The Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa, a blue-collar playground built by a plumbers union half a century ago so that its members could afford to vacation like the 'rich kids,' is set to close Tuesday. Remote, rural and accessible only by two-lane highway, Lake County has an unemployment rate of almost 15% -- even before its only full-service hotel, also among the region's largest private employers, shuts down.
Resort General Manager Greg Bennett said he and his staff are " so passionately" involved in their jobs that they have to block their emotions during the final days until the resort closes Wednesday. "This weekend is really about keeping those blinders on and celebrating with the employees," Bennett said.
