I worked at a dry cleaning business that had no dry cleaning equipment. It had two clothing racks, a counter and a cash register; nothing else. The business was located in the roughest section of Newport, Kentucky, which was one of the most economically depressed cities in America.
My bookmaker father said that "gypsies, tramps and thieves" was an accurate description of the neighborhood.
I witnessed armed robberies, streetwalkers, numerous fist fights and a carjacking. I watched a woman run over her soon-to-be ex-husband with a car.
A house of prostitution operated a few doors away. I never wanted sex bad enough to do business with the women who worked there. One offered me her services in return for a carton of cigarettes. Even though cigarettes were only four dollars a carton, it would have been a bad deal.
Their pimp did not fit the pimp stereotype. He was a pot-bellied, redneck, steel worker who drove a 15-year-old station wagon. He used a clothes hanger as his car radio antenna. He had a second job faking illnesses and going to doctors for pain medicine. He sold the pills until an unhappy customer decided to shoot him.
There was a diverse mixture of cultures and personalities in that neighborhood. None of them seem concerned about owning neatly pressed, dry-cleaned clothes. They bore no resemblance to the people who lived in the suburb that I lived in.
There was one factor that made the dry cleaners a smart business decision. In its back room, there was a bookmaking operation and an ongoing card game.
The back room had far more traffic than the dry cleaners ever did.
I was the "manager" of the dry cleaning section. Since I was the only employee, there was not a lot to manage. However, the experience at the dry cleaners was a better lesson in business than studying for an MBA.
I learned business techniques that were far ahead of their time:
1. Outsourcing. Once or twice a week, someone would wander in, actually wanting their clothes dry cleaned. I would take their clothes to a real dry cleaner and have them cleaned. Since we charged a markup for the service, prices were outrageously high and we had few repeat customers.
We did the marketing and someone else did the work. It is a model that many businesses follow.
2. Locating in a business-friendly location. In Joe Nocera's book, A Piece of the Action, he wrote about credit card companies locating in South Dakota because that state looked favorably upon the credit card business at a time when other states were heavily regulating it.
Picking a "business-friendly" climate is a key to business success. That is what large companies shop for: lax regulatory environments and economic incentives.
Since bookmaking was against the law, Newport was a favorable business environment for the dry cleaning and gambling operation.
With far more serious crime taking place, enforcing gambling laws was not a high priority for the neighborhood's law enforcement community. Policemen would occasionally visit the dry cleaners to place bets. On one occasion they went flying out of our building, guns blazing, when an armed robbery was attempted across the street. It was like watching a real life version of Kojak.
3. Long hours, low wages. I worked in the dry cleaners 72 hours a week during the summer and over 40 a week during the school year. I had no benefits, pension, or paid vacations, and they "forgot" to pay me overtime.
Many businesses use this "long hours, low wages, no benefits model" today.
4. Keeping operating expenses low. The dry cleaning business did not have equipment and was located in a low rent district. I was the only employee, and I was paid minimum wage.
Everyone involved in the dry cleaners is now dead. Their lifestyles as "gypsies, tramps, and thieves" cut into any chance they had to live to an old age.
None of them were well-educated, but every night when the men would come around; they had plenty of money to lay down. More information about the program is available on the web site at aulaundry.
2013年6月30日 星期日
2013年6月27日 星期四
Seven Things I Thought I'd Outgrow by 50
Apparently, I'm still growing. Thankfully, some of the crucial
insights of adulthood have stuck. I now know that mixing peppermint
schnapps with blackberry brandy -- or really anything -- is just gross. I
understand that staying home on a Saturday night (or a whole weekend)
is so not a form of punishment. And I never, ever, ever complain about
having to take a nap. But despite my completely idealistic youthful
beliefs that I would one day feel entirely grown up, there are still a
few things I'm waiting to either let go of or outgrow:
Adolescence: Here's the fantasy: that I'd be done with Clearasil when I got to Oil of Olay. Here's the reality: that Oxy 10, Clinique 1, and SPF 50 have made my face a paint-by-numbers project. Extra points for shopping in the adolescent and anti-aging sections at the same time. Ha ha, Mother Nature.
Hair fixations: Frizz fears of my youth led my husband to suggest 26 years ago that we get married in a meat locker. He was only half kidding. Nearly three decades later, my hair still tortures me. I've become used to friends asking why I'd ever blow out my curls, as if what's been hiding beneath my flattened, plastered tresses all these years is the equivalent of wide-plank wood beneath 70s shag carpet. But I can assure you that what's actually under there is neither Julianna Margulies...nor even Howard Stern. It's Albert Einstein (at least I was spared the mustache). And despite being certain that by age 40, I would have cut off my hair and embraced my inner poodle, I still hold on to the security of a ponytail in August and plan important life events around the dew point.
Quarter hoarding: I haven't used a coin-operated laundry machine since 1986. Fun fact -- since 1987, I've actually had my very own washer and my very own dryer in my very own house that I've been able to go to at any time without having to either buy a pizza or pay respects to my dorm's self-appointed Quarter Master. But memories of bartering for the all-powerful 25 cent coin remain so vivid that I covet quarters as if their absence will lead me to have to go back in time and rifle through my laundry bag for either a pair of dirty Gloria Vanderbilt jeans or my Wednesday underwear on Saturday. This pointless fixation (lots of parking meters don't even take change anymore) means not only that I am irrationally satisfied when the $5.07 for my coffee and bagel nets me 93 cents in change (three quarters!), it also ensures that my purse is always heavy enough to be used either as a weapon of self-defense...or a boat anchor.
Happy dancing on snow days: My last blizzard reprieve was during the disco era (Blizzard of '78! No math test!), but I still get an inexplicable sense of relief at the words, "No school." I also feel strangely compelled to watch cartoons.
Over packing: Unlike all the ultra-efficient women who've learned how to fit everything they need for two weeks into a purse, I still pack like I'm heading to camp...with a trunk. The process always optimistically begins with a tiny pile of miniature expectations ("Let's see, for three days in Florida, I'll need a pair of shorts, a couple of shirts, a bathing suit, sneakers...") until I start heaping on "necessary" items (contingency formalwear -- because you never know when you'll be unexpectedly invited to a ball by a visiting Duke) and generally packing as if Disney World is a developing nation. Click on their website www.aulaundry.com for more information.
Adolescence: Here's the fantasy: that I'd be done with Clearasil when I got to Oil of Olay. Here's the reality: that Oxy 10, Clinique 1, and SPF 50 have made my face a paint-by-numbers project. Extra points for shopping in the adolescent and anti-aging sections at the same time. Ha ha, Mother Nature.
Hair fixations: Frizz fears of my youth led my husband to suggest 26 years ago that we get married in a meat locker. He was only half kidding. Nearly three decades later, my hair still tortures me. I've become used to friends asking why I'd ever blow out my curls, as if what's been hiding beneath my flattened, plastered tresses all these years is the equivalent of wide-plank wood beneath 70s shag carpet. But I can assure you that what's actually under there is neither Julianna Margulies...nor even Howard Stern. It's Albert Einstein (at least I was spared the mustache). And despite being certain that by age 40, I would have cut off my hair and embraced my inner poodle, I still hold on to the security of a ponytail in August and plan important life events around the dew point.
Quarter hoarding: I haven't used a coin-operated laundry machine since 1986. Fun fact -- since 1987, I've actually had my very own washer and my very own dryer in my very own house that I've been able to go to at any time without having to either buy a pizza or pay respects to my dorm's self-appointed Quarter Master. But memories of bartering for the all-powerful 25 cent coin remain so vivid that I covet quarters as if their absence will lead me to have to go back in time and rifle through my laundry bag for either a pair of dirty Gloria Vanderbilt jeans or my Wednesday underwear on Saturday. This pointless fixation (lots of parking meters don't even take change anymore) means not only that I am irrationally satisfied when the $5.07 for my coffee and bagel nets me 93 cents in change (three quarters!), it also ensures that my purse is always heavy enough to be used either as a weapon of self-defense...or a boat anchor.
Happy dancing on snow days: My last blizzard reprieve was during the disco era (Blizzard of '78! No math test!), but I still get an inexplicable sense of relief at the words, "No school." I also feel strangely compelled to watch cartoons.
Over packing: Unlike all the ultra-efficient women who've learned how to fit everything they need for two weeks into a purse, I still pack like I'm heading to camp...with a trunk. The process always optimistically begins with a tiny pile of miniature expectations ("Let's see, for three days in Florida, I'll need a pair of shorts, a couple of shirts, a bathing suit, sneakers...") until I start heaping on "necessary" items (contingency formalwear -- because you never know when you'll be unexpectedly invited to a ball by a visiting Duke) and generally packing as if Disney World is a developing nation. Click on their website www.aulaundry.com for more information.
2013年6月26日 星期三
What to pack
One of cruising's biggest advantages is that you only have to unpack once, even if you are visiting several countries. No need to live out of your suitcase. But storage space is somewhat limited in ship cabins and most airlines now charge for checked baggage — and hit you with overcharges if your bags are heavy.
The golden rule: pack light
That's not as difficult as you might think. People often freak out about what to pack for a cruise, but the reality is you probably already have everything you need. If for some reason you forget something it's likely to be easily at hand in the ship's store — or at shops in the ports.
The two biggest considerations when packing for your cruise? Where you're cruising and on what ship you're sailing.
Shipboard Dress Codes:
The good news is that most cruise line dress codes have gotten decisively more casual in recent years. During the day anything goes — T-shirts, shorts, jeans, bathing suits (with cover-ups) — pretty much anywhere on the ship (except if you decide to do a sit-down lunch in the main dining room, where there may be restrictions). On the luxury lines this relaxed ambience may translate to polos and khakis, sundresses and designer-wear, but the casual concept is the same.
What you wear at night varies by ship and where you want to dine — the rules apply to the main dining room and dress-?up alternative restaurants, but not more casual eateries. Formal nights, held twice on many but not all weeklong itineraries, are not strictly formal — more like semiformal. Men can get away with a dark suit and women a cocktail dress, but check your cruise brochure for advice. Some of the ultraluxury lines still stick to the formal tradition, men in tuxes and women in either long or short finery. For those who want to dress to the hilt (you won't be alone), say to pose for a family photo, many of the bigger cruise lines still offer tuxedo rental (and there's nothing wrong with being overdressed), which you can arrange through your travel agent or once you get onboard. Conversely, even on formal nights you can choose the option of dining more casually at the ship's buffet, where a Hawaiian shirt is suitable day and night.
Sundries:
Most ships offer laundry service and some also have dry cleaning, with about a 24-hour turnaround. There will be a price list in your cabin. Expect to pay about $1.50 per pair of socks, $3 per T-shirt (it's not cheap), and $7 to dry clean a shirt. Many big ship lines also offer self-service industrial washing machine and dryers.
Your cabin will have soap, shampoo, and often conditioner and lotion but quality varies (you may, for instance, only have liquid soap). If you're fussy about products, bring your own. Most ships will sell you anything you forget — toothbrushes, razors, sunscreen, etcand so on. If you like a powerful hairdryer you may want to pack your own, as those in cabins tend to be weak.
All American-operated ships are equipped with 110 AC current (both 110 and 220 on many). But if you are traveling internationally, on a non-American cruise line, you may want to check if you need an adapter for your electronic devices (cell phone, laptop, et al). Note that most cruise cabins have only a couple of outlets, so if you're bringing numerous electronic devices, you might want to bring along a small power strip.
The golden rule: pack light
That's not as difficult as you might think. People often freak out about what to pack for a cruise, but the reality is you probably already have everything you need. If for some reason you forget something it's likely to be easily at hand in the ship's store — or at shops in the ports.
The two biggest considerations when packing for your cruise? Where you're cruising and on what ship you're sailing.
Shipboard Dress Codes:
The good news is that most cruise line dress codes have gotten decisively more casual in recent years. During the day anything goes — T-shirts, shorts, jeans, bathing suits (with cover-ups) — pretty much anywhere on the ship (except if you decide to do a sit-down lunch in the main dining room, where there may be restrictions). On the luxury lines this relaxed ambience may translate to polos and khakis, sundresses and designer-wear, but the casual concept is the same.
What you wear at night varies by ship and where you want to dine — the rules apply to the main dining room and dress-?up alternative restaurants, but not more casual eateries. Formal nights, held twice on many but not all weeklong itineraries, are not strictly formal — more like semiformal. Men can get away with a dark suit and women a cocktail dress, but check your cruise brochure for advice. Some of the ultraluxury lines still stick to the formal tradition, men in tuxes and women in either long or short finery. For those who want to dress to the hilt (you won't be alone), say to pose for a family photo, many of the bigger cruise lines still offer tuxedo rental (and there's nothing wrong with being overdressed), which you can arrange through your travel agent or once you get onboard. Conversely, even on formal nights you can choose the option of dining more casually at the ship's buffet, where a Hawaiian shirt is suitable day and night.
Sundries:
Most ships offer laundry service and some also have dry cleaning, with about a 24-hour turnaround. There will be a price list in your cabin. Expect to pay about $1.50 per pair of socks, $3 per T-shirt (it's not cheap), and $7 to dry clean a shirt. Many big ship lines also offer self-service industrial washing machine and dryers.
Your cabin will have soap, shampoo, and often conditioner and lotion but quality varies (you may, for instance, only have liquid soap). If you're fussy about products, bring your own. Most ships will sell you anything you forget — toothbrushes, razors, sunscreen, etcand so on. If you like a powerful hairdryer you may want to pack your own, as those in cabins tend to be weak.
All American-operated ships are equipped with 110 AC current (both 110 and 220 on many). But if you are traveling internationally, on a non-American cruise line, you may want to check if you need an adapter for your electronic devices (cell phone, laptop, et al). Note that most cruise cabins have only a couple of outlets, so if you're bringing numerous electronic devices, you might want to bring along a small power strip.
2013年6月25日 星期二
Flying Scotsman Graeme Obree returns
In an era when British cycling is sufficiently part of the
establishment to boast several knights, many people may never have heard
of Graeme Obree.
But the Scottish rider, who remains revered within cycling, is back and doing what he does best: going for world records on innovative, self-built bikes. Obree, described as a genius by Sir Chris Hoy, possessed huge natural talent and drive, but a series of factors – not least his refusal to touch the drugs then prevalent in the sport – cut short his career in the 1990s and he slipped into relative obscurity and intermittent depression.
Now at 47, he plans to try for the world human-powered land speed record on a machine which he rides head first, just above the ground. If that wasn't enough, the bike was almost entirely built in his kitchen from recycled parts, including metal from an old saucepan.
The idea that a self-built steel-framed creation, which Obree estimates cost around 1,000 to build, could tackle the 82.8 mph record set in 2009 by a Canadian rider using a computer-modelled, carbon fibre-shelled recumbent machine, seems ludicrous. But this is well-trodden ground for Obree, one of the more creative, bloody-minded and enigmatic characters in British sport.
The Ayrshire-based rider achieved fame from seemingly nowhere in July 1993 when he broke the world one-hour cycle distance record at a Norwegian velodrome, using a self-built bike, Old Faithful. This incorporated a self-created, highly aerodynamic tuck position as well as, famously, ballbearings borrowed from a washing machine.
Obree retook his record the following year, also winning a track world championship title on Old Faithful. When cycling's governing body, the UCI, outlawed the tuck stance, Obree came back with an equally creative alternative, the stretched out "Superman" position, to win another world title.
That was where it ended. It is arguably paradoxical to describe a man whose autobiography, The Flying Scotsman, was made into a film staring Jonny Lee Miller, as an unsung hero, but Obree never notched up the titles and fame of his peers, such as Chris Boardman.
Obree's sole Olympics, in 1996, saw him exit in the preliminary rounds. His career with a French professional road cycling team lasted one day. Obree has always maintained he was sacked when he made it clear he would not use drugs.
He has endured a turbulent personal life, affected by self-criticism and depression, eventually diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Obree came out as gay a couple of years ago, something he says has contributed to his happiness. His decision to do so is still relatively unusual in professional sport.
He reinvented himself as an author and a speaker, and just over two years ago began plotting an attempt at the human-powered bike speed record. Rather than adapt one of the feet-first recumbent bikes traditionally used for such bids, Obree, typically, started from scratch.
The result is the Beastie, in which the rider lies face down and head forward, with his or her feet powering a pair of narrower push-pull levers rather than conventional pedals. Read the full story at www.aulaundry.com web.
But the Scottish rider, who remains revered within cycling, is back and doing what he does best: going for world records on innovative, self-built bikes. Obree, described as a genius by Sir Chris Hoy, possessed huge natural talent and drive, but a series of factors – not least his refusal to touch the drugs then prevalent in the sport – cut short his career in the 1990s and he slipped into relative obscurity and intermittent depression.
Now at 47, he plans to try for the world human-powered land speed record on a machine which he rides head first, just above the ground. If that wasn't enough, the bike was almost entirely built in his kitchen from recycled parts, including metal from an old saucepan.
The idea that a self-built steel-framed creation, which Obree estimates cost around 1,000 to build, could tackle the 82.8 mph record set in 2009 by a Canadian rider using a computer-modelled, carbon fibre-shelled recumbent machine, seems ludicrous. But this is well-trodden ground for Obree, one of the more creative, bloody-minded and enigmatic characters in British sport.
The Ayrshire-based rider achieved fame from seemingly nowhere in July 1993 when he broke the world one-hour cycle distance record at a Norwegian velodrome, using a self-built bike, Old Faithful. This incorporated a self-created, highly aerodynamic tuck position as well as, famously, ballbearings borrowed from a washing machine.
Obree retook his record the following year, also winning a track world championship title on Old Faithful. When cycling's governing body, the UCI, outlawed the tuck stance, Obree came back with an equally creative alternative, the stretched out "Superman" position, to win another world title.
That was where it ended. It is arguably paradoxical to describe a man whose autobiography, The Flying Scotsman, was made into a film staring Jonny Lee Miller, as an unsung hero, but Obree never notched up the titles and fame of his peers, such as Chris Boardman.
Obree's sole Olympics, in 1996, saw him exit in the preliminary rounds. His career with a French professional road cycling team lasted one day. Obree has always maintained he was sacked when he made it clear he would not use drugs.
He has endured a turbulent personal life, affected by self-criticism and depression, eventually diagnosed as bipolar disorder. Obree came out as gay a couple of years ago, something he says has contributed to his happiness. His decision to do so is still relatively unusual in professional sport.
He reinvented himself as an author and a speaker, and just over two years ago began plotting an attempt at the human-powered bike speed record. Rather than adapt one of the feet-first recumbent bikes traditionally used for such bids, Obree, typically, started from scratch.
The result is the Beastie, in which the rider lies face down and head forward, with his or her feet powering a pair of narrower push-pull levers rather than conventional pedals. Read the full story at www.aulaundry.com web.
2013年6月24日 星期一
Foothills Cleaners comes to Yadkinville
Yadkinville residents now have a new place to have their special wardrobe items cleaned with care. Foothills Cleaners opened earlier this month and offers a full service dry cleaning business.
The business is run by Winston-Salem residents Dan Dempsey and his business partners John and Florence Collins. It is located at 108 Sharon Dr. in Yadkinville in the former Mutual Medical location.
“John and I and had looked at a couple places on Highway 601 but it just never worked out and he had noticed this place and so I came and checked it out and called him on it,” Dempsey said. “He liked it and since real estate is his specialty we moved on it.”
Dempsey said that he has been in the cleaners business since 2000. He and his former wife ran Twin City Cleaners in Winston-Salem for 10 years before the declining economy forced them to close in 2009.
Foothills Cleaner will provide Yadkin County with a full priced cleaner that offers a full range of services.
“We are a full priced cleaner, we do alterations, dry cleaning machine, wash, dry and fold and we are a wedding gown and formal wear specialist,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said that the Yadkinville location does not offer a same day service because the clothes are delivered to one of his and John’s other locations.
“The clothes are cleaned at another of our cleaning locations and it does not lend itself to same day service for now, which doesn’t seem to be an issue in today’s times,” Dempsey said. “I pick the clothes up from this store and transport them to the other store three days a week. We maintain control of the clothes the entire time.”
Dempsey said that the average cleaning job has a three day turnaround. The business also hopes to push one of its specialties; wedding gown and formal wear cleaning.
Dempsey said that people put a large dollar amount into wedding gowns and formal wear so he thinks it’s important to offer a service to preserve that investment. He and his staff make sure that their customers understand the care and upkeep of these items instead of just cleaning them and handing them back.
Dempsey said that he will bring a service that he offered at Twin City Cleaners to the new Yadkinville location. It’s called Enchanted Memories and it allows high school students a chance at an affordable prom dress and accessories.
“We collect prom dresses and clean them at no charge and hold them until the first or second week of March,” Dempsey said. “Girls from the high schools can come and get a prom dress at no cost to them except for the alterations.”
Dempsey said that there is no application or financial requirement for girls who’d like to get a prom dress but they do require a valid driver’s license.
“Each girl gets a dress, a pair of shoes, a purse and one item of jewelry,” Dempsey said. “The only thing we ask the girls pay for is any alterations that are necessary and we’ll do those at a reduced rate. I think most girls spent $25 for their alterations.”
The business is run by Winston-Salem residents Dan Dempsey and his business partners John and Florence Collins. It is located at 108 Sharon Dr. in Yadkinville in the former Mutual Medical location.
“John and I and had looked at a couple places on Highway 601 but it just never worked out and he had noticed this place and so I came and checked it out and called him on it,” Dempsey said. “He liked it and since real estate is his specialty we moved on it.”
Dempsey said that he has been in the cleaners business since 2000. He and his former wife ran Twin City Cleaners in Winston-Salem for 10 years before the declining economy forced them to close in 2009.
Foothills Cleaner will provide Yadkin County with a full priced cleaner that offers a full range of services.
“We are a full priced cleaner, we do alterations, dry cleaning machine, wash, dry and fold and we are a wedding gown and formal wear specialist,” Dempsey said.
Dempsey said that the Yadkinville location does not offer a same day service because the clothes are delivered to one of his and John’s other locations.
“The clothes are cleaned at another of our cleaning locations and it does not lend itself to same day service for now, which doesn’t seem to be an issue in today’s times,” Dempsey said. “I pick the clothes up from this store and transport them to the other store three days a week. We maintain control of the clothes the entire time.”
Dempsey said that the average cleaning job has a three day turnaround. The business also hopes to push one of its specialties; wedding gown and formal wear cleaning.
Dempsey said that people put a large dollar amount into wedding gowns and formal wear so he thinks it’s important to offer a service to preserve that investment. He and his staff make sure that their customers understand the care and upkeep of these items instead of just cleaning them and handing them back.
Dempsey said that he will bring a service that he offered at Twin City Cleaners to the new Yadkinville location. It’s called Enchanted Memories and it allows high school students a chance at an affordable prom dress and accessories.
“We collect prom dresses and clean them at no charge and hold them until the first or second week of March,” Dempsey said. “Girls from the high schools can come and get a prom dress at no cost to them except for the alterations.”
Dempsey said that there is no application or financial requirement for girls who’d like to get a prom dress but they do require a valid driver’s license.
“Each girl gets a dress, a pair of shoes, a purse and one item of jewelry,” Dempsey said. “The only thing we ask the girls pay for is any alterations that are necessary and we’ll do those at a reduced rate. I think most girls spent $25 for their alterations.”
2013年6月23日 星期日
Clubhouse attendant makes ballplayers more comfortable
It’s all part of his job as the visiting team clubhouse attendant for Frederick Keys.
The Keys will play Lynchburg this night and the game will start at 7 p.m. The players will be long gone by the time the 65-year-old Buckingham finishes up his work.
“It’s not a hard job, but a long job,” said Buckingham, who has been the visiting clubhouse attendant since 2006. He began working for the Keys in 2001 as an assistant clubhouse attendant.
Buckingham taught sixth grade for 30 years, 12 at South Frederick Elementary school and 18 at West Frederick Middle School. He compares what he does now to that.
“They are like grown-up sixth-graders, I still get to watch over them, still get to clean up after them,” he said.
But he added he enjoys the job.
“He is very reliable and it was an easy transition for him because he’s used to being around young people,” said Branden McGee, the Keys assistant general manager and Buckingham’s immediate boss. “It’s a great job for someone that is retired and wants to be around the game.”
“Wayne is very respected in the (Carolina) league by the visiting teams,” Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. “He is very accommodating, assists the umpires and has a very good demeanor.”
Buckingham took the job when he retired from teaching at 52.
“I had 30 years of teaching in and wanted to leave while I still enjoyed it,” he said.
But he wanted to stay active in someway. He liked baseball and went to a Keys job fair. He was looking for a job that would allow him to be around the players.
At the time the Keys needed an assistant clubhouse attendant to help longtime home clubhouse attendant, the late George Bell.
“The first thing he asked me was, ‘How old are you?’” Buckingham recalled. “He said he didn’t want any young bucks.”
He came in for an interview and was hired.
Bell retired in 2008, but Buckingham said he wasn’t interested in that job because it was full-time. He likes the idea of working 70 home games a year. Aaron Boone is now the home clubhouse attendant.
Most of Buckingham’s time is spent around the visiting players. He rarely gets to know the Keys.
“Most of the players are easy to deal with,” he said. “It’s neat to see the camaraderie among them,” he said. “It’s also like teaching because of all of the different personalities.”
Most of the time it’s a quiet job. But he does remember once when a pitcher was quite upset after getting taken out of the game.
“He came in here and threw his glove and his hat and turned a table over,” he said. “He took a stool and threw it against the locker. Then after a few minutes he said he would clean it up and he did.”
The Lynchburg team involved a little more work for Buckingham because it is the only team that has a meal before batting practice, after batting practice and after the game. Most teams don’t have the first meal.
On this particular day he had a variety of fruit on the table by 2 p.m. The meal after batting practice is usually cold cuts or chicken or tuna salad. Peanut butter and jelly, which he called a staple, is also available.
He usually prepares something early for the coaches, managers and umpires to make sure there is food left from them.
The players pay $8 each for the food and the money comes out of dues they get from their club.
He also helps make sure the batting practice and game uniforms are washed and dried. He has to take the dirty uniforms over the to the home clubhouse because there is no folding machine in the visitors’ clubhouse.
The Keys will play Lynchburg this night and the game will start at 7 p.m. The players will be long gone by the time the 65-year-old Buckingham finishes up his work.
“It’s not a hard job, but a long job,” said Buckingham, who has been the visiting clubhouse attendant since 2006. He began working for the Keys in 2001 as an assistant clubhouse attendant.
Buckingham taught sixth grade for 30 years, 12 at South Frederick Elementary school and 18 at West Frederick Middle School. He compares what he does now to that.
“They are like grown-up sixth-graders, I still get to watch over them, still get to clean up after them,” he said.
But he added he enjoys the job.
“He is very reliable and it was an easy transition for him because he’s used to being around young people,” said Branden McGee, the Keys assistant general manager and Buckingham’s immediate boss. “It’s a great job for someone that is retired and wants to be around the game.”
“Wayne is very respected in the (Carolina) league by the visiting teams,” Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis said. “He is very accommodating, assists the umpires and has a very good demeanor.”
Buckingham took the job when he retired from teaching at 52.
“I had 30 years of teaching in and wanted to leave while I still enjoyed it,” he said.
But he wanted to stay active in someway. He liked baseball and went to a Keys job fair. He was looking for a job that would allow him to be around the players.
At the time the Keys needed an assistant clubhouse attendant to help longtime home clubhouse attendant, the late George Bell.
“The first thing he asked me was, ‘How old are you?’” Buckingham recalled. “He said he didn’t want any young bucks.”
He came in for an interview and was hired.
Bell retired in 2008, but Buckingham said he wasn’t interested in that job because it was full-time. He likes the idea of working 70 home games a year. Aaron Boone is now the home clubhouse attendant.
Most of Buckingham’s time is spent around the visiting players. He rarely gets to know the Keys.
“Most of the players are easy to deal with,” he said. “It’s neat to see the camaraderie among them,” he said. “It’s also like teaching because of all of the different personalities.”
Most of the time it’s a quiet job. But he does remember once when a pitcher was quite upset after getting taken out of the game.
“He came in here and threw his glove and his hat and turned a table over,” he said. “He took a stool and threw it against the locker. Then after a few minutes he said he would clean it up and he did.”
The Lynchburg team involved a little more work for Buckingham because it is the only team that has a meal before batting practice, after batting practice and after the game. Most teams don’t have the first meal.
On this particular day he had a variety of fruit on the table by 2 p.m. The meal after batting practice is usually cold cuts or chicken or tuna salad. Peanut butter and jelly, which he called a staple, is also available.
He usually prepares something early for the coaches, managers and umpires to make sure there is food left from them.
The players pay $8 each for the food and the money comes out of dues they get from their club.
He also helps make sure the batting practice and game uniforms are washed and dried. He has to take the dirty uniforms over the to the home clubhouse because there is no folding machine in the visitors’ clubhouse.
2013年6月20日 星期四
Taking care of your chores
For those Kochiites for whom time is a premium, and trifling matters such as doing the laundry and paying the bills have become a major chore, fear not, help is at hand. Now a mere phone call is enough for assistance to arrive at your doorstep. Three youngsters from the suburbs of Kochi have been utilising their leisure time for a good cause over the last one year with commitment and determination. Sreekanth G. Bhat, Vengedesh K.R and Vishnu Rajiv, a trio based at Karanakkodam near Vytilla, are the saviours in question. They run a laundry-cum-bill payment centre named ‘City Laundry’ at Karanakkodam, where people can hand over clothes and household bills that need to be remitted.
“We collect clothes from households for washing, dry-cleaning and ironing. After the process they are returned to their respective doorsteps. Similarly we remit the electricity, water and telephone bills of our clients,” explains Vengedesh. Sreekanth is a priest at Sree Venkatachalapathy Temple, Karanakkodam, Vengedesh works as an insurance agent and Vishnu works with a Chartered Accountant’s firm. The common interest that binds them together is the importance they give to the dignity of labour.
“Since it involves huge investment and man power, the laundry process is done at a friend’s unit. The unit, named ‘Cochin White House’, is based at Elamakkara with a mechanised unit at Manjummel. The delivery van from the unit collects the clothes from various points of the city including our centre,” says Vengedesh.
“We have regular clients who are always busy and therefore forget to remit water, electricity and telephone bills on time. Sometimes we pay their expenses from our own pockets and seek reimbursement later,” says Vishnu . The group charges a meagre commission for paying the bills. “We remit the bills at their respective offices and not at ‘Friends Janasevanakendram’ in order to avoid any problems,” adds Sreekanth.
Vengedesh is the one who usually spares time to collect clothes from households on his two wheeler. . The three youths in their late twenties first started the service of remitting bills and later chose the unique field of laundry service, with the latest facility being door step delivery . “A service that collects soiled clothes from customers and delivers them back to their doorsteps after laundry is quite rare. This is what prompted us to start offering the facility a year ago,” explains the trio.
“At present we have 100-odd clients for whom we do the service of remitting their electricity, telephone and water bills. We charge Rs.10 as commission for bills mounting up to Rs.1,000. An additional Rs.5 is charged for the bills exceeding Rs.1,000,” says Sreekanth. He has to cover 30 households for collecting bills.
“I go to remit the bills on Saturday as I have been engaged by a Chartered Accountant's firm. We started the service among our friends and relatives in the beginning. Later it was extended to others also,” adds Vishnu .
Standing before deities and performing poojas is not the only ‘karma’ for Sreekanth . “I mainly go to offices to pay the bills of clients while Vengedesh handles the collection of clothes from households,” he explains. “I attain ‘moksha’ not only when I perform rituals as a priest in the temple but also when I serve humanity through these actions,” he adds .
The trio get bulk laundry orders from film and television serial units too. From the tinsel world, apart from dresses, curtains and appurtenances are also sent for laundering. They charge two rupees per article that is home delivered . For the whole process of washing / dry cleaning and ironing the rate is Rs.25 for pants, Rs.45 for cotton saris and Rs.50 for silk saris. At present the service is available in Vytilla, Thammanam, Palarivattom and Kaloor. The farthest destination for collection of clothes is Chembumukku, Thrikkakara. Read the full story at www.aulaundry.com web.
“We collect clothes from households for washing, dry-cleaning and ironing. After the process they are returned to their respective doorsteps. Similarly we remit the electricity, water and telephone bills of our clients,” explains Vengedesh. Sreekanth is a priest at Sree Venkatachalapathy Temple, Karanakkodam, Vengedesh works as an insurance agent and Vishnu works with a Chartered Accountant’s firm. The common interest that binds them together is the importance they give to the dignity of labour.
“Since it involves huge investment and man power, the laundry process is done at a friend’s unit. The unit, named ‘Cochin White House’, is based at Elamakkara with a mechanised unit at Manjummel. The delivery van from the unit collects the clothes from various points of the city including our centre,” says Vengedesh.
“We have regular clients who are always busy and therefore forget to remit water, electricity and telephone bills on time. Sometimes we pay their expenses from our own pockets and seek reimbursement later,” says Vishnu . The group charges a meagre commission for paying the bills. “We remit the bills at their respective offices and not at ‘Friends Janasevanakendram’ in order to avoid any problems,” adds Sreekanth.
Vengedesh is the one who usually spares time to collect clothes from households on his two wheeler. . The three youths in their late twenties first started the service of remitting bills and later chose the unique field of laundry service, with the latest facility being door step delivery . “A service that collects soiled clothes from customers and delivers them back to their doorsteps after laundry is quite rare. This is what prompted us to start offering the facility a year ago,” explains the trio.
“At present we have 100-odd clients for whom we do the service of remitting their electricity, telephone and water bills. We charge Rs.10 as commission for bills mounting up to Rs.1,000. An additional Rs.5 is charged for the bills exceeding Rs.1,000,” says Sreekanth. He has to cover 30 households for collecting bills.
“I go to remit the bills on Saturday as I have been engaged by a Chartered Accountant's firm. We started the service among our friends and relatives in the beginning. Later it was extended to others also,” adds Vishnu .
Standing before deities and performing poojas is not the only ‘karma’ for Sreekanth . “I mainly go to offices to pay the bills of clients while Vengedesh handles the collection of clothes from households,” he explains. “I attain ‘moksha’ not only when I perform rituals as a priest in the temple but also when I serve humanity through these actions,” he adds .
The trio get bulk laundry orders from film and television serial units too. From the tinsel world, apart from dresses, curtains and appurtenances are also sent for laundering. They charge two rupees per article that is home delivered . For the whole process of washing / dry cleaning and ironing the rate is Rs.25 for pants, Rs.45 for cotton saris and Rs.50 for silk saris. At present the service is available in Vytilla, Thammanam, Palarivattom and Kaloor. The farthest destination for collection of clothes is Chembumukku, Thrikkakara. Read the full story at www.aulaundry.com web.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)