Breaking up is hard to do.
RIP: Neil Sedaka.
It was terrible, bad, and awful news. Sofra’s restaurant in Middleton WI was closing, your irascible host learned while seated at his usual place near the front window facing the entrance on Elmwood Avenue. Always the same seat in the same place, Thursday mornings at 7:30. Routine, blessed routine!
First and third Thursdays of the month for the main group, then a smaller rump group on even numbered weeks. We are the Troupis Groupis, an unregistered political inaction group founded by the retired Dane County judge. Originally met at the Three Sisters on Parmenter Street, which became My Sisters Kitchen, under the indomitable Shelly Skinner.
Barely knew Jim Troupis when he broached the idea — gosh, 10 or more years ago. One of the great legal minds of our time — nationally known expert on legislative redistricting. May have impressed him at our first encounter. Told a farrago of campaign committee registrations, permits, and pay-offs were required before we could post a political sentiment in a public place, this bloggeur lamented: “We’re conspiring to commit free speech here.”
Jim is now being lawfared by WI Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is intent on bleeding the retired judge for representing his client, Donald Trump, in 2020 election litigation.
When the Sisters closed three years ago we moved to Sofra’s, a few blocks away. Same homey feeling. Operated by Gjyner “Gary” Lumani and his wife, Zamira. “Sofra” is Albanian for “family table,” which it was to our family of friends — even if more akin to one of New York’s Five Families than to the Waltons.
The table is set
The carefully curated roster for Troupis Groupis sits at 15, although Judge Troupis has graced our table only once since the relocation. Cannot blame the man for spending more and more time fishing in Arkansas but we’re saving a seat.
To protect the guilty we’ll describe some of the members of the Groupis as a former governor, former city alder, two current Republican chairs, a former county board member, an influential lobbyist, a former legislator and university regent, a Protestant minister, a real estate magnate, two chiefs of staff, and a gentleman often called “Mr. Republican.” (He always gifts Blaska with a different book — the last one How to Test Negative for Stupid.” Probably hoped it would help.) They come all the way from Sun Prairie, Fitchburg, DeForest, Lodi, and the village of Oregon.
We lost the last regular member of the original Groupis last year, Bob Keller at age 98. The breakfast after his funeral, we left an empty chair and a full teapot at his place.
Gosh, we have fun!
We’re all conservatives — some proudly MAGA, others more RINO. All with war stories, the more improbable the better. We’ve already solved the world’s problems three times over. Men don’t gossip but as Alice Roosevelt once said, “If you’ve nothing good to say about someone, sit next to me.” One of the members suggested he debate the head RINO but the group decided to settle our friendly political differences with Albanian-rules kick boxing, instead. A fellow breakfaster would serve in our corner as our cut man.
Zamira would referee. Ah, Zamira! For some reason, Blaska began heaping abuse upon this fiery lady from the get-go. This diner asked where on the payment screen could be found the option to leave a tip of one percent, now that tips are tax free. This last Thursday, we bemoaned that, at long last, our server was finally getting the hang of the job. Z could dish it right back — while dangling the steaming hot coffee carafe in perilous proximity to her affectionate tormentor.
Sofra’s! Where can you get Albanian sausage with your eggs? (Our request for a side of “Polish sausage” was meant in jest.) Great sounds, organized by the Lumanis’ son: Ray Charles and Etta James, Miss Peggy Lee and no Kenny G!
We’re at that age where change of any kind is about as welcome as a strange lump or unusual bleeding. Nonetheless, (like the hated Chicago Bears) the Groupis is currently exploring a new venue. We’ve closed down two restaurants, what’s one more! At this point, looks like we’re going to remain Albanian-rules. They operate a surprising number of restaurants in the area — good food at reasonable prices. But only one Zamira.
Blaska’s Bottom Line: Only regret upon parting Thursday 02-26-26 is that Blaska did not give our spirited hostess a big goodbye bear hug. Breaking our all-male rule, she and Gjyner are invited to future breakfasts. Dutch treat, of course.
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