Category Archives: Hotel Stories

Art, Guns and Fudge

Posted on December 18, 2016 by vanbytheriver

Growing up with folks who hunt and fish, I should have understood the excitement when Cabela’s Outfitters announced the opening of their store in the mountains of Hamburg, Pa. in 2003. I did not. I also didn’t understand why the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Entertainment, Food, Hotel Stories, Nature, News, Photography, Sports, Technology, Travel | Tagged , , | 61 Comments

Work

Posted on February 20, 2016 by vanbytheriver

Retirement. I don’t miss the money. I miss the connections. I miss the need to get up at a certain time each morning. The wake-up shower, the first cup of coffee, the rush out the door. Of course, one could still … Continue reading →

Posted in Hotel Stories, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , , | 71 Comments

Zzzzzzz’s

Posted on September 16, 2015 by vanbytheriver

I saw the cartoon recently, and laughed, but only for a few seconds. I have experienced these images, every one, at different times in my life. And that is not so funny. It seems to be a chronic issue with … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Issues, Hotel Stories, Movies, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Dufresne, Party of Two

Posted on June 17, 2015 by vanbytheriver

He showed up on the hotel arrival list on a cold January day in 2005.  Comedian Mitch Hedberg. I was a huge fan, and was excited to share some of my enthusiasm, and some of his one-liners with staff. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, Hotel Stories, Humor | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

Somewhere in Time

Posted on June 11, 2015 by vanbytheriver

Opened in 1887, the Grand Hotel of Mackinac Island is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. It sits on an island in northern Michigan that has turned back time. There are no motorized vehicles allowed, bicycles and … Continue reading →

Posted in Hotel Stories, Movies, Travel | Tagged , , , , , | 47 Comments

An Officer and a Luftwaffe

Posted on June 9, 2015 by vanbytheriver

You are cordially invited to the German wedding in uniform of Luftwaffe Stuka pilot Johann Warsteiner and Professor Gretchen Mueller. These folks were honored at Mid Atlantic Air Museum’s WW II Weekend with a 3 day wedding ceremony, hosted by … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment, History, Hotel Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 27 Comments

The Box Purse

Posted on February 24, 2015 by vanbytheriver

It was her only luggage. She reached in and pulled out 2 hundred dollar bills, securing one of the last available hotel rooms that night. Three days later, she left with a police escort. Something about her gentle demeanor, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Hotel Stories, Memories, Mental Health, Work and Career | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Room 524

Posted on January 31, 2012 by vanbytheriver

Note: This is a piece written as a hotel employee. Thanksgiving. A while ago. I remember now, in retrospect, the first phone call I received from her daughter Donna a few weeks back. She was reserving a room for her … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Health Issues, Hotel Stories | Leave a comment