It was the best of times; it was the worst of times…
“Eh?... Somebody has already used that!”
Well, OK … but now that I have your attention …
The best of times were those times during the summer when Marshall Rauch put on another hot dog roast at his place on Union Road.
By the time a guest had loaded his plate with kosher hot dogs, potato salad, pork ‘n beans, slaw and pickles from Bob Frye and other items, including cinnamon buns from Guilty Pleasures and cold drinks — well, that was the best of times.
And, the worst of times?
This one, a week ago today, was the last of the year. So, it will be about nine months we have to wait. Maybe not the worst, but … bad.
Marshall, a retired industrialist and former state senator, got the idea about six years ago to invite some of his friends out for lunch. He would serve the vittles and it was good food and jawboning all around.
Those who came liked it. They came back next year … and brought their friends. And the year after, etc.
The function a week ago capped the stack. Rain sometimes played the mischievous interloper, but not this time. No rain and nothing but blue skies and a lot of friendly chatter.
Every table was overloaded with food and people, and those who couldn’t find a seat stood up and demonstrated how folks can eat and stand at the same time.
We had the Katensteins (Lawyer Charles and his wife, Sondra) at our table. Table for six; we squeezed in eight. Bill Tomlin, long-time tennis buddy to my departed friend and Gazette associate Lyle Edwards, was there. He still lives a nightmare because that back operation was not successful.
He and Steve Humphrey, local house fixer-upper, were there and business is good.
In our group, also, were Phyllis Hallman, Lee Howell and Ann Roberts, of Covenant Village. They helped raise the reputation of our group simply by being there.
I was interested in some of the tales that Señor Katenstein set forth. He and Bill Tomlin used to play tennis with each other. But since Bill’s non-cooperating back is still not cooperating, tennis is on the back (that word again) burner now.
Katenstein said that his left knee had given him so much trouble that he had it replaced. A good move and a bad move. The new knee was as good as new, but the right knee, noticing what had happened to the left knee, jumped into the game. So, the owner had to have that one fixed also.
Now with two noble knees, he’s back at work and also back at tennis. Seventy-two? Is that how old he is?
It is an interesting sight, this kosher affair, to stand aside and take in the site. Many people eating. Some people talking. Some people doing a little of both at the same time. Lots of laughing and some punching in the ribs. Handshaking, reminding each other of times gone by.
I asked Marshall how it all began.
He said that years ago he and his wife, Jeanne, decided to invite family and friends over for kosher hot dogs. That was the beginning.
And so it has grown to what it was this last time, 150 people — from Gastonia and Hickory and Shelby and Charlotte, and elsewhere, from all walks of life.
“We even had some men, now growing old, who used to be in my Boy’s Club
60 years ago. You know we had a lot of catchin’ up to do,” Marshall said.
Then, he said, “I just hope that we’ll all be hearty and healthy when we begin again next year.”
Amen, brother.
Bill Williams is a former editor of The Gazette.