I was the first to arrive and decided to stroll the beach and enjoy the bright summer day. It will probably be one of the last great days of summer. However, the beach was pretty empty except for me and the seagulls since most kids were now back to school. During my walk I picked up a few seashells and stones and wondered how long Mother Nature had taken to smooth down their edges with the eternal tide.
At the entrance to the beach road along the center island, there were the remains of a Sand Castle Building Contest with several beautiful sculptures. Along the main strip were various vendors offering games, gifts and food choices. The main Pavilion housing the Seaglass Restaurant and Music Hall were on a side street to the left. The Music Hall offered big bands and other entertainment concerts. The Pavilion was located right on the beach shore, built up on cement pillars. I entered the restaurant and took some photos of the main dining room before any guest had arrived. There was a main bar, a fire place and a grand piano for light entertainment and seating for about 200.
I then waited outside to enjoy the sunlight as the rest of the crew arrived and talk for a while enjoying the ocean air. In a short time we went inside and were seated at a long table with a great view of the beach and the ocean. Some of the group commented that there were a few boats way out quietly fishing or speeding off to another spot. Joe P. then asked Paul, when we were going deep sea fishing. Paul then said he would look into it and polled the group to see who was interested.
The waitress took our drink orders and quickly returned with an assortment of beers, margaritas and soda. The waitress then described the specialties for the day and the catch of the day was salmon. She then took our food orders which included several appetizers of mussels in a spicy sauce and corn chowder with the entrees of shrimp scampi, haddock, eggplant, and salmon. Later we finished off the meal with coffee, cappuccino and assorted gelatos with plenty of spoons for all to sample. The food was great with large portions.
As we ate and drank, the conversation bounced around the table and was lively as usual. The first topic centered on politics and the constant bickering going on in Congress. Obama’s approval rating is at an all time low and he can’t get anything through congress due to partisan politics. Doesn’t look like he will be re-elected. However, the republicans don’t have any real contenders. The people are just FRUSTRATED.
Steve W. just returned from a 21 day trip to Germany. He traveled by boat from Berlin to Prague on the Alba River and said it was wonderful. He later took a cab ride up into the mountains and it was breath taking. Jim T. also just returned from an 18 day trip to Spain. He was on a group tour and enjoyed the entire time. However, 18 days is a little long for him and he would rather be driving his own rental car and moving at his own pace. Ed D. celebrated a wedding anniversary October 1st in N.H. at the Mt. Washington Hotel. Since his son’s wedding anniversary was on the 4th they went together, all four that is.
Joe Lapiana passed out some fliers for the Lowell Arts Festival this weekend. We are all invited to attend. He will be at the Western Avenue Studio #326 on Saturday. You can get additional info at the web site…
http://www.lowellopenstudios.org/ . Joe Loducca wasn’t able to attend the lunch. He had a car accident which totaled his small Miata. He is fine now but his doctor wants him to take it easy for a few days.
We then decided to meet again for lunch next month on October 26. Jim T. will send an email.
Comments Always Welcome: markryan82@comcast.net
