Barmaids: Trials and tribulations
By VICKI WARREN
For the Collegian
The State College barmaid does more can treat as they please." she said. ...
than just wait on tables. Arrffed with "HI lake so much, then I just let them
onlv a trav and a wet rag. she also must have it. A light punch in the arm or a
protect herself from her customers. slight dig with mV fingernails. If things
“The trouble wdth this job is that you get too bad. I'll go to the bartender, but
get customers who somehow think a he's usually so busy that I hate to bother
woman is less than human, and a bar- him," Riedmond said,
maid should be scourged from the Alongi with problems from individual
earth,"j;aid Kathy Domenig. a barmaid customers. Redmond said crowd size is
atthePhyrst. another (factor barmaids must cope with.
“Phyrst regulars know how to “This place gets packed., and everyone
behave." she said. “They should. is here jo dance and have a good time,
they've heajjd me complaining * They just don't want to move to let you
But' sometimes; especially near the end through! All I can say is that my coor
of the term, we get people in here who dination has improved 100 per cent and I
are just plain uncooperative. They walk have this new balancing act that Ido
in and'go 'oh. a barmaid' as if they with a pitcher in either hand."
haven't seen a woman for years. They
drive me nuts
Domenig said she has limits on how
manv hassles she'll take, and when she
reaches those limits she starts spilling
drinks in "strategic places."
Sandie Collins Redmond, a barmaid at
the Brewery, said she also must deal
with uncooperative crowds.
"Some guys come in -here really
ri.ow KKS. like those inn-uses. soon will hi* blooming in more than 20 areas on
i anipus
May flowers
Flowers to repeat their spring act
By C.VnIVCIJ’OI.I.A
Collegian Staff Writer
About a.(MH) flower bulbs all around
campus are wailing lo show their true
colors ,
II voif look closely. you ean see the
lirsl signs of life— small green tips of
leaves, stalks, and buds protruding
through the beds scattered throSghout
campus
Hut in a few weeks, weather per-
full array of daffodils, tulips,
and crocuses will decorate over 2U areas
on campus.
According to Jerry Boyles, manager
ol personnel and training for Penn
Stale's physical plant, these bulbs
repeat their performance year after
\ear '
•These bulbs multiply, too." headded.
"Knee every three or four years they
have tpbedug up and thinned out."
Boytts said this is done by breaking off
the smaller bulbs that grow on the sides
of the bigger ones. "You gain bulbs
rather than lose them." he added.
Cold weather often slows down the
growth of these bulbs "This gear’s
flmvers came up a little bit but became
swmied when the weather turned cold."
Bmles said, j
Ijowever, he added. 4hev rarely die
unless the weather gets very cold. He
estimated that the flowers could survive
30 degree weather
“If we get warm weather within a
week, they’ll start lo bloom soon."
Boyles said. "They'll reach the down
sifie of their cycle around the middle of
May."
But then, annuals such as petunias,
geraniums, asters, and carnations will
be ready to take their place
-We like to plant a lot of ground-cover
things like coleus," Boyles said, “and
plants that produce colorful masses
of flowers." A lot of petunias are
planted because they are easy to take
Collegian living
the
daily
loaded and think because I work here
that I'm some kind of nonentity that they
Joan Jodon, a barmaid at the My-O-
.Vlv* said crowd size there varies
depending on who the dancer is that
evening!
“Things are real bad when Misty is
here. She's this beautiful blonde who
dances on the floor and the men just line
up 10 deep along the bar and won’t
move " *
Zeno's also has a problem with
care of and produce lots of blooms
during the summer, he added.
When the daffodils, tulips, and
crocuses begin lo die. their stalks’and
leaves will be cut and the annuals will be
sow r| in their beds. Boyles said.
"Spme of the annuals will he almost
grown when they are planted." he ad
ded "We grow some of them in
greenhouses and buy others "
Boyles said a landscape architecture
division within the physical plant office
engineers the planting of all the flowers.
"Thfcv plot things out and decide where
the flowers will look best-how many will
be planted, and whether they will be
multicolored or the same color. "
The cost of the plants is relatively
sirujll because they are bought in such a
big [quantity. Boyles said "It would be
cheaper if we could grow all the annuals
from seed." he added.
However} he said, facilities for
growing more annuals by seed would
eosjl far more than the cost of buying
them from a nursery.
is the real cost." Boyles
said. "A bed must be weeded frequently
tojnakeit nice."
Money for the flowers' planting and
upkeep is provided in the regular budget
from the State, he said In addition,
landscaping is included in General State
Authority contracts for new buildings.
Ajlumni donations for camfeus
beautification provide the rest. ”
’ "Some people criticize us for spending
rrtoney on> flowers,” Boyles said, ‘‘But
they really do add something to the
University. When you see a pretty
fiower bed, it really makes you feel
good."
; So. when the bulbs begin to bloom in a
few weeks, follow an old saying and
f'take time to smell the flowers." But
.don't pick them! According to Police
Services, flower kidnappers will be
fined.
crowds. Barmaid Diane Mannig said,
“It get’s so bad in here that thepeopleat
dhe back tables just stand up and scream
‘ I want a pitcher,’ but I can’t get to them
without spilling half of it on the way. ”
Mannig said thelcrowd situation, would
be bearable if it weren’t for the fact that
“you get beat and. still, don’t make any
money." 1
“I make a dollar an hour working from
fi to 2 or 9 to 2, which means I’m
depending on tips in order to .make out,
and they’re just nonexistent,” she said.
Most of the other barmaids in town
agreed.
Susan Goldberg, a barmaid at Harry’s
Downstairs, averaged about the highest
of the barmaids questioned in tips.
Explaining her success, she said, “Part
of the reason is that barmaids also serve
food, and when we work 6 to 2 we get a lot
of businessmen and they have the money
to tip.
."This bar is probably the best as far as
money goes f " she added. “The only real
problem I have is that I’m really into the
women's mbvement and there is so
much sexism you have to put up with if
you work in a bar."
If working 4n a bar is so undesirable,
why is there a steady stream'of women
ready to do it? 1
Mannig said it’s a simple case of,
economics.
"Zeno's employs quite a few new
people, just about a new girl a week
sometimes. We get some that come in
and only last one night, but it’s not so
bad. When I first started, I really liked it
and il is a good way to meet people,” she
said.
The Scorpion is another bar with a
Food stamps available for needy st
A University student, now receiving food stamps as
part of a three-man household, says he and his room
mates had been in a financial bind but had not realized
they were eligible for food stamps.
"We had enough money for rent and to get other bills
out. We even had enough for food. We were managing
but things were[ getting a little tight,” the student, who
prefers to remain anonymous, said.
According to Margarot Attinger, income main
tenance supervisor for the Centre County Board of
Assistance, said this student’s situation is typical.
Most students don’t believe they qualify for the food
stamp program if they receive at least partial support
trom their parents, Attinger said.
Attinger said as long as the applicant’s monthly net
income does not exceed the limit corresponding to his
household's size, he can qualify for the program.
However, net income does not simply imply wages
earned, she said. In the student’s case, it includes
scholarships, educational grants, fellowships, veterans’
benefits and ; loans ’which are not repaid until
graduation, she said. Material objects such as cars and
stereos also are included.
But these limitations are often offset by deductions
lor tuition and for medical expenses over $lO, Attinger
said Also included are rent and utility payments over
:i(> per cent of the net income after all other deductions
are subtracted, she said.’
Attinger said she wishes more students would apply
lor food stamps because many of them need them. She
said her office will conduct an application drive in
April.
Photo by Julie Ctpolla
The students on a whole are marvelous," she said.
Naturalists shun chemical additives
'Conservatives' depend on ‘natural foods
In an era where truth in packaging is a
big issue, natural food lovers aren't
taking any chances
According |to Andy Millar at the
Dandelion Ajarket on Beaver Avenue,
ahout half of their customers have a
total diet of; natural foods, which are
grown and prepared without chemicals.
_ "The people who come here are
conservative." said Jon Rosenthal,
another worker at the market. “There
are liver '3,t)t)o chemicals in the
processed foods we eat. People who eat
processed foods are radical, because
natural foods are proven to be safe and
processed foods are still new."
The store offers’a variety of natural
foods, including herbal teas, dried fruits,
organic vegetables and eight different
kinds of flour that are ground fresh
every two weeks. ,
Millar said many customers are
students, but most of the real natural
good lovers are non-students. “Students
usually don’t buy the grains, beans, and
flours because they don’t do that much
cooking,” he said.
Millar said a few of their customers
have become so accustomed to natural
foods that they can’t eat processed
foods. “A couple of our customers have
ah allergic reaction if they eat processed
cheese." he added.
"The food you eat affects the way you
are," said Millar, who has lived on
natural foods for four years. “Natural
foods are better for you than processed
foods.”
Although packaged natural foods are
more expensive, Rosenthal said making
them “from scratch” is; much less ex
pensive than buying processed foods.
For example, he said, graham crapkers
can be made in less than half an hour for
about 35 cents a pound.
“I do all my own cooking and buy
nothing processed," Rosenthal said. “I
By CRAIG DUNLAP
Collegian Staff Writer
By CATHY CTPOIXA,
Collegian Staff Writer
large turnover, according to Lisa
Morgan, bartender and barmaid who
works under the name Assily Nagram.
“Personally, I’m only in it for the
money," she said, “and I prefer working
behind the bar. There is something real
secure about having that wood separate
you from your customers. When the new
girls come in I tell them this, too. But
they have to find out for themselves
whether or not they are suited for the
job.”
Domenig said determination and the
ability not to take things personally are
two qualities a barmaid should have.
“One good thing is that every night is
different and you probably won’t have to
face the same people again,” she said.
Jodon could not find anything good
about working as a barmaid.
“Nothing surprises me, nothing
bothers me, and there isn’t anything I
like about working here,” she said. A
dancer at the My-O-My six years ago,
Jodon returned last year and has worked
as a bartender, secretary and waitress.
"The management is nice,” she added.
Goldberg said another benefit of the
job is that her math has improved. “You
have to be able to add, subtract, divide
and multiply under the most adverse
conditions,” she said.
Domenig is learning to read lips,
because “it’s impossible to hear when
the band’s playing,” she said.
All of the barmaids seemed to think
the hours were one nice aspect of the job,
with most working only four hours a
night.
Except Redmond, who said, “I
wouldn’t advise anyone to become a
barmaid, it’s wrecking my marriage.”
They usually come in and report such things as changes
in income within the 10-day deadline, Attinger said.
After learning that some of their friends received food
stamps, the three students previously mentioned went
to Bellefonte to apply as a household in December. “We
wanted to see what the story was." one said.
After they and their parents filled out the necessary
forms, they were told in January their $l6OO total assets
was $lOO over the limit for a household of three.
In February, the students reapplied because they had
less money in their checking accounts and one of them
had spent most of his Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Agency loan. . .
"The next week, we received a food stamp check for
$l2O in the mail, totally by surprise,” one said. “We
didn’t think we were going to get it, to tell you the
truth." They had to pay $l6 for their monthly allotment,
he said.
"When we went shopping, we didn't spend more than
we normally did," he said, "but we had enough money
left over" to live more comfortably.
They said they still buy a few luxury items such as ice
cream and cookies. “There's no reason why we
shouldn’t get the same foods we normally get with
cash," one student said.
"We’re really not living super-high." his roommate
said. “When we figure our budget every month!, things
are still as tight as ever and we wonder what we would
do without thefood stamps."
Another roommate said the food stamp allotments
"are adequate if you're not extravagant." He said hot to
buy expensive meats or desserts like ice cream and
cookies. “You have plenty of money if you buy the
essentials," he said.
The roommates said they occasionally run into op
position when they use them.
even make my own sauce and can it. It
can be made in bulk and frozen."
According to Millar, (he beans, peas,
and flours appeal -to people who like
creativity in cooking. "It's a lot cheaper,
but it takes more time," he added.
Many students prefer dried fruits and
natural food sandwiches which are made
every day, Millar said. One type of
sandwich, called a "Bean-ahoy with
chips." consists of vegetarian sausage,
carrots, cheese, corn chips, and three
kinds of beans rolled in cornrrieal and
lippgd with a mixture of catsup and
yogurt.
.. Although, according to folklore, each
type of herbal tea has medicinal
properljes. Millar said the Food and
Drug Administration does not allow
them to be_sold ascures.
He said some people use these herbs as
salves to be applied to the body. For
example, myrhh can be made into a
paste and applied to bleeding gums.
Aloe Vera powder, from the plant with
the same name. can. be used to soothe
bums and soften the skin, Millar said.
Vitamen E ointment, which supposedly
helps the skin, contains this ingredient.
When brewed into a tea, the herb
lobelia supposedly cures pinworms,
Millar said. Hops, which is used in
brewing beer, is supposedly a good
sedative.
Other people buy the herbal teas just
because they enjoy the taste, Millar
said, adding that each one tastes dif
ferent.
Rosenthal said many people have a
negative stereotype of natural food users
as “food faddists.”
"One definition of ‘food faddist’ is
anyone who eats molasses, yogurt, or
wheat germ,” he said,."But something
like refined sugar has no nutritive value
compared to these foods.”
"We’re just conservative food eaters
who depend on nature,” he said.
A weekly look at life in the
University community
Two more beers
STATE COLLEGE BARMAIDS say that their jo
picture above.
JOE ROSENTHAL AT THE DANDELION MARKET measures out some natural
Hour, which is ground fresh by a miller e\en two weeks. According to Rosenthal,
cooking with natural foods is both healthy and economical.
s is a far cry from the stereotyped
One said that once
when “this guy beh
at these kids getting
welfare
they were at thecheck-oul counter
nd us mumbled to his friend. ’Look
, food stamps. Boy.jl hate people on
ghtened college students have the
roommate added. “Thev saw ’Oh.
"Even these enl
same opinions." a
those people on wel
connotation to most]people
But they said they feel the value of the stamps is
worth the nasty looks they sometimes receive from
others.
(iarret Fi<*ld (9th-hiologv t also believes the stamps
are worthwhile. He and his two roommates have been
receiving $122 per month since mid-January
Field said their allotment covers their needs
adequately. “We’re still economical We still get the
same amount." he said, adding that they buy few
luxuries
Hul these newly-found incomes may stop abruptly at
any time. According to AUinger. a new food si amp law.
which was to have gone into effect Jan. 10. would
disqualify any recipient receiving at least half of his
income from his parents or named as a dependent
Attinger said the previous ruling is still in effect in
Centre County because her office had not received any
directives on how to administer the new law. She said
the new ruling probably would affect many of the 800
students now allotted stamps
One student said the new law would disqualify him
"My parents pay for my tuition and I pay for room and
board and other expenses. I am a dependent. There's no
doubt about it." he said
He said being disqualified definitely would place an
added burden on him "Right now. with the increased
electric bill and lack of income, I don't think any of us
could make it without food stamps "
Friday, April tl, 1975—5
dents
Food stamps have a negative
Phaio by Sob Hersch