We try to do it every year. Thanks to the hard work and
persistence of our former colleague and resident Good Guy J.W. Stewart, the
annual Poughkeepsie Journal sports department reunion happens every July at the
Palace Diner in Poughkeepsie. This diner was the site of many, many, many
after-deadline, late-night, unhealthy-eating excursions – usually at 2 a.m. or
later (after, as we used to say, the paper was “put to bed.”) way back in the
1980s, 1990s, 2000s, etc., when we all worked together at what we liked to call
Dutchess County’s Finest Daily Newspaper.
This year’s edition was Sunday at the diner and we had a
fabulous turnout of 13 not-so-young-anymore men – old ties and companions that
remain strong. Some members are the group are still working in journalism (more
on THAT in a moment). Most of us have moved on, but we still remain connected
in one way or another to the days of our daily newspaper grind. It was hard
work, rewarding work, and we forged a bond that has remained decades later.
Like most reunions, we just caught up on things – family and
friends, our current careers, etc. More than one guy in the group asked, “hey
Pete, are you still coaching?” I get this question A LOT these days, as I
prepare to embark on Year 34 as Marist track/XC coach. Like the rest of the world,
we are all tethered to our phones. So it was no surprise that when the news of
President Biden’s bowing out of the presidential race broke, our phones lit up
like Christmas trees in December. We all let our minds wander to what it would
be like if we were still working in the newsroom. For one of us, Phil, his mind
didn’t have to wander too far. He still works for LoHud, and his editor
summoned him away from the burgers, wraps, French fries and onion rings – the same
“healthy” fare of our 2 a.m. gatherings! – to get to his laptop and get to work
posting updates. This was breaking news, and he’s still a breaking news guy.
Because of Phil’s call to duty, he’s not in this awesome
photo. Some traditions are worth keeping, no matter what breaking news is
happening in the world. A lunch date at the diner with a bunch of Good Men is
certainly one of them. Neat.
