340

It's been very quiet here at the Virtual 340 Club but the Karma from the Club is still prevalent wherever you go. I work part-time at the Engleside Beverage Mart. Its a beer distributor so 340 members coming in to make a purchase should not surprise anyone.

Today is the 2nd of July and being a former Civil War re-enactor I wore a tee shirt commemorating that battle of 145 years ago,that occurred on the first three days of July,1863.
Now I have to restock the beer cooler as one of my duties and I learned early on to wear something to protect me from the cold. What better selection could I have made but the new denim shirt with the 340 Club embroidered over the pocket which most former Club residents purchased at the reunion. Its summer so I don't have to button up the new shirt, its long sleeves afford enough covering to keep the chill away.
Well I came out of the cooler with it still on and began loading up my "wagon" with another load of beer. As I neared the cooler a customer came in with three empty half-barrels. He looked at me and said, "Where did you get the shirt ?". I didn't recognize him but having received comments about my Civil War attire before I said,"You mean the Gettysburg shirt ?". He said ,"No, the 340 Shirt". I tried to explain the Club's concept but he interrupted with, "You mean Phil Zangari and the guys". Mentioning my name first of course fueled my "ego" and then my Boss Lady told him who I was. He stuck out his hand and said,"Ted Troop". He had a beard and I told him I would have never recognized him and he said the same about me which deflated my earlier euphoria of my being synonymous with the Club. I didn't bring up the desk-trashing incident in Leominster that has been chronicled earlier on this Blog by Tee and Coach. Ted did say he was not "quite" twenty-one years old yet when he imbibed with us. He must have had a fake ID because I am sure no one could have gotten past our tight security we implemented at all Club functions.

On the same note, as I was entering Superpetz to buy some dog food, none other than former 340 member/Chestnut Street Hockey Player Pat Snyder came out. As we shook hands he said, "I heard you had a reunion". He apologized for not attending as he and his family were out of town.

All signs point to the next 340 get-together as being the social event of the Millenium.