Bears: Polar and Otherwise.

I have been just too tired to write a personal post the past few days - this being Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics weekend here.We've had big parties dining at the restaurant since Friday - lunch and dinner.  Last night the reservations list was cut off before 3 pm. 

We hosted a pre-plunge brunch this morning at 10 am, and out of the gate there were 2 huge parties of 34 and 22 taking over half the main dining room and half of the private room, as well, with smaller parties dotting the landscape throughout the morning. They all left for the main event by 12:30pm - the plunge was scheduled for 1 pm. The weather was cold with a light wind, and the sun finally made an appearance just before the plunge.  That cheered up everyone.

Yes, these people are quite crazy, but they are dedicated to the cause and usually dine with us every year.  Of course, the restaurant is a sponsor of the weekend as it is for so many other charity events. 

Just as the staff was getting a second wind the plunge was over and the place began to fill up again, and this time the bar became an oasis for some very cold plungers, wet hair and towels, sand and pajamas or bath robes. A group of Gay Bears, members of a Polar Bear Club in New Jersey, joined us for drinks and dinner in the bar.  They were festively dressed in polar bear sweatshirts, wearing beach-towels as sarongs.   Like I said, crazy! 

The wait staff and kitchen did an exceptional job all day.  Everything ran smoothly, considering the crowds.

Having been on the job since 8 am, I was very happy when Sasha arrived to relieve me at 3 pm.  (Poor guy has a nasty head cold which I hope he doesn't share with me.) There was information to share about reservations for the evening and the Super Bowl, but after that, I hustled my butt to the back end of the bar and enjoyed a few olives before heading for home.

It was a very long, stressful, and exhausting weekend, but all went well and that's what's important. Besides, tomorrow promises to be a 'return-to-normal' day and I am off the following 2 days, so it's all good from here.

Supper is in the oven, a glass of wine is in my hand and it will be an early-to-bed night (after a hot shower) for me.

And so it goes.
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