Now honestly, who wouldn't want to have lunch with this lovely young lady? There were people lined up into the hall at the elementary school waiting to be greeted and served by Kathy Page. Grilled cheese? Maybe a little lasagna? How ’bout some milk? Any dessert? I was on the wrong side of the glass, and my tray was empty.

I forgot to ask Kathy how many students came through the lunch line. I think there are shifts, maybe a couple sittings, maybe three. All I know is that Kathy has been doing this for 30 years and this will be her last. After that, I think she will stay home and advise her husband Martin regarding questions about what to purchase next on the “Home Shopping Channel.” If I know Martin, he has a list.

Kathy's dad was one of my favorite people on the planet, Dwight Plummer. He was the chief mechanic for Arthur Barlow at Harbor Motors, which is no more. Quite a long time ago Clem Brewer bought the property and converted it into what is now the Ports of Italy restaurant. I can't go there without thinking about Dwight and Arthur and what a complete riot it was to visit them. To think that their garage has become a top notch restaurant is, well, …

I truly believe Arthur and Dwight couldn't wait for me to show up in the driveway. Didn't they love to give me a hard time, me and my 1967 Ford twin “I beam” pickup. “Fix or Repair Daily,” Arthur would offer and Dwight would light his pipe with a grin. And the fun began. I actually used to dream up problems with old “Betty FORD” just so I could drop in for a heckle. I loved those guys.

Kathy is related to or knows darned near everybody who grew up here. As children came through the lunch line she’d say, “That's one of my relatives, he's related to so and so over on Pension Ridge.”

The children quickly fell into a comfortable patter with Kathy. You could feel her caring and genuine interest in how they were doing, congratulating them for accomplishments and mentioning that they'd better be good, because she knew their mom and dad. The kids would laugh and give it right back to her. She is, I'd say, a chip off the old block. I'll bet she was somethin’ growing up!