The Volcano - General Tiki

VG Volcano Girl Member Columbus, OH via Gainesville, FL Joined: Feb 08, 2007 Posts: 92	VG Volcano Girl Posted posted on Tue, Mar 6, 2007 11:28 AM Gator Rob, I was mostly surprised and confused by the very idea that the Mai-Kai people thought that the Cypress Gardens luau was catered by them. If it had been, I'd like to think that they would remember such an event more clearly, because I know it was a pretty big event to Dad. We should know a little more when my oldest brother gets back to me (our schedules are completely lopsided from each other, so usually a bit of time goes by in between catching each other). However, I'm sure that time has faded all of our memories; mine, Mom's, my brother's, and the Mai-Kai people. It's funny though, the impressions you get of things as a child, some of those impressions are very strong (maybe even incorrect), and so while I didn't relate the luau to the Press Association, I remember Dad working non-stop with Cypress Gardens on some things. The talk about what was going on would pervade the dinner table (at least in our house). I think the name I recall as one that was brought up with frequency (associated with Cypress Gardens) was Dick Pope. I'm pretty sure that Dad knew him very well, and worked with him often. If he or any of his family is still around, maybe someone could check it out to see what they remember. Cypress Gardens may even have something there that could be checked out. Like I said in the earlier post, it wouldn't surprise Mom or any of us that Dad had engaged certain groups to help him prepare this event. The food and dishes were absolutely provided by the Volcano. I agree that even the ice fruit dish that I thought of as a signature of Dad's may not have been his original idea, or it could also be that someone enjoyed it so much at the Volcano that they incorporated it into their menu from him. I don't know how we'd ever know for sure. Perhaps the Mai-Kai has it on one of their early menus. FWIW, Dad also had the volcano ice fruit dish flame up, but it wasn't with sparklers. As for the Mai-Kai bowl, it does look like it could be one of their early ones. I don't know how we'd ever find out if Dad was able to purchase any from them, or borrow them, or what circumstances led to them being used at this luau. I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that Cypress Gardens hired the Mai-Kai for producing part of the event, and Dad to do other parts. Maybe they all worked together to make it a seamless event. We'll see if my brother can shed any more light on it. So, while their conclusion about the picture might have been off, I don't think their intent was to disparage anyone. Thanks for clearing that up. I think there are a few things that I may sometimes be sensitive about, and my Dad and what he struggled with concerning the restaurant workings is one of them. There is a good reason why the Volcano didn't stay around very long, but it had little or nothing to do with Dad's capability (not that you suggested that, just that I'm sensitive to it). You know, I debated whether to even post their remarks at all. Maybe I shouldn't have, but some good came of it, right? You contacted your Mom again and got some clarification about it. So my actions weren't really ALL bad. :) Naw, it's okay, we're 8)! This is how we learn about all the different things there are to know. Without it being said, maybe none of us would have ever gone further. TC is a place to learn all about the world of tiki. You should really get down to the Mai-Kai sometime. I have a feeling the similarities between it and the Volcano will bring back a flood of childhood memories for you. Without a doubt! I don't usually visit the east coast of Florida when I'm down there, but I may have to change my ways eventually. A short visit for one of my days I can probably deal with. I'm selfish when it comes to my vacation time, though. We don't have as many sunny days as I'd like in Ohio, and we have nothing remotely resembling the Gulf beaches (which IMHO are the superior ones Florida has to offer). I've got much work to do still, and I think I convinced Mom to send the other pictures that she held back. I told her I would get everything fixed up. Hopefully that was enough for her. She is worried about any of this getting lost or damaged further. Lots of it is very delicate already. ALOHA!

Gator Rob,
I was mostly surprised and confused by the very idea that the Mai-Kai people thought that the Cypress Gardens luau was catered by them. If it had been, I'd like to think that they would remember such an event more clearly, because I know it was a pretty big event to Dad. We should know a little more when my oldest brother gets back to me (our schedules are completely lopsided from each other, so usually a bit of time goes by in between catching each other). However, I'm sure that time has faded all of our memories; mine, Mom's, my brother's, and the Mai-Kai people.

It's funny though, the impressions you get of things as a child, some of those impressions are very strong (maybe even incorrect), and so while I didn't relate the luau to the Press Association, I remember Dad working non-stop with Cypress Gardens on some things. The talk about what was going on would pervade the dinner table (at least in our house). I think the name I recall as one that was brought up with frequency (associated with Cypress Gardens) was Dick Pope. I'm pretty sure that Dad knew him very well, and worked with him often. If he or any of his family is still around, maybe someone could check it out to see what they remember. Cypress Gardens may even have something there that could be checked out.

Like I said in the earlier post, it wouldn't surprise Mom or any of us that Dad had engaged certain groups to help him prepare this event. The food and dishes were absolutely provided by the Volcano. I agree that even the ice fruit dish that I thought of as a signature of Dad's may not have been his original idea, or it could also be that someone enjoyed it so much at the Volcano that they incorporated it into their menu from him. I don't know how we'd ever know for sure. Perhaps the Mai-Kai has it on one of their early menus. FWIW, Dad also had the volcano ice fruit dish flame up, but it wasn't with sparklers.

As for the Mai-Kai bowl, it does look like it could be one of their early ones. I don't know how we'd ever find out if Dad was able to purchase any from them, or borrow them, or what circumstances led to them being used at this luau. I suppose it's within the realm of possibility that Cypress Gardens hired the Mai-Kai for producing part of the event, and Dad to do other parts. Maybe they all worked together to make it a seamless event. We'll see if my brother can shed any more light on it.

So, while their conclusion about the picture might have been off, I don't think their intent was to disparage anyone.

Thanks for clearing that up. I think there are a few things that I may sometimes be sensitive about, and my Dad and what he struggled with concerning the restaurant workings is one of them. There is a good reason why the Volcano didn't stay around very long, but it had little or nothing to do with Dad's capability (not that you suggested that, just that I'm sensitive to it).

You know, I debated whether to even post their remarks at all. Maybe I shouldn't have, but some good came of it, right? You contacted your Mom again and got some clarification about it. So my actions weren't really ALL bad. :)

Naw, it's okay, we're 8)! This is how we learn about all the different things there are to know. Without it being said, maybe none of us would have ever gone further. TC is a place to learn all about the world of tiki.

You should really get down to the Mai-Kai sometime. I have a feeling the similarities between it and the Volcano will bring back a flood of childhood memories for you.

Without a doubt! I don't usually visit the east coast of Florida when I'm down there, but I may have to change my ways eventually. A short visit for one of my days I can probably deal with. I'm selfish when it comes to my vacation time, though. We don't have as many sunny days as I'd like in Ohio, and we have nothing remotely resembling the Gulf beaches (which IMHO are the superior ones Florida has to offer).

I've got much work to do still, and I think I convinced Mom to send the other pictures that she held back. I told her I would get everything fixed up. Hopefully that was enough for her. She is worried about any of this getting lost or damaged further. Lots of it is very delicate already.

ALOHA!

Post #290019 by Volcano Girl on Tue, Mar 6, 2007 11:28 AM