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Phil, Clack and Beverly got to the Knights at 5 for the 7 start. It turned out we shoulda got there at 4. Chris, who gave Phil and I smallish, stylish tiny constructions, and Beverly spent the couple of hours getting along famously while I (and Phil sort of) setup. Registration, packet ordering, DJ stand, tee shirt sales, and button sales all had to be readied. As well as checking the layout (9 tables, a comfortable 6 chairs per). Would we need more than 54, I hoped so and thought so. Next item was the PowerPoint presentation which earlier in the weekend I had unilaterally cancelled. It turned out Phil thought it was central to the event and, it turned out, he was correct. It was very well received and stimulated many nice memories.

After the above items were addressed I sought a screen from the Knights and they produced a 1952 classic that me and Phil struggled with but finally mastered as in put it up. Sounds simple I know but … For our next scavenger hunt I set Rich, manager, of the nights off to look for an extension cord. While he looked for that, I opened up my PowerPoint and to my (and Phil’s) pleasant surprise I had pretty much created about half of a decent show. The 2nd half of the show was created on the spot by me with Philip’s oft ignored but helpful nonetheless insights. Finally as some IT issues were beginning to overtake me in came one of the night’s MVPs – the Red Fox himself, Dan Joyce. Dr. Joyce was very helpful in putting the final touches on the PowerPoint and we did a fairly quick check and setup only to have a different, not Rich, Knight type move the screen gaining us inches in height but throwing off my projection point.

Now it was almost 7 and I began my period of being glued to the registration table and my laptop for what seemed like an hour. My setup was quickly violated people entering without paying or getting their packets (with program and button; with – in most case – Phil needing to get them their ID card). After about an hour I was quite content that everyone had paid and that most had gotten their packets.

It was around 8 when the official proceedings began with the following statement: It has been almost 24 years since we shut the 340 down …27 years since we first gathered residents together in reunion style… a lot has transpired good/bad … one constant has been friendship … tested by time and distance, sickness and circumstance but that bond has survived and for that reason – plus, of course, beer & music – we are here. Please enjoy the night and plan on doing it again; bigger & better in 2009.

In the absence of Fr. Hahn and also sadly much of the lack of any memory of a single prayer of the Rev. Jack Dailey, the invocation was also left to me and it went something like this: Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, God bless the 340 and all who are gathered with us tonight… Amen. Next up was Phil to say a few words, read a litany of our beloved residents, members, cardholders and such that have passed on and then sought a moment of silence on the crowd’s behalf in honor of the deceased. I then offered the floor to any who wanted it. Dan Joyce pointed out that the 340 Club was actually several addresses and not just one. No one sought the floor to offer any additional wisdom. Our poet laureate offered a poem (see 6/4 Poet Laureate) and when he was finished I had hoped that the loud words of I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE AND I BRING YOU FIRE. would blare out and the evening would begin in earnest. Didn’t happen; our DJ – the Randallion Cat – had a 1971 vintage [the kind we all still wish we had] record player with more than adequate sound potential but the wires that connected the speakers to the stereo were defective and, in addition to that stop sign, Randy had neglected to bring that little disc filler one needs to play 45s. However, the able fingers of Brian Smith, on both issues, came to the rescue and before too long we were off and running to Randy’s spinning. I had spent a lot of time putting records (61 of them) in the order that I wanted them played and Randy tied but the likes of Ed Cameron, the aforementioned Mr. Daily, ditto for the Red Fox and others just wouldn’t let Randy do his job. In particular, Fox couldn’t come to grips with why the Supremes had three records in a row while other groups were only getting one song per group. Another time Fox wanted to hear Dock of the Bay but didn’t like my edict that the Bar-Kays most of whom died with Otis on that fatal crash forty years ago had to be played in tandem w Otis. All in all the music was great and Rick, of the Knights (not to be confused with Otis Day and the Knights), commented a couple of times how nice it was to hear vinyl.

Next was the PowerPoint … we dimmed the lights and showed a half well done and half on the fly pictorial featuring the West King Street personalities and haunts. I enjoyed showing and narrating it much more then hectically creating it. I will endeavor to polish it up and have it in an e-mailable format for anyone who requests it (if you left your e-mail address on the signup sheet - assuming I can find it – I will automatically forward you a copy).

During the PowerPoint Phil solicited $1 chances at a 50/50 drawing. Jack Dailey did the honors and he drew Dan Joyce’s name who in a mad rush prior to the drawing had envisioned himself winning and then donating the winnings to the club did just that. The Power of Positive Thinking.

Finally, the check came and while I had agreed to pay the Knights $980 when I signed on for this back in January (anticipating 80 guests); I was pleasantly surprised when Rich handed me a bill for $343.10 (for a total bill of $443.10 including my down payment). He counted 27 attendees when he served the food and billed me accordingly. While 80 was an errant and non-binding forecast; I had promised Rich 50 just 48 hours earlier so I was grateful for the break. It saved us $122 and lifted my spirits since I was the sole financial backer of the affair. I will have more on the fiscal bottom-line later on in the week after the dust settles. I think we finished in the black however so that is a good thing.


While there may have only been 32 or so, it was a great time. Fox was my MVP, he had genuine fun, helped others – including my lady Beverly (whom I was largely ignoring in going about my duties), have fun, interacting, freely and unscripted, with any attempts at MCing done by me or Randy, and then donating his share of the 50/50 raffle to the party for the good of the order. ,
Words of Wisdom for the Good of the Order. I enjoyed seeing every one of the attendees but have to note a few special unexpected ones – Jimmy Shay (340 Club resident) and two high school classmates – Tony Kenneff and Jack Booth. Coming the furthest (and in both cases for the expressed purpose of this party) were Coach Kuhns (California) and on the distaff side, Vicki Charles (Florida).

Then it was over … Rare Earth’s cover of their Motown stalemates the Temptations provided the walkout music. It is my recollection that the last guest to arrive – Johnny Johnson – actually walked in at the music was ending. There was still a dirty dozen still present when the party wound down on time at 11. Despite a few “We won’t go” cheers everyone disbursed in orderly, quiet, fashion unlike years ago. The place was relatively clean. The food cleared. Screen still up. Extension cords lying around but nothing broken. A deafening quiet descended on the Knights and the 340 Club returned to its virtual state.

More to follow...