You’ll never guess what I did Monday night. I was a guest bartender (along with a few other local “celebs”) at Starters Riverport for the Alzheimer’s Association Bartender’s Challenge Lehigh Valley/Berks Memory Walk Kick Off event, and of course, I want to tell you how it went!
Let me first start off by saying I’ve never once mixed a drink behind a bar. In another life, I was a cocktail waitress during my last semester of college. That only lasted a good three months and all I did was take orders, serve, and clean up. Easy, right? Oh, and my days of tapping beers at Willy Joes in high school totally do not count.
Anyway, I was nervous. I didn’t know what to expect. Fortunately, the “real” bartenders were helpful and accommodating. I didn’t mix drinks, but I poured several frosty glasses of beer and a few rounds of shots, and I rimmed cups with salt for lots of margaritas.
The first half hour was a little rough because I didn’t quite know what to do with myself. Finally, as I got a few orders under my belt, I started feeling more confident and loosened up as I chatted with people sitting at the bar. By the end of my two-hour shift, I was pretty into it and totally bummed my time was up. And, I met former Eagles wide receivers Mike Quick and Harold Carmichael not to mention peeped a few other players (although I couldn’t tell you who they were!).
With Sara (center), Kellie, Harold and Mike (behind).
Basically, a portion of the night’s tips benefit the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk. The Alzheimer’s Association offers education, programs, and special services to those affected by the disease. The organization’s goal is to have 30,000 teams in place for the fall 2009 Memory Walk (the nation’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer care, support, and research). To learn more, contact our local branch in Hellertown at 610.838.2552.
Overall, it was a fun night! I think I’d definitely do it again, too. I’m not sure bartending is my calling, but for a good cause, who could possibly pass up the opportunity?
