“To the tables down at Mory’s,

To the place where Louis dwells,

To the dear old Temple bar we know so well….”

Those are the lyrics of “The Whiffenpoof Song”, first published in 1909. The Whiffenpoofs, at Yale University, are the the oldest a capella singing group, born the same year. The song is their traditional closer.

We in drum corps have been singing it (we like to sing, robustly, if not always well) as long as i can remember. So when we saw that a Morey’s Tavern was right across the street from where we were staying, we knew where we’d be drinking, and we knew we’d be singing the song.

And we did.

“We” is a group of old friends who used to variously march together or compete with each other in drum & bugle corps in the 1960s and 70s. Some, now in their 70s and 80s are still active today. But every Labour Day weekend for the past 15 or 20 years, we have gathered in varying numbers up to a dozen, to attend the championship weekend of Drum Corps Associates, or DCA, this year in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.Good seats, eh?

We knew we were going to Morey’s, no matter what. But it’s pretty unimposing, right? Then our hostess at our nearby motel told us it’s actually a great place, very popular; she said we’d be OK in there. As it turns out, Morey’s has been open for 66 years, and in the same family all that time! Joey Longo runs it now; his grandfather Morey started it, and Joey’s dad had it before him.Steve the bartender. Not family.

We had lots of advice about where to eat. But it was Roy (another bartender) who put us onto a restaurant called Pier 87…a bit out of town, but worth the drive, he said.Pier 87 sits beside Loyalsock Creek, about 9 miles from Williamsport. Part of our weekend itinerary includes uniform dress for Sunday dinner ahead of the Championship finals night show. (We have dedicated travel attire for Day one as well…) The restaurant was closed for 2 years after disastrous flooding in 2011. Again, multiple voices said “eat here, you won’t go wrong.” Only one other restaurant got multiple recommendations, but it’s closed Sundays.

Pier 87 has indoor and outdoor dining, a fine white sand beach, an outdoor bar, an outdoor bandstand, and for our needs, a wonderful kitchen! We met the manager, the owners and more. And Loyalsock Creek turns out to be Pennsylvania’s “River of the Year”, whatever that entails…two items from the parking lot…..a wonderfully carved tree….…and acouple of bumper stickers reminding us to be careful with our conversation…. The point of all of this is the wonderful time we had, that I can only partially share with you in this way. And the reason we had a good time, is because we had a local recommendation. We had at least three highly recommended eating places to choose from, two of them with multiple recommendations. But the enthusiasm for this one seemed highest. I think I have mentioned this before; I try to eat local if I can and on this particular weekend each year, I think that’s a collective choice.

The locals know. They know who has good food, good service. They know who to support. If you find yourself in Williamsport, PA, I’ll add my recommendation for Pier 87. Wherever you go, ask the locals; your day will be better for it.