It happened at the Weinhard (not Naples)

In keeping with my love of old movies, I was recently reminded of: It Happened in Naples. I admit with no hesitancy that I am no Sophia Loren. But sometimes things happen at the Weinhard that are reminiscent of an old movie, and it doesn’t hurt to dream for a minute that I could be a little like one of the most beautiful women in the world. But face it, as lovely as Dayton and Waitsburg are, they’re not Naples.

This past Saturday night, a lovely couple came to the restaurant for dinner. As we conversed about the specials, wines, and what they wanted to eat, I detected the gentleman’s accent. I immediately pegged it as Australian; it was not. He is from Liverpool (like the Beatles)! I was correct in guessing he was a soccer fan, leading to talk about the upcoming European soccer finals between England and Italy. Daniel, like most Italians, is an insufferable soccer fan, so the competition was on.

I can’t remember how it all happened, only that a deal was struck. They bring the beer, and we will all watch the game at our house.

Our house is cozy and fills up quickly. On the Wednesday before this, Paola, our newest employee and a former colleague of Daniel’s from culinary school, moved here to work with him at the restaurant. Until her rental house is ready, she is staying with us. Game day was Sunday morning and Paola’s first day off since arriving. I took her for a walk around Waitsburg, ending up on Main Street. We got coffee so she could meet whoever was working, hanging out, or just socializing at Ten Ton Coffee. The tour included showing her where the bank, Post Office, and Blush Salon are.

Luckily, but not uncommon, I ran into a friend or two at Ten Ton who graciously offered to watch Mugsy so that we could make a quick run into Waitsburg Grocery. We needed to buy the appropriate snack food selection necessary to absorb beer while watching a serious soccer competition. It was nice for Paola to see how community is in Waitsburg. People helping out because they want to, with nothing, asked for in return, no expectations, just being neighbors.

However, we set expectations on the deal we made with our new soccer friends. It wasn’t just that they bring the beer. If Italy wins, Daniel offered to cook lunch for all of us; if England wins, no lunch! I can’t say for sure, but it is possible Daniel was secretly rooting for England so he wouldn’t have to cook on his day off.

Of course, Italy won!

After a busy week at the restaurant, a Saturday night that included catering a wedding for 100 people, along with our regular service, I was surprised Daniel could even make toast, much less lunch. Luckily, he is not a sore winner, and we had a wonderful lunch of swordfish, artfully placed on a bed of cucumbers and roasted zucchini (both from Daniel’s garden), along with lots of wine and laughs.

Coincidentally, our new friends were married, divorced, and now back together, just like Daniel and me. And like us, he’s European and she is American. Is it fate, or am I living in a romantic comedy classic movie? Am I Sophia?

Ten Ton is the “Cheers” bar of Waitsburg like I hope Weinhard is becoming in Dayton. Every day we know more names and make more friends. I may not be Sophia Loren, but I might be Diane.