To say that weather during the first week of 2018 made life in this region miserable could be the greatest understatement of all time.
Beyond uncomfortable. Beyond annoying. Beyond exhausting. Things got downright dangerous.
At times like that, the most competent and unflappable people always seem to move to the forefront. They are the ones who handle perilous situations with ease. In times of chaos, they lead the way.
Last week could have been filled with disasters. The cold, wind and snow resulted in many emergency situations.
Although just one of many, the water main break in West Conshohocken paralyzed the area and was of prime concern to thousands of people.
One of the locations affected was the Merion Building on Henderson Road and Old Gulph Road in King of Prussia. It houses a number of medical offices. Suddenly, all of those offices were without water in the middle of a busy work day last week.
The situation required immediate action. Fortunately, the right person was in the building when water service stopped.
My wife, Candy, is a world-renowned expert … on the subject of bathrooms.
She knows the location, accessibility and cleanliness level of more bathrooms than anyone in the world.
Many years ago, on a vacation to Disney World with another couple, she was photographed entering and leaving public restrooms throughout all of the Disney parks. It was just the start of her acknowledgement as an expert on bathrooms.
Her expertise is not a result of a physical condition. She is just a tiny person, with a tiny bladder. And a penchant for preparedness.
In all travel situations, she is always one step ahead of any possible situation. She could write a book on the bathrooms of the world.
So, when the water stopped, making all of the restrooms in the Merion Building inoperable … she sprung into action. While other co-workers complained of the inconvenience, she picked up the phone and started investigating.
Her first call was to Chic-fil-A, located about a mile away on DeKalb Pike. All workers were getting extended lunch breaks and they needed to know the location (and operability) of the closest bathrooms.
Despite the fact that it was a busy lunch hour, our heroine did not waver in her mission.
Candy: “Hello, do you have water?”
Chic-fil-A: “Excuse me?”
Candy: “Are you open? Is your water on?”
Chick-fil-A: “Yes.” Click.
At that moment, her co-workers burst into laughter. They could only imagine the reaction on the other end of the phone line.
“Are you kidding me,” one of them asked. “That was like when you were in grade school and made prank calls. Hello, is your refrigerator running? Well, you better go catch it.”
Let them laugh. Somebody had to handle the emergency situation in the Merion Building … and all of the employees are lucky that a recognized expert was on the premises.
Undaunted by the chuckling, she continued to list alternative bathrooms along the 202 corridor.
The Giant supermarket. McDonalds.
When needed, she offered helpful tips.
Target, but it is a long walk from the parking garage. Wawa, but it is very busy and could be occupied. Stein Mart, but the bathroom is at the back of the store.
Shortly after the extended lunch break, everyone was sent home early for the day.
The next morning, the start of work was delayed until 10. Shortly after, water service was restored.
And, as operations returned to normal, everyone remembered the heroism of the World’s Greatest Expert on Bathrooms.
Tony Leodora is president of TL Golf Services, host of the weekly GolfTalk Live radio show on WNTP 990-AM and host of the Traveling Golfer television show — as well as editor of GolfStyles magazine. He is former sports editor of The Times Herald. Send comments to tlgolfservices@aol.com.
