OCTOBER 2007

 COOK WITH HONEY

 On the last Sunday in September, a number of us gathered at the track for what may have been the first annual Nelson Ledges company picnic. The grill was fired up and many of the Nelson Family brought delicious home cooked and baked treats. I certainly enjoyed my fill. Thanks to Kerrie and Co. for the invite. Back in the 70’s, Judy Collins sang a song called “Cook with Honey” how’s your appetite for some sweet love. Certainly, the tasty things at Nelson were cooked that way.

But this weekend, my original “Cook with Honey” couple is celebrating their 50^th wedding anniversary. Let me explain. Back in the fall of 1971 after graduating from The Ohio State University, I got a job on Long Island with Sunoco. I knew no one and was one lonely dude. The one thing I had going was I was ready to start racing. While visiting the Methodist Church in Rockville Centre where I lived, I met the assistant pastor and youth group leader Len Buxton, his wife Tita, and their three sons. Soon I was helping with the youth group on Tuesday nights after having dinner and some great family time with the Buxtons. Tita made what is still the best manicotti I have ever tasted, but is was the love and friendship also served, that made it extra special. Tita always cooked with honey. When the Judy Collins song came out it was the perfect description. I gave them the album as a “thank you.”

Len helped this mechanically inept would be racer install a roll bar and some used racing belts from a super modified in a Dodge Colt Showroom Stock and didn’t laugh when I wore the top of my gold Nomex driving suit as a jacket. The Buxtons even made a trip out to Bridgehampton to watch me race. (Pity that track is a golf course now.) And I distinctly remember listening to the 1974 Indy 500 on the radio as I canoed through the Delaware Water Gap on a youth group trip.

Tita and Len are now retired to a cabin in the Poconos. They did spend several months in New York City doing the difficult ministry after the 9/11 attacks. I was incredibly blessed to have had them in my life for friendship and as a wonderful model of parenting. I hope you have such friends in your life as well.

Tita and Len, HAPPY 50^th!

God Bless,

Chaplain Gray

chapnlrc@aol.com