Thursday, 9/5

Well, that was fun. And interesting. And I actually learned a little something.

Who knew??

I'm referring to, of course, last night's “Beer History” gig at the Marquette Regional History Center. A packed house enjoyed beer, smart people talking about stuff, beer, and me sharing stories of what drunk people do when they're drunk. I went on last, when people had been enjoying their beer for a bit, and I got a lot of laughs, although I don't know if that was me, the beer, or a combination thereof. But everyone had a great time and a lot of money was raised for a good cause, so in the end, that's all that matters.

And Russ Magnhagi told a few stories about bootleggers I hadn't heard before. So even I learned a few new things. THAT doesn't happen every day.

8-)

Now, I promised I'd tell one of the stories I mentioned last night, and since this one doesn't involve public nudity, gross embarrassment, or an arrest (my best bar stories sometimes involve all three) I'll share it. Back in the 60s and the 70s there was a bowling alley and bar in Marquette called The Four Seasons. It was located on the west side of the city, in what is now the office building behind First Bank on Washington Street. Anyway, it was one of those places where people went if they were under-aged (the theme of my talk last night) and one night led two young people to decide they wanted to take something home with them.

Specifically, they wanted to take two bowling balls home with them.

So, in their drunk state, they somehow smuggled two full-sized bowling balls out of the bar, and soon found themselves standing at the corner of Front & Ridge in Marquette. There they were—in front of Peter White library, at the top of a very steep hill, holding two bowling balls.

You can guess what happened next.

As they rolled the balls down the street, they realized they had forgotten one very important concept—that of gravity. As the balls rolled down the (rather steep) hill, they picked up speed and within a few seconds had already traveled three blocks, down past Main Street. It was there the first ball hit a pothole, flew into the air, and into the window of a parked car. The other ball made it a few more feet, until it hit the curb and ended up going through the front window of Getz's.

If the Mining Journal had a police log back in those days, I can just imagine what the entry would've read, but alas, it didn't. The two young people never were caught, although the person who shared the story says they still feel guilty about it. I don't know their names, so their secret is save with me, but it's just one of the many stupid things people have done when they're young & drunk. And in possession of two bowling balls.

Ah, you gotta love history, don't you?

8-)

(jim@wmqt.com)