Stephen Foster

Sunday morning is a perfect time for brunch and our American/Jewish brunch was excellent. Chef Mitch prepared eggs and pancakes. His pancakes were topped with his not-so-secret bourbon maple syrup, yum. Chef Jerry made matzoh brei, which is a fried matzoh and egg pancake. Throw in fruit salad, bagels, and lox and it was a fabulous brunch.

The rest of the day was for personal leisure, including trying to put together evil Rich’s
scroll saw cut puzzle. Even he thinks it’s so hard that the man who made it should be skinned alive.


Instead of the usual cocktail hour, we gathered for bourbon tasting then enjoyed a catered turkey and all the fixings dinner. The highlight of the evening was a presentation of The Stephen Foster Story at the outdoor theater in Stephen Foster State Park. His music is used to tell his own story from youth to adult. It centers upon his love of Jane (Jeannie to him), his friendship with barmaids, drunks, and slaves, and his being conned out of rights for the songs he wrote. The setting was lovely and the costumes colorful.

An excellent cast told his story with enthusiasm and empathy.