Help the Rinella Family Through Tony's Healing

On Tuesday, October 1st, family and friends woke to learn news from Lisa that Tony was headed into surgery for a blood clot and was suffering from a major stroke. The Rinella family is a constant source of community support, entertainment, care, nourishment, and so much more. The Rinellas are part of the intricately woven fabric that makes the Mascoma Valley a wonderful community. You may know them from their years of service and leadership in the restaurant community. Tony is most recently the Chef at Baited Hook and has been leading Shaker-inspired dinners and cooking classes at the Enfield Shaker Museum. Lisa is the Hospitality Coordinator of the Museum. They are parents to a blended family of 8 kids - including two school-age kiddos - and are seen regularly around the Mascoma District and lately on the soccer field. Besides their daily professional roles, Tony and Lisa are integral to keeping our little valley hopping and happy.

The Rinella family is at the beginning of what looks like at least two months out of work to allow Tony to recover. That’s not an official estimate - each stroke is unique, as is the recovery journey. The Rinellas could use our financial support in these early days to help with costs incurred from both the emergency and lost wages. A Meal Train will follow when Tony is released from the hospital. Please consider chipping in. Any amount counts!

Shared below are two posts (posted publicly) from Lisa and Tony’s journey so far.

Lisa shared this update later in the day on Tuesday:

UPDATE: Tones is out of surgery and they were able to clear the clot. He’s headed to ICU. They will assess damage via CT scan in 24 hours. Thank you for the prayers and well wishes. Please keep them coming…

Today, Thursday, Lisa shared this update:

Hi Friends, I want to begin by saying we are absolutely overwhelmed by the love and support we feel from our family, our work families, and our community at large. Thank you to the myriad of people who have reached out offering help in so many different ways. We are so grateful for each and every one of you. ♥️

I currently have a bazillion messages and texts from folks asking how Tony is doing, so I thought I’d update here.

I arrived this morning to find that he had been vomiting all night long, which isn’t normal, so they’re trying to find out why even anti-nausea meds are not helping. He is still in Afib and his heart rate is quite elevated, and not responding to meds to reduce it. They think he will need a shock to get back in rhythm, but he is too weak for that right now. He has been downgraded to a step in between ICU care and regular med surgery care, but he is still in the SICU. He is not quite out of the woods yet, but I know he is in great and competent hands, and everyone here on his care team has been so nice and reassuring. I’m grateful for them, and also for DHMC being so close to home.

We don’t know how long or exactly what his recovery will look like at this time, but I do know we’ll get through it with loving support from our tribe.

I’ll update again very soon, and thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you wonderful friends who have reached out to check in and see if there’s anything they can do to help. We’re truly blessed. ♥️Lis