Hello from Sue Webster!
(one of the faces behind the Capon front desk that you might not know)
I am sure there are quite a few of you out there wondering – Who is Sue Webster? How did she get to work at Capon Springs? What did she do that lets her have chicken on the hill, moose track ice cream, smooth lump free potatoes, AND the French toast and bacon breakfast on a regular basis? Let me share a bit of what brought me to this position at Capon Springs…
My husband, Dan, came to Capon with his parents when he was growing up. In fact, he had the chance to hang out with Tom and Carolyn during his visits. (Tom has frequently shared his memories of Dan during those years!!) When Dan and I got engaged and starting thinking about a place to honeymoon, he thought that I would enjoy the simplicity, relaxation, and atmosphere of Capon Springs. So, after our wedding and reception on August 8, 1982 we drove here from Columbia, Maryland, arriving well after dark. It wasn’t until the next morning when I got my first view and sound of Capon – sound of the creek behind the Pavilion, music in trees, the inviting porches everywhere I looked, and the greenery and gardens all around the property. It didn’t take long to get into the Capon rhythm and enjoy the food, golf, Bingo, time to read a book, and most, importantly, the people. I guess you could say, the rest is history – we have been enjoying Capon during the second week of August ever since.
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to be asked to serve on the Capon Board of Directors as one of the non-family representatives. What a true privilege to give back to a place who meant so much to Dan and me! In February 2013 I retired from the Howard County Public School System in Maryland after 35 ½ years with 22 of those years as an elementary school principal. At that time the Board offered me the opportunity to work part time as the Transition Manager helping to guide the management team as members of Capon’s third generation began to retire. Throughout the 2013 season I left Dan at home watching our dog, Rascal, and came to Capon for several days each week. I listened, watched and learned a lot about how the weeks and months vary throughout the year in regards to pace, menu, activities, weather, and guests. In addition, each of the managers were incredibly patient with me as they helped me to understand the essential responsibilities, challenges, and hopes of each department or area.
With Pete retiring from his role as General Manager at the end of 2013, I was invited to return for the 2014 season to serve in this position. What a new experience to spend time at Capon throughout the off-season! A small building was winterized so that I could stay over on the property for a few days each week. Rascal came with me quite a few times, too, so he has come to enjoy all of the smells and sights that Capon offers from his perspective! He was quite fascinated by the plentiful deer we would often see on our walks.
It is no surprise that Tom, Ginny, Eddie, Jonathan, and Phil kept very busy while Capon was closed to guests. Besides all of the detailed work they do for their individual areas, we spent time talking as a management team about how we can plan for future transitions and gaps when other managers retire. We talked about how current responsibilities could be restructured to incorporate any members of the 4th generation of the Austin family or others from outside the family who would consider working at Capon. We looked at the trends seen in our guest counts over the years and reviewed what we were learning from those visiting our website and Facebook page. We discussed the feedback we received from our guests in 2013 regarding what they appreciate about Capon, what brings them back, and what they might like to see “adjusted” in this world of Capon where people return year after year because of the many things that remain the same. We identified new groups and other people who would benefit from hearing about Capon so they could enjoy it as much as you do. Are you getting the picture? The daily efforts of the managers and other co-workers who work during the off season were incredible!
What I have come to know and appreciate is that the managers and all of the Capon co-workers are as kind, knowledgeable, understanding, and fun to be around behind the scenes as they are when you see them! Thanks to their amazing work as well as the work of those who have been a part of the Capon family over the past 82 years, Capon Springs stands as a beacon for peace, harmony, and a simple, joy-filled experience for so many. It is a true pleasure and blessing to be a part of this marvelous place as a guest and now the general manager. I hope to get to meet and know many more of you over the months ahead as Capon is my home away from home for three or four days each week. Please feel free to ask for me if there is something that you would like to share – an idea, suggestion, kudo, or concern.
Part of my goal this summer is to gather as much information as I can from our guests and co-workers about how we can continue to make Capon Springs a strong and welcoming haven for future memory making.
I will close my first Capon message with the words of Robert G. Ingersoll: “The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here.”
Happy Day, Sue
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