June 2012: Forty Plus Years

From reports received from P-nuts (Ken) Lowry and 'E.J.' (John) Ganley, the recent get-together of five former Ko-Op workers of the Sixties was a rousing good time. Lots of catching up, reminiscing, and great stories of back-in-the-day were shared. They also provided these photos:

L to R: Lyle Mowery, Ken 'P-nuts' Lowry, Russ White, Gary 'Mongoose' Cook and E.J. Ganley

Seems appropriate, fitting that the guys are standing in the parking lot underneath the two windows of the 'Bahamas' room. If those walls could talk, they would tell some great stories - - some would be true and some might be slightly exaggerated.

Click on any photo for a larger view

Attending the mini-reunion were Lyle Mowery (Ames, IA and St. Louis Park, MN), Ken and Mary Lowry (Toledo, IL), Russ and Cindy White (Bonfield, IL), Gary and Becky Cook (Buford, GA) and John and Dianna Ganley (West Monroe, LA).

They ate lunch at Dirty's Bar and Grill, the food establishment that is currently housed in the old Ko-Op building. After lunch they moved to Roc's ('Black Front') and sat on the back deck.

The group met for the evening and had dinner at The Stadium Grill in Mattoon.

Thanks guys for the report and the great photographs. It's apparent to me that all of you had a good time. I'm sorry that I missed this one, but for sure we have to get together again - before another 40 years. Here's to good times and safe travels. And if any of you ever get out West to south central Utah, you have a place to stay near Teasdale! Johnse

706 Lincoln Evolves

   In Feb. 2011 the former Ko-op Restaurant, located on the SE corner of Lincoln Ave. and Seventh St. in Charleston, IL, was for a short time “Georgie Boy’s.” Georgie Boy's was owned by a Mattoon family and served breakfast, lunch and dinner fare.
   From the late 40s through the 70s, the two-story red-brick building directly east of Old Main had housed a restaurant and been a place of employment for many EIU students. The second story that originally was housing for a number of students and student workers was later converted to apartments.
   The building was originally owned by Walt Warmoth, who also owned the famous eatery Walt’s (across the street from McAfee Gym, now called Marty’s) and later sold to Larry Mizener, a Phi Sig who had worked for Walt. Except for Old Main and the northeast corner of campus, for a few decades Larry Mizener controlled that area around Lincoln and Seventh. 

[Above excerpted from an article in the Spring 2011 Phi Sigma Epsilon Newsletter]

   By July of 2011 Georgie Boy's was closed and a 'For Lease' sign was placed out front. The Aug. 22, 2011 issue of the Eastern News printed the following: "While the abrupt closing of local diner Georgie Boy's surprised many Charleston residents, they can take comfort knowing the restaurant will soon reopen under new ownership as a sports bar." 

   An article in an early Oct. issue of the Eastern News announced plans for the new restaurant, Dirty's Bar & Grill:

http://www.dennews.com/the_verge/dirty-s-bar-grill-to-open-in-near-future/article_91428c14-fb80-11e0-a40f-0019bb30f31a.html

   Eastern News followed up with the announcement that Dirty's Bar and Grill opened for business (Oct 30, 2011)

http://www.dennews.com/news/local/dirty-s-bar-and-grill-opens-for-business/article_13257d3a-037a-11e1-91f8-0019bb30f31a.html