I met the man who delivered the famous “New York City?” line!
How in the world did this happen, you ask?
My husband and I were out enjoying a beer at Origin Beer Lab, a local craft brewery in a sleepy little town called Ashland, which boasts its train town status and claims to be the Center of the Universe.
It was a beautiful afternoon, and this place had large, garage doors that they opened in nice weather with bar-style seating on either side of the counters that also occupied this space.
With the establishment located parallel to the train tracks and the Amtrak station just down the way, it’s a frequent phenomenon to see trains pass through, making part of the entertainment of enjoying an adult beverage here.
The brewery wasn’t super crowded, but it was busy enough that we were making use of the more communal seating at the outdoor bar. Another couple sat down with us and struck up a conversation. And then an older gentleman joined us as well.
He held our attention with a most captivating story of how he met his lady friend, who lives in town, and frequently takes the train from up north to visit her. He was clearly enamored with her, because as he told his story, his eyes almost sparkled.
We didn’t get into details about what he did for a living, just that he lived in New York and traveled a lot.
After he finished his beer, he said his goodbyes and went on his merry way.
We and the other couple seated with us commented on how nice and interesting he was.
Very soon after he left, the owner of the brewery came over to chat with us.
“Do you know who that was?” he asked.
“No. But he was really nice!” we agreed.
He continued the story. “Do you know that Pace Picante sauce commercial? The one where the old man says, ‘New York City?’” which he said with inflection just like in the televised ad. “Well, you were just talking to the guy who said that! He’s a regular here.”
We were shocked to have such an intimate conversation with someone so notorious!
His name? Raynor Scheine. A stage name, obviously. But since we met him, I’ve realized how many other things I’ve seen him in.
He played an expert witness in the trial in “My Cousin Vinnie” and was also in several other movies.
This is now one of those stories my husband and I tell frequently.
Raynor Scheine may not be the most famous person I’ve ever met, but he’s certainly the most famous person I’ve interacted with for so long, and he was very gracious.
It just goes to show that you never know whose path you may cross, even in the most unlikely places, and it may just be someone sort of famous!
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Have you ever met someone famous and had not known it? I’d love to hear about it!
As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 