RIP Blue Mound Tavern

I took a pilgrimage to the site of the (former) Blue Mound Tavern yesterday. I say pilgrimage because it truly felt like one! Although it wasn't formally in Altamont, it was a part of us, and our history.

I spent many an evening there in my younger days. We have truly lost a landmark! The building was old (80 years, I heard) and there was probably no chance of saving it.

The twisted metal kind of twisted at my stomach. Seeing what was left of the tables and chairs, thinking "that was the one I sat at last time I was here" made me a bit melancholy.

When I was a kid, occasionally Dad took us in and bought us a soda on Sunday afternoons (a friend of his owned it in those days) and then once I was legally old enough to drink we ended weekend evenings there when the "in town bars" closed.

I had only gone out a handful of times over the course of the last few years, but it was one of my favorite places. May we always remember it fondly.

RIP, Mayor Brauer

I've never posted an obit on here, but Carl Brauer was our mayor for 20 years (1979-1999) and I know my readers who grew up here will like to know. I know he will be missed by more than just his family.

Find his obit here.

Altamont Power Sports

With the cold weather ahead, and the tales I'm already hearing about deep snow, you might want to dig your snow mobiles out and have them tuned up!

Chicken Dance Polka Medly

Remember, Schuetzenfest is next weekend!

Business Crawl

Altamont Artisans

Hopefully, cold weather is still months away, but if you are one of those people that like to prepare ahead, make a stop at Three Brothers (across from the VFW) and check out the display of locally make caps, hand crafted by Amy Byrum. If there is a color or pattern you need, find her on Facebook (Amy Loesche Byrum). She'll do her best to make what you need!

American Legion

The American Legion is hosting a rummage sale at Schmidt Park this Saturday, July 25 with the proceeds to benefit the Garden Club. The Garden Club is responsible for all of the flowers around town. It's a daily duty that they have committed themselves to, and it's not cheap, so if you are out and about, stop in. They will be in their pavilion (I believe it's on the west side of the park) from 7 to noon.