 The family will also be catering a large extravaganza this week, but
it will be unique and special. The Guzzardos, along with staff and
community volunteers, will cater a Thanksgiving holiday meal with
all the trimmings for some 350-plus seniors, shut-ins and people who
would go without a holiday meal if not for the Guzzardos.As John
talked about the Thanksgiving plans, Nick spoke on a phone to a
customer who was finding out that the weekend was already almost
completely booked at the popular eatery.
With that patented Guzzardo smile, John beamed, saying, "We have
been so blessed in this community."
The Guzzardo family is approaching their 52nd year in business on
the square in Lincoln, and from every indication, the eatery started
by Dominic "Doc" Guzzardo and his wife, Rose, in 1947 has a bright
future for generations to come.
The iconic business has many reasons why it continues to be a
mainstay and grow in this community. The food and service are always
excellent, of course, but the Guzzardo family, since those early
days with Doc and Rose running the eatery, has continued to engage
the community and to help as needed wherever asked.
Without a doubt, civic organizations, church groups and
fundraiser organizations of all types could line up to praise the
business for all they do all year, every year. But the one most
amazing thing this family and staff does is what we wish to focus on
during this holiday week. It is something so singularly remarkable
that few other communities anywhere have the privilege to read such
a story, let alone have the privilege to be a part of it.
While many will be traveling or cooking at home, preparing to
spend a day with family, the Guzzardos as a family (and they fondly
include their staff in those words) will be up early preparing a
Thanksgiving Day meal for some 350 to 400 residents of Lincoln who
wouldn't have such a meal if not for them. Staff will start
preparations of some items the night before. In the morning, before
dawn's first light, the restaurant's kitchen will be busy as family
and staff prepare the meals that will go out throughout the city by
11 a.m. It is one thing to give so freely to the community. It is
another to do so and give your time on one of the most revered
holidays of the year.
And this is no cafeteria-style meal. This family-portion meal
will include turkey and dressing with gravy, roast pork and red
potatoes, green beans, as well as a fruit bowl, with roll and
butter, all in generous portions. It is a meal fit for the special
day, and it will be delivered to homes throughout the city free of
charge, asking for nothing in return.
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John and Nick along with Frankie and Shelly Guzzardo will be working
with volunteer staff to get the meal ready and out the door to a
caravan of volunteers waiting a turn to make deliveries across the
city. Last year over 50 such families lined their vehicles in the
alley to make sure meals were dispatched and delivered in the
remarkable time of just over an hour.
John smiled, recalling last year, and confirmed there is no need
to advertise or ask for volunteers to help with this year's
deliveries. "They just show up. It's an amazing thing to see," he
said.
The line of cars is another testament to the heart of this
community, but it is the Guzzardo family spending their time, money
and holiday morning that causes many to come and be part of this
marvelous moment in community generosity. The drivers, in some cases
an entire family in a vehicle, feel compelled to help, to emulate
the generosity of this remarkable family in some small way. They
have been taught by the Guzzardo family that blessings come in
giving just as much as they do in receiving.
As many of you go about the day, spending time with loved ones,
there will be many tables where a prayer of thanks will be said. We
ask that at your table, wherever you congregate, you include thanks
as well for being fortunate enough to have a family like the
Guzzardos among us. We are blessed to be able to give this
extraordinary family this week's honor as Personalities of the Week.
Last year, besides John, Frankie, Nick and Shelly Guzzardo, these
employees gave of their time to help:
Tony Nemeth, Chelsea Polen, Anthony Danosky, Michael Hardwick,
Andy Winters, John Martinek, Mike Titiro, Samantha Carter, Katie
Harmin, Ellen Barmes, Judy and Chelsea Schaub.
[By
MIKE FAK]
From the LDN archives
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