DO
Joined: Sep 18, 2009
Posts: 11
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DO
The Volcano Restaurant's phone number was 293-3138 which spelled out AWEE 138.
AWEE means "Awhile" or "Awesome".
I met up with my sister-aka: The Volcano Girl recently. I have 2 of the tiki mugs that were used in the restaurant and another bar table ornament. Pictures forthcoming. I also have a few menus. I constantly look at the Winter Haven, Tampa area antique stores and thrifts for former memorabilia from the restaurant. I'm still looking for local resident owned Volcano treasures. My dad's secretary still lives in the area and I know of one server still here. Dad's secretary-bookkeeper, Ileen V., devoted herself to the job-amazing because she had a disabled husband. I understand that she herself has a medical problem. She would be about 70 to 74 years old.
My dad hired "Joe" as one of the chef's from the Kapok Tree Restaurant in Tampa. Joe worked a lot. He didn't complain. He was always there, it seemed. But he did take some time off to visit relatives ( a good thing ) and dad purchased his tickets home( wherever that was) I also have some of the music that was played in the restaurant. A favorite group was Buddy Canova. He still and performs in the area at a Greek/American Restaurant -Sea Flame- on Thursdays early evenings with Joni Canova. I'm going to see them this Thursday.
I'm not sure why the Tiki-Polynesian theme but suggest that the next door motel was similarly themed and a partnership was developed. They'd get to house the "Stars" that came to visit.I do know that the area restaurants worked together -at times- even though they were competitors-sharing kitchen help as needed. This was something that my father had encouraged. Even in his later years he did exactly the same in other business ventures forging strong business relationships. This is really genius if you think about how competitors can all profit, succeed together. Here's the kind of thought: A person I worked with boasted of me being the best to Senior Management- I would boast his expertise to Sr Mgt. We'd both get promotions. We did this for years and it just kept getting better. The Greek Restaurant owner I mentioned earlier, visits every table and talks to the guests of their news of family etc. Another form of service that most restaurants don't even consider. Walt Disney World's Polynesian Restaurant -The Luau- has some of those same treats. Chef Eugene will come out to visit the tables. Their best Luau Review was run by Shellie Randazzo whose husband was THE Teddy Randazzo- a writer of many recorded, award winning songs. I have not maintained contact with her since Teddy died -maybe 7 or 8 years ago. She was wonderful. A true talent. She is no longer with Disney. I'll post more later.
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