Aunt Rosie’s
Recipe
BY ROSELLE BECK ESCHMANN
The recipe this month is one for fun. Each year
we struggle with the idea of where to go on vacation. Winter wasn’t bad this year;
but in the past that was not necessarily the way it was. Usually we would leave in a snow
storm, worrying about whether or not the plane would leave on time and then worry if we
would miss our connections. Last year, we were delayed five hours in Pittsburgh and then
had to fight unusually heavy and congested conditions in Orlando. This year it was
different.
Rosie takes a refreshing break from all the fun.
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We thought about a cruise. We thought about Mexico. One or two in our
group said no to the idea of a cruise. My nephew said no to Mexico. He wanted Hawaii, but
my other nephew said no to that. Finally, my niece found us a 19-acre resort on the Gulf
of Mexico located at St. Pete Beach, Florida. She found the TradeWinds.
Every aspect of this trip was just wonderful. My nephew drove ahead of us with our
luggage while my niece and I flew. This year we landed at Tampa and it was the most
pleasant and easy airport to move through. Within less than a half an hour of landing (on
time I might add) we were on a six-lane expressway crossing Tampa Bay. Within 30 more
minutes we were arriving at the TradeWinds Resort.
Now this is more than just a hotel. This is a concept; and a magnificent one at that.
It is a group of beachfront motels that are artistically joined by superb landscaping, a
series of on-the-property canals and waterways, marvelous foot paths, and all finely
meshed into one resort. It offers multiple swimming pools, beach front cabanas, bars, and
a fine choice of restaurants.
This is an employee-owned resort and from the treatment you receive from the staff it
is obvious that they go the extra yard to make your stay something special. What was
particularly interesting to me was that even the maintenance staff would take the time to
smile and greet you as you would pass one another during the day.
There were events for the children and they were planned in advance and properly
supervised. My grand niece and grand nephew participated in many of the activities that
centered around the pool. It was comforting to know that we had the opportunity to relax
while they had fun.
I did not encounter the rudeness or the obnoxiousness that we saw on the east coast the
previous year. The people we encountered were happy. Their children were well behaved and
no one was ready to push you aside if you didn’t move fast enough for them. There was
respect that I did not find on Singer Island. There was a pleasant staff that was absent
from the Embassy Suites. Everything about our stay was just wonderful.
I enjoyed the little piano bar, Reflections, and a gentleman who played there, Gene
Cipriano. I remember my husband, Larry, and I going to see Cole Porter in New York City.
Mr. Cipriano played a medley of tunes of Mr. Porter’s just for me. He played requests
for many of the people who came to hear him and no one was disappointed. He was not only a
fine piano player with a soothing voice; he was also a fine gentleman, too.
Sam Stone, a one-man crew.
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My nephew enjoyed the piano bar but also enjoyed the Flying Bridge beach
front barge. Leave it to him. He always finds a favorite place and a favorite bar and
always makes friends. This trip was no different. Immediately he met Debbie and Kim and
found the perfect Bloody Mary (not as good as the Ironstone, but that is heavy competition
for anyone). The second day there he met the guitar player, Sam Stone.
Sam was not only a great guitar player and singer, he was a great person, too. Words
from one of his original songs describe the man who entertained us and treated us as if we
might have been in his own family.
He’s got a lot of miles behind him now,
He’s got his own song.
And the days of running with the crowd
Have long since gone.
One man crew.
He says he can’t remember how it was,
He says he’s learning to cry.
And when the road he’s on has turned to sand,
I guess he’ll take to the sky.
Counting the tears passing through years too soon.
One man crew.
He’s a one man crew.
Sam Stone
"He a Jimmy Buffet character," I told my two nephews.
"He’s special," Harold told me. "He’s good. He just needs to
play more Harry Chapin."
The Flying Bridge was a great place to have breakfast. I enjoyed the french toast. It
was a great place for lunch. I enjoyed the hot dog and fries. It wasn’t even bad for
dinner, but with the other fine restaurants there, stick around and listen to Sam, have a
few cocktails, then have dinner, and then go listen to Gene.
JoAnn was a sweetheart. She gave me wonderful fruity beach drinks and always had a
smile for a lady who was getting along and enjoying her vacation. She was special just as
everyone at the TradeWinds Resort was during our stay. I look forward to going back next
year.
I want to thank Mr. Richard E. Sherman, President of the TradeWinds for the kind note
of thanks he sent to us after our stay. Once more, they took that extra step for our
enjoyment.
I would strongly recommend the TradeWinds and Sam Stone to anyone who has a taste for
tropical breezes and a little fun.
Ten toes up! Rosie’s highest recommendation!
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