A note from Carolyn

March 9, 2001

Hi,

I have rearranged the cabinets in the lounge. When it's your turn to be tea host you will no longer need the keys to access the supplies. The trays and pitchers are under the sink. I would like to remind you to wash them before putting them back. I found 5 or 6 trays which were returned with food still clinging to them. I'm sure you wouldn't return a dish to your cupboards at home after use without cleaning it. I have discarded most of the trays and covers.

The cupboard above the microwave has room for your food supplies. It also contains the plates, cups, napkins, and plastic ware. The support staff will keep these supplies stocked. Please let someone know if they run low. The baskets are also in this cupboard.

Thanks, Carolyn (sessoms@math.duke.edu)

A request from Carolyn

January 11, 2000

Hi,

I'd like to make a few requests regarding the tea supplies in the lounge.

I have repaired the lock and handle on the cupboard under the microwave. It is very important that supplies remain locked up. You would be surprised at the number of things that sprout wings and take off. I am constantly replenishing supplies and serving items/dishes. (Many of the serving items/dishes do not belong to the department.)

When you clean up after tea, please do not leave things out on the counter. We try very hard to keep the lounge from looking like a kitchen. Leaving things out on the counter makes it easy for someone to walk off with them. After you wash your serving dishes, please put them back where you found them. Please do not put dirty dishes in the cabinet and especially dishes with food in them. We are having bug problems.

If you notice the serving napkins need to be washed, please drop them off in my office or mailbox. I'll take them home and wash them. I try to keep up with them but may miss some needing to be cleaned.

We keep a cup stocked with plastic knives and two baskets stocked with forks & spoons. We try to keep them ready for use. This way you just need to sit the basket(s) on the table when you are fixing tea. Please don't empty the baskets to use for food. If the utensils run low in the baskets, please replenish with open supplies before opening new packages.

There are plenty of paper plates in two sizes and paper cups to be used for the teas. Please use open supplies before opening new ones.

If you have leftover food at the end of the week, I suggest you let the next tea host know and request they use it up the following week. If the next tea host would rather not use the leftovers, put them out on the table around lunch time and they will usually get eaten up. This will help keep the refrigerator & cabinets clean and empty.

I really appreciate your help in keeping the lounge area, refrigerator, & cabinets straight. Since these are not duties the housekeeping staff is responsible for, it usually falls to me or a member of the support staff. We have so much to do already and could use your help.

Thanks,

Carolyn (sessoms@math.duke.edu)