Tuesday, November 9, 2010
We are back in Wisconsin now. Last night's dinner with friends was very fun. Today we will go on a hike, shop a little and then John will go by his brother's and I will make dinner for my hard working friend's family. I love to cook.
This story is about food.
Every week the customers would arrive on Saturday, and then leave on the next Saturday. Sometimes they would never meet the other resort people.
John and I heard a lot of stories from customers about previous owners and what they would do that was different from what we were doing. One of the things was that the previous owners used to feed the bears right on the resort grass. No thanks on that one.
Another story was that the customers would fish all week, keep the fish in their freezers, and on Friday they would have a fish fry. The only problem with that was that our resort has become more of a family resort than a fishing resort. There would never be enough fish for an entire resort fish fry. So that was out. The next story we heard took hold.
On Monday nights two owners previous used to have pot lucks. Everyone would bring a dish to pass and all the customers would get to see who was there for the week. This sounded great. So we asked some customers when they arrived on Saturday if they would like to do this. The majority agreed so we held our first pot luck that Monday. It was a success. We found it was also a very good way for people's kids to meet the other kids that week, which made making friends all the more easy.
I made a sign and put it on the door of the lodge. Each week I would explain what the pot luck was about. One week I had to change the "pot luck" part to something like "bring your dinner to the lodge". John liked the pot luck but told me this was my idea to start this, so this would be my job. I didn't mind.
One time a large family of 4 kids and two adults brought a small container of cole slaw. That night there wasn't near enough food. So I changed my rules. The pot luck became Monday night buffet. You bring whatever you were going to make for dinner to the lodge, and then we all share it. Still there were some who didn't understand. They would bring their plates from their cabin with their dinner on them, and sit down with the rest of us. That was okay, but I felt the need to explain the concept of sharing. So I did.
Now as many years have gone by, people love the buffet. Some weeks the ladies try to outdo their friends, which benefits all of us.
The Monday night pot luck/buffet is a great way to meet everyone who is at the resort for the week and to have a party. It has been working well and everyone enjoys it, especially those who attend. It is not a requirement that people attend, so some enjoy the peace and quiet of the resort on Monday nights while everyone else is in the lodge. We don't mind if someone doesn't attend. We just feel bad that they're missing out on all the fun.
On the hot days we have to open every window and door wide. We put fans on and sit out on the deck.
On the rainy Monday nights, I cover the foos ball table for extra seating, add extra chairs and tables and we all cram into the lodge. It works out fine.
I think the pot lucks have also enhanced our lives at the resort. We get some time to talk to everybody and they get to see the lodge. It has worked out very well.
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