Greetings and Salutations,
Although the weather outside is gloomy and the Brewers have had some troubles, all is well in the city of Milwaukee my friends. Another Thursday is on the horizon and that can only mean one thing: Welcome to Thursdays is back! Coming at you this Thursday like a cold Hamm’s on a hot day, we are traveling to McKiernan’s Irish Pub & Grill. This place has some pretty amazing owners, Gene and Victoria McKiernan, who have quite the history, as they’ve been in the bar business since the 60s! When you enter, take a look around and quite literally see the owners’ historical bar background. They have memorabilia from such bars as Barnaby’s or The Wharf. Yes, this bar is run by a true pioneer of the business and that’s why McKiernan’s is such a perfect destination for Welcome to Thursdays. Boasting an excellent food menu with all of your favorite pub eats and a bar that will have a little of everything, we are sure to have one heck of a time this Thursday. So if you were on the fence about coming, I have basically just made up your mind, GO. If anything, just come out and watch the Brewers beat up on the Cardinals!
Although I may not know many tales of the establishment we are going to this week, I was reminded of one member of Thursdays as I sipped on a can of delicious Hamms during a brutally hot Saturday at Miller Park. This tale takes us back to where it all began, the ice rink; a younger (but over 21) Ian Ansel (WTT Member #40) was working hard to improve his crossover technique along with his cornering technique. The rink had technically closed for the night, but luckily Ian also rode the Zamboni giving him complete access after hours. Lap after lap, Ian could not find a way to speed up his time and was starting to lose hope.
As Ian entered turn number four, his skate gave way and he flew into the wall at full speed. Shaken up a little, Ian slowly sat up, looked around, and thought about stopping – all hope had been lost. Suddenly the room went dark and a single spotlight shined down on the ice. To Ian’s surprise it looked like a strangely familiar bear dressed in hockey gear.
The bear slowly skated to Ian and asked him, “What the heck you doin’ on the floor kid?” Ian, surprised that a bear was speaking to him just said: “I can’t figure anything out, I’m just not getting faster.” The bear chuckled and said, “I may not know anything about speed skating but I do know one thing that will make you go faster every time, guaranteed!” Ian jumped up from the floor and said, “What is it?!? Right now I am willing to do anything”. The bear pulled out a strange contraption and told Ian to wrap it around his waist. It appeared to be a long stick with some fishing line at the end. Confused beyond explanation, Ian put it on, then the strange bear took out a golden, illuminating, perfect can of Hamm’s and tied it to the string. He looked at Ian and asked, “would you like to have this Hamm’s?” Ian knew that beside his fiancé Melanie, beer was the closest thing to his heart. “YES, I must have the Hamms!” Ian Yelled. “When you catch that can, you can have a drink” the bear replied. “Now start skating!”
Ian started skating and with every lap, he grew faster and faster coming closer and closer to the can. At one point, Ian was so focused that he saw nothing but the can but was still taking perfect turns and cross-overs. Finally, Ian sped up and was able to grab the can. He eagerly reached for the tab to open it, but found it was open and empty the entire time! Ian yelled angrily at the top of his lungs towards the bear for tricking him. The bear looked at him and told him, “it wasn’t the can that made you go faster Ian, you see Hamm’s has always been with you, in your heart. Use this knowledge and go on and be the best damn speed skater the Midwest has ever seen.” And that is exactly what Ian plans on doing.
Get out there and Hamm it up, be the best you can be.
Cheers!
Your Co-Founder and Friend,
Jeremy Blandin
*Keeping your glass filled and spirits high one Thursday at a time, this is Welcome to Thursdays: a local social group determined to make your Thursdays more fun. Each week, The Squeaky Curd features a Milwaukee County bar that we gather at on Thursday evening. Join us Thursday, June 21, 2018 at McKiernan’s Irish Pub & Grill, 2066 S 37th St (Water Street), at 7:30pm.*