Archive: Jun 2018

1. June 25, 2018

   Meet The Team: Lucy Merfeld

   

   Name: Lucy Merfeld

   Title: Cosmetologist/LMT

   Hometown: Epworth, IA

   How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? 4 years

   What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? I came to Potosa Spa for the calming atmosphere and opportunity to utilize both my massage and cosmetology skills.

   What are you most passionate about professionally? I really love the versatility of all the services I am able to perform but, what I am most passionate about is working with brides on their special day. I enjoy both styling and applying their make-up for what is one of the most important days of their life!

   What are you passionate about personally? What is your favorite way to spend a free weekend? I am passionate about being outside and enjoying nature. My favorite way to spend the weekend is being with friends and family on the river.

   What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area? Some of my favorite things to do in the Dubuque area would be anything on the water, whether it’s relaxing by the pool, boating, going on the beach, floating backwaters, or canoeing. I also enjoy four wheeling, bike rides, hikes, fishing, gardening and trying different restaurants.

   What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque? I love the diversity of clients we see come through the spa/salon. I enjoy hearing their stories of life experiences or places they have been or plan on going.

   What is your personal motto? Travel as much as you can!  And, always be humble and kind to others. You never know what some people are going through and you can make a difference just by being kind to others.

   Describe your typical work day: My typical work day is different everyday depending on what services I have. I come in set up for everything. In between clients take laundry down and inventory.

   Is there anything else that you’d like to share? Book you next appointment at Potosa Spa with me!

2. June 11, 2018

   Meet The Team: Fiona Howard

    

   Name: Fiona Howard

   Title: Caroline’s Restaurant Manager

   Hometown: Hanover, IL

   How long have you been with Hotel Julien Dubuque? 3 years

   What path brought you to Hotel Julien Dubuque? I have loved food, wine and restaurants from the first meal I had in a fine dining establishment. My first job as a busser at Café Italia solidified this love. I continued working in restaurants, resorts and hotels around the country.  During my years in the Hotel Restaurant Management School at Cornell University, I worked at the Statler Hotel as a banquet supervisor.  I can say I have deeply loved every job I have had in the restaurant and hospitality industry.  When I moved to Dubuque three years ago, I started as the Restaurant Supervisor in Caroline’s.  It has been a little over a year since I took over my current position as Restaurant Manager.

   What are you most passionate about professionally? I love food and wine. It is magic for me! When my guests or my team gets that look of awe and surprised delight after experiencing a perfect pairing I want to jump up and down in joy.  Ok, I may have done that once or twice.

   What are you passionate about personally? Words are my personal passion. I write poetry, read books, talk (a lot) and play Boggle with my friends and family. My favorite way to spend a free weekend is to curl up with my cat and read a good book.

   What are some of your favorite things to do in the Dubuque area? Art Museum, walking around downtown, skiing and snowboarding in the winter, swimming in the river and going to the great restaurants.

   What do you love most about Hotel Julien Dubuque? I love the history and the wonderful people who work here. This is a family and when our guests visit, they join our family for that time.

   What is your personal motto? Moderation is a fatal thing, nothing succeeds like excess!

   Describe your typical work day: I’m typically here in the afternoon, preparing for the evening’s guest. The dinner team starts arriving at 4:00 pm. It’s at that time, we try the feature and choose a wine to pair with it.  We will have a quick pre-shift powwow and open the doors at 4:30 pm. Guests start arriving and I am like the director of a theater production. We have rehearsed and I trust the cast to execute a flawless performance. We smile and dance through the evening with the goal of wowing our audience. Each perfectly poured wine, beautifully presented plate of food and smiling interaction is orchestrated by me. It is like magic! I enjoy speaking to our guests, telling them about local history and everything Dubuque. My team works hard and when they leave at the end of the night, it is with a satisfaction no other industry can give.

   Please share a go-to fun-fact about yourself: I sing Swedish folk songs on command.

   Is there anything else that you’d like to share? Come see me at Caroline’s.  I can’t wait to see you!