Local Night Staff Worker Wins 'Major Award.'
For the second time in four years, Robert Pegg has been named 'Night Staff of the Year' by his peers and a panel of supervisory judges.
Pegg, a Developmental Services Worker specializing in overnight operations for Community Living London, received the coveted honour last evening during 'Night Staff Appreciation Day' celebrations which were held at the Lamplighter Inn.
Nominated in the category of 'Best Cook,' Pegg was praised for his ability to improvize and adapt in food preparation - particularly for his willingness to substitute Cream of Celery soup for Cream of Mushroom soup in the making of scalloped potatoes or his popular hamburger/potato casserole.
Judges cited Pegg's long-time practice of washing his hands before preparing any meal for the individuals in the group home where he is employed as being a major factor in their voting.
Pegg was also nominated for 'Best Household Cleaner.' As one judge enthused - "His technique with a Bee-Mop is nothing short of breath-taking. His use of the feather-duster is sublime. And his toilet seats are so clean you could eat off them."
However, all the judges concur that it is Pegg's commitment to the group home residents he works for which clinched their decision to give him the 'major award' he had last won in 2004.
According to one judge, "He told us that his role in the house is not unlike that of 'Uncle Charlie' on the old TV-show 'My Three Sons.'
"And when you think of it, that's true. Oh sure, as the chief cook/maid & bottlewasher, he can be gruff - but loveable. But just like 'Charlie O'Casey,' he's always there. Well, between midnight and eight a.m. during the week anyway. And just like Uncle Charlie, he knows exactly what everyone in that house needs and deserves. Unlike Fred MacMurray, I might add."
During the awards presentation, guests dined on a catered meal of broccoli-quiche and banana-bread as they listened to keynote speaker, city-councillor Steve ('Full Time') Orser who visibly moved the audience with his eye-opening speech entitled, 'Night Staff: Care Givers - Not Just Caretakers.'
When presented with his 'Night Staff of the Year Award,' Pegg was humble in his acceptance and downplayed the importance of awards. "Of course, it's always an honour just to be nominated. And it means a lot to be recognized and appreciated by both your colleagues in the profession as well as management," said Pegg. "But honestly, the job itself is reward enough."
Pegg then launched into a ten-minute explanation on how night-staff workers are the back-bone of any group home.
posted by Sonny Drysdale at 6:05 AM
14 Comments:
Hopefully the deserving Mr. Pegg can turn this fame and fortune into a boon for all night-staff workers. Perhaps a ribbon or bracelet campaign to raise awareness. Any thoughts on the colour? Mop-water gray might be nice.
And thanks Sonny. People always say there aren't enough "feel good" stories in the news. You have proven them wrong in spades. So to you and all the night staff out there I say "Lock up when you're done."
David - you comments are as welcome as the joy upon finally receiving a long-requested mop-head.
I am tearing up over here. You are too kind.
Wait, was that an insult? I can't tell as I really like getting new mops.
I can only add that in my career cleaning toilets, I've always looked up to Bob Pegg's inimitable style, one which I've tried to emulate, but have far too often failed.
His signature 'whip SNAP! of the toilet rag across the seat--one which I watch over and over again on YouTube, trying to unmask his technique-- has led to my almost being blinded when I tried that most daring of Peggian moves.
Congratulations, Bob. You inspire those writers among us who do the jobs no one else would in order to satisfy our Muses. And our Ebay accounts.
Wait...that Bob Pegg? I really have to learn to shut the fuck up once in a while.
Kid - you actually have designated 'toilet' rags?
I'm going to have to put that one in the household budget.
We must really talk shop more often.
I don't geddit. Toilet rag? Toilets are already full of water, so maybe I misunderstand things. Is Toilet Rag something you whistle while you pour in the dishsoap and give it an extra flush?
I have given this lesson many times lo these many years:
A 'toilet rag' is used to clean a toilet. You put the rag in the bucket of cleaning solution, clean the toilet, then put the rag back into the bucket before moving onto the next. Yes, we should use paper towel, but when you have forty toilets to clean, that's a lot of paper, and we just don't have the budget.
Now, this is important: if you see something-shall we say--solid on the toilet, use paper to remove it. Do not use the rag. As well, do NOT use the same rag to clean water fountains. Disinfectant is powerful , but it is NOT magic. You will use paper towel and the spray bottle provided to clean the fountains. Are we clear on this?
I have given that speech so many times...often to the same person several times. No wonder I put the shotgun in my mouth each night, wondering if this is indeed the night..
What is this "cleaning solution" of which you speak?
- you Earth people and your quaint non-otherworldly language liquidates me.
Sonny, who is this Rober Pegg of who you speak?
The only Robert Pegg that I know is a comedian on the club circuit and also an author of books about Hollywood and TV land.
Butch - Bob Pegg is this guy who never complains about writing deadlines.
Or anything else for that matter.
But don't tell his loved ones that.
'atta boy Luther!
Hey Pops - let me clarify this, Pops - hey!
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