Debbie Woodin, an employee of the Hilltop Bar and Grill in Granton, was recognized July 11 for 23 years of service. 
There to present her a plaque were (left) former owners Tommy and Nancy Dahlen and current owners Jeannie and Michael Smith.  
(Valerie Brecht/Clark County Press photos)

Debbie Woodin thought she was attending a mandatory employee meeting the evening of July 11.  Little did she know that her employers had planned a ceremony to honor her years of service at the Hilltop Bar and Grill in Granton.  Friends, family members and customers were here to congratulate Woodin.

“I’m shocked … I’m absolutely shocked,” said Woodin.

Woodin received a commemorative plaque made by Burt Trophy and Awards “for 23 years of dedicated service to Hilltop Bar and Grill.”  The plaque was from former owners Tommy and Nancy Dahlen and current owners Michael and Jeannie Smith.

Woodin said that after she moved to the Granton area, she worked for Fannie’s Supper Club for a short time.  Then on July 7, 1995, she started working for the Hilltop and has worked there ever since.

Over her time at the bar and grill, Woodin has done pretty much everything: cleaning, waitressing and bartending.  She used to cook as well, and she still opens up the restaurant every morning.

Woodin has gotten to know all the people that come into the restaurant and has enjoyed being a part of their lives.

“I love these people; I love this job,” she said.

Her employers all agreed that Woodin has been a very loyal employee.  Tommy Dahlen said that he could always count on Woodin being there, ready to serve.

“She was one I never had to worry about,” he said.

Woodin has also been a major help to Michael and Jeannie Smith as they transitioned to ownership.  They bought the business from the Dahlen’s in April.

“She’s been a godsend,” remarked Michael Smith.

Smith said the hardest part of planning the ceremony for Woodin was keeping it a surprise for so long.

“We’ve been planning this for over a month.  We told customers, we told Tommy and Nancy, we told everybody,” he said.  “In a town the size of Granton, word gets around pretty fast.”

Smith also found out from Woodin that she had plans to get her hip replaced soon so he knew they had to have the ceremony before then.

But everything came together and Woodin was surprised and grateful.

“I just thank everybody for keeping the secret,” said Woodin.  “Everyone’s family,” she said, looking around the room.  “They’re all like family to me.”

Debbie Woodin and her son Andy Huth display a cake made by Sweet Retreat Cake Boutique in Loyal. 
The cake was made in celebration of 23 years of Woodin serving at the Hilltop Bar and Grill in Granton.