Text 2076, 83 rader
Skriven 2006-06-12 19:39:40 av BURTON FORD (1:123/140)
Ärende: Shad Bake
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Hi Youse Folk        6/12/06 6:16 PM

I know you have all seen Dave The Sas's review of the Shad Bake.  I decided
I better get off the schneid and write about it.  Forgive me for being just
a tad late. [g]   No special reason, I just got off the writing wagon for a
bit.  It happens to me periodically.  

It rained in the Enfield area.  Constantly.  Didn't bother us a bit tho'.

We had just a grand time in Enfield with Sir Dave and Dame Maryanne and
Princess Lyn.  They are probably the most hospitable people we know.

The fire they use was a surprise.  I knew they used a bonfire, but I was
stunned at the size!  It must have been twenty feet across!  There are 17
oak boards around the perimeter of the fire, set vertically in individual
metal troughs to catch the run-off juices.   Each board has eight fish
nailed to it.  The fish are in fillets and they get about three servings
from a fish.  

The boardmaster decides which board is ready, and a runner hoists it up and
takes it to the de-nailing group, yelling a very atmospheric
"Booooooaaard!" to clear the way.  The denailers take the nails out with a
gizmo they invented that uses vacuum to suck up the nail.  I heard that
they got in trouble originally because nails got scattered around on the
school grounds.  

Then the runner runs the board into the school kitchen ["Booooooaaard!"] or
to the station where  you can get more Shad if you want [and more of the
dyn-o-mite potato salad.] The kitchen staff makes up a plate of fish, that
stellar sliced potato salad, a salad, and a great piece of apple pie with a
huge slice of cheddar cheese. You stand in a fast moving line for that.   

The first piece of shad was way overdone, almost black.  But what the heck,
the atmosphere and the company was the important part.  Our table was up on
the stage of the school cafeteria, and overlooked the peasants of the
festival below us.  [g]    When I got second piece of shad and more potato
salad, I pointed to the one fish on the new board that was beautifully done
and the nice old Rotarian cheerfully gave it to me.  It was very good and
was still a little juicy.  

We had a NYS Riesling and a bottle of Boutari Retsina I brought just to
gamble it with the shad.  As I understand it, that Greeks stored wine in
goats skin bags that they tarred with resin to seal the seams.  The wine
picked up the resin taste.  Centuries later when other means of storage
were common the Greeks still like the taste of resin in their wine.   Butch
and I like it too.  Anyone can feel free to correct the story.

Both bottles were emptied in jig time so I guess they were OK.   I was
pleased with the Retsina and as usual I enjoyed the resiny taste, that I
thought was great with the Shad.  The Sacerdotes didn't turn blue or faint
away so I guess they are steeled to any wine. [g]

Dave and I each bought a plate of raw oysters and since no one else wanted
any we really enjoyed them.  I don't know what Dave put on the oysters but
it was delicious.

The best part of the Shad Roast was getting there in the ever present rain.  
Dave drove the Exploder and I sat in the back seat and giggled and chuckled  
as Dave drove the Hell and gone all over Essex looking for the school. 
Neither the tickets nor the "Shad Bake" signs had a street address. And
Magellan couldn't find the school name in its six million points of
interest.  Dave had been to the Bake several times and he figured he knew
the way.   He didn't.  We spent well over half an hour driving up and down,
coming back to recognized corners and barging off in a different direction
until we were well out of town, only to turn back and try again.  I'm
afraid our individualistic Dave has one thing in common with the common
man... never ask for directions.  We finally stopped at the police station
and I asked directions.  When the cop gave them I said that I couldn't
believe that neither the tickets nor the signs gave an address.  He gut
laughed out loud and said they never do.  He got a big kick out of that! 

Shirley and I enjoyed the tour of Essex because we like looking at homes
and  such.

All for now.

Burt

---
'Til we read again. Burt               /~~.
  x=Newark, in New York State     ,~x~    |       
                                 `-------.;_
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