Romeo Lunch 2-24-10

The Romeo gang met again for lunch this month at Grassfields Restaurant in Danvers on Rte 114. The restaurant used to be called Nick & Tony’s Salt Water Grill and is still run by the same guys but all newly redecorated inside and serving both Italian and American food. The lunch prices are reasonable and average $7.95 for an entrée.

It was raining pretty heavy but at least it wasn’t snow on the coast. However, there was snow more inland and the weather did prevent some Romeos from attending. Those in attendance were Jim Kearns, Jack Tweedie, Jim Terlizzi, Ed DeShuytner, Joe Pignatiello, Joe Lapiana, Mark Ryan, and Paul Girard.

We all got there about noon and the waiter who was a past student of Jim T. took orders for drinks which were mostly beer, martinis, wine and soda. We then placed out food orders and in a short time they arrived. Some ordered Steak Tips, Chicken Teriyaki, and some combos of Steak Tips and Scallops and some salads. The food was very good and cooked just right.

The conversation as usual was lively and spanned a variety of topics. I talked with Joe L. about the Periodic Table website he sent out by email. It was quite interesting and you could use a sliding ruler to see which elements changed to solid, liquid or gas at different temperatures. Jack T. got his JP license and has booked his first clients to marry next month at a very simple ceremony.

Mark talked about his Short Stories Blog and the Brink’s Robbery. The money was never found although the thieves were all arrested and sent to jail for other crimes they had committed. Mark also talked about spending some time in Mississippi in the 1980s at the University of Southern Mississippi teaching chemistry to elementary teachers. The people there were very hospitable and I visited some of their homes on weekends. The homes were beautiful, made of brick mostly and cost about a third of the price of homes around Boston.

Joe P. is still skiing this winter and helps at the ski school at Watchusetts Mt. Jim T. also talked about doing some skiing out west. The NSSSA group planning meeting was mentioned and most said they would probably only attend the April Dinner meeting.

Joe L. talked about watching the TV show “Two and a Half Men” with Charlie Sheen and Charlie going into rehab again. The conversation then switched to Tiger Woods and his dilemma.

We then talked about the Senate Election of Scott Brown and how the Democrats are having a difficult time passing any legislation where the Republicans continue to veto everything not theirs. The new credit card charges were then discussed regards how they can charge you for not having sufficient activity on your card. Jim K. then said that a lot of things on the Internet aren’t true especially political info and that people making these statements should check out their validity first. Especially those taken out of context or part of emails circulated months ago. You can check whether statements are true at the web site FactCheck.org .

Jim K. then talked about getting unlimited online movies from Netflix and playing them directly to your TV if you have a Blue Ray DVD Player. Paul G. compared the HD TV to the regular stations and said the quality of regular is quite poor on the new flat screen TVs compared to the old TV sets he had. Then there was a discussion of getting Verizon Fios, Comcast of Dish TV. Jim K. said that he is stuck with Comcast because Boston won’t let Verizon into that city. Other towns also only have one cable provider.

Joe L. offered a new Japanese Restaurant in Woburn for next month’s lunch and Paul G. asked Jim K. if it was restaurant week in Boston. Jim T. is going to check it all out and let us know by email. Before you knew it, the time past quickly and it was now 2:30 PM and time to go.

You can see photos of the group at the link ......

http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/Romeo22410#

Comments … send email to markryan82@comcast.net

Romeo Lunch 1-20-10

The Romeo gang met again for lunch today at the Mt. Vernon at the Ship Restaurant in Lynnfield. I arrived a little early and went to the Christmas Tree Shop next door to walk around. After a few minutes of roaming through the store several times, I decided to walk over to the restaurant. Since I was still early, I decided to wait at the bar. I ordered a beer and talked with the bar tender for 20 minutes before several others arrived.

When most had arrived at about 12 noon we were all seated in a special area with a long table on the far wall. The room was nicely decorated for a small party and you could see out into the parking lot. From the outside we were now located at the stern of the ship ready for our culinary voyage. The ship mates in attendance were Peter Gabriel, Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello, Joe Lapiano, Bob Simmons, Jim Kearns, Jim Terlizzi, Ed Deschuytner, Mark Ryan and Joe Balsama.

After ordering drinks and looking at the menu we all made our selections and gave the order to the waitress. Although twin lobsters were advertised at $9.99 and then $11.99, today’s price was now $18.99. There was also an extra charge for baked stuffed at $3.00 more each. Needless to say we all order other items from the menu which included a clam plate, meatloaf, lobster pie, stuffed shrimp and seafood paella. In a short time the meal was served and it was excellent and in large portions. The restaurant does not have a web site but you can reviews at Google.

Although we all enjoy a good meal, it is the conversation and the jokes and the camaraderie that we enjoyed more. The conversation bounced around from health insurance, to medications, to the Senate Elections, to skiing, to vacation trips and movies.

Peter talked about getting medical prescription by mail through Express Script and the rise in GIC insurance co pays and premiums mid year. Ed said that those on Medicare and GIC won’t get an increase since can’t raise federal rates (Medicare) mid year. He also said that those on Medicare will get a $250 federal stimulus check in March and those over 65 and not on SS can take a $250 tax deduction.

Jim Terlizzi said the skiing was good this year. I asked Ed if he skis and he said no since his knee injuries. However, his son just went to Killington and the prices for lifts, rental and helmet for one day were over $300. But Joe Pig and Joe Lap still go to Wachusetts which is much cheaper.

We talked a little about the Senate Election and possible reasons for the upset and Brown win. Most believed that it had to do with the national Health Care Plan, economy, bail outs for Wall Street and no jobs for the regular folks.

Ed talked about getting vinyl siding put on his house and got a cheaper price if it was done during winter months. No maintenance vinyl siding increases the resale value of a home. Jim T. said he use to do a lot of work himself on his home but now would rather pay a contractor. The older you get the less energetic.

Joe P. talked about a friend who had diabetes had to have a leg amputated and was having a real rough time now. I mentioned that the Haiti earthquake victims with simple broken bones in arms and legs were getting severe infections resulting in amputations.

We talked about taking online courses with Ed D. and he confirmed that they now cost the same at most colleges. However, taking tests online was still a problem since you really didn’t know who was really taking the test. Eventually it all catches up with the person.

After having coffee and sharing dessert it was nearing 2:00 PM and the time just went by so quickly. We then chose a date and place for next time which Jim T. will be emailing to you shortly.

You can see photos of the group at the web link below …
http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/Romeo12010#

Comments … send email to markryan82@comcast.net