(And a Somerstreets party)

*

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Dapper Dan’s restaurant, located in the Assembly Square Mall from 1981 to 1996, had a reunion Saturday night. It was held at the Holiday Inn and let me tell you, it was packed!

Dapper Dan’s was truly the “Cheers” of Somerville. You can go to the online archives of  the Somerville News  from Sept. 27, 2008 and read a history of Dapper Dan’s, but that’s not what this story is about.

This one is about people. Somerville people. Real Somerville people who graduated from Somerville High School, Matignon High School, St. Clement High School, and  others that I can’t remember.  Some graduated from the  school of hard knocks.

Saturday night, they all came out. They heard that there was going to be a party. They heard that  people that they used to hang out with and hadn’t seen in a long time would be there. So they showed up in droves. Wall to wall Somerville people with familiar faces and well known names.

A lot of times I remembered the face, but not the name, and vice versa. One guy almost stuck me in the john because I didn’t remember him fast enough. As soon as he said his name, I freaked out and hugged him. It probably would have been better if we had actually left the men’s room before our reunion embrace!

I attempted to be in charge of the music along with my friend “Little Elvis”.  Bill Kelly, myself and Elvis used to do Karaoke at Dapper’s. Of course I pancked (at the Disco) but all in all, I got sort of jiggy with it. I realized my limitations too. From now on I will let someone else spin, mainly because I wished I had more time to  mingle  and see the old friends who made their way to “Night Games.”

I  had a lump in my throat as I recognized, shook hands, and hugged  old friend after old friend. The girl I went to my senior prom in 1971 with was there and it was the first time I saw her in about 30 years.  She really hadn’t changed that much at all!

There were friends of my sister Christine, who I lost in 1992, who couldn’t say enough nice things about her. That was very emotional for me.  It was so great to see that we were all still here, and happy to see one another. I wish I remembered everyone’s name, but it didn’t matter.

It was good for the heart. I left the Holiday Inn with a ringing in my ear from the music and a smile in my soul from the old friends. There was a slide show of the Dapper years on the big screen. There were faces and names of quite a few friends, patrons and restaurant staff’s family members who had passed on.

As I get older I am definitely getting more emotional because my eyes welled up more than once during the evening. I spent many crazy years at Dapper Dan’s. The people who came out Saturday night were not just Dapper customers. They were good, solid, Somerville men and women.

Just like at The Belmont Park reunion, Somerville people proved that they have a need, and a want to see those who shared their  younger days. Our adult lives have been full of hope, dreams, joy and pain, and it’s important to go back home, although they say you never can.

Somerville “kids” prove time after time, that when we have a chance to re-connect and go back in time with our friends, we do it with a passion.  (And of course there were probably a few people who came to the reunion just to try and score!)

So thanks Danny Kallis and Denise( Racicot) Kallis  for giving back some of the most wonderful years of our lives. I said it before and I will say it again, “still Dapper after all these years!”

Somerstreets!  Join mayor Joe Curtatone and our community supporters for a full day of fun as we celebrate the rejuvenation of Somerville Avenue.  It will be held Sunday, October 24th from noon to 4, rain or shine. Somerville Ave will be closed from Bow Street to Beacon Street, and open to everyone for dancing, walking, and cycling. Help us turn Somerville Ave into Pumpkinville Ave. Bring a decorated/carved pumpkin to Somerville elementary schools during drop off and pick up times, and to  City hall between 10/20 and 10/23. See www.somervillema.gov for City Hall hours.  Costume parade and contest for kids, adults and four legged friends beginning at Bow St at 12:30 pm. Safe trick or treating with local businesses. There will be lots of  family friendly activities including a bike parade with the Somerville Police Department , story hour, and Milk Row Cemetery tours. There will be an Autumn craft fair, free bike rentals, music and entertainment and lots, lots more!