September 15, 1999
Workers still on the job after 31 years at the Park Place Hotel
Carol South
Herald contributing writer
They are local landmarks at a local landmark.
Charlie VanLuven and Carroll Cady are each a fixture in their own right at the Park Place Hotel, both having been employed there since 1968. For the past 31 years each, they have helped the hotel run smoothly and kept the thousands of guests and diners that come through every year happy.
As dishroom supervisor, VanLuven is master of his domain, which he just happened to design in 1976. Outlasting seven owners and several fires - including one when the west wing burned in the early 1980s - VanLuven nearly retired a few years ago but he just cannot stay away. The Park Place is his second home and he even takes banquet sheets home with him to help plan resources and comes in on his days off to help set up.
VanLuven supervises four full-time employees, either four or five part-time employees and 3,000-plus pieces of silverware and thousands more plates, saucers, cups, bowls and pitchers. Rinse, wash, dry and stack, he and his crew can clean the dishes for a dinner serving 600 in two hours.
"This is the nerve center of the building," said VanLuven, a native of Sault Ste. Marie who in the past has worked in road construction and as a builder on the Mackinaw Bridge. "Dishes are the most important part. Most people wear gloves doing this work but I can handle it with my bare hands."
For his boss, executive chef Jim Buck, having an employee with such motivation, knowledge and reliability makes for one less headache in a high-pressure job.
"Charlie does a great job for us," Buck said, noting VanLuven never takes sick days. "He knows all the functions and how everything works."
Cady started in January of 1968 as a snow shoveler. Just 16 years old, he worked part-time in outdoor maintenance until he graduated from Traverse City Senior High School. He then came onboard full time and on rainy days he helped clean the hotel inside.
In 1975, he became a banquet set-up supervisor, which means that any gathering including a meal he helps set up dining tables, chairs and serving tables and also pours coffee and serves dinners. Some days find him clocking in at midnight to set up for a large breakfast. A meal serving 500 will take his crew 5-6 hours to set up in the Dome.
"It's a long, hard job but I enjoy it," Cady said. "You've got to enjoy your work and the people you work with to last this long. I get along with everybody and know most people."
Looking back at the three decades that flew by, Cady seemed surprised to still be at the Park Place Hotel.
"I didn't expect to be here this long," Cady said. "I thought I would someday go to college but it never happened. I just kept with it and have been here through good and bad."
With the Park Place being a big, posh hotel in town, both VanLuven and Cady have seen their share of celebrities come through. VanLuven recalls times when the guest list included former President Jerry Ford, Paul Harvey, Ann Landers, Dr. Joyce Brothers or Dan Rather.
"I've worked events for several governors," VanLuven said.
In all his years, Cady has also seen celebrities come and go. He has acquired just one autograph, that of Jim J. Bullock, an actor in the sitcom Too Close for Comfort.
"I also had lengthy conversations with Pat Paulson and met Buddy Epson," Cady said.