Gang of 8 Storms Boston

While the New York Gang of Eight hasn't attacked Gotham in several years, it did do some groundwork to ready itself for the next venture into The City - it invaded Boston for a weekend late in October.

The Almonds, Kneebones, Thomsons, and Paces journeyed to beantown via Dartmouth Coach and settled into some reasonable quarters at the Westin at Copley Place. Following lunch at the Top of the Hub, we readied for our duck boat trek under the command of Colonel Duck-Tape and his aide, Lt. Colonel George Thomson. It was a marvellous land/sea view of Back Bay Boston, the North End, the Charles River, and the Esplannade.

We returned for a planning session at Bar 10, then the group ventured into the North End for dinner at Lucca's. This was followed by a highly cultural event, a Mamet comedy dealing with the difficulties of being a lameduck President in the play "November".

The next day, based on intricate plans prepared by the ladies, we assembled on Boston Commons and began to retrace the Freedom Trail. This included a number of historic churches, cemeteries, the old State House, Fanueil Hall, the Greenway and Harbor, and Quincy Market. It was here that we decided to have lunch at Cheers (not the original one). We had the good fortune to meet Curtis, a young lad probably from New Orleans who might be attending MIT (who took the group photo above).

We had a second expedition to the North End for Italian ice - gelato. Naturally it was incumbent on us to test the various concoctions offered. As may be observed, susan Kneebone decided it was necessary to do some close-up photography of the items to ensure that they satisfied Massachusetts health requirements and meet the needs of the group.

Our Saturday night dinner, naturally following a second planning session at Bar 10 in the hotel, was in Back Bay at one of our old haunts, Casa Romero. All enjoyed a good Mexican dinner with supporting beverages.

That evening, at the suggestion of our now-Florida-based friends, the Moores, we attended a second cultural endeavor at the Charles Street Playhouse, "Shear Madness", a tale of homicide and wicked doings where the audience selected the criminal.

On our final day we split into two groups to do our museum trekking; the Thomsons went to the Science Museum while the rest of us went to the Institute of Contemporary Art.

Some selected scenes from these various cultural endeavors may be seen by clicking here.

It's rumored that the gang may find itself back in New York next year - only a rumor, of course!

Ralph Runs for High Bailiff via Write-In

"Ralph understands the important role of a high bailiff in Vermont government. He has a background that neatly fits the demands of the position." With these words Congressman Peter Welch helped kick-off Ralph Pace's write-in campaign for High Bailiff of Windsor County.

Pace, a Ludlow Democrat, announced that he will seek the post of High Bailiff in Windsor County via a write-in campaign.

He indicated that "it would be a tough job to run as a write-in candidate, especially when an Independent will be on the ballot for the office." He added that he had been urged to seek the post by a number of friends who believe he would be a good candidate for this position.

The High Bailiff's principal function is to exercise those activities which the county sheriff is "incompetent" to do, namely, to arrest the sheriff if circumstances require that action. The High Bailiff then fulfils the function of the sheriff until a replacement is named. High Bailiff is a positon unique to Vermont in the American political structure. It is based on medieval legal systems and currently exists elsewhere only on the Isle of Man.

Pace noted that he felt his understanding of medieval history made him a natural candidate for the post.

He wryly added, "I think the current political contests need a little levity added. Somehow, our politicians have lost their sense of humor."

Pace writes a blog, Black River Today, and is co-anchor of a weekly televised news programs on LPC-TV, 'That Was The Week That Was'.

A Sausage Making Party

No, this is not some obscene event transpiring!

This is a sausage making event that hostess Dianne Krupp and Ralph had always wanted to make and finally decided the time had come to do so.

Dianne purchased about 9 pounds of pork which we then ground up (twice), add the vital herbs and seasonings, and then stuffed in casings to form our own, homemade sausage. (As a footnote, nine pounds of ground pork makes a lot of sausage.)

Pictured below are scenes of Dianne and Ralph at work and finally celebrating the ultimate achievement of consuming their culinary work of art. It was very good sausage.

Additional photos of this event may be viewed by clicking here.

A Journey to Barnard

Today we drove up to Barnard, VT with the Almonds and Kneebones to partake of lunch at the Barnard General Store, enjoy the foliage in Barnard, and enjoy the foliage in the ride up and back. It was a great day, almost cloudless, bright blue sky, and beautiful foliage, even if slightly past peak. Above is a picture taken of Grasshopper Lane in Cavendish, a road less travelled. Below are the Almonds, Kneebones, and Janet at lunch in the General Store. A few other foliage pictures may be viewed by clicking here.

Fall Arrives at 1 Whispering Pines

With the arrival of Fall, Janet has installed someone to guard us from the ravages of the season. Hopefully he'll be visible for awhile before the snow covers him.

Ludlow in the Fall

On a beautiful Fall day, it's hard to ignore Ludlow's singular foliage scene. Below is the front yard at 1 Whispering Pines. Our maple closest to the street turned suddenly, within just several days.