For a change, this year’s spring quarter barbecue was held (on June 3) at Stow Grove Park instead of Goleta Beach, and vive la différence! The park features redwood groves, a softball field, two volleyball courts, horseshoes, open lawn and playground, restrooms, BBQ grills, benches, and picnic tables. Tritipster Dan Montello appreciated the lack of a stiff ocean breeze while slow cooking beef and chicken to perfection, grad student organizers made the event greener by asking people to bring their own utensils, and the food was fab, the venue was verdant, and the company was copacetic!
Highlights:
- While the turnout was a bit less than last year, due to end of term demands, staff shortages, and departmental computer problems, it did include a number of undergrads, as well many other Friends of Geography.
- The “great debate” about whose grandchild was “the most beautiful” was, mercifully, inconclusive, and no names are mentioned, in order to protect the innocents.
- “Muscle Meat” Montello actually allowed veggie lovers to cook Portobello mushrooms, etc. on the same grill he was using.
- Grad students Emily De Moor and Kitty Currier went to great lengths to make the event green by asking people to bring their own utensils and by providing washing stations and alternatives for the unenlightened or uninformed.
- Violet Montello, who falls into the “uninformed” category (yes, Dan, you’re in trouble) regarding bringing her own beer glass, threatened to lie down by the keg and drink beer from a syphon. Your editor begged her to do so in order to get a great picture but, sadly, ended up having to find a plastic cup for her.
- Pot luck donations by those that attended turned the barbecue into a high-class, multi-course meal. And, of course, the keg of beer and a case of assorted wines complemented the fine fare and adjusted the attitude.
