March message from Eddie

         Spring has finally arrived and spring cleaning is in full swing.  The winter has continued the weather we had last summer and fall, temperatures up and down for short periods of time, wet with rain and snow, and the wind has caused several days of power outages.  The strange weather, I’m sure, has been a problem for all of you as well but I hope everyone is doing well now that warmer weather has arrived.
Our winter projects have been moving forward in spite of the weather.  The railing project on the front of the Main building, all three floors, is just about complete.  The updated railings are sturdy, correct heights, level and look nice.  Our long-time co-worker, Kevin Holiday, worked very hard on this project and did a nice job, thank you Kevin (If you look real close in the photo below you can spot Kevin on the 2nd floor!).   Most of you will never see the upgrades to the walk-in cooler in the kitchen but it was completely gutted, rebuilt and re-insulated and will last for years to come.   The freezing temperatures damaged several of the lengths of water lines that ran along the creek from the Pavilion to the Virginia Cottage. Therefore, they have been relocated and buried in the ground so they will no longer be seen, So just like last year’s removal of the pipes behind the Pavilion, once again, facility manager Gary Spaid has improved the view of the grounds!

          We have replaced carpet in about 25 rooms and painting is being finished in many rooms.  When you arrive for your visit this season notice the new flooring in the Main front entrance.  Bedspreads and curtains are being replaced in the Main building and mattress toppers are being put on several beds around the grounds to address guests comfort issues. Last year, we switched internet providers which improved our internet access by 100 percent in the Meeting House and Main Building.

This winter we switched over our office phone system to the same provider, HardyNet, and have gotten away from the unreliable Frontier Communications System.  The last few years we have tried some new meals and plan on incorporating some of those enhancements with your traditional favorites.  We will continue to incorporate our home grown beef and pork options along with our free range eggs into as many meals as possible.

Most of you know that we hired my nephew, Brian Brill, John Brill’s grandson, to take over operations at Capon.   I have been working closely with him this winter, bringing him up to speed on “all things Capon” and if he has questions he knows I am only a phone call away.  He has John Brill’s personality and smile so the ones of you that knew John Brill will notice that right away.  Brian wants to make sure guest needs are met and he will move Capon into the future with a good team of “younger”, enthusiastic group of managers and supervisors, many of whose Capon connections go back generations.

I will be working two days a week for the 2019 season but I am looking forward to connecting with as many of you as possible.  This shortened work schedule will allow me to spend more time with Ginny’s and my two grandchildren, Everett, 3 ½ and Lyla, 1.  We will all be taking our first summer family vacation in June!

Our opening weekend this year is Easter April 18^th and our full time open date is May 9^th, with our two open house dates of May 12^th and June 2^nd so I’m looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Eddie