April 26, Saturday - it was a sunny, cool, wonderful morning, which made 29 members want to ride or eat what one I don't know. It was decided, because the planning committee had their last (thank God) meeting before the Conference (now only 4 days away) at Joe E.'s to try QS&L again for it's location to there. After the last visit to QS&L and the conversation I had with Bill Church regarding that trip and his guarantee those problems would be fixed, this seemed like a good idea. All I'm going to say is this, It's a good thing we had each other to talk to to past the time while we waited for the food. IT WAS NOT BETTER IT WAS WORSE!!!! After close to 1 1/2 hours we were done eating and those that had to go to the meeting went, while others went to the Shriner's picnic and to Leesburg for Bikefest. Til next time--------(ed-BS)

 

A 2nd reporter's view -   29 of us met at Sears, Countryside Mall for a breakfast ride.  Right off the bat, I noticed the Sears Appliance Repair truck and asked Don if Jimmy had brought his work truck.  Don had to remind me that we were at Sears, and that it was common to see their trucks parked in their own parking lot. 

We visited a bit before making our way to Quaker Steak and Lube.  There were some pouty faces when we announced where we were going to breakfast, as the last time the group went there, it was an unfavorable experience.  Bruce assured those who were skeptical that he had spoken to the management and they were going to make everything right this time.  The last time they were in, breakfast was a new thing, and they were unprepared. 

Gary led the group with mean green, Bruce, taking up the rear. 

When we entered the restaurant, we noticed Ron DiMento (that makes 29!) waiting for us at the large tables they had reserved for our group.  Right off the bat, we noticed there were not glasses or cups sitting at the table, which normally, if they are ready for a group, will have water poured for everyone in the group.  We stayed optimistic, until a few moments later, we noticed the one (1) waitress come to greet us (yes, 1 waitress for a group of 29!).  It concerned us that she didn’t look very energetic, but seemed almost lethargic.  We were hoping her coffee would hit soon, to give her the much needed energy she would require to handle the large group. 

She started by asking what drinks we wanted and most wanted coffee or water.  That seemed easy enough, until we noticed her coming back with small trays with glasses filled with water, for those who ordered them.  She would take the time to look at her list and try to figure out her system, of who ordered what.  Finally, Don jumped up, nicely took the tray of waters and yelled out, “Who ordered waters?”  People raised their hands and Don delivered the waters to them.  The waitress smiled a sigh of relief!  The same thing when the coffee’s came out, as the waitress tried to figure out from her paperwork, who ordered coffees, Don rushed over and winked at her, yelling out, “Who ordered coffees?”  The waitress was so happy that Don was helping! 

By the time the waters and coffees were delivered, which took a long time, before Don assisted, we already drank our waters and coffee and were already out of creamers!  Don went in the back area, grabbed the water jug and went around, refilling the waters.  He did the same thing for the coffee-drinkers, when the waitress came out and noticed Don helping.  She seemed somewhat embarrassed.  She took the coffee carafe from Don and continued refilling coffee cups.  In the meantime, no-one was taking the 29 orders!  Someone at the other end of the table asked if anyone had spare creams, and Gary, wanting to help, threw a creamer across the table to the other end.  Little did he know, the creamer apparently had a hole in it, and cream splattered, as it made its way through the air, to the other end of the table!  Mike Branum’s, Sue, got a cream shower!  Gary was very apologetic, as she wiped the cream from her face! 

While we waited for our waitress to take the 29 orders, Claude suggested she take some of those orders to the kitchen, so they could get started cooking, and not be slammed with 29 orders.  The waitress ignored him! 

Waiting one hour, while the waitress grabbed the orders, allowed us the opportunity to visit with one-another!  Some of us were a little worried and nervous, knowing we had an 11 AM SRC meeting, directly after breakfast.  We were fearful that our food would not arrive until lunchtime.  Teresa approached Howard and asked a professional question to him, in reference to being married versus living together.  Howard didn’t agree with Bruce’s interpretation of the bible, how it was written. (Can you just imagine Bruce’s interpretation?)  Howard explained to Teresa his understanding of the bible readings and she went back to convey to Bruce that he was misunderstood in his interpretation.  Just then, someone’s cell phone rang aloud, to which Jimmy said, “It’s the pope calling!”  We all laughed about it, trying to keep our lack of meal frustrations at bay. 

As the clock ticked past 11 AM, we realized since our food had not arrived, we would be very late for the SRC meeting at Joe E’s house.  At that point, Joe called home and told Dennis D, who was patiently waiting at the house; that we had decided not to go to the meeting.  He joked of course, but gave him a heads up that we would be late. 

Our food arrived and it tasted wonderful.  Some complained that their food was not very hot, but yet, barely lukewarm.  Paula suggested we get to-go boxes, and take the food to Joe E’s house, and “nuke it in the microwave!”  We all laughed and hurried to finish our breakfast to leave for the meeting. 

It all worked out well and our long wait was awarded with a $2.00 coupon off of each individual order.  That made it feel all better!  Breakfast is new to Quaker Steak and we wondered if they would continue with it? 

We said our good-bye’s to Claude, who would be returning to his homeland, Canada, next week.  He said he would see us again in November. 

Karen Lumpkin

Ride Reporter

 

 

April 24, Thursday - 17 members rode to and met at Gennaro's Pizza and Restaurant in Hudson (a place we have been to many times and seem to enjoy) for the monthly Chapter dinner ride. The scheduled time to meet was 7:30pm, but members began arriving at 7 (must have been hungry). We (all but DD who remained outside to clean his windshield first) went inside and our table was ready, although we had to add a couple. The owner and chef, Joe Gennaro, came out to greet us and give us the lecture about why it would take time to prepare our food from the open menu and not to be mad at him for the wait. We understood and ordered all our favorites, while we waited we socialized, laughed, and talked about he Conference (now only 6 days away). Our food came out almost all together and as usual was delicious. After dinner there was the usual parking lot socializing and then the ride home (it was great to be home after a dinner ride in 10 minutes instead of the usual 1 hour). Til next time-----------(ed-BS)

 

April 13, Sunday - 14 members met at BK on this very cloudy, overcast morning for the ride to Crystal River and Cracker's Restaurant. As we left BK it began to drizzle and then rain harder and rain harder, we pulled over in Lutz to discuss what we were going to do. It was unanimous that today's Chapter ride was a ride to Lutz, we went home. Til next time-----------------(ed-BS)

 

April 12, Saturday - 26 members attended the Hill/Calbus wedding at the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. The afternoon started with our Chapter 17 escorts escorting the limo with the bride and her attendants and the Chapter 17 almost escorts bringing up the rear. we arrived at the Spa and formed up to begin the ceremony which was outside on the deck officiated by DD. After the really quick ceremony and pictures, we went inside to the cocktail hour and the great dinner that followed. After dinner the reception festivities followed (you know the bride and groom shoving cake in each other's face, catching the bouquet, checking if the bride is wearing underwear, catching the garter, checking if the single lady that caught the bouquet is wearing underwear. Then dancing). Congratulations to Nancy and Tim. Til next time-------(ed-BS)