Okay, gang … we are in the stretch run. The Reunion is only 70 days away. Here is the game plan:
June 6, 2008 – Bridgeport Bluefish visit Clipper Stadium to take on the home standing Lancaster Barnstormers in an Atlantic League baseball game. It is Scout Night and the first 2500 fans will get free Barnstormer visors courtesy of Central Penn Nursing. Tickets are $27 for the picnic/game or for game only $6, $9, and $11 with a dollar discount if purchased early.
June 7, 2008 – Reunion @ Knights of Columbus, 7:00 p.m., Tickets are $20. Here is the lineup for the biggest party in Lancaster since the fall of 1983:
Welcome by Young Ted Knorr, Emcee
Invocation by the Reverend Peter I. Hahn, Pastor, St. Peter’s, Columbia, PA
Moment of Silence for Departed 340 Club Members by Phil Zangari, Captain & Asst. Emcee
Keynote Komments offered by Mayor Arthur E. Morris (invited but not confirmed)
Other Komments for Good of the Order
New Poem from the Poet Laureate, Christopher E. Joyce (tentative)
From the Mighty 340 Club Juke Box, DJ Randy Brown
Features: free beer & munchies, dancing, raffles, new “official” 340 Club cards, commemorative souvenir program, souvenir button and more; additional buttons and tee shirts will be available, a PowerPoint Presentation & Archival 340 Club Exhibits will be on display.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Juke Box Lens: McMorial Day through July 31st at Midnight
The record set at the McMorial Day affair lasted for almost 6 weeks until the nation celebrated its 205th birthday and the 340 Club celebrated 7 years – albeit interrupted – on West King Street. On Friday, July 3rd, we had a major party that found the juke’s coffers overflowing with $20.17 (12:06). This record stood for just over a week; the next one - set July 11th - stands to this day. After the Friday night blowout (NOTE: to get to 12 hours it had to be non-stop music … remember it was a Friday, I worked till 5… the juke box had to either begin to rock at 4 and continue non-stop till 4 or begin earlier; no matter how you sliced it this was a bonafide 340) it is understandable if we were somewhat calm on Independence Day … perhaps we slept till Sunday or spent the holiday with our families. Or simply gave the juke a rest.
After such rest, the gang and the juke woke up on July 11th full of vim & vigor. It was a big big day. For July 11, 1981 was F.A.D.! Just as most baseball teams reward their fans with a special day at the end of the season, Phil & I thought that having a Fan Appreciation Day would be a good idea. Phil and I took $35.52 ($72 in 2008 dollars) from the juke box revenues and bought a ½ keg of Pabst, some potato chips and I forget and invited the usual gang of idiots to a 340 where they managed somehow, I truly can’t fathom, to jam $20.40 into the juke box. Since this is the last such record ever sent; permit me to provide some perspective. Humans sleep eight hours a day leaving 16 hours each day to fill with writing a novel, reading the newspaper, saving the world or playing juke box music. Well, on F.A.D. the mighty 340 Club juke box was playing rock ‘n roll for 12 hours and 15 minutes or 77% of those 16 waking hours. I guess that explains why none of us saved the world that day.
To summarize, in the 121 days between April 3rd (i.e. Opening Day) and August 1st the juke box had taken in $478.22 or $3.95 per day. This meant that, on average, the juke box had played for 2:22 daily. That is 10% of each day. In total, of that 17 week mad period; the mighty 340 Club juke box had played for almost 12 full days! If I could sum up the 340 Club experience in one statistic that just might be the one.
However, while no one saw it coming the clock was literally about to strike midnight for the mighty 340 Club juke box.
After such rest, the gang and the juke woke up on July 11th full of vim & vigor. It was a big big day. For July 11, 1981 was F.A.D.! Just as most baseball teams reward their fans with a special day at the end of the season, Phil & I thought that having a Fan Appreciation Day would be a good idea. Phil and I took $35.52 ($72 in 2008 dollars) from the juke box revenues and bought a ½ keg of Pabst, some potato chips and I forget and invited the usual gang of idiots to a 340 where they managed somehow, I truly can’t fathom, to jam $20.40 into the juke box. Since this is the last such record ever sent; permit me to provide some perspective. Humans sleep eight hours a day leaving 16 hours each day to fill with writing a novel, reading the newspaper, saving the world or playing juke box music. Well, on F.A.D. the mighty 340 Club juke box was playing rock ‘n roll for 12 hours and 15 minutes or 77% of those 16 waking hours. I guess that explains why none of us saved the world that day.
To summarize, in the 121 days between April 3rd (i.e. Opening Day) and August 1st the juke box had taken in $478.22 or $3.95 per day. This meant that, on average, the juke box had played for 2:22 daily. That is 10% of each day. In total, of that 17 week mad period; the mighty 340 Club juke box had played for almost 12 full days! If I could sum up the 340 Club experience in one statistic that just might be the one.
However, while no one saw it coming the clock was literally about to strike midnight for the mighty 340 Club juke box.
From the Mighty 340 Juke Box
At the reunion all songs played will come from the 340 juke and are scheduled to be spun by none other than the one and only front men of the current hip group starring every Wednesday at the former Zimmerman's Resturaunt and 340 Club resident/member Randy Brown. Tonight I present several versions of a unique British invasion hit:
Happy Birthday Mitch!!!!!!!!
340 Club resident and member Mitch Herr is 56 today! Saw him at the Sharks last Saturday and he remains as constant as the speed of light. Hopefully he will find a way through his busy schedule to make it to the reunion on June 7th at the Knights. God bless you Mitchell! Many more Crazee!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Summer of Love
Ask most Americans where in the Time-Space Continuum one would find the Summer of Love and most folks my age or older will quickly say 1967/Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco, CA where an unprecedented gathering of as many as 100,000 young people converged to create a phenomenon of cultural and political rebellion. For me, it came a little later on the Time axis and about 3,000 miles further east on the geographic line at the time/space crossroad of 1967/340 Club, Lancaster, PA.
Was Tee the Bi-Polar One?
When the second coming became a reality I presented Phil, Randy & John with copies of the landlord’s critical 1978 letter, pertinent parts of the City’s reactionary (to the first 340 Club) noise ordinance and basically endeavored to set a tone of behavior befitting a 30 year old City official (me) and his roommates.
By the next month I was back to fomenting parties, carousing, and chasing skirts. Then the juke box entered the picture and the decibels were ramped up even further. With the juke box a fixture, the next venture was the 340 Club card. After Phil & I designed the cards I went to Barlain Printing on May 26th to order them. I gave him the prototype, opted for round cornered cards, selected buff as the color, and proceeded to order and pay for 100 cards. $22.65 for 100 cards, $9.00 to set type and $1.90 in tax for a total cost of $33.55.
The very next day I had flipped again as I sent a message to not only Phil, Randy and John but other members. In this missal, I riled against two items: 1) debris in common areas, clutter/filth in refrigerator, sticky kitchen floor, filthy carpet, bastards spending the night, trash buildup, kitchen/bathroom crud, mother fuckers knocking on the door 24/7, extreme noise and et cetera; and 2) rock ‘n roll (sic) rehearsals in the basement (Quote: “This does not mean we can’t have a party with a live band, but it means I do not want daily; semi-daily, or even weekend only practice of rock ‘n roll (sic) in my house.”).
The next day my mood swung back as the 340 Club cards were ready and picked up. Now, with the juke and now membership cards in place, using the caricature drawn by artist Bot Roda, about 80 or so 340 Club tee shirts were ordered.
By the next month I was back to fomenting parties, carousing, and chasing skirts. Then the juke box entered the picture and the decibels were ramped up even further. With the juke box a fixture, the next venture was the 340 Club card. After Phil & I designed the cards I went to Barlain Printing on May 26th to order them. I gave him the prototype, opted for round cornered cards, selected buff as the color, and proceeded to order and pay for 100 cards. $22.65 for 100 cards, $9.00 to set type and $1.90 in tax for a total cost of $33.55.
The very next day I had flipped again as I sent a message to not only Phil, Randy and John but other members. In this missal, I riled against two items: 1) debris in common areas, clutter/filth in refrigerator, sticky kitchen floor, filthy carpet, bastards spending the night, trash buildup, kitchen/bathroom crud, mother fuckers knocking on the door 24/7, extreme noise and et cetera; and 2) rock ‘n roll (sic) rehearsals in the basement (Quote: “This does not mean we can’t have a party with a live band, but it means I do not want daily; semi-daily, or even weekend only practice of rock ‘n roll (sic) in my house.”).
The next day my mood swung back as the 340 Club cards were ready and picked up. Now, with the juke and now membership cards in place, using the caricature drawn by artist Bot Roda, about 80 or so 340 Club tee shirts were ordered.
Juke Box Lens: 5/2-24/81
As previously noted, the 340 Club, on any given weekend night, was either a raucous party (50%) or a very raucous party (50%) . [NOTE: Between the juke’s debut April 3rd and McMorial Day, there were seven weekend nights with 6 or more hours of juke box playing; 7 with less than that and two spent in Leominster, MA]. McMemorial Day weekend was early that year and two extraordinary juke box nights were enjoyed – Friday ($12.30) was a big night but Saturday saw another record set with $18.10 in the juke box. That represented almost 11 hours of paid music. I must point out that there was a freebie button that Phil & I never hesitated to hit when the spirit moved us. If the party ended at 4 am, it must have had its early moments before five o’clock. Of the ten year period of occupation on West King Street; for me this period (Spring/Summer 1981) is the pinnacle. In fact, while we weren’t quite there yet, the precise pinnacle was fast approaching.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Thunderbird Motor Lodge
The tournament was over. We were packing the vehicles in the caravan. A younger team, also from Lancaster, was scandalously prancing around in the parking lot. Me – and my roommates Coach, young Chuckie Dailey, and maybe the Gilt – were still engaged in partying. The atmosphere was festive and, despite the earlier than desired elimination of the team, spirits were up and other spirits were being consumed. For some reason (maybe the rising of the sun?) I took it upon myself, egged on by young Master Dailey and surely Kenny, to destroy the desk that was in my room. You know the desk that is in between the two beds where the phone, the lamp, and the Gideon Bible can be found. I threw it, struck it, broke it, hammered it. Again, why? I dunno. I was 30 years old and not drunk; perhaps severely altered. In any case I continued until there were no pieces of the cheap balsa wood materials bigger than a couple of inches. It was destroyed.
Now, the second part of the fun began … reconstruction. I put it all back together. Now it wouldn’t hold a feather beyond the phone, the lamp and the Gideon Bible but it held those and to all appearances it was like new. Of course as soon as we departed and a maid applied a duster it certainly collapsed like a house of cards. No, there were no pieces as large as a playing card. The demolition might have been immature; the reconstruction was a master piece.
We headed home.
APOLOGY AND REPARATIONS
On Tuesday, May 12, 1981, after Phil, the Captain, received a phone call from the Thunderbird Motor Lodge I began to repair relations with Phil and the street hockey team which I had disgraced. It was pretty tuff to disgrace that motley crew but I had managed to accomplish the task.
I wrote the following letter to the Thunderbird:
Dear Sir:
I wish to apologize on behalf of myself and my two companions for our behavior on May 9, 1981 which resulted in the demolition of a desk. Enclosed please find a money order in the amount of $60 as partial payment for damages to the desk. I will attempt to have the balance paid off in a timely fashion.
Sincerely,
Ted Knorr
cc: Don Kuhns, Chuck Dailey
Don Kuhns was coach and other than providing some contraband and other encouragement had nothing to do with the vandalism. Chuck Daily was 18 tops and likely younger so he was, although a more significant contributor, also innocent. This was my job.
I scrolled the following note to Phil on his copy of the note sent to the motel:
Dear Philip,
I hope the above apology & reparations (with Coach’s + Chuck’s contribution) settles the issue. The Thunderbird is aware that the three of us were not members of the Chestnut Street Hockey Team. Further, I wish to apologize to each of you for jeopardizing your future participation in ASHI tournaments. Finally, not as an excuse but as a statement of fact, let me say that I simply could not handle the extremely volatile combination of drugs + booze present in Room 110. I will try to have better self control in the future. See you in Jersey.
Sincerely,
Theo
P.S. It was a marvelous reconstruction job on Sunday morning though wasn’t it.
A few weeks later, Coach sent Phil the following:
Phil – enclosed is a check for $34.00 for damages at motel. $24.00 (1/5 of $120) is what I feel my obligation is and $10.00 for your appeasement. Peace, “Coach”
I purchased another money order for $30 and sent Coach’s check along with it to cover the remaining debt. I made the next trip to a tourney in New Jersey where instead of destroying property I became close friends with, if only for a night, #76.
Now, the second part of the fun began … reconstruction. I put it all back together. Now it wouldn’t hold a feather beyond the phone, the lamp and the Gideon Bible but it held those and to all appearances it was like new. Of course as soon as we departed and a maid applied a duster it certainly collapsed like a house of cards. No, there were no pieces as large as a playing card. The demolition might have been immature; the reconstruction was a master piece.
We headed home.
APOLOGY AND REPARATIONS
On Tuesday, May 12, 1981, after Phil, the Captain, received a phone call from the Thunderbird Motor Lodge I began to repair relations with Phil and the street hockey team which I had disgraced. It was pretty tuff to disgrace that motley crew but I had managed to accomplish the task.
I wrote the following letter to the Thunderbird:
Dear Sir:
I wish to apologize on behalf of myself and my two companions for our behavior on May 9, 1981 which resulted in the demolition of a desk. Enclosed please find a money order in the amount of $60 as partial payment for damages to the desk. I will attempt to have the balance paid off in a timely fashion.
Sincerely,
Ted Knorr
cc: Don Kuhns, Chuck Dailey
Don Kuhns was coach and other than providing some contraband and other encouragement had nothing to do with the vandalism. Chuck Daily was 18 tops and likely younger so he was, although a more significant contributor, also innocent. This was my job.
I scrolled the following note to Phil on his copy of the note sent to the motel:
Dear Philip,
I hope the above apology & reparations (with Coach’s + Chuck’s contribution) settles the issue. The Thunderbird is aware that the three of us were not members of the Chestnut Street Hockey Team. Further, I wish to apologize to each of you for jeopardizing your future participation in ASHI tournaments. Finally, not as an excuse but as a statement of fact, let me say that I simply could not handle the extremely volatile combination of drugs + booze present in Room 110. I will try to have better self control in the future. See you in Jersey.
Sincerely,
Theo
P.S. It was a marvelous reconstruction job on Sunday morning though wasn’t it.
A few weeks later, Coach sent Phil the following:
Phil – enclosed is a check for $34.00 for damages at motel. $24.00 (1/5 of $120) is what I feel my obligation is and $10.00 for your appeasement. Peace, “Coach”
I purchased another money order for $30 and sent Coach’s check along with it to cover the remaining debt. I made the next trip to a tourney in New Jersey where instead of destroying property I became close friends with, if only for a night, #76.
Animal House as a Permanent Reality
I lived with my parents until I was 23 years old when I moved into the 328 Club in September 1974. From that point forward, for the next 15 years, until the death of my mother and subsequent move back to my parent’s house – now my house – I lived in an atmosphere that could only be described as National Lampoon’s Animal House.
May 8-9, 1981 Leominster, Massechusetts
PREFACE: Let’s be honest, 27 years and way too many beers makes memories very blurry if existent at all with regard to specific incidents. Thank God for juke box records and other papers that exist in the archives. Today’s incident is documented, albeit after the fact by a few days, in preserved correspondences and receipts. So, without further adieu –
Phil has mentioned, albeit too humbly, the greatness of his street hockey team – Chestnut Street. Now, it was a team, he was Captain; it was an institution, he was a player before the team was great and long after he was great. By 1981, in fact, at 31, Phil was no longer All-Lancaster Recreation Commission caliber nor was Chestnut Street (16-4, 2nd place that season) the premier local team. However, in their heyday, say, 1977-80 or so, they were not just a local power but a State and a regional champ and a contender each May at Nationals. While they never made National finals; I’m certain they made quarters on more than occassion.
It was with those intentions that 25 or so of us, including the 15-18 players, headed north to Nationals in Leominster, MA on the morning of May 8, 1981. We piled into, maybe 7 vehicles, loaded with sticks, pucks, munchies, luggage and beaucoup adult beverages. No wonder the juke box showed no income that weekend.
It was my 2nd or 3rd (and final) trip to Nationals with the team. The players, by and large, did not let game responsibilities get in the way of good clean fun. I, with no such responsibilities, definitely did not. As I recall such tournaments, Friday night was a great meal, full of camaraderie, cheer, good food, fellowship and beer. Memorable in its own right; not to be missed, somewhat formal, sports jackets sans tie, and good steaks. The Saturday games – being part of a 32 team tourney – typically presented no real challenge although that was not always the case.
Saturday offered two games; the first in the morning against a lesser team that would result in a blow out win and then a second against another team that had lost their morning game a bigger blowout particularly after Friday night’s inhibitors wore off. The 16 teams that won afternoon games were ranked based on record/margin and scheduled to play a potentially grueling (up to four game) single elimination tourney on Sunday. Saturday night’s drinking was usually a little more subdued. (I may have the first class meal mixed up; it might have been Saturday not Friday). I’m pretty certain that less beer was consumed Saturday then Friday. Sunday’s schedule was obviously tougher. My recollection is that Chestnut Street usually won its opener but probably lost game two more often than not.
I have absolutely no memory of how the team did in ’81. I know they were not the same team as in the prior few years. I have less memory of the Friday and Saturday night antics; I do – unfortunately – have a nagging guilty feeling regarding the Sunday morning (or afternoon) pre-departure episode. I will save that for Part II.
Phil has mentioned, albeit too humbly, the greatness of his street hockey team – Chestnut Street. Now, it was a team, he was Captain; it was an institution, he was a player before the team was great and long after he was great. By 1981, in fact, at 31, Phil was no longer All-Lancaster Recreation Commission caliber nor was Chestnut Street (16-4, 2nd place that season) the premier local team. However, in their heyday, say, 1977-80 or so, they were not just a local power but a State and a regional champ and a contender each May at Nationals. While they never made National finals; I’m certain they made quarters on more than occassion.
It was with those intentions that 25 or so of us, including the 15-18 players, headed north to Nationals in Leominster, MA on the morning of May 8, 1981. We piled into, maybe 7 vehicles, loaded with sticks, pucks, munchies, luggage and beaucoup adult beverages. No wonder the juke box showed no income that weekend.
It was my 2nd or 3rd (and final) trip to Nationals with the team. The players, by and large, did not let game responsibilities get in the way of good clean fun. I, with no such responsibilities, definitely did not. As I recall such tournaments, Friday night was a great meal, full of camaraderie, cheer, good food, fellowship and beer. Memorable in its own right; not to be missed, somewhat formal, sports jackets sans tie, and good steaks. The Saturday games – being part of a 32 team tourney – typically presented no real challenge although that was not always the case.
Saturday offered two games; the first in the morning against a lesser team that would result in a blow out win and then a second against another team that had lost their morning game a bigger blowout particularly after Friday night’s inhibitors wore off. The 16 teams that won afternoon games were ranked based on record/margin and scheduled to play a potentially grueling (up to four game) single elimination tourney on Sunday. Saturday night’s drinking was usually a little more subdued. (I may have the first class meal mixed up; it might have been Saturday not Friday). I’m pretty certain that less beer was consumed Saturday then Friday. Sunday’s schedule was obviously tougher. My recollection is that Chestnut Street usually won its opener but probably lost game two more often than not.
I have absolutely no memory of how the team did in ’81. I know they were not the same team as in the prior few years. I have less memory of the Friday and Saturday night antics; I do – unfortunately – have a nagging guilty feeling regarding the Sunday morning (or afternoon) pre-departure episode. I will save that for Part II.
From the Poet Laureate
The following note and brief poem were both written by Christopher E. Joyce:
Dear Editor
The following is a poem composed describing the play of Phil the Thrill, feel free to use this poetic masterpiece.
(unsigned)
When on the court you sense his case
A master of the orange round pill
They come in groups of two's and three's
To see things few others ever will
They always go away well pleased
For Phil the thrill plays like a mil(lion)
Christopher E. Joyce
PEN NAME: The Black Fox
Dear Editor
The following is a poem composed describing the play of Phil the Thrill, feel free to use this poetic masterpiece.
(unsigned)
When on the court you sense his case
A master of the orange round pill
They come in groups of two's and three's
To see things few others ever will
They always go away well pleased
For Phil the thrill plays like a mil(lion)
Christopher E. Joyce
PEN NAME: The Black Fox
Through the lens of the Juke Box: April 19-May 1, 1981
The Juke Box arrived on April 3rd and that evening, as well as the following Sunday and both nights of Easter weekend a fortnight later, the take was in excess of $10.00 meaning the juke box was making noise in excess of six hours. There are many bars that don’t take in $10 ($22 in 2008 dollars) per day from their juke boxes.
On April 4, 10, 11 and 24th the juke box grossed less than $10 … this accounting provides a glimpse of life at 340 at least for the month of April 1981 … 42% of these seminal weekend nights were totally off the hook and 58% were something less than that … make no mistake, however, even when quiet the 340 was crazier than your normal frat house … keep in mind Randy lived there … to this day the Randallion Cat remains both a babe magnet and happening waiting to happen
This brings us to Saturday, April 25th, 1981 … in order to commemorate the act that all good Amerikans were expected to perform at 2 am … we threw a party … Daylight Savings Time Party! Chi-Ching, Chi-Ching! The juke box gross of $12.10 which had stood for three weeks and a day was shattered before the clocks sprung forward … when I awoke the next morning (afternoon?) I found $15.80 in the juke box; 30% higher than the previous record.
One week later there was another excuse for a party. In order to demonstrate solidarity, we threw a May Day bash – Chi-Ching, Chi-Ching … a new record with $16.30 (or 9 hours, 47 minutes) in the bowels of the juke. Assuming a party ended at 4:00 a.m., not a bad assumption, it would have had to begin at 6:13 p.m. if the music was continuous! Earlier if the music – more likely – was not continuous. In other words these were “mothers of all parties” and we had them twice every weekend.
On April 4, 10, 11 and 24th the juke box grossed less than $10 … this accounting provides a glimpse of life at 340 at least for the month of April 1981 … 42% of these seminal weekend nights were totally off the hook and 58% were something less than that … make no mistake, however, even when quiet the 340 was crazier than your normal frat house … keep in mind Randy lived there … to this day the Randallion Cat remains both a babe magnet and happening waiting to happen
This brings us to Saturday, April 25th, 1981 … in order to commemorate the act that all good Amerikans were expected to perform at 2 am … we threw a party … Daylight Savings Time Party! Chi-Ching, Chi-Ching! The juke box gross of $12.10 which had stood for three weeks and a day was shattered before the clocks sprung forward … when I awoke the next morning (afternoon?) I found $15.80 in the juke box; 30% higher than the previous record.
One week later there was another excuse for a party. In order to demonstrate solidarity, we threw a May Day bash – Chi-Ching, Chi-Ching … a new record with $16.30 (or 9 hours, 47 minutes) in the bowels of the juke. Assuming a party ended at 4:00 a.m., not a bad assumption, it would have had to begin at 6:13 p.m. if the music was continuous! Earlier if the music – more likely – was not continuous. In other words these were “mothers of all parties” and we had them twice every weekend.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
340 Club Connection
There is always, well maybe not always but often and more often than you would think, a 340 Club connection. I went to the dentist this morning in Lancaster out on Good Drive in East Hempfield Township. I have been going to the same dentist for almost 50 years. However, young Dr. Michael Schreder hasn’t always been the dentist assigned to me. It originally – back in ’58 or early ’59 – was his uncle, Dr. Albert Schreder. And the office wasn’t always in the suburbs. It used to be located in the 300 block of West King Street. Here is a picture (taken recently by Phil) of the former site of Dr. Schreder’s.
This Date in 340 Club History - Happy Birthday Sheryl Zangari
In 1982 we celebrated your birthday – which of course is today; Happy Birthday! – on March 19th with a major 340. It turned out to be the last two digit night ($14.70 or 8 hours, 49 minutes worth of music) for the juke box ever (or at least in recorded history). Sorry to not see you last weekend at The Sharks; I look forward to seeing you at the 340 Club reunion on June 7th.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Coupla Current Day Drunks - II
Saturday, March 22, 2008 – On to Lancaster see The Sharks. Checked in at the Brunswick (Two Stars and ranked 28th of 36 hotels on Travelocity’s list and over rated it turned out). No hot water, clock unplugged, no phone and the TV clicker didn’t work. After complaining about those four issues, they explained how to make the phone & hot water work and gave me a new clicker. I was back downstairs in a flash as the only item that worked was the clock that I plugged in. On to the new room – clicker works, hot water works, phone works, and so did the clock AFTER I HAD TO PLUG IT IN!!!
Warm up beers at the House of Pizza a rowdy bar on Chestnut Street. I assumed since the new police station was built right next to it that it would have cleaned up its act. Next thing you know a woman was getting thrown out – unfortunately it was the woman who had just bought me two beers and a pitcher. Oh well. Bye hon. An old biker friend bought me a beer also and I bought one for myself (and a mixed drink for him). His name was J.W. Murphy and he was an hombre in his day. The only other person that I knew in there was Lancaster’s version of Calobe Jackson, octogenarian City Council President Nelson Polite.
After making sure my drunken lady friend got to her car safely – I offered to drive her home but she maintained she was fine – I strolled through the outline of the now demolished Buchanan Lounge, an old topless bar in the 340 era, and through the parking lot and into – after I think a $12 cover – Lancaster’s oldest nite club: The Village.
As I entered the club my eyes first caught an old guy in a wheelchair. Only one leg; as a diabetic it was a message to me. It turned out to be a stronger message when I recognized the old man – it was Mitch; a 340 Club resident in the end times of the first rendition. Phil & I wondered about his whereabouts and there he was big as life (big as one can be in a wheel chair), drinking, smoking, screaming: “CRAZEE.” That was one of his nicknames for me and one of mine for him as I responded in kind: CRAZEE.” It was good to see him; it was sad to see him in such a state. He is on dialysis twice a week and will lose his second leg if not his life first. However, as an old Sharks roadie the reaper wouldn’t be getting him tonight, and he continued to drink and smoke (a pack a day). Sadly, he had not heard about Kenny, the only 340 Club resident no longer with us (suicide) and Mitch asked about Phil, Seal (the way he pronounced Sil), the guy who took the air baths (that’d be Chris), and lastly the guy who grew the buds (City L apparently had some horticulture going on that I wasn’t too aware of). Sam Lugar, of the Sharks, acknowledged Mitch from stage and everybody gave him much love. I’m quite certain the reaper will be delayed by several months whenever the Lord sends him just because of this night. Mitch stayed for a set.
The next maniac to greet me was the King of the Abby table – Ralphie Baker. “Tee, Tee, good to see you; Phil said you’d be here”. I don’t know if Ralph ever did speed or still does but I do know he never needed it. Ralphie is always revved and tonight he was wound as much as I had ever seen him. After all it was 10 o’clock and two sets of rock ‘n roll loomed ahead of us. I grabbed a beer from the always friendly and professional Gus Photis and dashed after Ralph.
Around the bar we went in search of cheeseburgers; alas, they are no longer sold at the Village they were the best burgers outside of Speed’s in Lancaster in the day (they are matched, today, in Harrisburg by the Jackson House). [btw, we bee bloggin’ now]. While the cheeseburgers were gone the next landmark wasn’t – there she stood taking orders, giving orders, always smiling – Bobbie. Our favorite waitress, now seventy, was still on the job. After a complete circum navigation of the bar, Ralph brought me to where Chip Ream, a good friend and longtime and current Shark roadie, used to be standing (before our manic trip around the bar). However, it was not wasted since there was Art Moshos’ wife who I got a nice hug from. Next thing you know there was this swarthy looking guy across the table asking where my Crawford shirt was. I shook his hand and my mind raced to identify. Obviously, I’m no Sherlock cuz it was ol’ Arty himself, who at 46 could scare the tuffest longshoreman in Philly on that look alone. It turns out he is raising a pitcher – now 13 – and if the kid can adopt that look (to go with the heater) he will do just fine. I had a great time with Art, Ralph and Mitch. Got to see Chip; said hello to Sam (of the Sharks).
After Gus fired them (and us, the fans) up, The Sharks took the stage and played most of their signature cover tunes of the 80s, plus a few originals including one song featuring Ian – son of Sam – on guitar. The lineup was a familiar one featuring Dougie Phillips (on drums), Mark on organ, Stevie Zero on guitar, Shea Quinn on bass & vocals and, of course, the showman, Sam Lugar on guitar & vocals. Dougie – in my book is the founder; Shea, for me the new kid; although in many ways it was his night cuz it was his first night back after a serious ass whipping he took last November.
Among other folks that I recognized were some guy named Gene who attended a few 340s in the day and Stan Caterbone (brother of Steve who owned The Sweet & Hot Spot in early 328 Club days; later rechristened under new ownership as The Betwixt & Between in 340 Club days) and finally – feeling no pain (and he never did) – Davy Horn. However, after Mitch, Ralph, Arty & Chip; the most 340 person there was a lovely lass, Suzanne, who used to date the “Clone.” The Clone was a Bonnie Parker roadie named Steve Noonan (for the record) who later worked for a Christian rock group – Stryper – and, Suzanne tells me, on at least one occasion for “the greatest Rock ‘n Roll band in the world – the Rolling Stones.” In any case Suzanne and I had a nice conversation about 340 Club days and I hope she – and dare I wish for the Clone – will attend the June 7th reunion.
At the start of the 2nd set I had enuff beers in me to feel comfortable with Ralph down in what he called “the mosh pit” right in front of the stage. The Sharks began the set with “I fought the Law” and “Police on my back” before jamming into perhaps my favorite Shark cover (another Clash tune) “Clampdown.” After those three I bid Ralph adieu and retreated to the safety of Arty’s table where we had a good time talking baseball and women. “Dancing with Myself” saw most of the guys doing just that. Soon, they had to take Ralph out … around 1:15. He had set too fast a pace even for him. He made a grand exit though much to the amusement of me and Art.
I ran across the parking lot to the House of Pizza – the potential of sexy sisters winning out of The Shark’s wrap up. However, it was last call at that place and no unpaired chicks so it was a mad dash back to The Village to make last call there. Not until after the obligatory and rowdy & loud (my lady Beverly said my voice was not normal the next day) demand for an encore from The Sharks. Needless to say, as planned, The Sharks acceded to the demands of the audience with a medley of covers – “You Really Got Me”, “Honky Tonk Women (is that for you Tee? Screamed Arty), “Dock of the Bay” and more that are lost to my 13th beer. After it – and since Sammy mentioned the Brunswick – I purchased a six pack (like always in the 340 days) so as not to be empty handed at the party. Chip told me, no that was just stage talk. No after party, at least not at the Brunswick. So it was up to the room by myself and a six pack. Five of the beers are now perched in my fridge; the 6th was found opened and hardly touched the next morning before Easter Mass at St. Mary’s.
I suppose this Easter was not unlike the 1981 Easter that I chronicled earlier today. On that note Happy Easter to all.
This one's for you Coach!
Warm up beers at the House of Pizza a rowdy bar on Chestnut Street. I assumed since the new police station was built right next to it that it would have cleaned up its act. Next thing you know a woman was getting thrown out – unfortunately it was the woman who had just bought me two beers and a pitcher. Oh well. Bye hon. An old biker friend bought me a beer also and I bought one for myself (and a mixed drink for him). His name was J.W. Murphy and he was an hombre in his day. The only other person that I knew in there was Lancaster’s version of Calobe Jackson, octogenarian City Council President Nelson Polite.
After making sure my drunken lady friend got to her car safely – I offered to drive her home but she maintained she was fine – I strolled through the outline of the now demolished Buchanan Lounge, an old topless bar in the 340 era, and through the parking lot and into – after I think a $12 cover – Lancaster’s oldest nite club: The Village.
As I entered the club my eyes first caught an old guy in a wheelchair. Only one leg; as a diabetic it was a message to me. It turned out to be a stronger message when I recognized the old man – it was Mitch; a 340 Club resident in the end times of the first rendition. Phil & I wondered about his whereabouts and there he was big as life (big as one can be in a wheel chair), drinking, smoking, screaming: “CRAZEE.” That was one of his nicknames for me and one of mine for him as I responded in kind: CRAZEE.” It was good to see him; it was sad to see him in such a state. He is on dialysis twice a week and will lose his second leg if not his life first. However, as an old Sharks roadie the reaper wouldn’t be getting him tonight, and he continued to drink and smoke (a pack a day). Sadly, he had not heard about Kenny, the only 340 Club resident no longer with us (suicide) and Mitch asked about Phil, Seal (the way he pronounced Sil), the guy who took the air baths (that’d be Chris), and lastly the guy who grew the buds (City L apparently had some horticulture going on that I wasn’t too aware of). Sam Lugar, of the Sharks, acknowledged Mitch from stage and everybody gave him much love. I’m quite certain the reaper will be delayed by several months whenever the Lord sends him just because of this night. Mitch stayed for a set.
The next maniac to greet me was the King of the Abby table – Ralphie Baker. “Tee, Tee, good to see you; Phil said you’d be here”. I don’t know if Ralph ever did speed or still does but I do know he never needed it. Ralphie is always revved and tonight he was wound as much as I had ever seen him. After all it was 10 o’clock and two sets of rock ‘n roll loomed ahead of us. I grabbed a beer from the always friendly and professional Gus Photis and dashed after Ralph.
Around the bar we went in search of cheeseburgers; alas, they are no longer sold at the Village they were the best burgers outside of Speed’s in Lancaster in the day (they are matched, today, in Harrisburg by the Jackson House). [btw, we bee bloggin’ now]. While the cheeseburgers were gone the next landmark wasn’t – there she stood taking orders, giving orders, always smiling – Bobbie. Our favorite waitress, now seventy, was still on the job. After a complete circum navigation of the bar, Ralph brought me to where Chip Ream, a good friend and longtime and current Shark roadie, used to be standing (before our manic trip around the bar). However, it was not wasted since there was Art Moshos’ wife who I got a nice hug from. Next thing you know there was this swarthy looking guy across the table asking where my Crawford shirt was. I shook his hand and my mind raced to identify. Obviously, I’m no Sherlock cuz it was ol’ Arty himself, who at 46 could scare the tuffest longshoreman in Philly on that look alone. It turns out he is raising a pitcher – now 13 – and if the kid can adopt that look (to go with the heater) he will do just fine. I had a great time with Art, Ralph and Mitch. Got to see Chip; said hello to Sam (of the Sharks).
After Gus fired them (and us, the fans) up, The Sharks took the stage and played most of their signature cover tunes of the 80s, plus a few originals including one song featuring Ian – son of Sam – on guitar. The lineup was a familiar one featuring Dougie Phillips (on drums), Mark on organ, Stevie Zero on guitar, Shea Quinn on bass & vocals and, of course, the showman, Sam Lugar on guitar & vocals. Dougie – in my book is the founder; Shea, for me the new kid; although in many ways it was his night cuz it was his first night back after a serious ass whipping he took last November.
Among other folks that I recognized were some guy named Gene who attended a few 340s in the day and Stan Caterbone (brother of Steve who owned The Sweet & Hot Spot in early 328 Club days; later rechristened under new ownership as The Betwixt & Between in 340 Club days) and finally – feeling no pain (and he never did) – Davy Horn. However, after Mitch, Ralph, Arty & Chip; the most 340 person there was a lovely lass, Suzanne, who used to date the “Clone.” The Clone was a Bonnie Parker roadie named Steve Noonan (for the record) who later worked for a Christian rock group – Stryper – and, Suzanne tells me, on at least one occasion for “the greatest Rock ‘n Roll band in the world – the Rolling Stones.” In any case Suzanne and I had a nice conversation about 340 Club days and I hope she – and dare I wish for the Clone – will attend the June 7th reunion.
At the start of the 2nd set I had enuff beers in me to feel comfortable with Ralph down in what he called “the mosh pit” right in front of the stage. The Sharks began the set with “I fought the Law” and “Police on my back” before jamming into perhaps my favorite Shark cover (another Clash tune) “Clampdown.” After those three I bid Ralph adieu and retreated to the safety of Arty’s table where we had a good time talking baseball and women. “Dancing with Myself” saw most of the guys doing just that. Soon, they had to take Ralph out … around 1:15. He had set too fast a pace even for him. He made a grand exit though much to the amusement of me and Art.
I ran across the parking lot to the House of Pizza – the potential of sexy sisters winning out of The Shark’s wrap up. However, it was last call at that place and no unpaired chicks so it was a mad dash back to The Village to make last call there. Not until after the obligatory and rowdy & loud (my lady Beverly said my voice was not normal the next day) demand for an encore from The Sharks. Needless to say, as planned, The Sharks acceded to the demands of the audience with a medley of covers – “You Really Got Me”, “Honky Tonk Women (is that for you Tee? Screamed Arty), “Dock of the Bay” and more that are lost to my 13th beer. After it – and since Sammy mentioned the Brunswick – I purchased a six pack (like always in the 340 days) so as not to be empty handed at the party. Chip told me, no that was just stage talk. No after party, at least not at the Brunswick. So it was up to the room by myself and a six pack. Five of the beers are now perched in my fridge; the 6th was found opened and hardly touched the next morning before Easter Mass at St. Mary’s.
I suppose this Easter was not unlike the 1981 Easter that I chronicled earlier today. On that note Happy Easter to all.
This one's for you Coach!
Coupla Current Day Drunks - I
Monday, March 17, 2008 – 340 Clubber Randy Brown attempted to join my walk in Harrisburg; however he went to Coakley’s in New Cumberland, somewhere in Mechanicsburg, and to the Appalachian Brewing Company which is at least in Harrisburg albeit not downtown. I was walking Randy for cryin’ out loud.
In any case the crawl continued without him. I opened with a 32 oz Birthday Mug at lunch at Garrason’s with my lady … followed that up with a couple of beers at a great place on 3rd – The Tap room. It is a New York Yankee bar 365 days of the year and a big time St. Patty’s Day bar on the feast. I was met there by the venerable 78 yo Calobe Jackson plus a couple of other friends. Wanda’s was next for a qwickie. Al’s was next but it was too early for the hoes. Shady McGrady’s, with the best bartender – Scotty – in the City hosted me & Gary Signor and his son’s daughter’s mother in law or was it his son in law’s daughter for a couple. On to the Midtown for one. Next up was the Firehouse and the friendly visage of Dave Royer – 13th crawl – greeted me as I approached the door. Tim Bucher and his wife Theresa were inside and awaiting our arrival. They traveled the farthest having come up from Downingtown. I must admit; I am hazy even at this early hour. Was Digger here? I think so; he no longer drinks but I do. Hence I’m unsure. Next was – and I’m sure Digger was with us know – Zembie’s for a couple of pitchers. Then on to the diner to eat dinner.
Now, the back nine. On to the Pep … and a flaming Dr. Pepper; thank you Schen & Ed? (Ed’s son at least) … skipping Molly Branigan’s to meet Keith and Louise at Scott’s where they ate dinner. I don’t think I ate again. I hope not. On to Ceolta’s where I semi-crashed. It was Tim, Theresa, Keith, Louise, Digger may have left. Dave I’m not sure about. Kara Ruby was there and said hello. I was in deep water and just sort of drifted. If you can’t swim and ever went in the ocean where your feet are no longer touching you know what I mean next thing I knew I was a couple of hundred feet down the beach and never found my way back. On to The Quarter, I hope Tim & Keith did also, I’d like for them to have seen it. Nobody there. On to the St. Moritz – CLOSED! On to Garrason’s for maybe one. On to Mercado’s for three … which definitely was three more than I need. Bottom-line was 14 bars, 24 beers, and a flaming hot of something. Now I am fifty-seven.
In any case the crawl continued without him. I opened with a 32 oz Birthday Mug at lunch at Garrason’s with my lady … followed that up with a couple of beers at a great place on 3rd – The Tap room. It is a New York Yankee bar 365 days of the year and a big time St. Patty’s Day bar on the feast. I was met there by the venerable 78 yo Calobe Jackson plus a couple of other friends. Wanda’s was next for a qwickie. Al’s was next but it was too early for the hoes. Shady McGrady’s, with the best bartender – Scotty – in the City hosted me & Gary Signor and his son’s daughter’s mother in law or was it his son in law’s daughter for a couple. On to the Midtown for one. Next up was the Firehouse and the friendly visage of Dave Royer – 13th crawl – greeted me as I approached the door. Tim Bucher and his wife Theresa were inside and awaiting our arrival. They traveled the farthest having come up from Downingtown. I must admit; I am hazy even at this early hour. Was Digger here? I think so; he no longer drinks but I do. Hence I’m unsure. Next was – and I’m sure Digger was with us know – Zembie’s for a couple of pitchers. Then on to the diner to eat dinner.
Now, the back nine. On to the Pep … and a flaming Dr. Pepper; thank you Schen & Ed? (Ed’s son at least) … skipping Molly Branigan’s to meet Keith and Louise at Scott’s where they ate dinner. I don’t think I ate again. I hope not. On to Ceolta’s where I semi-crashed. It was Tim, Theresa, Keith, Louise, Digger may have left. Dave I’m not sure about. Kara Ruby was there and said hello. I was in deep water and just sort of drifted. If you can’t swim and ever went in the ocean where your feet are no longer touching you know what I mean next thing I knew I was a couple of hundred feet down the beach and never found my way back. On to The Quarter, I hope Tim & Keith did also, I’d like for them to have seen it. Nobody there. On to the St. Moritz – CLOSED! On to Garrason’s for maybe one. On to Mercado’s for three … which definitely was three more than I need. Bottom-line was 14 bars, 24 beers, and a flaming hot of something. Now I am fifty-seven.
Curator's Corner
While the Juke Box has been featured before on Curator's Corner and its picture will again appear soon in a "This Date" its visage was required today again as we reach April 1981. On Friday, April 3, Phil & Tee purchased the juke box at Ford Amusements on Howard Avenue, Lancaster, PA, for $350. If George and his main complainer, Mrs. Garman, thought it was loud prior to this they had a shock coming.
On the evening of April 3rd, with the juke box having just been delivered, Kenny and others began pumping in quarters - a whole lotta quarters. Wouldn't ya know it but a 340 broke out. On that evening, $12.00 in quarters and one thin dime were put into the juke box. (NOTE: for those not paying attention, here is the math; $12.10 is 48 quarters which equals 144 songs at roughly three minutes a song that is 432 minutes or over 7 hours of muzak!!!) After a slow day two, Sunday, immortalized since then as Masada (in commemoration of the ABC mini-series that debuted that evening) another $11.15 in quarters was jammed into the juke. It was some weekend debut for the box.
The $12.10 opening day record stood up through Easter if only because that blessed weekend's party was such a drunken affair that I didn't count the juke box money until Sunday and statistically I had no way of the splitting the $24 between Friday and Saturday; chances are pretty good that one of those two days exceeded the $12.10 record but I assigned $12 to each and the record stood for another weekend. Nonetheless, the juke box had played for 14 1/2 hours that Good Friday and Easter Saturday ... good Catholic boys celebrating the holiest holidays on the calendar.
This Date in 340 Club History
March 24, 1978 - G.H. Kratzert penned his famous letter regarding "the conduct of you people (that'd be us, 340 Club residents) and your friends (that'd be you, 340 Club members) at 338 and 340 West King Street". In summary, George stated, "just a general complaint of extreme disorganized and general misconduct on the property."
Must've been a doozy of a party to move Mr. Kratzert to write a two plage letter cuz we had been his tenants for almost two years then and had never received such a written reprimand before.
Must've been a doozy of a party to move Mr. Kratzert to write a two plage letter cuz we had been his tenants for almost two years then and had never received such a written reprimand before.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Trivia: 66-70
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:
66)In Summers Point,NJ, there was a bar named "The Anchorage" where we "warmed" up for the Bonnie Parker Band who played just a stones throw from there at the Dunes Till Dawn. How many beers did you get for a dollar ($1) at the Anchorage ?
67)Sil has been called Sil since his high school days but what is his birth name ?
68)Sil campaigned to have a museum constructed in Lancaster to honor what legendary comedy trio ?
69)What was the name of our neighbor at 338 during 340 I,who liked to strum his guitar on the back porch ?
70)What was the nickname of 340 member Scott Myers ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
63) Which 340 Club address had the longest period – 328, 340 I, 340 II, or 338?
In order, 340 I (with 1,187 days), 340 II (774 days), 338 (456 days), 328 (313 days).
64) What seven 340 Club members spent over a year residing on West King Street?
Again, in order, Tee, Sil, Phil are the easy ones. John, Sue, City L (i.e. Tim G) and the toughie - Jimmy Shay.
65) What contemporary/future elected officials visited 340 Club?
Lancaster Mayor Art Morris had breakfast there before a Red Rose Run in 1983, the late District Attorney Jack Kenneff attended at least one party, ditto for future City Councilman (and now a Roman Catholic priest who will do our invocation at the reunion) Pete Hahn, and School Board member Pat Snyder had to have made an appearance at the Club if only to pick up a fellow street hockey player. An asterisk goes to current Mayor Richard Gray whom Tee met once with Biker Bob Koenig at 338 West King Street before it was under 340 Club auspices. There may certainly be more.
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
66)In Summers Point,NJ, there was a bar named "The Anchorage" where we "warmed" up for the Bonnie Parker Band who played just a stones throw from there at the Dunes Till Dawn. How many beers did you get for a dollar ($1) at the Anchorage ?
67)Sil has been called Sil since his high school days but what is his birth name ?
68)Sil campaigned to have a museum constructed in Lancaster to honor what legendary comedy trio ?
69)What was the name of our neighbor at 338 during 340 I,who liked to strum his guitar on the back porch ?
70)What was the nickname of 340 member Scott Myers ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
63) Which 340 Club address had the longest period – 328, 340 I, 340 II, or 338?
In order, 340 I (with 1,187 days), 340 II (774 days), 338 (456 days), 328 (313 days).
64) What seven 340 Club members spent over a year residing on West King Street?
Again, in order, Tee, Sil, Phil are the easy ones. John, Sue, City L (i.e. Tim G) and the toughie - Jimmy Shay.
65) What contemporary/future elected officials visited 340 Club?
Lancaster Mayor Art Morris had breakfast there before a Red Rose Run in 1983, the late District Attorney Jack Kenneff attended at least one party, ditto for future City Councilman (and now a Roman Catholic priest who will do our invocation at the reunion) Pete Hahn, and School Board member Pat Snyder had to have made an appearance at the Club if only to pick up a fellow street hockey player. An asterisk goes to current Mayor Richard Gray whom Tee met once with Biker Bob Koenig at 338 West King Street before it was under 340 Club auspices. There may certainly be more.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Lancaster's Bars: circa 1978
The following was intended to be a list of the bars of Lancaster. Unfortunately, it is undated. I believe it to be prior to the second coming; in fact, noting its absence it must have been created before Zangari's South. I would say Spring '78.
(apologize for the long list but three columns collapsed under my formatting skills)
Anne’s Café
Kramer’s
Hall’s
Armand’s (Dick & Kathy’s)
Lauzus
Rendezvous (W & S)
Manor Inn
Luckee’s Elbo Room
Red Rose
Bob’s Café
Miller
Gemini
Capri
Royal House
Jade Tiki
Cassidy’s
Shamrock
Bentley’s
Catalina
Shenk’s
Barrell’s, Whisky & Rhyme
Country Place
His & Her
House of Pasta
Donnelly’s Corner
Silver Dollar
Kegel’s
Drift Inn
Soldner’s
Obie Millers
Double R
Spread Eagle (Ground Floor)
Steinbacher’s
Fiddler
Sundown
Sam’s
Franklin
Matthews
Swan Hotel
Fulton
Swamp Fox
Tom Paine’s (2)
Gio’s
Tally Ho
Patsy’s
Groffs
Little Dutch
Wonder Bar
Hi-Fi
Town Tavern
Graver’s (Sunny's)
Hill Café
The Village
Brau Haus
Horse Inn
White’s
Gaslight
Jim’s
Weaver’s
Fairmount House
Johnny’s
Denny’s
Gimbels
Buchanon Lounge
Hildy’s
Joe Capp’s
Rose Bowl
Brunswick (3)
J & J
Lombardo’s
Rehms
Italian Villa
Givants
A-M
B & B
The End
(apologize for the long list but three columns collapsed under my formatting skills)
Anne’s Café
Kramer’s
Hall’s
Armand’s (Dick & Kathy’s)
Lauzus
Rendezvous (W & S)
Manor Inn
Luckee’s Elbo Room
Red Rose
Bob’s Café
Miller
Gemini
Capri
Royal House
Jade Tiki
Cassidy’s
Shamrock
Bentley’s
Catalina
Shenk’s
Barrell’s, Whisky & Rhyme
Country Place
His & Her
House of Pasta
Donnelly’s Corner
Silver Dollar
Kegel’s
Drift Inn
Soldner’s
Obie Millers
Double R
Spread Eagle (Ground Floor)
Steinbacher’s
Fiddler
Sundown
Sam’s
Franklin
Matthews
Swan Hotel
Fulton
Swamp Fox
Tom Paine’s (2)
Gio’s
Tally Ho
Patsy’s
Groffs
Little Dutch
Wonder Bar
Hi-Fi
Town Tavern
Graver’s (Sunny's)
Hill Café
The Village
Brau Haus
Horse Inn
White’s
Gaslight
Jim’s
Weaver’s
Fairmount House
Johnny’s
Denny’s
Gimbels
Buchanon Lounge
Hildy’s
Joe Capp’s
Rose Bowl
Brunswick (3)
J & J
Lombardo’s
Rehms
Italian Villa
Givants
A-M
B & B
The End
Friday, March 21, 2008
3/22; 4/1, 4
Tomorrow night at The Village Nite Club, Lancaster, PA - The Sharks BE THERE!
April 1- Shine a Light ... soundtrack available (see below)
April 4 - Shine a Light ... movie opens
SHINE A LIGHT (soundtrack)
Disc 1
Jumping Jack Flash
Shattered
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Loving Cup (with Jack White III)
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Faraway Eyes
Champagne & Reefer (with Buddy Guy)
Tumbling Dice
Band introductions
You Got the Silver
Connection
Disc 2
Martin Scorsese Intro
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me with (Christina Aguilera)
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Paint it Black
Little T&A
I'm Free
Shine A Light
April 1- Shine a Light ... soundtrack available (see below)
April 4 - Shine a Light ... movie opens
SHINE A LIGHT (soundtrack)
Disc 1
Jumping Jack Flash
Shattered
She Was Hot
All Down the Line
Loving Cup (with Jack White III)
As Tears Go By
Some Girls
Just My Imagination
Faraway Eyes
Champagne & Reefer (with Buddy Guy)
Tumbling Dice
Band introductions
You Got the Silver
Connection
Disc 2
Martin Scorsese Intro
Sympathy for the Devil
Live With Me with (Christina Aguilera)
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Paint it Black
Little T&A
I'm Free
Shine A Light
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Why World of Sports & other sporting fringe items
Apparently, in the late winter of 1981, I was striving to achieve some semblance of being in shape. As anyone who knows me knows I have never been in shape; however I did participate in some five mile runs in that winter/spring culminating in my running in that year's annual Red Rose Run. Here is a press release on my new found athletic prowess written by City Hall's spokesperson (and hockey goaltender) Fred Smedley:
WHY WORLD OF SPORTS
Information Service
CONTACT: Fred Smedley
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
LANCASTER - Lancaster athletic star Theodore P. Knorr, whose scholastic and collegiate careers are legendary among local sports buffs, has announced his intention to return to active competition in the area's tough track circuit.
Knorr's first public appearance will be March 28 (1981) when he will compete in the March of Dimes Five-Mile Run. A special press conference and "coming out" party has been scheduled for that evening in the urban Xanadu occupied by his press agent, Fred Smedley, at 137 Howard Avenue.
Provided Knorr survives the run, and is not nominated as poster child for this year's March of Dimes campaign immediately following his endeavor, the conference will begin at 8:30 p.m. Since liquor will be flowing throughout the conference, and the party itself will get underway immediately thereafter, reporters are urged to arrive on time if they hope to get a few intelligible words from the local legend.
While the March of Dimes run will be Knorr's initial competitive foray into Lancaster's road-racing circuit, he has reportedly set his sights on finishing the grueling Red Rose Five-Mile Run set for June 13.
Knorr, of course, is no stranger to the Red Rose Run. Under his direction the run evolved into the notable event it is. It was Knorr who was able to coax foreign runners to Lancaster. When other countries were denying South African Sydney Maree the chance to compete solely for political reasons, Knorr stated, "He can run in Lancaster." Maree consequently won that race and his career has been on the rise since.
Last year Knorr was involved with the run but was overcome by an acute case of blood poisoning the night before the race and was unable to attend the affair itself.
Knorr's athletic accomplishments at Lancaster Catholic High School in the mid 1960's were minimal enough to capture the hearts and minds of many fans.
In 1965 "Terrible Ted" Knorr occpied the center spot for the Crusader's offensive line and was the scourge of defensive linemen and Catholic High quarterback's alike. The fact that Knorr was entrusted with the most important position in football -- that of beginning each play -- displays the faith his coaches had in him as a human being. The additional fact that Knorr never started and rarely played attests to the total lack of confidence his coaches had in his abilities. Nevertheless, Knorr's spiritual leadership is often singled out as the main motivating force behind Catholic High's impressive 6-2 record that year.
Unfortunately, the spectre that looms behind ll athletes -- common sense -- got the better of Knorr and he withdrew from the sports arena. But he could never extinguish those competitive fires and in 1969 he was coaxed back into sports, this time on the mats. As the varsity wrestling team's student manager, Knorr performed all the behind-the-scenes work that enabled the Crusaders to compile a big 9-3-1 slate.
Realizing he had little chance of topping that accomplishment Knorr again retired from athletic competition, or at least the group participation sports, and embarked on a course that brought him much personal satisfaction.
Earlier this year, however, Knorr became determined to make a second comeback. He immediately joined the City's prestigious 340 Club and worked at regaining the svelte physical form he had lost over the years.
Athletes who have heard of Knorr's proposed re-entry into the sports scene expressed enthusiasm about having the opportunity to once again view Knorr's talents.
Hockey immortal Phil Zangari, contacted at the fashionable dinner club he operates on the City's South side, remarked, "Anytime you can watch a graceful athlete who lost it all make a comeback and again do his thing, it's a beautiful sight."
Zangari, however, said he would be interested to see if age has been kind to Knorr's body, especially his knees. "We're just waiting to see him, " Zangari cautioned.
Professional wrestler Gorilla Monsoon, who once turned down a challenge to meet on the mats with Knorr, noted, "I'm just glad he decided to take up runing. He's an awesome force."
And Maree, who owes much of his success to Knorr, observed, "Well, at least with him out on the course with me I won't have to worry about what my wife is doing."
---30---
Just a footnote, I ran on March 28th and several other times prior to June 13th. On that day I became the first person to run the Red Rose Run after having ran it as race director. Another comment, Fred had a great party that Saturday night but there was a party one week later at the "prestigious" 340 Club that began a meteoric rise of ppularity, chic and hipness at that West King Street abode that - at its culmination - found Fred's former employer, the Intelligencer Journal, officially ranking the 340 Club as the County's 3rd best nightclub behind only the Old Colony and The Village Night Club. Despite the fact that tomorrow at the virtual club is April Fool's Day 1981; that ranking is factual and certified forever in articles in the Intell that will be reproduced here shortly. Stay tuned.
One more coincidental note - on June 7th the 340 Club celebrates its reunion and - wait for it (drum roll) - the City holds its annual Red Rose Run. Will Knorr return to the roadways?!
WHY WORLD OF SPORTS
Information Service
CONTACT: Fred Smedley
- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
LANCASTER - Lancaster athletic star Theodore P. Knorr, whose scholastic and collegiate careers are legendary among local sports buffs, has announced his intention to return to active competition in the area's tough track circuit.
Knorr's first public appearance will be March 28 (1981) when he will compete in the March of Dimes Five-Mile Run. A special press conference and "coming out" party has been scheduled for that evening in the urban Xanadu occupied by his press agent, Fred Smedley, at 137 Howard Avenue.
Provided Knorr survives the run, and is not nominated as poster child for this year's March of Dimes campaign immediately following his endeavor, the conference will begin at 8:30 p.m. Since liquor will be flowing throughout the conference, and the party itself will get underway immediately thereafter, reporters are urged to arrive on time if they hope to get a few intelligible words from the local legend.
While the March of Dimes run will be Knorr's initial competitive foray into Lancaster's road-racing circuit, he has reportedly set his sights on finishing the grueling Red Rose Five-Mile Run set for June 13.
Knorr, of course, is no stranger to the Red Rose Run. Under his direction the run evolved into the notable event it is. It was Knorr who was able to coax foreign runners to Lancaster. When other countries were denying South African Sydney Maree the chance to compete solely for political reasons, Knorr stated, "He can run in Lancaster." Maree consequently won that race and his career has been on the rise since.
Last year Knorr was involved with the run but was overcome by an acute case of blood poisoning the night before the race and was unable to attend the affair itself.
Knorr's athletic accomplishments at Lancaster Catholic High School in the mid 1960's were minimal enough to capture the hearts and minds of many fans.
In 1965 "Terrible Ted" Knorr occpied the center spot for the Crusader's offensive line and was the scourge of defensive linemen and Catholic High quarterback's alike. The fact that Knorr was entrusted with the most important position in football -- that of beginning each play -- displays the faith his coaches had in him as a human being. The additional fact that Knorr never started and rarely played attests to the total lack of confidence his coaches had in his abilities. Nevertheless, Knorr's spiritual leadership is often singled out as the main motivating force behind Catholic High's impressive 6-2 record that year.
Unfortunately, the spectre that looms behind ll athletes -- common sense -- got the better of Knorr and he withdrew from the sports arena. But he could never extinguish those competitive fires and in 1969 he was coaxed back into sports, this time on the mats. As the varsity wrestling team's student manager, Knorr performed all the behind-the-scenes work that enabled the Crusaders to compile a big 9-3-1 slate.
Realizing he had little chance of topping that accomplishment Knorr again retired from athletic competition, or at least the group participation sports, and embarked on a course that brought him much personal satisfaction.
Earlier this year, however, Knorr became determined to make a second comeback. He immediately joined the City's prestigious 340 Club and worked at regaining the svelte physical form he had lost over the years.
Athletes who have heard of Knorr's proposed re-entry into the sports scene expressed enthusiasm about having the opportunity to once again view Knorr's talents.
Hockey immortal Phil Zangari, contacted at the fashionable dinner club he operates on the City's South side, remarked, "Anytime you can watch a graceful athlete who lost it all make a comeback and again do his thing, it's a beautiful sight."
Zangari, however, said he would be interested to see if age has been kind to Knorr's body, especially his knees. "We're just waiting to see him, " Zangari cautioned.
Professional wrestler Gorilla Monsoon, who once turned down a challenge to meet on the mats with Knorr, noted, "I'm just glad he decided to take up runing. He's an awesome force."
And Maree, who owes much of his success to Knorr, observed, "Well, at least with him out on the course with me I won't have to worry about what my wife is doing."
---30---
Just a footnote, I ran on March 28th and several other times prior to June 13th. On that day I became the first person to run the Red Rose Run after having ran it as race director. Another comment, Fred had a great party that Saturday night but there was a party one week later at the "prestigious" 340 Club that began a meteoric rise of ppularity, chic and hipness at that West King Street abode that - at its culmination - found Fred's former employer, the Intelligencer Journal, officially ranking the 340 Club as the County's 3rd best nightclub behind only the Old Colony and The Village Night Club. Despite the fact that tomorrow at the virtual club is April Fool's Day 1981; that ranking is factual and certified forever in articles in the Intell that will be reproduced here shortly. Stay tuned.
One more coincidental note - on June 7th the 340 Club celebrates its reunion and - wait for it (drum roll) - the City holds its annual Red Rose Run. Will Knorr return to the roadways?!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
From the Poet Laureate
What did you say? by Christopher E. Joyce
Is a thought a word
or is a word a thought
with no separation there
would confusion be nought
But a thought is a thought
and a word is a word,
as is that of the truth,
as opposed to what's heard
Is a thought a word
or is a word a thought
with no separation there
would confusion be nought
But a thought is a thought
and a word is a word,
as is that of the truth,
as opposed to what's heard
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
If I looked this bad before my 1st beer!!!
Imagine how I looked after a eleven hour, 14 bar, 25 beer walk ... I survived
Monday, March 17, 2008
A Question from the Left Coast
The Coach of the Year, 340 member, Don Kuhns, who lives out in Anaheim, California keeps tabs on events happening back in his old home town..He saw this and was quite concerned.
"I saw this morning on national news that Lancaster has made the news with a naked man running thru willow valley mall. Sounds like the 340 reunion already has started! It wasnt Tee, was it?"
Curator's Corner - In Memoriam
Kenny "The Gilt" Giltner (RIP) is the only West King Street residence to have departed this life. As Tee mentioned in an earlier post,Kenny had a lot of weight fluctuations in his life as noted in these two pics only a year apart.The Gilt certainly knew where to find the "party" and if he couldn't he would start one.
Bobby was a great guy to down a beer with. A heart attack claimed him much too early.
This Date in 340 Club History
Happy Birthday to me! Top of the Mornin’ to the World! O’Bama for President!
Erin go Bragh! God Bless us all! Long live the 340!
Today I walk for the 37th time in Paddy O’Neill’s [Me mum’s an O’Neill and me middle name is Patrick, hence Paddy O’Neill] Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. Several of the previous forays have emanated from the 340 Club, to wit:
1975, the only 328 Club birthday, it was a Monday which given the fact that, as a substitute teacher, I worked when I wanted to this one was likely a doozy with my birthday not too distinguishable from any of the days of that weekend, say, Friday, March 14th through late Tuesday afternoon.
1976, a Wednesday, the initial 340 Club St. Pat’s, I’m sure I taught school that day in Columbia and enjoyed a relatively sober evening walk. No School, of course, on the 18th.
1977, a Thursday, 340 Club, this classis was chronicled earlier and famously on the blog. Perhaps the pinnacle of Patty’s Day events for me. Probably put a half day in at City Hall and then got tuned up for Tim Kelly’s party (where I got lucky with #25). The next day is was off to NYC and a weekend adventure with Accu Jack Kelly, Tim’s brother, which eventually led to an encounter with one of the Big Apple’s finest professionals (#26) this side of The Emperor’s Club.
1978, a Friday, 340 Club, given the festive mood at the Club those days this also musta been a classic kick out the jams sort of affair.
Sadly, 1979 and 1980 the 340 was dark and the walk began elsewhere. Nonetheless memorable, beer, sex (#46) and rock n’ roll was present.
1981, a Tuesday, was a joyous, triumphant tour de force of which no memories, notes or records exist. The memories were probably gone along with the brain cells.
1982, a Wednesday, 340 Club, no memory, no notes. All I can say about these early 80s walks is “these were the days of Accu Jack Kelly (and Michael Hauck). These, despite the lack of testimony, were spectacular affairs.
1983, a Thursday, final 340 Club start, got laid (#107)
1984, a Saturday, just prior to the fall of the 338, no notes or memories.
So, there you have it; there were eight dates in 340 Club history where the Pub Crawl began at the various 340 Clubs; today is the first to begin at the virtual 340 Club. It all
begins in about 13 hours … for the 11th straight year it will be in Harrisburg; here is this year’s lineup:
1:48 Garrason’s Tavern
2:10 The Tap Room
2:30 Club Wanda
2:50 Al’s Café
3:10 Shady McGrady’s
3:30 Midtown Tavern
4:00 Firehouse
4:30 Zembie’s
5:00 Sawyer’s Diner
6:00 The Pep Grille
6:30 Molly Brannigan’s
7:00 Scott’s Grille
7:30 McGrath’s
8:00 Stock’s
8:30 Ceolta’s
9:00 The Quarter
Erin go Bragh! God Bless us all! Long live the 340!
Today I walk for the 37th time in Paddy O’Neill’s [Me mum’s an O’Neill and me middle name is Patrick, hence Paddy O’Neill] Saint Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl. Several of the previous forays have emanated from the 340 Club, to wit:
1975, the only 328 Club birthday, it was a Monday which given the fact that, as a substitute teacher, I worked when I wanted to this one was likely a doozy with my birthday not too distinguishable from any of the days of that weekend, say, Friday, March 14th through late Tuesday afternoon.
1976, a Wednesday, the initial 340 Club St. Pat’s, I’m sure I taught school that day in Columbia and enjoyed a relatively sober evening walk. No School, of course, on the 18th.
1977, a Thursday, 340 Club, this classis was chronicled earlier and famously on the blog. Perhaps the pinnacle of Patty’s Day events for me. Probably put a half day in at City Hall and then got tuned up for Tim Kelly’s party (where I got lucky with #25). The next day is was off to NYC and a weekend adventure with Accu Jack Kelly, Tim’s brother, which eventually led to an encounter with one of the Big Apple’s finest professionals (#26) this side of The Emperor’s Club.
1978, a Friday, 340 Club, given the festive mood at the Club those days this also musta been a classic kick out the jams sort of affair.
Sadly, 1979 and 1980 the 340 was dark and the walk began elsewhere. Nonetheless memorable, beer, sex (#46) and rock n’ roll was present.
1981, a Tuesday, was a joyous, triumphant tour de force of which no memories, notes or records exist. The memories were probably gone along with the brain cells.
1982, a Wednesday, 340 Club, no memory, no notes. All I can say about these early 80s walks is “these were the days of Accu Jack Kelly (and Michael Hauck). These, despite the lack of testimony, were spectacular affairs.
1983, a Thursday, final 340 Club start, got laid (#107)
1984, a Saturday, just prior to the fall of the 338, no notes or memories.
So, there you have it; there were eight dates in 340 Club history where the Pub Crawl began at the various 340 Clubs; today is the first to begin at the virtual 340 Club. It all
begins in about 13 hours … for the 11th straight year it will be in Harrisburg; here is this year’s lineup:
1:48 Garrason’s Tavern
2:10 The Tap Room
2:30 Club Wanda
2:50 Al’s Café
3:10 Shady McGrady’s
3:30 Midtown Tavern
4:00 Firehouse
4:30 Zembie’s
5:00 Sawyer’s Diner
6:00 The Pep Grille
6:30 Molly Brannigan’s
7:00 Scott’s Grille
7:30 McGrath’s
8:00 Stock’s
8:30 Ceolta’s
9:00 The Quarter
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Trivia 63-65
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:
63) Which 340 Club address had the longest period – 328, 340 I, 340 II, or 338?
64) What seven 340 Club members spent over a year residing on West King Street?
65) What contemporary/future elected officials visited 340 Club?
LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:
59) What was John Emswiler's favorite brand of beer at the Club? Straub's: no Salt, no sugar and no preservatives. Later, John needed to give up Straub’s because it went down too easy and he drank too much.
60)How much would it cost you if you wanted to just play Bette Davis Eyes, by Kim Carnes, on the Mighty 340 Juke Box? One thin dime...10 cents.
61) What did Tee usually order "cold" while waiting for his cheese steak at the Rendezvous?
Usually two slices of pizza but occasionally just one (and occasionally three).
62) The musical duo of Cook and Cosey played often at Cassidy’s, what were their first names?
Al Cook and Rick Cosey
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
63) Which 340 Club address had the longest period – 328, 340 I, 340 II, or 338?
64) What seven 340 Club members spent over a year residing on West King Street?
65) What contemporary/future elected officials visited 340 Club?
LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS and ANSWERS:
59) What was John Emswiler's favorite brand of beer at the Club? Straub's: no Salt, no sugar and no preservatives. Later, John needed to give up Straub’s because it went down too easy and he drank too much.
60)How much would it cost you if you wanted to just play Bette Davis Eyes, by Kim Carnes, on the Mighty 340 Juke Box? One thin dime...10 cents.
61) What did Tee usually order "cold" while waiting for his cheese steak at the Rendezvous?
Usually two slices of pizza but occasionally just one (and occasionally three).
62) The musical duo of Cook and Cosey played often at Cassidy’s, what were their first names?
Al Cook and Rick Cosey
Saturday, March 15, 2008
March 1981
As Keg Man said... life at the 340 was inexpensive.
I had a full-time job. So did Phil. I believe John did also. Randy hustled. We all paid our bills.
John ate like a champ as he could prepare a meal. So could Phil & Randy.
I, on the other hand, went home to my parents for most weekday (i.e. Monday thru Thursday) meals. Other than that I had Coke and an oatmeal cookie for breakfast during the week. Cold pizza and coke on weekends if I got up before noon. I usually ate at a nice downtown restaurant, often takeout at Marion Court, for lunch. Summertime at Penn Square provided spectacular site seeing with a coke, a hot dog and chips. Dinner on weekends would be McDonald’s, microwave tacos (note: early microwaves were at the store with the taco or whatever in a sealed package; we did not have a microwave at 340), Zangari’s South or Lemon Street, the Wheatland Inn, other fast food joints and frozen foods which had to be cooked in the oven (which was too much like work for my tastes). I think I used the stove or oven about three times in my decade on West King Street. Of course, there always was the Rendezvous which provided the nutritious cheese steak, with a couple of cold pizza slices while one waited, and a large Coca-Cola and potato chips. Despite this nutritious diet, I was diagnosed as a diabetic in August 1994.
Of course, on weekends (and, who am I kidding, most evenings) liquid bread was a wholesome substitute for Holsum Bread or, who am I kidding, as a substitute for many meals. Also, spectacular potato chips – Gibbles, Stehmans come to mind – were always just down the street at the corner store.
John, raised hard scrabble where money needed to stretch, used to purchase his beer by the case or cases. Phil, Randy, and I bought ours more on an as needed basis. Often in quarts. We all respected each other’s beer supply which really meant respecting John’s. Cuz we drank what we bought. John, though, drank his beer like water and his cases did not last long either. As a long distance runner (when not biking or lifting) John burnt his beer in such a fashion as to actually extract quality nutrients and retain no impurities.
Phil maintained a nice, functional, clean room; 2nd floor front as he had during the first go round. John had the room at the top of the stairs and, after Sue moved in, maintained his room in impeccable fashion. I used to refer to it as Better Homes & Gardens. Truly, if you sat in John’s room with the AC on and the door closed you could imagine you were in a suburban home or a hotel. However, opening the door reminded you that you were in the wacky, crazy, unpredictable 340 Club.
Randy’s room was truly Spartan. Not much in it besides a mattress and clothing. The mattress was put to good use; usually double occupancy. No one maintained a list of Randy’s partners; no one could. For what it is worth; I’m quite certain Randy has been with over 500 women in his life; a good percentage of them were in the Outpost or 340 Club days.
My room was a mess … once again I commanded the penthouse. The 3rd floor. Two rooms. One to live in – bed, stereo, clothing. The other to store stuff in, mostly clothes, laying all over the place. It was called the annex. I think it was during the second coming when I painted my room black. Ceiling, floors and walls all black. It was so dark that during a 340 bash you could see clouds of cigarette smoke throughout the night. I did not smoke it all emanated from below.
If the 340 Club had been a party earlier (1974-78) it was even livelier now. At any time of day, and I mean that quite literally, you could have a beer with someone.
I had a full-time job. So did Phil. I believe John did also. Randy hustled. We all paid our bills.
John ate like a champ as he could prepare a meal. So could Phil & Randy.
I, on the other hand, went home to my parents for most weekday (i.e. Monday thru Thursday) meals. Other than that I had Coke and an oatmeal cookie for breakfast during the week. Cold pizza and coke on weekends if I got up before noon. I usually ate at a nice downtown restaurant, often takeout at Marion Court, for lunch. Summertime at Penn Square provided spectacular site seeing with a coke, a hot dog and chips. Dinner on weekends would be McDonald’s, microwave tacos (note: early microwaves were at the store with the taco or whatever in a sealed package; we did not have a microwave at 340), Zangari’s South or Lemon Street, the Wheatland Inn, other fast food joints and frozen foods which had to be cooked in the oven (which was too much like work for my tastes). I think I used the stove or oven about three times in my decade on West King Street. Of course, there always was the Rendezvous which provided the nutritious cheese steak, with a couple of cold pizza slices while one waited, and a large Coca-Cola and potato chips. Despite this nutritious diet, I was diagnosed as a diabetic in August 1994.
Of course, on weekends (and, who am I kidding, most evenings) liquid bread was a wholesome substitute for Holsum Bread or, who am I kidding, as a substitute for many meals. Also, spectacular potato chips – Gibbles, Stehmans come to mind – were always just down the street at the corner store.
John, raised hard scrabble where money needed to stretch, used to purchase his beer by the case or cases. Phil, Randy, and I bought ours more on an as needed basis. Often in quarts. We all respected each other’s beer supply which really meant respecting John’s. Cuz we drank what we bought. John, though, drank his beer like water and his cases did not last long either. As a long distance runner (when not biking or lifting) John burnt his beer in such a fashion as to actually extract quality nutrients and retain no impurities.
Phil maintained a nice, functional, clean room; 2nd floor front as he had during the first go round. John had the room at the top of the stairs and, after Sue moved in, maintained his room in impeccable fashion. I used to refer to it as Better Homes & Gardens. Truly, if you sat in John’s room with the AC on and the door closed you could imagine you were in a suburban home or a hotel. However, opening the door reminded you that you were in the wacky, crazy, unpredictable 340 Club.
Randy’s room was truly Spartan. Not much in it besides a mattress and clothing. The mattress was put to good use; usually double occupancy. No one maintained a list of Randy’s partners; no one could. For what it is worth; I’m quite certain Randy has been with over 500 women in his life; a good percentage of them were in the Outpost or 340 Club days.
My room was a mess … once again I commanded the penthouse. The 3rd floor. Two rooms. One to live in – bed, stereo, clothing. The other to store stuff in, mostly clothes, laying all over the place. It was called the annex. I think it was during the second coming when I painted my room black. Ceiling, floors and walls all black. It was so dark that during a 340 bash you could see clouds of cigarette smoke throughout the night. I did not smoke it all emanated from below.
If the 340 Club had been a party earlier (1974-78) it was even livelier now. At any time of day, and I mean that quite literally, you could have a beer with someone.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Ask the Kegman
Frankie Ramirez, of San Bernadino, California submitted the following question for the 340 Keg Man - How much did it cost to live at the 340 Club?
Keg Man: Why are you asking me? Tee paid the bills ... nevermind I see the problem he wouldn't remember. Well, lets take 1981. The monthly lease called for $250 paid on the first to G.H.Kratzert the landlord. If one applies the ratio of the Consumer Price Index then (82) compared to now (205) it can be estimated that what costs $1.00 today might have cost 40 cents in 1981.
So, Tee paid $4,375 in utility costs last year. That covered electric, heat, trash, water, phone and cable. 40% of $4,375 is $1,750. $250 rent * 12 = $3,000.
Therefore, TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 1981 = $4,750 or $396 per month.
$396 per month meant $99 each for Tee, Phil, John and Randy. Dividing $99 by 4.3 (average number of weeks in a month) yields $23.
So, I estimate that it cost each person about $23 per month to live at the 340 Club.
Please send your questions to the340club@aol.com and I will do my best to answer them.
Keg Man: Why are you asking me? Tee paid the bills ... nevermind I see the problem he wouldn't remember. Well, lets take 1981. The monthly lease called for $250 paid on the first to G.H.Kratzert the landlord. If one applies the ratio of the Consumer Price Index then (82) compared to now (205) it can be estimated that what costs $1.00 today might have cost 40 cents in 1981.
So, Tee paid $4,375 in utility costs last year. That covered electric, heat, trash, water, phone and cable. 40% of $4,375 is $1,750. $250 rent * 12 = $3,000.
Therefore, TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 1981 = $4,750 or $396 per month.
$396 per month meant $99 each for Tee, Phil, John and Randy. Dividing $99 by 4.3 (average number of weeks in a month) yields $23.
So, I estimate that it cost each person about $23 per month to live at the 340 Club.
Please send your questions to the340club@aol.com and I will do my best to answer them.
From the Mighty Juke
Remember - all songs played at the June 7th reunion will come from that super fortress of rock soul punk and funk; the mighty 340 Club juke box. Ain't nuthin' but a party.
Do you like good music? That sweet soul music?
Do you like good music? That sweet soul music?
Under the category of - Be Careful What You Ask For
Dear Accu Jack,
I know you read this Blog ... I write to invite you to my 37th annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl. You were an integral part of some of the earliest and most memorable versions of this great event which is scheduled to begin this Monday at 1:00 p.m. in Harrisburg. If you can possibly make it write me at papabell@aol.com to make arrangements.
Thank you, Erin Go Braless,
T (aka Padraig O'Neill)
I know you read this Blog ... I write to invite you to my 37th annual Saint Patrick's Day Pub Crawl. You were an integral part of some of the earliest and most memorable versions of this great event which is scheduled to begin this Monday at 1:00 p.m. in Harrisburg. If you can possibly make it write me at papabell@aol.com to make arrangements.
Thank you, Erin Go Braless,
T (aka Padraig O'Neill)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
022081
February 20, 1981
Dear Club Member (Tee, Phil, Randy, John and you),
Welcome to the new and improved "340 Club". Attached please find a copy of our landlord's letter necessitating by our previous antics and a copy of the applicable parts of the City's new noise ordinance. These two attachments should speak for themselves.
Sicerely,
T
Theodore P. Knorr
Dear Club Member (Tee, Phil, Randy, John and you),
Welcome to the new and improved "340 Club". Attached please find a copy of our landlord's letter necessitating by our previous antics and a copy of the applicable parts of the City's new noise ordinance. These two attachments should speak for themselves.
Sicerely,
T
Theodore P. Knorr
Upcoming Dates
Always remember and never forget; the 340 Club is not was. The 340 Club is not Phil nor me; not Sil nor Slick; not Kenny nor Mitch; neither John or Sue; not Randy; not Clacktu; it isn’t Dan, Dave, Dean or Dick; it isn’t Timmy or Jimmy. It is you and I. The 340 Club always will be found in the soul of its members; particularly those lucky enough to belong in the 70s or 80s but also including those of you who have joined in the virtual club for the first time. Welcome! The 340 Club lives today, not just on the net nor solely on June 7th but inside each one of us. It is alive when you let it be. THREE – FORTY. The following dates will help everyone keep it alive:
3/15 The Heart, Yonkers, NY
– Stratus featuring Richie Scarlet, 914 375 6620
3/17 Restaurant Row, Harrisburg, PA
– 37th Annual St. Pat’s Pub Crawl, 717 238 5151 NOTE: Itinerary released soon
3/22 Village Nite Club, Lancaster, PA
– The Sharks: Shea Quinn’s comeback, 717 397 5000
4/1 Rolling Stones’ Shine a Light soundtrack released
4/4 Martin Scorcese’s, Shine a Light, a documentary of a Stones show, debuts at a theater near you
6/6 Clipper Stadium, Lancaster, PA
– 340 Club Nite at Barnstormers, tickets available soon, $27
6/7 Knights of Columbus, Lancaster, PA
– 340 Club Reunion, see Phil for tickets, $20 ea
3/15 The Heart, Yonkers, NY
– Stratus featuring Richie Scarlet, 914 375 6620
3/17 Restaurant Row, Harrisburg, PA
– 37th Annual St. Pat’s Pub Crawl, 717 238 5151 NOTE: Itinerary released soon
3/22 Village Nite Club, Lancaster, PA
– The Sharks: Shea Quinn’s comeback, 717 397 5000
4/1 Rolling Stones’ Shine a Light soundtrack released
4/4 Martin Scorcese’s, Shine a Light, a documentary of a Stones show, debuts at a theater near you
6/6 Clipper Stadium, Lancaster, PA
– 340 Club Nite at Barnstormers, tickets available soon, $27
6/7 Knights of Columbus, Lancaster, PA
– 340 Club Reunion, see Phil for tickets, $20 ea
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Time Has Come Today
Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock
I was living at home with my parents, working for City Hall Lancaster, almost 30 years old. If Phil thought living at Manor House was “Manor House” he should have tried living at home with his parents. One day, as I was having my cheerios, my sleepy eyes happened to note an ad - Home for Rent. Hmmmm, let’s take a look ... West King Street … G.H. Kratzert, owner … could it be? I wasted little time upon arriving at my desk. Called George and verified that the 340 was on the rental market. Would he consider us? I then called Phil and pitched the idea. I don’t think it took too long. Randy was next and he had been ready since birth. The last piece was a friend of mine, and Sil’s, from Catholic High days. John, call me Jon, Emswiler was a great guy who blazed upon the athletic scene at Lancaster Catholic High School as a sophomore on the 1969 football team. I followed his career and then lost track of him amid the blur of the initial 340. I was good friends with his older brother Bruce who had went to school with Phil & Sil. Somehow, John became the 4th Musketeer of this iteration of 340 Club members. On February 17, George presented us a lease to rent the 340 – again! – at a $250 monthly rental fee. Signatories were myself, Phil and Randy. No pets, rights of neighbors must be respected, no undue noise and blah blah woof woof.
Ladies & Gentleman – The Second Coming
I was living at home with my parents, working for City Hall Lancaster, almost 30 years old. If Phil thought living at Manor House was “Manor House” he should have tried living at home with his parents. One day, as I was having my cheerios, my sleepy eyes happened to note an ad - Home for Rent. Hmmmm, let’s take a look ... West King Street … G.H. Kratzert, owner … could it be? I wasted little time upon arriving at my desk. Called George and verified that the 340 was on the rental market. Would he consider us? I then called Phil and pitched the idea. I don’t think it took too long. Randy was next and he had been ready since birth. The last piece was a friend of mine, and Sil’s, from Catholic High days. John, call me Jon, Emswiler was a great guy who blazed upon the athletic scene at Lancaster Catholic High School as a sophomore on the 1969 football team. I followed his career and then lost track of him amid the blur of the initial 340. I was good friends with his older brother Bruce who had went to school with Phil & Sil. Somehow, John became the 4th Musketeer of this iteration of 340 Club members. On February 17, George presented us a lease to rent the 340 – again! – at a $250 monthly rental fee. Signatories were myself, Phil and Randy. No pets, rights of neighbors must be respected, no undue noise and blah blah woof woof.
Ladies & Gentleman – The Second Coming
1980
340 Club was still very dark (cept for one night that Fall); but a couple of things happened elsewhere in the world
FEB Do You Believe In Miracles?!
AUG Moscow Olympics
OCT Phillies win their only World Series
OCT A Visit to the 340 Club
NOV Ronald Wilson Reagan elected – count the letters in each name 666
1980 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter lost re-election to Ronnie Rayguns
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Art Morris replaced Allie Wohlsen in a special election
CPI – 82.4
U.R. – 7.1%
Life exp – 73.7
Violent crime – 59.5
World Population – 4.453B
U.S. Population – 227.2M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – Kramer v Kramer
NCAA BK – Louisville 59-54 over Memphis State (which later vacated)
Indy 500 – Johnny Rutherford
NBA – Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 over Philadelphia 76ers, Magic’s first title
NHL – Isles over Flyers, 4-2
MLB – Philadelphia Phillies beat Kansas City Royals in six; I had unused tickets to Game Seven.
Horse of Year – Spectacular Bid
Hvwt Champ – Larry Holmes, WBC; Mike Weaver, WBA
NCAA F – Georgia 12-0
NFL (1/81) Oakland Raiders 27-10 over Philadelphia Eagles. I watched the game at Zangari’s South with Phil, who may have been working, Tuffy Rhoden and Ron Baltimore.
Will intelligent life ever be restored on West King Street?
FEB Do You Believe In Miracles?!
AUG Moscow Olympics
OCT Phillies win their only World Series
OCT A Visit to the 340 Club
NOV Ronald Wilson Reagan elected – count the letters in each name 666
1980 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter lost re-election to Ronnie Rayguns
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Art Morris replaced Allie Wohlsen in a special election
CPI – 82.4
U.R. – 7.1%
Life exp – 73.7
Violent crime – 59.5
World Population – 4.453B
U.S. Population – 227.2M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – Kramer v Kramer
NCAA BK – Louisville 59-54 over Memphis State (which later vacated)
Indy 500 – Johnny Rutherford
NBA – Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 over Philadelphia 76ers, Magic’s first title
NHL – Isles over Flyers, 4-2
MLB – Philadelphia Phillies beat Kansas City Royals in six; I had unused tickets to Game Seven.
Horse of Year – Spectacular Bid
Hvwt Champ – Larry Holmes, WBC; Mike Weaver, WBA
NCAA F – Georgia 12-0
NFL (1/81) Oakland Raiders 27-10 over Philadelphia Eagles. I watched the game at Zangari’s South with Phil, who may have been working, Tuffy Rhoden and Ron Baltimore.
Will intelligent life ever be restored on West King Street?
The Shape of Things to Come
Precursor
Lest I forget, and I almost did, there was one event that happened, likely in the fall of 1980, which should be noted here. Several of the usual gang of idiots were at the Village Nite Club late one evening enjoying a rock band – perhaps The Bonnie Parker Band or maybe an early Sharks show. In any case, last call was given and Bobbi, our favorite waitress served the last round, and the talk got a little nostalgic and soon drifted to the bizarre and finally to there should be a “340”. Just like the old days, although gratefully the band or management did not make a stage announcement, a group of us, Phil, Randy (I believe), myself and a few others decided to buy six packs and head over to West King as if it were 1977 and we belonged there. While a crazy idea; it wasn’t that crazy in that we knew Aaron Rye was a tenant there in my old room. So, off we went in two or three cars. I suppose in today’s parlance we committed a home invasion. Into the house we went and up the stairs loud and boisterous. We found Aaron in his room and I don’t know what the others thought on the 2nd floor. I think a family lived on 2 and Aaron was kinda like a sub-lease on the third. In any case we partied, talked, drank beer and, in general, had a good time for an hour or so reminiscing about the good old days which had occurred less than three years before.
Lest I forget, and I almost did, there was one event that happened, likely in the fall of 1980, which should be noted here. Several of the usual gang of idiots were at the Village Nite Club late one evening enjoying a rock band – perhaps The Bonnie Parker Band or maybe an early Sharks show. In any case, last call was given and Bobbi, our favorite waitress served the last round, and the talk got a little nostalgic and soon drifted to the bizarre and finally to there should be a “340”. Just like the old days, although gratefully the band or management did not make a stage announcement, a group of us, Phil, Randy (I believe), myself and a few others decided to buy six packs and head over to West King as if it were 1977 and we belonged there. While a crazy idea; it wasn’t that crazy in that we knew Aaron Rye was a tenant there in my old room. So, off we went in two or three cars. I suppose in today’s parlance we committed a home invasion. Into the house we went and up the stairs loud and boisterous. We found Aaron in his room and I don’t know what the others thought on the 2nd floor. I think a family lived on 2 and Aaron was kinda like a sub-lease on the third. In any case we partied, talked, drank beer and, in general, had a good time for an hour or so reminiscing about the good old days which had occurred less than three years before.
From the Poet Laureate
Tonight's poem was actually written, not by Chris the poet laureate, but by Randy and Tee. It was written during the period of the Outpost of Humanity just prior to the second coming:
The Wish of Never
By Randy Brown Dixon & Young Ted Knorr, circa 1979
I shoulda never graduated from high school
I shoulda never passed that test
I shoulda never joined the Air force
I shoulda never launched those jets
I shoulda never moved from Cincinnati
Just shoulda stayed in Montreal
I shoulda never wished for Eden
and everlasting life for you all
I shoulda never dreamed of Atlantis
and wished for you eternal youth
I shoulda never taken that knife
I shoulda never tied that noose
I shoulda never wrote this song
and you will never wish to care
The Wish of Never
By Randy Brown Dixon & Young Ted Knorr, circa 1979
I shoulda never graduated from high school
I shoulda never passed that test
I shoulda never joined the Air force
I shoulda never launched those jets
I shoulda never moved from Cincinnati
Just shoulda stayed in Montreal
I shoulda never wished for Eden
and everlasting life for you all
I shoulda never dreamed of Atlantis
and wished for you eternal youth
I shoulda never taken that knife
I shoulda never tied that noose
I shoulda never wrote this song
and you will never wish to care
The List: 1979-80
When we last visited (as of December 31, 1978), the list contained 48 women.
I met #49 (as well as 50, 53, 54, and 65) from my front stoop. I told you it was a great neighborhood. She was a crazy lady, her sister was even crazier (and I lusted after her), eventually she went to prison where she used to correspond with me. I don’t think I ever visited her. #50 burnt me; the only time I acquired a venereal disease – the clap. #51 was a Wonder Bar score; her cousin played in a couple of Super Bowls. I still get an occasional phone call from #53 hoping for one more night of fun – no can do. While I don’t think either happened – one time she called from Alabama in the 80s claiming that she had a miscarriage as the result of her and my activities; years later it turned out I had a teenage son. There never was confirmation of either. At 47 years of age, #54 remains to this day the oldest woman in terms of difference that I’ve ever been with. She was a neighbor and I liked to be neighborly. #55 was introduced to me by a future roomie; she used to say I made her “liver quiver”. #56, 57, and 58 were all introduced to me by Randy. The Randallion Cat always meant there would be women at the Outpost. #59 was a white girl of whom I remember little. The Village provided the venue for meeting #60. A mutual friend introduced me to #61 who was married which was unusual for me; however she was a nice lady and needed a friend one night. I met # 62 on a train; she was headed to Harrisburg but she got off in Lancaster. She was what my former roomie, Ron, referred to as a buffalo. So was #63 whom I met at a speakeasy. #64 I met at Laurita’s which was a hot club during this period. #65 was a young thing but I really wanted her lesbian sister. #66 was a high school classmate. #67 was a New York City call girl that came with a $75 bottle of cheap sparkling wine. Times and prices have changed; just ask Governor Spitzer.
So, as 1981 began, Phil’s list contained 67 names of women that I had intimately known. Now, to most baby boomer’s the “Summer of Love” refers to 1967 and most notably in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco; however for me the Summer of Love refers to 1981 and my new home – which had a familiar address. The Second Coming was upon us.
I met #49 (as well as 50, 53, 54, and 65) from my front stoop. I told you it was a great neighborhood. She was a crazy lady, her sister was even crazier (and I lusted after her), eventually she went to prison where she used to correspond with me. I don’t think I ever visited her. #50 burnt me; the only time I acquired a venereal disease – the clap. #51 was a Wonder Bar score; her cousin played in a couple of Super Bowls. I still get an occasional phone call from #53 hoping for one more night of fun – no can do. While I don’t think either happened – one time she called from Alabama in the 80s claiming that she had a miscarriage as the result of her and my activities; years later it turned out I had a teenage son. There never was confirmation of either. At 47 years of age, #54 remains to this day the oldest woman in terms of difference that I’ve ever been with. She was a neighbor and I liked to be neighborly. #55 was introduced to me by a future roomie; she used to say I made her “liver quiver”. #56, 57, and 58 were all introduced to me by Randy. The Randallion Cat always meant there would be women at the Outpost. #59 was a white girl of whom I remember little. The Village provided the venue for meeting #60. A mutual friend introduced me to #61 who was married which was unusual for me; however she was a nice lady and needed a friend one night. I met # 62 on a train; she was headed to Harrisburg but she got off in Lancaster. She was what my former roomie, Ron, referred to as a buffalo. So was #63 whom I met at a speakeasy. #64 I met at Laurita’s which was a hot club during this period. #65 was a young thing but I really wanted her lesbian sister. #66 was a high school classmate. #67 was a New York City call girl that came with a $75 bottle of cheap sparkling wine. Times and prices have changed; just ask Governor Spitzer.
So, as 1981 began, Phil’s list contained 67 names of women that I had intimately known. Now, to most baby boomer’s the “Summer of Love” refers to 1967 and most notably in the Haight-Ashbury District of San Francisco; however for me the Summer of Love refers to 1981 and my new home – which had a familiar address. The Second Coming was upon us.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
What people are saying about the Second Coming
John Paul Jones: I have not yet begun to fight
James Lawrence: Don't give up the ship!
Dr. Frankenstein: It’s Alive
Douglas McArthur: I shall return ... (later)Hey Tojo; I’m baaaack
Alfred E. Newman: What? Me worry
Cassius Clay: That big ugly bear will fall in seven
Bluto: It ain’t over till we say its over!
Joe Willie Namath: I guarantee it
Arnold Schwartzneger: I’ll be back
Little Girl in Poltergeist II: They’re baaaack
Unknown: Never say Never
Lancaster Newspapers Classified Ad: Home for rent, downtown location, duplex, 6 bedrooms, bath, lr, dr, kitchen, back yard, $250 monthly, utilities not included
It is late January, 1981 ...
James Lawrence: Don't give up the ship!
Dr. Frankenstein: It’s Alive
Douglas McArthur: I shall return ... (later)Hey Tojo; I’m baaaack
Alfred E. Newman: What? Me worry
Cassius Clay: That big ugly bear will fall in seven
Bluto: It ain’t over till we say its over!
Joe Willie Namath: I guarantee it
Arnold Schwartzneger: I’ll be back
Little Girl in Poltergeist II: They’re baaaack
Unknown: Never say Never
Lancaster Newspapers Classified Ad: Home for rent, downtown location, duplex, 6 bedrooms, bath, lr, dr, kitchen, back yard, $250 monthly, utilities not included
It is late January, 1981 ...
Monday, March 10, 2008
Curator's Corner
On Saturday, May 7, 1983, myself, Tim Lutter, Tim Getzloff, Gene Segro, Geoff Renshaw, Dan Joyce, John Shipman and one other other went to the Paragon Tavern around 11:00 a.m. to begin a day of drinking. During the course of the afternoon we were joined by Phil Zangari, Randy Brown and perhaps others. The group never numbered more than nine at any one time nor less than 8 for most of the day. Our purpose was to go to as many bars as we could and consume as much beer as we could. The picture below depicts my summary letter to Tim Lutter, who - I think - conceived the idea, describing the event statistically. Beneath the picture I have included a recreated version of the letter. For the best read, double click on the photo and read the original.
May 11, 1983
Mr. Timothy Lutter
c/o K D Manufacturing Company
3575 Hempland Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Dear Timmy:
I don’t know if it was your idea or Slingoff’s but it was brilliant. We will have to do it again in the Fall. I thought you might be interested in the following relevant information:
Total Bars = 27 (17 of them with 8 or more persons)
Total Miles = 5.5
Total Beers = approximately ½ keg
The Itinerary (depicts bar, number of drinkers, number of beers)
Bar (#Persons, #Beers)
Paragon Bar (8, 32)
J & J (8, 16)
Steinbaecher’s Cafe (8, 8)
Groff’s Cafe (8, 8)
Gaslight (8, 8)
Drift Inn (8, 8)
My Linda’s (8, 16)
Ass Hole Bar (9, 9) NOTE: not the real name, could it have been called The Starting Gate
The Glenn Tavern (9, 9)
Ground Floor (9, 9)
Lauzus Hotel (9, 9)
Damn Bates’(9, 9) NOTE: This was Bates' Bar but Gene Segro always called Damn Bates
Johnny’s Tavern (8, 8)
Soldner’s Bar (8, 8)
Little Dutch Cafe (8, 8)
The Bowl (8, 8) NOTE: The Rose Bowl
Harmony Inn (8, 16)
Cassidy’s Tavern (6, 12)
Sundown Lounge (5, 10)
R & R Cafe (3, 6)
Towne Tavern (3, 3)
Hildy’s Tavern (3, 6)
Italian Villa (3, 6)
Bob’s Cafe (3, 12)
The Green Briar Cafe (3, 3)
Catalina Bar (3, 9)
The Tally Ho (1, 1)
27 bars 257 beers (*)
Sorry to count my walk as The Walk but I don’t know where anyone else went. I do know G.G. has the record of 28 if he went to two bars after leaving me at the Catalina. All in all everyone exhibited heroic efforts. Stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Tee
(*) Keep in mind back in that era a 7 ounce draft was not uncommon so do not translate 257 beers into 3,084 ounces per today's standard bottle and typical draft. Those 257 beers I would estimate represented around 180 twelve-ounce bottles of beer (or 7 1/2 cases). Still a lot of beer for 7 of us on average. A case is a lot of beer to drink in a day but to have seven folks consume that much is an excellent days work. It is nice to be 32 years old.
Now, please don't feel that you missed out on a great time. It's not too late. I do it every year and the time is fast approaching. The below picture depicts itineraries for St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawls of the past. While we don't hit 27 bars nor do we consume 43 beers (as I did on May 7, 1983)but the average tour covers 14.5 bars and 23.4 beers. This year's goal is 16 & 24. Consider joining us. More later in the week.
May 11, 1983
Mr. Timothy Lutter
c/o K D Manufacturing Company
3575 Hempland Road
Lancaster, PA 17601
Dear Timmy:
I don’t know if it was your idea or Slingoff’s but it was brilliant. We will have to do it again in the Fall. I thought you might be interested in the following relevant information:
Total Bars = 27 (17 of them with 8 or more persons)
Total Miles = 5.5
Total Beers = approximately ½ keg
The Itinerary (depicts bar, number of drinkers, number of beers)
Bar (#Persons, #Beers)
Paragon Bar (8, 32)
J & J (8, 16)
Steinbaecher’s Cafe (8, 8)
Groff’s Cafe (8, 8)
Gaslight (8, 8)
Drift Inn (8, 8)
My Linda’s (8, 16)
Ass Hole Bar (9, 9) NOTE: not the real name, could it have been called The Starting Gate
The Glenn Tavern (9, 9)
Ground Floor (9, 9)
Lauzus Hotel (9, 9)
Damn Bates’(9, 9) NOTE: This was Bates' Bar but Gene Segro always called Damn Bates
Johnny’s Tavern (8, 8)
Soldner’s Bar (8, 8)
Little Dutch Cafe (8, 8)
The Bowl (8, 8) NOTE: The Rose Bowl
Harmony Inn (8, 16)
Cassidy’s Tavern (6, 12)
Sundown Lounge (5, 10)
R & R Cafe (3, 6)
Towne Tavern (3, 3)
Hildy’s Tavern (3, 6)
Italian Villa (3, 6)
Bob’s Cafe (3, 12)
The Green Briar Cafe (3, 3)
Catalina Bar (3, 9)
The Tally Ho (1, 1)
27 bars 257 beers (*)
Sorry to count my walk as The Walk but I don’t know where anyone else went. I do know G.G. has the record of 28 if he went to two bars after leaving me at the Catalina. All in all everyone exhibited heroic efforts. Stay in touch!
Sincerely,
Tee
(*) Keep in mind back in that era a 7 ounce draft was not uncommon so do not translate 257 beers into 3,084 ounces per today's standard bottle and typical draft. Those 257 beers I would estimate represented around 180 twelve-ounce bottles of beer (or 7 1/2 cases). Still a lot of beer for 7 of us on average. A case is a lot of beer to drink in a day but to have seven folks consume that much is an excellent days work. It is nice to be 32 years old.
Now, please don't feel that you missed out on a great time. It's not too late. I do it every year and the time is fast approaching. The below picture depicts itineraries for St. Patrick's Day Pub Crawls of the past. While we don't hit 27 bars nor do we consume 43 beers (as I did on May 7, 1983)but the average tour covers 14.5 bars and 23.4 beers. This year's goal is 16 & 24. Consider joining us. More later in the week.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Trivia: 59-62
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:
59)What was John Emswiler's favorite brand of beer at the Club ?
60)How much would it cost you if you wanted to just play Bette Davis Eyes,by Kim Carnes, on the Mighty 340 Juke Box ?
61)What did Tee usually order "cold" while waiting for his cheese steak at the Rendezvous ?
62)The musical duo of Cook and Cosey played often at Cassidy's,what were their first names ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
56. Which resident had the longest tenure at 340 West King Street?
Phil, 1,937 days; Tee 1,900 days; Sil 1,594 days
57. Who was the youngest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)
Well it is either Kenny or Mitch,it is still being researched. The "Gilt" is the betting favorite.
58. Who was the oldest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)?
Dave Petkosh, 59
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
59)What was John Emswiler's favorite brand of beer at the Club ?
60)How much would it cost you if you wanted to just play Bette Davis Eyes,by Kim Carnes, on the Mighty 340 Juke Box ?
61)What did Tee usually order "cold" while waiting for his cheese steak at the Rendezvous ?
62)The musical duo of Cook and Cosey played often at Cassidy's,what were their first names ?
Last Weeks Q & A's
56. Which resident had the longest tenure at 340 West King Street?
Phil, 1,937 days; Tee 1,900 days; Sil 1,594 days
57. Who was the youngest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)
Well it is either Kenny or Mitch,it is still being researched. The "Gilt" is the betting favorite.
58. Who was the oldest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)?
Dave Petkosh, 59
Saturday, March 8, 2008
The Birds Is Coming
Alfred Hitchcock:, 1960: The Birds is coming!
John Emswiler, 1981: The 340 Club II is coming!
John Emswiler, 1981: The 340 Club II is coming!
Outpost of Humanity: 1980
Life in the ghetto remained interesting to say the least, a little more peaceful since my roommate was no longer the neighborhood supplier, and Randy & I enjoyed a non-stop party for the duration of our tenure as roommates. Randy turned out to be quite the guy. I like to think I was as good and loyal a roomie to him as he was to me. However, I know that was not the case.
I only remember two times when we had a clash. Both were about a very serious subject: rock ‘n roll. A sane person would say both were my fault; however I still blame Randy for one of them. You be the judge. In the small house we had a new stereo in the living room. It was an upgrade from the one I moved in with due to a suspicious burglary that occurred during the tenure of my previous roomie and a generous insurance payout.
1) We were drinking and playing music one night and Randy asked if he could have the “Be Sharp” button that promoted the new Joe Jackson album of the same name. I said no. We continued; later I picked up the Joe Jackson album and found the button missing and berated him … and continued to do so to the point where he left for the night perhaps never to return. Clearly, my fault.
2) The next time it once again involved the stereo. After an evening of loud music and drinking in which we exchanged “turns” for picking the musical selections. It was time for the last “turn” and it was my pick. Randy went off to bed. I placed Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” on the turntable, volume up, and I went to bed. Well, MMM is a different sort of record. First the there is only one track and it is nothing but a series of, as the title implies, metal machine music. Musical? Perhaps; although I would agree with Randy (or any rational critic) it was difficult to listen to. The climax of the record though came at the end. Most records after the last track take the needle to center where if the automatic arm will come get it and automatically turn the stereo off. Good night. Well, MMM is true to the previous 26 minutes of noise. It has built in scratch that causes a skip and a replaying of the final sounds over and over again. In fact on the album sleeve it where the time of most songs is listed as 3:52 or 2:45. It clearly is marked with the symbol for infinity. Anyway, after an hour or so of the clanging MMM, Randy comes out of his room and goes downstairs to turn off the record player. NOOOOOO I scream coming out of my room. I’m listening to that song. Well, you get the picture. Now, whose fault was that second one? Certainly not mine I am a Lou Reed fan. Sorry Randy.
Another event that last year was the Tommy Hearns-Pipino Cuevas fight on August 2, 1980. I believe Cuevas was Mexican but that didn’t keep me from being the only Hearne fan in a group of Puerto Rican youth that I was partying with the night of the fight. Interesting night and I was a Hearns fan forever after that.
Once I made up my mind to depart the Outpost; I did not tarry. I hired an agent – a friend, Brad Haber – to manage the place and he fairly quickly obtained a tenant who agreed to pay a handsome price in monthly rent. One Friday he stopped by to pay the security deposit in cash. Later that night I saw him at the Village. Not another week went by before I saw his name in the paper … Gary Faison busted for heroin sales. Needless to say he never came by for his deposit. We found another tenant and I was a landlord for just over a year before selling the house. All in all it was quite the education living at the Outpost and I made a buck or two for the experience.
Now, if Phil thought living at Manor House was Manor House; I was about to find out what Manor House was really like – alas, I was moving back to my parents house.
I only remember two times when we had a clash. Both were about a very serious subject: rock ‘n roll. A sane person would say both were my fault; however I still blame Randy for one of them. You be the judge. In the small house we had a new stereo in the living room. It was an upgrade from the one I moved in with due to a suspicious burglary that occurred during the tenure of my previous roomie and a generous insurance payout.
1) We were drinking and playing music one night and Randy asked if he could have the “Be Sharp” button that promoted the new Joe Jackson album of the same name. I said no. We continued; later I picked up the Joe Jackson album and found the button missing and berated him … and continued to do so to the point where he left for the night perhaps never to return. Clearly, my fault.
2) The next time it once again involved the stereo. After an evening of loud music and drinking in which we exchanged “turns” for picking the musical selections. It was time for the last “turn” and it was my pick. Randy went off to bed. I placed Lou Reed’s “Metal Machine Music” on the turntable, volume up, and I went to bed. Well, MMM is a different sort of record. First the there is only one track and it is nothing but a series of, as the title implies, metal machine music. Musical? Perhaps; although I would agree with Randy (or any rational critic) it was difficult to listen to. The climax of the record though came at the end. Most records after the last track take the needle to center where if the automatic arm will come get it and automatically turn the stereo off. Good night. Well, MMM is true to the previous 26 minutes of noise. It has built in scratch that causes a skip and a replaying of the final sounds over and over again. In fact on the album sleeve it where the time of most songs is listed as 3:52 or 2:45. It clearly is marked with the symbol for infinity. Anyway, after an hour or so of the clanging MMM, Randy comes out of his room and goes downstairs to turn off the record player. NOOOOOO I scream coming out of my room. I’m listening to that song. Well, you get the picture. Now, whose fault was that second one? Certainly not mine I am a Lou Reed fan. Sorry Randy.
Another event that last year was the Tommy Hearns-Pipino Cuevas fight on August 2, 1980. I believe Cuevas was Mexican but that didn’t keep me from being the only Hearne fan in a group of Puerto Rican youth that I was partying with the night of the fight. Interesting night and I was a Hearns fan forever after that.
Once I made up my mind to depart the Outpost; I did not tarry. I hired an agent – a friend, Brad Haber – to manage the place and he fairly quickly obtained a tenant who agreed to pay a handsome price in monthly rent. One Friday he stopped by to pay the security deposit in cash. Later that night I saw him at the Village. Not another week went by before I saw his name in the paper … Gary Faison busted for heroin sales. Needless to say he never came by for his deposit. We found another tenant and I was a landlord for just over a year before selling the house. All in all it was quite the education living at the Outpost and I made a buck or two for the experience.
Now, if Phil thought living at Manor House was Manor House; I was about to find out what Manor House was really like – alas, I was moving back to my parents house.
Friday, March 7, 2008
1979
340 Club was dark; but a couple of things happened elsewhere in the world
JAN Steel Curtain
FEB Ayatollah Khomeini now in charge in Iran; 340 Club needed now more than ever
MAR TMI
MAY Maggie Thatcher elected in Great Britain … change is a comin’
JUL Sandinistas take over Nicaragua
OCT Beat ‘em Bucs!
NOV Iranian militants take over US embassy
1979 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Allie Wohlsen appointed after Dick Scott joins Thornburgh cabinet
CPI – 72.6
U.R. – 5.8%
Life exp – 73.9
Violent crime – 55.7
World Population – 4.4B
U.S. Population – 225.1M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – The Deer Hunter
NCAA BK – Michigan State (Magic) 75-64 over Indiana State (Bird)
Indy 500 – Rick Mears
NBA – Seattle Supersonics 4-1 over Washington Bullets
NHL – Montreal Canadiens, 4-1 over Rangers, 4th title in a row
MLB – Pittsburgh Pirates triumph over Baltimore Orioles; Stan Wilk & I attended G3, 4 and, after celebrating too much, I was found by Fred Smedley (thank you Fred) lying in a gutter next the Royal House in downtown Lancaster.
Horse of Year – Affirmed
Hvwt Champ – Muhammad Ali recaptured his title from Spinks and retired; Larry Holmes, WBC; John Tate, WBA
NCAA F – Alabama 12-0
NFL (1/80) Pittsburgh Steelers over Los Angeles Rams, 31-19 and I successfully avoided any gutters
Will intelligent life ever be restored on West King Street?
JAN Steel Curtain
FEB Ayatollah Khomeini now in charge in Iran; 340 Club needed now more than ever
MAR TMI
MAY Maggie Thatcher elected in Great Britain … change is a comin’
JUL Sandinistas take over Nicaragua
OCT Beat ‘em Bucs!
NOV Iranian militants take over US embassy
1979 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Allie Wohlsen appointed after Dick Scott joins Thornburgh cabinet
CPI – 72.6
U.R. – 5.8%
Life exp – 73.9
Violent crime – 55.7
World Population – 4.4B
U.S. Population – 225.1M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – The Deer Hunter
NCAA BK – Michigan State (Magic) 75-64 over Indiana State (Bird)
Indy 500 – Rick Mears
NBA – Seattle Supersonics 4-1 over Washington Bullets
NHL – Montreal Canadiens, 4-1 over Rangers, 4th title in a row
MLB – Pittsburgh Pirates triumph over Baltimore Orioles; Stan Wilk & I attended G3, 4 and, after celebrating too much, I was found by Fred Smedley (thank you Fred) lying in a gutter next the Royal House in downtown Lancaster.
Horse of Year – Affirmed
Hvwt Champ – Muhammad Ali recaptured his title from Spinks and retired; Larry Holmes, WBC; John Tate, WBA
NCAA F – Alabama 12-0
NFL (1/80) Pittsburgh Steelers over Los Angeles Rams, 31-19 and I successfully avoided any gutters
Will intelligent life ever be restored on West King Street?
No Redcoats Allowed
Paul Revere, 1776: The British are coming! The British are coming!
Phil Zangari, 1981: and so is the 340 Club II!
Phil Zangari, 1981: and so is the 340 Club II!
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Manor House
Tee described his post-340 move to Howard Avenue or the "Outpost of Humanity" as fairly full of action, not necessarily the kind of action we were accustomed to at the Club but at least not boring.
I moved from Millersville to my next abode,Manor House Apartments in June of 1979. It was on the second floor with sliding doors that opened to a back porch,three bedrooms and one bath. City L and his dog Scarlett from the 340, Vicki Charles and myself were the tenants. It was a reverse of the old TV show,Three's Company without the sexual tensions that beleaguered John Ritter's character,Jack,now portrayed by Vicki as the sole female of the house not counting Scarlett.
Absolutely nothing ever happened there. There never was a party as far as I remember. We all just usually stayed in our own rooms,although City and I were visited,unknown to each other at the time,by our other roomie occasionally to help "re-arrange some furniture".
When Tee called and asked "what was going on there", I always replied,"nothing". In fact to this day when things are unusally boring, "Manor House" is still our vernacular term to describe a place devoid of action..
My only two noteworthy recollections of my stay there was my 30th birthday and near the end of my residency at Manor House, The Bat Incident. I turned 30 on July 7th,1980, R.E.Lichty who also celebrated his birth that day but was born a year later had reserved several rooms at the Hotel Brunswick in downtown Lancaster for us and all who was left after we partied all night.
I started at the Harmony Inn, an attractive waitress named Cindy,caught my eye. I lamented the fact that I was turning 30 and mentioned how my life was over. I didn't believe it for a minute but I thought I try the sympathy "line". Well apparently it worked because she kept telling me how 30 wasn't really that old. I told her about the rooms we had at the Brunswick and she said she had to work till 2 but maybe she could make it. The night became a blur, all I remember is being at the Broad Axe and being given what I thought were shots of "kamikaze's" although in reality it was just water, I couldn't tell the difference.
We all ended up at the Brunswick and sure enough the waitress from the Harmony was there along with a bunch of other partyers. I have tried to reconstruct the events of that night many times but to no avail. When I awoke the next morning, I was on one bed, Cindy on the other and R.E. on the floor. I think I left with the two of them still sleeping and headed home.
That night I returned to the Harmony and Cindy came over and asked if "I remembered last night". Sheepishly I said,"No",expecting her to fill me in on the details. Apparently that was not the answer she wanted to hear because she never spoke to me again. I did have a sort of a post-depression period after turning 30. I came right home after work every night and played solo-APBA not desiring to return to the social pattern I was accustomed to. This went on for about two months until I came out of it.
My other favorite incident came when 328-er Dan Joyce had moved into Manor House after Vicki left. He was employed on friday nights at Zangari's South as a bartender. City,Scarlett the puppy, and myself were in the living room with the sliding doors apparently not fully closed. I noticed that Scarlett started leaping up in the air which I thought was strange until I saw what the problem was. A bat had entered the apartment. After flying around it ended up in Dan's bedroom where a quick thinking City L,slammed the door shut. I called the "South" to inquire of Dan how business was. He said everything was going well and then I added an oh-by-the-way,"when you get home tonight there is a bat in your bedroom."
Well Dan flipped out and demanded City and me get rid of the critter. Being a street hockey player I figured out a stick would be our best weapon to implement. I retrieved one from my bedroom and handed it to City and said "Here". Thinking discretion to be the better part of valor,I told City that bats carry "rabies" and Scarlett needed to be protected so I took the puppy into my bedroom and shut the door leaving City with the task at hand. I remember peeking out and saw that the bat was on Dan's window drapes. City "whacked" it with the hockey stick,stunning it, then skillfully used the stick to pick it up using the flat part of the blade and carry it out throught the sliding doors and depositing it over the balcony.
Manor House,indeed, I was getting tired of it. Where would my next home be ?
I moved from Millersville to my next abode,Manor House Apartments in June of 1979. It was on the second floor with sliding doors that opened to a back porch,three bedrooms and one bath. City L and his dog Scarlett from the 340, Vicki Charles and myself were the tenants. It was a reverse of the old TV show,Three's Company without the sexual tensions that beleaguered John Ritter's character,Jack,now portrayed by Vicki as the sole female of the house not counting Scarlett.
Absolutely nothing ever happened there. There never was a party as far as I remember. We all just usually stayed in our own rooms,although City and I were visited,unknown to each other at the time,by our other roomie occasionally to help "re-arrange some furniture".
When Tee called and asked "what was going on there", I always replied,"nothing". In fact to this day when things are unusally boring, "Manor House" is still our vernacular term to describe a place devoid of action..
My only two noteworthy recollections of my stay there was my 30th birthday and near the end of my residency at Manor House, The Bat Incident. I turned 30 on July 7th,1980, R.E.Lichty who also celebrated his birth that day but was born a year later had reserved several rooms at the Hotel Brunswick in downtown Lancaster for us and all who was left after we partied all night.
I started at the Harmony Inn, an attractive waitress named Cindy,caught my eye. I lamented the fact that I was turning 30 and mentioned how my life was over. I didn't believe it for a minute but I thought I try the sympathy "line". Well apparently it worked because she kept telling me how 30 wasn't really that old. I told her about the rooms we had at the Brunswick and she said she had to work till 2 but maybe she could make it. The night became a blur, all I remember is being at the Broad Axe and being given what I thought were shots of "kamikaze's" although in reality it was just water, I couldn't tell the difference.
We all ended up at the Brunswick and sure enough the waitress from the Harmony was there along with a bunch of other partyers. I have tried to reconstruct the events of that night many times but to no avail. When I awoke the next morning, I was on one bed, Cindy on the other and R.E. on the floor. I think I left with the two of them still sleeping and headed home.
That night I returned to the Harmony and Cindy came over and asked if "I remembered last night". Sheepishly I said,"No",expecting her to fill me in on the details. Apparently that was not the answer she wanted to hear because she never spoke to me again. I did have a sort of a post-depression period after turning 30. I came right home after work every night and played solo-APBA not desiring to return to the social pattern I was accustomed to. This went on for about two months until I came out of it.
My other favorite incident came when 328-er Dan Joyce had moved into Manor House after Vicki left. He was employed on friday nights at Zangari's South as a bartender. City,Scarlett the puppy, and myself were in the living room with the sliding doors apparently not fully closed. I noticed that Scarlett started leaping up in the air which I thought was strange until I saw what the problem was. A bat had entered the apartment. After flying around it ended up in Dan's bedroom where a quick thinking City L,slammed the door shut. I called the "South" to inquire of Dan how business was. He said everything was going well and then I added an oh-by-the-way,"when you get home tonight there is a bat in your bedroom."
Well Dan flipped out and demanded City and me get rid of the critter. Being a street hockey player I figured out a stick would be our best weapon to implement. I retrieved one from my bedroom and handed it to City and said "Here". Thinking discretion to be the better part of valor,I told City that bats carry "rabies" and Scarlett needed to be protected so I took the puppy into my bedroom and shut the door leaving City with the task at hand. I remember peeking out and saw that the bat was on Dan's window drapes. City "whacked" it with the hockey stick,stunning it, then skillfully used the stick to pick it up using the flat part of the blade and carry it out throught the sliding doors and depositing it over the balcony.
Manor House,indeed, I was getting tired of it. Where would my next home be ?
Outpost of Humanity: 1979
Jimmy Shay & Vicki moved on and I needed a roomie. It just so happened that there was this guy who was a fixture at Zangari South: friendly, drunk, older, handy. I hadn’t known him long or well; nevertheless I asked Ron Botzum if he needed a room anyway. He turned out, despite his carpenter skills, to be more trouble than he was worth. Now, suddenly I no longer lived between the corner bar without the license and the drug store without prescription drugs but I lived with bar’s best customer and, somehow, one of the pharmacy’s suppliers. Ron, while not a real drug pusher, turned out be a con artist, a small time dealer, and the self described master of the “hookup.” Living with Ron meant always having a beer in front of you, nightly nonsensical discussions about who knows what (“what can you do without no buffalo sex”), infrequent rent payments but plenty of shoddy carpentry in lieu of payment, illogical rumourmongering about the youth of the neighborhood, and even break-ins that appeared to break-outs from within which lead to an insurance payment in excess of the value of my stolen worthless stereo.
Life at the Outpost continued to be exciting if nothing else. Given that I worked at City Hall I had ample opportunity to receive feedback from the police. From time to time I would get word about my drunken roomie, rumors of drug deals and warnings to keep my nose clean. Lest I paint a less than ideal picture it was an interesting, educational times, with a party only a few feet away at all hours of the night.
Near the end of the year there were several noteworthy events. One day I came home to see writing scratched into the wood of my front door. It simply said “Randy Brown 555 1212”. You will recall Randy had debuted at the 340 Club in March 1978 by getting unceremoniously tossed from the famed 340 porch to a convenient nearby snow pile not once but twice. At this point in my life, in ’79, Randy was an acquaintance not a close friend. Further he had disappeared into Keroauc’s America hitchhiking to the left coast and his scratching on my door provided the first evidence of his return. From the moment I called his number, however, unto this day I number Randy among my best friends.
Late in ’79 Randy began hanging at the Outpost and he & Ron, despite Randy’s efforts at friendship, began to clash. Eventually, as Ron’s behavior deteriorated; Randy looked more appealing as a roomie. Ron sensed that and began to act out. One night, a particularly drunk Ron began to threaten Randy and eventually took a baseball bat and chased Randy into the street. When Ron tired sufficiently I was able to approach him and disarm him. This served to level the playing field and, while fisticuffs never ensued, Randy & Ron came to terms with each other that night and Ron was gone not too long after that. As I write this I am reminded that perhaps the final straw came when Ron went to the County Prison; perhaps that was when Randy moved in. Ron was a good guy just a drunk. I visited him in prison. I have received rambling phone calls from Ron – from eorgia I believe – on a couple of occasions in the past decade.
Once Randy moved in the drinking became less serve but the parties and the chicks more prevalent. Three events that capped the year were the Pirates capturing the World Series and Fred Smedley finding me after too much celebration in the gutter next to the Royal Hose (he got me home safely), my car having sugar put in the gas tank at Halloween (a prank or retribution for making the candy man leave the Outpost) and getting into a fight at a speakeasy from which Randy saved me by pulling my opponent off me but not until after I had shit my pants. I guess we were even; I having taken a baseball bat off his attacker and he having separated me from a young lad more willing to do me harm than I was to do him. Life in the Bloody Seventh. It certainly was different from how Phil was living at “Manor House.” Needless to say; both Phil & I were longing for the good old days on West King Street.
Life at the Outpost continued to be exciting if nothing else. Given that I worked at City Hall I had ample opportunity to receive feedback from the police. From time to time I would get word about my drunken roomie, rumors of drug deals and warnings to keep my nose clean. Lest I paint a less than ideal picture it was an interesting, educational times, with a party only a few feet away at all hours of the night.
Near the end of the year there were several noteworthy events. One day I came home to see writing scratched into the wood of my front door. It simply said “Randy Brown 555 1212”. You will recall Randy had debuted at the 340 Club in March 1978 by getting unceremoniously tossed from the famed 340 porch to a convenient nearby snow pile not once but twice. At this point in my life, in ’79, Randy was an acquaintance not a close friend. Further he had disappeared into Keroauc’s America hitchhiking to the left coast and his scratching on my door provided the first evidence of his return. From the moment I called his number, however, unto this day I number Randy among my best friends.
Late in ’79 Randy began hanging at the Outpost and he & Ron, despite Randy’s efforts at friendship, began to clash. Eventually, as Ron’s behavior deteriorated; Randy looked more appealing as a roomie. Ron sensed that and began to act out. One night, a particularly drunk Ron began to threaten Randy and eventually took a baseball bat and chased Randy into the street. When Ron tired sufficiently I was able to approach him and disarm him. This served to level the playing field and, while fisticuffs never ensued, Randy & Ron came to terms with each other that night and Ron was gone not too long after that. As I write this I am reminded that perhaps the final straw came when Ron went to the County Prison; perhaps that was when Randy moved in. Ron was a good guy just a drunk. I visited him in prison. I have received rambling phone calls from Ron – from eorgia I believe – on a couple of occasions in the past decade.
Once Randy moved in the drinking became less serve but the parties and the chicks more prevalent. Three events that capped the year were the Pirates capturing the World Series and Fred Smedley finding me after too much celebration in the gutter next to the Royal Hose (he got me home safely), my car having sugar put in the gas tank at Halloween (a prank or retribution for making the candy man leave the Outpost) and getting into a fight at a speakeasy from which Randy saved me by pulling my opponent off me but not until after I had shit my pants. I guess we were even; I having taken a baseball bat off his attacker and he having separated me from a young lad more willing to do me harm than I was to do him. Life in the Bloody Seventh. It certainly was different from how Phil was living at “Manor House.” Needless to say; both Phil & I were longing for the good old days on West King Street.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
There is a phone ringing on West King Street
Hillary Rodham Clinton: It is 3 a.m. and your children are safe and asleep; but there is a phone at 340 West King Street and its ringing … who do you want answering that phone?
Barack Hussein O’Bama: Keep your shirt on Hil; its not that kind of 2nd coming. The 340 Club II is Coming!
Tee Knorr: Someone answer that freakin' phone!
Barack Hussein O’Bama: Keep your shirt on Hil; its not that kind of 2nd coming. The 340 Club II is Coming!
Tee Knorr: Someone answer that freakin' phone!
From the Poet Laureate
As a tribute to Kenny Giltner, the only departed resident/member of the 340 Club, this week in the Poet Laureate’s corner we feature some of Kenny’s writings. If I was a shrink perhaps I could analyze them for a deeper meaning. Alas, they must speak for themselves. Here they are (three last week; three last week) –
4) Super Jock
Threw a game, shooting a referee, graduating with a Doctors degree as a running back, talk about your record ... well you make me sick to my guts hit the
5) Edgar Black Head - Super Brain
Charge: Refusing to leave the library, charged with tresspassing for refusing to leave the public library for 3 consecutive days
6) untitled
Paul decided to end his education a little earlier than the others in his class, being more intelligent & up to date with current events. Paul received his final diploma in 8th grade.
Some people believe Paul had made a good decision, and is leading a sucessful and supposedly fulfilling life in his $100,000 home, not to mention te two Corvettes he has and the airplane he uses to make his daily flights to Jamaica, Mexico and Columbia.
Paul's credentials include: 2 counts of marijuana + 1 count of amphetimine with intent to sell. He will be going to prison in a few month's but he says he don't care, I got the dough!
Also it is important to note that Paul's community activities are:
(1) President of the United "Party" Club
(2) Active participant of the Moose Club.
Paul is cool, and very wealthy, he lives for the dollar, however PAUL POTHEAD is very, very unhappy > WHY?
4) Super Jock
Threw a game, shooting a referee, graduating with a Doctors degree as a running back, talk about your record ... well you make me sick to my guts hit the
5) Edgar Black Head - Super Brain
Charge: Refusing to leave the library, charged with tresspassing for refusing to leave the public library for 3 consecutive days
6) untitled
Paul decided to end his education a little earlier than the others in his class, being more intelligent & up to date with current events. Paul received his final diploma in 8th grade.
Some people believe Paul had made a good decision, and is leading a sucessful and supposedly fulfilling life in his $100,000 home, not to mention te two Corvettes he has and the airplane he uses to make his daily flights to Jamaica, Mexico and Columbia.
Paul's credentials include: 2 counts of marijuana + 1 count of amphetimine with intent to sell. He will be going to prison in a few month's but he says he don't care, I got the dough!
Also it is important to note that Paul's community activities are:
(1) President of the United "Party" Club
(2) Active participant of the Moose Club.
Paul is cool, and very wealthy, he lives for the dollar, however PAUL POTHEAD is very, very unhappy > WHY?
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
1978
1978
JAN Dave Petkosh leaves
MAR Girl gets hit in head by beer mug
MAR Mitch arrives
MAY Sil – a fixture – leaves
MAY Kenny arrives
JUL Kenny departs
SEP Tee – a stalwart – leaves
SEP “Framework for Peace” signed by Sadat, Begin, Carter
SEP Mitch leaves
OCT Dean comes and goes
OCT Pope John Paul II elected
NOV Tim aka City L aka Slick – with roots in the 328 – leaves
NOV Philip – last man standing – leaves 340 Club to the cockroaches
DEC 340 Club dark … is there no joy in Mudville?
1978 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter
Governor Dick Thornburg elected
Mayor Dick Scott
Pope Paul VI dies, John Paul I dies, John Paul II
CPI – 65.2
U.R. – 6.1%
Life exp – 73.5
Violent crime – 51.4
World Population – 4.3B
U.S. Population – 222.6M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – Annie Hall
NCAA BK – Kentucky 94-88 over Duke
Indy 500 – Al Unser
NBA – Seattle Supersonics 4-1 over Washington Bullets
NHL - Montreal Canadians 4-2 over Boston Bruins
MLB - NY Yankees 4-2 over LA Dodgers
Horse of Year – Affirmed, Triple Crown winner ridden by young Stevie Cauthen
Hvwt Champ – Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali for WBA title; WBC declared Ken Norton champ and he promptly lost to Larry Holmes
NCAA F - Alabama 11-1
NFL (1/79) Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31 over Dallas
Unhappy New Year as, after 1,532 of existence, the 340 Club is dark, kaput, abandoned, shuttered, empty, devoid of life, closed, quiet, dormant, closed, ended,
JAN Dave Petkosh leaves
MAR Girl gets hit in head by beer mug
MAR Mitch arrives
MAY Sil – a fixture – leaves
MAY Kenny arrives
JUL Kenny departs
SEP Tee – a stalwart – leaves
SEP “Framework for Peace” signed by Sadat, Begin, Carter
SEP Mitch leaves
OCT Dean comes and goes
OCT Pope John Paul II elected
NOV Tim aka City L aka Slick – with roots in the 328 – leaves
NOV Philip – last man standing – leaves 340 Club to the cockroaches
DEC 340 Club dark … is there no joy in Mudville?
1978 in the Book
President Jimmy Carter
Governor Dick Thornburg elected
Mayor Dick Scott
Pope Paul VI dies, John Paul I dies, John Paul II
CPI – 65.2
U.R. – 6.1%
Life exp – 73.5
Violent crime – 51.4
World Population – 4.3B
U.S. Population – 222.6M
Ted’s # - discussed elsewhere, perhaps ad nauseum, no longer on the annual write up
Best Picture Oscar – Annie Hall
NCAA BK – Kentucky 94-88 over Duke
Indy 500 – Al Unser
NBA – Seattle Supersonics 4-1 over Washington Bullets
NHL - Montreal Canadians 4-2 over Boston Bruins
MLB - NY Yankees 4-2 over LA Dodgers
Horse of Year – Affirmed, Triple Crown winner ridden by young Stevie Cauthen
Hvwt Champ – Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali for WBA title; WBC declared Ken Norton champ and he promptly lost to Larry Holmes
NCAA F - Alabama 11-1
NFL (1/79) Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31 over Dallas
Unhappy New Year as, after 1,532 of existence, the 340 Club is dark, kaput, abandoned, shuttered, empty, devoid of life, closed, quiet, dormant, closed, ended,
Millersville 1978-1979
What a change of pace, moving from the bustling lifestyle of the 340 Club with its six bedroom house, a bunch of room-mates and the traffic of a major artery into a mid-sized city to the quaint borough of Millersville. Here I was in a two bedroom residence with one roomie (R.E.Lichty),whenever he was home, with absolutely nothing nearby that I was accustomed to.
Being in my late twenties I was too old for the college scene and I was never a big fan of the Barn Door so into the Red Rose City I travelled for entertainment, although I probably just went to my usual haunts right after work instead of going home first. My memory escapes me on that.
The 340 Club was just a hop,skip and a jump from Cassidy's and a little more complicated drive from Zangari's South but Millersville created a new "monster". Distance.
Driving was never my forte and mixing it with some "spirits" made it worse. The Millersville police also seemed to have a problem. They followed me home several times. I can't recall any events that happened of note during my stay with R.E. He probably hosted a party or two but he had a different group of friends than me so while I probably attended those,I really didn't feel at ease.
There was a break-in/robbery of some sorts where none of my "stuff" was taken only R.E.'s. I remember the police being involved and talking to me. Overall it was a pretty mundane life-style. In early spring,R.E. reconciled with his wife,Lori, and she moved back in. It was getting uncomfortable, I was ready to move again. My old roomie from the 340, City L., kept calling me to move in with him at one of the apartment complexes. I stalled for a while but I knew another re-location was inevitable. The final straw came when the borough's police followed me home yet again and asked for my drivers license, when they saw the address did not match where I lived they said "You have been living in Millersville,long enough, you need to change your residence".
I told them I was moving and they said,"See that you do" or something along those lines. I called City L. and made plans for the next chapter of my life.
Being in my late twenties I was too old for the college scene and I was never a big fan of the Barn Door so into the Red Rose City I travelled for entertainment, although I probably just went to my usual haunts right after work instead of going home first. My memory escapes me on that.
The 340 Club was just a hop,skip and a jump from Cassidy's and a little more complicated drive from Zangari's South but Millersville created a new "monster". Distance.
Driving was never my forte and mixing it with some "spirits" made it worse. The Millersville police also seemed to have a problem. They followed me home several times. I can't recall any events that happened of note during my stay with R.E. He probably hosted a party or two but he had a different group of friends than me so while I probably attended those,I really didn't feel at ease.
There was a break-in/robbery of some sorts where none of my "stuff" was taken only R.E.'s. I remember the police being involved and talking to me. Overall it was a pretty mundane life-style. In early spring,R.E. reconciled with his wife,Lori, and she moved back in. It was getting uncomfortable, I was ready to move again. My old roomie from the 340, City L., kept calling me to move in with him at one of the apartment complexes. I stalled for a while but I knew another re-location was inevitable. The final straw came when the borough's police followed me home yet again and asked for my drivers license, when they saw the address did not match where I lived they said "You have been living in Millersville,long enough, you need to change your residence".
I told them I was moving and they said,"See that you do" or something along those lines. I called City L. and made plans for the next chapter of my life.
The Second Coming ... is coming
Smokey Robinson, 1966: So, fiddley-dee, fiddley-dum; Look out baby, 'cause here I come.
Randy Brown, 1981: The Second Coming is coming
Randy Brown, 1981: The Second Coming is coming
Monday, March 3, 2008
Curator's Corner
This might be tough to read, particulary if you need to turn a desk top on its side. It is an ad from the paper advertising an auction of the 338-340 West King Street structure. The auction was to take place on March 1, 1982. If it happened the minimum price mustn't have been reached cuz we stayed there for another 16 months.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The List: 1978 (2nd half)
A 340 Club member, a young lady, introduced me to #42 who was living at the YWCA. She was a favorite of mine who eventually preferred the company of Phil’s brother Paul. Oh well. I can remember very little of #43 cept she was a white woman, older than I, I think, that I met at Tom Paine’s; I met #44 at the Wonder Bar and, although it was over a case of mistaken identity, she got me in a fight at a speakeasy about a year and a half later … not sure if I was a lover but I definitely was no fighter … I met #45 at the Wonder Bar, eventually lost her to Jesus … #46 was perhaps Randy’s first matchmaking on my behalf; this woman was from Mars, a true Hall of Famer, later a card carrying 340 Club member, may she rest in peace … #47 always wanted more than I could give, nice girl with a young son … God bless her … #47 and/or #48 may have been after I left 340
As of 12/31/77, the list contained 32 women, 23 (72%) were one night stands, 5 (16%) were Black
There were 16 “Rookies” in 1978, 9 (56%) one night stands, 12 (75%) Black
As of 12/31/78, the list contained 48 names, 32 (67%) one night stands, 17 (35%) Black
Interesting to note, of 31 White women, 24 (77%) were one nite stands; while of the 17 Black women, 8 (47%) were one night stands.
In 2008, of those 48 women who had the pleasure of knowing me intimately, there are just three that I have spoken to in the past year and maybe another 5 that I still know. I am as oblivious to the other 40 as I’m sure they are to me.
As of 12/31/77, the list contained 32 women, 23 (72%) were one night stands, 5 (16%) were Black
There were 16 “Rookies” in 1978, 9 (56%) one night stands, 12 (75%) Black
As of 12/31/78, the list contained 48 names, 32 (67%) one night stands, 17 (35%) Black
Interesting to note, of 31 White women, 24 (77%) were one nite stands; while of the 17 Black women, 8 (47%) were one night stands.
In 2008, of those 48 women who had the pleasure of knowing me intimately, there are just three that I have spoken to in the past year and maybe another 5 that I still know. I am as oblivious to the other 40 as I’m sure they are to me.
Trivia: 56-58
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:
56. Which resident had the longest tenure at 340 West King Street?
57. Who was the youngest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)
58. Who was the oldest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)?
LAST WEEK”S QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
51.Who once slept on a couch one saturday evening,that was deposited in the front of the 340 Club, appalling passerby's heading to the nearby church on sunday morning? Woody Kleinhaus slept on the couch outside the Club, John Walton's parents walking up the street to attend services at the Church,couldn't believe it.
52 Our neighbors, the DiEugenio's across the street from the Club had five children but only one daughter, what was her name? Lisa
53.What was the nickname of 338 resident Robert Koenig? Biker Bob
54.What was the name of his Rottweiler? "Reefer", apparently it was not a reference to the nickname of the refrigerated trailers hauled by semi's.
55.Born John Edwin Walton, this 340 member was called "Jackie" by his folks,"Good Bud" by Tee and "Mick" by most of his friends but what sobriquet did 328-er R.E.Lichty christen him with? "Hoggy", RE also nicknamed Mick's wife, Beth,"Sugar"
THIS WEEK'S QUESTIONS:
56. Which resident had the longest tenure at 340 West King Street?
57. Who was the youngest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)
58. Who was the oldest 340 Club resident? (judged by current age)?
LAST WEEK”S QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
51.Who once slept on a couch one saturday evening,that was deposited in the front of the 340 Club, appalling passerby's heading to the nearby church on sunday morning? Woody Kleinhaus slept on the couch outside the Club, John Walton's parents walking up the street to attend services at the Church,couldn't believe it.
52 Our neighbors, the DiEugenio's across the street from the Club had five children but only one daughter, what was her name? Lisa
53.What was the nickname of 338 resident Robert Koenig? Biker Bob
54.What was the name of his Rottweiler? "Reefer", apparently it was not a reference to the nickname of the refrigerated trailers hauled by semi's.
55.Born John Edwin Walton, this 340 member was called "Jackie" by his folks,"Good Bud" by Tee and "Mick" by most of his friends but what sobriquet did 328-er R.E.Lichty christen him with? "Hoggy", RE also nicknamed Mick's wife, Beth,"Sugar"
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