HUNGRY GERALD

While writing the recent “May Day” post, HG was distressed that the history of labor unions in the USA isn’t taught to the young people in our schools. There have been tragedies: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire was one of them–scores of young immigrant women (Some known to HG’s late Mother) died in that blaze. An early union was the  IWW  (International Workers of the World.) The union members (“Wobblies”) were often attacked by police. A number were killed and their martyrdom immortalized in song: “I dreamt I saw Joe Hill last night, alive as you and me. But, Joe, I said, you’re a long time dead. I never died, said he.”). After the “Ludlow Massacre” of 1914, one would think industrial management would abandon hiring detective agencies to battle union and union organizing. But, no. Henry Ford would not tolerate labor unions and he created his own private army to violently stop union organizing. This  army was called “The Service” or “Internal Security Department”. From the 1920’s through 1945, it was headed by a very tough guy named Harry Bennett, an ex-prize fighter and sailor. He recruited equally violent men for “The  Service”: Ex-prize fighters and wrestlers; released convicts; former policemen; street fighters. There were 5,000 men (or more) in “The Service”, the largest private army in the USA. In 1937 at the “Battle of the Overpass” Bennett’s thugs severely beat a United Auto Workers  (UAW) man who was handing out pamphlets to workers. The thugs confiscated all cameras but an intrepid photographer managed to get one plate out of his camera. When the photo of the beating was published, it swayed public opinion against Ford and for the UAW. After the UAW man was rescued from the beating, covered in blood, subsequent photos increased the antipathy toward Ford. The company was finally unionized and when Henry Ford died, his heirs fired Bennett.

Full Disclosure: HG/BSK’s gifted daughter, Lesley Riva, is Director of Communications at Lifespan, a major health care provider. And, nepotism is not a factor in HG’s post about the company.  At HG’s advanced age (93), HG needs many medical services, including monitoring of HG’s  COPD condition. HG has lived in New York, New Jersey, Colorado, New Mexico in past years. HG/BSK now live in a spacious Central Falls, RI., loft and summer at HG/BSK’s oceanfront home on Prince Edward Island  So, how does HG rate medical services in these locales? New York: Fair. New Jersey: Good. Colorado: Poor. New Mexico: Abysmal. Prince Edward Island: Very Good. Rhode Island: Excellent. HG has used Lifespan in many Rhode Island (and nearby Massachusetts) locations. The service has been very responsive, makes convenient appointments. The doctors and other medical personnel are very professional. They are also friendly and seem to take personal interest in their patients.

Yesterday, HG had HG’s COPD condition analyzed. Lifespan’s Dr. Curtis Mello did the examination. Very, very thorough (More thorough and professional than the sketchy New Mexico procedures). He made an appointment for lung X-rays when HG/BSK leave PEI. Chatting with Dr. Mello post-exam, HG learned that he is of Portuguese lineage and his family had a lengthy history of operating restaurants and diners. A veritable foodie, he kindly wrote down the names of the best Portuguese restaurants in our area. (Can hardly wait to try them). 

May Day has come and gone—quietly. This wasn’t the case in HG’s New York youth. It was the occasion for big. loud labor union rallies. It was the day when all leftists (Socialists, Communists, Trotskyites, Democrats like the late Vito Marcantonion and late Leo Isaacson) screamed insults at each other with resulting fisticuffs. The most fiery orator of the day was Ben Gold, the Communist leader of the Fur and Leather Workers Union. His speeches were in Yiddish and a target of his sharp voice was the Yiddish socialist newspaper, the Forward (“Furvertz”). HG’s beloved late father read and loved that paper. He was a Socialist` and in his Russian youth, a member of the  Jewish Labor Bund. Upon his arrival in America he —like his “landsman” David Dubinsky—was a stalwart battler for the ILGWU (International Ladies Garment Workers Union.). At one point, my father’s (sometimes violent) efforts put his life in danger and he and family left New York (via horse and wagon piloted by my father) for the Ohio farm of HG’s maternal Aunt Fanny. They returned to New York when things cooled down.(his year on the farm gave him and my mom a lifelong affectiôn for square dancîng). My father despised Ben Gold. He labeled Gold with an obscene Yiddish insult. He called Gold “Ah Stalin tuchis lecker–A licker of Stalin’s ass”) The FBiI tried to imprison Gold but failed. He retired. Lived quietly in Miami Beach, among many old Jews. Wrote poetry and novels. No politics. The Ludlow coal mine site is 18 miles northwest of the city of Trinidad, Colorado. This was where “The Ludlow Massacre” took place on April 20, 1914. Striking coal miners and their families were living in tents. The mine owners hired a detective agency that raked the tents with rifle and machine gun fire. Most of the miners were of Greek origin. Many strikers were killed as well as a number of women and children. The site is now owned by the United Mine Workers, and a granite monument has been erected honoring the strikers. When HG/BSK were living in Colorado they passed the site on their highway travels. HG/BSK belonged to labor unions—HG (Newspaper Guild) and BSK (Actors Equity). When they came to Ludlow they raised their fists and shouted: “Solidarity, brothers and sisters!! Solidarity forever!!”.

Toby, the loving, lively, feisty,  furry ornament of HG/BSK’s lives, is back to normal. Healthy and frisky. The little fellow came close to death a few days ago. Swift action by gifted daughter Lesley R. saved the dog’s life and prevented HG/BSK heartbreak. It  happened this way: A Riverside, RI, neighbor had been tossing nuts into Lesley’s rear garden as treats for squirrels. Unfortunately, these rot and become toxic–fatal food for dogs.   Always hungry Toby ate a toxic chestnut and began to tremble and shake. Lesley recognized the symptoms and, at top speed, rushed Toby to the veterinarian. Toby’s stomach was pumped and received other medical treatment. He spent the night at the vet’s and woke up as healthy as ever. (The vigorous shaking causes a dog’s life functions to disappear and the dog dies.) Lesley recognized this because her dog, Pip, had a similar experience after eating a moldy substance. Yes, Lesley is invaluable. A true life saver. Vet costs: $2,000. Money well spent.

The venerable Algonquin Hotel on Manhattan’s West 44th Street has gone through many ownerships and “modernizations” through the years (HG doesn’t think they’ve been beneficial.) HG has warm memories of the hotel as it was decades ago. The owner, Ben Bodne and his wife, presided (in twin lounge chairs) over the shabby chic lobby lounge (Bodne kept it aged. When carpet or upholstery had to be restored, Bodne gave it a treatment to make it shabby). The Algonquin was a literary hotel, favored by novelists, poets and other writers. When seated in the lounge nursing a Martini, HG spotted any number of  literature’s ornaments. (Best place for cocktails was The Blue Bar, just off the lobby, and a favorite of celebs like the Duke of Windsor, John Lennon). There were two restaurants–the masculine Oak Bar– and an airy, favored by women, restaurant on the far end of the lobby. (Alas, forgot its name). The Oak Bar had some spectacular dishes: Sauteed sweetbreads on Virginia ham; the very best roast beef and a lush ice cream coconut ball for dessert. In the other restaurant, HG favored the super fresh seafood salad. After the theater, HG/BSK would have a snack of creamy chicken curry there, a creation of the flamboyant maitre d’. The hotel was most famed for its “Round Table” of the 20’s and 30’s where Dorothy Parker, George S. Kaufman, Alexander Woolcott and other literati exchanged witticisms. The present day hotel has a “Round Table Restaurant”. Don’t think it’s a hangout for wits.

BSK believes in this old saying. There is no waste in BSK’s fridge, pantry or the room temperature fruit and vegetable basket on the kitchen island. Everything gets used in original and tasty ways. A few nights ago, BSK found semi cooked, unsauced pasta in the fridge plus many pieces of cheese (small pieces left over from cheese boards). Voila!! A flavor packed pot of mac and cheese (crusty topping). In a corner of the fridge, BSK spied a maturing eggplant. Borrowing a recipe from Vij’s, the Indian fusion restaurant in Vancouver, B.C., there was a fragrant eggplant curry served with rice.  HG is joyous when HG sees leftover rice. That’s because BSK converts it into congee (enriched with abundant ginger, garlic and mushrooms). This is a favorite HG comfort food. HG had it for dinner last night and a bowl for breakfast today. BSK topped the breakfast bowl with a poached egg. Great way to start the day. Waste not, want not was obeyed.

BSK looked in the fridge. BSK found a fresh cauliflower and three different varieties of blue cheese (all good). So–Garafalo pasta (the best dry pasta, even better than Dececco) in cheesy cauliflower sauce. BSK rices some of the cauliflower and leaves some in small florets.  The result is one of HG’s favorite pasta dishes. A touch of sea salt, grinds of black pepper bring it to perfection.  (Picante loving HG adds a few drops of Frank’s Hot Sauce). A mellow meal enhanced by numerous glasses of French Pinot Noir . HG’s dessert was HG’s traditional chestnut puree with whipped cream (A memory of London’s Gay Hussar restaurant). BSk made a double header amount of  pasta. HG will have another generous portion tonight. Life (as long as it lasts) is flavorful in HG/BSK’s Central Falls, RI., loft. (The spacious loft–3,200 square feet–has been thoughtfully and elegantly interior designed by multi talented BSK).

Warm weather in Central  Falls, RI, a gritty town contiguous to Providence and Pawtucket, the site of HG/BSK’s spacious and comfy–in warm and cool weather–loft.. Gifted daughter, Lesley R., and husband, Profesore Massimo, were here for a Saturday night dinner. In a bow to seasonal weather, BSK made a family favorite dish–Vitello Tonnato. Marvelous Massimo brought a bunch of Rhode Island oysters and shucked them perfectly. A happy starter. Instead of veal, BSK marinated and gently poached pork tenderloins.. The tuna sauce (Tonnato) was exemplary–constructed of high quality jarred tuna,capers, anchovies,olive oil, egg yolks and parsley. BSK cut the pork into thin slices and covered them in the divine tuna sauce. They also received a topping of stemmed large capers. Oh, my!! Once more, BSK brought culinary delight (a double header–there were leftovers  for dinner tonight). Chilled Rose’ was the appropriate accompaniment. (White wine tonight),

Seasonal springtime asparagus. Three eggs. Butter. Frank’s Hot Sauce. Sea salt. Ground black pepper. These were the ingredients for a large tasty omelet that HG devoured with pleasure last night accompanied by a robust Portuguese red wine. BSK cooked it perfectly (SJ is also a deft omelet cook). HG has been pleading (Without results) for an omelet dinner. Tired of HG’s whimpering, BSK finally gave in. The result: A very happy old fellow. HG reminded BSK that when Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft lived in New York, they often dined at the Romaine de Lyon omelet bistro. And, that’s where Brooks wrote the first draft of “The Producers”.

Easter Sunday was a culinary extravaganza. HG/BSK left their Central Falls, RI, for a blockbuster dinner hosted by their gifted daughter, Lesley R., and husband, Profesore Massimo R. (generous wine selector). The venue was the outdoor deck (warm, comfy, spectacular water views) and indoor dining area of their Riverside, RI, home. With  Aperol  Spritzes in hand, the outdoor treats included deviled eggs topped with red salmon caviar; a tapenade like dip of tuna,olives, capers, butter, olive oil. In a bow to the late Julia Child, Lesley served radishes and butter. Massimo provided a remarkable Chablis. The indoor main dish was a tender boneless leg of lamb–butterflied and marinated. BSK brought a sumptuous Greek Avgolemono sauce for the lamb. The sides were oven fried potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes (for HG), plus seasonal asparagus. The Massimo wine selection was  Amarone  (Its lush, mouth filling qualities remain in HG’s memory bank). Cheese course was an aged Parmesan and a rich blue (French? Italian? Danish?). More Amarone. An Italian Panettone like cake for dessert. Chilled Limoncello for HG. Wonderful dinner and HG/BSK expressed their happiness in living close to Lesley and Massimo after being thousands of miles apart for so many years. Took leftovers home and HG  enjoyed Avgolemono soup in a bowl filled with rice and chopped spinach. (BSK had some lamb slices and helped HG finish the blue cheese). Next night was linguine with BSK’s sublime sardine sauce (BSK buys quality tinned sardines at Portugalia, the Zabar’s-like Portuguese food market în Fall River, MA.) As the late Gerald Murphy said: “Living well is the best revenge.”