It's nice when days take a twist for the better. Friday started out as a chance to finally meet our fine OMNI Award winning writer in residence, JOn Toner. And it turned out to a fun afternoon/early evening with Dr. Burkey coming from Philly for some talks and fun.

Burkey came in on Amtrak at Newark's Penn Station which is only five minutes from my house on the Path train. We headed to the nearby Portuguese community on Ferry Street and this restaurant my accountant and friend Frank introduced me to: Forno's

Excellent service, great food, very elegant setting without being too formal. I had mustard Salmon and Burkey some steak and stuffed chicken dish. The portions here are big, enough for two and the side dishes of rice and salads and fresh cut potato chip fries are big for sharing.

Burkey had the Flam for desert, and I asked for Pinapple sorbet. I expected something in a cup and got the sorbet with pineapple chunks in half a giant pineapple. I was stunned, it was immence and I barely had half. Excellent presentation and I must have this pineapple sorbet again!

So for next year's CATMAN DO TROIS I just may have everyone hop the Path train to Newark, we have lunch at Fornos and then take you to my secret place in Jersey City where I go to think.

After that great dinner took Airlink to EWR. (Airlink is great if you have little if any heavy luggage. 4 bucks and 15 minutes you can connect to the Path to NYC or take it from Penn to EWR.) Then off to gate 94 to meet JON TONER at his gate. It was only 6:40p and we figured we had time.

Check the board and find Jon's plane from Detroit has LANDED!!! So rush to the gate and this very friendly, smiling, warm fellow wearing his little league's hat greets us. We head to the President's Club and had about an hour to get to know each other.

The President Club's (the big one above the terminal) was packed. I followed thru on my promise to shake Jon Toner's hand and tell him he's one of Flyertalk's best writers. He just shrugged off the kudos. Burkey and Jon (like most Flyertalkers) are very modest and unassuming.

Jon is as terrific and colorful and moving a conversationist as a writer. You all must meet him sometime. He has a wonderful life with his wife and children and his trip stories. I suggested he should take his storeis into a small book, with illustrations by his children (I promised no more glowing adjectives to spare myself the wrath of a certain Flyertalker.) I hope to see you again Mr. Toner.

It's always great to see Burkey and cheer him on as he works to finish medical school. He's also one of the nicest friends on F-T. Like Jon Toner, great to hang out with and have a Sam Adams (Jon smartly took Coke, no Pepsi at teh club )

So thanks Burkey and Jon Toner for turning what would have been an average Friday into a very fun and great and relaxing day! THanks brothers! (Yes Jon, you are adopted!)