The Romeos met for lunch again this month at Michael’s Harborside Restaurant in Newburyport, MA. Although it was raining cats and dogs, nine hardy souls showed up for this monthly event. Those present were Paul Girard, Joe Pignatiello, Joe Lapiana, Jim Terlizzi, Brother Tim Paul, Peter Gabriel, Joe Loducca, Ed Deschuytner, and Mark Ryan. Peter was the last to arrive and we saved a seat for him right next to Joe Loducca his bosom buddy. You can see some photos at the link below ……http://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/Romeo82510#
The waitress seated us all at a long table at the end of the restaurant where you could see out into the harbor. There were loads of all size motor yachts tied up at their slips and on a warmer and sunnier day you could sit outside on the restaurant deck.
We all ordered drinks and needed something warm to take off the chill from the cold damp rain and strong wind. As you might guess, our sailing days with the rain pelting in our faces is long gone and we would rather be inside looking out than vice versa.
In a short time we placed our orders with a variety of selections and they were served up promptly. Looking around the table you could see a fisherman’s plate, scallops, seafood salad, tuna steak and several cups of fish and clam chowder. After a delicious meal we ordered coffee and a couple of desserts to share with spoons all around.
The dining room filled up quickly from 12 noon on and was packed at 1 PM. Looking around, the cliental consisted mostly of the senior set with a few younglings’ here and there. We also saw Wayne Adams from the North Shore Teachers group who was there with his family.
Like always the conversation was lively and bounced around the table. However, it was hard hearing what was being said at the other end of the table.
At my end of the table, Paul said he had just returned from a couple weeks on the Vineyard. Those having vacation the last few weeks really had great weather. Paul also mentioned that there was a great fishing boat out of the Vineyard and wondered if we all might be interested.
We could take the ferry over in one big car and come back the same day or stay overnight. Others mentioned that we also might look into going back out of Gloucester. Right now it’s all up in the air and we are thinking about it. Joe P. also said that he had been fishing near the Amelia Earhart Dam in Somerville off the pier and that the stripper bass were really biting good.
We also talked about gardening. Paul had a good harvest with tomatoes, potatoes, beans and peppers. Joe Lapiana had a good take of tomatoes. Mark’s tomatoes seem to be coming back. He has a lot of cherry tomatoes but several plants of yellow plume pear shaped tomatoes ripened and then the leaves died off. He has had a lot of water problems since he has been away most of the summer and the garden has suffered.
We then talked about getting up on a ladder to do house chores. Now that we are older, heights are less attractive. I said I used to work for a roofing company when I was 18 and had no trouble straddling the high roofs. Paul talked about seeing a TV documentary where Indians had no fear building the Brooklyn Bridge or the Empire Sate Building.
We then talked about the price of food and living in New England as compared to Florida. It seems that Massachusetts residence moving to Florida get some tax advantages while still collecting a Massachusetts pension.
Joe P. mentioned how he liked shopping at Market Basket in Chelsea where they may have 40 registers open to serve all the customers. The place is always clean, well stocked and you can use coupons. Ed said that he grew up in Chelsea and his house was right where the customer service desk is now in Market Basket store. Joe Lapiana talked about an Asian Food Market in Burlington which has a large assortment of all kinds of fresh fish and other goods at good prices.
Jim T. then asked us to choose a place and date for lunch next month. We finally selected September 28 at a restaurant in Chelmsford. Jim will send out an email to let us all know the details.
At about 2:30 PM, we decided to say our good-byes until next time and hit the road and face the torrential rains. When we left, the wind was still blowing strong although the rain had lessened somewhat.
Comments Welcome …. markryan82@comcast.net
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