Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The Gazette received a heart-stirring ATG question, last week from a student, about the panini grill. We decided to publish the question along with the much-awaited response.
Hey guys,
So I know you sometimes do investigative journalism and have on occasion asked your readers if there was anything they would like you to look into.
A few days ago, there was a Panini grill next to the toaster oven and the microwaves. Several of my friends saw it as well, which is why I know it was not just a wishful hallucination induced by starvation for lack of anything worth eating. I ate at Sharples almost every lunch and dinner
period last week. There was nothing there until one day at lunch, when I noticed it and went over to look. It had a sign that said “please leave panini grill open when not in use,” but it was closed. When I tried to open it, I realized that it was broken (the top surface of the press had come unattached from the rest of the machine). It could not have been there more than 18 hours, and it was already broken. When I showed up for dinner that evening it was gone, and nobody has seen it since.
That panini grill awoke in me feelings of hope I cannot even describe…ten Barack Obama rallies would not come close to evoking the hope I felt. Suddenly there was a new option for Sharples meals, one with so much promise. I had friends who actually had dreams about that panini grill. No joke.
So, could you find out how it got there, and if it will ever be coming back?
Thank you,
Student ‘10
Dear panini-grill loving student,
According to Linda McDougall, she bought the panini grill because she “just decided it would be a nice addition,” she wrote in an email. However, a few days later, as you noticed, it seemed to malfunction and was taken away. “The original one we purchased was not operating correctly so we have to purchase a different model,” she wrote. However, the panini grill has been revived to continue to offer students hope and promise.
Best,
DG
In other Sharples news, one student noticed that the Belgium waffle maker disappeared for a few days. McDougall explained that Sharples had run out of waffle mix and were waiting for a new shipment.
Lastly, someone stole the Wok frying pan, again. McDougall said Sharples was hesitant to buy another one since this is the third frying pan that has been stolen.
I don’t know if this is a silly question, but can they chain down the Wok? And how does someone slip that into their bag?