CMRivdogs

I wonder how much of this goes back to store or even franchisee management. I worked fast food nearly 45 years ago and it was drilled into us to the point it became part of our DNA. Back then we used to have an older gentlemen come into the restaurant on Sunday mornings around 11 AM or so (Arby's), same order 2 roast beef sandwiches, potato cakes and a cup of coffee. Sunday mornings were a bit slower (except for coupon weeks) so as soon as we saw the car drive in (no drive thru then) we would start the sandwich, make the coffee and make sure the potatoes were warm. Now the majority of my Sunday mornings are spent at the CW Visitor Center, most of the volunteers are retirees, all in our late 60s, 70 or older. It's not hard to do a good greeting and even try to answer some of the silliest questions. (I do bite my tongue sometimes when I get the folks who are just passing thru and say they have about 2 hours to kill)

April 21 https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-21

This is a day late, been commemorating it the past couple of weeks

April 20 https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-20

Not in the same boat but our favorite local winery changed hands about two years ago. The owner and founder was in his 80s and it seemed his sons had no interest in continuing the enterprise. It was and still is a nice upscale place with a small hotel and nice restaurant. It was also a nice place to hang out on a Friday afternoon or take out of town guests to lunch or dinner. The principal owner is an investor type, he owns another winery on the other end of the state that is just starting to produce wine. He also owns the minor league hockey team in Norfolk. It's being managed by a former Marriott resort manager in Virginia Beach. It's all well and good, the atmosphere has changed however. The original winemaker also left, I'm not sure if he was pushed out or left on his own. He had been there since Patrick opened the winery in the 1980s. The new guys want to do big events, prices have gone up, and things like the member tasting room and the outdoor tasting areas have changed. As have the members tastings. That started to change near the end of Mr Duffler's ownership and instead of informative talks from the winemaker it seems that most of those who attend now just want to see how much they can consume. We ended up not renewing our membership, we had too much wine on stock anyway. The wine maker has moved to a winery closer to us and it will be interesting to see what direction that place heads.

The more things change...

For the past year or so there has been a sense of foreboding because of the events surrounding 4/19, 4/20 that something big may happen. Hopefully it will be quiet but throw in the Waco siege as well....

While we're not laser focused on the events 250 years ago in Massachusetts, those of us in the "Tidewater area of the Old Dominion" have our own events. This weekend marks the anniversary of the Gunpowder Incident, where the Royal Governor stole the gunpowder from the Armory and stashed it on ships just offshore (in the James River). Basically having the same effect as the events up north. It's been interesting watching the actors/recreators talk about the events. The crowds at CW have been impressive as well The more things change...

I prefer to go with Sparky's 40 day assessment. But for now things look promising

Only the very best I know some Junior High School kids who can do a better job

April 19 https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/april-19/the-american-revolution-begins

I’m surprised they haven’t defunded Amtrak yet.

Just reflect that just over 6 months ago the voters chose Barrabas

One of my main arguments to Trumpers. Cheer the guys who received pardons for committing crimes against the government (breaking and entering, assault) and went thru the judicial process, yet a guy who was accused but never charged or had a trial is guilty because he's from a different country. They're all hypocrites and liars.

April 18

So tired of "strongman" game playing

Related

Yesterday was the anniversary of the VaTech shootings

Judge J Harvey Wilkinson was appointed to the US Fourth Circuit bench by Pres Reagan in the '80s. One of the more respected Conservative Judges

Typical Trump troll thinking

The linked site from Archie is the DHS, the same folks who did the deportation and staffed by Trump appointees, at least at the top levels. It’s a government propaganda release