Historic Huletts Beer Can Art

Many people may remember longtime Huletts resident, Frank Nelson, who passed away sometime in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. He lived past the entrance to the Mountain Grove Memorial Church.

I came across these recently and thought they’d make an interesting story. One of Mr. Nelson’s hobbies was making artwork that resembled miniature furniture out of beer cans. These were some of the pieces he gave to me when I was younger.

He basically took a beer can, cut it and twisted it and added padding for the seat and turned it into a miniature furniture set.


I took two shots of the same pieces below. Here is what the finished product looked like.

Here you can clearly see the bottom of the beer can under the padding.

Many people in Huletts probably have some of these pieces still around but it’s a great example of taking everyday garbage and making something useful and artistic out of it. The funny thing is, Mr. Nelson actually told me; “Hold onto these, someday they’ll be worth something.”

If you have any beer cans left over from the 4th, you can try it too! It proves the old axiom, “that one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure!”

20 Years Ago Today

Where were you 20 years ago today? Well July 1, 1989 was the day the Casino reopened after being closed for 16 years. That’s right. Between 1973 and 1989 the Casino was closed.

Al Kapusinski spearedheaded the effort and while the Casino has gone through a couple of reincarnations over the last few years, he was the one who got it going again in 1989.

Al is doing well and sends his regards to everyone. He’ll be back in Huletts in a few days. So when you see him this summer, tell him you’re enjoying the Casino and it’ll bring a smile to his face!

Events on Tap at the Casino

Friday July 3, 2009
Lobster Fest at the New Casino! 5 pm – 8 pm $25 per person. Good old fashioned lobster bake with corn on the cob and red potatos. Make your reservations (499-0361) or get em while they last. Happy 4th of July at Huletts!

Thursday, July 9, 2009
“Think Outside of the Box” Wine Tasting 5 pm -7 pm

Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Friends of Historic Huletts is presenting an evening of live Celtic music at the Casino. Road to Galway and Eizabeth Straton will perform from 7 pm to 11 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Children ages six to twelve are $5 and under six are free. Tickets are available at the Casino or through Trudie or Jim McMaster (499-0331) or Sylvia Lawler- (518-756-2631). They will also be available at the Casino (499-0361). There will be a 50-50 raffle and door prizes. Promises to be a great evening.

Lobsters Flying In From Maine

We have been notified that the Casino is planning on having fresh Maine lobster on Friday night. Please call ahead for reservations: 518-499-0361. This is going to be good!

Casino to Offer Wi-Fi

I spoke to Leann this evening and one improvement that she will be offering at the Casino this summer will be wireless Internet access. So if you bring your laptop and stop at the Casino, you’ll be connected!

Huletts Fun

How to Contact the Casino

A number of people have inquired how to contact Leann at the Casino to schedule events. Here is her contact info:

Phone: 499-0361
Email: leann1205@yahoo.com

If you’d like to schedule an event, contact her soon because the Casino’s summer calendar is filling up quickly.

Beer & Sports Weekend

The McNelis brother’s annual beer and sports weekend is scheduled for next weekend starting on June 4th. What is this? Look here to find out more.

The Casino – 2009

Today, we’re going to interview Leann Ingalls who is managing and running the Casino this year. Leann has many connections to Huletts and has been working all winter on improving the Casino for this summer.

Leann, first could you tell the readers of the Huletts Current a little bit about yourself?

“Well most people know me from my place, Division Street Cafe, in Whitehall which I ran for almost 10 years. I always tried to give people a great meal at a good price with a nice atmosphere. I’ve catered dinners at the Casino before and I know so many people from Huletts. I’ve met many people at Church, and the people from Huletts have always been great.”

You’re planning on having the Casino open for Memorial Day. Could you tell our readers some of the positive changes in store for this summer?

“We’ve been working very hard! There’s a new roof, new bathrooms, fresh paint, alot of cleaning. We’ve even got new pictures with some historical flare in the front room. There’s also a new floor and new lighting in the front room. We’ve also worked a lot on sound control, adding new windows and new back doors. The remainder of the outside will be painted in June. I’m hoping to make it a better Casino this summer, while still keeping the down-home feel to everything. Many Huletts people are planning to do events that haven’t happened for a few years – we’re excited about that. If this year goes well, we’ll be making even more improvements next year. Everyone who has seen what we’ve been doing the last few months, has been really happy.”

You have many connections to Huletts. Could you tell us some of the ways you know people in the community?

“I didn’t grow up in the area but my father was from Whitehall and joined the Navy. I came here about 10 years ago to visit – and stayed! My son, Johnny, (who keeps me young because he’s out doing what 5 year-olds do) and I are looking forward to a great summer on the lake, and hopefully many more in the years to come! I really feel the folks will appreciate the work we’ve put into the Casino this winter. Everyone deserves a nice place on the “Landing” to go to!”

You’re planning some great events and some special speakers for this summer. Could you tell everyone when your schedule will be out and what are some of the things they can expect?

“Probably the biggest news, is we’ll have an earlier schedule. No closing at 4 a.m. anymore! I also want to try a new Saturday wine and cheese social hour at 7 p.m. I think those are things that people will really like. We’ll have the usual events like A Day to Remember, Skip Linhart day, the Black Mountain Hike & Breakfast, and the Labor Day Talent Show, but we’re also bringing back the Hoe-Down Pig Roast, and we’ll have some music and bands, too.”

“This year Martin the Magician will be coming back also. I’m also working on some new events and lectures but we’re keeping them a secret for now! If there’s an event someone would like to have, I’d like to hear from them. I’ll be releasing our schedule sometime in mid-June, so we’ll get it to you to post on the Huletts Current.”

Leann thank you for sitting down with us and telling us about your plans. I can tell you that everyone is looking forward to the new and improved Casino being a great success this year.

“Its been my pleasure.”

Now For Some History – 1976

Everyone has heard of Evel Knievel’s attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon in the 1970’s but the single greatest car stunt in history was probably Kenny Powers attempt to jump from Canada into New York, crossing the St. Lawrence River in his rocket powered Lincoln Continental. Here is a short video of his attempt. Please don’t get any ideas about the next time you come down the mountain!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLsVWFGO7aQ

The Casino at Huletts Landing

If you haven’t been in Huletts all winter, we invite you to stop by the Casino this summer because there are some positive changes in store for 2009.

Significant work has been done on the building.

The bathrooms have been completely remodeled and a new roof and windows have been added. The front room has been updated and the last two sides of the building will be painted in June.

The hours will be more “community friendly”.

The hours will be more consistent and the Casino will close earlier in the evening. These are the tentative hours for the 2009 season:

Tuesday – Thursday: 5pm-11pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm-2am
Sunday: 5-9pm

There will be a new Wine and Cheese Social Hour every Saturday evening at 7 pm. So join your friends for a glass of wine and complimentary cheese and crackers.

The building is under new management.

Leann Ingalls, who has run successful area restaurants and who has catered dinners in the Casino, has taken over the operation from Justin and Heather. Leann has been working in the Casino since January and you will really like what she has done. She will be offering private chef services so whether it’s family visiting, or a large gathering, she can prepare any event. Just call ahead to discuss menu and prices. We’ll be doing an interview with Leann in the weeks ahead so that you can learn about her connection to Huletts, and about her.

There will be cool things happening there.

A number of interesting events are in the works for this summer. This will include family events, interesting speakers, social activities and more. So you’ll want to stop by and enjoy. We’ll see you at the Casino this summer.

The Casino at Huletts Landing
Opening Soon for 2009
499-0361

The Hoe Down Throw Down

Here’s something you really need to know.

With the start of the wedding season upon us, we wanted to make sure you know this very important new dance called the hoe down throw down.

Now we preface this by saying, if you have a teenage girl in the house who watches Hannah Montana, this is information that you already know.

Here’s Hannah Montana performing it in her new music video.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtQo1_9mED4

Here’s a quick tutorial on how you can learn it also.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fRiT05TWwE

When you’re at a wedding (or at the Casino) this summer and you’re on the dance floor doing this craziness you’ll remember who taught it to you. Yeah, we know, it’s a slow day on the news front.

Baseball Season Starts Today …


… which means it’s time for one of the best poems of all time:

Casey at the Bat
By Ernest Lawrence Thayer
San Francisco Examiner – June 3, 1888

The outlook wasn’t brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, “If only Casey could but get a whack at that —
We’d put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.”

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat;
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey’s manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey’s bearing and a smile lit Casey’s face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt ’twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt.
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt.
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey’s eye, a sneer curled Casey’s lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
“That ain’t my style,” said Casey. “Strike one!” the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
“Kill him! Kill the umpire!” shouted some one on the stand;
And it’s likely they’d have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey’s visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it, and the umpire said “Strike two!”

“Fraud!” cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered “Fraud!”
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn’t let that ball go by again.

The sneer has fled from Casey’s lip, the teeth are clenched in hate;
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate.
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey’s blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.