By JOHN ANDERSON
Over the years, the celebrities have entered the doors of the Texas Hot, and many times to return. I’ve seen the sitting governor of New York behind the grill slinging hot dogs like it was a rite of passage.
But Monday night, a dreary Monday at that (one of those days that can’t decide if it’s going to be nice or depressing), a little light hit my corner of the world.
James Rigas walked through the kitchen doors and leaned against the soda counter at New York State’s longest continuously owned family restaurant (do they get extra credit for having the Rigas AND Raptis family owning at the same time all those years?).
Jim’s wife, Demetra was going from table-to-table talking to customers. I don’t know how old she is, but the way she enters the front door with grace is the same she has done for decades.
As James takes off his jacket, near the counter, the familiar phrase “behind” is spoken by waitresses and employees bringing clean dishes from the kitchen. Without looking, James Raptis slides to the left or right like he’s done thousands of times over the years.
“Well, 68 years of marriage,” Jim says proudly with a twinkle in his eye as he looks at his wife. “I also took her to Perkins for lunch!”
I look over his shoulder and see the indelible photo of his long-time business partner, the late Gus Rigas. Gus would have bellowed out a congratulations and made sure the patrons knew.
But they didn’t know.
I knew.
Jim never bothers the waitstaff for coffee or water, he gets it himself. I asked Demetra to join him behind the counter to get a photo. She leans into his chest, he puts his right arm around his bride and clings her tight. They both flash a genuine smile … after 68 years they are still happy.
The couple celebrated with family and friends last weekend, but tonight was the real date and today was their day.
I looked around to see which booth they picked to eat. The restaurant went from quiet to busy on this Monday night. They decided to leave the prime real estate to others and sat at the counter, quietly eating dinner.
Over the years at the Wellsville Daily Reporter, we would run over to take photos of the celebrities or happen to be in the right place at the right time.
Tonight’s moment was just as special.
