The Talented Mr. Riley

"Kann ich ein Bier bitte haben?” repeats Uncle Evo as he refills his water bottle with alkaline geiser water straight from a Saratoga spout.

"Wait, Uncle Evo - that's not beer!" I warn.

Too late. He tilts his head back and takes a hearty swig, even swashing some between his cheeks and gums. He doesn't seem bothered and wipes his lips dry.

"Das ist gut", he smacks.

A refined beer drinker like Uncle Evo thinks natural Saratoga spring water with a mix of aluminum, potassium and something sulfer smelling, tastes good? That makes no sense.

Following the taste-testing we peek inside The Hall of Mirrors where preparations for the Annual Sch’dy School District Athletic Hall of Fame and Reunion Dinner are taking place that evening. The wait staff at the door anxiously whisper "and Pat Riley is here to speak too!" Everyone is excited and working at a feverish pitch to welcome a celebrity basketball coach who is the second winningest coach in NBA history. With Pat Riley in town my need to show off Saratoga is higher than ever. Furthermore, I was hoping of the slight possibility of running into him. None of us are basketball fans (especially Uncle Evo) but Pat Riley is legendary and worthy of a handshake.

We continue our journey down Broadway, through Congress Park, up and around the empty grandstands at the track and then back down towards Broadway. Then it hits me - anybody who is somebody usually stays at the prestigious Adelphi Hotel. The hotel is a 1877 survivor from a time when world class social, artistic and intellectual luminaries vacationed during horse-racing season. It's a special Saratoga landmark and I was sure that the coach would be kicking back and enjoying himself there. We walk inside and request to sit out back in the courtyard.

"I'm sorry but it's reserved right now", says the receptionist.

"But, there are only 4 people sitting back there, that I can see", I point out.

"Yes, but..."

She's stops short. Unlike the kitchen help at the Hall of Springs, she won't admit that the talented Mr. Riley is the sole reason for privacy in the courtyard. I smile knowing that Saratoga is growing but will never be big enough to hide the stature of this man.