26 THE QUEENS COURIER • AUGUST 15, 2013 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com victoria’s secrets VICTORIA SCHNEPS [email protected] It was a bittersweet day as we celebrated family without my beloved Stu. come in for our WINTER specials DYNAMIC DENTAL WORK 718-297-4100 • 718-297-4106 175-15 JAMAICA AVENUE • JAMAICA $500 OFF $500 OFF A bittersweet reunion It was a spectacularly beautiful weekend, but a bittersweet one for me. It was the annual gathering of the Yunis family at the home of Mimi and Jim Broner in Kent, Connecticut. But my beloved Stu was not there and was sorely missed by all. His son Jon came from Sarasota, Florida with his son Josh and beautiful 20-month-old daughter Jillian and her mom. Stu’s other son Harvey came from Houston, Texas with his two adult children, Judith and Jacob. The New York contingent was also there, with Eve and Roy and her two boys, Lou and Joe from Douglas Manor in Queens and Mimi living in Manhattan with her three “big boys,” as my Jonah calls them, Ben, Zac and Sam. Then there were my children, Samantha and Elizabeth, with their children, Blake and Morgan and Jonah and Addison. What a gathering — not easy to achieve so I bought Yunis family reunion T-shirts for our memorable group photo. But I was disappointed that my son Josh, wife Tracey and precious Hudson couldn’t join us. As we gathered for lunch on Saturday, Harvey made martinis, Stu’s favorite drink, for all of us. We toasted to Stu’s memory with tears in our eyes. It’s still so hard to believe he’s not here. The annual gathering is always an eating marathon thanks to Mimi’s preparations and “professional” party planning. One night was a memorable shore dinner bought in by two fisherman who had caught our meal that morning. Her husband Jim is the activity planner. For this weekend he created a relay race and got four-yearold Jonah to start it by singing the “ABCs,” with the kickoff at “Z.” And we were off! Each team had to run up the long driveway and pass the baton to the next teammate, who had to run to the basketball court, then to the next, who had to do 25 push-ups and then pass the baton to the next runner, who had to carry five pieces of wood to the next teammate, who had to carry a hard boiled egg to the next person, who had to swim the length of the pool three times and pass it to me, the final leg, where we as a team had to put together a puzzle. And yes, we won! The prize for all was a delicious, plentiful barbecue. What a way to end a picture-perfect weekend! Addison, Morgan and Jonah Roy was cheered on by his teammates as he carried five logs. Great dinner at Vivaldi Hooray, finally we once again have a welcoming, warm and delicious place to dine in Bayside. Nestled at the foot of the Throgs Neck Bridge on the Clearview Golf Course is the former home of Rudolph Valentino, which has been reborn as Vivaldi. Beginning in September, the restaurant will also be open for lunch and Sunday brunch. With a large parking lot and easy access to parkways, they will quickly become a destination location and local favorite. The night I was there with friends, we began with a perfectly prepared grilled octopus and crispy, crunchy calamari. I love the whole branzino fish, and my friend Anita Cioli had her favorite, perfectly cooked monk fish. Accompanying our meal was a delicious soft bread covered with sautéed onions. Don’t tell anyone, but I could make a meal of the bread! There is a grand finale here in the desserts as seen in the picture - worth every calorie! There are many choices for appetizers, main courses and dessert. Good reason to return! Try it, I’m sure you, too, will love the dining experience. My friend Anita Cioli, manager Billy Pappas and chef Anthony Sanzone
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