Dinner Date
C.J. Fitzwater
When I introduce my hometown, the first thing people mention is usually the beach, the river, or that one wild bachelor party that ended up at Ten’s, often accompanied by a crazy story. But there’s another side to Salisbury that is often overlooked. Some of the oldest family farms in the country still operate here. The Stevens Tree Farm, located on Mudnock Road — the oldest road in town — and Bartlett Farm, which may be the oldest continuously operating family farm in America. These historic farms are still being worked.
At the end of Bayberry Lane is Red Ridge Farm, a stunning multi-acre property where they raise and sell beef cattle, grow vegetables and pumpkins, and offer free-range eggs from their chickens. The true gem of the farm however, is The Meadow, an award-winning wedding venue that hosts not only weddings but parties and proms. Just last weekend, The Meadow at Red Ridge Farm hosted the first annual Saddle Up Social, a benefit auction, concert, and dinner in support of Horses Healing Hearts, a unique non-profit transforming lives through the power of horses.
Horses Healing Hearts offers therapeutic services through the unique connection between people and horses. Marianne Cyr, the driving force behind this Salisbury-based nonprofit, runs it alongside her husband Joe LeBlanc at the Lazy J Ranch on Seabrook Road. This summer, they expanded the ranch with a covered round pen, enabling HHH to provide services year-round. The program currently has seven horses, a pony, and two newly rescued mini horses, which assist with equine assisted services such as equine-assisted learning, horse-powered reading, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and equine therapy.
HHH currently has one licensed therapist, Emma Daniels, working onsite, along with a recently graduated social worker who will soon begin offering services. They aim to add another therapist in the near future. Additionally, the program has five certified horse powered reading facilitators and three certified equine assisted learning facilitators.
The recent Saddle Up Social event brought together veterans who benefit from HHH’s services, other groups that utilize the program, friends of Marianne and Joe, and the board of directors for the 501©(3) organization. The board includes Patricia Pattow, Kim Contarino, Robert Linscott, Mike Seliki, Cindy Moore, and Charlie Antonopoulos. SCTV, in which I’m a member, supported the event by purchasing one of the tables, and Robert Linscott served as emcee. Entertainment was provided by local talent Pat Hall and his band, with Gavin Marengi and his world-class band headlining the event.
After a busy morning, my wife, Nina and I decided to sneak home for a quick nap before heading the couple hundred yards down Bayberry Lane to The Meadow. Red Ridge Farm, owned by the Warcewicz family, is next door. Our son, Max has grown up running around the farm with Stacie and Mark’s twins, Ian and Alex. The three of them are thick as thieves, sharing many of life’s milestones together— first day of school, first football and basketball teams, and even their first time sneaking out. I’m sure there are plenty of “firsts” they’ve kept secret from their meddling parents. They’re lucky to have such a special friendship.
It reminds me of the last line from the 1980s film “Stand By Me” when the narrator, Gordie says, “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus, does anyone?” For those of us who had adventures with our buddies, running around in the woods, those times were the best of our years. I’m glad my son has that.
I let Nina nap a little longer and headed off to the social. Upon arrival, I was greeted by Tabitha Beebe and Katie Beal, who were already in line for dinner. The meal, served by Fat Belly BBQ from their food truck, featured chopped brisket, shredded chicken, coleslaw, mac and cheese, beans, and, as they say down south, “all the fixings.” After grabbing my food and checking in, I made my way to our table, saying hello to some of Salisbury’s finest along the way—Mike Colburn and his wife Aila, Lynn and Dan Welch, Mike and Dawn Roberge, and, of course, my dates for the evening, Tabitha and Katie.
Not long after, Nina walked in with Max, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride. There she was, in her flannel, jeans, and matching cowgirl boots, looking as cute as the moment I met her. Not only was she there with me, but she was my wife. I’m one lucky cowboy.
The night was turning into a success. The food from Fat Belly was fantastic, and the crowd was lively and engaged. Richard Linscott kept the energy up, playing great music while working the crowd for donations to support this very important cause. Pat Hall opened the night with his song “New Born Soul,” setting the mood with a set mostly made up of 70s jam band classics. His band was unique, featuring a talented guitarist, a backup singer, and a saxophonist who alternated between using his instrument like a bass to provide rhythm and harmony and playing intricate progressions that brought new life to the songs. Hall invited Marengi on stage for a duet of “Simple Man,” performed in their own distinct style. The audience was a mix of dancers, singers, and groups of friends, many playing the “remember when” game around their tables. Tony Soprano once said, “Remember when is the lowest form of conversation.” It’s easy, comfortable, and nostalgic, which felt perfect for the night.
Tabitha shared her memories of Bayberry Lane, which was the party street when she was in high school. A true Salisbury native, she could be a tour guide for all the incoming freshmen moms, knowing every tradition and shortcut at Triton. Her daughter, Cassidy, now a second-generation cheerleader, is a role that makes Tabitha proud. Tabitha embodies the spirit of Salisbury, a guardian of its traditions and an ancestor of the historic Pike family. She is unmistakably Salisbury through and through.
Another Salisbury native, Terry Marengi, took the stage with his son Gavin, joined by “Rockin Realtor” A.J. Pappas on bass and Kemp Dunn on drums. Gavin’s music, now familiar to many of us, reflects the essence of Salisbury, the northeastern corner of Massachusetts, and the border towns of Southeast New Hampshire.
One of those songs, “Blue Collar Man,” was inspired by people like Mike Colburn, whom Gavin gave a shoutout to during the show. It’s a Jackson Browne-like anthem about life, love, and finding contentment. The song ends with, “Well he loved his life, and when we all just got along, it’s how we all should be when we sing this simple song.” That’s exactly what we did under the tent—we sang along, a group of souls united by music.
Gavin’s catalog is like a hot cup of tea steeped in Salisbury’s DNA, and one of my favorites, “Hold On,” showcases his raspy voice urging us to “hold on for dear life—because the world is in the darkest of times.” It’s a powerful message from a young man reflecting on the fading American dream, with wisdom imparted from his mother, Tiffany who is always at his shows cheering him on. She knows, and taught Gavin that “nothing comes easy, and nothing comes free.”
Dan Welch brought the spirit of dance to the night, pulling Jean Mercer onto the dance floor, which quickly became the focal point of the evening. I had my own special moment with the host, Marianne, as I took her hand and, with the skill my father passed down to me, swung her around the dance floor. Marianne ended the night by personally thanking everyone. She is one of the kindest, most generous people you’ll ever meet, always willing to give of herself for others, which is why the event was such a success.
The chorus of Hall’s opening original “New Born Soul” goes “This feeling that I get is the feeling that I’ll never forget, this feeling that I get is the feeling that I’ll never regret.”
It really was the chorus of the night, there was not a bad vibe on the farm.
“This feeling that Pat sung was the feeling of love. The night felt like a gathering of people who truly cared for one another, as it turned into a celebration of what makes Salisbury and its people so special, and that love is what made this “Dinner Date” one to remember.
If you would like to learn more about Horses Healing Hearts please visit http://www. hhh-inc.org.
Dinner Date” is a series of stories written by Salisbury resident C.J. Fitzwater about the places and people he meets locally for dinner. If you are interested in meeting and telling your story, send him an email at cfitzwater@ymail. com.
Curious Traveler 
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