification. Throughout the year, we play host to pond hockey tournaments, weddings, community-wide garage sales, and even chicken-wing competitions. All of that is part of a legacy that wouldn't exist if my grandparents weren't welcomed to this community four decades ago. It's a legacy that I look forward to carrying on, for another four decades. Prost. Zum Whol. Cheers. Ski. Shop. Stay. Play. The only exclusive Nordic shop in the northeast CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER Co ee, Boarshead Meats & Sandwiches, Gluten Free Foods, Ready-To-Eat Meals, Indian Food,Camping Supplies, Firewood, Picnic Supplies & Food For e Trail! The Local Choice & Community Favorite www.fusionmarketsl.com P: 518-891-2095 F: 518-891-2093 111 River St. Saranac Lake (Directly across from Lake Flower) Micro Brew Superstore! LOCALadk Winter 2014 19

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