General Manager Astrid Muller posed for a picture opportunity with the loyal, valued, repeat guests. She was joined by the president of the board Ed Hayes, presently on vacation here, vice president Dan Maloof and board member Dr. Craig Zendzian, also spending multi-weeks in Aruba in the winter months, and treasurer Randy Croes, the board’s local representative.

The weekly cocktail party was a fun, interactive event with cocktails, delicious snacks catered by Scabeche restaurant, a limbo contest organized by Farley Croes the activity coordinator and other activities with Daisey Gomez customer relations and yield manager. A massage therapist from Madeleine’s Skin & Body Care salon offers stress-busting chair massages while the party was in full swing.

Caribbean Palm Village is celebrating its silver anniversary in 2012, and is raffling a free annual membership to interval international among its silver honorees, also presenting them with a handsome commemorative plaque, as seen in our pictures.

The evening included an Anniversary Celebration, an award-presentation to the Colleague, Supervisor and Manager of the Year, a three-course lobster and steak dinner, festive dessert and dance music with Tsunami.

Attended by the resort’s managers and department heads who mingled and welcomed their peers, the evening was a much enjoyed success, as colleagues celebrating silver anniversaries were escorted by family members, who also got to share their moment of glory and appreciation.

Just before dinner, General Manager Rob Smith asked family members to get up and be acknowledged for their support of the hard-working anniversary celebrants. He also praised the unchanging spirit of hospitality which prevails at the resort, and while physical changes take place every day, he said, the soul of the Grande Dame remains evergreen, offering genuine Aruban warmth and welcome, treasured by resort guests

Among those honored that evening: Rugia Siliee, Albert Tromp,  Regenita Arends, Nuria Cafarzuza, Clive Courtar, Rosindo Richardson, Margarita Vries, Augustin Kelly, Joan Hodge, Judith Koeiman, Marvinia Richardson, Glenn Farro, Frank Erasmus, Orving Croes, Norman Dijkhoff, Thomas Giel, Dominico Martilia, Monico Ruiz, Rofino Ruiz, Hector Wilson, Rosa Maduro, Bibi Ohab, Esther Simmons, Lidwina Rasmijn, Juan Semerel, Marina Carti, Ruthmila Pieternella, Henry Scott, and Kenny Solognier.

The Starks have been coming to Aruba, and the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa for the past ten consecutive years, and at different times, to different hotels on the island since 1984, more that 22 trips to date. “We are grateful for your economic contributions to the island,” said Darline,” but mostly we are grateful for the relationships you forged with our people, considering Aruba your home away from home.”

Pictured here the Distinguished Visitors ceremony, at Mira Solo Sunrise Café.

Matei who is a repeat-repeat patron of Amazonia Churrascaria reports Cihan can’t wait for his 64^th birthday, for an encore party, same time, same place, same menu, don’t change a thing!

Miguel recalls the Pali Coco apartments in Noord, purchased at the time by the Caribbean Palm Village Development Company with the dream of creating an upscale tourist complex, just minutes off the Palm Beach strip.

He’s been coming to work ever since, making a point of getting to know all members, their children and their grandchildren, enjoying an excellent relationship with the property’s many, loyal, repeat guests.

Miguel’s son, Hiram, also in hospitality, works at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa in the Food & Beverage department, having inherited the love for the industry from his dad.

General Manager Astrid Muller and the Treasurer of the Board Randy Croes hosted a lovely luncheon in honor of Miguel, celebrating his Silver Anniversary, at Scabeche Restaurant, in the presence of other resort department heads.

Miguel contributes his high level of energy to the fact that he frequently walks, from the Caribbean Palm Village to the Marriott Resort and back, and to coaching a little league baseball group of kids, twice a week.

Catch Miguel on duty and with a moment to spare, and he will tell you the entire history of Caribbean Palm Village, he has an excellent memory for names!!

During an elegant luncheon celebration, at the Sunset Grill restaurant, these top performers were applauded by management and by their peers, and received well-deserved kudos for their fruitful efforts.

Rowald Croes, was voted Colleague of the Month in October, nominated by Suyene Muyale who praised his enthusiasm and courtesy towards guest and coworkers, at the casino at the Radisson.  Diocelina Zambrano was voted Colleague of the Month in November, nominated by Marciano Geerman who paid tribute to her skills as a landscaper, and her considerable competence in many other areas. Marvinia Richardson was voted Colleague of the Month in December, nominated by Fransisca Van Esta Tjallingi who nicknamed her Marvelous Marv, and congratulated her for handling all Christmas bookings efficiently and reliably.

Among Supervisors, Vickaria Rafael, was voted Supervisor of the Quarter, nominated by Rufo Ruiz, who complimented her on her ability to handle anything which comes her way on the night shift, with competence and common sense.

Also nominated: Ramon Velasquez, Fernando Giraldo, Marilu Erasmus and Robert di Vecchia for October; Kenneth Lacle for November; Pablo Miranda and Jeremy Santanilla for December, and Marcel Angela and Patricia Alexander as runner ups for the Supervisor of the Quarter title.

This week’s manager cocktail party honored Grace Devitt with a commemorative plaque. The devitts bought pre-construction, making a leap of faith, trusting that the ‘hole in the ground’ will indeed become one day an upscale resort. Grace and her late husband have enjoyed their Aruba get-aways for many years, and Grace continues to come here with family members and friends, never skipping an opportunity to connect with her Dushi island, a total of 28 trips to date.

General Manager Astrid Muller and the Treasurer of the Board Randy Croes greet and mingle with their guests every Tuesday, for a fun happening. Director of Activities Mislady Fingal entertains with games and contests, while Harold and Ankie of Scabeche restaurant oversee the circulation of delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Board Member Dr Craig Zendzian, Executive Housekeeper Norma Gumbs and Director of Engineering Theo Van Loon are pictured here among guests, lending the gathering a cozy, friendly and welcoming ambiance.    Congratulation to the Caribbean Palm Village on its silver anniversary

Lily Polsbroek, Senior Sales Manager, Germaine Wever, Plaza Club Manager, Bibi Ohab, Executive Housekeeper and Fransisca Fransisca van Esta Tjallingi, Senior Manager of Catering and Convention Services enjoyed a special party given in their honor, acknowledging their diverse contributions to the complex resort operation and finally recognizing Lily Polsbroek as the winner of the coveted title.

Lily was nominated by no less than three different resort executives among them Director of Sales & Marketing, Arianne Valentino. She received kudos for helping organize a flawless Royal Visit to the resort, as the liaison person between the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa and the officials of the Dutch kingdom. Lily also filled in quietly and efficiently as Sales Manager for Europe and Latin America during the last quarter of the year in the absence of the designated person. Positive, outgoing, always prepared to host travel agents and groups, helpful, poised and multilingual, Lily is a dream of an executive, she loves what she does and it shows, and the resort and her colleagues love her right back, too!

As for the three other stars nominated, in his recommendation, Spa Manager Albert Cruz stated that Germaine Wever distinguished herself during the last quarter of the year welcoming the resort’s many repeat visitors, and fulfilling all guest expectations of the Plaza Club.  Director of Operations Bob Curtis who nominated Executive Housekeeper Bibi Ohab reported that her department finished the Kenexa survey with a 100% response rate, a high employee engagement score, the second highest score in the hotel and above the hotel average, in addition to excellent Cleanliness and Guestroom scores, leading to first finish in Medallia, a Customer Experience Management Survey, for 2011.

In his nomination, Rob Smith informed that Senior Manager of Catering and Convention Services Fransisca van Esta Tjallingi shows a tremendous commitment to groups and catering clients. Detail oriented and meticulous, she prepared flawlessly for the Royal visit and worked around the clock to ensure they were satisfied with every detail, resulting in rave reviews from the Dutch queen. A recent Trip Advisor Report also heralded Fransisca’s efforts and told the world what the Resort already knew, this lady is an ACE, and a great asset to the organization.

Pictured here the nominees and their colleagues at the appreciation party!

The luncheon celebration was organized by the department of Human Resources who also took the opportunity to thank all creative fellow-departments for unforgettable get-togethers during 2011.

Four departments received a special recognition for excelling at the organization of themed associate luncheons, the Front Office, Housekeeping, Recreations and the Executive Office, who each accepted a commemorative certificate and a check of Awg 450, to use forwards their next Themed Luncheon in 2012.

Special desserts made the midday break especially sweet, with cupcakes and Aros con Leche, sending associates back to their work stations, rejuvenated and refreshed.

The tradition of themed luncheons lives on, as it offers once a month an especially festive lunch celebration at the Chit Chat Café.

The company’s top sales people from the Midwest, affiliated with Ben Tire Distributors LTD, enjoyed a Carnival parade with Carnival dancers and a brass band, followed by cocktails and a tropical masquerade party with one of Aruba’s most popular bands, NBO, featuring singers Kevin James and Vivian Hooker.

Radisson Senior Manager of Catering & Convention Services Fransisca van Esta Tjallingii reports the party was commissioned by tri Exceeding Inc. a full service motivation and reward company specializing in customer appreciation and employee recognition programs.