Stranded Vineyard Family Finds Kindness at the East Falmouth Hotel | Falmouth News

“We rushed into the center of the village and the park. I ran to the local Walgreens and bought some trash bags, cleaner, paper towels, whatever you need to fix a mess. Things were ‘almost’ back to normal because… well… so the smell was intoxicating. Rebecca and my youngest rolled down the windows to ventilate, ”McDow said.

The family then reunited at Intergas on Main Street in Falmouth, where a communication glitch led to a Nationwide tow truck and a two hour wait. While at the gas station, Mr McDow recruited his sons’ friend to put 93 octane in Ms McDow’s Cadillac after her eldest son, barefoot with a pair of broken flip-flops, refused. The young man, who has never pumped gasoline before, misunderstood Ms McDow’s sarcastic comment about diesel and ended up pumping it into a gasoline car.

“I thought the pump was absolutely unsuitable as a fail-safe, but somehow he adapted it. By the time I got to the pump, it had a small but significant puddle of diesel fuel on the ground and 15 gallons in the tank, ”Mr. McDow said. “The young man couldn’t understand why the gas kept spreading and why he had to force it into the tank!”

“I was HOT… I mean so angry I couldn’t talk to Rebecca for playing right now,” he said.

After learning that none of the mechanics at Excel Gas & Repair in East Falmouth could fix the car until the next day, the frustrated family decided to rent a hotel room. As Mr McDow waited at the store Ms McDow, after a few tears, called the first place she could find, Green Harbor Waterfront Lodging, owned and operated by Dorie Dineen Ketterer and her family for over 60 years.

“It turns out that was the best choice! The staff were excellent! They helped the boys get into the pool, gave us extra towels and made sure our every comfort was met, ”McDow said.

While the family waited for the car to be drained and repaired the next day, Irene Buckley, general manager of Green Harbor Waterfront Lodging, said she would not add any extra charges because the McDows had already incurred unforeseen expenses and they were invited to stay. as long as necessary.

Ms Buckley said on behalf of the hotel: “We were so happy that we were able to help them, especially in this type of situation. We let them stay in the room and facilities until they found out what was going on with their car. As a family run hotel, we strive to ensure that our guests are taken care of. We always treat everyone as if we are welcoming a member of the family. “

“This spirit after dealing with COVID-19. God bless her! ”Mr. McDow said.

He remembers being almost in tears from the unexpected hospitality, tipping the staff just for an overnight stay and thanking everyone for their compassion for the family’s mishap.

“This hotel is quite simply a family, dog-loving place with a lot of charm and a spirit of relaxation. We couldn’t have asked for a better place for the car to break down, and I thank God every day that it was this hotel and not the side of [Routes] 28 or 95, ”he said.

In the end, the McDows’ trip home brightened up. While waiting for the car, they took Izzy to the dog park and met, according to McDow, “the most amazing people,” including a teacher, a retired teacher, a real estate agent and a few students.

“I mean, no one ever talks to Rebecca and I at the Frederick Dog Park in Maryland. However, in Falmouth… everyone was just warm and fun while we got our engine sorted, ”he said. “Bless you guys! “