On a warm September Saturday, 45 years ago to the month, I wandered behind the bar at Slattery’s Old Seneca Ale Haus on Seneca Street for the very first time.

The day before, I had asked the bar manager, Jake, if he knew of any work in the area. I was down to my last nickel (I had a tendency to get fired) and would have taken anything that would have given me enough to pay the rent.

I must say, I was a bit surprised when Jake suggested to me that I fill in the next day on account they were short-staffed for that night.

While I enjoyed being a guest of the establishment, it never dawned on me that I might like to tend bar for a living.

And I had a touch of angst too.

“Jake, I don’t know how to tend bar.”

“Pete, what do you think is in a rum and coke?”

“Ah, rum and coke?”

“You’re hired.”

And so began a journey I never could have imagined, taking me to places I never could have dreamed.

“Hi........

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