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fuck-customers · 5 years

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Life at the Ko of Shops

Warning that this may run long and may have a few triggers for emotional abuse.

I worked 14 years at the Ko of Shops. I had the job of receiving and was excellent at it. My record keeping and knowledge was immaculate and I was the equivalent of a receiving manager without actually being considered a manager---which allowed many managers to take things out on me and refuse to listen to me and what I said often.

I had to look for a new job recently as our company has entered liquidation and bankruptcy at the end of last year and beginning of this year. It's not so much the fault of the store or the company per se---I'm going to blame it on something we'll refer to as the Captials of the Sun. They bought us in 2005 with the intention of us ending up here all along. As it was a leveraged buy out, we were forced to put up everything for collateral. To make matters worse they put us in the hole further by selling our land and buildings. It turned us into renters. The Ko of Shops suddenly found itself in the hole to the tune of $1.2 BILLION dollars. Of course they kept this from us lowly store workers. None of this came out until the house of cards collapsed. On top of all that, the Capitals of the Sun took out dividends to the tune of $179.5 million rather than paying the Ko of Shops bills. We're not the only company the Capitals of the Sun has done this to. We're number 5 in TWO YEARS. They own 360+ other companies and they will keep doing this to them.

In the wake of this, it makes me look back in anger. Throughout my whole time there, it took me TEN YEARS to earn a dollar more an hour in pay than when I started. TEN YEARS. We had several years where we were told there would be "no merit increases" because the company couldn't afford it. IF we did get a raise, it would be (and I wish to God I was kidding) TWO CENTS more an hour to FIFTEEN CENTS more an hour. They were far too busy paying the Captials of the Sun than actually valuing our hard work and dedication that allowed them to rip money out for the shadowy investors to buy yachts or private islands or whatever it is greedy rich people buy. It infuriates me that we spent all this time being woefully underpaid and unappreciated simply so the Capitals of the Sun could rake it all in.

That being said, that isn't what this submission is really about. It's about the nonsense and emotional scarring I faced during the last eight years or so especially of this job. It never mattered to them how competent I was or how many times I saved the store's ass when corporate or the regional loss prevention came to investigate. I constantly faced being lectured by my direct manager---I called it being "little roomed" because he would drag me into my office and "mentor" me until I was in tears. I can't count how many times this happened. I will humbly admit that a few times were my fault and I asked for it by my stressed out reaction behaviors at times, but most of the time it was not my fault and I would be taken into the room to have another talking to. If it wasn't him, it was the store manager refusing to listen to me when I told him something or how to do something or why I was doing something a certain way. Rather than just listen to what I was saying about MY area, he would routinely talk over me. Two weeks before I quit, he actually had the gall to tell me, and I quote, "You know your job---for the most part." Really? He has NO idea how to do my job at all and never tried to know. It was beneath him to know. And if it wasn't him, the other manager in the store would routinely poach me and shove me into his area to do his crap---but only recently as the first manager in this had left and wasn't yanking me away from my detail heavy area to "help the rest of the store because everyone thinks you're not doing enough." This last manager also had the gall to tell me that I have to simply accept either vendors or customers yelling at me rather than trying to help me deal with them. Essentially, that tells me that in his view my job was to take abuse from all comers as a matter of course. That's despite them telling us as a team repeatedly to call a manager if someone treated them like crap.

A year ago one of my coworkers contracted cancer and died. She was the only other person in the store that knew anything about my job at all. When she fell ill, management did not find someone else to train as backup. It was NOT my responsibility or call to name that person. It clearly stated that in the description for that backup person---to be named and trained by management. Nope. No one was picked. I had three weeks of vacation to use. I ate it all---well almost all. I took one weekend off to attend a function before she got sick. After that, I trembled at the thought of fighting for my vacation and the battle that would break out. If I asked for time off, I would be lectured about the fact there's no one to cover for me. So, I just didn't fight. It might not have been a wise decision, but at the time I just didn't want to be lectured or "mentored" or told why they couldn't have someone and how other areas of the store are either more important or as taxed in staffing. So I worked almost a whole year without any time off. I don't blame the coworker we lost. I blame management for NOT doing their damn job to help alleviate the issue her absence created. I also don't regret pushing for and organizing a team to celebrate her life and find a cure for cancer for a local charity drive.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone home in tears and in total frustrated stress. I can't tell you how many times I ended up with a huge pit in my stomach and dreaded going to work every day.. Part of my story is my own fault---I stayed way too long and didn't try to get out because I needed a job. I live in a rural area so this was really the only option I could see to make sure I paid bills, etc. It was the devil I knew and I didn't want to have to start over or find something else or risk worse---being fired and not having a back up ready. So I put up with it for years.

We're not even talking about the normal retail BS. Black Friday turned into marathon shifts without being asked or consulted. I would be forced in on Saturdays after working all week already for that week. I would be put in charge of the carryouts through the door only to be told I was being lazy and not doing enough to help the store---despite freezing or being overwhelmed. Often, I was expected to do three jobs all at once and if I ever expressed any frustrations in any way---reasonably or otherwise---I would end up in the "little room." Its unreal to know that I spent so long in a store that didn't bother to care about me or my coworkers.

The only reason I stayed that long beyond the need to pay bills was my other coworkers. They were in it with me and knew---well for the most part---how bad I had it and how bad they were treated as well. They got it. We would all vent when possible---just so we wouldn't go crazy. I will miss them the most. I worked with a couple for the entire duration of my stay. One is a character of a man that made the job at least bearable with his antics and personality. Others came later and we became close friends that supported one another through thick and thin. I plan on staying in touch with all of them now that I have officially quit.

I actually have a happy ending. I quit because I have a new full time job starting immediately. It may actually pay me a full dollar more an hour before too long, which in the scheme of things isn't a whole lot in comparison to the money the big cheeses of the Ko of Shops will get in their parachute or the Captials of Sun will rob before the curtain finally totally drops, but if it is enough for me to pay my bills, help my family, and go to graduate school online, then it's better than anything ever. I look forward to working for something meaningful and helping my community through it. I'm scared to death of this change and yet I am excited, too.

For all of you still trapped in retail or other service work, you can get out. Do something. Find your path. Take my story as a lesson. Don't just stay and put up with it. These companies don't care about you or you families. They just want to steal as much money as they can destroy the livelihoods you rely upon. Do something else. You can get out.

I did.

#trigger warning #submissions #fuck customers #happy ending #fuck retail #fuck managers #submission

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gaygaygaybabe · 4 years

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Tc 100 questions!

1) Do you know of any previous job they had

-before teaching at my school they taught at a different school about an hour away and before that they were in university

2) are they left or right handed

-left handed

3)describe their voice

-a bit gravely, but not too much, draws out the end of words, pitch varies but about average pitch for a woman id say

4) if you could give them anything, what would you give them

-hmm I’m not sure, probably something practical because she’s very practical and intelligent

5)if they were a drink what would they be

-Hot honey Chamomile tea. After talking with her she leaves me with a warm feeling but with just a little bit a sweetness, not very much but enough

6)What is something you regret doing around them

-not being me for the first semester

7) are they optimistic or pessimistic

-generally optimistic but realistic

8) In general how do they treat others

-with other students at least she is helpful but can come off a bit strict and unaproachable but around people she’s more comfortable with like other teachers she’s more relaxed and is very nice and enjoyable to be around. She can let this relaxed side of her show sometimes in class

9). What made you fall for them

-first I was physically attracted but getting to know her and seeing how determined and intelligent yet caring and sweet she was really sealed the deal

10) what do they do in their free time

-recently she’s probably doing lots of unpacking/setting up because she moved into a new house but generally speaking she enjoys reading, traveling and photography

11)if they were a candy what would they be

-toffee, 100%, not very sweet but has this wholesome/warm touch

12)describe the way they walk/ their movements

-she walks medium pace, her movements are precise and planned but also fidgets sometimes

13) is there anything you didn’t like about them at first that you love now?

-her age, at first I thought she was younger and didn’t like when I learned she was older than I thought. Now I’ve come to admire how wise she is and independent because of her age (when I met her I thought she was straight out of college, probably still living with parents but learned she was a few years out of college and moved out at 18)

14) describe what you imagine they do as soon as they get home

-probably either getting right to grading assignments, or realaxing in her favorite chair/sitting area with a book

15)if they were furniture what kind of furniture would they be

-this is a very strange question? Like how can someone be furniture but I’d say stair railing. Always there when you need her but can’t be to rough on it

16) what’s their go to hair style

-she has very very long hair so most days she wears it in a Bun or braid, but sometimes she’ll wear in down with the front pulled back to the side, she always wears a side part, I’ve never seen her with a middle part

17) if they were a clothing item what would they be?

-again, strange question? But I’d say a pair of basic flats. A necessary staple in your wardrobe but not too flashy

18) top three favorite moments with them

-the first time she hugged me (she asked beforehand if she could hug me which was so cute and respectful), Everytime I have given her a sample of my baking (I gave her cookies for Christmas and she samples my recipes for a year long project I have that revolves around baking) and finally the first time we talked out of school in her classroom

19)top three worst moments

-March 13 the last day of school we had a kind of sad goodbye but we didn’t think it would last as long as it did, the first time I cried in front of her, and when I ran into her during the summer but didn’t recognize her at first

20) what do you admire most about them?

-her intelligence, she is so mature and intelligent it’s so goddamn hot.

21) what are three words that describe their personality?

-analytical, determined, self-serving

22) do they have an accent?

-um she has an accent standard to where we live, except she peonounces A’s strange sometimes

23) what’s their ethnicity?

-not sure exactly but Eastern European, at least partially

24) are they religious?

-she’s Christian but not very religious besides celebrating holidays

25) how’s their posture?

-not bad, pretty good I’d say

26) what’s their hair color?

-medium brown

27) eye color?

-changes from blue to green to brown. It’s so pretty, cool, and captivating

28) skin tone?

-light, pretty pale

29) do they have tattoos?

-not that I know of, and none visable. But on her Pinterest page she has a board dedicated to tattoos she likes that include tattoos representing travel, as long with dinosaurs

30) are they older or younger than your parents?

-much younger, she’s young enough to be my parents kid

31) if they were a holiday, which would they be?

-fourth of July, very proud of her achievements

32) do you know their middle name?

-yes. Her middle name/second last name is her moms maiden name

33) what did you first notice about them?

-that she’s a strict teacher but loves her job lol

34) what’s their relationship status?

-she’s unmarried and has told me she’s not dating anyone or looking to date

35) do they have glasses?

-yes, but she always wears contacts so I’ve never seen her wear glasses

36) do they have any moles or noticeable birth marks?

-no, she has a few beauty marks here and there but none super noticeable

37) any distinguishable facial features?

-big eyes, very beautiful big eyes

38) what kind of clothes do they wear?

-she dresses pretty modestly, wearing dress pants and business casual shirts mostly long sleeve but sometimes short sleeves. On casual fridays she’ll wear leggings and tighter shirts. She almost always wears flats

39) what colors do they wear most often?

-she wears colors often, often greens, but also yellow and purple. A lot of natural colors like crème, beige

40) what year were they born?

-1991

41) what superpower would they have?

-reading minds, sometimes I suspect she can read minds

42) what’s one fact about them that makes you smile whenever you remeber it?

- well there’s a few, first the fact that she goes to her younger cousins gymnastics competitions, second that she didn’t talk much in school except to talk back to her history teacher and tell him he was wrong, third that her whole moms side of the family were great swimmers so she was supposed to be a great swimmer but she’s not, fourth that she loves a child’s movie so much she named her cats after characters and wants to get a tattoo based on the movie

43) have they ever given you a gift?

-no, however shes mentioned that she has a book she wants to give me but couldn’t because we are on online school

44) have they ever hugged you?

-yes, real hugs and virtual hugs

45) what year will you graduate and will you be ready to say goodbye?

-I’ll graduate 2023 and I am NOT ready to say goodbye and I really really hope to stay in contact

46) do you have any pictures of them with you?

-no, I was planning on getting some at the end of the year but quarantine ruined that

47) do you know what university they went to?

-yes, but I won’t say because it’s a university well know that’s not to far from where we live

48) are you ashamed/embarrassed you have a tc?

-no not really

49) what’s one of their favorite book series?

-Harry Potter

50) What’s one of their favorite tv shows?

-The alienist

51) what do you think they were like when they were your age?

-based on what she’s told me, introverted but a bit fiesty

52) would you have been friends with them in highschool?

-I’m not sure, honestly probably not

53) do they have dimples?

-yes, I believe so

54) do you ever draw pictures of your tc?

-I have once but I am a bad drawer so I only did once

55) what goes through your mind when you see them unexpectedly?

-I worry about how I look and how I sound. I also like to look at them and figure out where they came from and where they’re going

56) if they were a fruit what fruit would they be?

-hmmm, probably a banana. Not to sweet but good for you

57) what’s their handwriting like?

-pretty neat, very pretty

58) what age did you think they were when you met them? How old are they actually?

-I thought she was in her 20’s, and she is. I thought she was a bit younger 20’s rather than mid 20’s but I like that better

59) are they introverted or extroverted?

-introvert

60) when you graduate do you plan on visiting them?

- yes yes yes, totally, I really hope so

61)if you already graduated have you seen them since?

-I’m still in school

62) do they live anywhere remotely near you?

-where she lived until September was about 45 minutes from me, I’m not exactly sure where her new house is

63) what three colors always remind you of then?

-all shades of green, along with orange and purple

64) have you ever gotten them a birthday gift?

-I was planning on giving her a gift but quarantine ruined that

65) describe their laugh

- first her smile widens and then she chuckles as she respondeds to whatever made her laugh

66) what do you do when your on vacation and can’t see them?

-look at pictures I have of them and day dream

67) do you think they know you like them?

-I think she might have a feeling but I’m not sure. If she does think so I don’t think it’s a strong feeling

68) are they good at the subject they teach?

-yes, she is very knowledgeable

69) describe them as a person

-very intelligent and straightforward. Also very fun and confident. She’s introverted and enjoys her alone time

70) what do you think they do in the summer?

-she travels in the summer

71) what always remind you of them?

-books, cats, tea, travel, green eyes

72) what would you love to see them wear?

- I mean, let’s keep this sfw. But sfw answers include a dress, shorts, a tank top, bathing suit, pajamas

73) if they were a music instrument which would they be?

-obo

74) what day of the week would they be?

-Thursday

75) what do other students thing of your tc?

-they think she’s strict and a bit intimidating

76) when’s the last time you saw them?

- yesturday morning for online school. But it’s been 4 months since in person

77) when will you see them again?

-tomorow morning online, I’m not sure when we’re going back to school in person

78) what’s something they said to you that you’ll never forget?

-when she validated me and validated trauma I have experienced

79) what are they like when they’re angry?

-she will argue until the other person gives up, she will prove she’s right

80) have you ever drawn a picture of them and given it too them?

-oh god no, I can’t draw at all

81) what’s your age gap and how does it make you feel?

-14 years and 7 months. It sadness me to know that due to that she will only ever think of me as a kid

82) generally what mod are they in?

-she’s always nuetral, sometimes extra happy and talkative

83) would you say you two are similar or different generally?

-were pretty similar I’d say, we have a good amount of similarities

84) how long did it take you to realize your feelings?

-3 or 4 months

85) have you written any poems about them? Would you show them?

-I haven’t yet but I want to, and I don’t think I’d ever show her them

86) are you talkative around them?

-more so than most people

87) are they talkative around you?

-yeah, more than normal

88) what’s one thing you wish was different about them?

- I wish she was younger, I also wish she talked more about herself

89) what’s your favorite thing about them personality wise?

-her determination

90) what’s your favorite physical thing about them?

-her hair

91) do they have any talents?

-cooking/baking

92) do they have any siblings?

-no

93) any pets?

- two cats

94) any children?

- no

95) if they weren’t a teacher, what profession could you see them as?

-psychologist probably

96) what do you think their favorite holiday might be?

-I could see Christimas

97) do you know anything about her childhood?

- she was introverted and coped with things by reading

98) do they have any nicknames for you?

-only normal things like my dear, honey, my child

99) do you have any nicknames for them?

-rapunzel

100) do you think your in love with them?

-yes, in some way. If not romantic, then in a parental or platonic way

0 notes

mitchbeck · 4 years

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CANTLON'S CORNER: HOCKEY NEWS AND NOTES OFF SEASON Volume 10

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - After a vote by its membership, the NHLPA has approved the NHL's decision to move to a 24-team playoff format to bring to a conclusion the 2019-20 NHL season. With that announcement coming earlier this week, it capped off a seven-day period of a great deal of hockey activity. PLAYER TRANSACTIONS Some AHL players have confirmed their decision to head to Europe while several others are patiently awaiting the NHL's final decision about their season. Ex-Pack Brian Gibbons (Salisbury Prep) is said to be close to signing a deal with HC Lausanne (Switzerland-LNA) after spending a part of this past season with the Charlotte Checkers and 50 games with the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL). Gerry Fitzgerald of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms has signed with Vasterviks IK (Sweden-SHL). He joins Vile Saarijarvi, who split the year with the Tucson Roadrunners and the Grand Rapids Griffins. He heads back to Finland to play for Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL) making 17 players in total who have moved and 13 of 31 AHL teams who have lost players. In the college ranks, Cam Wright of Stonehill College (NE-10) signs with Amals SK (Sweden Division-2). The signing makes 29 college players signing in Europe and a total of 156 college players to sign pro deals in North America and Europe combined. Jeff Kopek of Gunnery Prep (Washington, CT) commits to Utica College (UCHC). COLLEGE HOCKEY The WCHA's University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers announced late on Friday that effective immediately the school was canceling their Division I hockey program. The program has been a Division I team for 20 years and have had an active varsity program in Division I and II, plus an ACHA club team for 31 years. It was the only program in the Southern portion of the US for years until Arizona State launched a Division I independent program four years ago. The team was coming off a horrible season, 2-26-6, the worst in the nation and in the program’s history. In fact, over the last nine years, the program has struggled to amass a record of 54-230-22 over that time span. The hockey program started in 1979 and won ACHA National Club titles in a three-peat from 1982, 1983, and in 1984. They won two Division II national titles in 1996 and 1998. From 1986-1999 the Chargers bounced between Division I (originally in the NAIA conference) and Division II, but after the NCAA eliminated Division II level hockey, they made it to the top tier again. Despite the poor on-ice performance and terrible gate receipts, averaging just 1,419 last season (47th among 60 Division I teams), they also had the second-worst capacity of attendance at a meager 21.5%. Even though the school knew the numbers issue, they said last year they were planning to build a new on-campus arena taking them from their home rink, the Von Braun Center, which is also the home of the SPHL Huntsville Havoc. The most famous graduate of UA-H was ex-Hartford Wolf Pack goalie, Cam Talbot, who's now playing for the Edmonton Oilers. The first player to make it to the NHL from their program was forward, Jared Ross. of the Philadelphia Flyers, a few years before Talbot did. Among the other notable alumni are, Jay Woodcroft, the current head coach of the Bakersfield Condors (AHL), former Bridgeport Sound Tiger goalie, Scott Munro, who is now a goalie coach at Trinity College (NESCAC), and Dennis Skapski, the father to former Wolf Pack goalie, Mackenzie Skapski. The WCHA conference was set to lose seven schools after the 2020-21 season to form the new CCHA conference. The league is now down to eight teams. The last Division I program to exit was Wayne State in 2008. As UA-H leaves, Long Island University Sharks announced they were entering D1 hockey and becoming the 61st NCAA program and would play this comings season as an Independent. Like everything else, COVID-19 has infected the expected expansion of Division I hockey over the next two years. The University of Illinois was scheduled to make an announcement in March that they were going DI and going to the Big 10 conference. The WCHA was getting closer to announcing it will become the first true Western US states Division I college hockey conference. Sadly, this may not be the only University to cut back on their D1 hockey program. There may be many other program cuts as two WCHA schools in Alaska are likely to merge at some point this summer as a cost-saving measure. Some media reports state several Division I teams, particularly at state schools, and due to expected budgetary and health concerns are dropping non-conference games involving flying across the country in close quarters. UCONN, who's was looking to make an announcement next week in releasing their complete schedule according to Hockey SID Bill Peterson is still on schedule as planned. The season including its only major travel to a Christmas tournament in Milwaukee to be hosted by the University of Wisconsin. In addition to the host U-of-W, also participating in the tourney is UCONN, Arizona State, and Clarkson University. The hope is that safety will be less of a concern as far as travel by late December and the New Year. The Huskies are scheduled to host the Ohio State Buckeyes (Big 10) and the Arizona State Sun Devils (NCAA Division I Independent) at the XL Center and open the season at home against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers (AHA) in October. PRO HOCKEY While the AHL has ended the 2019-20 season and the NHL is closer to reopening in a 24 team playoff format with details still being worked on. Among the major issues is travel both to-and-from the United States and Canada as the border remains closed by mutual consent until June 21st. There could, however, be an exception that would apply to hockey players. The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association do not believe Tuesday’s extension, according to published reports, will alter their plans as they continue to work toward resuming the 2019-20 season this summer. The optimism comes from the belief that the border only remains closed for “non-essential travel,” which is defined as tourism, recreation, and entertainment. It affects the NHL and the AHL who are now trying to plan the start of the 2020-21 season. The NHL has seven Canadian franchises, while the AHL has three. Healthy people may continue to cross the border for “non-discretionary” reasons – for work and employment purposes - and NHL players and team personnel would be classified into that category according to two pro hockey sources familiar with the issue. Most non-Canadian players on Canadian NHL clubs hold a work permit, which would qualify them as temporary workers and allow them to cross the border during the pandemic for a limited period of time as specified under the border closure guidelines. A similar work visa exists for Canadian players who play for US-based teams and in the mutual consent decree by each government would naturally apply to Canadians here. Players from Europe still have a serious hurdle to clear. One of the few worldwide universal restrictions in this pandemic has been flying to another country requiring a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Approximately 17 percent of current NHL players are from Europe, according to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. He disclosed in an interview on Monday that these players are currently enduring the COVID-19 pandemic in various countries in Europe scattered throughout the continent. The AHL has a significant European player population. Then there's the Canadian government's provincial pandemic guidelines which further hamper plans and adds another layer of bureaucracy to overcome. Alberta and Quebec both have canceled all inside and outside large public gatherings until September 1st. Alberta announced another set of requirements. In addition to being quarantined for 14-days, a quarantine plan must be presented to public officials for review. For the NHL it could scuttle plans to use Edmonton as one of its NHL hub cities for its Stanley Cup playoffs as currently being designed. The AHL and NHL both season was paused their seasons on March 12th. The AHL season was formally canceled on May 11th. The Wolf Pack 2020-21 schedule has only one game date set, the home opener is scheduled for October 9th and that is now not set in stone. The start of the 2020-21 season will most certaintly not begin in October. Read HERE in Thursday’s Providence Journal-Bulletin how if things were not tough enough, even the mere public mention of a facility being closed the rest of the year creates serious issues for the AHL. AHL AWARDS The American Hockey League announced Friday that Karl Taylor of the Milwaukee Admirals is the winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding coach for the 2019-20 season. Under Taylor’s guidance, the Admirals finished with the best record in their 19 seasons of play in the American Hockey League in 2019-20, going 41-14-5-3 (90 points, .714) and capturing the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy as regular-season champions. Milwaukee allowed a league-low 2.24 goals per game and ranked seventh in scoring (3.35) – the third-highest goals-per-game differential (+1.11) in the AHL in the last decade – and established a team record with a 13-game winning streak from November 2nd to December 1st. Milwaukee’s special teams were outstanding in 2019-20 as well. They ranked second in the league on the power play (25.2 percent) and sixth in penalty killing (85.5 percent). Taylor, who coached the Central Division team at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic, has sent nine of his Admirals players to the National Hockey League to compete with the Nashville Predators this season. The Fred T. Hunt Memorial Award winner was selected and awarded to San Jose Barracuda, John McCarthy, on Thursday. The award recognizes an AHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, determination, and dedication to hockey. The captain of the Barracuda since 2016, after 18 games with four goals, McCarthy ended a distinguished 11-year pro career suddenly in December after suffering an ischemic stroke due to a previously undetected hole in his heart. Following swift attention from the team’s medical staff and physicians at Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, McCarthy made a complete recovery and joined the Barracuda coaching staff as an assistant on Dec. 27, allowing him to continue mentoring the San Jose Sharks’ top prospects. McCarthy, 33, played 577 games in the American Hockey League – all but 25 of them (Chicago Wolves) were with the Sharks’ affiliates in San Jose (2015-19) and in Worcester (2009-15) before he left with the team when the Pacific Division was created in 2015. He totaled 130 goals and 167 assists for 297 points in the AHL and is the Barracuda’s all-time leader in games played (275), goals (62), assists (76) and points (138). McCarthy notched four goals in 18 contests with San Jose in 2019-20. Originally drafted by the Sharks in 2006, McCarthy also had three goals and three assists in 88 career NHL games with San Jose. He was a member of the United States Olympic men’s hockey team in 2018 and co-captained Boston University to an NCAA championship in 2009. Six players were named to the American Hockey League All-Rookie Team on Tuesday. The All-Rookie team were Boston Bruins' forward prospect, Jack Studnicka (Providence), and forwards Josh Norris, and Alex Fomenton (Belleville Senators). Also given the honor were defensemen prospects, Brogan Rafferty of the Vancouver Canucks (Utica Comets), and ex-Wolf Pack Joey Keane of the Carolina Hurricanes (Charlotte) who was traded for Julien Gauthier in February, and Montreal Canadiens goalie prospect, Cayden Primeau (Laval Rocket), the son of former Hartford Whaler, Keith Primeau. The American Hockey League announced the 2019-20 AHL First, and Second All-Star Teams, as voted by AHL coaches, players, and media in each of the league’s 31 member cities. Two former Quinnipiac University Bobcats, one on the first team (Sam Anas of the Iowa Wild) and the other on the second team, (Brogan Rafferty of Utica). 2019-20 AHL First All-Star Team G – Kaapo Kahkonen, Iowa Wild (34 GP, 25-6-3, 2.07 GAA, .927 save percentage, 7 SO) D – Jake Bean, Charlotte Checkers (59 GP, 10 G,38 A 48 TP 3 PPG and 18 PPA) D – Brennan Menell, Iowa Wild (57 GP, 5 G 42A 47 TP, plus 8, 3 PPG and 23 PPA) LW – Reid Boucher, Utica Comets (53 GP, 34 G, 33 A, 67 TP, plus 8, 9 PPG and 7 GWG) C – Josh Norris, Belleville Senators (56 GP, 31 G,30 A, 61 TP, plus 9, 10 PPG and 4 GWG) RW – Sam Anas, Iowa Wild (63 GP, 20 G, 50 A, 70 TP, 7 PPG, and 35 PPA) 2019-20 AHL Second All-Star Team G – Connor Ingram, Milwaukee Admirals (33 GP, 21-5-5, 1.92 GAA, .933 save percentage, 2 SO) D – Jacob MacDonald, Colorado Eagles (56 GP, 16 G, 26 A, 42 TP, plus 7, 7 PPG and 14 PPA) D – Brogan Rafferty, Utica Comets (57 GP, 7 G, 38 A, 45 TP, plus 17, 3 PPG and 17 PPA) LW – Gerry Mayhew, Iowa Wild (49 GP, 39 G,22 A, 61 TP, plus 16, 13 PPG and 10 GWG) C – Alex Barre-Boulet, Syracuse Crunch (60 GP, 27 G, 29 A, 56 TP, plus 2, 9 PPG and 3 GWG) RW – Drake Batherson, Belleville Senators (44 GP, 16 G, 38 A 54 TP, plus 14, 3 PPG and 2 GWG) Each All-Star Team member will receive a custom-designed crystal award in recognition of his selection to the 2019-20 AHL First and Second All-Star Teams. HOCKEY NEWS Jim Rutherford, who has been the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins since June of 2014, and who was also a former Whalers GM and a New Haven Nighthawk, and who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year, now has an award named after him. The OHL unveiled the Jim Rutherford Trophy that will go to the OHL Goaltender of the Year. The first recipient was Nico Daws of the Guelph Storm. Remember potential Whalers future star, Hnat Domenichelli? He is the GM of HC Lugano (Switzerland-LNA). His son, Leonardo, plays for the HC Lugano U-15 team. Amanda Boulier (Watertown/Westminster Prep/Yale University) signed a deal to play for another year with the NWHL Minnesota Whitecaps (her third) and was named head coach of Duluth Marshall HS (MNPUB) varsity girl’s program. She was an assistant coach last season and started her pro career with the Connecticut Whale. Among her teammates is Emma Stauber, the niece of former Wolf Pack and Nighthawk goalie, Robb Stauber. She also coaches a Minnesota high school hockey program Proctor/Hermantown. Her uncle, Dan Stauber, coaches the boy's team. Read the full article

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the-record-columns · 6 years

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July 25, 2018: Columns

Christmas in July on Hinshaw Street...

Calvin and Coleen Hayes

By KEN WELBORN Record Publisher

To have known Coleen Fairchild Hayes was to love her.

Because I was a kid growing up on Hinshaw Street in North Wilkesboro, among the many blessings that brought me, was getting to know Coleen and her husband (eventually) Calvin Hayes. Those two people thought the world of each other, but consistently put other peoples needs in front of their own--all their lives.

They were both school teachers and, while they never had children of their own, they were the de facto family to uncounted children at the Mount Pleasant Elementary School (Coleen), and the Mulberry Elementary School (Calvin), and to all of the great unwashed kids who lived on Hinshaw Street and, of course, any child who attended the Hinshaw Street Baptist Church.

For years whenever their names would come up, the conversation would often get around to the fact that they had been dating for many, many years--but had not married. The assumption of many was that their parents didn't approve or didn't like one or the other of them, but nothing could have been further from the truth. The fact is that Colleen and Calvin made the conscious decision to take care of their aged parents as long as they lived, and then, and only then, would they make a permanent life together.

Theirs really is a love story for the ages.

Coleen was born in 1932 and lived in the Mt. Pleasant community. Her family ran a mill until she was about 12 years old when her Dad bought a home in North Wilkesboro off Duncan Street with about 14 acres of land. Coleen attended the North Wilkesboro High School on E Street and in 1952 graduated from Pfeiffer Junior College in 1952.

Coleen had always wanted to be a flight attendant but her father didn't want her to do so, and she decided to settle on a career as a nurse. After she graduated from Pfeiffer College, however, she was soon contacted by the then Superintendent of Schools C. B. Eller, and he persuaded her to take a temporary job teaching school at Mount Pleasant Elementary as a second grade teacher.

The rest, as we all like to say, is history. She loved being a teacher, she loved the children, and they loved her, and her "temporary position" became quite permanent and she taught school for 40 years.

Whenever the names of Calvin and Coleen Hayes are brought up, it doesn't take long to find someone whose life was touched for the better by these two folks who took human kindness to another level. The were both faithful members of the Hinshaw Street Baptist Church as long as they lived. Calvin died several years ago, and when Coleen died on Feb. 12, 2018, she left her entire estate to the church she and Calvin loved so much to be used to pay off the mortgage on the new sanctuary.

It is to this end that the big Christmas in July Sale is being held this Friday and Saturday. Coleen had a Christmas tree in every room and decorated her home for the holidays with an unbelievable eye for beauty and detail. Clearly you will be selecting from an incredible array of wonderful decorations which were bought and handled with the love and care of a wonderfully kind woman who was a source of encouragement to everyone she met.

Coleen Fairchild Hayes was truly a saint on this earth and we are all better for having known her.

Christmas in July Decorations Sale

HInshaw Street Baptist Church

1105 Hinshaw Street

North Wilkesboro NC

Estate Sale of Christmas Items

Friday and Saturday, July 27 & 28

8 am till 2 pm each day in the lower Fellowship Hall

All proceeds go toward the building fund.

Under construction

By LAURA WELBORN

Life is a mess. A good plan lasts about 30 seconds then your day gallops off in a different direction, never to return to the plan. You end the day thinking you have accomplished very little.

How often do we doubt our path when things go wrong? We are all averse to failure, but the reality is that our vision of failure should not be to prevent risk but to recover when failures occur. Ultimately it is like construction. I have a friend who is having a pool house built and everything that can go wrong has gone wrong. It is so frustrating she is threatening not to open the pool this year. In the end the pool will open and all will look great. Let me repeat: life is a mess! And that’s okay! Life is always ”under construction,” with all the mess, delays and mistakes (big and small) that go along with the process.

Often, we get caught up in the struggle of having a schedule and when things go off schedule we get anxious and want to give up. What if we looked at the progress made versus the “messy place” we are in the moment? Can we trust the process, trust the messy places and keep building our foundation so that the building will be strong?

Too often people overestimate the significance of one big defining moment and underestimate the value of making good decisions daily. Most of the results in your life — positive and negative— are the result of many small decisions made over time. It's not about where you are now, it's where you are going!

Most of my work involves helping people develop a plan of action. I always start off by saying the plan will not go like you think it will, changes will be made but the result of where you want to go will remain the same. Part of getting to the end is the small things we do each day- rituals or habits that keep us focused on the destination or vision we have. What is a ritual? Lots of things: five minutes of sitting quietly in meditation or 10 minutes of yoga or a few minutes set aside each day for reading a good book.

Think about how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different? That’s the power of daily rituals. Think about your rituals — the little things you do every day that occupy your attention and energy. Regardless of your unique talents, knowledge, and life circumstances, or how you personally define success, you don’t suddenly become successful. You become successful — you become an expert — over time based on your rituals.

Marc and Angel Hack Life blog site three guidelines that are critical to making your rituals manageable: start with one ritual, make it small, and maintain it for at least sixty days: Focus on one (and only one) positive change at a time. Implement one positive change and make it a ritual for a month before considering adding to it or starting a second. Only build upon your ritual if you are successful; otherwise stay with it until it feels like second nature. Keep your ritual small to start. Start with a daily ritual that lasts ten minutes or less. If you feel strong resistance and fail at ten minutes, drop it to five or even three minutes, and then do it for a full month before adding more time. Remember that establishing a ritual takes time. You need sixty days for a new ritual to become a part of your life.

Your daily rituals literally make or break you, gradually. Nothing will change with your trajectory — you will experience little growth — unless you make daily rituals that reinforce what you hope to achieve.

Where’s PETA?

By EARL COX

Special to The Record

The unrest at the Gaza border continues under any guise to justify demonstrations and rioting by the Palestinians. At first the riots were claimed to be for ‘the right of return.’ Afterward they were said to be in protest of the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel. Now it has advanced to ‘breaking down the fence’ along Israel’s southern border. From the onset his unrest has been incited by the terror organization known as Hamas which is also the official government of the Palestinian people living in Gaza. Hamas is encouraging their people to come to the fence to be martyred (killed) “until Jerusalem is liberated." But Hamas is not acting alone. Iran has been dutiful in prompting additional incitement by covertly providing Hamas with additional weapons to add to their already full arsenal of missiles.

Israel is now contending with a new form of weaponry called kite and balloon-terrorism. In fact, Hamas has formed an entire battalion dedicated to producing Molotov cocktails and formulating melting materials which sail on the wind over the border fence dripping fire all along their path igniting dry fields. This new balloon-terrorism has caused hundreds of fires, forty in just one day alone. Burning crops are bad enough for Israel but these fires are also wreaking havoc by melting the underground irrigation systems. Within the past few days, the Palestinians have elevated their evil minds to a new level of darkness. All animal rights activists and particularly PETA should take notice here. Hamas is now tying dynamite to the legs of captured birds (Falcons) and causing them to fly over the border fence. Once on the Israeli side of the fence, Hamas is blowing these birds to pieces causing destruction and horror. Not that long ago Hamas strapped dynamite to a donkey and sent it walking toward a group of IDF soldiers. When it got close enough, Hamas detonated the explosives killing the donkey but thankfully no soldiers. If the U.N. is not concerned about innocent Israelis being terrorized, perhaps they will take notice of terrorized wildlife and do something to stop this monstrous evil. If the shoe had been on the other hoof and it was Israel using animals in such a cruel way, PETA and other animal rights groups would already have Israel’s head on the world’s chopping block.

In a recent interview at the Gaza border I spoke with a member of a kibbutz which owns fields ripe with a harvest of wheat. During that interview I learned that drones carrying explosives and other incendiary devices are being flown from Gaza in an attempt to reach farms fields farther inside Israeli territory.

As resilient as Israelis are, the constant turmoil and bombardment by rockets, Palestinian infiltrators and kidnappers building and using terror tunnels, explosives tied to donkeys and birds and incendiary devices attached to kites and drones, all are taking a physical and psychological toll on the young and old alike. Rarely, if ever, will you read about any of this in mainstream media reports so I thought to describe a bit of what life is like for Israelis living along the Gaza border. In case you are wondering why they don't just pack up and move, it’s because vacating their homes and the land will only make way for the terrorists to move closer further infiltrating in to Israeli territory. Israelis living in the south are truly pioneers and they are the first line of defense helping to protect Israel from terrorist invaders.

On my last trip to Israel which ended two weeks ago I, along with members of my Israel Always team, had the opportunity to visit with a friend who lives in Sderot in the south of Israel. This tiny Israeli town is located close to Gaza and has suffered more than 10,000 rockets raining down on its people and land since the start of the first Intifada … 300 rockets landed recently in just three days. To give you a perspective, Sderot is relative in size to Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro combined. Together we sat on my friend's patio enjoying fresh fruit picked from his garden, homemade pastry and delightfully cold minted water for refreshment. As we sat discussing our families and world affairs, our ears were constantly tuned for the warning siren alerting us to incoming rockets and our minds were cognizant of the path we would run to reach the nearest bomb shelter. Observing this contrast between the appearance of calm and the turmoil brewing just below the surface reminded me of a duck gliding across the water. On the top the duck seems restful and at ease but just below the surface his little legs are paddling like a well-oiled race car. Sitting with my friend on his patio felt like we were waiting for the proverbial "calm before the storm” which is always on its way at any minute. My return to the States was brief. As I write this I am back in Israel. A cease-fire has been in force for the past two days which apparently was broken last night. No less than two dozen rockets had been fired into southern and northern Israel overnight. There is no telling what today holds. Few can understand the trauma and torment the people of Israel must face on a daily basis. Many ask what they can do. Please contact your congressmen and senators telling them you expect them to stand with Israel and the Jewish people. Contact the White House and tell President Trump that you appreciate his support for Israel and that you want to see pressure put on the U.N. to stop treating Israel unfairly holding them to a higher and different standard than any other country in the world. If the Palestinians want a state of their own, they must first prove that they are able to govern civilly and live in peace with Israel and value life, all life, more than they value death.

A nice day Journey

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

It has been a good week and Thursday was especially enjoyable. I had the opportunity to spend much of the day with friend, David Taylor who is visiting his east coast family in the Carolinas while his Manhattan apartment awaits his return after a month or so of travel.

I ask David what he would like to see, and his answer was one that I immediately understood. He said, “Anything, I love the journey” to which I said, left or right? Left was the answer and that’s the way we started our day's journey. Our starting point was Purlear, NC.

We were soon on highway 16 N and made our way up the winding mountain road with relaxing vistas along the way. As we were getting closer to Jefferson NC, I ask David if he had ever seen the Ben Long Frescos. He had not, so our first stop was at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Glendale Springs, NC.

We had a casual self-guided tour of the grounds, and then we went inside, and for the first time, David saw “The Last Supper” fresco by Ben Long. It is reported that approximately 50,000 people annually make that thought-provoking stop. There are many exciting stories about Ben Long, his students and the high level of interest in his fresco paintings at both Holy Trinity and St. Mary’s in West Jefferson.

After picture taking and conversation with others who had stopped just as we had, it was time to continue our journey. Our next stop would be at the Ashe County Cheese Factory in West Jefferson. These folks started making cheese in 1930 and have made a lot of people happy over the years, including dairy farmers and eaters of the cheese and butter produced at the cheese factory.

As it turns out, David has a cheese tooth, so I knew this would be a tasty stop on our journey. I know you can get just about any kind of cheese you want in Manhattan; however, it would not be common to find it within a few hundred feet from where it is produced. The sample bar had some of the best cheeses available including a delightful black label aged cheese that is more than a little good. Upon tasting David’s smile and extended hand for a second sample reviled he appreciation and approval.

We made our selections and stopped by the car to secure our treats in a small travel cooler. We were then off to find a place for a proper meal. As we walked down the street, we stopped and spoke with locals about restaurant recommendations. I then spotted the office of the local newspaper, the Ashe Post and Times. We went in and met some friendly people who know more than a little about word usage. They were kind enough to give a variety of recommendations on where we may want to eat. However, being the good reporters, they are, the information was shared with minimal personal commentary.

So down the street, we went and once at the corner of the decision, I looked at David and said, left or right. We went right and ended up at The Log Cabin restaurant. A non-assuming place with country cooking and good mountain southern hospitality.

We choose our table and soon realized that we were going to have the opportunity to enjoy more than a meal. A music in the round setup was getting underway, and I could tell that it was going to be a Bluegrass Jam and sure enough it was.

The group Jest Country and other friends come together every Thursday and Friday for a Bluegrass Jam. I noticed that many of the participants were veterans and the wall behind them was dedicated to honoring local veterans who have served over the years. I asked about the group's name, Sandy Johnson said that’s simple, we’re jest country folk. So, there we set, me, my friend from far away and local toe-tapping people. I felt at home. We had good food, friendly people, smooth music and a feeling that things were just fine.

As we walked away, we noticed a stature on the hillside with a pathway leading to the library. Midway up the hill we stopped for more pictures and rested on a perfectly positioned bench. We reflected on the day, David shared that it was one of the best days he has had in a long time.

As I thought about David’s words, I was reminded that we are indeed fortunate in the Carolinas.

We are often the producers of some of the best days in the lives of a lot of people, including our own.

Which way…left or right?

You can email Carl at [email protected] Carl White is the executive producer and host of the award winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In the Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its seventh year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte viewing market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturdays at noon. For more on the show visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com You can also catch episodes of Life In The Carolinas on Amazon Prime

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