Travel with a Beveridge: The new dealers

Thursday, June 10, 2010

The new dealers

MEADOW LANDS, Pa. – Congratulations to my friend, Marilyn Dubrovich Bradley, who helped to make Pennsylvania casino gaming history tonight.

The Rostraver Township, Pa., woman became the 11th person ever in this state to receive a table games certificate before they open for the first time July 8. (The large class graduated in alphabetical order)

She is among nearly 200 new dealers who attended the first graduating class of its kind in the Keystone State at the Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Washington County, which has met with shining success since slots gambling opened there a couple years ago.

One of the casino's principals, Bill Paulos, delivered a boisterous speech before the Community College of Beaver County passed out the dealers' licenses.

"I always wanted to give a commencement address. I didn't realize I'd have to hire the entire graduating class to do it," Paulos said.

The new dealers will bring the total number of jobs at the casino on Racetrack Road to 1,700.

"The Meadows holds a special place in my heart. It's been a pretty damned good bet," Paulos said.

Bradley is a perfect fit for her new job as a blackjack and Baccarat dealer. She is attractive, has a friendly personality and loves to play cards.

It's too bad, though, the casino is dressing her and the other new dealers in uniforms that are better suited for a bowling alley than a graduating class that is this special.

1 comment:

MJ said...: Congrats to Marilyn. It seems like a lot of people in Western Pennsylvania are making history.; June 10, 2010 at 10:43 PM

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WELCOME TO NOWHERE

Scott Beveridge grew up in Webster, Pa., a village along the Monongahela River that experienced one of worst environmental nightmares in the United States. His family moved there in 1960 about the same time the nearby zinc and steel mills ceased production. Those mill furnaces were to blame for the damages that awoke America to the dangers of air pollution. After their demise, the grass and trees began to return to the barren landscape that appeared as if it belonged on the moon. His short stories about that adventure appear under these links: Introduction: The warning signs were there

Part 1: Where the houses turned black - The murders killed our reputation - Steel wives were desperate - A cantankerous boom town - Dying for fresh air - A railroad to disaster

Part 2: Bad boys of Webster - The seedy side of town - Swept out the door - A storm was brewing - The search for plant life - Little hope for Donora - Another mill folds

Scott sends dirty clothes home when on the road

If you are like him when you travel, your clothes seem to take up more space in your suitcase after you have worn them. Take a tip from Scotty and mail yourself a package home filled with those dirty socks, underwear and T-shirts after you have been on the road for five or six days. You can buy a box and enough postage at the post office for less than $15. Postal workers seem to get a kick out of the idea, and they will even help you fold your box and tape it closed, too. Seek out a post office in a small town, where the workers have more time to gossip, while driving to a tourist destination. Now, you have room in your carryon to cart home your souvenirs, without having to worry about them getting broken or flown to St. Louis when your switchover is aiming for Pittsburgh.

He also hates road warriors; prefers to chill on down time

The successful traveler packs a personality blessed with patience and some understanding of the road.

Scott says do everyone a favor and STAY HOME if you are an anal retentive, control freak who spends far too much time complaining about life. When traveling, folks always take the risk of flight delays and cultural misunderstandings, or having companions who don’t wear watches or luggage and could land in Macon, Ga., when they are flying to Istanbul.

So keep a book or two in your carryon in case you are stuck in the airport in Haiti while rebels are burning tires in the streets and preventing the pilot from reaching the cockpit of your plane. That bag should also carry any prescription drugs you need, deodorant and toothpaste, along with a toothbrush, clean pair of underwear and T-shirt.

When you arrive, please don't linger in your hotel room. Go outside to meet interesting people. You can sleep when you get home.

Always take a moment to sit down and remove your shoes, like the old man in Hanoi, who is shown in the above photograph at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

And before you fly overseas, please check with the U.S. Department of State to find out which countries hate Americans the most.