My Former Partner Responds To Herman's Column
TRIBUTE
Auberge party stirs memories of dishwashing duties
I would like to thank Herman Gooden for his stirred memories of 'The Auberge' (... du Petit Prince) and particularly for reclaiming its 'lost' early years from 1972 when Ginette Bisaillon and I opened the restaurant until we sold it to Chris Squire in 1979 - and particularly for his many kind comments.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to him most profusely for tearing "into a million pieces" that photo of myself showing such distaste at having to serve him a bottle of sparkling Baby Bear. Hard to imagine now that there was a time when such a wine really did exist!
But I would also like to say how well I remember those times shared and enjoyed with so many friends who worked (and played) with us at the Auberge. And the image of Herman busy sitting and reading by the dishwasher is one of those very dear memories. As also those many evenings after the last paying customer had left, and we would sit down to enjoy our own meals together - and how many of our friends and neighbours might also drop by for a late night chat over coffee and a game of chess ... and of how we might save the world ... or just vent our opposition to the Horton street extension ... or whatever was the topic of the day.
And - as we are approaching that date on the calendar - it is good to remember our Twelfth Night parties and how Ginette had got us to celebrate them in the French Canadian way, whereby whoever found the bean in their piece of cake would be crowned king or queen. And I recall that year when it was Herman who became our Roi Favette. And so ... encore une fois ... merci, Votre Majesté ... toujours!
THE LONDON FREE PRESS, LONDON, ONTARIO
POSTED BY: Robin Askew, Toronto
POSTED ON: January 1, 2011
Auberge party stirs memories of dishwashing duties
I would like to thank Herman Gooden for his stirred memories of 'The Auberge' (... du Petit Prince) and particularly for reclaiming its 'lost' early years from 1972 when Ginette Bisaillon and I opened the restaurant until we sold it to Chris Squire in 1979 - and particularly for his many kind comments.
I would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to him most profusely for tearing "into a million pieces" that photo of myself showing such distaste at having to serve him a bottle of sparkling Baby Bear. Hard to imagine now that there was a time when such a wine really did exist!
But I would also like to say how well I remember those times shared and enjoyed with so many friends who worked (and played) with us at the Auberge. And the image of Herman busy sitting and reading by the dishwasher is one of those very dear memories. As also those many evenings after the last paying customer had left, and we would sit down to enjoy our own meals together - and how many of our friends and neighbours might also drop by for a late night chat over coffee and a game of chess ... and of how we might save the world ... or just vent our opposition to the Horton street extension ... or whatever was the topic of the day.
And - as we are approaching that date on the calendar - it is good to remember our Twelfth Night parties and how Ginette had got us to celebrate them in the French Canadian way, whereby whoever found the bean in their piece of cake would be crowned king or queen. And I recall that year when it was Herman who became our Roi Favette. And so ... encore une fois ... merci, Votre Majesté ... toujours!
THE LONDON FREE PRESS, LONDON, ONTARIO
POSTED BY: Robin Askew, Toronto
POSTED ON: January 1, 2011