To issue
index
To next page
FOR SHEER ENJOYMENT, a totally relaxed and friendly atmosphere, excellent food and a well organized yet unobtrusive program, that evening could rank as non pareil.
The Committee, headed by John LaGaipa, David Booth and Bob Whitehurst had obviously worked hard to prepare the occasion. The lounge was festively decorated in a spring motif (how welcome after the winter we had!), the tables thoughtfully grouped close to the program area. Following the splended dinner, and one of John LaGaipa's laid-back, side-splitting stand-up routines, there was plenty of time for roaming, taking pictures, and talking. One downside: who left the air conditioning on full strength?
THEN, ALMOST IMPERCEPTIBLY, David Booth at his keyboard, gently led into one of those exquisitely enjoyable song-fests (which not all song-fests are!), the best part about the songs being that you could go right on gabbing without being scowled at. That was the mood of the evening! John, you and your Committee are to be warmly thanked!!
I hadn't seen her for years -- now I know why. After looking at stacks of blurred snapshots from her trip to Australia, we went out to dinner. She peered suspiciously at the menu, dissected its contents with the waitress, and finally ordered fried perch and tossed salad.
Waitress: Dressing?
She: French, Ranch, and Russian (demonstrating how they should be mixed together in a teaspoon).
Waitress: (Silence. Exit. Re-enters with salads and an assortment of dressings). Mix your own! After the salad she decided to have broiled perch.
The Group: No! No! Not broiled! It'll shrink.
At that moment our meal arrived. Without further ado she ate the fried perch.
We were in her car. She said she needed gas, saw the price, changed her mind and forged ahead. We stopped at a farmer's stand. She quizzed him on the quality of his produce, then picked out 2 tomatoes, 2 peaches and 2 potatoes.
She: How much? He 75 cents. She demanded an itemized bill.
Before she left, I said, "Either get gas or stall on the bridge". She'd been gone for an hour. I was convalescing nicely when the phone rang.
She: I took your advice. Before I crossed the river I bought gas -- a dollar's worth.