European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 14, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Training the retarded for food service jobs Byann Mcgrath associated press first there was the Apple doll House Tea room in Guilford conn., a Liny restaurant with a storybook name that challenged entrenched notions Hal mentally retarded people should to segregated irom the Resl of society. Thirleen years later a vocational rehabilitation organization has Gollen even bolder opening a 200 seat restaurant on a Busy Highway in the Middle of the Connecticut Mcsorl town of Madison. The Wood panelled Hob Nob operated by the parents of a mentally retarded teen Ager now has 15 mentally handicapped adults helping in the Kitchen and serving meals and eventually will have More than 30. The venture is one of the projects of the Shoreline association Lor retarded and handicapped citizens Sarah. The ultimate goal is to place the trainees in other people s restaurants says Peter Mcmanus. The association s director of vocational services. The new restaurant is in the same roadhouse on . Highway 1 where for 17 years James and Diana Morris operated another Hob Nob until they sold the business nine years ago they came out of retirement to operate the new Hob Nob out of commitment to Sarah and to their 17 year a d son John who is mentally retarded. James Morris a retired Pilot says he believes in Sarah s philosophy that the mentally retarded should be living and working among non retarded people. Everybody has to be pushed to their limit Morris says. Sarah got into the restaurant business in 1973 when it opened Iho Apple doll House which Tho organization s executive director Ted Bergeron says was the first restaurant in the country operated by developmental disabled people. We had hundreds of visitors come through the tearoom to pick our brains Mcmanus says. In 1978, Sarah also bought the country Squire inn in Killingworth. About 25 trainees from those restaurants now have jobs in other food service businesses Mcmanus says. A labor shortage in Connecticut helps rehabilitation organizations find Job openings. The idea of training retarded adults for food service jobs has caught on around the country. A number of major chains including Wendy s and the Marriott corp., have hired disabled workers and the National restaurant association strives to forge partnerships Between its members and vocational rehabilitation agencies of the 27,725 adults in the United Stales whose major disability was mental retardation and who were rehabilitated in fiscal year 1934,13.9 percent were trained in food and beverage service says Larry Mars a statistician in the . Department of education s rehabilitation services administration. He said the group was second in size Only to the 21 5 percent reported As entering sheltered workshops. Sarah also operates a number of other Small businesses in products and services such As landscaping firewood and Concrete. The Hob Nob will serve vegetables and herbs grown in Sarah gardens. In All Sarah businesses Are training 117 people full time and the organization supervises 67 in other jobs. I think we have broken Down the prejudices Here in the Community Mcmanus says. The country Squire was Only modestly successful Ted Bergeron at the Hob Nob restaurant App tulo because of its out of the Way location so the Morrisey were consulted about opening a larger restaurant in a More prominent location to replace the other two. James Morris says they had two problems to overcome the ordering and serving process could be too confusing for some trainees and a made to order Kitchen presents Many hazards. He says he suggested trying a fixed dinner menu permitting trainees time to work with the chef throughout the Day and serving customers family style. Serving is just a matter of carrying the stuff in Morris says. The Hob Nob also has an a la carte menu in an area staffed by non disabled waiters and waitresses. Eventually the Hob Nob will have a professional staff of 35, five or six Job Counselor for the trainees and 31 mentally retarded staff members. Mcmanus says renovations to the Hob Nob will continue to suit the trainees who May need special equipment such As push buttons instead of switches to do their jobs. Morris says the mentally retarded can learn Complex tasks it just takes them longer. Like my kid trying to tie his shoelaces Morris says. It s taking him a Long time. Slowly he s almost  Eft Mabom Beck with sexual promiscuity running rampant i could not believe a letter i received from a woman who said she could not get her coat hangers to reproduce. I know How much Success you be had and wondered How you did  she said. I be tried everything irom hanging Burl Reynolds on the Wall to spraying sexy perfume to hanging a Nightie from Frederick s of Hollywood on a Hanger. Nothing since you Are obviously a sex therapist for inanimate objects maybe you can Tell me your secret the future of my closet hangs on your answer " Good grief did t your Mother Tell you anything9 sexually Active coat hangers Are at their Peak when they Are in a Small closet the smaller the closet the better we once lived in an apartment with a closet so Small it could t support a Rod. Just two nails. Within a week the shortest gestation in the history of Coal hangers we had 37 of those Little suckers. Don t look for Fertility among Satin covered hangers or sturdy Metal skirt hangers with the clamps the Rich hangers that can afford to produce never do. It s the lower economic hangers like the wire ones that Bend Over double when you put a silk Blouse on them that Are bearing the ones Hal do Best in my closet Are the ones with no visible Means of support. The ones with the top made out of piano wire and the Bottom of rolled up cardboard i Call them one night stands they re totally useless but who has the heart to throw them out hangers left in cars do Well especially the ones that take lodging under the Brake pedal or Hook Over the seat Belt and Flap out the window. You have to know that hangers in Captivity never reproduce. You know the ones that Are welded to the Rod in posh hotels. I Don t know How it works but i think they re neutered when they affix them so you can slide them out of the Groove put your jacket on them and fit them Back into the Slot. Some people have tried to trick hangers into reproducing by installing Hooks and putting As Many As 26 garments on the Doorknob. Most coat hangers Are too smart for that. If you re looking for a Hanger orgy just open your closet and announce. I m moving next  you la get a population explosion you won t believe. I be told you All i know the rest you la have to gel from the Gutter. A los Ansewi time syn Catt Page 16 the stars and stripes monday september 14,1987