I attend the grand opening of the Metro Cafe, where Wasilla's mayor shows up with big scissors and a young girl gathers pennies to aid a classmate stricken by leukemia
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 2:46PM ;)
As recent visitors to this blog know, I have been beginning all of my coffee breaks lately at the drive-through window of the Metro Cafe, built on Lucille Street where the dog wash used to be. On Saturday, Metro staged its grand opening and I stepped briefly out of cocoon mode to attend the event. As the guests gathered, this kid came scooting by on a skateboard.
;)
Many owners of classic cars came and parked their vehicles in the church parking lot just across the street.
;)
When I was young, I had a red Ford Mustang exactly like this one. I got it at a church bazaar, where I gave a lady a dime. She handed me a fishing pole, I dropped the line behind a screen that was supposed to a lake. I felt a tug, pulled it back up and there, hanging from my fishing line, was a nice little red Mustang.
It was a superb catch. I rolled it all over the house, out on the sidewalk and over hills of dirt, making engine noises as I did. As to this red Mustang, "Isn't it beautiful? Very clean!" this lady, JoAnne Kessler, a member of the Valley Cruisers, stated.
;)
;)
Inside, I spotted this attractive trio and so sat down to ask what brought them out. It is Liane Nagata and her two daughters, Madeline and her older sister, whose name slips me at the moment. As it happened, in high school, Liane was the best friend of Carmen Starheim, who started the business with her husband Scot. Even back then, Liane says, Carmen worked hard at everything that she did.
I did not ask a question to the couple at right, as they looked quite absorbed and I did not wish to disturb them.
It would have been a better photograph, had I moved the camera a quarter inch to my right, but I didn't.
;)
I asked many questions to this family, and had each of them give me their names. But hell. I don't remember the names, and I don't remember the questions or the answers to them. At the time, I was sure I would, just like I would have before I overstressed my brain for too many decades, but I don't.
I had either better start recording these things or writing them down.
They live in Wasilla, though, I remember that. This was their first stop at the Metro Cafe. They had watched it come up after the dog wash disappeared and had been curious. They had a good time and enjoyed the drinks and food.
At least I remembered that much.
They also thought the little Nash Metro car behind them was quite cute. That's one more thing I remembered.
Oh, yeah - they said they would be back.
;)
Wasilla Mayor Verne Rupright roared in on his motorcycle, with a big pair of scissors strapped to the front.
;)
BIG scissors. Perhaps he planned to do some budget cutting.
;)
Madeline was smiling happily when she first showed me the pennies that she was carrying. I thought she had brought the pennies to spend, but I was wrong.
She was collecting them on behalf of a schoolmate at Sand Lake Elementary in Anchorage. Madeline's countenance grew sadder and sadder as she explained how her school mate had leukemia and that the little girl and her family needed money to be able to travel Outside for her treatment.
I hope she gathers lots of pennies and that all tears may be staunched.
;)
The Metro Cafe.
;)
This is Tank, traveling with his human Calvin Culverwell. Tank works in the Golf Shot in Wasilla. So, if you ever want to buy some clubs and balls but don't quite know what to get, go talk to Tank. And if you want a Coke talk to the lady, Loni Mrozik, Coca-Cola's local rep. Me, I prefer Pepsi.
;)
The view from behind the counter.
;)
This poor little girl spilled her drink. A man, who I think was her father, picked up her fallen cup and then disappeared. I hope he got her another one, but I can't say for certain.
;)
The view from inside, looking outside, where a man looks inside.
;)
The staff was busy taking orders from both the counter and the drive-through.
;)
;)
Scot, Mayor Rupright and Carmen use the big scissors to cut the ribbon. Afterwards, Scot and Carmen share a kiss.
I'm pretty sure that kiss had a coffee flavor to it.
;)
Scot loves the old International Metro vans. He explains that he is the kind of person who is always building something and so is forever running back and forth to Home Depot. He found the Metro van to be the perfect vehicle to haul materials and equipment about.
;)
Then, as he and Carmen were building their coffee house, it occurred to them that they could name it "The Metro Cafe," after the van, which would then become a rolling ad for their business.
;)
The yellow, 1957 model had sat for decades near the Deshka Landing, where it had to be sawed away from the birch tree that had grown between the body and the rail before he could bring it here. He plans a full restoration. As for this turquoise 1939 model, he is going to cut the back of the body away and reshape it into a utility truck.
;)
Carmen and her sister, Teresa, who lives in Anchorage, but came to help out just for the grand opening. I think Teresa should stay and help out everyday, but I have no say in the matter.
I'm just happy to have a good coffee shop within an easy bike ride from my house. Some days, perhaps, I might even walk here. Perhaps I will even bring my laptop, go inside, sip, type and eat pastries.
You can do that kind of thing at the Metro Cafe.
Now I must go back into Cocoon Mode.
Reader Comments (7)
Thank you for your story. I loved it~
Bill,
You said "She [Madeline] was collecting them on behalf of a schoolmate at Sand Lake Elementary in Anchorage."
Got the contact info so we can donate?
when i was in college, my pal kiersten had a black and white metropolitan nash we called Shamoo (for the killer whale). You know how some parking lots have arms that come down to prevent you from getting in without paying? Shamoo was so narrow we could squeeze through the space between the end of the arm and the post on the other side. free parking in college! exciting stuff. later, she owned a white- and bright-pink metro nash, which her boyfriend and later husband was too embarassed to drive.
I'm with Dr. Mickey. Where do we send our donations? I'd have digging through the car for change. That little boo-boo face would have broken my heart.
Bill, It was like I was there, only without a pastery. Very fun.
Dr. Mickey and Debby: All day, I have thought, "when I get time, I will call Sand Lake Elementary in Anchorage and see if someone can give me the donation information. I never found the time.
I will yet try to do so, because I am pretty certain someone there will know,
dahli - Tell your friend to send that Nash to me. I will drive it. I want to get in free, too!
Thanks Alistar,
Thanks, cousin Larry. It was a fun post to do.
what a great story, had to be in alaska :)
love you project. wanted to share my metro cafe
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wish i could drive by there :drool