Day 15 of June this year was gorgeous. Sunshine, mild temperatures and a zephyr breeze. A morning meeting with positive vibes produced an appetite for a small repast. It was time for lunch. A short walk and into the doors of a sandwich shop, which has seen 40 years of feeding a hunger.
Then came the question of where to consume a simple BLT. A brilliant idea — the tables at Mantle Lake Park were out there. Like most brilliant ideas, it was a bit of a large idea. For a body that is still recovering from dialysis and transplant, it was a bit of a distance. Nevertheless, onward. The stomach was leading the charge.
It was by chance, while waiting for the tree cutters to move a truck, that the new dining facility of Chez rue de Pine [Pine Street Elementary School] was spotted. Set in a little hollow of open space, this petite cafe was tempting the eyes and the feet, which had been complaining quite vociferously that they were being overworked. A quick stroll, and up to the door. The mistress of the house explained that it was Field Day, and crowds of excited youngsters would be running through this dining area — but it would be OK to have a table for a bit of lunch.
The stomach was now in full-blown screech mode, so some directions may have been misunderstood. A spot was soon found near the ball fields, and sitting on the wonderful green velvet seating under a brilliant sunlit sky, lunch began.
From the side came a rush of squeaking, squealing and tumbling youngsters, excited to have a warm, sunny day. Their goal was a game stage where some cones and hula hoops were on display. Two young women took charge, explaining how the game worked. Go through the hula hoop and over a cone, and get a candy sucker.
These were very competitive kids. They formed two lines and the fun began, as each tried to outhoop the other. Hoops were flying all over. Up, down and falling flat, the cones were ahead of the game. By now, this fascinating entertainment was catching the eyes. Overseeing all this chaos were two understanding mother hens. Since there was an anomaly to the scene, feathers were raised.
A few phone calls later and a visit from the resident rooster, the mistress of the house explained that my appearance had caused some consternation but that it was OK to remain and enjoy the delights of a simple BLT and a drink. The riparian entertainments continued with all the participants exhibiting the finest in decorum, even when disagreeing about where a candy sucker was supposed to reside.
Further afield, a sack race was ensuing, and from the excited exhortations it was proving to have some fervent fans.
In a time when clouds are darkening on a the horizon it was refreshing to sit and enjoy a wonderful spring day in the sun watching a joyful hope for a better future enjoy the pleasures of life. Memories were made, and this one school can be proud of being an exemplar of all things glorious in the field.
Check in at the office and bring a blanket to enjoy the riparian entertainments of field day on the lawns of Chez Pine Street, a definitely spectacular dining experience.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist living in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television, later working in many different areas of the US. After 20 years of television he changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
