Small gathering has big heart

Late word has arrived via email from our Minnesota neighbors on Abbey Point in Shakopee. Our monthly neighborhood dinner, scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month, went off without a hitch in our absence as well as the absence of over a half-dozen other snowbirds presently in warmer climes. As proof of the success of the evening, vice photographer Tom Story dispatched a batch of pictures of the event and this note:

Stan:
Here's the gang at last night's Abbey Point Night. You can tell how small the February gathering is by the size of the table we reserved.

Missed you guys.
Tom

Based on the size of the photographs Tom produced (they're blown-up here to full size in these examples) the group isn't the only small thing from last night, but we present them, nonetheless, with our gratitude for being remembered by this kind group of hardy souls.
Then Tom remembered to email another photo from last night: Kevin and Jim, the Stonebrooke restaurant bartender and manager, who soldier on despite the winter's loss of golfing revenue.

Stan:
I missed an important picture. Jim and Kevin send their regards.

Tom
 

Tom Story Tax Services
PO Box 518
Shakopee MN 55379
612-619-0152

Some folks may think that being missed by a bartender suggests issues that need to be addressed. Not us. We're honored that the guys remember us. And if you're looking for a good tax service guy, give Tom a call. Don't everybody call, though. We want him to have enough time to join us with his wife for a few nights in Tucson before winter is over.

------------------

Stan and Kathleen were unable to phone in their customary regards to the Abbey Point gathering last night because they were enjoying dinner with friends at Harvest in Oro Valley. It was a lovely meal and good company, but Kathleen especially missed her Stonebrooke bartender because Harvest was unable to concoct a virgin Pina Coloda. This is one of the few drinks Kathleen truly enjoys. They came up with the sad excuse that "we don't have a blender." Never such lameness at Stonebrooke. Faster than Rupert Holmes could sing "If you like Pina Coladas and getting caught in the rain,"  Kevin would have one blended and even enhanced with a scoop of ice cream. Sometimes there's no place like home.

Click here to see last night's menu: at Harvest.


Arlin had the Braised Country Pork Ribs; Marilyn had the House-Made Gnocchi; Wayne had the Lobster Mac’n Cheese; Stan had the Sesame Crusted Ahi Tuna; and Kathleen had the Braised Kobe Beef.


The food was praised: Kathleen loved her beef, Stan was disappointed in his tuna dish, suffering a serious case of Diner's Remorse as he gazed at the more appetizing choices made by his tablemates, particularly the ribs and the beef.