The Romeos had lunch on Wednesday, 7-24-13, at the BYC
(Boston Yacht Club) in Marblehead. The BYC is located at 1 Front Street.
Go to www.bostonyc.org for directions
and more information.
The six members present were Paul Girard, Jim Terlizzi,
Joe Pignatiello, Ed DeSchuytner, Joe Lapiana and Mark Ryan. You can see some photos at the Picasa link
below …..
Getting to the BYC is somewhat difficult since the
streets in Marblehead are all one way and very narrow. You can follow direction
or better yet have a GPS to lead you through the winding streets. I arrived
about 11:45 AM, just before the noon lunch.
After parking the car in the small lot, I strolled around
the side and entered the club through the back deck. From here there is a
beautiful view of Marblehead Harbour with all the boats tied to their moorings.
There are over 2500 boats anchored in the harbour and serviced by five yacht
clubs and a public access dock. Most boaters grab a water taxi to get ferried
out to their mooring and then set sail to the outer harbour and beyond.
I met Ed and Joe L. on the back deck looking out on the water. We talked for a while and then Jim arrived. We then went to the bar and ordered a few drinks when Paul showed up. Paul had made reservations to sit out on the deck downstairs. So we all followed, with drinks in hand, to the lower level.
Paul G. has been a member of the BYC for several years
and has invited the Romeos out for lunch each year as his guests. He use to
sail but now has passed on the gauntlet to his children and relatives. Looking
out on the water Paul pointed to his son in law’s boat. Paul enjoys his
membership at the BYC and has had many memorable family events here. When his
daughter married the reception was here at the club.
Next week is Race Week and all the boating enthusiasts
will be sailing, crewing or watching the races as the various class boats try
to out manoeuver the pack by tacking and jibing with mainsail and jib.
Paul told us that there is a 10 year waiting period to acquire a mooring in Marblehead Harbour since boating has become such a desirable activity.
After sitting at a round table on the outside deck the
waiter gave out menus. Joe P. then arrived and we placed our lunch orders which
consisted of lobsters roll, haddock roll and shrimp salad and chowder. The meal
was served quickly and was very good.
As always, the conversation bounced around the table as
we kidded with each other. Politics, movies, and sports were among the topics.
Jim is interested in a new car and had scheduled a test drive in a BMW after
lunch. Jim was going on a trip to Iceland but cancelled since his wife got ill.
She is better now. Ed said he bought a kit and changes his own oil on his BMW
in about 5 minutes.
I talked about gardening and having lost a lot of plants
to a gopher. The little varmint has had a family and has dug holes all over the
yard under garden fences and under sheds. I have tried everything to get rid of
the pest to no avail. I looked up some methods on the Web to get rid of the pests
which included traps, fox urine and Geraniums. One fellow installed strobe
lights and says the little critters stay away. All we need is some disco music.
Joe L. said has dog chased one right into a gopher hole
and almost didn’t come out. Ed said his dog trapped one near a gravel walkway.
The gopher escaped by digging a tunnel and throwing out rocks like a Gatling
gun.
Ed talked about doing online courses at NECC. He said the
cost is about $300 per credit. A
Chemistry course is 3 credits online. A 1 credit lab course has to be taken in
person at the college if needed.
We then talked about some items in the news. The Bulger
Trial, Travon Martin, Weiner Election. We then discussed all the books written
about Bulger and the Winter Hill Gang. Everyone had an opinion.
Joe P. then talked about a wine tasting and dinner at the
the Boston Winery. Joe L. then told about the St. Joseph Feast in the North End
this weekend and some related festivals in Lowell.
Ed D. then said his son finally bought a condo on Beacon
Hill in Boston after looking for two years and seeing over 300 properties. Jim
said his sister has a condo there which she is trying to sell.
’m sure there were other topics which were discussed but
that’s all I can remember right now.
We then scheduled the next lunch for August 21 in Boston
on the water near Battery Wharf. Jim will let you all know the details.
