Easily Excitable I Suppose

for what its worth - as I just logged on I was excited to see that the Visit Counter said was the 340th visitor, get it? 340!

Hey Phil how do you do that color thing? I just realized I don't know how to do that?

THANKS PHILIP

Curator Corner 4: Joe Cassidy

Joe Cassidy was the owner of Cassidy's Tavern, as previously mentioned it was one of our favorite spots. Joe's # 1 bartender,R.E."Dick"Lichty transformed it from a corner bar to the "happening" place in Lancaster.
St. Paddy's day there was always a wild celebration even for the non-Irish. Of course most of the other days were pretty wild also. Dick had music there every thursday and packed the house. Lefty Lefever and the combo of Cook and Cosey were my two favorites. There were guest bartenders and sometimes one was drafted to be the doorman,to collect the $ 1 cover charge, a great job because it meant you drank for free all night.
One night a new bartender by the name of Sean had the audacity to flag me, a punishment I admit I richly deserved after lighting the wrong end of numerous cigarettes and other impaired actions. Despite being severely reprimanded by my sister Sheryl for cutting me off, he stood his ground. Luckily for me, Woody K. started ordering 16 oz Pabst cans instead of draft beer and discreetly filled my empty cup.
The next day Joe called me at work and apologized for his bartender flagging me.. I told him Sean was doing his job and doing it by the book. Joe said it didn't matter, I was a friend of his and should not have been flagged. I argued vainly that I deserved it but Joe would not hear of it. That was the type of loyal guy Joe was.
I have nothing but great memories of Cassidy's Tavern. The above letter to the editor notes Joe's passing. I don't know the year,probably late 80's or early 90's. There will be future posts I am sure about all the antics that transpired there.

H5, I9, L5

Culling the Correspondence

I’ve never really been a man of letters but back then I was more engaged in such than I am now both in keeping up with buddies during college years and hopeful love at the time of the birth of the 328. Those letters, while needing to be handled with care let them unilaterally spark long doused flames that are not to be rekindled, do indeed provide some historical anchors, to wit:

09/09/74 … addressed to me at my parents house where I had always lived …I am reminded that my parents were in Ireland … rest assured my last days at my parents house musta been a good time … apparently they left $100 in the cookie jar … I was spoiled … I played a lot of tennis that summer … I was passable (no pun) … I interviewed for a few teaching jobs … one I remember where Ted Dean, former Eagle, was a counselor … moved Jack Kindbom and his first wife into their new apartment … Geoff Renshaw worked at Servo City … and he and others would gather at my parents house on Mondays to watch MNF and play all sorts of games … Elect the President, Decathlon, APBA … Barrels, Whiskey & Rhyme was the spot

09/27 … she was on top of things … addressed to 328 … she “was surprised to hear that you guys decided to get a house together – usually that things like that end up to be all talk” … “I didn’t expect so many to move into one place” … “I hope you don’t party all the time “ … I must of told her the neighbors – i.e. the confederate widow and her gay (but there’s nothing wrong with that) son … I was bartending, thanks for placing the time, at Elmer’s Inn under the tutelage of Carl Frey … I shoulda learned something, alas; I did not …I attended a BTO concert with another example of unrequited love … at least I was trying (Valentine’s Day was 5 months away) … …

10/25 … still substituting but on a permanent assignment … did I have a car? I must of because the assignment was at McCaskey? … she referenced Dan & Tim’s (as they had lived together at 33 N Lime) … and those parties … and do the same people come to 328 …there was another 328 party on 10/18 … she references often young ladies I’ve been dating … I wish

11/06 … she references 328 Club parties … she also references a poem I wrote that summer when she made it clear that her & I weren’t a love thing .. I reacted foolishly, got very drunk, lost a good friend (her future husband) but the poem was sincere …she continues to mention other chicks … I guess I shoulda let her introduce me to someone … although there was no shortage … all schoolboy crushes tho … an I was no schoolboy no more but

12/19 … she mentions my going to Florida (didn’t happen, I went earlier in the year on May 17th but have never been back) … and wishes me a Happy Christmas

These snippets allow me to refresh my memory and paint a picture of life at the 328 in the fall of ’74 … five guys … growing up … some faster than others … united by the bond of being roomies … drinking beer … chasing young ladies … going to sporting events …working … pointing towards 1975

Simpson Day

As has been mentioned we never saw, spoke to, called or sent a check to the landlord after his surprise visit in the late Fall.This was due more to his slothness in making promised repairs than a lack of resposibility on our part. We were not deadbeats as we demonstrated during our tenure under George H. Kratzert our next landlord. His problem with was not that we didn't pay but that on occasion we were loud.

Despite the fact we never saw him when we lived there; on the day we evacuated the 328 and moved four doors up the street to the 340 Mr. Martin nailed the above sign to the 328 Club front door. Thus, he either was watching us or he heard the noise of the choppers evacuating folks off the 328 Club roof. Whatever, he was on the spot.

As Sil mentions and City L also referred to, they watched - necks outstretched - from 340 windows and saw Mr. Martin departing the 328 after inspecting the place scratching from his nuts to the top of his heads. As City L sez; apparently he had stumbled upon that one flea that the dog had. Sil is a little less kind to the puppy and he felt that there was more than one flea on the landlord. One or four score, he was a scratchin' cowboy when he left the Club.

Just put a wrap on the 328, Sil is being humble. We celebrate Columbus Day honoring Christo Columbo for discovering something that was already there; I think we should celebrate Simpson Day to celebrate Sil's discovery of the 340 Club. Long live the 340!

A New Home

August, 1975 was a time of gathering sadness. The 328 Club was near the end of its unnatural life cycle. Our lease, for which we hadn't paid rent in many months, was about to expire. Our mature members, Fox and Tim Lutter, had moved toward adulthood. Tee, City L, and I were hanging in limbo, knowing that HTF would come around eventually and request our departure.

Scanning the Intell one morning, I saw a listing of a house for rent - 340 W. King Street. Call 397-XXXX. So, we convened a meeting of the governing board and we called. 

Yes, there is a God! We had a new abode - just a few doors up from the 328 Club. At the time, the 340 was in better shape than the 328 (that didn't last long), and we eagerly agreed to the move. With help from club members and other assorted individuals, we hauled our humble belonging up King Street, and a new club was open.

My first memory of the 340 is of watching from the second floor as HTF went into the 328, and came out scratching himself from Champ's fleas. 

The rest, as they say, is debauchery. 

An interesting note: I don't know if the 340 was the reason, but the City of Lancaster has passed a law that prohibits more than 3 unrelated individuals from living in the same residence. 

Bye Bye, Home Sweet Home

Having lived at home and commuted to college, the 328 Club - ignoring 70 days hitchhiking to LA and back - was my first home away from my parents. It began my life's journey and obviously shaped me into the person I became (for better or worse). My roomies, jobs, lady friends, experiences, habits all influenced me and so as we entered the last month on our much ignored lease it was much trepidation and tribute that I drew this picture one day at Musser Park as the kids were doing art work.

It is my crayon drawing of the 328 Club. There is Dan, the Red Fox, in his 3rd floor window. Next to him is the semi-naked Sil. On the second floor I can be seen looking out from my room, the dog Champ in the middle window, and Timmy Lutter on the right. Tim Getzloff is on the ground floor. The cat, Hoppity Hooper, was apparently not in my mind at the time I drew the picture.

At the time of the drawing Dan and Timmy L had already moved on with their lives and were living on their own. City L, Sil and I were waiting on the landlord.

From the Poet Laureate:

Last week's play was so bizzare that it affected the young playright Clacktu (Chris Joyce) ... and inspired him to pen this follow-uo:

(untitled) by Christopher Joyce

I may not know myself well
But as long as I am me,
I'll remember the play-filled night,
Spent with the Walrus, the Beast (Ms. A. Best) and Miss Tammy.

The beer and pot were both plentiful,
The Walrus saw to that,
And hopefully, even if with the Beast,
Miss Tammy will be coming back.

(She's the kind of girl)who tilts her head and looks depressed,
When other people cause duress,
Never angry; when she expresses thoughts uncensored,
the glimpse thats given makes Tee full,
Of a desire to love her on her back,
She does look quite beautiful

Musser Park

Here is a scene from the Summer of 1975 at Musser Park. The youngster on the far left was named Beaner. Perhaps Donald Beaner. Then there is one of the Wiker boys, yours truly in the 328 Club shirt, another Wiker boy, the infamous R.E. Lichty, and another Rec Commission employee whose name I have forgotten. Joan Fleckenstein, my co-supervisor at Musser, may well have taken this picture. Couple of notes:

1) this is my first scan job ... tonight's project was to get a scanner out of the box - where it had been for about two years - install it and use it. Voila!
2) the 328 Club shirt is #2 ... this was due to a lottery held around 9/21/74 as we cast lots for rooms. It is my memory that Tim Lutter earned #1, Dan Joyce #3, Sil Simpson #4, and Tim Getzloff #5.
3) more to follow

Honest !

As I was coming out of the Engleside Beverage Mart this afternoon after purchasing some lottery tickets, a SUV pulled up beside me as I was opening my car door.
Inside was a young couple and after rolling down their window the husband asked me and I quote,"Do you know where 340 is ?"
My first thought was it must be somebody who reads this Blog, I didn't recognize them but before I could tell them that 340 is "everywhere" I saw a Pennsylvania Tourist Map on the wife's lap.
I gave them directions then thought how ironic it was that he didn't ask for "Route 340",I know I would have.

Summertime '75

Lakewood Park postcard, circa late 40s or 50s

Summer was upon us and I want to commemorate two events, both rituals in their own way, that occurred early in that summer of ‘75 – the Bavarian Beer Festival and a couple of Rolling Stone concerts and then, hopefully, Sil will jump in and recount how he, when darkness was about to fall on West King Street, discovered another place for us to rest our heads.

If one drives 73 miles from Lancaster up I-81 and gets off at the Mahanoy City exit and makes a right in Barnesville and continues on through East Mahanoy Junction one comes upon Lakewood Park. It was here that one of the great cultural events of the Pennsylvania tourist season took place - the Bavarian Beer Festival. A true fortnight of camping and carousing. There were three (or more) large festival Halls in which polka and oom pah pah bands played continuously all day long, rows of carnival action - from games of chance, exciting rides (inc. a great wooden coaster and a "wet, mildewy tunnel of love"), side shows, product demonstrations, typical boardwalk fare, purveyors of food - there were acres of camp and recreational space with shower and toilet facilities. It was like a civilized TACO. For a $10 admission one could enter a land of merriment and not leave for days. At least that is my memory. I’m sure truth is you paid an admission every day plus campground fees. Alas, the beer wasn't cheap either and you had to purchase plastic pitchers which, if I recall, you could keep.

The drinking took place is those great big halls which could literally hold thousands (probably 3000) of people. They sold food (bratwurst, sausage, hot dogs, sauerkraut, funnel cakes, ice cream waffles) and beer (expensive, medium, cheap - the expensive and medium had German names; the cheap was a domestic) by the pitcher. They chanted German slogans like "Ein prost (which appeared to be deutsch for 340)" and drank and then a keg would get tapped and you would drink and the band would play and you would drink.

Here is a picture of one of the regular bands:



"Hank Haller numbers among his musical career highlights his annual performances for 15 years at the Bavarian Festival in Barnesville, Pennsylvania (near Allentown). He said the first time he saw the festival, it was the biggest festival he had ever seen. He quickly became accustomed to playing for the 110,000 people in attendance." Another polka band I vaguely remember was the Walt Grolz Band. Standard hits were Roll Out the Barrells and In Heaven There Is No Beer.If one divides 110,000 by 14 days and then by three beer halls you will quickly see that number of people is probably not an exaggeration as it only amounts to about 2600 persons per beer hall per day. I probably attended in 1973, 74, '75, '76 and '82 or '83. Tim Lutter was a two or three time attendee. Gene Segro made it to one or two. Sil? City L?

It was in such a rural spot in Schuylkill County that in 1982 or '83 I left late at night instead of sleeping in my car and sobering up. I came to a stop sign or a stop light; nature took over and I fell asleep. My date woke me at daylight and I was still sitting there dutifully obeying the stop sign as the sun was coming up. Embarrassed - but proud of my safe driving - I simply put it in gear and drove home.

The other event that became,for me at least, a can't miss ritual was attending Rolling Stones concerts. I've been to about 17 or so. On June 30, 1975 I reported to Musser Park for a day of hosting Lancaster's youth on Musser Park. Often, R.E. would stop by or drive by and honk while doing something outrageous. Ihad seen the Stones in '72 and was bugging Joan Fleckenstein who worked the park with me all day long about how I wouldn't mind going to see them in Philly that night cept I didn't have a car. Darn if she didn't offer to loan me hers. She was a great girl. So I drove to the Spectrum and caught the Stones backed by the Commodores.

A couple of days later it is July 2 and, after thanking Joany profusely, I start ramblin' on about how I'd love to see the Stones that evening in Landover cept I didn't have a car. Darned if she didn't offer again. She was a great girl. So I drove to the Capital Centre and caught the Stones backed up by the Mighty Clouds of Joy.

It is nice to be 24; made it to work all four days and you know I enjoyed a relaxing Fourth on Friday.

Now, the clock was ticking. Good times were still being had by all … Sil & I had our summer jobs, City L was about to enter his 6th year of undergraduate study … but we still were'nt speaking to or paying the landlord and the 328 Club was taking in water and doing some serious listing when one day in early August Sil came bursting into the living room and announced: “EUREKA!” or “That’s one small step for man” or “Jim Shay, come here, I want you” or something to that effect. At least that's how I remember it. C'mon Sil give us your version.

Springtime '75

March 17, 1975 – 24 years old … 4th annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl … I have no memory of this event now; truth is I likely had little memory of it the day after … I do know that I didn’t answer the phone either morning if the School district called.

If it sounds like I wasn’t exactly driven in those days I must disagree. The truth was I had a very well defined career goal at the time. Inspired by the Dean Moriarty character in Kerouac’s On the Road (and having already accomplished the hitchhiking part) I wanted, for my career, to be a parking lot attendant. I applied for such a job at the Lancaster Parking Authority and even had an inspirational song to hum:

I want to be a parking lot attendant
That is what I really want to be –ee –ee
For if I was parking lot attendant
Then all my friends could park for free-ee-ee
sung to the tune of the Oscar Mayer Weiner Song)

April – I began serious job search efforts … working with the PA Bureau of Employment Security following leads, going to interviews, taking Federal and State civil service tests … meanwhile I tended bar, tutored, sold (attempted to sell) expensive vacuum cleaners, and continued to substitute. Meanwhile the following ditty expressed my career goal:

May – took employment at Key Personnel where I was supposed to find jobs for others … strange task considering I had failed to find a job for myself … this was the job that Sil referred to earlier where one day shortly afternoon my boss walked past my office and did a double take before backing up and seeing me sitting on my desk. Actually I was waiting for him. Despite his best efforts to talk my out of it I quit my job on the spot in order to catch a Wednesday doubleheader at the Pacific.

June – The PA BES had begun its machinations to place me in the rat race … their first successful reference found me summer employment for the Lancaster Recreation Commission as a summer park supervisor at Musser Park. From the day I stepped foot on that playground, June 9th or 16th, I have been gainfully employed until this day. After the summer, PA BES placed me in a teaching position in Columbia from which I transitioned into employment at City Hall Lancaster a year later.

Was the world coming to an end? The 328 Club lease would expire in late August with no hope for renewal (unless we wanted to not only begin paying rent but also make restitution for past rent due). Both Dan & Tim L had moved on with their lives and left the zoo for calmer waters and things like careers and eventually families.

Nooooooo … it ain’t over until WE say it’s over …

Did you know ?

That 340 residents Tee Knorr and Phil Zangari both appeared on the Big Screen. Ted in the 1985 movie "Witness" starring Harrison Ford,Kelly McGillis and Lukas Haas and Phil in the the 1993 release of Gettysburg,with Martin Sheen,Sam Elliott and Tom Berenger.

Curator's Corner 3: The Juke Box

On April 3, 1981, Philip & I purchased a juke box from Ford Amusements, 23 Howard Avenue, for $350. The receipt identifies the juke as a Rockola 432. The receipt appears to identify the salesman as Gene Fuchs (NOTE: In Philip's comment he has identified this person as Gene Fulton). The 340 Club Juke Box served well for years at 340 West King, 338 West King, 48 Seymour, and - after I purchased all shares of ownership of the box - at 47 Glen Oak Drive. Sadly, in its retirement years it now finds itself quite limited but still alive. The 432s were made by Rockola in the late 60s so the Juke Box, almost 37 years in my possession is close to 50 years old. The picture below depicts the Juke Box as it currently stands proudly in my living room.



As a moneymaker the Juke Box was shortlived but paid for itself. It debuted at a party on the day we bought it (could have been April 10th but I can't imagine we waited a week). The juke box was set to need coins to play and three plays cost a quarter. That first evening Phil & I netted $12.10 (or 48 quarters and some drunken loose change). The Juke Box was a fixture for 16 months as a pay for play attraction and more as a novelty - though earning the occasional quarter after that - for the remainder of its life. The last recorded net earnings figure was $771.28 as of 10/10/82.



Here are the top grossing Juke Box Days of all-time
1. Fan Appreciation Day $20.40
2. July 3, 1981 $20.17
3. May 23, 1981 $18.10
4. May Day,1981 $16.30
5. Daylight Savings Time, 1982 $15.80
6. Sheryl's Birthday, 1982 $14.70
7. Valentine's Day, 1982 $13.65
8. Reunion, 1982 $12.60
9. Boycott $12.40
10. May 22, 1981 $12.30

NOTES: On Fan Appreciation Day Phil & I invested $35.32 in beer and/or foodstuff from Juke Box profits; as it turned out - after that nights revenues - it was a $14.92 net investment. F.A.D. held the Saturday record. The July 3rd nite was the Friday record. The Sunday record was $11.15 for a party known as Masada. It coincided with the debut of an ABC TV mini-series about the siege of Masada. Apparently it was self-explanatory and hearing the sound was not too important. To put some of these numbers in perspective and to illustrate how many people came in and out of the 340 on a party nite - the $20.40 found in the Juke after the F.A.D. represented 81 quarters or 243 songs at 3 minutes per song it equates to 12 hours and 9 minutes. Now, assuming 8 hours of sleep (generous I know) leaves 16 waking hours. On that day, the Juke Box was playing a song for 76.5% of all possible waking hours. Nuff ced!!!

Trivia Questions 21-24

There will be some trivia questions posed at the reunion in June. To help you prep for such an event from time to time questions will be posed here in the Blog so you can revive some old memories and rev up your response time. To that end here are a few questions:

THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
21)Who was the "maestro" of the Great Fish Fry, two large grills set up cooking a large quantity of Boston Blue Fish, held on the 340 Club's sidewalk,one summer evening ?

22)Who was the only 340 member to turn his card in because of inappropiate behavior ?

23)What type of beverage was responsible for this inappropiate behavior ?

24) What was the most popular dice game played on the 340 bar ? Hint:It wasn't APBA


LAST WEEK'S Q & A
17. What color did Tee paint his room at the 340 Club? That is, his walls, his ceiling, and – alas – his floor?
Ted painted everything BLACK the same way he likes his "coffee" :)

18. There were two rooms on the third floor; one was Tee’s bedroom … the other room contained a collection of his belongings scattered helter-skelter all over the place. What was the name of that room?
The ANNEX

19. Many of the most intimate artifacts, records, and things (several of which will be on display in tomorrow’s debut of Curator’s Corner) that Tee kept for posterity were stored in a confectionary container. What brand of what kind of product was it? What was it known as?
It was known as the QUIK BOX. It was made by Nestle's, a powder mixed with milk to give it a chocolate flavor.

20. On what fitting holiday did Tee lose his virginity at the 328 Club?
It was indeed fitting, VALENTINE'S DAY.