Not much in the way of long security lines or rude TSA employees. Everywhere I went, from Jackson, Miss. to Cincinatti, Ohio to Buffalo, New York, I found nothing but considerate people who actually had a nice personality ... a big change from the cyborgs after 9/11!
But, I made it to Olean, N.Y. and the campus of St. Bonaventure for the wedding of Jack and Alison. The bride, a native of Michigan, and the groom, a native of New York, had ample family on hand for the big event, so the atmosphere was wild, yet comfortable for the couple. For you who remember, Alison was the great photographer who assisted me with a Vicksburg event! She's a great photographer!
It all started when I drove into the small town of Olean -- I had no clue this part of New York was so rural and simple -- and made it to the rehearsal dinner as the guests were sitting down to view a montage of music and photos of Alison and Jack's childhood and days of courtship. Everyone seemed to enjoy the presentation and each other's company for the night. The dinner was a buffet of fun foods, including a regional favorite, Beef on Weck. It is a roast beef sandwich on a salty kimmelweck roll. There's a recipe at the end of this blog entry, so enjoy if you dare! This ain't yo' Momma's Po-Boy!
All in all, it was about 15 hours of coverage for this event, and it all seemed to fly by and I had a great time shooting it. I met the coolest Catholic priest on my trip, Father Richard, from St. Bonnie! He changed my whole outlook on Catholicism -- one that I had previously been influenced by my Louisiana parochial education in Hammond! The families were fun and helpful. The guests didn't stay inside their shells long, and broke out for some great candids. The bridal party kept the party going by keeping the dance floor full and the bartender hustling!
The couple, though worn out, handled the day like champs. They visited each and every person who made the trip to Olean, and did it with a smile. They even found time to cut loose to Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious" and had a 'Walk Off' straight from the script of Zoolander! Blue Steel rocks!
After the event, I made it back to my hotel for a quick shower and hit the road to make my early morning flight from Buffalo back to Jackson. (Thanks, Bella!) After arrival, I had a big lunch with my M-I-L Meme (who watched Gavin all weekend) and the family. When I got home, I crashed for about 15 hours.
A great time in a great place! Just didn't know it was so rural ... they even like NASCAR up there! Go figure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Beef on Weck (Buffalo Style)
1 (3- to 4-pound) beef roast (tenderloin, Prime Rib, or eye of round)
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and coarsely ground black pepper
Cornstarch Glaze
8 Kimmelweck or Kaiser rolls*
2 tablespoons caraway seeds
2 tablespoons coarse salt
Prepared horseradish
* Kimmelweck roll is a salty roll that is similar to a Kaiser roll.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Rub roast with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place roast on rack in a shallow baking pan, tucking the thin end under to make it as thick as the rest of the roast.
- Bake, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes or until thermometer registers 135 degrees F.
- Remove from oven and transfer to a cutting board; let stand 15 minutes before carving.
- Reserve meat juice, and carve meat into very thin slices.
Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. - Brush the prepared Cornstarch Glaze on the top of each kimmelweck or Kaiser roll; sprinkle equal amounts of caraway seeds and heat in the oven for 3 minutes or until tops of the rolls get crusty and the caraway seeds and salt begin to stick.
- Remove from oven and cut rolls in half.
- Divide sliced beef on the bottom half of each roll; spoon with reserved beef juice.
- Serve open-faced with horseradish on the side.
Makes 8 sandwiches.
Cornstarch Glaze
1/2 cup cold water1 tablespoon cornstarch
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together water and cornstarch.
- Heat mixture to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, and stir until mixture thickens and is translucent.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
