Saints fall because of mistakes; NSU outmatched
December 4, 2012
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December 4, 2012
Gibson resident Rose Chisel graduated from Southdown High School in 1967, and went to work. Like many young women, her first job was pretty basic. She did housework for other people and washed and folded laundry.
When the new Holiday Inn Holidome opened at 210 S. Hollywood Road in Houma, on Oct. 18, 1976, an employment opportunity with higher income – $2.30 per hour – came Chisel’s way. What she, her family and friends, her employer and work colleagues did not expect was how cleaning laundry would become a 36-year and counting career.
“I just like doing it,” Chisel said. “I like making sure things are folded and organized.”
During three decades the Holidome underwent name changes and six ownerships, survived and rebuilt following hurricanes, hosted conferences and parties, and had visitors ranging from unidentified offshore workers to big-name celebrities. “I met [Martin Lawrence] Big Mamma that time she was over here making that movie,” Chisel said. “I still got my picture at home with her, too.”
The Quality Hotel, the inn familiar with changes, has had one constant – Chisel making certain bedding and towels for 200 guest rooms along with dining linen for restaurants and banquets is ready to impress those that might not give a second thought to how the material remains clean and wrinkle-free.
When Chisel began working at the hotel, its swimming pool had not been completed and the domed roof was not yet installed. “I got to the laundry room and started organizing it,” she said. “I’ve seen so many changes here I’ve forgotten half of them.”
Five days a week, she drives to work from Gibson, clocks-in at 8 a.m., walks to the rear of the hotel complex and outside the courtyard setting to an external door. Inside that room, Chisel inspects rows of shelves where fresh laundry is folded and ready for housekeepers to pick up before making their rounds. She then checks bins where sheets, blankets, towels and other cloth items are ready for cleaning.
It is with three industrial washing machines and three dryers in a small side room where Chisel said she spends most of every day, rotating loads and preparing to do the same job again tomorrow.
“I take in sheets, towels, washstand stuff,” Chisel said while making a visual inventory of the room. “The housekeepers bring [laundry] in and separate it. I then put it in to wash and dry and fold it up.”
Chisel said during her career she is certain she has learned tips to make the job easier. Although she didn’t remember any off hand, she did avoid disclosing any potential trade secrets. “I just go in and do the same thing,” she said.
“It is amazing,” Quality Hotel owner Rene Claudet said. “We have other people that back Rose up, but when we say ‘laundry person,’ it is Rose. She is the laundry staff. She probably does a dozen machine loads or more a day. When you think of over the years how many things she has washed and folded – Wow.”
Chisel said that too many people want to go from job to job and do not stay devoted to a specific business as was common in the past. “One time, one girl came and that morning she worked, but then she left,” the laundry lady said. “You’ve got to give yourself a chance. You don’t know how it is going to work out if you don’t really try. If you put your mind on it, you can do anything.”
“When Rose goes on vacation, everybody wants to know when she is coming back,” Claudet said. “In today’s world, where people don’t look for careers and are looking for things where jobs get in the way, people like Rose set the beautiful example.”
“Miss Rose is great,” Quality Hotel Operations Manager Shane Horner said. “I started here in 2001, and, of course, she was here. I have learned respect and about being loyal from her. It’s just the idea that she has stayed with one company for so long. I’m trying to follow in her footsteps.”
The generally soft-spoken laundry lady claims she talks to the people she works with all the time to help pass the hours while performing her job. She admits to not being shy when it comes to correcting someone who has not properly folded an item. “You might as well do it right,” she said.
Chisel has membership with a behind-the-scenes workforce. They are the people often taken for granted. Generally, it is when these laborers are not present to complete essential jobs that their existence is noticed by those unwilling to serve as they do.
“When people like Rose do their work and do it very well, you do start taking it for granted,” Claudet said. “This is not like having a front desk job where you are seen all the time. She is back there in the corner, running machines. It is hot and a lot of work. She knows how to make the situation work. We are very, very proud of Rose.”
“I try my best to get everything out,” Chisel said.”A lot of people don’t understand how I can do it. Well, when you get used to something, it is easier. I’m thankful to have made it to 63. I’m thankful for my job, and as long as my body holds up, I’m going to do it.”
Quality Hotel Laundry services employee Rose Chisel said you have to give yourself a chance at trying something to see if you like it. She has continued to enjoy the job she has performed for 36 years and intends to keep working as long as possible.
