FIRST PERSON
then about one another (work, family).
What an eclectic group: a blue-jeans salesman, an insurance man, a family physician, a bookie, a psychologist, a guy living off his father’s political success, a proud Mormon who sold Bass shoes, a guy who sold eyeglass frames in five states.
With our very own United Nations roundtable, we were willing and able to solve every problem — local, regional, national or international — all in less than three cups of coffee.
Obviously, we were an extremely gifted group.
“Jersey Doc” was bestowed with that counter name for his blue-collar view of life. He is shaped like ex-NFL linebacker Chris Spielman but thinks like author/historian Studs Terkel:
On his way to becoming one of the best family physicians in central Ohio, he laid asphalt, drove a delivery truck and was always making sure he stayed on the “happy side” of his father’s fists.
I told you he was smart.
The Mind Master, on the other hand, has a view of the world tinged with his slightly irreverent take on life — a Youngstown “George Carlin.” He is highly educated, but that education was eclipsed by the practical one provided by his mother, who operated a successful Y-town diner.
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The Mind Master always, always has a slightly askew Talmudic answer for every problem. Hilarious.
As a recent migrant to Columbus back then, I found these two guys and the others at Elby’s to be a wonderful “welcome wagon.”
Currently, the country is dealing with national immigration issues, but new arrivals from other states face challenges similar to those that I did: finding a place to live, a school for their children, a family physician and so on.
Growing up in Chicago, I instinctively learned which neighborhoods were OK and which I should avoid; where to find the best restaurants, clothing stores, doctors — all the daily resources needed guarantee is granted.
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to eliminate the speed bumps of life.
The Elby’s group provided me that insight for Columbus. In fact, that group of caffeine consumers kick-started my life here in C-bus.
What’s more, Jersey Doc has kept me and my extended family healthy and thriving. During the past 40 years, we’ve traveled central Ohio together in search of more diners and gumsmacking waitresses.
The Mind Master, meanwhile, remains a mental treat for me. I can’t wait to have a “nothing” conversation with him; he talks, and I laugh.
To a passer-by on East Main Street, Elby’s was a restaurant — just another chain serving chain food.
To me, though, it was far more special.
Elby’s closed some time ago, and the caffeine circle broke up.
But Jersey Doc, the Mind Master and I, the South Sider, continue to get together regularly at diner counters to solve the world’s problems over coffee.
To a passer-by on East Main Street, Elby’s was a restaurant — just another chain serving chain food. To me, though, it was far more special.