This Pitcher is Worth 1,000 Words

The story of this pitcher is one I can’t tell, or even think about, without smiling.

In May 2014, one year after I graduated from Loras College, I received a large package in the mail. When I opened it, I found a note from a guy my family refers to as The Captain. (No, his last name is not Morgan. The Captain has been a close friend of my dad’s since 1974, and so we’ve grown to know him, too.) I removed the bubble wrap, revealing a large, heavy glass - shown below. My eyes were drawn to the label. Though I couldn’t wait to use it, I didn’t pour anything from it later that day or even that month. I knew its inaugural use called for a special occasion.

One year later (sensing a trend?), I was driving home from Nashville after another amazing trip to CMA Fest. I received a text saying that our close family friends, the Zeddies, were coming over for dinner and to watch the Chicago Blackhawks game. It was the Stanley Cup Final, and the Blackhawks were playing against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game six. If the Hawks won, they’d be Stanley Cup Champions for the second time in three years.

I couldn’t pull in the driveway fast enough. The excitement of playoff hockey and the high I was riding from CMA Fest combined with the company at our house was indeed a special occasion. (Not that kind of high - Willie Nelson didn’t perform.)

I brought my pitcher to the kitchen table. I didn’t have a plan (I thought beer would do) but a more natural fit was wine, as the wine aficionados in the room suggested. The experimenting began, and the first ever pitcher of Katlyn’s Tavern Sangria was made.

Being it was a hot June night and we love to snack, sangria was as perfect as Crawford’s performance in game six. All eight of us cheered, clapped and high-fived as the clock on TV wound down to 0:00.

After the excitement had somewhat settled, a game of Life broke out. Known as a Gerken-Zeddies family tradition, playing the game of Life over a pitcher of sangria has turned into a Katlyn’s Tavern staple. The celebration, laughter and brilliant ideas continued into the early morning hours.

Over the last three years, we’ve kept this tradition, alternating between two locations. The youngest of the “kids” is graduating soon, so Katlyn’s Tavern might look different in the future, but one thing will remain the same – the laughter, smiles and positive energy that’s drummed up when we get together will continue to electrify and inspire us. (We have to get our laps in!) No matter where we celebrate – Batavia, Nashville, and maybe even Europe – we know we’re in for an unforgettable night.

Here’s to you finding your own version of Katlyn’s Tavern, and perhaps joining us at the original sometime. Cheers!

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