Back in December, I enjoyed performing in Creative Outlets production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Milton House. This was my fourth year with this troupe and was, by far, the coldest. The early December cold snap landed on all of us with a vengeance. So, you ask, “What’s the big deal? It was December and we live in Wisconsin.” So true, but the temps were particularly bitter. My point?
Just this. As those who have attended this special Milton production of Dickens’ magnificent work know, some of the scenes are staged in the Milton House proper, some in the stable, and some outside. This makes this Milton House show particularly special. However, the incredibly low temps posed significant challenges for audience and actors’ comfort in the stable and outside scenes.
We stave off the cold in the stable – a totally unheated historic building – with several patio heaters. A responsibility I have assumed is to ensure that we have enough propane supply to keep the heaters going during rehearsals and performances. In prior years this was relatively easy but not so this year.
During the day on December 12 as I was stocking shelves (feeding Milton as I like to call it) at “The Pig”. I realized that, with the brutal temps, we did not have enough propane tanks to keep ahead of our need for the evening performance. Certainly, a problem to be solved but, in my mind, I turned it into a major kerfuffle. Oh, what to do?
As soon as my shift was completed, I checked in at Hometown Ace and sought advice from supremely customer service-oriented Paul. As always, he provided great information (as do my other go-to people there clearly making Ace the “Place” for my hardware challenged orientation). However, there was not a solution quickly at hand there. I let this greatly exacerbate my already established kerfuffle. Paul, true to form, but almost in passing, did provide the solution. He asked, “What about trying to borrow some tanks? Duh! I had myself all worked up (I was under a tight deadline) and totally forgot the very heart and nature of this community I love so dearly.
The solution > three texts, three quickly returned phone calls, and I had eight propane tanks at my disposal which I was able to gather within thirty minutes. My self-manufactured kerfuffle was solved.
Why should I have not realized right from the start that Milton could and would serve me? Many thanks to Paul – demonstrating once again that Ace is the Place whether for product or advice. Many thanks also to neighbor Jim Lyke and to sons-in-law Tom Murphy and Leif Sykora.
Kindness abounds in our community and certainly showered me that day. After all WE ARE MILTON!
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