The rain had threatened all week. Clouds were coming to Guilford, and by the day before the forecast made it clear that the End of Summer Social at The Place Restaurant would have to be postponed. The chatter beforehand, “Maybe we should weather the storm?” had been half in jest, but the decision was made to reschedule and hope for a kinder evening.
When the new date arrived, the skies finally cooperated. The air held the scent of late summer, cool, soft, and touched with salt from the Sound. The group that gathered at The Place was smaller than expected, but that suited the mood. The Place, with its open-air setup, wood-fire grill, tree-stump seating around bright red tables, and the constant crackle of flames roasting lobsters, clams, and corn, is always at the mercy of the weather.
Because of the earlier postponement, the evening unfolded at an easy pace. The scent of butter melting over steaming clams mingled with the crackle of logs and laughter. Some guests brought side dishes to share, continuing The Place’s tradition of casual, communal dining.
Then, unexpectedly, a familiar face appeared at the edge of the gathering: Ralph. He used to worship regularly with us before moving to New York with his family, though work still brings him back to Connecticut a few times each month. The rescheduled date worked in our favor, allowing him to stop by for a brief visit before heading to his volleyball game.
His arrival brought a warm surprise. He greeted everyone with the same easy smile we remembered, exchanging hugs and catching up on things with his family. For half an hour he stayed, enjoying the company and fellowship before heading off. His short visit was one of those unexpected blessings that make a simple evening feel special.
Conversations flowed easily across the red tables. With fewer people, the night felt more personal. We heard stories from those who had moved away, shared memories of summers past, and reflected on the gentle turn toward autumn.
As the night wound down, the fire embers glowed low and the last conversations faded into the cool air. Fr. Matt and his daughter began to walk toward the car, he glanced back at the soft glow of the fires and said, “Well, it was a small gathering tonight.” She smiled, and replied, “Yes. But it was nice.”
As we left The Place under a clear, starlit sky, the evening felt full of connection, gratitude, and quiet joy. It was one of those simple nights that stay with you long after the summer fades.
The Autumn Social will be held on November 2nd, after Mass, at Maple View Farms in Orange.
