For those of you who have told me you enjoy reading a bit from me, this is for you.  For those who have not read my previous bits, you may not know about the buzz at the club.  It has been so long since I have written.  First of all, I am not Danish.  I am from Saskatchewan, but thankfully the Danes welcome everyone.  I am Scottish and Irish on my Dads side, and all German on my Mothers.  It’s not my fault.  So why have I been at the Danish Club for nine years (minus my brief escapes)?  The answer is easy, but with me there is a short answer, or a long story.  Today is a short chapter.

A few years ago I was asked to write on the DCC website and it would be called Ali’s Buzz.  I said no thanks; then no again a couple of times.  Linda and Trond would not take no for an answer, and so I wrote a bit of “buzz”.   At the time they were working on the DCC website with help from their web-son Kris.   (They have now opened up Redheads Bagel Cafe down the street from the DCC, so you must check out that website to see why we don’t see them as much anymore).  It is now our Danish Club money man Chris who is the webmaster. Do you like it? Leave a comment.

Why Ali’s Buzz?  Well, it is known by some that I am in love with the Honey bee and that I am a bit of a beekeeper.  So, I can teach you a bit about bees and fill you in on a little buzzing at the Danish Club.  Really, the truth is I am just a waitress who keeps trying to escape the Danish Club and the bees are my cover story. 

I left Calgary once again with stubborn thoughts of never returning to the Danish Club. I wanted to get back to Saskatchewan, once again and work with the bees. “Saskatchewan”, you say?  Cold, snow, grasshoppers, Roughriders....yes!  I know what some of you are thinking.  “She must have had one too many bee stings that caused swelling to the brain”.  So, many months later; a few farms later; a few farmers later, and of course several “stings” later; I was back.....at the DCC once again.   Then last year I went to Vernon for the summer, trying to escape once again.  I even painted my truck black and yellow.  “You will bee back”, everyone said, as I was leaving for the third of fourth time in nine years.  I was sure I would never come back to Calgary, and we know I am always right!

Once again I headed off toward the western sunrise all alone on my journey.  I drove away in my little yellow truck .  Nothing would keep me from bee-ing adventurous; not even my tears.  Everyone was encouraging, and some probably had their fingers crossed that maybe this time I would fly away for the last time, never to bee seen again.  But, as life tells us when we think we are always right...”ah ha.....not so fast”!  I have actually moved 4-5 times in the last year.  Swelling is one thing, outright brain damage is another. So here I am at the Danish Club again; almost like I had never left.   Many of you ask me about the bees, but it is not easy to talk bees when I am a really a waitress. 

So what makes the Danish Club, and what makes me keep coming back?  Peter had the building painted yellow.  Seriously though, it is the welcoming I receive when I come back.  Maybe that is why I keep leaving.  I am overwhelmed with the welcome at the Danish Club.  A friend of a Dane is a fortunate friend.  They helped me paint my truck yellow and laughed with encouragement.  They are the friends who give you gentle advise or akvavit, even when you don’t want it.  They are the friends who at any moment willingly put their own time on hold to give it to you.  I have seen it time and time again throughout my years at the club.  They are kind and fun. 

Ole and Christian invited me out to their amazing plantation and with the help of Jorgen, Jill and Denis; I did not lift a finger.  I did bring to my hosts a contribution of Akvavit and Gammel Danske, thanks to my inside club contacts.   Danes love any reason to drink, eat, laugh, and bee a good friend.  

Really though I have to admit the real reason I keep coming back has nothing to do with the building being yellow and black.  The real reason is that I am in love. 

I am in love with all of the men in the Naver  Club.  Ok.... get serious.  I am.  These men are second to none.  Harry, Bent, Christian, Ole, Klaus, Jorgen, Dennis, Kris, Teddy, Svend, and the other Svend, and the other guy Svend.  Hans, and the other Hans, Karl, and the other Carl, and the other two Karls. There is Jens, Niels and Ivan, Jens and Jens, Kaj, Wagner, Torben and Alf.  Eric, the other Erik, Bill, Gert, and of course Wilke.   Gunnar , Knud, George, Mogens, Per, Per, and the other Pair!  And who could forget Keld, but I am sure I have left someone out.  They have the hearts of good Viking blooded men, and I am in love with all of them.  They have been good to me and have taught me about friendship and about love for....gammel dansk.  Thank you for always welcoming me back with your smile.  You are part of the heartbeat that just keeps me coming back. 

I have realized that no matter how easy a Dane is to get along with, you don’t want to challenge them when it comes to their passion for food and drink, or sometimes politics.  They give us tips on what really matters in life, especially when you listen to Table #10. This is where we get our best tips!  At any given time you might hear Mike or the other Mike, or Kurt, Otto, Ole and Dennis. Sometimes we see John; the other John , or Big John (but I will leave that John out of this, as he owns table #15).  Did you know that the table #10 guys own this table?  Yes, they have paid for it over the years; just ask Ole, or the other Ole.  (Really there is only one Ole).

The Danish Club is a large family of friends.  I feel thankful to know that some of these friendships will see me through the rest of my life.  If good food, laughter and happiness is something you are looking for, you will find another home here.  I don’t even like Calgary.  I don’t like living downtown.  I just like the Danish Club people. 

The truth is I am in love with lots of other people in the Club.  Sorry, I will not change names to protect the innocent.  For instance there are the “Pole Dancers”, as Jack has named them.  They meet at the club regularly to “Line” dance and chat over coffee.  They are a small group of women who make a lot of noise and laugh a lot.  We often get a good giggle.  (Maybe sometime we will get to meet Richard). 

Friday is a great day for standing reservations like Harry and the Boys, the Friends of Otto, Marlene and the Girls, or Dick and his group.   A standing reservation is what you will get on a Friday if you didn’t make one.  The Seafood Buffet brings in the big and little fish.  Drink a Tuborg and a little Akavit, and everyone gets a little brain food.   Just ask Bill, or the other Bill.  Are they Danish?  Friday evening is our unbee-lievable Prime Rib Buffet, and with it comes the crowd of Grethe and the gang and Ole’s table #10 Nation.  It’s all good fun.

On Saturdays we see many different faces.  It’s great to see the small children, and big children who love the Danish Club Brunch.  If you haven’t experienced this yet, you are missing out.  Peter and Besh don’t do anything half way.  The food is so delicious, and you will have a “ball”.   Some people have become addicted; it is obvious.  On Saturdays we have the pleasure of serving Didi and Kurt who often come in mid afternoon after brunch has quietened down.  They always make me laugh with their gentle humour toward each other, and such a pleasure to serve.

We have some wonderful customers.  We have everything from wine-o’s  to  wine-ers;  drinkers and diners, but we don’t have weiners  .  We have a red wine Dennis, a Traditional Dennis, and a Carlsberg Dennis.  We cannot forget to mention Heinz.  Is he Danish?   Then there is the lovely couple that I cannot remember their names, but we have several of them, like Irene and Peter.  Another Peter!  Some are Danish, some wish they were.  We love to serve the unforgettable Ellyn and Tom, although I sometimes do forget.  Now how does that happen?  One too many bee stings you say? 

Note:  It is important to call if there is a change to any reservation, and if we don’t have you in the reservation book it is probably because you gave the reservation to Peter.  However, Peter does not make mistakes, not even with an omelette; so just remember it’s All Good! 

On Tuesday evenings or Wednesday mornings we see all the crib players.  We will serve them in a flurry of food and drink, and everyone gets separate tabs!   Where else can you get service like this?  (Almost unheard of in this industry).   We have become quite talented with the cribbers.  They keep us whipped into shape.  They made us what we are today...CRAZY!  Actually, we love the crazy cribbers.  They really are the heart of the Danish Club, so join them if crib is in your blood.  It is a privilege to serve people like Karl and Irene, Tina and the girls, Else, Arne, Don, Lynn, Leif, Jorgen, Lydia, and Edith, just to mention a few...and always fun to see Alice and Hans.  They make me laugh too, as so many do!

I know I am not crazy because I work at the Danish Club. It is the customers who drive us to drink.  Pint after pint they drink the beer in front of us.  In all honesty, do you really think I want to bring you another drink when I am so thirsty myself?

I have never worked at one place for so long.  My Danish Club friends and staff have humbled me like the honey bee who takes her last flight.   She always knows she may never return back to the hive, but hopes she is only a wing and a prayer away. 

I will write again soon, and maybe see you even sooner. 
 

P.S.  Don’t forget we have Peter playing the Piano on Thursday nights!  Which Peter?

To all of our customers; the Danish Club Staff appreciates your welcoming, your kindness and your gratitude.  We wish you good health and happiness in the year ahead.

Bee Bit:  A honeybee is actually gold/black/brown.  It is not yellow.  Honey is the most powerful antibiotic/antiseptic known, topically or internally.  I snort it up my nose for sinus problems.  O.K.  That’s it.  Must bee the honey that has clogged my brain!