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Robert Simonson's avatar

I went to only one Far Hills Race Meeting. But it was a trip! Bacchas in Jersey.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

The year you came was a really good one - even though there was some rain!

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Chris Nelson's avatar

Many fond memories of the Race Meetings I attended. Mary Kate, you always put out such a fantastic spread. I was honored to take over as bookie for your guests for a few years after your dad retired from the role, and despite the fact that it was a long day of drinking for me, I don't recall any fisticuffs breaking out over my handling of the payouts. Hopefully one day I'll be able to join you in a fancy tailgate once again.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

Oh, Chris, we were just talking about you saving the day and then becoming the most excellent bookie ever!!! I hope we get the chance to do something like it again soon. 😘😘😘

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Martin Doudoroff's avatar

A game at Lambeau Field is a worthwhile life experience. We watched KC pull off a come-from-behind against Farvulous some years back, and now I feel quite comfortable ignoring the NFL entirely moving forward.

We ate at Marta twice in the last few days, and I’m sad to say they were a bit off their game both times. Maybe it’s just poor morale from the impending closure? We even had the fire trucks show up on Tuesday, which led to shitting down their wood oven. Hopefully Union Square Hospitality gives pizza another go in some other location. Note that Maialino is also closing for the same reasons.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

We are going to Marta tomorrow, will report back!

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Angela's avatar

What a great testament to autumn. Enjoyed this article immensely as well as the restaurant tips.

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Robert Simonson's avatar

We love autumn over here.

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

Yes! Robert’s already wearing his sweaters! Just kidding! 😅🍂

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

Thank you, Angela!!

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Kathleen McLaughlin's avatar

I miss the Race Meeting! Owen and Lucy learned so many important things...how to bet on horses, cherry tomatoes dipped in vodka and salt make excellent snacks, messing around with 20 somethings who are too drunk to know what they are saying can be fun...but most of all it set the standard for the kind of parties they want to throw themselves now. Also, I think I may need to make that layered cheese dip sometime soon.

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Robert Simonson's avatar

Tomatoes in vodka ARE an excellent snack!

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

I love this! You were such an important part of the Race Meeting Family!!! (OMG, I’m laughing now thinking of Lucy eating all those tomatoes)!! 🍅❤️

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Pablo Aguirre's avatar

Wow, that IS fancy! About the closest I've seen to that fancy is the annual Christmas tree hunt a group of friends has been doing since way before I ever met them. After a date is picked, usually the first or second Saturday after Thanksgiving, we meet up at the same McDonald's in North Las Vegas for a crappy breakfast then we convoy up to Pine Valley, Utah, quoting the old man from "A Christmas Story" as we leave McD, "hurry up, we're going to miss all the good trees"!!

We go to the exact same spot in the forest every year - snow, mud, rain, or shine - which is next to a stock tank (metal tub filled with water for cows. Out west there is a lot of open range on public land). We get a big fire going, everybody sets up their tables and lays out food and snacks, and beverages. Those who hunt trees head off into the forest. Everybody shows off the beautiful tree they've selected to take home. Good food and friendship is shared. I take the group photo, we pack up and head home.

I wouldn't call it fancy, but it sure is fun!🎄

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Mary Kate Murray's avatar

This sounds amazing! I love tree parties! I’d love to see a photo.

My dad always used to have to cut off the bottom half of the Christmas trees, because outside they look so much smaller! 😂

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Pablo Aguirre's avatar

Haha I learned after my first year - yeah don't be fooled by how 'small' they look standing in the forest!! I'll have to dig up some photos

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Robert Simonson's avatar

Sounds like great fun!

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Pablo Aguirre's avatar

Indeed, and with the various traditions that go along with it every year it's the joy that always gives.

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