Okay Bob, heres the scoop on Gandy, as that is where I was.
Those big fancy A/c systems were used during open meetings, but were only turned on after the hosing down of the floors and rearranging of chairs for open meeting was done. During this time most phasers were stuffed into the carpeted A-B-C rooms, without AC running. Executive rap before open meetings sucked in that hot ass room, while we knew main group was cooling down for the show.
We rarely ever saw in all the time I was there, the A/C's used except when parents or HRS/DCF was coming.
Daily living in Gandy. For a <3rd phase, day began crammed into plaster walled 10x10 intake rooms, 40 or 50 at a time, barely breathable air, for as long as it took to gather up enough 2nd phasers to watch the doors in main group. This could be as long as two hours or more in AM. Keep in mind that St Pete group had upwards of 400 kids at times.
Next, the food. Nice kitchen...god knows I worked in there enough as a low phaser. The finest kitchen matters not nearly so much as what ingrediants and love are mixed together. Beanie weanies, such a small small portion that I would get an eat shit and die look from a ten year old if I served it to him. Or soggy PB&J. Easy to cook cheap food. The nasty chilli on white bread was a common producer of the funk you smelled in group! Straight outta the can too. One time my dad donated over 200 pounds of steaks and prime burger meat from Cacatories (high end butcher and gourmet grocery in Tampa) for them too cook for us. We never saw a one steak, nor did the chilli have any real meat in it for a while. That would've taken work by the kitchen staff. I always wonder what happened to that meat. Bet staff ate great at home that month...
To drink was Solo institutional brand syrup based kool aid stuff. Mixed thick, it gave extra nutrition, but was so hypertonic that it sucked any extra (HAHA) moisture right outta the system. Too thin, and it tasted like nothing. Just right happened rarely. I think this was to "make us motivated". The one water fountain was off limits except after standing on long line for a 10 second drink after excercise rap. As an RN, I know what fluid requirements for people are. WE NEVER GOT ENOUGH. I used to get in trouble for "stealing" water in the shower at night. Another "motivational tool".
Outside raps...ha. Behind Gandy was Palmetto scrub. The palmetto fields and slash pines looked like a great place to have a rap. Happened once while I was there. A smart therapist running a group would have had us out there every night, as Florida sunsets over wild areas are beautifull and MOTIVATING.
Cant have that. Anybody who ran would've had REAL risk for Rattlesnake bite, and Florida kids all knew that, so most wouldn't have run anyway.
Kim Hyde was one FOS bitch. Tennis with Lurray Harbors ass maybe. Or Mark Gilleys head.
Blue chairs quickly replaced the pews from the old building. Smashed fingers became common.
No real medical care, no RN, LPN or Dr to do it right. Truly was amazing that it could even happen in a licensed facility....Thanks Mel S
The clinic was at back of group. I think I saw it used once for a girl who was really sick...shoulda been in an ICU, but was being a "jerk" and couldn't be allowed in hospital. No IV fluid support used, etc.
Our bathrooms were moldy, and dimly lit. The vanities had mushrooms growing under them from the moisture. Tampa is second to none (except maybe New Orleans) in terms of mugginess, so weird shit grows in bathrooms with no A/C and HUNDREDS of chillins using them. Pubic lice outbreak was fun in 81, for sure.
A fruity weird guy from Cincy on like 4th phase got to check us all by the balls to see if we had it. They lined us up and an untrained, unlicensed kid got to play with our parts and deem us Ok or not. No gloves, handwashing or anything between people either.
GIRLS WHO WERE THERE: did they treat you as badly that day??
Enough memory dump for now.
Bob, and others who missed the fun at Gandy, I hope you get a little picture now. Newton was another huge facet of our daily life, and his unpredictable ways could fill a book from my memory alone. I was there for his rise up exec staff, and saw insanity as he ran amok after PHd was added to his name and he published a book.
Bill Hadley
St Pete & Atlanta
12-80/12-82
