My Last Romeo Blog 12-14-16

My Last Romeo Blog 12-14-16

This will be my last Romeo Blog for a while. I have lost interest and it’s too much work. Maybe I'll post a few times during the year for special occasions. Hope you all have enjoyed some of my comments and thoughts but everything comes to an end. Leave some comments to my email below if you wish.

 

I will still attend the lunches but not write the blog. It takes several hours putting the blog together, gathering the related info, remembering what everyone said, and making sure I have all the related internet links correct for restaurants, pictures and emails. Making sure I spell everyone’s name correctly and not leaving out anyone, God forbid.

 

Below you will find some photos and comments for our Last Romeo Blog 12-14-2016 and my First Romeo Blog in 4-23-2008. 

 

 

Last Romeo Blog 12-14-16

 

The Romeos had lunch a few weeks back at Joseph's Trattoria in Haverhill. You can see the website and menu at the web link below....

 

^{Http://josephstrattoria.com}

 

There were seven present including Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello. Joe Lapiana, Jim Terlizzi, Mark Ryan, Paul Girard, and Ed DeShuytner.

You can see some photos at the link below......

 

^{https://get.google.com/albumarchive/108806068200291783388/album/AF1QipOSX1zGmQxaOFuEO9LejsW13ibgOsp5ljz2PQTg?source=pwa}

 

The conversation bounced around and covered the usual topics sports, weather, and trips.

 

Later, Jim told us of the passing of a fellow Romeo, Richard Costello. Richard was 83 and always read the blog and sent me comments. He joined us a few times at Romeo lunches and most recently in 2014 at a restaurant in Manchester by the Sea. We all raised glasses and tossed him fair well.

 

 

First Romeo Blog 4-23-08

 

I have been attending Romeo lunches for 13 years since retiring in 2003 and started writing the blog in 2008. One of my first blogs recalled lunch in 2008 at the Portugalia Restaurant in Cambridge. This was chosen by our deceased member Joe Loduca. He always made us laugh. You can see some photos of that lunch at the link below........

 

I took the train into Boston from Wilmington to get my Charlie Card at downtown crossing and then the train and bus over to the restaurant in Cambridge. There were eleven Romeos present. See if you can name them all.

 

https://get.google.com/albumarchive/108806068200291783388/album/AF1QipPocNA2Kh2LAbxGPyj8GS1in5u6sjaJ6c5AjWU1

 

 

Happy trails until we meet again.

 

 

Comments always welcome.....

Markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo Lunch 11-16-16

The Romeo gang had lunch today, Wednesday, November 16 at Strega Prime in Woburn at 12 noon.  Strega Prime is located at 100 Sylvan Road.  Take exit 35 off of Route 128.
Go to http://www.stregaprime.com for more information.

There were seven Romeos present including Joe Lapiana, Mark Ryan, Jim Terlizzi, Paul Girard, Joe Pignatiello, Steve Winter and Ed Deschuytner. You can see some photos at the Picasa website. Click the link ....  Romeo Lunch 11-16-16

We were seated along the side at a round table. Our waiter Mark brought water and menus and took the drink order which included martinis, beers and a Manhattan.
The drinks came quickly and we ordered the special from the menu which was $21 for 3 course meal (salad or soup, entree and dessert). The choices were arugula salad, corn chowder, steak medallions, salmon, raspberry tart. We also got a hot popover with butter to start.

The conversation was lively as always. Ed had his hand in a bandage and told us he fell over in his yard hitting a sharp object. He had several stitches. His hand swelled and he was put on antibiotics.

Mark had a tooth pulled and suffered with pain in jaw for two weeks. He went back to dentist and had tooth repacked but no help. He got dry socket in tooth area which left exposed nerves and wouldn't heal. Only 2% of extractions result in this condition. The luck of the Irish-Italian.

The rest complained of other aches and pains. We are all getting old.

We then talked about yard work and raking leaves. Jim said his lawnmower was a blessing. JL said his riding lawnmower quit and wouldn't crank. Luckily he has Sears maintenance contract for $300/yr that has paid for itself over the years. Mark's rider worked well all summer but recently started to smoke. He had it checked out and probably a head gasket. Another costly job. JP always says its only clam shells. ????

We then talked about insurance premiums, coverages and copays. Medicare, GIC and BlueCross benefits.

We then talked about the election and all its sorted details. Only in America. Presidential selections and state ballot choices (marijuana and charter schools. Let's see what happens and hope for the best.

Maybe it's a golden goose or a gold toilet in every home after he builds the wall.

However, tonight again there are protest rallies all over the country.
This is not what a democratic election should look like.

We then talked about the use of drugs and the tragedies that have befallen family and friends even after multiple attempts at rehab. Each had a personal story to add to the horrors of drugs.

Joe P then talked about his trip to London which he said was great.

JP surprised us all when he left the table and then returned with a box of wine bottles that he distributed to all and said happy holidays. It was a red Zinfandel. This was the wine he makes each year at the Boston Winery.

We then discussed where to eat next month. Jim will send out an email.

Comments always welcome ... Markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo Lunch 10-11-16

The Romeo gang met again on Tuesday, October 11 at the Café Escadrille in Burlington at 12 noon.  The Café Escadrille is located at 26 Cambridge Street.  Take Exit 33A off of Route 128.
Click here for more info:




You can see photos at my Google Site ....Click here:

There were six Romeos present including Joe Pignatiello, Ed Descheytner, Mark Ryan, Steve Winter, Jim Terlizzi and Paul Girard.

We were all seated near the window as bright sun started to shine in. The waitress brought water and rolls and took drink orders which were margaritas and beer on draft.

We then placed out lunch order which included steak tips, knock worst special and Reuben sandwiches.

When the drinks arrived we all toasted a good and long life. Steve then said that when planning his 90th birthday, his family looked into booking the Cafe but found they wanted $150 just to set the table. They looked for another place.

Joe came ready to pay for our lunch date and pick up the tab with his stash of clam shells. It was a joke since Jim always says "It's only  clam shells" when money is concerned. We all laughed and wanted some wampum.

The conversation continued and we talked about sports, politics and trips. Joe said about the Red Sox maybe next year. Patriots game was great with Brady's return.

Jim talked with Joe about his up coming trip. We then talked about free education and health insurance in Germany but income taxes are 50%.

Paul asked about Trump's Carry Tax. Ed explained when his son went for his MBA they used the business model from Paine Investments, Romney's company on how to pay taxes in your favor.
He said that lobbyists got federal government to invent the Carry Tax to help investment in new company's. This allowed Hedge fund investors to hide most of their income and only pay 15% taxes.
See the link below.... For more info click here:






We talked about meeting next month and decided on Strega in Woburn. Jim will send email info.

Comments always welcome..... Email here:

Romeo Lunch 9-28-16

The Romeo Gang had lunch today at the British Beer Company Resturant in Danvers, MA.  You can see the website at .......

https://britishbeer.com

There were six Romeos present including Jim Terlizzi, Paul Girard, Ed DeShuytner, Mark Ryan, Joe Pignatiello and Steve Winter. You can see some photos at .....

Romeo Lunch 9-28-16

We were all seated in a corner booth. The waitress took beer orders and the menu listed over 50 kinds. Stouts, ales and IPAs. We all picked a different favorite.

We then looked at the menu and found a variety of entree specials. Three ordered the meatloaf, one fish & chips, one shepards pie and one steak & ale pie and they all came quickly and were very good. 

The conversation was lively and turned to politics, cars, trips, and the news.

Joe said he was voting (No) on all the Ballot Questions - Charter School, Recreational Marijuana, Casino Parlors, Animal Containment. We then discussed each issue and agreed on why a negative vote was important.

Ed then talked about how his car radio was wired for Bluetooth but wouldn't get local radio stations.

Mark said he visited the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. on Tuesday. The art exhibits showed all of Rockwell's paintings and those in the Saturday Evening Post. Mark went with the Wilmington Senior Center by bus.

Jim told me he graduated from Norwich University then got a job at a private school in Barrington,MA. and had a chance meeting with Norman Rockwell in that area in 1961.

Mark also talked about getting new hearing aids at Costco for about half the price you would pay at an audiologist.

Jim talked with Joe about his upcoming trip to London and gave him tips on things to see.

Jim also mentioned that he was getting the program ready for the WISE meeting at Salem State. He has again invited Danielle Niles , TV Meteorologist to be the guest speaker.

Ed described how Clinton and Obama asked for military support at Benghazi but the military base was too far away to respond.

We then talked about next lunch and moved to a Tuesday so Joe and Steve could attend. Jim will send out an email.

Comments always welcome ....
Markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo 8-17-16

The Romeo gang met for lunch on Wednesday, August 17 at the Marina Restaurant and Pub (formerly The Wharf) in Revere at 12 noon.  The Marina is located at 543 North Shore Road (Route 1A).

Go to www.marinaathewharf.com
or more information.

 There were 8 present including Joe Pignatiello, Steve Winter, Paul Girard, Jim Terlizzi, Ed DeShuytner, Mark Ryan, Brother Tim Paul and Joe Lapiana.  You can see photos at my Picasa Website .....

Romeo 8-16-16

We were seated at a round table near the window. It was windy out so we sat inside but you could see all the beautiful boats docked at the Marina. Maybe next time we will go out on my Yacht? Ha.

The waitress brought loaves of crusted bread and dipping oil to the table and water. She then took drink orders which included Margaritas, beers and cokes.

We looked at the menu and found a lot of choices including entrees, pizza and sandwiches. Most ordered the lobster roll, breaded haddock, fra diavalo with pasta and mussels and chicken sandwich. We also got salad and chowder.

The conversation was lively as always about sports, Olympics, politics and trips.

We started with Donald Trump's latest news flash. We are all still wondering how he got this far.

Joe P will be going to London in October and Jim gave him some pointers. 

Brother Tim talked about flying to Sanford, Maine to a diner with great food. I flew there for my pilot's solo flight and had to have a instructor pilot there sign my log book. He signed "arrived alive".

Tim also talked about students enrolled at St Johns because there families want them to go to college. A lot of Asian students there who work hard. Tuition is $30,000 plus finding room and board in the community.

Ed talked about the rise in enrollment for online courses at NECC and drop in day enrollment. Also he said it was hard determining student honesty when taking weekly tests at home online. Was someone other than the student taking the test.

Joe L mentioned that the Western avenue artists will have a Artoberfest on October 1+2 at their studios. 300 artists will open their studios. A beer garden and activities for all. Check it out at http://westernavenuestudios.com
Mark mentioned that he participated in an author panel held at the Wilmington library. He discusses his book and sold a few. He also wrote some funny poems which you can see online ...

Http://Poems.MarkRyanBooks.com

Mark also gave out some bags of cherry tomatoes he grew in his garden. Joe L had a good crop as well as Bro Tim. Ed said squirrels were getting into his garden. Mark has an electric fence to keep out critters.
Mark talked about cost of hearing aids. At his audiologist they were costing $2000 to $4000 for just one ear. Walmart and Costco sell them. Costco has them for half price and good quality.
We will meet next month on Sept 28. Jim will send emails.

Comments welcome ..... Markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo 7-26-16

The Romeo gang had lunch at 12 noon on Wednesday 7-27-16 at the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead. Click on link below:

https://www.bostonyc.org/   You can see a live web cam on the web site.

There were 6 Romeos present including Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello, Paul Girard, Joe Lapiana, Ed DeSchuytner and Mark Ryan.  You can see photos at the Picasa web site…

 https://picasaweb.google.com/108806068200291783388/6314243716270502113

We all sat on the deck overlooking the harbor. It was a beautiful day with a light breeze. You could see hundreds of moored boats of all sizes and also ones cruising the harbor. In addition young teens were taking sailing lessons in small sailboats.

I would like to thank Paul Girard for arranging the lunch at the club as his guests. Paul has been a member of the BYC for years and has participated in the Race Week along with Jim Terlizzi. Boat races are scheduled for the next month  August 3 to September 5.  You can see the info on the web site. https://www.bostonyc.org/racing

The waitress gave us menus and took drink orders which included beer, margaritas and cola. Most ordered the lobster roll and one Fra Diablo with pasta and mussels. We also ordered chowder or beef vegetable soup.

The conversation was lively as usual and centered on politics, sports and the weather. The Red Sox were going down the tube and I mentioned that all the old players were gone. I only recognized David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia. Maybe next year ????

I started getting some tomatoes and zucchini from my garden and Ed and Joe L. also had some pickings from their gardens.  Joe L. said he put a sprinkler in his garden off a house well and timer. The timer never shut off and the well ran dry. He had to call a plumber to restart the pump which cost him $175. Trying to save water with a timer and conservation sometimes doesn’t work.   Well they say Sh…t happens.

I said I went on a few day trips with the Wilmington Senior Center. We went on a Wine tour in Vermont , A Lobster Bake and Harbor Cruise in Gloucester and a trip to Norman Rockwell museum in September. Great trips for a small cost.  Joe L. also went on trip with his senior center to Sand Castles at Revere Beach. The senior centers certainly have a lot of activities.  I use to think that they were only for “OLD PEOPLE”.  Da? 

Joe L. also went to Spinners Game in Lowell. The Class-A Red Sox affiliate. http://www.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t558   Cheap tickets ($7) and great parking in Lowell. A great venue. Always entertaining ball game with plenty of activities for the kids.  Joe L. went to a game with his Senior Center. He entered a lottery at the game for a brand new car. He was one of 10 winners in the final round to receive a tennis ball with a car key inside. One by one they were asked to go down to the field a try to start the car. Unfortunately,  Joe’s key didn’t work but one lucky winner’s did. What a prize!

I also said that I saw an article in the Globe about people living on their boats in Boston Harbor. Slip rental was $1400 per month. That’s  cheap compared to apartment or condo prices. Ed said his son lived on Beacon Hill last year and paid $2000 a month. When he moved out the rent went up to $6000 a month. The new renter is Bri Eggers , weatherwoman at Channel 7 news . https://www.facebook.com/BriEggers

Steve went on an Alaska trip (Plane, Train, Boat) and saw a lot of moose and bear. He has family in Oregon. I said that we have bears in NH where I have a camp. Last year a bear sat at a fire pit in the next campsite licking the camp fire rocks which had drippings of marshmallow. Joe L. said a neighbor put an electric fence around a bee hive to prevent bears from eating the honey.

Joe P. asked Joe L. about the Lowell Folk festival. He said it was a great venue. It was last week and a great event. See list of all the activities in the Lowell Sun. http://www.lowellsun.com/latestnews/ci_30175427/2016-lowell-folk-festival .

Joe L. also said the Western Avenue Art Studios now have a lot of attractions too. There are 300 artist studios, a beer garden and outside eating area.  There is parking at nearby school and bus shuttle available. See the web site below.    http://westernavenuestudios.com/

We decided to go for lunch next month at the Wharf in Revere. Jim will send email with info.

Comments and suggestions always welcome:  markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo Lunch 5-25-16

The Romeo gang met Wednesday, May 25^th  at the Tavern on the River in Methuen at 12 noon.  The Tavern on the River is located at 478 Lowell Street. No web site yet. Go to Yelp or Facebook for reviews.

There were six Romeos present including Joe Lapiana, Joe Pignatiello, Ed Deschuytner, Paul Girard, Jim Terlizzi and Mark Ryan. You can see photos at the Picasa web site ........

https://goo.gl/photos/EACuyYCQbV4i4Uw3A

We were seated on the outside deck facing the river. You could see a beautiful view of the Merrimack with ducks and geese floating by. Boaters would cruise by waving with their hair blowing in the breeze.

The waitress brought bread and dipping oil to the table and blue water glasses for six. She then took drink orders and gave out menus. Specials for the day were lobster roll, fried clams and steak tips.

The drinks came quickly including 4 margaritas, IPA draft beer and bud light. We all toasted to a good life, "bone vitale".

We then placed our order including fried clams, lobster roll, steak tips and baked haddock. In addition we got some chowders and salads.

The meal came quickly and was very good. The waitress was friendly and very attentive.

The conversation was great as always and included sports, news and politics. We also talked about jobs we had as kids and early in our teacher careers.

Joe P. ran a restaurant on White Horse Beach. He did very well for three months of summer but long hours.

Jim said his father had an ice cream truck and a route in Melrose, Malden, Stoneham, Chelsea and Revere. Jim helped sometime and dreaded seeing the little kids spending their last dime on a cone. I bet he snuck some free ones out now and then.

I said I remember buying ice cream but also bought from street peddlers selling cooked crabs and Indian apples (pomegranates now) for a nickel. Ed remembers that also growing up in Chelsea. Our waitress said she bought the Indian apples also.

Another memory was the Clam Box in Revere where you could get a pint of big belly clams for one buck. Try that today. It’s probably $20.00 at Kelly’s on the beach in Revere.

Remember the Adventure Car Hop in Saugus. You got an extra Hamburg if you said Woo-Woo Ginsburg sent you. He was the teen’s radio disc jockey.

We talked about some politics and the dirt that all the candidates were using against each other. We all wished for this constant mud-slinging to be over.

We talked about our next lunch and still wanted to eat outside. Gloucester was mentioned but Joe P. said it was too far for him. Other places were suggested in Lynn, Swampsott, Revere and Winthrop.

Jim will send out an email next month.

Comments always welcome.... Markryan82@comcast.net