Posner’s BBQ was Grillin’ and Chillin’ Fun

What event would bring together a local meteorologist, a wealth advisor from Macon, an attorney from Miami, and 162 other guests? On Saturday, June 24, two blocks from Oakland Cemetery, Ana and Ryan Posner’s seventh annual BBQ blazed for mostly cousins and a gaggle of friends.

Posner, a multi-generational Atlanta “Mendel,” who is also related to the plentiful Goldsteins, invested weeks in planning his “welcome summer” feast. In a labyrinth of relationships that even they don’t fully understand, cousins, some newfound, told stories of their Jewish relatives, and just how exactly they might be connected.

Former Ahavath Achim president Mark Cohen gave Ryan Posner a hand in the serving line.

Third cousin Glenn Rosen laughed, “I had to actually move to Macon to find a wife to assure I wouldn’t marry a cousin here. Somehow, my great-grandmother is Ryan’s great-grandfather’s sister…This is my first BBQ, but I’ll keep coming back.”

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The true stars and gracious hosts, Ana and Ryan Posner, who posted themselves on Facebook days before at Costco gathering vittles, went to great lengths to attend to the smallest details. Weeks before, Ana traveled to Austin, Texas, to load her suitcase with samples for Ryan. When asked, “Ryan, how much did you sleep the night before?”… “About 90 minutes,” he said, still smiling.

Ever since Ryan and Ana settled into their Victorian Grant Park bungalow, they have been lighting up the neighborhood with a love for hosting and a newfound interest in barbecuing. There, a seed was planted that blossomed into the heartwarming tradition – Posner’s annual BBQ.

Ryan Posner said, “My interest in barbequing sparked in 2016, and grew, bolstered by warm memories of mom, Bonnie’s home cooking. I invested in a traditional offset smoker, echoing a commitment to authenticity of which the Ewings (from my favorite show, “Dallas”) would certainly approve. Because of YouTube, I have learned about eight years of technique in months versus my own trial and error.”

Hilton and Janet Kupshik chatted with Lynne and Tom Greenfield.

The annual BBQ revolves around a tantalizing trio: brisket, Brunswick stew, and bourbon, reminiscent of the grand “Dallas” Ewings – minus the drama. Posner’s pragmatic approach balances grandeur with the potluck tradition, inviting guests to bring a side dish or dessert. Ana Posner said, “This practice not only lightens the load, but also enriches the sense of community.”

Ryan Posner rang a triangle bell at 6 p.m. to signal the start of the meat line. The nonmeat/kosher types, like this writer, headed for yards of salads, sides and grilled steak-like, herbed Portobello mushrooms. The length of Posner’s ice blue Lincoln Continental, with its “Ewing” license plate, occupied the entire driveway.

Helpers Bob and Jeannie Tepper, Celia Gilner, Nikki Novotny, and Marcia Spielberger are fans of Ryan from Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

Cousin Howard Mendel said, if readers dare follow, “My great-grandfather, Hyman Mendel, moved here in 1890 – one of the first members of Ahavath Achim (where Ryan is a new board member). That makes me a fourth-generation Mendel at the AA.  My grandchildren now make that six generations. Ryan’s father is my third cousin, but we only met a year ago. Glenn Rosen, and Lynne Greenfield, via their great-grandfathers, are third cousins.”

Howard himself coordinated the Hyman Mendel family reunion with 200-plus relatives for Thanksgiving 2007 in the Dominican Republic. Greenfield, who had attended last year’s BBQ, stated, “Ryan is my third cousin on the Mendel side, and we happily reconnected about two years ago. He is a multi-talented young man and a truly gifted host.”

Cousin Glenn and Christina Rosen drove in from Macon for the BBQ.

Friends Jeannie and Bob Tepper came hours earlier to make the mai tai mix, split firewood, and do assorted tasks. Jeannie Tepper laughed and said, “I have grease stains on my white pants to show for my efforts tending the smoker. It was certainly worth it.”

Ryan Posner recalled the day’s events, saying, “We prepared ample brisket and stew, but we could’ve used eight more pounds of chicken wings to meet demand. The post-BBQ blues are indeed real, but seeing the smiles on guests’ faces, and the satisfaction of pulling off another successful event, provide a rush of dopamine that fuels our cleanup endeavors. Above all, thanks to all those who lent a helping hand!”

Ryan’s blue Lincoln with the Ewing license plate channels his love for the TV show, “Dallas.”

When he’s not grilling, Posner is employed overseeing technical project initiatives that support peer-to-peer medical education programs for health care providers in hematology and oncology. He grew up in Marietta, graduated from Walton High School, then marched and played trumpet in the University of Georgia’s Redcoat Band.