Hi Everyone!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, I just now finished reading all the emails! How
wonderful to hear everyone's memories. I feel very
lucky to have met all of you. David and I took our
son Ayden to a Mizzou game this past November. It was
Ayden's first time on Campus and we walked over after
the game to see the store. It was closed so we just
looked throught the windows and I explained how I had
worked there for 4 years and made life-long
friendships. We were able to spend time with the
Bramstedt's and Wilfong's that day too, which was
great! I'm so glad to hear everyone is doing well.
Mary Ann
Friday, January 25, 2008
Mary Ann
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
zebravet
The veteran with only one finger was known "affectionately" as The
Hacker for his constant mucous expectorating. I had the distinction
of not only serving him his sausage biscuit and coffee while working at
McDonalds as an undergraduate, but then in graduate schoool at Mizzou,
while working for Tiger Taxi, I also picked him up at his home
somewhere on Sanford Avenue off Conley Avenue and BRINGING him to
McDonalds. When he threw his change up onto the dashboard for payment,
sometimes it was never retrieved. Other times, I just paid the $0.85
fare.
Scott H
I first spotted the Campus McDonald's as my parents drove me to my dorm at the beginning of my freshman year. That was in August of 1978, just a few months after it opened. After my parents left, I decided to eat there for dinner--but I forgot the exact location, and couldn't find it at first. I walked to Broadway before I realized I'd gone too far. I found it on the way back, and ate my first meal at MY there.
I had worked during high school at a McDonald's in Kansas City, and just went through the motions and enjoyed the free meals. I had no intention of working there again. I didn't pay any particular attention to the Campus store during my first visit, except everything was clean and new, and the basement setting was different.
To help pay my way through school, I began working in the Pershing Group cafeteria. One day while working out in the Rothwell Gym, I met Bob Bailey--who later became one of my best friends. Shortly after that, I saw him working at Campus. I noticed that he and the rest of the crew seemed to be having fun and getting along great. By October, I had applied for a job there and gotten hired. I was eating more there than at Pershing, anyway. I also got to know and become good friends with Jim Watkins and Bob Randolph, who lived in Cramer Hall with me and worked at Campus.
For me, working at Campus was the high school I never had. In high school, I was a 98-pound weakling who wasn't popular, hot, funny, hip or athletic. I didn't make many friends, and never dated. Campus was one of the few places I'd been up to that point, where I was treated as an equal. The crew made me feel welcome, and accepted me for who I was. Joe Kell, Jan Keithley and Jay Curry were the main people in charge, and they remain among my best friends today. The first girl at Mizzou I had a crush on, was at Campus. So was the only girl I ever dated more than once.
One thing I learned at Campus, was how to work at a high-volume store with talented crewpeople--many whom had been managers at their home stores. I didn't learn until later how difficult it was to get hired at Campus. Jan hired the best of the best from across the state. I learned to take the job seriously and take pride in my work, because I didn't want to fall behind the rest of the crew. Working home football Saturdays, FFA conventions and state music festivals were a thrill. I fed off the energy given off by the rest of the crew.
I also learned how much fun Campus could be after work. On weekends after close, I'd be invited to someone's dorm or apartment to play spades. I had played in high school, but wasn't good at it. I learned how to play against talented, competitive people. I enjoyed the McDonald's social scene so much that I hardly ever studied. I would close Friday night, stay up all night playing spades, open Saturday morning for football games, go to the game, take a nap, play spades all night again, and sleep all day Saturday. No wonder my first semester was a C, two D's and an F! I flunked out midway through my sophomore year, moved out of the dorm and started working full-time at campus.
That's when I learned my final lesson--to take college seriously. I didn't socialize as much. When I wasn't working, I took Easy Access courses six credit hours at a time, and correspondence courses on the side. I did that for about three semesters. When a dean at the J-School saw that I had turned my grades around, he admitted me. I reduced my hours at Campus, and concentrated on graduating. I was on the six-year plan, but I made it! It took me a year to get my first broadcasting job, so I stayed in Columbia working at Campus.
I thought I had left McDonald's behind for good, until one summer day at my first job in Tupelo, Mississippi. I hated it there--and knowing that, three guys from Campus came down to visit and cheer me up. They were Dave Watson, Chris Bramstedt and Dave Wilfong. I knew Watson the best, and was only acquainted with the other two. I don't know where Watson is now, or what he's doing. But from that day in 1985 on, I became best friends with Bramstedt and Wilfong. Every year, they visit me or I visit them. I was honored to be the best man at their weddings, and watch their kids grow up. They both have helped me move to some of the places I've worked, and I've even lived with them during some tough times in my life. They've always been there for me.
On one visit back to Columbia, I enjoyed a return to the good old days at Campus. I gave Jan free labor during a state music festival, just to experience the thrill of how it used to be, one last time. As it turned out, I wasn't the only one with the same idea. Mary Ann and Ursula Seidelmann did the same thing! You should have seen the smile on Jan's face. That's the kind of loyalty she generated, and the kind of environment she created.
McDonald's has remained part of my life in one way or another since then. In four of my five broadcasting jobs, I've lived within walking distance of a store (not by design!). In 1992 after getting laid-off from a broadcasting job, I moved in with Wilfong and worked at a store in Springfield, MO. By then, the change in McDonald's already was evident. No more bins, no two fry stations, no four grills, no more 12 registers and cashiers, no more sear-lay or even turn-lay. No steamed danish. No more high-volume periods. Not nearly the level of skill, pride and responsibility. Not nearly the QSC we all learned. In fact, I was hired as a maintenance man in Springfield--but when the managers learned I had extensive experience working at Campus, they quickly had me opening and in drive-thru!
I think we all realize our Campus experience was unique and special. We probably are among the last people to experience the Golden Age of McDonald's. It's gone forever. But we can say we were there, and we enjoyed it. Thanks to all of you who remain my friends, and who will remain a part of so many good memories during one of the best times in my life.
As I close, I share with you my top ten memories of the Campus McDonald's. Some, I was present for; others, I was told about.
1. The first spades tournament. I can modestly say that I started what became an annual tradition for a while. It grew into brackets, seedings, entry fees, trophies, refreshments, mailed entry forms and official rules. I just didn't realize until later that you can't play a double-elimination, best-of-three tournament in one weekend. But I was amazed by how excited everyone got about the tourney--and how competitive it was. It was the next best thing to the campus-wide tournament idea Joe Kell and I had dreamed of.
2. John Frederich. The manager from Boonville was always getting into trouble. He got scolded a few times by Joe and Jan, and occasionally butted heads with Karen. He kept things interesting.
3. McAwards. At the end of a store picnic, we announced the results of a "best" list. Which crewpeople were the hottest, funniest, etc. Lots of laughs.
4. The Free Labor mentioned above.
5. Delivery Night. Bramstedt, his future wife Beth, and Wilfong hatched a plan (unknown to Jan) to deliver burgers to dorms and Greek houses on a Sunday night. Jan didn't approve when she learned of it the next day, but she couldn't complain about the sales it generated!
6. Open Vat. During one high-volume period and close to setting a record hour, one of the valves to a fry vat suddenly opens, dumping hot oil on the floor, making a mess, and ending the chance for a record hour.
7. Drink Station Incident. Joe Kell is running drinks for a register guy named Ed Engel. Ed, being a playful guy, innocently says: "How about a medium Coke there, big guy?" Joe gets pissed, not realizing Ed didn't mean anything by it.
8. Dress Table Incident. Closers had a habit of breaking down the dress table late in the shift to get ahead, using breakfast bases and a fry basket as condiment holders. That practice lasted a long time--until owner Doug Mehle made a surprise visit one night. That was the end of the practice!
9. Leslie Rose. Sweet girl who was easy to scare. A little TOO easy. Her blood-curdling screams earned me more than one stern look from Jan.
10. Denny Forbis. Maintenance man who used Kung Fu moves to pursue apprehend a customer who stole Diamond Hunt game pieces.
Have a great year, everyone!
Scott H
Friday, January 11, 2008
Becky
Whatever it is that Duckie is doing for AB, his incredible talents are seriously underutilized!
Duckie
Whereas many people will testify how college life helped them to achieve enlightenment in the intellectual conclaves of blah, blah, blah… I was just glad to be a part of such a humble, down-to-earth environment free from politics, social strife and personality flare-ups; where no social cliques existed (not that Dave Watson, bless his heart, ever stopped trying). You folks were intelligent, to be sure, but none of you ever labored under the pretense of acting like an intellectual…
Please read on (see attachment)…
Dave "Duckie"
A Tree Grows in Lowry”
Not to bore you with details about the legacy birth date policies of the Hazelwood School District; but suffice to say I was still a mere seventeen-year-old (and, as some may attest, not a very mature one at that) when I arrived at MU in 1982. Yet despite my 18 months’ experience and a sterling recommendation from Laura Collins, securing the job was far from a slam dunk.
I got my first impression of Jan Keithley that August day as she impassively perused my tepid McApplication and sternly mumbled something about already having enough people for the semester. I was convinced I was about to be dismissed faster than a Wilfong girlfriend when one last fleeting glance at my availability led her to say “Hmmm…you only have a single 1:40 class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday?That’s three lunch shifts...”
The atmosphere was the same, even though some of the players had changed, when I returned in August 1985.Gone were the Old-School personalities of Watkins, Sasse, and Miller. Now, in addition to a burgeoning Simms Dynasty, there were, among others, the Looney Luetkemeyers, the Sinister Seidelmanns, the mildly underrated Patterson brothers, and some hulking hayseed of a shift manager everyone was calling “Tedder”. But this time, that obnoxious kid everyone hoped had long been filtered out by the University’s academic standards, was different.He was more confident, attentive, and even a bit more serious (if ONLY a bit).
What could I say: working within the talents of the Campus McFamily tends to sponsor such growth in people who are ready for it…
Before I finish, and in the spirit of commemorating such an amazing chapter of our lives, indulge me as I seek personal closure with the following people:
Ahhhh yes…All this AND $4 an hour….
-DC
Please read on (see attachment)…
Dave "Duckie"
A Tree Grows in Lowry”
McQuote…
CHRIS KLINE: “You know, Kathy and I are discovering that
ME: “I find your keen grasp of erudite cultural dining very fascinating. Now could you please pass me that tray of greasy Quarter-Pounders?” *
-circa 1986
*(disclaimer: This response may have actually been internal dialog)
Not to bore you with details about the legacy birth date policies of the Hazelwood School District; but suffice to say I was still a mere seventeen-year-old (and, as some may attest, not a very mature one at that) when I arrived at MU in 1982. Yet despite my 18 months’ experience and a sterling recommendation from Laura Collins, securing the job was far from a slam dunk.
I got my first impression of Jan Keithley that August day as she impassively perused my tepid McApplication and sternly mumbled something about already having enough people for the semester. I was convinced I was about to be dismissed faster than a Wilfong girlfriend when one last fleeting glance at my availability led her to say “Hmmm…you only have a single 1:40 class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday?That’s three lunch shifts...”
As for my first month? Well, for the most part, my “listening issue” ushered in an unprecedented store-wide mandate that stated whereupon any occasion that finds Dave Canada and Clay Munro working concurrent shifts, the on-duty manager should not, under any circumstances, allow them to work in the same grill area. (This policy was rewritten in 1985, with the part of “Clay Munro” replaced with “Andy Chiodini”).
One thing was becoming abundantly clear: This weren’t no high school joint. Almost everyone here was the “Ace” employee from their hometown store; each could work every station, and all had the razor-sharp ability to calculate their own customers’ change faster than the POS system. There were no whiners or slackers here; these people were pros… I was clearly the Filet-O-Fish-out-of-water. In fact, the only things that kept my McD’s career afloat that first year were:
- The generosity (read: tolerance) from the likes of veterans Bob Simms, Kerri Forbis, Sheryl Bird, and the munificent Pat Brei,
- Simpatico friendships from fellow freshmen Ellen Peterson and Gretchen Wilder.
- The irreverent humor of Clay, John Reidy and Todd Bockledge
- Tough love from Karen Miller
- An unshakeable affiliation (much to their chagrin) with higher-skilled crew members (I’m lookin’ at you, Bramstedt).
- A steady stream of gossip from Sue Bryan and Robert Deyermond (all good, I assure you…ahem)
- The prevailing notion that no matter how shoddy my performance may have been, Bob Woodson always seemed to be there to catch more heat
1 McQuote…
PAT BREI: <surveying the Quarter Grill area> “John Reidy, you have GOT to be the messiest cook here…”
REIDY: <deliberately wipes his spatula directly across his stomach> “Whatta ya mean?...”
-circa 1983
2 McQuote…
JERRI: <entering the crowded break room, seemingly confused> “Now, what was it I was looking for?”
TODD BOCKLEDGE: <not even looking up from his lunch> “The door, I hope....”
-circa 1982
The atmosphere was the same, even though some of the players had changed, when I returned in August 1985.Gone were the Old-School personalities of Watkins, Sasse, and Miller. Now, in addition to a burgeoning Simms Dynasty, there were, among others, the Looney Luetkemeyers, the Sinister Seidelmanns, the mildly underrated Patterson brothers, and some hulking hayseed of a shift manager everyone was calling “Tedder”. But this time, that obnoxious kid everyone hoped had long been filtered out by the University’s academic standards, was different.He was more confident, attentive, and even a bit more serious (if ONLY a bit).
What could I say: working within the talents of the Campus McFamily tends to sponsor such growth in people who are ready for it…
Some highlights:
- Andy’s 14” rubber trout, kept under the counter, to be sprung upon any semantically-challenged customer who was unfortunate enough to order a “Fish” instead of a “Filet”.
- For a while --until the tenants were allegedly slapped with a legal warning, anyway-- before we threw any bulk item away, we subliminally imagined how the object would look if it were tossed out of a certain 4th floor Manor House window…
- Closing on “Wash”, with the break room blaring KCMQ (96.7), KTXY (106.9), and that one other station that played Steely Dan all the time… and Man, I swore that if I heard “Rock Me Amadeus” one more damned time, I was taking hostages…
- Fever-pitched Window races during lunch hour – admittedly one of the few times we ever got to see each other’s Dark Side “Ooops!Sorry, Bipple, Was that your foot I kicked out beneath you as we were both reaching for the last McCheddarMelt?”
- Spades Tourneys on select weekends, complete with a marketing campaign (i.e. the infamous break room corkboard).
- Overnight accommodations were always free; simply pick which fold-out table you want to sleep under.
- Comedy Nights at Déjà Vu (Tuesdays), ‘Oldies Night’ at Maxi’s (Thursdays), and Molly Whitmore coercing a bouncer to let me in on an ID he suspected was fake (itwas).
- Gunther’s Games (formerly Pin Pan Alley) on Broadway, pretty much every other day, spending way too many hard-earned quarters trying to outscore “Myrtle” Luetkemeyer on “Pinbot”.
- (Honorable mentions go to “Burger Time” and “Tron” in the Missouri Bookstore vestibule).
- Wilfong’s Amazing Banana-Slicing-Playing-Card-Projectiles:
- Who want to see him up against a Shin-kicking Theresa Keller in a Pay-per-View Smackdown?
- The unspoken rivalry between which place hosted the most social events:A
- Ashland Gravel Rd’s Townhouse- Motto: “Jeez, did Canadaspend the night AGAIN?” (Luetkemeyer/Aubrey/Murphy)
- SouthHampton’s Bungalow (“ESPN Lite”, or “RISK™ Central”, or “That One Place with the Dead Oscar in the Fish Tank and the Christmas Tree Nailed to the Ceiling” (Watson/Wilfong/Bramstedt/Tedder/ and sometimes Voss)
McQuote…
ANONYMOUS: “Hey! Someone left their paper crew hat on the transfer bin…no wait… now it’s moving. Oh, never mind, it’s Rodd Aubrey. False alarm…”
-circa 1985
Before I finish, and in the spirit of commemorating such an amazing chapter of our lives, indulge me as I seek personal closure with the following people:
- Editor’s Note:remove this bullet item before final draft
McQuote…
JAN: <rolling her eyes and easing back up the ramp, as if to indicate she saw nothing> “Just…just …clean it up when you’re done…”
-December 1986
Ahhhh yes…All this AND $4 an hour….
-DC
Chuck
I love reading all the comments that have been sent. A lot a truly great thing happened to me while at Mizzou and at the Campus McDonalds. I had friends in high school and I made friends since graduating, but the friends I love seeing the most are you guys. I truly love going to the Spades Tournaments, more to see people than to play.
Working at McDonalds wasn’t my first job while going to school, but I got to know everyone because my brother Bob was working there. Like others, I was on the extended school plan due to too many non-school activities. I got that turned around and started working for Jan on campus my last two years at school and had a blast.
Here are a few of the things I remember from that time:
· Closing one night and opening the next morning.
· Opening the doors in the morning and the first customers wants a refill on his coffee, (they bring in their old cups)
· Unloading the truck in the rain or when it’s freezing.
· Register races, one person on register and two runners, ( I even won once)
· Mc’Picnics in the spring. I still have a red McDonalds hat I won my last year.
· Playing Risk all day and all night and then writing up the summaries of the game on the box top. (Jim, I’d love to read those again sometime if you still have them)
· The “one finger man” constantly losing the egg on his Egg McMuffin.
There were a lot of events from that time that really stick out in my mind. Marring Melinda my last semester has got to be a high point, and I remember being at McDonalds when I heard about the Space Shuttle Challenger accident, which would be a low point. There are so many events in between these.
I can truly say that I either learned or came to understand some of the things that have helped me in life, while working at the Campus McDonalds. Like teamwork, hard work, enjoying what you’re doing, and friendships that last a lifetime.
It was a fun time which we may never experience again, but these emails have helped me to remember a lot of it.
Thanks, and have a great year.
Chuck
Barb R
Hey, thanks for the memories.
I met my hot husband at campus McDonald's.
He was definitely the cutest burger flipper around, always smiling for some reason.
He's still a hottie after 25 years
Jay Curry made me my first nametag 'Airhead.'
My roomies also worked at campus McD's, Sandy and Maureen.
Fun times.
The term 'Galvanized' was coined after hours!!!
Good memories, good friends.
I am thinking we need a reunion.
~ Barb R
I met my hot husband at campus McDonald's.
He was definitely the cutest burger flipper around, always smiling for some reason.
He's still a hottie after 25 years
Jay Curry made me my first nametag 'Airhead.'
My roomies also worked at campus McD's, Sandy and Maureen.
Fun times.
The term 'Galvanized' was coined after hours!!!
Good memories, good friends.
I am thinking we need a reunion.
~ Barb R
Danna
How could you forget about baking the phone? I still have nightmares about you guys throwing things out the 4th story window and us almost getting kicked out of our apartment!!!
Our boys think we're crazy when we tell all of our "McDonald's" stories. They see a side of their parents they don't normally see! Hopefully, they will have the chance to experience the same things some day (well, maybe not all of them!).
Honestly, we've tried to keep the spades tournament tradition alive. For those who didn't know, we've had 3 or 4 of them at our house in St.Charles over the past few years. We've been playing during the Christmas/NewYear's break week. Keep that in mind for next year and if you're interested in playing, let us know!
Teresa
I forgot about baking the phone! What about throwing
the left over shakes, sundaes, and pies off the four
story building!
Teresa
You mean a Mc Liiiiiib! Wow, this makes me feel old.
I remember passing through Columbia with my kids when
they were younger and taking them to the McDonalds
where John and I worked. I guess I won't be taking
my grandkids there! I remember flashing the bin
numbers at customers with Molly and others based on
the 1-10 looks department. I remember going into
the frig to put stuff away, or to get stuff to fill
stations and pouring the whip cream into my mouth each
time, as well as making a double filet sandwich with 6
pieces of cheese for break. Fun times, the end of an
era. I wonder how many people met and married from
there?
Thanks Sue,
Teresa
Wilfong
My first day I ran fries and had the whole area completely grease covered because I never let them drain, I was so overwhelmed.
Jan came over and asked how it got so greasy and I said, "I don't know".
Luckily, Jan liked the way I put lettuce on the Big Macs or I'd have been toast.
Remember.....
Scott touching his fingers to the grill towl after pulling each quarter pounder?
Dave Watson telling Bramstedt to give him a sear lay on quarters during state music then seeing 30 quarters go straight into the trash!
Friday night closes, then the trip to Harpo's. (The only time in my career I tried to get on Friday nights)
Our guys only trip to the Kentucky Derby in the RV!
Maxi's!
Go change the trash on Lowry.
Spades after close.
The Risk weekend at Jim's in KC after he graduated.
Baking Pat's phone in her oven....accidently.
Joe K
A lot of memories in regards to Campus McDonalds. My most vivid memories are when we were trying to get the thing open. The safe flying down the ramp while being delivered, hitting the just unpacked dress table, which flew up and put a hole in the ceiling. Trying to get that stupid Italian tile in the lobby clean so that we could open. The corporate field consultant leaving on a Friday, saying he would be back Sunday night, but there would be no way in hell we would have the store clean enough to open. Him having to eat his words because he had no idea how good our team was. Getting a call from the fire dept. after closing one night telling me the store was on fire, racing there to find out it was the bug fogger causing the "smoke".
I can honestly say that I have never had so much fun while be paid, and have never worked with such a quality group of people. Everyone who worked there was intelligent, motivated and had a great work ethic. The only trick was to get some of the motivation focused on McDonald's, and the managers were great at accomplishing that.
I miss the spades tournaments, especially with my partner, The GREATTT Scott, going mellow with the king and jack of spades. Always exciting.
Since leaving McDonald's, I have worked for America West Airlines, managing the Kansas City reservations center until it closed, and since then with ADT Security Services at their customer monitoring center here in Kansas City. We have about 900 employees and monitor security systems from coast to coast.
My wife, Donna, is an officer with Citibank, working in the collections department right across the interstate from where I work.
I have two daughters, Katie and Kelsey. Katie is a senior at MU, and will receive her degree in elementary education. She is currently interviewing for teaching positions in Colorado, where she has spent the last three summers working for either Young Life or a dude ranch.
Kelsey is a freshman at MU, also majoring in education, and plans on teaching math in high school. She is also involved in Young Life. She made noises about going to KU, even going so far as applying there. After I took away her car for a week, she decided maybe KU was a bad idea.
Maybe we could plan something for a weekend in June in Columbia, sort of like holding a wake, the commemorate the closing.
I will always remember the friends I made at Campus McDonalds.
Karen
Hello everyone, it's me Karen "If you've got time to lean, you've got time to clean" Hanaway (Miller). I was surprised to hear so many people weigh in on the closing of the Campus McDonalds. I can't believe it; I am sure the students will be furious. I too have very wonderful memories of my time there. You were all my family away from home. One of the saddest times I had was when I was transferred to the Stadium store. Things were VERY different there! I still play Spades with family and friends, and I like to go "mellow", although they all say Nil. What do they know? I can even remember some team going double blind mellow. YIKES!
As many of you know I hired my then future husband at the Stadium store. We have now been married over 21 years, and we still enjoy a french fry together. Yum! He is an F-15 pilot in the Air Force, and we have lived in 8 states. We have been in Virginia for the last 3 three years, and won't be leaving until at least my youngest son's graduation. He is a junior. My eldest son is a freshman at UMKC, in the 6 year combined BA Medical program. I don't know how those boys got to be so smart! I worked at McDonalds in Texas for the first 2 years of our marriage, and then took the next 15 years off. What a deal. I am currently a teacher assistant in P.E. at an elementary school. It is great to work with the kids.
That's it for me. It was great to hear from so many of you! Thanks, Sue, for letting us all know.
Karen
Toni
Hi! Again! I got alot of Mail Router errors on my note so I am not sure it actually made it out---someone thinks I am spamming!! I took out the subject which may not help. Anyway, I ditto everyone elses comments but added that I really liked the spades tournaments and--I will add----the late night closing crews recruits---especially Karen Miller rushing us through closing and getting pizza orders and swearing we would have soooo much fun----which we did until the wee hours of the morning. Does anyone know how hard it is to stay awake at 7:40AM during a lecture in SPANISH??!!
Many of you 'followed ' me to Shelter Insurance! Missed me, didn't ya!
take care, Toni
Many of you 'followed ' me to Shelter Insurance! Missed me, didn't ya!
take care, Toni
Jim and Mary
This is great hearing from everyone! Just sad to hear the store is closing. What great memories that we'll always have...and it is great that we've been able to stay in touch after all these years. If it wasn't spades, it was Risk. I've still got the boards with all the stories. We worked hard, studied hard (well, maybe not so hard sometimes...) and we definitely played hard.
It's funny...I've got 18 and 16 year old daughters that are working at McDonald's now. They love it. They've got a good group of friends there - similar to what we had. I just love listening to their stories about work and friends. Takes me back...
Looking forward to next years spades tournament Chris!
Chris and Dana
Everyone,
We can't say anything that someone else hasn't already said. We were so fortunate to share some great memories with lots of wonderful people. Just think of how many couples met while working at McDonalds and are now married!! We jokingly tell our boys that we always go to McDonald's to celebrate our anniversary!!
For those of you who've been able to play in the spades tournament at our house recently - sorry we couldn't host it this year, but we're planning to play again next New Year's Day!!
Jan
Hey everyone –
Wow - The Campus McDonald’s closing !! The end of an era …. It makes me feel old.
I have done a lot of things in my life, worked for a lot of different bosses and worked with thousands of different people. It is still easy for me to say the greatest group of people I ever had the privilege to work with was all of you at the Campus Store and Doug and Lyn Mehle were the most terrific people I have ever worked for. A wonderful group to work with, to have fun with, to cry with, to celebrate with, to survive with, to set records with …. No matter what happened, everyone pulled together --
I can still remember going home the day the Campus Store opened and thinking I never wanted to go back !! I don’t know how many of you were there on opening day but it was like nothing I had ever seen before. There were lines, sometimes all the way to the doors, from about 9:30 am until 3:00. It was AWFUL !! By the 2nd day we had prepared better and survived the first week…. By the 2nd week, it was fun again !! Amazing how resilient and versatile we were at that store –
How many of you remember:
Sitting on the truck rollers to stop the 50 lb blocks of shortening with your feet
Cleaning the grease trap
Jay chasing the thief who took the soft sculpture picture off the wall
Going to the Heidelberg for a drink after the bomb scare
The night the ansul got pulled
The gorilla singing to me in the lobby on my 30th birthday
Closing with only 3 people during Christmas break
Our wonderful Tranti – “works in a drawer” registers
Month end counts
Dumpster diggers
The Special Olympics at Warrensburg
….. I’m sure you have a lot of memories that I forgot about (or never knew about) -- Share some of your favorite memories with all of us -- It will be fun to hear them !!
Thanks to each and every one of you for having such a positive impact on my life. People who never worked in that environment have a hard time understanding just how special you all are. When I tell people that the best “people” job I ever had was the Campus McDonalds they look at me like I’m crazy. There is not any doubt in my mind that you all are the best bunch of people I ever knew. I’m glad that so many of you have remained friends and are still supporting each other and sharing your lives. I think it would be impossible to find so many self motivated, self directed, intelligent, fun loving, caring, dedicated people with lots of common sense in any one place today….. The kids of today can’t hold a candle to you guys !!
I would love to hear from any of you if you have time to drop me a line – Happy New Year to everyone --
Jan
Wow - The Campus McDonald’s closing !! The end of an era …. It makes me feel old.
I have done a lot of things in my life, worked for a lot of different bosses and worked with thousands of different people. It is still easy for me to say the greatest group of people I ever had the privilege to work with was all of you at the Campus Store and Doug and Lyn Mehle were the most terrific people I have ever worked for. A wonderful group to work with, to have fun with, to cry with, to celebrate with, to survive with, to set records with …. No matter what happened, everyone pulled together --
I can still remember going home the day the Campus Store opened and thinking I never wanted to go back !! I don’t know how many of you were there on opening day but it was like nothing I had ever seen before. There were lines, sometimes all the way to the doors, from about 9:30 am until 3:00. It was AWFUL !! By the 2nd day we had prepared better and survived the first week…. By the 2nd week, it was fun again !! Amazing how resilient and versatile we were at that store –
How many of you remember:
Sitting on the truck rollers to stop the 50 lb blocks of shortening with your feet
Cleaning the grease trap
Jay chasing the thief who took the soft sculpture picture off the wall
Going to the Heidelberg for a drink after the bomb scare
The night the ansul got pulled
The gorilla singing to me in the lobby on my 30th birthday
Closing with only 3 people during Christmas break
Our wonderful Tranti – “works in a drawer” registers
Month end counts
Dumpster diggers
The Special Olympics at Warrensburg
….. I’m sure you have a lot of memories that I forgot about (or never knew about) -- Share some of your favorite memories with all of us -- It will be fun to hear them !!
Thanks to each and every one of you for having such a positive impact on my life. People who never worked in that environment have a hard time understanding just how special you all are. When I tell people that the best “people” job I ever had was the Campus McDonalds they look at me like I’m crazy. There is not any doubt in my mind that you all are the best bunch of people I ever knew. I’m glad that so many of you have remained friends and are still supporting each other and sharing your lives. I think it would be impossible to find so many self motivated, self directed, intelligent, fun loving, caring, dedicated people with lots of common sense in any one place today….. The kids of today can’t hold a candle to you guys !!
I would love to hear from any of you if you have time to drop me a line – Happy New Year to everyone --
Jan
Toni
Same here Chris! How about those spades parties?! No matter how late, what 7:40 AM class or finals to take---ALWAYS time for going mellow! As you can see by the time I wrote this, I still don't know when to go to bed.
Toni
Toni
Chris B
Thanks for the link, Sue.
I'm so glad Campus McDonalds existed for me to get to meet most of you. I am glad I got to meet ALL of you, I was just lucky to grow up with a few before coming to Columbia. I have so many fond memories of all of you and can't imagine the 80s without you guys. Just hearing the phrases "Three for a dollar hamburgers", "FFA", "Homecoming" and, of course, "State Music" launch wonderful memories for me.
The older I get, the more my memory falters, but I'm not close to forgetting what great friends you all were and how appreciative I am of such a wonderful atmosphere that was created and maintained while we were there.
Oh, and if anyone still has any McBucks, I seriously don't recall ever seeing an expiration date on any of those. Wouldn't hurt to try and redeem them for a McRib before the place closes down in June.
Chris
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