We gathered at Bridge Club on June 23 and were treated to a night that was a swirl of energy, great food and wine, and friends, both familiar and new.

However, everyone there participated in something far more important. We all played a part in the continuing lives of living things - our generic heritage, on this night represented by heirloom tomatoes.

The role that the seed savers, farmers and gardeners play is obvious. What is equally important is the awareness of great varieties, which is where chefs and cooks and restaurant customers fit in. If a tomato variety is wonderful, chefs will seek them, diners will eat them - but they will also talk about them and share the experience through stories with friends.

Perhaps some diners will become gardeners themselves, or inspire their family members to do so. If and when that happens, it represents the future for heirlooms - a process where they will continue to be grown, seed saved and passed on. If all of this goes well, people in 100 - 200 years or more - will experience the delight of tasting a Cherokee Purple, or Green Giant, or Lillian's Yellow Heirloom.

That is what came to mind as I sat with my wife Susan and tomato friends and enjoyed this most excellent event.