Dear All I am sorry to do an email blast. Some of this will be repetitive and unrelated to your particular questions. However, we are swamped getting ready for the season. Most of these questions were likely addressed in a very long, detailed, job description that I write out. It is probably 7 - 8 pages long. I hope you received it from your sponsoring agency. Please confirm as we want all to have realistic expectations.
Re Transportation to Grassmere Inn. We are hopeful that you are flying into JFK. That is the closer airport. If you are flying into Newark or somewhere else, you will have to somehow get to Penn Station in NYC. From Penn Station, one takes the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Jamaica Queens. Change at Jamaica and take the LIRR to either Speonk or Westhampton train stop. Sometimes the train goes to both stops. Sometimes it goes to one or the other. If it goes to both, you should get off in Westhampton as that is the closer of the two. However, Speonk is only 1 stop before Westhampton and about 3 minutes further away. So, take whatever train leaves first. If you arrive in JFK, take the Airtrain to Jamaica and follow above. Very easy.
We cannot pick you up at either JFK or any other airport. They are too far away and I am not around. When you are on the train or are certain which train you are taking, you should call (631 288 4021) or 845 321 5452 (Alejandro) and someone will pick you up from the train stop. You could also email grassmereinn@gmail.
We do provide housing. It will be deducted from your paycheck. You do not need to give a deposit or pay in advance. Please note that housing in the area is a fortune. We must pay for this house which is not fancy 12 months per year though we can only use it for 3 months. There is no heat and it will be chilly upon arrival. So, we will put you in a room in the Grassmere which has heat for the first few weeks. The house is next door to the Inn by the way.
On the weekends, the room you are assigned will be very crowded. However, 5 nights per week you are welcome to spread out and take another room in the Inn so you all have a little more room and privacy.
Westhampton BEach is very quiet at this time of year. I understand your schedule may not permit it. However,you are arriving "pre season". We are getting ready for the upcoming season. Weekdays will be very quiet. Weekends a little busier as May and June approaches. I wish there were some way you could stay til July but understand school may not permit it.
Re Swimming I think you will find the ocean cold. The beach is beautiful and down the street. It will warm up as each week comes. However, I wouldn't be surprised if it is too cold for you. You still should visit it. We will see if there is a pool somewhere. Please do not count on it.
Uniform Just plain old work clothes. Nothing fancy. No real uniform. However, the weather can be chilly so you should bring something warm.
Social Security Office is about 15 minutes away. We will bring you there. However, you may begin work without the card. They will send it to us.
As mentioned, this is difficult, manual labor. We are preparing for the season. The businesses are tiny and unprofitable. For years we subsidized them with income from elsewhere. That income is gone. I live 2 hours away. I will try to get there each week until season starts. Then, I may out. Bogar, Ritz, Alejandro, Gale, Bruce will be the supervisors.
Thanks and safe travels. Peter