Boating; 'Michigan Bert and Ohio Ernie'

So Long 'Michigan Bert and Ohio Ernie!'

Another pair of snowbirds pulled out of Fort Myers Beach. “Dead End Canal Yacht Club” honorable members Michigan Bert and Ohio Ernie headed North last Friday. It could be Ohio Bert and Michigan Ernie because they live on the border of those two 'great' states and are back and forth whenever they aren't on San Carlos Island.

Bert is a staunch Union man who retired many years ago. He is pro workers unlike many 'DECYC' members. They have many, many grandchildren that demand their attention. They dated in high school and married soon after. I think they said one of the new grand-teens is in a musical play and others are graduating from various school grades. Then there is the lake house that needs refreshing from the long winter nap. Docks and boats need launched so they'll be busy.

“Maybe we'll see you next year,” said Bert at the informal going away party. Why maybe, I asked but there wasn't any good reason for one way or another. “I'll miss all the kids here (Big Game Waterfront Grill) they're a really good bunch but they'll all be gone when we get back.”

Isn't that the way the world goes? Restaurant owners don't value their front end staff as much as they should. Some of the best restaurant consultants call employees “in house customers” because they purchase and dispense the restaurants products, I argued with myself. Every time a wait-staff recommends a certain dish they are jeopardizing their tip.

One would think the management would want the best face forward. Even Mickey D's is trying to change the persona of it's counter staff but many local places, especially the Barslammer Grill don't want longtime employees. They'll do it on cheap beer and half priced specials but that is a formula for diminishing returns and ultimate failure.

We really hope Bert and Ernie com back next Fall because they are good people but the "Dead End Canal Yacht Club's" loss would be someone elses gain.