One of my first memories of moving to Pine River involved Beth's Place.

My fellow Echo Publishing editor at the time, Bryan, took me out to lunch there during my first week at work in 2005.

He explained that he always ate at Beth's Place when he was in town.

Bryan ordered the Blazin' Beef and a Mountain Dew. (I remember that because he always ordered the Blazin' Beef, and because caffeine is always a friend to those in the news business.)

I got the Honey-Mustard Chicken, which I had many times over the three years I've been living in the area.

(Bryan was later an editor at the Austin (Minn.) Daily Herald and now the general manager of Leader Publications/Boone Newspapers in Michigan.)

Anyway, Beth's Place apparently had an impact on me because I remember where we sat and what we ate all these years later.

I liked that we were served right at the table and that Bryan picked up the tab. It became a tradition at the Pine River Journal to treat new employees to lunch at Beth's Place.

The most recent employee to take a trip to Beth's place was Ken Korczak, staff writer for the Lake Country Echo and Pine River Journal.

He too was impressed with the small town charm of Beth's Place.

Beth's Place was a draw for out-of-towners as well.

When the annexation trial held in Pine River last month recessed for lunch one day I jaunted over to Beth's Place for a quick to-go meal.

Who do you suppose were there but the chief administrative law judge and lawyers and witnesses for both sides. I hadn't before, and may never again - see as many suits and ties in Beth's Place at one time.

It was always fun to see high school student working behind the counter at Beth's in the summer. I particularly remember Danielle Sonenstahl and Carrie Gordon taking orders and preparing food.

Here at the Pine River Journal we look forward to receiving a list of the specials at Beth's Place by fax every morning.

We post it on the refrigerator for everyone to see. If it's not there, someone will invariably ask: "Hey, what's the special at Beth's Place today?"

A staff favorite is the chicken-salad snacker and chicken dumpling soup. I love the size of the dumplings in the soup. I've had the soup elsewhere and thought the dumplings were chintzy. Not at Beth's Place; their dumplings were hefty. And, for anyone who loves chicken-dumpling soup - a "hefty dumpling" is key.

Prior to that I was on a kick ordering a single-sized cheese pizza with extra pineapple. Who needs Canadian bacon anyway?

I could reminisce about food for another 1,000 words or so, but I won't. I will however say "good luck" to Beth and Lenny in all of their future endeavors, and "thanks" for all of the great lunches.