Past Newsletters

                                               

The Student Prints

 

July, 2010

 

June had weather reminiscent of New Orleans in August, but the month finished up by providing a few days of absolutely stunning weather. Although the weather was oft muggy, there was not much rain. The few green spots in my lawn have faded to a Gobi brown despite the efforts of the geese to fertilize it. Fertilizing my lawn is akin to changing the oil on a car after wrapping it around a phone pole. 

 

We had some fun this month with the governor over for breakfast along with 79 of his closest friends. My kitchen staff, albeit a bit thinned by with chefs on the disabled list, did a great job. The last breakfast at the Student Prince was for Mike Dukakis when he was in the corner office in the 80’s. A group of disgruntled government employees (has anyone ever heard of a “gruntled” employee?) decided to picket the event and the prospective guests would not cross the picket line. Ruppert, staring at some great looking (and expensive) food, decided to feed the picketeers. He then sent a bill to the committee organizing the event. We got paid and those holding the signs thought that my Dad was a wonderful friend of organized labor and the Democratic Party. Those of you who knew my Dad can form your own opinions.

 

We lost one of our biggest customers this June. Manute Bol first came to the restaurant when he was playing hoop for Bridgeport. I recall him not only for his height of seven feet seven inches but also for the fact that he ate no food and had several glasses of orange juice. After he retired from professional basketball he became a fairly regular customer. He had a beautiful smile and tried to do as much as he could for the ravaged country of his birth. I remember some of the other big men that have been our guests over the years—Wilt Chamberlin, Andre the Giant and Bill Walton. They were all confident, friendly and extroverted. Manute never weighed much over 220 pounds. He had arthritis and could hardly hold a pen. He was always greeted by bone crushing hand shakes which pained him and he tried to hide his pain. Manute is credited with adding the phrase “MY BAD” to the English lexicon

 

As July turns we will be featuring native corn and tomatoes.We are working with an exciting organization called New Growth. This group is growing produce in several little nooks and crannies throughout the Pioneer Valley. They provide employment for some high school students and fresh, chemical free produce to us. They have a small farm on Albany Street, which is being called Green Street (not a homage to Sydney Greenstreet to whom I have so often been compared). This is a win-win for everyone.

 

 If your spouse and children are vacationing while you toil in your cubicle, remember that living well is the best revenge and treat yourself to dinner on Fort Street. Chilled Gaspe Bay Salmon and a chunk of blueberry cobbler make for a delicious meal, especially when washed down with a bit Spaten Beer.

 

 

See you on Fort Street,

  Rudi Scherff    

75th Anniversary Updates:  Send us your stories about us; there is a link on our web site  www.studentprince.com. We will be publishing a newspaper commemorating our 75 years and hope to include our customer’s reminiscences. Our Hispanic/Germanic Hampden Oktoberfest will be on Sept 24 and 25. We will have an event to celebrate our 75th anniversary on Sunday, Sept 26.  The Student Prince Golf Open is Sept. 21.

 

if you have any comments, or requests
please contact
RudiRuppert@aol.com