BPB Alert

Bonnie Parker says: "I will be playing bass & doing some classic rock with "Whitefire" Saturday November 29th @ Sundance ... see press release below..It will be alot of fun and it's for an excellent cause ... See you all there!!"

On Saturday, November 29, 2008, Long Island club legends “White Fire” (70’s Classic Rock featuring special guest Bonnie Parker) and “Vixen” (70’s & 80’s New Wave – not to be confused with the all-female band of the same name) will be reuniting for a “one-time-only” benefit concert at the brand new “Frank Cariola’s Sundance” rock club located in Rocky Point. The show is entitled the “Natalie Ciappa ‘Not My Child’ benefit concert. Natalie Ciappa was the 18-year-old from Massapequa who tragically died from a heroin overdose this past summer. She was also the daughter of Vic Ciappa, White Fire’s drummer. The proceeds from the show will be donated to a fund being created in Natalie’s name that will be used to bring attention to the prevalence of the heroin problem on Long Island, including seeking new legislation on the issue both locally and nationally. Tickets will be $15 and will be sold at the door the night of the show (no advance sales), so be sure to get there early. Doors will open at 8 p.m. For further information and directions, please go to www. sundancerocks.com. Please come out to support this great cause!

from today's Sunday Patriot News

The Sharks at Gullifty's

Saturday, October 25th
Ticket info: www.gulliftys.net
Must be 21. Doors open at 9 pm.

I will be in AC with Beverly during the day so my attendance is doubtful. We are scheduled back at 7:30. A quick nap, shit, shower & a shave and I could make Guliffty's by 9:30 or so. I suppose I should be listed as doubtful.

Richie Scarlet at B.B. King's on Times Square, last Friday, October 10th; if you missed it ... his band will be at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY on December 6th. Me and Randy wouldn't need too much encouragement to make the trip. 340 Forever!!!

More Crazee

Mitch Herr
Maple Farm Nursing Center
604 Oak Street
Akron, Pennsylvania 17501
(717) 859 1191, ask for Mitch

I stopped by the MFNC today on my home from a speaking engagement in Downington. Mitch was enjoying a pleasant afternoon nap. After he greshened up we retreated to the garden where he had a smoke (or three)and we talked. It was a great time. I met several roomies and they were all fine people. Mitch proved to be an astute observer of the political scene being for Barack Obama but a little much of a sheep on his Kennedy assasination history believing - as does 85% of the kountry - in a conspiracy. In any case, whatever you beliefs - write him, call him or visit. He'd love to see you. All blessings upon you.

Poet Laureate

Trouble Sleeping by Christopher E. Joyce, 1993

Running all night til the sun kicks in
Running from nothing just hoping to win
Hoping to come away with a prize
And standing to lose nothing but your pride.

If you mess up your lines they can take you away
So don't pay attention to what they may say
Trust and follow that voice in your heart
Like any actor in a play you you have to play that part

Those two-faced phonies with the holes in their souls
They don't mean a thing they're just ill fated foes
Don't believe them when they say that we're all the same
Just screw 'em - and best them at their own game.

Crazy Mitch

I hadn’t seen Mitch in ages until Easter Saturday this year when I saw him at the Sharks show at The Village. It was just like old times; as soon as I hit the door I heard his unmistakable voice shouting “Crazzzee”! There he was bigger than life. A drink in one hand; a cigarette in the other; chicks on both sides of him and Ralphie Baker crouched in front of him conversing a mile a minute. It coulda been 1978.

Except it wasn’t.

It was March 22, 2008. Mitch, diabetic like me, was in a wheelchair and minus both a leg and a kidney. He is doing pretty well though; he’s got round the clock nurses only a buzzer away. He can smoke when he wants and, although he knows his limit, can have a beer every now and then. He has 119 roomies though hopefully neither Phil nor I for a while. Although we are coming Crazy!!!

If any of you want to stop by and see him or write or call here are his particulars:

Mitch Herr
Maple Farm Nursing Center
604 Oak Street
Akron, Pennsylvania 17501
(717) 859 1191, ask for Mitch

I just got off the phone with him and he sez hello and to have one on him!!!

Rock On

Here is a copy of a MySpace correspondence between me and someone puporting to be Bonnie Parker:
From: BONNIE PARKER.. Block User
Delete From Friends
myspace.com/bonnieparkernyc
Date: Aug 7, 2008 9:51 PM Flag as Spam or Report Abuse [?]
Help: Flag
Message If you get a message that is spam (someone trying to sell you something, get you to look at their profile, or redirect you to another website), click the ‘Spam’ button to notify us. If the email is not spam, but is abusive in nature (cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or another matter), click on ‘Abuse’. You can then let us know what type of abuse the message is. Thanks for your help in moderating MySpace Mail! Subject:
RE: There's Gonna Be a 340 Tomorrow
Body:

Rock on dudes!!!
xo,
BP

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Ted
Date: Aug 7, 2008 12:05 AM
Subject: There's Gonna be a 340 tommorow

Naaah, not till November 2009 ... Mitch lives!!! and still rocks ... Jump & Shout! Crazee Tee

Poker Night

A couple of 328 Club vets joined four other members of Lancaster Catholic’s Class of ’69 in a hotly contested game of poker yesterday. I hosted. Here are the players and the facts and figures:

Tee Knorr, 328- 340-338 Club
Dan Joyce, 328 Club
Joe Riley
Tim Bucher
John Kunkle
Keith Costello

As host, I provided beer, pizza, chips, pretzels at a cost of $82.60 (Beer Centre $49.00, Mercado’s Pizza $33.60).

Here are some results:
Iron City beat Yuengling Lager, 19 cans drunk to 15… 14 (29%) beers remained.
Plain Pizza nipped Pepperoni 12 slices ate to 10 … two (8%) slices remained.
Barack Obama won our straw poll by a 4-2 margin.
We played 5 card draw, seven card stud, pass the trash, dumb and dumber, hemmeroids, 1492, some of the games were high-low splits, high spade splits and one even combined a high-low split with a high spade split.
Joe appeared to be the big winner … I held my own with a $6.50 profit.

We all look forward to the next game … likely in the fall. I’ve now played three straight games and regret having missed many years worth of the fun. The game has met, at least annually, since 1967.

Richie Scarlet

July 4th! Don't you wish it was 1974-84, pick a year

I wouldn't be feeling guilty about it being 2:00 and not having accomplished anything ... I'd be on the 3rd floor listening to the City wake up and perhaps obscuring those sounds with rock n roll ... a Friday fourth would have meant there was a party last night ... as it was 2:00 Kenny had probably already scaled my stairs and went out the window to the roof ... certainly by now Marty and/or Woody and/or Sam and/or Sports Sunday and/or Jose and/or Coach or more would be bringing in cases or quarts in to the 340 and drinking and cajoling on the porch.

That was then this is now... Dick called last night and apologized for not making the reunion ... he was under the weather ... say a prayer for him ... he is a private type of guy so I have little more to say ... on a humorous side he pledged to visit this site no more ... he did not appreciate being outed as a frequent visitor to the virtual Club ... said in the future he would sneak in at his son's PC.

If anyone is attending any Barnstormer games let me know; I'm all for attending

340

It's been very quiet here at the Virtual 340 Club but the Karma from the Club is still prevalent wherever you go. I work part-time at the Engleside Beverage Mart. Its a beer distributor so 340 members coming in to make a purchase should not surprise anyone.

Today is the 2nd of July and being a former Civil War re-enactor I wore a tee shirt commemorating that battle of 145 years ago,that occurred on the first three days of July,1863.
Now I have to restock the beer cooler as one of my duties and I learned early on to wear something to protect me from the cold. What better selection could I have made but the new denim shirt with the 340 Club embroidered over the pocket which most former Club residents purchased at the reunion. Its summer so I don't have to button up the new shirt, its long sleeves afford enough covering to keep the chill away.
Well I came out of the cooler with it still on and began loading up my "wagon" with another load of beer. As I neared the cooler a customer came in with three empty half-barrels. He looked at me and said, "Where did you get the shirt ?". I didn't recognize him but having received comments about my Civil War attire before I said,"You mean the Gettysburg shirt ?". He said ,"No, the 340 Shirt". I tried to explain the Club's concept but he interrupted with, "You mean Phil Zangari and the guys". Mentioning my name first of course fueled my "ego" and then my Boss Lady told him who I was. He stuck out his hand and said,"Ted Troop". He had a beard and I told him I would have never recognized him and he said the same about me which deflated my earlier euphoria of my being synonymous with the Club. I didn't bring up the desk-trashing incident in Leominster that has been chronicled earlier on this Blog by Tee and Coach. Ted did say he was not "quite" twenty-one years old yet when he imbibed with us. He must have had a fake ID because I am sure no one could have gotten past our tight security we implemented at all Club functions.

On the same note, as I was entering Superpetz to buy some dog food, none other than former 340 member/Chestnut Street Hockey Player Pat Snyder came out. As we shook hands he said, "I heard you had a reunion". He apologized for not attending as he and his family were out of town.

All signs point to the next 340 get-together as being the social event of the Millenium.

Two more pics from Coach

Woody,Brian S. and Jack D.



The "Randallion" doing his thing, sans a zoom lens.

Coach's Photographic Contributions

The Coach of the Year,every year, Don Kuhns,has sent in these three pics from the Re-Union. He said he has two more. He would have taken more but he realized he had to put his beer down to focus the camera and thought better of it.




Here is Cindy Lou,Sybil and Paula enjoying the party.





Paula and Jack Daily.




Paula,Brian Smith,Jack D.,Ralph B.Jimmy Z., and Chuck Daily.

The Sign of Four (1890)

"Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth." – Sherlock Holmes

 

I packed the 340 Club archives away in their box last Saturday and took them out to the vicinity of my car (or placed them in my trunk). I then took Chris home (perhaps, for some reason taking the box out and leaving it on that parking lot; maybe Chris has it. I’ll check.). I then returned to the hotel with Beverly (while there was no reason to take the box out of my car; perhaps I did. However, neither the Parking Authority nor the Hotel’s lost & found’s are aware of it.) The following morning I drove home to Harrisburg and unloaded my car. A few hours later I noticed that the box was not among the items in my home. (Again, perhaps I left it in my parking lot in downtown Harrisburg and some knucklehead took it). Alas, the box and its contents are gone. Lost forever.

 

Unless, we eliminate the other factors. I remember packing it. Grabes saw me pack it. I took it out of the Knights (this is verified by the Knights not having it). I loaded most items in my trunk. The last item I brought out was the tub of artifacts. Then I took Chris home, went to the hotel and went home. I had no need to remove the artifacts from my car – and I did not (this is verified by the Brunswick & Parking Authority). I came home and unpacked. The artifacts were missing.

 

Therefore, once all the other possibilities are eliminated!!! The artifacts never made it to my trunk. I did, as I remember and as Grabes saw, pack the artifacts in the plastic tub and I did take them out to my car. Where I was distracted by the Hound of the Baskerville’s (more accurately JJ’s nice puppy). I placed the tub on the ground and, as I am apt to do, went over to pet the pooch. While encouraging JJ to say hello to Beverly. I slammed the trunk lid and hopped into my car leaving the precious 340 Club artifacts right there on the Knights of Columbus parking lot. I trust they are now in the possession of one Johnny Johnson or young Phil Zangari or some other 340 Clubber. If not, wind and rain have taken their toll and they may be on the way to the Chesapeake Bay.

 

Bottom-line is while it would be interesting, funny and whatnot for the missing artifacts to make a miraculous appearance at the November 2009 reunion and while I don’t believe I’ve any need for them in the interim; there are three overriding issues:

 

1. it would be nice if those two or three Bonnie Parker photos could be scanned in and uploaded to the blog, and;
2. of more immediate concern to me at the moment I really could use that plastic tub for several upcoming Negro League baseball exhibits, and;
3. I could sleep better at night knowing where my archives are for sure

 

So, please return. Thanks. Elementary my dear Watson!

Flash Back - 1978

The "Greatest Day in Rock & Roll History", June 17th,1978 has been well chronicled on this Blog. What transpired on the eve of this day is not widely know. The Chestnut Street Hockey Club had their first Annual Semi-Formal. Most if not all the attendees were either residents/members/guests of the 340 Club.
The party raged until the early morning hours of the next day making the trip to JFK Stadium in Philly for the Stones and Foreigner and then the trek to Summers Point,New Jersey to see the Bonnie Parker Band even more impressive.




To view the above pics in a slideshow format click on the link below.



1978 Chestnut Street Semi-Formal

Typical but Tragic

The archival exhibit on display at the 2nd periodic 340 Club Reunion is missing. I thought I took it to my car and placed it in the trunk and unloaded it in Harrisburg. However, obviously I did not. The Knights say it is not there. Perhaps I removed it from the Knights but left in the parking lot? I don't know why I would have unloaded it to bring into the hotel and don't think I did but I will check. The next flashpoint is my parking lot in downtown Harrisburg. Or could it be in my house. Keep your ears open. Thanks

Punishment Deferred

My punishment was delayed for five years. As the fiscal year turned, July 1, I found myself as Phil's roomie again on Seymour Street. There I completed my 15 year run in a frat house staying at Seymour until the death of my mother in September 1989 when I had to undergo my punishment, punishment it was though; I had to move into my families home. Just like Phil it was my first experience on my own, other than briefly at the Outpost of Humanity in between roomies. While I didn't suffer back problems I did have to deal with ghosts and not having a bar within a decent walking distance. There is no comparision between City life and suburban living. My decade in Quaker Hills, Lancaster County, was the worst decade of my life. I was more isolated (with friends only three miles away) than I have been in my new City (where I had to start from scratch)for the past decade.

Sil's punishment was of a different sort; it took him a while but he took a wife. (I trust the reader recognizes my poor attempt at humor; Sil was very lucky in that regard. No punishment there. He married a young lady that he met at the 328 Club.)Sadly, what Phil and I refer to as punishments are very light compared to others who left the 340. Life has been very good to me - my health (despite diabetes) is relatively good, my job has been steady and retirement is on the radar screen, I have a daughter, and a good woman. Others have not been so lucky ... I am blessed and grateful; Praise the Lord!

My Punishment

I don't know what the plans are for the Virtual 340 Blog but there are probably a lot of things that have been left unsaid. In November of 1983 the house adjacent to Zangari's South,where I had been working since August,1977 became vacant.

The allure of living next door to my workplace and the probability of me being able to get rid of my automobile were too tempting. I made my decision and left the confines of West King Street.
I moved on a weekend,I believe it was a Sunday. Dave Shertzer and the McClain boys helped me move in according to my recollections. This would be the first time I ever lived alone. I remember I left the hallway lights on just in case of bogeymen when I retired that first night.

I have had a history of back problems,muscular in nature not structural. My back has gone out playing hockey,basketball or simply bending over to tie my shoes. Well after a hard day of moving boxes of junk and what little furniture I had we all sat down to watch the Sunday afternoon football games. Adult beverages were of course the drink of choice for me and my "movers". Well I nestled comfortably in a soft chair in less than an erect sitting position. Soon my back began to tense up. After everybody left I retired to my bedroom which was later to become Tee's suite when he joined me at 48 Seymour Street.

After a few hours of uncomfortably trying to sleep, my back began twitching in the most powerful muscle spasms I ever experienced. Daylight was approaching and I somehow managed to crawl down the steps, because every time I tried to stand up a spasm would send me back down to the ground. I finally worked my way to the phone and called Tee. I told him to call an ambulance for me. Telling him that they don't have to put their sirens on because it wasn't a real emergency but I desperately wanted to be put in traction or something to alleviate all the pain I was in.

He made the call and I then "wormed" my way to the front door and unlocked it. Soon the Ambulance Personnel arrived and loaded me on a stretcher. They missed the last step on my porch and I received a jolt when they nearly dropped me. They strapped me onto the side of the ambulance and away we went. They then neglected to support me as we rounded some corners causing me even more pain as my body rolled with the turns. The female doctor on duty in the ER was less than sympathetic. When I told her I had this problem before but not as severe she might as well said the old punch-line, "Well you got it again". In fact I think she did say that. She tried to make me sit on the edge of the bed but the spasms drove me right back down. She then said if I wasn't going to cooperate there was nothing she could do. The nurse on the other hand was very sympathetic and tried to explain to the ER Doc that the pain would not allow me to do as the she ordered. She prescribed some muscle relaxers and sent me home. My dad and my sister, Sybil picked me up. I remember I could only take "Pee-Pee" steps and I was in my stocking feet so my feet became quite wet when I tried to navigate from my Pop's car through the Fall's damp leaves that were in the gutter next to his car. I finally arrived at my new home and slept on the floor for a few days which always cured my chronic back problems.

Of course my recovery was aided by a six pack of Pabst and a gallon jug to relieve myself supplied by Sybil for the next three days. I have no idea what kind of punishment the other residents received when they left West King Street for the last time.

November 2009

not as hot, can definitely book the date ... maybe not at the Knights ... if they want us I'd like to return they were very good to us other than turning the AC off but considering I paid them less than 50% on the dollar based on what I promised I thought it was even, can be in conjunction with Catholic Hi, McCaskey, M-Ville, F & M football. In addition to reminiscing and critiquing this year's bash; we seek your thoughts on the next one. Let's hear it boys and girls.

While Supplies Last ... !!!

Compleat 2008 2nd Periodic 340 Club Reunion Packet - $16 includes souvenier program, tee shirt, 2008 membership card, and one of both button styles ... $33 at the door value! buy know as the price will only go up ... don't let us display the surplus in next year's archives

340 Club Tee Shirts $8 ($10 at the reunion)

Souvenier Programs $5 (definite collector's item)

340 Club pins $1

I Survived Pins $1 (impress your friends, they will think you were one of the 32!)

Trivia Answers

No more new questions. In typical zany 340 fashion the answer key in the 340 trivia test in the souvenier program scored only a 310 of a possible 340 points. Here are the corrections

3. George Reed, not Ed Cameron, got hit in the head with an errant dart.
22B (23 on the answer key)Geno DiEugenio not Sam Wickersham did the fish fry
23 (answered as if it were 25) Bill Harris, Dick Lichty
25 (answer not provided but Phil had the longest tenure at the 340 address)

As for last week's final set of questions (for now) in the virtual club:
104 ... the darling little sailor was Jason
105 ... at someone's wedding - Phil & Dean
106 ... Tee, Kenny, Jimmy Z, Paulie Ressell, and Martin Hornberger
107 ... a nude photo of Phil

More

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

More to follow...

The Aftermath

The reunion went smoothly with only a few minor glitches. Attendance was lower than expected, 33 by my count. I could have missed a few however.

The Attendees:
Tee Knorr,Beverly,Phil Zangari,Chris Joyce,Dan Joyce,Ed Cameron,Chris Cameron,Don "Coach" Kuhns,Jimmy "J.Z." Zangari,Chuck Daily,Jack "J.D." Daily,Wayne Rankin,Cindy Lou Rankin,Chris Lake, Steve "Grabes" Graybill,Paula Graybill,Sil and his wife Barb,Randy Brown and his niece Lisa, Sybil Zangari, Vicki Charles,Carol Templeton,Art Morris,Janet Kelly,Linda Dombach,Jimmy Shay,Woody Kleinhaus,Jack Booth,Tony Kenneff,Ralph Baker,Brian Smith and Johnny Johnson



The Randallion,Randy Brown did the DJ honors as he spun the 45's that came directly from the Mighty 340 Juke Box.




Johnny "J.J." Johnson was the last guest to arrive, a scant five minutes before closing, pictured here next to Randy

The 340 Museum was a big hit, with a copy of the 340 lease because of the LOW rent payments a fan favorite. The Power Point Presentation which was prematurely announced as being cancelled but then on second thoughts, a rush job by Ted Knorr with some help from computer guru Dan Joyce made it a reality and it was one of the highlights of the festivities.


Here is Dan assisting Tee

The souvenir program was nicely done and well received by the troops. Almost everyone complemented us on a very entertaining evening. Kudo's to Ted Knorr who did most if not all of the work in getting this event together,aided by a few assistants.
Most of the gang then converged down to the Dirty Ole Tavern to finish off the night. 340 Tee Shirts are still availabe @ $10 apiece for those residents/members/guests that were unable to attend.

For the complete photo album of the bash please click on the link below

Barnstormers game and other pre-bash notes

Thanks Phil for those excellent photos ... easy to see now but - why didn't we get Ed to take a picture of the three of us ... me, Sil and Phil put in 7,213 days on West King Street representing 61% of all resident days on the block.

Max 2,730 days
Tee 2,669
Sil 2,363
Phil 2,181 (altho Phil's 1,937 at 340 is #1 at that address)
John 1,108
Sue 1,033
City L 846
AVG 791
Jimmy 427
Fox 252
Sh--foot 252
Randy 197
Mitchell 196
Clack 152
Dave 122
The Gilt 46
Dean 29
Dick often

In other news, the PowerPoint presentation expected to debut tonight has been cancelled. Although, when completed it will be available via e-mail to any interested parties ... the 340 Club is very grateful to its patrons and vendors who have contributed in excess of $600 (counting Randy's willingness to work at a fraction of his normal charge)... most of all the 340 Club is grateful to all who attend in person and in spirit ... THREE FORTY!

Barnstormer Game,6/6/2008

Sil on the left and Tee at Clipper Stadium,home of the Lancaster Barnstormers, on the eve of the 340 Bash






Club Member # 103 Ed Cameron (right) meets Sil and Tee for the first time.

This Could Be My Last Post Untill The Reunion

I am in the process of completing my packing, shitting, showering and shaving. Will be hopping in the car soon ... E-Town Sporting Goods, AlleyCat, Starr Plumbing, Hotel Brunswick, Auntie Anne's Grand Opening, a qwik bite, Lancaster Barnstormers, a few beers, zzz, awake, work on PowerPoint, archives, accounting, merely a shit and a shower this time, pick up Beverly, get Chris, get Phil, setup ... it will be 6/7, 7p, before ya know it.

Or, in the alternative, I might find a hot spot and be back online in the interim.

See you there ...

On the 12th Day of 340

We honor you, the 340 Club members; thank you for the memories, hope to see some of you tomorrow night –

Kenny, Fred, Janice, Dave, Linnea, Clyde, Dimples, Jane, Helga, Sheryl, Bob, Dave, Donna, Sybil, Sue, Chris, Gene, Wanda, Cottontop, Dee, JJ, Fred, Steve, Mary, Jeri, Skyscraper, Barbette, Jason, Sandy, Deb, Sugar, Tim, Kathy, Tom, Theresa, Louie, Katie, Poochie, Susan, Suzanne, Gary, Tina, John, Hedgehog, Grabes, Accu, Moose, JV, Bobbi, Charlie, Sissy, Vicki, Daisy, Herb, Glenna, Dean, Mickey, Sis, Beth Ann, Sam, Daisy, Alice, John, Gloria, Bob, Chris, Pam, Eileen, Phyliss, Brenda, Chris, Huntz, Marlene, Craig, Frenches, Jim, Barbara, Marty, Marquita, Sue, Sadie, George, Sherry, Charlie, Tina, Tom, Dianne, Barbara, Mike, Becky, Betty, Sandy, Karen, Brenda, Nick, Dale, Ruth Ann, Bob, Carol, Karen,Lynne, Gail, Pat, Pat, Aaron, Sonya, Craig, Darcel, Kim, Marlene, Butch, Poochie, Wes, Yvette, Mary Ann, Butch, Shelly, Jose, Booty, Helen, John, Deanna, Denise, Priest, Rose, Ron, Pee Wee, Diana, Charlie, Hawky Dog, Carla, John, Renee, Ron, Cecilia, Tom, Sarah, Harry, Ann, Tex, Pat, Lisa, Pete, Rick, Bob, Shelby, Marty, Jackie, Eulinda, Dave, Gino, Ted, Nan, Evelyn, Pat, Tom, Vicki, John, Faye, Paula, Lynette, Barb, Cork, Mickey, Stan, Marie, Wanda, Don, Vonna, Pam, Arty, Sharon, Ralph, Ralph, Lale, Mike, Sharon, Brian, Regina, Brett, Michelle, Dawn, Manuela, Lori, Val, Scott, Bette, Jeffie, Dave, Ted, Woody, Julia, Bill, Leroy, Debbie, Vicki, Brenda, Dave, Val, Coach, Patty, Tasha, Sonya, Fred, Maxine, Ed, Clarice, Marvin, Zella, Susan, Jeff, James, Gary, Virginia, Barry, Jack, Gene, Geoffry, Don, Frank, Phil, Dave, Holly, Dick, Barry, Judy, Kellie, Deanna, Bruce, Tina, Diane, Chris, Anita, Cindy

On the 11th Day of 340

On the 11th day we moved in … (play the video, while scrolling down and reading)



The structure, a veritable mansion, stretched from what used to be called 328 West King Street to where the 340 itself stood. Of course, the Post Office assigned 340 as its address. In fact, 340 Club was recognized as itself an address kinda like the White House or the Empire State Building. It had a rather large yard stretching through the rear of what used to be 8 properties with a beautifully done stone wall holding up Strawberry Street. The well manicured yard was impeccably maintained. There was a large Jacuzzi, a large deck, and plenty of space for the pets to roam. There also was a nice trough like cement apparatus that always had Listerine infused water flowing to provide a spot for male guests to relieve themselves if the need arose.

The mansion was set back, off KIng Street, but only six feet further than was standard in order to preserve the feel of the City streetscape. The magnificent front door was centered somewhere near where the Waxhaw Design showroom used to be. It was accessed by climbing a spectacular white marble stoop that had three steps and covered an area at the top almost 500 square feet and covered an area at its base of about 700 square feet. There were a chaise lounge and a hammock located on both sides of the magnificent porch. While we didn’t take any of those pieces in at night; nobody fucked with them, probably because some member could usually be found occupying them 24/7 in various states of sobriety. The structure itself was four stories high. As one entered the domicile, a spectacular 18 foot wide staircase caught one’s view and it led to the second floor. A prominent feature of the stair was the inclined chair on the left so that Mitch, at first, and others in the future could get to their sleeping quarters. The stairway rose in the center of a great hall wall which sunk behind the stairs, theatre style to a large screen. The screen was used for movies and other projection views. When the screen was raised a giant flat screen TV was present and it when it was raised there was a panoply of 9 separate TVs all triple stacked so one could watch 9 different shows at once. State of the art sound, lighting was available. There were five rows of very comfortable seats with two sets of eight seats separated by a short aisle on each of the top two rows. The first three rows could seat 12 persons each with four wing chairs on the ends and three coaches stacked back to back to back in the center.

Directly behind that magnificent TV/Living Room were two rooms - the Kratzert & the Martin - on the edges each with TV/Stereo and the like which intruded into what was a grand dining room which had a rollaway ping pong table that fell out of the front wall and then rolled into the center of the room. There was also a hidden sunken pool table that rose out of the ground. Rumor had it that there was a dining room table that descended from the ceiling that could be dropped for mealtime. I’ve never seen that but I’m told it exists. Unfortunately, at 18 foot it is not long enough to hold a decent sized hoagie so I suppose it is not a practical table.

Finally, behind the ping pong room, separated by a magnificent bar that ran the half the length (on the west side) of the room was a full service kitchen with much counters and cabinets, dishwashers, full toilet, walk in refrigerator with a walk in freezer. There was a separate refrigerator with Sil’s name on it as well as two refrigerators dedicated to the golden beverage which enclosed a full keg system which could be accessed from a tap alongside resembling a standard half keg setup and also at the sink which had a handle that could provide hot water, cold water and beer. Again, similar to that table in the dining room, I have heard people say that there was a state of art stove top and oven but I can truly say I never noticed. On the East wall of the ping pong room there was a state of the art dollar bill operated audio/video device that played the latest CDs, VCRs, XYZs as well as 8 tracks and LPs. Next to it was an old Rock Ola GP160 that looked to be about 1969 vintage and was a little worse for wear but that was totally rehabbed to sound better than its modern cousin or even the theatre sound system. Still, you could play Bette Davis eyes for a thin dime. The entire collection of 500 45s from the Mighty 340 Club juke box was present in a shelf next to the Rock Ola. The walls of the 340 were filled with a venetian blind like sound proofing material that could be kept closed so that you could hardly hear anything on the outside OR open if you wanted that old tyme 340 effect.

The upper floors were accessed by front and rail simple stair ways and by an elevator in the rear. There were 8 suites on each of the 2nd and 3rd floors which were fully self contained and autonomous; each with at least two bedrooms, bath, kitchen, living room.

On two at the front were Phil (who maintained his personal residence there) and Dan. Behind them were Chris (permanent addressee) and Dean, behind them Mitch (permanent) and John/Sue (permanent) in the way back was Slick and a guest room.

Simalarly on three, Sil and Timmy were at the front. Timmy lived in Jersey but would bring family several times a year. Behind them were RE and Dave (who moved in with his wife); then Randy (permanent) and a guest room (which pretty much went unused unless Ellen (my daughter), Beverly (my lady) or her sons or family were visiting, with Jimmy (permanent) and another guest room in the wayback.

I lived on the 4th floor, which could only be accessed by the front staircase, and was now truly a penthouse. There was a small Spartan room that looked as if it had simply been lifted from the ol’ 340. It was painted black. Walls, ceiling and floor. There was a mattress, a record player, a chest of drawers, a concessionary IT stand with PC, laptop portal, several book cases. In the one corner were a nice matched set of mahogany sticks each about 14 inches long and about 1 ¼” in diameter. The room behind it was smaller and seemed to have not been painted in years and contained all sorts of clothing, APBA boxes, records, a Giant bear, books, clothing, half eaten bags of potato chips, hangers, an inflatable doll, unused baseball tickets, an old 8 mm projector, and a Nestle’s Quick Box.

Sometimes the latch at the bottom of the staircase leading from the third floor needed to be hooked.

The 10th day of 340

On the 10th day of 340 … the parties! Oh the parties

From humble beer parties with maybe a quarter keg and boys on one side of the room; girls on the other type affairs in the early days of the 328 Club to monster – wall to wall people, with an occasional copulating couple and massive quantities of booze, beer, contraband and noise – mashes in the last days of the 340. Other contrasts were timing … starting earlier and finishing earlier in the early days. In the end, if you started too early you might miss the party which typically started after the bars closed at 2.

It was the parties that found David Sturm & the Intelligencer Journal finding the 340 Club in 1981-82 as being the 3rd best night club in the county behind the Village and the Old Colony. As Coach said some 340ers would dispute even that lofty assesment. Looking back I wonder as Coach did how we lived in such open and unprivate circumstances. Like Mr. P sez the living room was never empty. I guess living on the third floor made it a little easier.

The Poet Laureate

Joyce Swords by Christopher E. Joyce, on the occasion of his parent's 50th wedding anniversary

Ed and Jane, Jane and Ed,
They often sent us off to bed
Alone at last Ed would cheer
Yes Jane would say ‘til early next year

First came Michael
Bold and strong
Very fitting
For son number one

Along came Patricia
May Queen, teacher and prudent
And along came Kevin
And Pat became the student

Then came Pete, tough as nails
But he always loved his family
I guess goodness prevails

Dr. Joyce hair so red
Doctor Joyce to Kathy wed
Two great kids
Good to grandmom
One great family
All good to grandpa

Down to me, as I read this poem
L love you all especially Dad and Mom
Who on this day we do honor
Who on every day, I live in wonder
I live with them, and I see their love
And it’s beautiful to marvel on

Down to Kathy – who’s been gone so long
Kathy was meant for another song

Phil came along, and it was instant toy,
What an athlete, what a brave little boy
Now I never knew he’d get bigger than I
Now he's strong as an ox and I’m the little guy

And Ogie Paul whatever your name
I’d take money on you from 25 and in
You work so hard with so many tasks
I’d like to hit the lotto and give you anything you ask

Along came Mary
Last but not least
I haven’t always told you what I mean
But your heart is true – your mind is too
You one of the prettiest women I ever knew

Mom – Dad from all of me
And all of your children we love you

Where are they now: Chris

Christopher Joyce, 340 Club, January 1977-June 1977

I lived at the 340 Club in the spring of 1977 while going to Millersville University. My housemates were Tee, Phil, Sil and Tim. It was one of the best times of my life. We spent a lot of time at Cassidy's Tavern drinking and playing the bowling game. Dick Lichty was the friendly bartender. We also went to the Village often on weekends to see the Bonnie Parker Band. It was lots of fun.

I moved back to Lancaster in 2001 I live in the Manor House Apartments. In February 2007 I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and in the next 7 months I lost over 90 pounds and have kept it off. I’m unemployed but keep busy going to the gym everyday and walking around 12 miles per day. I’m looking forward to the 340 party and hoping it will be an annual event.

As you might figure, the above was submitted by Chris the other day. He will recite a new, for us, poem at Saturday's event.

Where are they now: Tricky Dick

Dick Lichty, present at the birth and frequent guest, 328 Club

Good guy, good friend, lost but now found; its a better life with Dicky in it. I could tell a million stories about this young man. High school buddy, college chum, and then a very important cog in my early days and at 328/340.

RE is married, with two adult kids, and a wife and living quite comfortably in Elizabethtown. Dick is in sales and still could sell each of the nation’s 25 biggest skeptics a 10% share of the Brooklyn Bridge. He still keeps in great shape and has issued a challenge to our DJ, Randy Brown, to meet him on the mats for a renewal of their legendary best out of three match that took place in the 340 living room over 25 years ago.

Despite his keeping silent on his reunion plans, the ever watchful Big Brother, a great friend of the 340 Keg Man, has told the Keg Man that Dicky is 3rd behind only me and Phil in terms of time spent at the virtual 340 Club. Big Brown is 2-5 to win the Belmont; Dicky is not quite that much of a dead mortal lock to attend, the last Vegas odds I saw were 6-5 that he will; the real bet is how he makes his entrance. On horseback? naked? on a Harley w Mayor Gray? I dunno and I hesitate to predict.

Where are they now: Crazee

Mitch Herr, 340 Club March 1978-August 1978

c/o Maple Farm Nursing Center
604 Oak Street
Akron, PA 17501

While not quite as mobile as in the 340 Club days, Mitch, based on personal observation at the Easter Saturday Shark’s show at the Village, is still a party animal and ladies man. There was a line to see him all night long but he managed to give me a couple of minutes and would love to hear from any of his friends at the above address. I have not given up hope of his attending; it is a matter of transportation

The List: 1984

Certainly one of the least popular; no that is not correct. Definitely the only category of topics on this blog - the virtual 340 Club - that caused a serious complaint was my insistance on labeling, if not naming, every woman with whom I had carnal knowledge of the deviant decade. As I said before if I have been offensive, sexist, racist, ignorant ... I did not mean to be. However, my habits and frankly the recording of same by not only me but by my Boswell, Philip, had to be recollected if I were going to give an honest description of the decade.


I will spare you any further details though. Suffice it to say 1984, the first half of 1984, saw five more entries to the list ... they were 112, 113, 114, 115 and 116. When all was said and done in the 3425 days between Valentine's Day 1974 and June 30, 1984 there were 116 women that knew me in the biblical sense. Of them, 59 were one night stands. 57 were relatively more meaningful and I still long for or have fond memories of a score or so. Every 29 days, on average, a new woman entered my life in the most private of ways.


I think, while chronologically I might have been 23-33, I was enjoying my college years during this decade. This excersise in cataloguing the escapades have brought closure to this.


I am happy to report now I have one woman in my life and am pleased that she will accompany me to the 2nd annual 340 Club reunion this Saturday. Her name is Beverly; stop by and say hello.

The 9th Day of 340

is about music ... the music of 340

perhaps symbolized best by the Mighty Juke but if you stop there you miss the point

The Greatest Day in Rock (i.e .catching the Stones and Bonnie in one day) has been chronicled pretty well but there were many other spectacular concerts including a couple of six figure crowds: Mount Pocono and Watkins Glen; Wild Horses sung on the boardwalk then off to the Smoke In in DC on the 4th of July, Jethro Tull (Slick attending just about two dozen shows by the end of the 340 era), Rolling Stones (making my 18 Stones shows lifetime pale), Motown (F & M hosted Smokey and Hamilton Bohannon and more), Grateful Dead (their F & M show, pre-328, is one of the Dead Heads legendary shows), the last concert I attended before 328 (KISS, Rush, Blue Oyster Cult) remains one of the best I ever saw, the Village & Old Colony, The West Philly Speed Boys, Sharks, Randall Stoltzfus, my loud rock or Slick's edgyier tweeners (oh he could rock too ... finding Mott before anyone else), music (and beer) defined the 340.

The 340 earned its place as the 3rd best nite club in the county.

Where are they now: Tim Lutter

Tim Lutter, Charter 328 Club, Sep 74- Jul 75

Tim and Lori have lived in New Jersey since 1987. We have just celebrated our 30th anniversary after meeting at the Holiday Inn Spring Fling Party inYork. We have three kids. One daughter just graduated from college, the other daughter is a sophomore at college, and our son is a junior in high school. Lori and I have followed Yes and Jethro Tull over the last several years as we age together with them. In regards to 328 and the fun times, I remember eating cheese steaks at 3:00 in the morning, the beer parties, and going the long way around to the bathroom. I also remember Champ getting good steaks from next door. With the move to Jersey, I became aPhiladelphia fan.

Where are they now: Fox

Dan Joyce: Charter 328 Club member, September 1974-July 1975

The Red Fox himself provided this piece: lives happily in Downingtown, Pa, with his lovely wife Kathy and two beautiful well-behaved children Tom (18) and Julie (16).He left the Lancaster area in 1977 to attend grad school at Villanova where he earned a Masters in math. After a year spent traveling around the world he returned to Villanova as an instructor and has been there ever since. He is now an Associate Professor in the Computing Sciences department. He earned his PhD in CS in 1986 from Temple. He is active in the CS Education community. He enjoys playing golf with friends, taking care of his kids, and watching movies with his wife. He owns approximately 2,500 LPs.

fyi

I look forward to both Friday’s Lancaster Barnstormer game … I expect a number of 340 Club members to attend – Phil, Sil and Coach for sure …. and to Saturday’s reunion.

 

I have two concerns –

 

Entertainment – my DJ is currently missing …. But then again if he wasn’t; he wouldn’t be Randy Brown

 

Fiscal – at 32 attendees I might lose $250!!! Oh well, I knew what I was getting in to when I signed on. The good news at 50 attendees and selling all tee-shirts, buttons, and having a few good 50/50 raffles we can seed next year’s affair with up to $400. The ball, as they say, is in your court. .

The 8th day of 340

Tonight, the sports of the 340 …

Chestnut Street Hockey ... sustained excellence led by the Captain Phil and dare I say a score of 340 Clubbers ... Eels of Death, mixing youth and some ol guys (Phil was 32) but still stellar ... not to mention the Golden Age of the Clippers now being upon us!!!

Red Rose Runners (1984 times posted, if any): John (26:40, 18th and best in class!!!) & Sil (seems to not have ran), RE (35:02 but notably finishing 340th!!!); Tom (29:59), John B (33:18), Father Pete (33:23), George W (33:24), GENE SEGRO (37:01), also, not appearing to run in ’84 but usually did JJ, Fred, Art (ran in ’83 after breakfasting at 338), and, in ’84. #992 Tee Knorr (46:21) [NOTE: Sorry Mark but I can’t help myself … Mark Bleecher finished three seconds behind me, sorry Roche but you ran a 47:22, Freddy Blaebaum 47:41]. I ran the race at least twice and served as race director twice.

Also the Human Race held annually at TACO! Tough to beat Spyder Hahn.

John the Ultra Marathoner

Sil, Tim, John with their bikes

RE was a jock … often dragging me over to F & M for a workout. Of course, while he may have played handball, moved weights, wrestled or whatever … my workout consisted of a steam bath or a rare run.

Dan was a tennis playin' fool. I used to play at the dawn of 328.

On the vicarious side, we had championships for the Flyers, Bucs, Phils, Steelers, Sixers, Orioles, and even the Iggles made the Super Bowl plus there was the Wrestling Extravaganza, Summit Bowl, and boxing, and Olympics, and Evel Knievel and all sorts of excuses to fill three couches and a bar. Sunday Sports Spectacular Scotty Myers ruled the sports clicker if we had clickers. Attending All-Star Games in Pittsburgh & Philly, '79 series in Pittsburgh, playoffs in Philly in '80, Steeler playoffs, the Sugar Ray retirement bash, seeing Muhammad Ali twice (not in the ring), Holmes-Spinx title, wrestling of all variety, Philly Bell and Stars, WTT at the dawn of 328, and more.

Further outlet was provided by APBA with the ZSABL being founded there in late ’77, the ZSAFL’s only Super Bowl being played at the 340 bar, countless Puerto Rican League, Punk Rock League or other solo or competitive APBA contests. Not to mention tourneys at McCaskey won by Joe Ganse, the Holiday Inn, the Golden Eagle (I think Mick won that one). APBA Conventions in ’73, ’75, and ’76.

Curators Corner

A Bonnie Parker bumper sticker, circa 1981

A beer chip from the Town Tavern, I think

Tongue in cheek (or somewhere)

Signage at the base of the Stairway to Heaven

Where are they now: Dean Staherski

Dean Staherski, 340 Club: October-November 1978

Dean was a sturdy defenseman on the Chestnut Street hockey team. If my memory is accurate I picture him and Steve Lesher on the rink in tandem (like Mick Walton & Ron Metzger were so paired). In late 1978, after departures of Kenny, myself, and Mitch left the 340 with perhaps more maturity but certainly less contributors (uh, maybe not?!). In any case the 340 found itself with only Phil and the Cityslicker, Mr. Tim, and that is when Dean stepped up as third man in. Unfortunately by the time Dean moved in late that October the graffiti was all over the wall. As Phil has described earlier in this series ... Tim, Dean and finally Phil himself all abandoned ship before ’78 wound down.

Dean always worked for his father at the family business Starr Heating & Air Conditioning. When John Staherski retired in 1993, the business was incorporated and his sons, Jack and Dean Staherski, took over the business, personally handling all sales and service calls. I am late in getting in touch with him but I’m hoping he gets in touch with me or Phil and is in attendance on Saturday night. If he spends the entire four hours at the Knights he will have been at the party longer than he lived at 340.

Where are they now: Craig Cullinan

Craig is living in San Diego and a perpetual student who appears ready to settle down. He is, as always, a major baseball fan wishing for a happy dilemna ... who to root for is his current home team the Padres ever had to battle his beloved Phillies. I don't think he has to worry too much or did it already happen? Being a Pirate fan I haven't paid too much attention to the baseball playoffs. In any case Craig attended more 340 Club parties than Grace Jones did and, for that, here are his before and after photos -

This is not Ted Cleaver but rather young Master Cullinan.

Our hero in the present.

Thanks Craig; appreciate the photos. Sorry the Leer jet is on the blink.

On the 7th Day of 340

The Lord rested





and the rest of humanity went to TACO ... it has been a while since we posted but TACO predated and postdated the 340 and, like Chestnut Street hockey, it deserves a Blog of its own and a reunion weekend .

The annual Celebration of Life and Rebirth of the Earth Festival took place over McMorial Day weekend annually from 1973 through 1990. It was a freedom filled, inhibition void, weekend of the standard trilogy. Ostensibly celebrating the earth. For me (and I went to maybe 3 or 4), it was a drunken weekend of debauchery. We all celebrate the earth differently. For the 340, it was a very quiet weekend until Sunday or Monday because when the troops returned home they usually had just a little party left in them. If memory serves me correctly the 340 Club Bear jumped during one of those raucous returns.

The last TACO was held May 25-27, 1990. It was TACO XVIII. It was held on PA324 just north of the Bullfrog Inn and not all that far from this year’s 340 Club event.

Where are they now: Jim Shay

Jim Shay, 340 Club I: August 1975-October 1976

Where is Jim Shay … no James Shay comes up in the Lancaster phonebook; sadly that puts him – for now at least – in the parts unknown category. That is a great place to be from if you are a wrestler but not for an old friend. Ya never know; I understand Phil’s brother sees Jimmy’s ol’ lady friend … maybe word will get to him bout Saturday’s bash.

Speaking of the bash I think there are about 5 tickets sold. Phil expects forty. I need 45 and a DJ.

Trivia

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:
This, my final assignment of administering the trivia questions before the Big Bash will be in a different format. You will be asked to view the following pictures and identify the West King Street Resident/Member/Guest


104)


105)


106)


107)





Last Weeks Q & A's
100) What was the name of City L’s (and my) friend who used to work with him at K & W Tire Company?
GEORGE ASHBY

101) What fire company did Kenny Giltner used to hang out at before finding it more fun at the 340 Club?
WEST LANCASTER FIRE HALL

102) In what fashion did Kenny sit down on a couch? CLUE: it is a four letter word
PLOP

103) At what bar did I have a short-lived stint as a bartender in the 328 Club days?
ELMER'S INN

The 340 club

I will say a few words as a 340 club member, not a resident, as to what I remember and thought of the 340 club. It was a place where everyone knows you name, and always glad you came. Damn flashbacks of cheer! Well I did know most everyone’s name but “always glad you came”….well you will have to let the residents answer that one. I don’t know how they coped with little to no privacy 24/7, but for me looking for a place to go, it was the 340. It was previously mentioned that this was the third best nightclub in Lancaster according to some news article. To me and others, it was THE club. A place where we would meet up or party before going out to another club , and it was the place we would go after all those other clubs shutdown. Of course, many of the residents were personal friends so I would also drop by to see what was going on, and drink a few beers. Although there was mention of a few minor scuffles and incidences, I always felt relaxed at the 340. With all the booze and contraband, and idiots coming right off the street to party at the 340, I think the club was remarkably low in incidences. Of course most of the potential fights at the clubs, especially the Village, were instigated by Phil; if only they wouldn’t have been starring at him. Also, the entertainment at the 340 would compete with any club. The best rock and roll juke box in one section of the club, highly competitive ping pong games, which I beat many but hardly any from Phil. More ladies then I could remember going up the steps with Tee, as I assume he was already writing them onto his list, and many where just there for the entertainment. Hockey players talking who they cross checked or fought, Bonnie Park band partying after a jam at the Village, Lancaster finest stopping by to say “hi”, Tee or others, streaking down King street, two room length subs, and on and on. You never knew who, or what to expect; as I said, I was always entertained. A few events that need to be repeated from an earlier story: I will never forget the enjoyment that the crowd and I had when the 340 bear jumped from out the window and always without a scratch. Oh, and the famous July 4th picnics, drinking, partying, and the only club in Lancaster with the famous Kenny’s fireworks shot from the roof. I must confess I miss some of those times and all the idiots that were part of the 340 club and my life.

The 6th Day of 340

6A The 340 Club moved in its entirety - me, Phil, Sil, John, and Sue - from 340 to 338 West King Street. Th rational folks went down the stairs; I went over the roof.

6B Phil departed the 338 in November 1983. John & Sue on 2/29/84 and Sil & I on 6/30/84 and it was all over.

The only good news is tomorrow is the 7th day of 340.

February 29, 1984

John, who had been at 340II/338 since the beginning of the 2nd coming three years earlier and his lady, Sue (the 16th and final member of the previously all male bachelor pad) finally decided to leave and get married and set up a household on Lafayette Street where they remain to this day.

Sil & his wife met at 328 so the 340 Club is 2 for 2 on marriages!

On February 29 (does that mean they've only been gone six years), 1984 the young couple fled the 338 and made their move. That meant, for the final months, Sil & I would be the only inhabitants of the large house.

As you will note, I have almost no memory of these last four months.

The 45s

I spent all day selecting, cataloguing and ordering the musical selections for next week's affair. I hope and trust my roomie Randy shows up next Saturday with proper equipment. Stay tuned. Here are the groups one record each except for four groups (can you guess which?):

Archie Bell, Bar Kays, Barry McGuire, Beatles, Blues Brothers, Bobby Vinton, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Buffalo Springfield, Creedence Clearwate Revival, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Engelbert Humperdink, Four Tops, James & Bobby Purify, James Brown, John Fred & the Playboy Band, Kim Carnes, KISS, Link Wray & the Wraymen, Manfred Mann, Marvin Gaye, Napoleon XiV, Otis Redding, Percy Sledge, Queen, Rare Earth, Rolling Stones, Sam & Dave, Sam the Sham, Sly & the Family Stone, Styx, Supremes, Sweet, The: Beach Boys, Capitols, Clash, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Doors, Human Beinz, Kinks, Magnificient Men, McCoys, Moody Blues, Righteous Brothers, Shangri- Las, Sharks, Shaynes, Toys, Troggs, Vapors, Tommy James & the Shondells, Wilson Pickett … and in reserve: Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Bay City Rollers, Devo, Grand Funk Railroad, Heart, Janis Joplin,Led Zeppelin, Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels, Mott Hoople, Paul Revere & the Raiders, Police, Rod Stewart, Swinging Medallions, The: Animals, Jackson 5, Temptations, Who, Thin Lizzie, and Young Rascals.

Next order of business: the souvenier program, PowerPoint, and preparing the Archival Exhibit. Oh yeah, getting the Bear ready. Hopefully, Phil will sell some tickets. I need to give the Knights a number on Thursday.

Mitch Ryder, Godfather of Detroit Rock

A popular juke box favorite – Mitch Ryder offers these three covers, never before heard anywhere, especially for the 340 Club







And one of his from the juke

Back in the day



Later

1983

JAN –
FEB – Groundhog sees shadow
MAR –
APR – 340 Club moves to 338 West King Street; Life Goes On
MAY –
JUN – Mayor Morris visits 340 Club
JUL – Leo, Sixers, Summit Bowl, Sally Ride in space
AUG – Benigno Aquino Assasinated in Phillipines
SEP –
OCT – Birds/Phils, 237 Marines killed in Beirut, Grenada invaded
NOV – Phil departs
DEC – Times Square w 103

1983 was in the book
President Ronnie Raygunz
Governor Dick Thornburgh
Mayor Art Morris
CPI – 99.6
U.R. – 9.6%
Life exp – 74.6
Violent crime – 51.8
World Population – 4.69B
U.S. Population – 233.8M
Best Picture Oscar – Gandhi
Ted’s # 111

NCAA BK – North Carolina State 54-52 over Houston
Indy 500 –
NBA – Philadelphia Seventy-Sixers sweep LA
NHL – New York Islanders sweep Edmonton Oilers
MLB – Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies in 5
Horse of Year –
Hvwt Champ –
NCAA F – Miami, 11-1
NFL (1/84)

Where are they now: Randy?

Randy Brown: 340 Club II Match 1981-August 1981

I don't know ... however he is scheduled to spin records at the 340 Club reunion and I have spent the day selecting 81 45 rpm records to make the trip. Lemmee tell ya they are classics. However I have no clue as to Randy's whereabouts and no solid phone number.

In typical 340 fashion this one's going right down to the wire ...

From the Mighty 340 Club Juke Box

Okay, this is tough youTube song ... so many covers ... many of them quite excellent but I wanted the original ... found a few but couldn't get passed this revival version ... haunting ... it could be Randy, Kenny, Dreamo, Jack, Bosco, or any number of us, past, present or future ... it is a 1988 concert in a prison before a couple hundred inmates ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nql4Bk-Xp7Q

another one about the night we will hold the reunion

Collage V

Woody's final photographic memoirs shows a grainy picture of Chip and Sheryl Z. on the 340 stoop at the top and on the bottom a blowup of a previously published pic of Sam getting some beauty sleep.

Collage IV

Woody's fourth submission show a "radiant" Sue DiGiacomo in the two top pictures.In the middle is Scott, the aforementioned Zangari South employee who met the police at the door during the July 4th,1983 extravaganza. To his right is another shot of Woody's beans/chili and on the bottom is the "SUB" in its formative stages.

Collage III

Woody's third collage shows George Z. and Phil, alongside the 338 in the top left, to the right is a conked out Sam "Space" Wickersham after a hard day of being one of the 338 chef's. Middle left appears to be a different party day at the Club, not the Summit Bowl, judging by the cold-weather clothing with Sam on the left pointing out instructions to who appears to be Tommy Roschel on the right. The middle right pic shows Tee and Phil sitting at the Club's bar.Bottom left is a pot of Woody's baked beans or chili. and the bottom right is Dawn Jackson and Tee.

Collage II

Woody K. submitted these pictures of the "SUB", taken in the 338 Club's kitchen. Notice in the bottom two pics the sign that reads,
"Pabst,Quality since 1844" and the SUB itself being supported by a case of John Em's Straub Beer.

The 5th Day of 340

After 2 ½ years of Exodus negotiations to bring the gang back to West King Street began in earnest in January 1981. Mr. Kratzert, apparently, was desperately in need of good solid tenants and we were on the market for some crappy housing. The 340 had faded away in ’78 with poor Phil the lone refugee in the final days. Now, the intrepid group of West King Street interlopers included me, Phil plus two new residents – Randy Brown & John Emswiler. I had known Phil & John since high school and had met Randy during the initial 340 go round and he had been a roomie in the outpost.

We inked a lease, effective March 1, 1981 and automatically renewing every month, and moved in late February. We were back.

Collage # 1

Woody K. said he had some pictures of our West King Street days. Unfortunately time has not been kind to them and they seem to be permanently stuck in a photo album.
Woody then took the entire album page and scanned them and sent them to me. Here is the first exhibit.
In the upper left is Sam Wickersham with George Zangari peaking his head out in the rear. They are admiring their handi-work on the gigantic sub, assembled in honor of the so called Summit Bowl, the WFL Championship. To the right of that pic is a relaxed George Z. With the obligatory case of Pabst in the background.The next pic on the left is Sam and George again. Beside that is Woody K, himself. Note the well conditioned athletic bodies. The final pic below is Super Sports Sunday, aka Scott Myers. Donning his Philadelphia Star cap. In the lower right is the left elbow of # 99 which can only mean it belongs to Desi Deeter.

The 4th Day of 340

On the 4^th day of the 340 Club the sun set. As Phil evacuated the 340 Club in late November 1978, I suppose we all thought that civilization, manners, and decorum would disappear forever from that West King Street neighborhood. For a while it appeared such thoughts were correct. A new year dawned and then past … 1979 …1980 (heck, the Phillies even a World Series but still 340 remained shuttered) …but then again, as 1981 began the clouds began to break up … few noticed the rainbow emanating from that certain residence just four blocks from the center of town … it arched triumphantly announcing something but there were no Isaiah’s to tell us precisely what was happening, no John the Baptist to show the way … little did Mrs. Garman understand but the second coming was at hand … (cue: the Pops; ready the cannons; play the 1812 overture) … the long winter of our discontent was finally coming to an end … it was a new dawn … morning in Amerika … izzat the Gilt on the 340 rooftop?

DISCLAIMER

Clearly this Blog – the “virtual” 340 Club – is now just as out of control as the “actual” 340 Club

JULY,4th,'83

This faded archive reads;
Actor being resident/person in control of property. Did have a party w/loud music and loud people. This constituted a noise disturbance which extended more than two property lines.- On complaint/condition observed by Off's. Actor advised prior.




With the 25th Anniversary of this event coming up I will relate what I remember of it. It was obviously July 4th,Independence Day, and the patriotic guys and gals of West King Street decided to celebrate with a party. Kenny "The Gilt" Giltner was up on the roof of the 338 Club, shooting off bottle rockets. One misfired and landed under a passing car but there was no damage. The music and adult beverages were flowing freely.

Apparently some neighbors,probably non-Americans, must have called the police. Some of Lancaster's Finest then appeared at the Club and told us to tone it down. Well of course we did,for a few minutes anyway. The party continued.

The next thing I remember, an employee of Zangari's South's kitchen,named Scott,came up to my bedroom and woke me up. It was about 6:00 AM or whenever the sun rose that day. He said there was a policeman at the door and he wanted to see me. I hastily stumbled out of bed,probably already dressed and went downstairs. The front door was blocked by the Mighty 340 Juke Box hanging out on the stoop,laying on its side with the music blasting full force. I hurdled over it to greet the officer but I could not hear what he was saying due to the music. I clumsily endeavored to find the volume control but to no avail, either the machine didn't function well on its side or my blurry eyes couldn't focus on it so I went back inside and pulled the plug.


The Officer said we had been warned before and now we were being charged with a Noise Ordinance Violation. There was no valid reason to argue with the Juke Box being outside the Club and playing at full throttle. I signed for the citation. Tee I believe was in Pittsburgh that weekend and I could not disagree when he said the fine was my responsibilty since he wasn't there. I think it was $35.