A young, whiskey drinking HG began HG’s journalism career on the five to one PM news desk shift at International News Service/ International News Photos (both later absorbed by United Press). Then, off to Dubiner’s Bar and Restaurant on Stanton Street (LES) for dinner. Whiskey. Gefilte fish with pungent horseradish. More whiskey. “Cholent” (long overnight simmered Jewish meat and vegetable stew covered with fried onions and garlic served with sour pickles and hot pickled peppers on the side). More whiskey after dinner with raffish companions (cops, bail bondsmen, loan sharks, criminals). Laughter. Colorful stories of crime, sex, corruption, etc. Accompanied by whiskey, of course. Dubiner’s closed at four AM. HG and companions walked to an after hours joint (it masqueraded as a luncheonette). Tipsy (polite synonym for “drunk”) HG had more whiskey and a special (gratis) dish of pieces of crisp fried fish smothered in crushed garlic. With a sprinkle of kosher salt, the fish was sublime (being drunk helped). Staggered off to Second Avenue Baths for steam, eucalyptus room sauna, hot shower, ice plunge, Then, restful sleep in bed partition. Woke to a hearty breakfast and a day and night of news, booze and unhealthy food (7 PM snack was pickled pig’s knuckle, hard boiled egg and beer at the Mirror Bar). So, how has HG managed to live to 92? Credit The Wonder Woman, BSK (best wife, lover, caretaker, cook, handywoman, financial and household manager, and more. Much more. Lucky HG.
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