Gordon "Rip" Vail
Email: gvail@ticnet.com
Location: Carrollton, TX
Story: Retired and working in local politics and as a substitute teacher
in localla high schools.

I like the idea of a Harry's former employees reunion. I worked there (pumping beer and mopping floors) on and off from 1953 to 1956. The old man was still running the show. At that time Harry's was the only alcohol dispensing place on the West Side and then only till 10pm - SHARP!! Student IDs were an absolute must. Harry kept strict rules.

When Harry Belafonte came to town for Victory Varieties performances he was late in startoing because Harry's refused to serve him and his crew friends. That was quite the scandal in the mid-50s.

Bill Whistler, deceased, and I were the two main student bartenders for two years. Memories do come back.

I hope that I'll visit there again someday but it'll have to be second after my annual Longboat Key jaunt.

Rip Vail

January 2001