Every morning as I pull my face mask over my head, I think of my friend Mike Eldred who died three years ago at the early age of 64.
Born in Binghamton, Mike was raised in Liverpool and graduated from LHS in 1971. He began his career as a licensed crane operator with VIP Structures where he earned the nickname “Web,” an allusion to Webster’s Dictionary, because he had an encyclopedic knowledge of heavy machinery and significant skill with a crane. A few years ago, he retired from Action Crane in Cicero.
Anyhow, back in December 2017, I attended Mike’s wake at Maurer Funeral Home here in the village. Despite the sadness of his untimely passing, it wasn’t a particularly somber affair. In life, Mike had been easygoing, talkative and funny, and his mourning friends and family reflected that same joie de vivre.
But the reason I think of Mike whenever I don my pandemic face mask, is because I got it at his wake. Now at most wakes, you get a prayer card, but at Mike’s, everyone received a black bandanna inscribed in white with the words, “Michael J. Eldred. 6/30/53-12/2/17. R.I.P. Web.”
It was an especially appropriate memento of Mike because he invariably wore bandannas as a skull cap. It was his signature topper. He was one cool cat!
Face mask fogging
So, no, I don’t wear one of those politically correct surgical face masks. My black bandanna is more in the tradition of Billy the Kid than of Florence Nightingale.
I wear it not to be fashionable but to let others know that I’m doing my part to slow the spread of the coronavirus, as though they care. Anyways, I only wear the thing over my mouth and nose when I’m in the grocery store or other public places. I pull it down when simply strolling solo down the street.
One complaint: when pulled up, the bandanna makes my face grow warm and sweaty, and it’s tough to get a breath of fresh air. But what’s worse is the condensation fogging up my glasses.
Oh well, this too shall pass…
Dentist marks milestone
When he was a kid, Mike Romano broke a tooth. As his family dentist repaired the cracked tooth, the young patient underwent an epiphany. Right then and there, he decided to become a dentist.
During the first week of June, Dr. Romano – who lives in Liverpool and practices with the Summit Dental Group ay 7555 Morgan Road – celebrated his 35th anniversary in the dental profession. And what a demanding profession it is! Dentists are part scientist and part artist, part surgeon and part sculptor, and Dr. Romano is all of these. He’s also congenial, gentle and painless.
Congratulations, doctor!
Welcome reopenings
Pizza Villa Pizzeria & Fish Fry at 409 Tulip St., at the corner of Oswego, reopened for business on June 22, after having closed down on April 8, after less than a month providing takeout and delivery. Anyhow, the ovens are heating up and the calzones, wings and garlic rolls will soon follow; pizzavillapizzeriaandfishfry.com; 315-451-4200.
Next door, the Café at 407 planned to reopen on June 24. “We cannot wait to welcome you back,” said a sign posted on the door of the café with a cause. The comfy café supports the work of Ophelia’s Place, a nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture around eating disorders, body image and body dissatisfaction; cafeat407.org; 315-451-5855.
Village Garage Sale back on
The Village-Wide Garage Sale weekend, originally scheduled for mid-May, has been rescheduled for July 17 to 19. For that third weekend in July, the village will waive the usual permit requirement for residents to conduct yard sales.
Last word
“Simple cloth face coverings will slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. Cloth face coverings fashioned from household items or made from common materials at low cost can be used as an additional, voluntary public health measure.”
–Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Contact the columnist at [email protected].
