The annual cookout at Adam and Eva Ilnicki’s is famous (infamous?) for the outstanding food and a rollicking good time. Bruce and I are members of this fun-loving club and have always wanted to attend this event, but its usual scheduling around Memorial Day was always a problem for us. This year however, the cookout was postponed till the July 4th weekend when it was expected everyone would be on a surer footing COVID-wise, and we found to our delight that the weekend was free and we could go. We had seen a number of DVC members at the MG International Meet in Atlantic City and realized how much we missed being with you. And how could we resist Adam’s invitation?
As we arrived at Adam and Eva’s, Tom and Jaimee Rippert were also arriving in their beautiful 1953 MG TD. We both backed into the driveway, making way for the many more cars that were to come.
The backyard had been set up with multiple pop-up tents as rain was predicted. However, the threat of rain did not deter this group of revelers, and people started streaming in. All the glitterati were there in their MGs, including the Yocums (MGA), Cawthornes (MGB), Kaufmans (TF), Phillipses (MGB GT), Alderfers (MGB), Suffredinis (MGA), and the aforementioned Ripperts (TD), along with others in not-so-glittering daily drivers (like our MINI Cooper S). The Ilnickis’ 1952 TD was parked in front of the house to greet everyone.
In the end the count was over 40 people. The rain did come, but the tents kept us dry and no one cared as we were too busy catching up with each other after a long absence due to our COVID hibernations.
People partook of appetizers sparingly as we were looking forward to the main course of kielbasa, brisket, pierogi and salads, all provided by the Ilnickis. The food was delicious, and many returned to the buffet table multiple times. When the desserts appeared, we dutifully lined up for those as well even though we were thoroughly sated by the main course. (Bruce was happy there was a babka on the dessert table as it reminded him of family cookouts from his childhood days, as did the entire spread!)
While Eva was the master chef in charge of pierogi, salads, appetizers, and desserts, son Robert, as junior chef, took care of the kielbasa, and chef-in-training Adam handled the smoker and brisket (and the master chef and junior chef, or so he claimed). Even their little granddaughter, Hallie, was there and enjoyed sitting in the classic MGs.
As the day wound down, people reluctantly said their goodbyes. Adam commented later, “We had a very good turnout and it was a happy crowd. We haven’t seen each other for a very long time due to the COVID virus and it was nice to get together again.”
We want to thank Adam and Eva for including us in this wonderful event. Dziekuje! As promised, the food and the company were outstanding and a good time was had by all!
-- Faith Lamprey
