Spring 2018 LOCALadk Magazine 57
LOCALadk
immediately "fell in love" with The Waldheim, she said.
Mar y Ellen wanted to get a job working there the following sum-
mer, and although guests were not typically hired as staff, she talked
the owners at the time, Howard and Wanda, into giving her a chance,
and she started as a member of the laundr y crew. Mar y Ellen even-
tually took on other roles, including head waitress and pastr y chef.
She and the other female staff bunked together in the main house.
For many years she worked the summers at The Waldheim and
has many memories, including "packing the big fr ying pan with po-
tatoes, onions, and tomatoes for the weekly picnic," she said. "How
many places like this can you find in the world today? " said Mar y
Ellen, who has come full circle and now returns as a guest. "I love
the fact there are no phones or televisions in the cottages. It gives
families a chance to really connect with each other. Over the years,
I've seen many children make friends with other kids, and by the end
of the week, they are cr ying because they don't want to leave," she
added.
