Guests Flogged for Violations!!!!

It was bound to happen.  A guest violating the rules and disciplinary action being taken. So was the case this past weekend when the Scrappin’ Floozies invaded Blackberry Creek Retreat for a weekend of cropping, pasting, trimming, coloring and creating. They have been here numerous times. They know the rules.  So it was with great distress that we had to flog a couple retreaters.

According to a Blackberry Creek Retreat (BCR) Security report, the Innkeeper, Mark Dawson, showed up in the dark of the morning, Saturday, to prepare much needed coffee and a bountiful breakfast for “the girls”.  Upon entering the dark, pre-dusk facility, a “good morning, Mark” calling out from the sofa and seating area.  Mark apologized and said he’d get the coffee brewing for these early risers.  Then, one confessed and said “we locked ourselves out of our room!”

When asked why they “DID NOT CALL TO GET THE ROOM UNLOCKED?”, they responded, ”it was 4 am in the morning and we did not want to disturb you.”  Innkeeper Mark was very upset that these retreaters felt it an imposition to call and seek assistance in opening there room for a good night’s sleep (or what was remaining of it) in their own bed.

This is a clear violation of BCR policy and punishable by flogging. Both were sentenced and a flogging was scheduled.

It was a beautiful day for a flogging, our first. The other retreaters were summoned for “jury duty’.  The accused, Donna Sue and Sabrina, were escorted outside to the court, as one member beat the drum to their march.

The jury of peers was summoned, the accused marched out, and the hearing began, on such a beautiful day.

Both were presented to the jury, and the “Decree Permitting a Flogging” was read. Innkeeper Mark explained the seriousness taken in BCR’s Customer Service and their ability to respond 24/7 to needs and emergencies.  One such need is to sleep on a wonderful bed. By not doing so, the risk was these retreaters returning to Nixa and rumor that “they slept (or not) downstairs on a sofa or chair” might leak into that community, and spread into Springfield, neighboring communities, and over SW Missouri. This could greatly jeopardized the hard work and quality service put forth by Mark and Dixie.

The "Decree Permitting a Flogging" is read to te accussed.  They don't apear to be taking this seriously.

The "Degrees" were read, a verdict posed, decrees signed by each jury member and the Innkeepers, and sentence carried out.

Obviously, and as expected, the jury was pretty torn up and emotional about the sentence.

By not calling the Innkeepers to provide them the backup key location and entry to a good nights sleep, both would receive the harshest of penalties. An example had to be set for future guests to know the penalty for not reporting a problem.  The jury was asked to weigh in their decisions.  Unanimously, thumbs down.  The accused were identified and chained in preparation for flogging. 

The jury found the accused guilty, and sentence was ordered to be carried out. The accused were labeled (we might have gone the scarlet letter route had this occurred during a Quilter's Retreat), and shackled. Not anticipating ever having TWO violators, the Court Jester, er, ah, Clerk, could only come up with one GUILTY sign, so we had to improvise.
"Do not allow small children to view the following, as it might be disturbing."

Both accused GRIMICE in shock and pain of the flogging.

Things then turned ugly. Some said, “this is not a flogging, it is a spanking”.  Others said they wanted to recant their verdict, for fear they might not get a ride home. By the way, we don’t spank here at BCR – can’t let that word get out, would be bad for business, being politically and socially correct. Spanking, ha.

This is not a Spanking, it is a Flogging!!!

So, we had our first flogging. Both girls reported they learned their lesson and WOULD CALL again if they locked themselves out.  You see, flogging gets the job done. Both were seen sitting on donut pillows the remainder of the stay.

Donna Sue, the main perpetrator in this wrongdoing, apparently cohearsed Sabrina into not contacting the Innkeeper. Prior to the Flogging, she even hid under a table for 20 mintues to avoid sentence.

Wait, who snuck in the pillows? Were they smuggled in last night's apple cake?

It seems, these rascal retreaters have learned their lessons. When locked out of your guestroom, CALL THE INNKEEPER, regardless of time of day or night.

Note to Spouses of Retreaters: If your wives returned without results reflecting they achieved little during their weekend here at BCR, you might understand.  They DID GET plenty of time to work (many not going to bed until the wee hours of the morning) and energy (food). However, distractions do happen.

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat