Dear Editor:
My name is Steve Roman Sr., and I have been a patient at Saint Clare’s Hospital for 60 years or so, the last 12 of those as a Cardiac Rehabilitation patient. Rehab is blessed with the finest nursing staff anywhere, and I should know, since three days a week I am doing my real exercises there. I am a widower — my wife passed 12 years ago — so a home-cooked meal was rare unless one of my daughters-in-law asked me to dinner.
Now, I am a big guy, and after 75 minutes of steady working out, I start to feel my empty stomach crying out for food. I used to go to local delis and small luncheonettes, and I looked at that as a necessity rather than eating real food.
A number of years ago, a small group of my rehab members started eating in the cafeteria. We talked and we ate. Due to the passing of people, our numbers have fallen, and then there was no one to eat with. One day, two or so years ago, I was hungry, and I went to the cafeteria. I ordered steak with mashed potatoes and gravy. It is now two years later, and today I had a Philly cheese steak with two side dishes. Cost, with coffee — $10! More importantly, the meal was great!
If you are ever in Saint Clare’s in Denville and want a good meal, go to the cafeteria. You will never regret eating a meal there — I do at least twice a week. Everything is made to your order, and it is enjoyable food.
Steve Roman
Morris Plains, New Jersey
