Michiana Bartender of the Month
 Michiana’s Bartender of the Month for July 2009 is Ricky Hoover from Trevi’s in Osceola, IN
This month’s bartender of the Month winner is Ricky Hoover from Trevi’s in Osceola, IN. Ricky, known as “JR” to both staff and regulars, has just recently been introduced to the art of working behind the bar and has only been bartending since January of this year. After his grandparents, Nancy & Larry Wolf, purchased what was called the B&B Tavern earlier this year, Ricky began apprenticing as a bartender at the Blue Lantern Lounge (also owned family owned). This was in preparation for him to get behind the bar and push the drinks in bulk over at the newly purchased B&B. Eventually the name of B&B tavern was changed to Trevi’s, some beautiful remodeling to the location was done, and the menu given an Italian American twist.
When asked what the trick to being a great bartender was, Ricky told us, “It’s all about remembering names and what people drink.” It’s this customer familiarity that is quickly establishing Ricky amongst the ranks of Mixology’s best.
“Bartending is like being a barber, people open up to ya.” It’s these personal relationships that make this sometimes thankless job, all the worth-while for Ricky. You can catch Ricky behind the bar every Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday at Trevi’s in Osceola. So come on out, have a drink, and see for yourself what it takes to be the Michiana Entertainer’s Bartender of the Month.
Runners Up:
2nd Sean at Charlie’s – Michigan City, IN
3rd Anne at Ringers – LaPorte, IN
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDER!
Vote from the 1st till the 20th. All votes must be received on or by the 20th of each month.
Winner receives vacation package, special comp packages courtesy of The Blue Chip Casino, bragging rights,
a feature in next month's Michiana Entertainer & and a chance to compete for BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN DEC!
Call 1-888-512-0881 or visit MichianaEntertainer.com to cast your vote.
*Bartender of the Year not applicable to Michigan Residents |
 Michiana’s Bartender of the Month for June 2009 is Jen of It’s Vegas baby.
It’s the lack of redundancy, not to mention consistently meeting new people, that makes the art of mixology so interesting to our most recent Bartender of the Month winner, Jen from It’s Vegas Baby at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City, Indiana. A unique individual both outside & in, Jen is a self proclaimed renaissance woman. Her interests range from Kickboxing, Bruce Lee and classic low budget horror movies, to video game design, ancient Egyptian culture, and Cryogenics; it’s no wonder that Jen is able to pique the interest of even the most indifferent clientele.
“I like to shatter stereotypes… People can usually tell when someone is being fake. I just try to be myself.”
In addition to being one of a kind behind the bar, Jen has also recently begun to explore the entrepreneurial side of her multi-faceted personality. This year, Jen & her fiancé Justin, purchased an old antique shop in Chesterton, Indiana and converted it to an exotic saltwater fish store, called Hidden Reef. It seems one could compare the colorful and eclectic selections of exotic fish & coral available at their new location, to Jen’s vibrant, bubbly persona. As of date, we were told that even though the store is currently open to the public, an official grand opening is still in the works for the coming months.
A very special thanks goes out to all the folks you voted for Jen and in her own words: “This makes me feel special… hahaha!!!”
So till next month folks, be sure to keep the Budweiser flowing & the votes coming. Also, be sure to make a trip out to It’s Vegas Baby at the Blue Chip casino in Michigan City so you can witness first hand why Jen is the Michiana Entertainer’s Bartender of the Month!
Runners Up:
2nd – Rick @ B&B – Osceola, IN
3rd- Scott @ Corner Bar – Kalamazoo
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDER!
Vote from the 1st till the 20th. All votes must be received on or by the 20th of each month.
Winner receives vacation package, special comp packages courtesy of The Blue Chip Casino, bragging rights,
a feature in next month's Michiana Entertainer & and a chance to compete for BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN DEC!
Call 1-888-512-0881 or visit MichianaEntertainer.com to cast your vote.
*Bartender of the Year not applicable to Michigan Residents |
 Michiana’s Bartender of the Month for May 2009 is Sheila of RJ’s Sports Bar.
Growing up in a military family can be hard for some folk. The constant bounce from one base to another can be trying on especially the children. But Sheila, the winner of our May Bartender of the Month contest, has told us that if anything, she has benefited greatly from the exposure to different cultures that her military up-bringing brought her. One location she’s lived in, in specific, Puerto Rico, has taken a role in defining who Sheila is today. “The culture out there is beautiful,” she told us in a brief interview we had with her last month. The Latin culture infused in her from a young age, finds its way out on the dance floor, as she has been a Zumba Instructor for the past few year now. For those of who may not know, Zumba is a Latin dance based off the Raggaeton music style. In addition to teaching Zumba, Sheila is also an Aerobic instructor. It’s very obvious that physical fitness plays a definitive role in Sheila’s lifestyle.
For the past 6 years, Sheila has been working at RJ’s Sports Bar in Portage Michigan. Part of the reason she’s been there for so long is the family atmosphere of the clientele. “Most of the regulars that come here live in a 2 mile radius of the bar,” She told us. This does nothing but add to the comfortable “at-home” atmosphere of RJ’s. In her free time, Sheila likes to go skin boarding, skiing, and is a Real Estate professional. Her charismatic and social personality is reflected in the fact that she used to be a Budweiser promo girl, but now is using her elite social skills strictly behind the bar. So, head on out to RJ’s and experience for yourself why Sheila is the Michiana Entertainer’s Bartender of the Month winner. While you’re there, don’t forget to try Sheila’s signature cocktail: Starburst.
Runners Up: 2nd: Linda @ Yakety Yak Café
3rd: Chelsea @ Rookies Bar & Grill
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDER!!!
Vote from the 1st till the 20th. All votes must be received on or by the 20th of each month.Winner receives vacation package, bragging rights, a feature in next month's Michiana Entertainer & and a chance to compete for BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN DEC!
Call 1-888-512-0881 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to cast your vote. |
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 Michiana’s Bartender of the Month for April 2009 is Jamie Craig of McGinnis Pub in Michigan City, IN
This month’s winner of Bartender of the Month honors is Jamie Craig, 28. Originally born in Munster, she lived in Highland until the age of 5. Residing in Michigan City Jamie makes her home with her 3 mutts and fiancé Tomasz. After 5 years together they plan to tie the knot July 11th.
A recent trip found her in Vegas for gambling and booze along with fellow McGinnis staffer “Sugarbear.” Jamie wants “a herd of children” to match the “buttload of dogs.” She clearly loves what she does as a bartender. Having managed another bar for 9 years her skills brought her to McGinnis Pub before they opened to set up shop. She also won the first annual Queen of St. Patrick’s day in 2007.
Ms. Craig is also the creator of the Slay Me Jamie, which was featured last month in the CotM section of this fine publication. She would like to say, “Thank you for voting and don’t forget about me in December.”
Runners Up: Joe @ Clay Pub, Sheila @ R.J.’s Bar, Sara @ McGinnis pub, Amy @ Rookies
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BARTENDER!!!
Vote from the 1st till the 20th. All votes must be received on or by the 20th of each month.Winner receives vacation package, bragging rights, a feature in next month's Michiana Entertainer & and a chance to compete for BARTENDER OF THE YEAR IN DEC!
Call 1-888-512-0881 or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to cast your vote. |
 Michiana’s bartender of the Month for March 2009 is Maegan at buoy’s in St. Joseph, MI
Maegan Smith grew up in Bridgman, Michigan; which lays in the heart of Southwest Michigan’s wine country. She has lived in Benton Harbor for the last year with her daughter, Alexis, and fiance, Todd. Though a confessed homebody, when she’s not working Maegan cruises as a soldier with the Ruff Ryders of Berrien county. They hosts many events for their club at Buoy’s, such as the pajama party where we captured her popular Featured Bartender picture.
She’s a hard worker. In the last year Maegan has been busy. After her original stint at Buoy’s she moonlighted in advertising with a local publication and worked at Matties (sp?) in Elkhart. She returned to Buoy’s about a month and a half ago and is enjoying being closer to home.
When you get into the bar ask for a Ruff Ryder...its a signature drink of hers. The drink includes apple and vanilla vodka, Madori, Sprite and Coke and tastes great. Come out Monday through Saturday to see her in action. Maegan will serenade you Tuesdays, Karaoke night. Request some Journey. |
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Michiana’s Bartender of the Month for February 2009 is Michelle Cloud from Bob’s Pub in South Bend, IN
Located on Portage Ave. in South Bend, Indiana at Bob’s Pub is where you’ll find March’s Bartender of the Month, Michelle Cloud. After just celebrating her one year anniversary at Bob’s Pub, you can enjoy her company on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Michelle says what make her job so enjoyable, is the chill atmosphere and fun loving people she gets to work with. Bartending for her seems to come naturally, with her social personality and “take it with a grain of salt |
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