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Augusta Easter Trip, Day 4 of 6
Apr. 20th, 2019 11:59 pmSATURDAY
Since we had the day free until 5, after showering and getting dressed, I sent a message to Alan who introduced us back in Rochester to let him know we were available for lunch, and then we went downstairs about 9:30 for breakfast and to wait for the room to be serviced. Around 11 he sent me a message suggesting the Boll Weevil restaurant and sweetery by the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta. So we returned to our room briefly to gather our things and head out to meet him and his husband, also Alan, at the restaurant.
When we arrived he was seated in a booth since no tables were available when he got there. The younger and larger Alan arrived and we determined the booth wasn't going to work, so we moved to a newly opened table and were served by a thin young dude in a bright green shirt. The elder Alan suggested that, while there was nothing bad on the entire menu, that he especially liked the tomato and apple soup, so I ordered that with a Curious George (turkey and spinach dip) sandwich. We all split an order of fried green tomatoes as well. After lunch, I stopped by the bathroom (a "one-holer") and discovered a print of the original Masters tournament publicity poster from 1934 hanging over the toilet. I then followed the elder Alan to the bakery case where the cakes and pies were on display. When we returned to the table, I ordered the Hummingbird which was a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, while Gary ordered the key lime pie. On the Alans' advice we took our desserts to go.
We parted ways outside the restaurant and returned to the hotel, stopping for fuel next door. Back in the room, Gary napped and I wrote my journal until it was time to leave for the party. We arrived early enough that the only other folks there were the family members doing the catering and the superintendent of the venue, a younger dude with a trim ginger beard. We helped them carry things into the kitchen and set up tables and chairs, assisted by Rahmik and Mike as they arrived, and some of the ladies put up decorations (also with Mike's assistance once the tables were up). Meanwhile, Gary's cousin Damon (who has an impressively styled beard and some nice ink on his arm) set up the sound system.
When Lillie arrived with Darnell and Carol, Gary went outside and took video of the procession to the head table. The festivities began with a saxophone solo and a gospel hymn "I Am a Living Testimony" sung a cappella, followed by remarks from various family members and grace for the meal. Then dinner was served buffet style: salad and rolls, baked or fried chicken, mac and cheese or rice, and a choice of veggies. I especially liked the fried chicken and the mac and cheese. After dinner there was a guitar solo, and then we sang and clapped along with Stevie Wonder's rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" which is a very different tune from the traditional. During the rest of the music, the very little kids were the most enthusiastic dancers, joined occasionally by a younger adult.
Then we all gathered for the obligatory group picture. Mike was going to take the picture with a tablet so I took it and started to set up the shot. Then Lillie motioned that we all should be in the picture so I told Mike (who was trying to hand me more cameras), "Put all the cameras down, we're getting in the picture." In front, Darnell on his portable throne was flanked by Carol and Lillie; behind them were Gary's stepbrother Kawand, Mike, Gary, Rahmik, and yours truly.
As the party was winding down, we helped clean up and get Darnell in the van for Mike to drive him home, then waited for Lillie to finish up with the superintendent. While we waited, Damon came over and introduced himself. When Lillie was ready to go, we made arrangements to meet at the house at one the following afternoon and returned to the hotel to unwind.
I left Sheila a message to let me know when to contact her to wish the family a happy Easter. We finished off the evening watching hockey and catching up on our phones, and went to sleep about midnight.
Since we had the day free until 5, after showering and getting dressed, I sent a message to Alan who introduced us back in Rochester to let him know we were available for lunch, and then we went downstairs about 9:30 for breakfast and to wait for the room to be serviced. Around 11 he sent me a message suggesting the Boll Weevil restaurant and sweetery by the Riverwalk in downtown Augusta. So we returned to our room briefly to gather our things and head out to meet him and his husband, also Alan, at the restaurant.
When we arrived he was seated in a booth since no tables were available when he got there. The younger and larger Alan arrived and we determined the booth wasn't going to work, so we moved to a newly opened table and were served by a thin young dude in a bright green shirt. The elder Alan suggested that, while there was nothing bad on the entire menu, that he especially liked the tomato and apple soup, so I ordered that with a Curious George (turkey and spinach dip) sandwich. We all split an order of fried green tomatoes as well. After lunch, I stopped by the bathroom (a "one-holer") and discovered a print of the original Masters tournament publicity poster from 1934 hanging over the toilet. I then followed the elder Alan to the bakery case where the cakes and pies were on display. When we returned to the table, I ordered the Hummingbird which was a spice cake with cream cheese frosting, while Gary ordered the key lime pie. On the Alans' advice we took our desserts to go.
We parted ways outside the restaurant and returned to the hotel, stopping for fuel next door. Back in the room, Gary napped and I wrote my journal until it was time to leave for the party. We arrived early enough that the only other folks there were the family members doing the catering and the superintendent of the venue, a younger dude with a trim ginger beard. We helped them carry things into the kitchen and set up tables and chairs, assisted by Rahmik and Mike as they arrived, and some of the ladies put up decorations (also with Mike's assistance once the tables were up). Meanwhile, Gary's cousin Damon (who has an impressively styled beard and some nice ink on his arm) set up the sound system.
When Lillie arrived with Darnell and Carol, Gary went outside and took video of the procession to the head table. The festivities began with a saxophone solo and a gospel hymn "I Am a Living Testimony" sung a cappella, followed by remarks from various family members and grace for the meal. Then dinner was served buffet style: salad and rolls, baked or fried chicken, mac and cheese or rice, and a choice of veggies. I especially liked the fried chicken and the mac and cheese. After dinner there was a guitar solo, and then we sang and clapped along with Stevie Wonder's rendition of "Happy Birthday to You" which is a very different tune from the traditional. During the rest of the music, the very little kids were the most enthusiastic dancers, joined occasionally by a younger adult.
Then we all gathered for the obligatory group picture. Mike was going to take the picture with a tablet so I took it and started to set up the shot. Then Lillie motioned that we all should be in the picture so I told Mike (who was trying to hand me more cameras), "Put all the cameras down, we're getting in the picture." In front, Darnell on his portable throne was flanked by Carol and Lillie; behind them were Gary's stepbrother Kawand, Mike, Gary, Rahmik, and yours truly.
As the party was winding down, we helped clean up and get Darnell in the van for Mike to drive him home, then waited for Lillie to finish up with the superintendent. While we waited, Damon came over and introduced himself. When Lillie was ready to go, we made arrangements to meet at the house at one the following afternoon and returned to the hotel to unwind.
I left Sheila a message to let me know when to contact her to wish the family a happy Easter. We finished off the evening watching hockey and catching up on our phones, and went to sleep about midnight.