Henderson, MN Forums History Remember when... Happy Hour

Hello Henderson Folks! I certainly have some Happy Hour memories as my parents, Harvey & Juanita, owned the tavern from late 1969 to late 1971, and we lived in the upstairs apartment during our first year in town. Two adults and six kids in five rooms--it was crowded! My mother's nickname was Johnnie, so during those years it was "Johnnie's Happy Hour." I was in 5th, 6th and 7th grade during the Happy Hour years, and it was totally cool and fascinating having a bar as a family business and your home. The juke box was always playing the rock and country hits of the time, and we could hear it upstairs. I hung out in the back game room quite a bit and learned how to play pool and pinball. In those days, pinball was "Uptown" (5000 points for a replay), "Crosstown" (900 points for replay), plus a baseball game. I enjoyed the the high school aged kids who came to the back room and remember wishing I could be "that old." My brother, Pat, graduated with the Henderson class of 1971. My other siblings--Pete,Lancey,Kathie,Lois--also attended the school at the top of the hill that was grades 1 thru 12 then. Anyone today in their mid-40's to early 50's probably remembers a Cheesebrough from their grade, or team, or school play. In the Spring of 1971, the Happy Hour was closed to adults on Monday nights and open to kids in grades 7 - 12 and called "The Tigers Lair." My older siblings served pop and snacks and it was a place for kids to gather and hang out and play cards and games in the back room. Lots of fun that we were allowed to take over the place every Monday night. Well, that's enough for now...I'll drop by again soon and write more. Feel free to drop me an email note anytime. Would love to hear from Henderson folks. My family moved away in August 1973 to Lino Lakes, MN (just north of the Cities)and we really missed Henderson.

Only "poker beer" in Henderson.

Phil C.-it's good to hear from you. Your family should make a trip to Henderson to see what the old Happy Hour looks like now. I think you would be pleasantly surprised. Get your brother,Pat, to check out the Henderson website. It would be fun to hear from him. Pat and I chased around a little in his maroon Falcon. his '67 Impala. and I think he had a hearse for awhile, too. Pat could tell us about the late night card games that he, Eddie Berger, Dickie Ernst, and Bermie Van Buskirk had at the Happy Hour.

Great stories! Another fine example of the "Chatter" bringing Hendersonites together. Awwww.

I can remember like it was yesterday Leroy Bird playing Mel Tillis "Sawmill" song on the jukebox.