Published in the July 22, 2015 edition

WET AND WILD. Recreation Station camper Camden Marengi laughs on his way down the slippery waterslide while being sprayed with cold water on a hot morning last Friday. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

WET AND WILD. Recreation Station camper Camden Marengi laughs on his way down the slippery waterslide while being sprayed with cold water on a hot morning last Friday. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

By MICHAEL WEIN

Conversation at Lynnfield Recreation Station this week was centered on a single topic that soon turned into another great debate. You all may recall the great Popsicle debate of 2013. Well this year, the grounds of LRS were abuzz with chatter over how a sandwich should be sliced. Each day, as high noon draws near and stomachs start to rumble in campers and staff members alike, the inevitable question is, “What’s for lunch?” More often than not, the answer is the classic sandwich. From PB&J, to ham and cheese, to turkey, and even the occasional falafel, all the classics are on the afternoon menus of our campers.

The next logical question is, of course, “How will the sandwich be sliced?” There are many ways to slice a sandwich, but horizontal, vertical and diagonal were the top three answers and to decide which way is best became a point of contention. Campers had solid arguments to back up their preferences.

Bella Gianesca enjoys a well-crafted Italian panini most days after camp. She likes a sharp provolone, mixed meats, hots, oil, salt and pepper on only the freshest baked Italian bread. When asked about how the sandwich should be sliced, Bella was firm. “It must be horizontal. The only way to ensure each bite includes all of the ingredients and dances off the taste buds is to slice the sandwich horizontally from left to right. Any other way would be uncivilized.”

Devin DeLuties, as well as his brother Gavin, felt decidedly different. After camp, the boys typically go home to a Greek gyro stuffed with all the staple ingredients, including freshly shaved, slow roasted lamb, sizzling hot. Both boys agree there is only one way to slice a sandwich. “If it’s not sliced vertically, bottom to top, perfectly straight, we simply won’t eat lunch. Starvation is always a risk, but it’s one we’re willing to take. If we give in, we show weakness and then our mom will think the slice is less important.”

Danielle Jodice was also eager to join in the debate. Post camp, when not golfing, Danielle enjoys a cracked black pepper turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, yellow mustard, dill pickle chips and a buttery soft Swiss cheese on a Schnitzer’s marble rye. “The ingredients of a sandwich are important, but the slice is imperative; it must be diagonal from the upper left to the lower right. Furthermore, the slice has to cut the sandwich perfectly in half to ensure a delicious finish.”

However you like to slice your sandwich, at the end of the day, the most important thing is to never forget to sit down with your family and enjoy the often forgotten meal. And while it may not be the most important one of the day, it certainly isn’t the least.

Keep an eye out for next week’s article, to learn more about the nuances of summer.

“They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before. They are now wherever we are.”

– St. John Chrysostom