PAID ADVERTISEMENT I would like to thank everyone who made it to our fundraiser on December 5, for the fallen Bristol officers a success. Because willingness to share we raised $10,250 which will go directly to the fames greatly appreciate your patronage and I feel very lucky to be surrounded with the wonderful people I meet daily here at Buon Appetito. Many of us who lived and/or worked in this area back in the 20th century remember the old Dew Drop Inn on Voc Route 2 in North Stonington. If you drove from Norwich to the Westerly, Rhode Island beaches back then, you knew the iconic place well and very likely stopped there at least once, probably more When I was a boy, my grandmother, Myrtle, and her good friend Leo Jacques, would take my sisters and me to Misquamicut State Beach in Rhode Island, where Leo, even in his 70s, would join me and plunge happily into the heavy surf there. Leo was a widower and my grandmother a widow, and it wouldn't be a stretch to say they were in love. Despite many hardships in her life, Myrt was a warm, happy woman, but never happier than when she was with her special friend Leo was a well-known war veteran, ever active in the local VFW and a fixture in Norwich's Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades I remember how proud I was to know this decorated war veteran who was always recognized and applauded as he marched by in the parades. Those were always such fun times, and Leo was certainly a good sport about Myrtle's three young grandchildren tagging along to the beach. And certainly, no return trip from Misquamicut to Norwich on Route 2-otherwise known to us locals as the Nor wich-Westerly Road was complete without a stop at the old Dew Drop In We'd usually stop in for apple pie a la mode or some other sinful home-made dessert that was on the menu. The place was always bustling with a clientele that ranged from hungry truck drivers to families like ours returning from a day at the beach-all drawn by reasonably priced comfort food and prompt, friendly service. As I recall, Dew Drop tan enjoyed self-appointed fame for pur- portedly being the last restaurant in America to offer a five-cent cup of coffee. To my knowledge no one ever challenged the claim, so it must've been true, at least in these parts In later years, when I was in high school and college, the same tradition carried over. Whether it was with dates or a carload of my buddies, we had to stop at the Dew Drop Inn on the way back from the beach. Our orders were usually for the deliciously greasy cheeseburgers and fries and, yes, maybe some apple ple a la mode if there was enough room and sufficient spending money. As time passed, however, the Dew Drop Inn, sadly, fell upon hard times and closed even though the price of a cup of coffee had since been raised. The old white wooden building that had been well-maintained while the restaurant was open had deteriorated into something of an eyesore Years later, it was replaced by handsome Tuscany contemporary structure that houses Boon Appetito, a wonderful Italian restaurant owned and operated by the Marku family. In addition to being successful restaurateurs, the hard-working family also owns a bustling Niantic-based general contracting business A Beautiful Co The Dew Drop Inn's cheeseburgers and hot dogs have been replaced by mouth-watering Italian favorites ranging from organic pasta fagioli and tomato caprese to pappardelle Bolognese and homemade lasagna. Yes, the price of a cup of coffee has risen there and the apple pie a la mode has been supplanted by decadent delights such as baked ricotta cheesecake and (my favorite) butter roasted banana bread pudding. One thing that has not changed from the Dew Drop Innera is the friendly service, welcoming family atmosphere and community spirit that the Markus have embraced. Historically, they have supported local charities ranging from Mystic Aquarium to local Rotary Last Monday, Dec. 5, the restaurant donated all of its dinner proceeds to the Bristol Police Heroes Fund, to support the families of two Bristol, Ct, police officers, Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt. Alex Hamry, who were shot to death in the line of duty on Oct. 12 in an ambush. Their deaths received national news coverage, which moved Buon Appetito owner Petrit Marku, his wife, Mirela Jakaj Marku, and brother, Alex, to raise the funds on their own initiative. While the proceeds were still being tallied at this writing, Petrit said they hoped to raise at least $5,000 for the police officers memorial fund Even those who were not able to have dinner at Buon Appetito as part of the fundraiser are encouraged to support the memorial initiative. Contributions can be mailed to the Police Heroes Fund, co Thomaston Savings Bank, PO Box 907, Thomaston, CL. 06787- 0907 Tis the season to be merry, Tis also the season for giving. What better cause? PAID ADVERTISEMENT I would like to thank everyone who made it to our fundraiser on December 5 , for the fallen Bristol officers a success . Because willingness to share we raised $ 10,250 which will go directly to the fames greatly appreciate your patronage and I feel very lucky to be surrounded with the wonderful people I meet daily here at Buon Appetito . Many of us who lived and / or worked in this area back in the 20th century remember the old Dew Drop Inn on Voc Route 2 in North Stonington . If you drove from Norwich to the Westerly , Rhode Island beaches back then , you knew the iconic place well and very likely stopped there at least once , probably more When I was a boy , my grandmother , Myrtle , and her good friend Leo Jacques , would take my sisters and me to Misquamicut State Beach in Rhode Island , where Leo , even in his 70s , would join me and plunge happily into the heavy surf there . Leo was a widower and my grandmother a widow , and it wouldn't be a stretch to say they were in love . Despite many hardships in her life , Myrt was a warm , happy woman , but never happier than when she was with her special friend Leo was a well - known war veteran , ever active in the local VFW and a fixture in Norwich's Memorial Day and Veterans Day parades I remember how proud I was to know this decorated war veteran who was always recognized and applauded as he marched by in the parades . Those were always such fun times , and Leo was certainly a good sport about Myrtle's three young grandchildren tagging along to the beach . And certainly , no return trip from Misquamicut to Norwich on Route 2 - otherwise known to us locals as the Nor wich - Westerly Road was complete without a stop at the old Dew Drop In We'd usually stop in for apple pie a la mode or some other sinful home - made dessert that was on the menu . The place was always bustling with a clientele that ranged from hungry truck drivers to families like ours returning from a day at the beach - all drawn by reasonably priced comfort food and prompt , friendly service . As I recall , Dew Drop tan enjoyed self - appointed fame for pur portedly being the last restaurant in America to offer a five - cent cup of coffee . To my knowledge no one ever challenged the claim , so it must've been true , at least in these parts In later years , when I was in high school and college , the same tradition carried over . Whether it was with dates or a carload of my buddies , we had to stop at the Dew Drop Inn on the way back from the beach . Our orders were usually for the deliciously greasy cheeseburgers and fries and , yes , maybe some apple ple a la mode if there was enough room and sufficient spending money . As time passed , however , the Dew Drop Inn , sadly , fell upon hard times and closed even though the price of a cup of coffee had since been raised . The old white wooden building that had been well - maintained while the restaurant was open had deteriorated into something of an eyesore Years later , it was replaced by handsome Tuscany contemporary structure that houses Boon Appetito , a wonderful Italian restaurant owned and operated by the Marku family . In addition to being successful restaurateurs , the hard - working family also owns a bustling Niantic - based general contracting business A Beautiful Co The Dew Drop Inn's cheeseburgers and hot dogs have been replaced by mouth - watering Italian favorites ranging from organic pasta fagioli and tomato caprese to pappardelle Bolognese and homemade lasagna . Yes , the price of a cup of coffee has risen there and the apple pie a la mode has been supplanted by decadent delights such as baked ricotta cheesecake and ( my favorite ) butter roasted banana bread pudding . One thing that has not changed from the Dew Drop Innera is the friendly service , welcoming family atmosphere and community spirit that the Markus have embraced . Historically , they have supported local charities ranging from Mystic Aquarium to local Rotary Last Monday , Dec. 5 , the restaurant donated all of its dinner proceeds to the Bristol Police Heroes Fund , to support the families of two Bristol , Ct , police officers , Lt. Dustin DeMonte and Sgt . Alex Hamry , who were shot to death in the line of duty on Oct. 12 in an ambush . Their deaths received national news coverage , which moved Buon Appetito owner Petrit Marku , his wife , Mirela Jakaj Marku , and brother , Alex , to raise the funds on their own initiative . While the proceeds were still being tallied at this writing , Petrit said they hoped to raise at least $ 5,000 for the police officers memorial fund Even those who were not able to have dinner at Buon Appetito as part of the fundraiser are encouraged to support the memorial initiative . Contributions can be mailed to the Police Heroes Fund , co Thomaston Savings Bank , PO Box 907 , Thomaston , CL . 06787 0907 Tis the season to be merry , Tis also the season for giving . What better cause ?