12 minute read
GREAT FOOD, NO COMPROMISE
That is the motto at Anthony’s Restaurant and Pizzeria in Enfield. Owner Dimitrios Patetsos immigrated here from Greece in 1986 at age 18, bringing with him a love of the traditions of his first home and a commitment to great, fresh food.
Today, Patetsos says America – and Enfield in particular – is his home, but he still honors his Greek traditions with his food.
“It’s in my blood,” he said, but admitted cooking wasn’t his intended career path.
He received offers to work as an electrical engineer, but he kept going back to his love of cooking. And, he said, he loves it all.
The menu at Anthony’s reflects Patetsos’ love of food and cooking with its varied options, including seafood.
Anthony’s menu is filled with seafood options, from the “extra jumbo” shrimp cocktail to sea scallops, clams, fish entrees and more.
“But we also have the best pizza in town,” Patetsos added.
What sets Anthony’s apart from other restaurants is the freshness of its food.
Patetsos starts his day early, preparing everything he may need for the day, including
his famous homemade soups and creamy garlic salad dressing.
“Many people have said we should bottle the dressing and sell it, but I said I want people to come in to eat it with my food,” he joked.
Anthony’s Restaurant and Pizzeria not only offers some of the tastes of Greece, but the
atmosphere as well. Large paintings of the Greek seaside adorn the walls and a large outdoor seating can accommodate 60 guests. Inside, there is seating for 95 guests and a staff of 28 provides great service and great food.
Patetsos began learning about Greek cooking at home as a child, then in the Greek tavern where he worked as a teenager. Before opening Anthony’s, he managed a pizza restaurant. He opened his own restaurant with help from his wife, Nora, who passed away six years ago. Patetsos opened Anthony’s – named for their son and his father – in May 2021.
As the one-year anniversary of Anthony’s approaches, Patetsos said life is pretty good, although he misses his wife. His son Anthony is in college and has a bright future. Time will tell whether or not he will find his passion in food like his father.
“I’m 80 percent Greek and 20 percent Italian, so it’s in my blood,” Patetsos said.
Anthony’s Restaurant and Pizzeria 74 Palombo Dr., Enfield, open Sunday – Wednesday 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. and 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Thursday – Saturday.
go READ LAY IT ON THE TABLE, A CHANGE AGENT IN ACTION BY LINDA J. MELCONIAN
TELL US WHAT THIS BOOK IS ALL ABOUT?
It is an historical, nonfiction, popular genre of Tip O’Neill’s attempt to accomplish a milestone in the House legislative process, reflecting a moment in time in our national history. The majority of the book chronicles the story of Tip O’Neill’s initiative and decisive leadership--at great risk to his advancement in the House Leadership— to give the House a unique opportunity to have its voice heard on ending U.S. military involvement in Vietnam’s unwinnable and unpopular civil war. It examines House majority party caucus, committee and Floor action as the House wrestled with the question that still echoes decades later: If Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, can’t it also declare to end war?
WHY IS IT RELEVANT?
O’Neill’s leadership on Vietnam demonstrated valuable lessons for today. Perhaps if we had followed O’Neill’s advice from the Vietnam years, we would not have hemorrhaged billions of American tax dollars on another untenable war in Afghanistan. A change agent, O’Neil’s House leadership was not limited to Vietnam. He changed the process of House committee and subcommittee assignments in a way that helped advance leadership opportunities for women House members. This laid the foundation for 125 women serving in the House today, or 28% of the House membership, making it a more inclusive body. O’Neill’s House leadership tenure was characterized by bipartisan consensus and coalition building. Unlike the bullying and toxic absence of decorum which characterizes the House today, in O’Neill’s leadership era, compromise was governing, and integrity mattered.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?
I had always wanted to write a book about Tip O’Neill leading the House to end the Vietnam War when he was Majority Whip. Much has been written about Speaker O’Neill opposing President Reagan’s budget cuts which hurt working men and women; very little has been written about O’Neill when he first served in House leadership. It was where he honed the impressive political skills from his experience as the first Democratic Speaker of the MA House that made him a legislative titan as Speaker of the U. S. House. I worked for him, first as his legislative assistant and eventually Assistant Counsel, and was a participant and witness who knew all the players identified in the story.
HOW HAVE READERS RESPONDED TO BOOK SO FAR?
“Lay It on the Table is not only an extremely well documented firsthand account, but also a refreshed review of how important public policy and procedural issues were considered by the U.S. House of Representatives 50 years ago. How different the legislative process is today. This book is an important piece of history of public policymaking. Kudos to Linda Melconian.”-Kip O’Neill, Son of Tip O’Neill “The reader will be treated to a firsthand account of Democratic Party Caucus proceedings not open to public and press until 1975 and for several Congresses thereafter. It represents a candid portrayal of the impact of party procedure and strategy on committee and House legislative actions.” - Charles W. Johnson, Former U.S. House Parliamentarian
“Melconian’s historical narrative more than accurately captures the spirit of the legislative process as it existed some 50 years ago. Oh that we could return to this form of civil discourse and bipartisan legislative debate.” - Sally S. Donner, Former Staff Director to Rep. Silvio Conte (R-MA)
“Linda Melconian provides a page-turning insider's view of the politics of Congress. Anyone interested in the period of Tip O'Neill's leadership will find this informative and fascinating. As Speaker of the House, O'Neill helped change hearts and minds. This chronicle is a primer in political leadership during times of crisis. Melconian provides an insider's view and provides new information about the man, the times and the complexities of the congressional process. A good read, and worth adding to your collection of modern American history.” - Joseph Carvalho III, co-editor of the Springfield Republican Heritage Book division.
“This book is very interesting. It provides an inside look at the goings on in Washington DC during this time frame. I very much enjoyed the details and first hand observation into the political world she has given us via this book. Quite impressive and I feel that especially at this point in time, this read is very valuable to the reader. I strongly suggest and recommend this book!” -- Amazon Customer
HOW CAN PEOPLE PURCHASE THIS BOOK?
The book is available in E-Book and paperback on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MVCDYMN/
And currently available and distributed through Barnes and Noble (Holyoke), Porter Square Bookstore (Cambridge, MA) and Odyssey Bookstore (South Hadley).
Me e Next G er i in Loc S ior Living
The Arbors Assisted Living’s 25th anniversary is on the horizon—but our story actually began in 1966, when our grandparents founded E.A. Gralia Construction. They built more than 5,500 housing units, as well as schools, hotels, nursing homes, and several elderly housing developments. Years later, our parents, the family business’ second generation, founded The Arbors Assisted Living Communities and took our company head-on into the emergent senior living industry.
The Arbors was one of the first assisted living communities in western Massachusetts. We have since grown to ten communities throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut. As the third generation of our family business, we have expanded our communities in Massachusetts and created a brand specifically for Connecticut called The Ivy Assisted Living Communities. Additionally, we founded Integra Home Health in 2010—a private homecare agency serving Western Massachusetts and parts of Connecticut.
We were all born and raised in East Longmeadow and Longmeadow. And we all grew up in the business, working summers at our various properties doing landscaping, office work, and activities with the residents. Throughout college, we worked in every department of the business, learning the ins and outs of every aspect of what we do. Our skills evolved over the years, and in 2016, our generation took the reins.
While assisted living has evolved over the years, we have held true to who we are. We are Family. And we welcome our residents into that family, treat them like family, and give them a wonderful experience in their golden years. At The Arbors and Ivy, we offer assisted living, independent living, respite stays, and memory care support.
Our buildings are warm, inviting, and home-like. Each of our residents has their own private apartment with a full kitchenette, private bathroom, living room and bedroom. Assisted living needs are diverse and vary from person to person, so each resident receives an individualized service care plan designed for them.
Our staff members are dedicated to meeting the individualized needs of each resident 24/7. We provide a variety of living options, amenities, assistance, services, dining options, social programs, and customized care.
We believe in creating an engaging, stimulating environment that benefits the mind, body, and soul of our residents. We promote a lifestyle of health and wellness, with programs that benefit brain health, physical fitness, and more. Our residents create friendships and find camaraderie, which provides a quality of life that they might not otherwise experience.
At The Arbors and Ivy, we also offer respite services for short-term or trial stays. Whether you need a break from caregiving, need somewhere safe after a rehabilitation stay, or are just unsure if assisted living is right for you, we have fully furnished apartments that are move-in ready!
Integra Home Health offers personal healthcare services for those who feel more comfortable staying at home, or for those who need additional support beyond the basic assisted living services. Integra’s staff can work alongside hospice agencies and also provide services to those in senior housing and nursing homes. Homecare is a wonderful solution to support family caregivers who are trying balancing their own lives. We provide transportation to doctor appointments, as well as companion services to keep someone company, spend quality time, reminisce, and play games. We also offer a variety of personal care and memory support services provided right in a clients’ own homes.
We have been on the other side of caregiving for loved ones and know how overwhelming and stressful it can be. Doing your research and comparing options is a key part of the process. Our website is a great resource filled with blogs, guides, and educational resources to answer any questions you may have. We are here to personally assist you through all aspects of the process.
Doing your research and comparing options is a key part of the process. Our website is a great resource filled with blogs, guides and educational resources to answer any questions you may have. Our communities have educated and experienced Marketing Directors to assist you through all aspects of the process.
After a lifetime spent in the family business and in the senior living industry, it feels we have seen and experienced it all. Our goal is to use everything we have learned, along with our strong family values and determined work ethic, to help other families in need. Being there for your loved one in the late stages of their life is so important, but it looks different for each family. Whichever option your family chooses—whether staying at home with services or moving to an assisted living community—we are here for you.
The COVID-19 lockdown was especially hard on the elderly and their loved ones. Families being unable to see each other during such a critical time in life was hard to endure for both the residents and their loved ones. At times, it was absolutely heartbreaking. The pandemic has changed so much about our world and how we navigate it now. One thing that holds true is the fact that hard times are best endured in community with others.
Fifty-six years later, the passion our grandparents and parents had for this family business still carries strong through each one of us. We have dedicated our lives to perfecting this craft and we believe our love and dedication for what we do can be felt in our communities. We have not only solidified our company’s place in the ever-growing senior living industry, but we have also left our mark as the rare third generation of a family business. For that, we couldn’t be more proud.
THE ARBORS ASSISTED LIVING www.arborsassistedliving.com THE IVY ASSISTED LIVING www.ivyassistedliving.com
INTEGRA HOME HEALTH www.integrahomrhealth.com
Fam y Ti
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