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Highlands Today

What Size Was That Again?

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By Norm Cukras | Highlands Today

Published: March 6, 2009

Have you noticed how many extinct words are working their way back into everyday conversations? Words like economize, budget, save and no, as well as brief phrases such as "just one" or "a small one please."

Fading from the scene faster that our savings are $5 cups of coffee and $1 bottles of water. People are finding that McDonald's premium roast bold coffee is pretty good and that free tap water may actually be good for you. Budgets are creeping into household planning and some mothers are actually learning to say, "No" as in, "No you don't need that."

Yes these changes in habit will have an impact on some businesses. But in the long run it may well be healthy for families that continue to fall deeper in debt with enormous credit card balances that continue to grow because of staggering interest rates.

This current faltering economy may bring with it an opportunity for individuals to rethink and readjust their lifestyles. This current faltering economy may usher back in a return of what was once called the "starter home." They were small affordable homes; homes that served as stepping-stones to larger ones that people moved up to if and when they could afford them. All the blame for the housing crisis cannot alone be put on the backs of the financial institutions, although irresponsibly many moneylenders simply gorged themselves on the inflated desires of the masses.
So now may be the time to sit down with grandma and grandpa and rediscover how things were when money was tight and spending was limited to the necessities of life.

An Economy Size

We ate at a chain restaurant recently. After studying the menu I asked the waitperson the difference between a regular and smaller version of one of the salads. She told us, "There's a big difference in size but little difference in price," a truly honest answer.

A Not So Economy Size

Ten years ago I wrote a review about what was probably the smallest restaurant in Highlands County. The eatery called the Sandwich Connection is now history and the 520-square-foot building that housed it sits idle at the corner of Park and Pine Streets, a quarter mile from the Circle. But its colorful owner, Bill (Dad) Mawhinney, 65, remains a part of the county food service scene.
I got a call from him earlier this week. He just took over the food concession at Carlie Lynn's Bar (formally Norma Jean's) out on U.S. 27 south of 98/66. This time his "Dad's" is featuring more than just sandwiches. He will be offering a full menu. One that features barbecue and flame broiled rib eye and New York strip steaks of just about any size that suits you. But if you still only want a sandwich there is a selection that even includes a burger Cordon Blue.

And standing along side of the cook master who says, "I'm tickled with what I do," is Liz, his wife and partner for the past 47 years.

Never one to be shy, Bill told me he would never compete in the annual 12-hours of BBQ at Firemen's Field, because he already knows his barbecue is the best. He also said he would be willing to compete in a Food Network style Throwdown with the other local steakhouses to determine who would be crowned the county's King of the steaks. Boy, I wouldn't mind playing the part of Bobby Flay in that contest.

Bill, who for a time drove tour buses, will be serving out of his mobile kitchen in his newest venture. The familiar rig serves hungry customers at local "street shows" as well as at the "Raintree Antique Mall."

"Dad's," which can be reached on cell phone number 214-4078, will be open at the Carlie Lynn's location only on weekends: Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. 'til 9 p.m. and on Sundays from 4 p.m. 'til 9 p.m. Bill also caters. Just give him a call and he'll fill you in on the details.

The Ultimate Economy

With all these requests for me to meet with representatives from the health insurance industry and financial planners it looks like I can go the whole month of March without having to put a strain my food budget.

Overheard

Overheard at the checkout counter: Even when we don't need it, we seem to develop a need for it.

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