Fishcake leftovers

My college roommate from the 70's sent me the URL for your web site where I read about Orchard Mansion. It transported me back to the days when I was a busboy, waiter and eventually head waiter at the resort. I even started to write a book about my experiences there and hope someday to finish it.

I started working there when I had turned 14 and lied about my age. I told Herbie I had just turned 16, but I don't think he really believed me. Back then you didn't have to show proof of age or ID. I also worked in the soda shop which was run by Herb's sister the ever-nervous Lena. Max the baker made all of those great rolls and pastries that we all ate (or stole).

I also used to do an entertainment gig for a couple of years at night with another waiter and busboy. We were the Others Brothers and Mike.

Orchard Mansion and the people who stayed there were exactly as you describe it on your web site. Most of the guests were so nice and they took very good care of the dining room staff, by sneaking us extra food.

Herb and Rosie operated on a very low profit margin (which I didn't realize back then), and they didn't want any of the food wasted. That's an entirely different story, but I will say this: there was very little fish in the fishcakes served on Friday, but lots of other stuff, some of which were leftovers from earlier in the week.

I could go on and on, but hopefully I'll do that someday when I finish the book. Thanks for bringing a bit of my past back to me through your web site.

--Paul Shatsoff, Slingerlands, NY