Scott’s Spot

BY SCOTT VAUGHAN

Hello all and welcome to the November edition of Scott’s Spot. This month’s edition will cover the usual short stories, photos and random observations over the last month.

This month, the spotlight will be on a short, heartwarming story from the Owen Arms Hotel which reinforces the importance of community and friendships that this industry thrives on.

REGIONAL MEETINGS

There was one Regional this month which covered the Adelaide Metropolitan area down at The Palais in Semaphore where we had over 100 members and corporate partners attend. A massive thanks to Steve and Bob Karpluk along with functions manager, Vicki Konnis, for hosting this event on a beautiful, October Spring day.

Bob, Steve and Vicki from the Palais with Mark Falconer from the Broadway Hotel jumping in with Johnny Giannitto from the Giannitto Hotel Group.

I’m sure by now, you’re all listening to the AHA|SA podcast, “Our Shout”. I have had the pleasure of interviewing hotel identities and recently met Damian Peterson, Publican at The Hotel Metropolitan. We had to start with a soothing ale before the hard-hitting questions were asked! We had a blast recording this podcast and thanks to Damian for being involved. Make sure you have a listen by clicking here (https://www.ahasa.com.au/latest-news/aha-sa-podcast-our-shout). See photo below with Damian.

Here is the touching story of long-term customer, Keith, in the words of Owen Arms publican, Cathy Gregory.

Keith - Owen Arms Hotel

Keith moved to Owen in 1992 and our family bought and moved into the Owen Arms Hotel about two weeks later.

Keith was an Englishman with a broad accent and bushy grey sideburns. He was also a loyal customer, regularly frequenting our hotel over three decades.

Obviously, you get to know a bloke pretty well over 30 years. He was a passionate Crows supporter, he loved soccer and was apparently pretty good at it when he was younger. He loved to read, he loved answering the questions on the Chase TV show, he loved West End Draught and he really did not like seafood or mushrooms.

As life goes…Keith got sick and very sadly after a short illness, he passed away. After his funeral in Balaklava the wake was of course at the Owen Arms Hotel, and later that afternoon the funeral directors drove the hearse to Owen, and everybody stood each side of the main road in front of the pub with a West End pint, saying “cheers” to Keith as he did his last drive by the hotel in the back of the hearse on his way to the crematorium.

A few weeks later, Keith’s brother came to the hotel and handed my husband a pale blue urn and said, “This is Keith.” His kids have a little bit of him each in a locket around their necks and he requested before he died that the rest of him had to come to the pub!

Well, this has never happened to us before, we were shocked and we didn’t really know what to do. We were sort of proud that he wanted to stay at the pub, but my husband said, “Where do we put him?”

I said to put him next to the TV in the front bar - he can hear the Chase clearly and he can watch all the Crows games. So that’s what we did.

We have a few concerns about what the protocol is when you take custody of a light blue urn…

If we sell the hotel, does he stay with the hotel or do we take him with us?

When we die, do we leave him to our kids?

Do we make him part of the lease agreement when we sell and list him as part of the plant and equipment?

These questions all remain unanswered but, in the meantime, he’s safe up there next to the TV in his blue urn, and if anyone wants to have a chat with him, they ask bar staff if he can come down and we put him on the bar, and they can have a beer with him and then he goes back up next to the TV.

This story is so beautiful and, frankly, put a tear to my eye when reading and compiling for this edition.

The below photo features a very good friend of Keith’s, Susie Rankine of Owen, having a beer with him, as she often does.

Can I stress that if there are any stories to tell - and there would be plenty - please let me know, as community and friendship within pubs is such a beautiful thing!

Finally, it’s time to farewell Phil and Maz Turner who are retiring after being publicans at The Marree Hotel for 10 years. Enjoy!

Following are a few snaps taken when out and about.

Until next time, bye for now.

Historic Sutherlands Hotel.

The one and only GM Andrew Tyson in the engine room of the Waikerie Hotel.

Publican Danielle from the Blanchetown Hotel showing the perfect pouring technique.

Random photo of South Australia’s Bedrock Water Ski Club. Located a few kilometres out of Blanchetown on road to Morgan in the backwaters off the Murray. Beautiful spot for all you slalom and jump skiers out there!

Looking up at the Islanders Tavern, Hindmarsh Island.