This past week I learned that the Greenbrier Restaurant and Motel was observing its 50th anniversary. I have such wonderful memories of this place and of the owners Tini and Tin Loria. I want to share a few memories about these two wonderful people.  Although, they’re just a few years older, we grew up in the same atmosphere here in Clarksburg.  I first met Tini when we worked together as waitresses at Minard's Inn.  After we got married and had children we kind of lost contact with each other but as the kids grew up we connected again and became best friends.  What a worker she and Tin were and the success of the business is attributed to them.  I worked with Tin securing rooms for Italian Festival guests and with Tini as she was always ready to supply good food for the Festival.  She was a wonderful cook and I cannot think of one dish that she prepared that I did not enjoy, but I will have to say my favorite is her Easter Bread. 

 

The wonderful thing about this is that she did pass her recipes along to her daughters and every Easter my table is graced with an Easter Bread that Terri has made. I have such wonderful memories of eating in her cafe after the girls had taken over the restaurant.  What wonderful fellowship was had along with wonderful food. I enjoyed many quiet lunches with Tin while Tini took care of the customers.  They left too soon and I miss them so much.  Good luck to the girls as they start on their second 50 years.

 

While shopping at Shop N Save last week the butcher came out with a sample of a salad that he was making and wanted me to sample.  It was absolutely wonderful.  It had a mixture of tomatoes, peppers, onions and olives and was topped off with Fontinella cheese.   What a wonderful dish this would make for tailgate parties.  Stop in and talk to Dave if you would like to serve this at your next party.

 

On Sunday, September 28, our family will be hosting an "Old Fashion Picnic" for all our friends and family who have lived or are still living in East View.  The purpose of the picnic is to support my son Mike's campaign for the State Senate.  The party will be from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the East View Community Center. We hope to have some entertainment and will be serving hot dogs.  Please come and bring along your friends even if they do not come from East View.  We want to show them some old fashion East View hospitality. If you have any questions please call me at 304 842 2662 or call Mike Queen at 304 669 5595.  Hope to see all of you on the 28th.

 

Dave and I visited Frank Fernandez's farm this past week and picked about a half bushel of grapes from his grape vine. Now do not think that we are going into the wine making business; I got them to make grape jelly.  What a wonderful smell my house had as they were cooking.  I tried to figure out if it was cheaper to make the jelly than to buy it and I never came to a conclusion, except that it sure tastes better than store bought.

 

Once again the Black Heritage Festival organizers did a great job.  I just hope the rain did not hurt them too badly.  I always enjoy the entertainment there.

 

For those of you who plant garlic I know that now is the time that you are digging it up.  My sister Cathy grew her own garlic started from bulbs that Frank Fernandez shared with her.  There has been much said about the medicinal value of eating garlic regularly.  I know that Frank and Dave sure do put a lot in Spanish sausage.  I received this note from Norm Julian this past week and will pass it on to all you garlic users. The secret to a better garlic flavor is to remove the inner white or green sliver before crushing it.  This sliver can be responsible for the bitter taste. This note is credited to Chef Jonathon Waxman.

 

A Happy Birthday to my brother- in- law, Dom Talerico. Many more in good health.

 

Keep in touch and until next week "Now You Have Heard It through the Grapevine."