THIS 'N' THAT
From the Re-Echo, September 2009

THE NEW LILAC PARK was dedicated on July 13, 2009 on a glorious summer night.  Hundreds came out to hear the Mayor speak and to see Bob Jorvig of the Historical Society cut the ribbon on the restored Beehive.  Lilac Park is now a showplace that St. Louis Park can be proud of, and we heartily thank everyone who donated to the “Save the Beehive” fund so that we could provide $10,000 to the restoration effort.

PARKTACULAR:  We didn’t participate in the parade this year because we couldn’t line up any vintage cars (it was the same weekend as the mammoth “Back to the ‘50s” car show at the State Fairgrounds), but we did have a table at the Share Fair and talked to people about the Beehive project.  And we got to watch the parade!

AL’S BAR is but a memory.  A final party was thrown on July 11 (which was mobbed), and the wrecking began on July 20; see pictures on our web site at www.slphistory.org/history/als.asp

The old regulars came to witness the event, no doubt with tears in their eyes.  The developer was very accommodating, allowing the gallery to don hardhats and watch up close.  Neighbors in their lawn chairs also witnessed the event, but then retreated to close the windows of their houses because of the awful stench of 83 years of dust and mold and just old house smell.   Days later we got a call from Buzz Griffin, one of the owners, who wanted to know if we wanted one of Al’s cash registers.  Yes!  Buzz said he used to cash $20,000 in payroll checks every Friday using the old crank register.  It now resides at the Depot.  Thanks, Buzz!

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.