Brian98 | 17 Sep 2015 9:00 p.m. PST |
As previously reported, the Lancaster Host failed an inspection by the PA Department of Agriculture on September 1st. As a result, all food and bar service at the hotel was suspended. Since that time, the hotel has worked to correct all of the violations. On September 17th, the inspector revisited the Lancaster Host and found the hotel was now in compliance with the food safety regulations. Permission has been given to reopen the restaurant and bar. In addition, the East Lampeter Township inspected all the drain lines and approved the kitchen drain lines for operation. Fall-In! is about six weeks away. Looking forward to seeing everyone there. Respectfully, John Spiess HMGS Director of Communications |
Ember52 | 17 Sep 2015 9:17 p.m. PST |
John, Good news! Thanks for the update. Scott |
Gil Bates | 17 Sep 2015 9:38 p.m. PST |
My goodness! Do you mean to say that a restaurant got a bad health report; addressed the violations and now passed? I was reading some other threads that and I know from them I would believe that this restaurant is the first to ever have violations and that those violations were so bad that the local townsfolk had burned the place to the ground with their torches and turned over the ash with their pitchforks. Congratulations to the Host for dealing with an embarrassing and I'm sure costly slip in a fairly short time. And thanks to you for keeping us informed. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the Con too. hopefully your big wig schedule will still allow you time to get into the WWI Great War Mini Tournament Ralph and I are running. |
Mister Tibbles | 18 Sep 2015 4:03 a.m. PST |
Most of our home kitchens would fail a health inspection! |
Razor78 | 18 Sep 2015 4:17 a.m. PST |
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Winston Smith | 18 Sep 2015 5:48 a.m. PST |
And there was much rejoicing….. |
Winston Smith | 18 Sep 2015 5:54 a.m. PST |
Some of the corrections were probably easy. "Don't put the DRANO on the shelf right above the salad." |
ViscountEric | 18 Sep 2015 7:56 a.m. PST |
But our guests keep asking for a good salad that cleans their pipes! |
Stepman3 | 18 Sep 2015 8:27 a.m. PST |
Good news, as I like the Host… |
Al Swearengen | 18 Sep 2015 9:28 a.m. PST |
"My goodness! Do you mean to say that a restaurant got a bad health report; addressed the violations and now passed? I was reading some other threads that and I know from them I would believe that this restaurant is the first to ever have violations and that those violations were so bad that the local townsfolk had burned the place to the ground with their torches and turned over the ash with their pitchforks." Sure, lots of places get flagged. But not many have so many that they are closed for TWO WEEKS. |
Gil Bates | 18 Sep 2015 9:53 a.m. PST |
Al, What do you base that statement on? |
Poniatowski | 18 Sep 2015 10:01 a.m. PST |
I agree with Gil…. that is a highly inaccurate statement. Most places I have seen closed for the same violations can take anywhere form a one to four weeks…. remember folks, your re-inspection is scheduled and then during that time interval they just "show up". It is kind of open ended like that. Now.. I am very happy too…. and can go back to executing other stuff on my list for the show. Dan |
Al Swearengen | 18 Sep 2015 12:02 p.m. PST |
"Al, What do you base that statement on?" link from the article: " remains unable to serve food two weeks after a state agency shut its restaurant down for failing a restaurant inspection." |
dbf1676 | 18 Sep 2015 12:19 p.m. PST |
I think what Al is saying is that most places that have violations are not closed for two weeks (if at all), because most violations are few and minor. The violations here were hardly minor and it is a very serious matter to shut down a restaurant. They call to mind the violations at BLT restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park South a few years ago: link That restaurant closed. Perhaps their clientele were not as forgiving as that of the Host. :) In any event, I plan to go to Fall-In, but dine out! |
SFC Retired | 18 Sep 2015 3:31 p.m. PST |
Bring on the PIG!!!! SC Retired |
demiurgex | 18 Sep 2015 3:34 p.m. PST |
List of Host inspection violations: Lancaster Host Resort, 2300 Lincoln Highway E., Sept. 1. Person in charge not performing duties as required by state food code to actively manage food safety. Working container of cleaner/sanitizer stored on same shelf with food in breakfast buffet cabinet. Sterno-type liquid fuel canisters stored above food and equipment in storage area. Food employees could not follow proper hand-washing procedures because hot and cold water are not available at all hand-wash sinks. Raw beef stored over ready-to-eat food in small glass-door refrigerator. Bulk food ingredient storage containers in kitchen area not labeled with common name of food. Ice scoop in bar area stored in container that had stagnant water at bottom. Bagged, cut lettuce and juices held at 49 degrees in produce walk-in cooler, rather than 41 degrees or below as required. Beef, milk and other temperature-controlled foods held at 57 degrees in the back walk-in cooler, rather than 41 degrees or below as required. Milk and cheese held at 52 degrees in No.12 walk-in cooler,rather than 41 degrees as required. Numerous stainless steel food prep pans are dented and corners are severely bent, their surfaces no longer smooth and cleanable. Temperature-measuring device for ensuring proper temperature of equipment not available or readily accessible in all cooling units. Dish machine curtains and interior surfaces have a visible pink slime residue accumulation. Mechanical ware-washing equipment does not have pressure-measuring device to display water pressure in supply line for fresh hot-water sanitizing rinse. Food facility does not have chlorine sanitizer test strips or test kit to determine appropriate sanitizer concentration Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in final sanitizer rinse cycle of low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher in downstairs kitchen was 0 ppm, not 50-100 ppm as required. Chlorine chemical sanitizer residual detected in final sanitizer rinse cycle of low-temperature sanitizing dishwasher in bar area was 0 ppm, not 50-100 ppm as required. Hot water used for sanitizing in mechanical ware-washing machine did not reach 180 degrees. Ice machine deflector plate has black residue accumulation. Sticker residue on numerous food prep pans. Grease accumulation on several pieces of cooking equipment. Single-service, single-use articles stored directly on floor, not 6 inches above floor. Hot and cold water not available at pantry and food-prep area hand sinks. Plumbing system not maintained in good repair: drain pipes leaking at three-compartment sink and prep sink. Several faucets for hand-wash sinks and prep sinks leak and are not in good repair. Flexible drain line connected to dish machine drain was running directly to outside of facility and into grated outside drain. Ceiling tiles in dish machine area have black mold-type residue accumulation. Metal grids for ceiling tiles are rusted and not easily cleanable. Several areas of facility with holes, cracked tiles and drywall damage. Numerous light fixtures not shielded. Ceiling tiles missing in kitchen area and need replacement. Entire food facility is extremely dirty, dusty and in need of cleaning. Two roach-type insects in dishwasher area in lower kitchen. Wing-type insects in several locations in the kitchen, prep bar and ware-wash areas. |
demiurgex | 18 Sep 2015 3:36 p.m. PST |
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Winston Smith | 18 Sep 2015 3:51 p.m. PST |
So. It is no longer hazardous to eat at the Host. That's a pretty low bar. When I was reading Game of Thrones and read about "the brown" served in Flea Bottom, the first thing I thought of was the "Chinese" food served outside the Lampeter. |
zoneofcontrol | 18 Sep 2015 4:10 p.m. PST |
I live squarely in the middle area between Dauphin County (Harrisburg), Lancaster County (Lancaster) and Berks County (Reading). These restaurant inspections are released to the press with regularity. Very common for closure and remedies and re-inspection to be a 1 to 3 week affair. The list for the Host was rather more extensive than most. Surprised it only took two weeks considering the size of the list of violations and the size of the establishment itself. |
Gil Bates | 18 Sep 2015 9:30 p.m. PST |
Demi do you ever choke on your own agenda? It is pretty gagifying. Look forward to seeing you at the Host. |
shthar | 18 Sep 2015 9:38 p.m. PST |
Could be worse. Our hotel last May had a place that failed TWO inspections. Probably just as well they kicked em out before the show. |
TheKing30 | 19 Sep 2015 3:40 a.m. PST |
Demi do you ever choke on your own agenda? It is pretty gagifying. Maybe he can tell us how wonderful FB is… with the overflowing bathrooms…. |
demiurgex | 19 Sep 2015 5:20 a.m. PST |
No, Gil, I won't be at the Host this year. This is among the many reasons why. As far as agenda – perhaps you should look in a mirror. I'm not the one posting health violations of all the other restaurants I can find here to somehow lessen the fact that there was pink slime coating surfaces in the Hosts kitchen and it didn't have basic sanitation features because of the leaky pipes. That was an extensive list, much of which comes from management allowing it to go on. That's a REALLY bad sign. But please, tell us again how all the facilities that aren't under consideration have problems too. We all like a good propaganda campaign. But I'm pretty sure we won't be staying at Disneyland for Fall-in 2020, so I'm not sure why it would come up in a discussion about the pros and cons of the Host. The infrastructure there is failing. Time to find a new location. Its fine if its in the same region. But I'm sure as hell never eating at the Host again, and with the mold problems my family can't stay in the rooms. Have a good time. Hope no one gets sick. |
TRUgamer | 19 Sep 2015 2:43 p.m. PST |
Keep the loved ones safe and put them up at the Comfort Inn & Suites next door. They'll live to see a new day. "I have a really bad phobia of mold – does any one know wat it is called??? Every time I see it I start to cry a lot and sometimes puke. I dont know y but I want 2 know wat it is called?" TRU |
aynsley683 | 19 Sep 2015 6:40 p.m. PST |
Never had a big problem with the food or even seen or smelt the 'apparent' mold. I didn't go for the cuisine or decor. |
Old Contemptibles | 19 Sep 2015 7:26 p.m. PST |
Not staying at the Host. The hotel is long over due for a re-model. |
Tumbleweed | 19 Sep 2015 9:04 p.m. PST |
For the last few years I have felt a sense of trepidation every time I entered the Host. I walk into the place on the Thursday of a convention weekend and think to myself, what will it be this time? Will the lights in the dealer hall go out at 5 PM again on Saturday and cause it to shut down early? Will the entire complex lose water and bathrooms for the rest of the day? Will the air conditioning break down again? And now we have to worry about health issues as well. Sure, some of the guys may have overreacted to the mold issue with a bit of hyperbole, but does the recent citing of poor food service practices and sanitation in the food preparation areas give you a warm, fuzzy feeling when you think about the place? I don't think so. I recommend that we honor our current contractual obligations to the Host, then move Cold Wars and Fall-In to another venue. The Viking Forge will continue to support the HMGS by attending Fall-In and Cold Wars at the Host, but it's time they moved it to another site. |
Bowman | 20 Sep 2015 8:54 a.m. PST |
For the last few years I have felt a sense of trepidation every time I entered the Host. I have way more trepidation with my trip to and from the Conventions at the Host than the issues of the Host itself. I stay elsewhere, so the breakdown of the AC at Fall-In doesn't really worry me. And there are more and more good places to eat available. I agree, the venue is dumpy, but it's still fine for wargaming. Let me drive you through the mountains of New York and Pennsylvania at night, whilst avoiding amphetamine crazed truckers and migrating deer. Now that's trepidation! |
Diocletian284 | 20 Sep 2015 11:11 a.m. PST |
I have no problems with the Host as a location for Fall in. I stay at another hotel for the night and eat at other locations. There is plenty of locations and variety to eat within a short distance. To me, the location is just fine for gaming and the location of the vendor hall seems to work too. |
capncarp | 20 Sep 2015 11:53 a.m. PST |
Bowman: to say nothing of the migrating truckers and the rutting-hormone-crazed deer! |
Millercop16 | 20 Sep 2015 1:41 p.m. PST |
I think demi is skipping fall in because of the dc traffic…. |
TheKing30 | 20 Sep 2015 1:50 p.m. PST |
I think demi is skipping fall in because of the dc traffic…. Could you blame him? DC traffic is HORRIBLE! |
Millercop16 | 20 Sep 2015 1:57 p.m. PST |
I know that you can see where this is going…… |
TheKing30 | 20 Sep 2015 2:09 p.m. PST |
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Bowman | 20 Sep 2015 5:57 p.m. PST |
Bowman: to say nothing of the migrating truckers and the rutting-hormone-crazed deer! So, are rutting truckers ok? |
capncarp | 20 Sep 2015 7:06 p.m. PST |
Bowman: ya better ask the "lot lizards"--they'd know best how "ok" the truckers are at rutting. 'Course, if the truckers don't pay for their, uhm, "service", the Lot Lizards may have quite a lot of negative to say about them. |
demiurgex | 21 Sep 2015 4:57 a.m. PST |
I take 15 up to Lancaster. It's a beautiful drive. I often stop at Gettysburg on the wayup. And yes, the beltway, 66 and 95 absolutely suck around DC. Which is why I always wonder why people take them when there's lots of other ways to get to FEC, and every year there's a thread here on how to avoid them. Its almost like people want to find something to complain about…. :D |
Millercop16 | 21 Sep 2015 5:38 a.m. PST |
Never a complaint when it comes to gaming |
capncarp | 21 Sep 2015 7:48 a.m. PST |
Demi--just don't stop to pick up anything in Frederick. One never knows just what the AMRIID "Cancer Research Center" has dumped out the back door that day. Millercop: if some people said that, the board would look like a tryout cattle-call for Cyrano de Bergerac, or auditions for Adrian Brodie's standin. |
TRUgamer | 21 Sep 2015 7:49 a.m. PST |
"I take 15 up to Lancaster. It's a beautiful drive. I often stop at Gettysburg on the wayup." That's great if you live in Lancaster. What about Philadelphia and points east of Philly? TRU |
capncarp | 21 Sep 2015 7:54 a.m. PST |
TRU--take Rt 1 south past Longwood Gardens to Rt 41 north, hang a left at Gap, and you're there. Still a nice, pleasant drive. Cross on the Commodore Barry Bridge for Rt 1, or the Delaware Memorial Bridge and hit rt 41 North Or, hit Rt 322 West to Rt 30 Weat. |
TRUgamer | 21 Sep 2015 8:53 a.m. PST |
Demi suggested that route 15 north to Lacaster via Gettysburg was a nice drive. Why would I drive 2.25 hours west from Chester County, PA to get to route 15 to then head south? TRU |
Winston Smith | 21 Sep 2015 9:33 a.m. PST |
Or you could take the Turnpike to Clarks Summit, then take 81S to 72 and then 30. That's if you REALLY want up go out of your way and hit all the road construction zones. |
Bowman | 21 Sep 2015 9:39 a.m. PST |
Why would I drive 2.25 hours west from Chester County, PA to get to route 15 to then head south? You are still driving 2.25 hours west, even if you go down I-95. If you look at a map you'll see F'burg is a bit west of Gettysburg. Think of a right angled triangle with Gettysburg, Philly and F'burg as the apexes. The shortest route is down I-95 (down the hypotenuse). But since that sucks you take the other two sides of the triangle, as capncarp is showing you. You are still driving the same distance westward. Clear as mud, huh? |
capncarp | 21 Sep 2015 1:59 p.m. PST |
Not knowing which points east of Philly, I assumed you meant central and south Jersey. Chester county lends itself to rts 1, 322, and or 41 for the slow-but-less stressful routes |
TRUgamer | 21 Sep 2015 2:45 p.m. PST |
Personally I prefer the direct route during extreme off hours. Either departing well before dawn OR departing late evening arriving close to midnight. Bowman, By Mapquest it's about 2.25 hours towards Gettysburg. Then another 2.25 hours to Fredricksburg for a 4.5 hour trip (total 224 miles) The more direct route through DC area is 168-184 miles depending on the route you take. I've had it take 4.5-5 hours during the day or as little as 3.25 hours in the late night hours. Either has it's challenges. I'm somewhat lucky being just north of the PA/DE border. (Very close to the Mason-Dixon line as a matter of fact) TRU
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TRUgamer | 21 Sep 2015 2:53 p.m. PST |
Cap, When you mentioned Longwood Gardens i thought you looked at my profile and saw that I'm in Kennett Square which is right next to LG. TRU |
capncarp | 21 Sep 2015 3:43 p.m. PST |
Naw, just providing a wellknown landmark. Never been there, heard it's lovely, if'n flowers make your pollinators swell. ;^D |
Rotundo | 21 Sep 2015 4:06 p.m. PST |
The Host is like my Grandma's house. Is smells funky but I still like going. |
LEGION 1950 | 21 Sep 2015 4:57 p.m. PST |
WHO CARES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Mike Adams The place sucks!!!!!!!!! |