Live from the Trenches at Double Edge Sport’s Bar and Grill

All I can say from the trenches this week is WOW!

On Saturday March 14, Wild Bill’s granddaughter, Debi Rafferty and Mark Robinson from O’Reilly Buick GMC, and a dear friend of the Wild Bill team were guest Bartenders at Double Edge Sport’s Bar and Grille. Double Edge kindly hosted our latest Wild Bill fundraiser where over $2,000 was raised in four hours of great food, great hospitality and lots of singing and dancing!

Owner Chris Night blew the team away with his generosity and support of the fund. He basically handed over his business for the night and let us do what we do best: HAVE FUN! Not only did we bring our crew of supporters, but we also gathered up some new fans who crowded the bar and tables. Some patrons were surprised, some a little confused; but in minutes, they jumped in and joined our battle to raise funds. It helped that O’Reilly Buick Ford donated two Flyers tickets to be raffled giving everyone who joined our party the opportunity to win!

There were so many highlights of evening, and to be honest, this blog would be a short novel if I included them all so I narrowed it down a wee bit to some of my favorites.

First, seeing Mark and Debi behind the bar working with Kristin, Marjorie and Sarah was a hoot. They were real pros and the bar was running like clockwork. Guests were served up everything from a glass of beer to specialty drinks Kristen created for the event – the Purple Heart and Easy Company. It was so much fun watching everyone having a great time while supporting our cause. The team at Double Edge made everyone feel comfortable, relaxed and ready to have fun.

Next up, the amazing servers and hostesses working Saturday night. This group of men and women have hearts of gold and were so accepting of me getting in their way to tell everyone why we were there. Shortly after 4:00, I had noticed some of the servers had even purchased t-shirts and were proudly displaying that they too were part of our band of brothers and sisters. By the end of the night, I felt like I had made some great new friends. I would also like to point out that I have been to many restaurants and very few compare to the service I witnessed at Double Edge . I highly recommend stopping in for a great meal that will not leave you disappointed.

While manning door I was lucky enough to meet all those who came out to specifically to support our fundraising efforts and those willing to let me just put a band on their wrist to only come back later and thank me for helping them do something “good”. We were honored to welcome our friends new and old. However, the absolute best moment was when the Second Brigade M/C came through the door. They had led Bill’s funeral procession and wanted to once again show their support. These were big guys, and don’t tell anyone, they were all like teddy bears. I was hugged by each after placing their bracelets on and thanked for continuing to honor a deserving hero. I mean seriously, it does not get much better than that unless you count the guy who walked up and asked me, “Do I look fat in this bracelet?” He teased me all night about guarding the door and wanted to know how much I would charge to do that at parties. Come to think of it, I should have given him a price and told him to make the check payable to the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund.

When Mark Robinson took the mike to welcome all who came out, we were all surprised as he informed all those present that Double Edge would also be having a golf outing in June to support the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund. After so much generosity from Double Edge, we never expected that. Both Debi and I were all teared up as we caught each other’s eye from across the room. We often worry together about how to raise the funds, and this announcement, was just another example of how once Wild Bill touches you, his grip is for life.

And then, Carolyn Bowers tapped my shoulder and turned me around as she said, “Sandee, look at the door!” Standing there, right in front of me were army uniforms. They didn’t come out for Wild Bill; they were out to enjoy a meal together during their downtime. Of course, I approached them immediately already in tears to thank them for their service. I hugged all three and explained what we were doing. Then, I blew them away as I grabbed Gene, Wild Bill’s son, and took him to the table. He presented them with t-shirts and sat down to chat. When he left the table, I was called over and asked, “Is that really his son?” I said yes and they went on to tell me that meeting him was surreal. So then, I brought over Debi and said, “This is Bill’s granddaughter!” I have never seen grown men and women so overwhelmed. It filled my heart with happiness. After they finished their meals, I asked for a picture, got Debi over for a picture, and before I could do anything else, patrons from the restaurant asked for pictures. When the group left, they thanked me for making them feel like celebrities! I said, “No need for thanks, what you do to protect our freedoms everyday makes you celebrities in my eyes.”

Congratulations to Paula Horton, who won the Flyers tickets, Tom Ficco, who took home the Irish Basket, Flo Bowers, who won the Unique Splits Bakery Basket and Jamie McPeak, who won the 50/50!

On behalf of the Guarnere family and the Wild Bill Guarnere Memorial Fund a huge THANK YOU to Double Edge , Chris and the entire staff for joining our band of brothers and sisters!

This is your event correspondent signing out From the Trenches!