St. George’s hall on the west side is just what the doctor orders on Thursday evenings.

Not only does it fill with good friends from all corners of my past, the lights are bright, the drinks are cheap, and laughter is everywhere. Sitting around the long plastic potluck tables are my Grand Rapids family. We care for eachother, look forward to seeing eachother, and miss those who can’t make it this week. This group would be reason enough to show up every week, but there is a trump card… The magician that keeps us and hundreds of others coming back. Barb.

She is in the small kitchen nestled in the back and quietly kicks out hundreds of the finest burgers around. This amazing woman is the heartbeat of the hall on Thursdays. Thank you Barb. Thank you for feeding me burgers and including your love and wit in every one. Thank you for slapping my hand when I try to steal cousin Matt’s burger. Thank you for sitting down and describing, in detail, how to make kapusta. Thank you for letting us take you out on the town for your birthday. You’re an awesome lady.