Join me this evening in bidding adieu to Bank Street Brewhouse.

Former Bank Street Brewhouse staffers last night.

Customers and friends tonight.

I was humbled and deeply moved by the turnout Tuesday evening for a farewell to Bank Street Brewhouse organized by Chef Matt Weirich. Thanks to all in attendance for the conversation, memories and spirit. Bank Street Brewhouse was my baby, and as a business entity it was a constant struggle. I've always been a very reluctant capitalist, and BSB's unprofitability proved it.

Artistically there is no doubt BSB was a success, and this is what posterity will note. We had one hell of a five-year run for the original brewery/eatery (2009 - 2014), and there also was much positive to be said about the varied permutations that followed my departure in 2015, through Earth Friends right up to the present with Taco Steve in the kitchen.

It's abundantly clear to me that the biggest win of all at Bank Street Brewhouse was the way great people came together, both customers and staff. Everyone understands there were bad times in addition to the good, but that's how families work, acknowledging the rough patches and celebrating when it's right.   

Last week I addressed the Facebook community with the suggestion that friends and onetime Bank Street Brewhouse customers join me for a final pint this evening (Wednesday, 22 May). Consider yourself invited. I'll be there circa 6 pm - 8 pm.

Cheers, everyone!

Goodbye, farewell and amen; Lloyd, you're not forgotten and won't ever be.

Our friend Lloyd Wimp died eight years ago on November 12, 2010. Time passes much too quickly, and it's been a while since our collective hat was tipped to his memory. Consider this rectified. Speaking personally, a week doesn't go by without my smiling at the recollection of a Lloyd moment in times past.

If you knew Lloyd, you know exactly what I mean. If you didn't, trust me. He was one of the special, unforgettable fellows. He'll always be missed, and never forgotten. 

As a closing note, the portrait mentioned below adorned the Public House wall for 7 years until it was removed last summer and placed with other items for removal to my basement, as part of the buy-sell resolution of my business divorce. I can't speak for why my ex-partners no longer desired to have Lloyd around, but be assured that he's currently posted on the wall of the home library.

---

November 30, 2010

Goodbye, farewell and amen.

Last night's wake in honor of our friend Lloyd Wimp proved to be a rousing sendoff. Close to three kegs of Guinness were consumed, memories and tales and stories were shared, and there was music, food and laughter. Lloyd wanted us to have a good time and remember him, and I believe the evening did him proud.

Thanks to everyone who helped organize and pay for the evening; you know who you are. Special thanks to Martin, Jon and Leslie (Lloyd's wife, who drew the marvelous portrait above; it will hang in the barroom of the Public House).

Here are a few of the photos collected by Jon, as well as the .jpg of Lloyd's eulogy, written by Lloyd himself, and read by Martin. It's time to say goodbye, and to get back to work. To echo Jared: "Long Live The Highwayman!"

SHANE'S EXCELLENT NEW WORDS: In Cuba, ossuaries are a solution to funereal space problems.

Roll the Bones ... photo credit, Atlas Obscura.

An ossuary is a place for storing the bones of dead people.

Ossuaries — chambers for storing human bones — are commonly described as places to house skeletal remains when cemeteries were overcrowded and burial space was scarce. But to focus solely on the functional would be selling these grim houses of bones short.

Throughout ancient and medieval times and in the Catholic and Orthodox faiths, displaying and maintaining the bones of the deceased was a way to honor the dead.

I've visited ossuaries in Paris and Rome, and it's an eerie experience. It's unusual that we don't have one in New Gahania. No one would ever think to check behind the bones for campaign finance treasure troves.

It probably shouldn't come as a surprise that communism in Cuba has not been kind to funerals or final resting places. But the simple fact is that for the majority of the world's population, the grave hasn't ever been an eternal proposition.

If not uprooted to occupy a new communal home at an ossuary, one's inadequately marked bones might be bulldozed for a strip mall or washed away from the seaside by climate change.

There's nothing certain in life or death, and for that reason, we have Beer:Thirty.

Cuba’s funerals: cheap and especially uncheerful

Bidding a loved one farewell is more painful than it should be in the socialist state

 ... Demand for funereal paraphernalia is rising because of Cuba’s ageing population. Of the 24 cemeteries in Havana, all of which were nationalised in 1963, 20 have run out of space. At the Colón graveyard the mausoleums of important pre-revolutionary families near the gates give way at the periphery to unmarked stone slabs. These cover vaults containing up to 24 coffins in which the newly deceased rest for two years. After that relatives must collect the bones to make room for fresh corpses. Many deposit the remains in a nearby ossuary, which houses 80,000 skeletons ...

Visitation and funeral services for Michael Neely (1938-2016).

"Alleluia" by Randall Thompson (1899 - 1984), performed by the South Dakota State University Concert Choir at the Spring Festival of Music at the Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University. April 23rd, 2010.

Getting this one right was a high school highlight. It was better than running the offense, and a close second to getting served. Nail it, and Mr. Neely would flash a grin you'd never forget.

And I haven't forgotten.

Michael Neely (full obituary)

Nov 7, 1938 - Nov 7, 2016

Visitation will be at Floyd Central High School (enter through Door #1), 6575 Old Vincennes Road, Floyds Knobs on Sunday, November 13 from 3-8:p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Marks United Church of Christ, 222 E. Spring Street, New Albany from 12:00-2 p.m. on Monday, November 14 with the funeral to begin at 2 p.m. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Market Street Chapel of Seabrook Dieckmann & Naville.

Memorial contributions: Floyd Central High School Choral Department or University of Louisville Choral Department.

A concert and a funeral.

Like me, the musician Bob Mould was born in 1960. I have about two months of longevity on him.

Hüsker Dü, the band that made Mould famous, was formed in 1979, roughly a year after my final high school English class. My teacher (and subsequently, my friend) was Bob Youngblood, whose funeral was held this morning, less than twelve hours after we saw Mould perform at Headliners.

As noted elsewhere, the volume of Mould's show may have fractured my skull, but it was a very joyful injury. The Youngblood visitation was sad, and yet redemptive in its own way.

There was a lot of love in both those rooms.

Honestly, I can detect absolutely no connection between the two Bob's, except that I'll always remember the concert before the funeral, and chuckle. It's quite likely that back in the day, as a senior, I stumbled once and maybe twice into Mr. Youngblood's class with a hangover, ears ringing, still reeking of pot smoke, because the gang had attended a performance the night before.

No, there isn't a conclusion to this rumination.

It just is what it is, a sort of free association just like all the rest. There'll be more of both, shows and funerals. Maybe they won't always coincide, but this time, it helped.

Here is the link to Bob Youngblood's obituary as well as information about funeral arrangements.

My heart's still heavy, but we move forward.

Bob Youngblood's obituary has been published and the funeral arrangements revealed.

If anyone is interested, perhaps September 17 would be a good day to drink lunch and hoist one or two to Bob's memory. There is time for thinking about it. For now, the details.

Visitation: Saturday, Sep. 17, 2016, 10:00 AM

Memorial service: Saturday, Sep. 17, 2016, 10:30 AM

Seabrook Dieckmann & Naville
Market Street Chapel 1119 East Market Street
New Albany, IN 47150

R.I.P. Bob Youngblood, 1943 - 2016.

A classy sendoff for Greg Balmer.

The Bookseller has posted a video of the funeral procession, as viewed from a bit further up the street. It was a first-rate sendoff for former coroner Greg Balmer.

Lloyd Wimp +4: Gone, but not forgotten.

Lloyd "Highwayman" Wimp died on November 12, 2010. The Bank Street Brewhouse beer garden is named Lloyd's Landing in his honor, so if you choose to enjoy an adult beverage today, hoist it to Lloyd.

Lloyd was a doer. For those who didn't know Lloyd and would like a little insight as to why we miss him so much, click on the "Highwayman" in the right hand column of this blog. Then click on Lloyd's blog "View from the Highway" and read -- Mark Cassidy

On November 29, 2010, a wake for Lloyd was held in the Prost area of NABC's Pizzeria & Public House: "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen." Here is what I wrote about it, and some photos.

Last night's wake in honor of our friend Lloyd Wimp proved to be a rousing sendoff. Close to three kegs of Guinness were consumed, memories and tales and stories were shared, and there was music, food and laughter. Lloyd wanted us to have a good time and remember him, and I believe the evening did him proud. Thanks to everyone who helped organize and pay for the evening; you know who you are. Special thanks to Martin, Jon and Leslie (Lloyd's wife, who drew the marvelous portrait above; it will hang in the barroom of the Public House).

Here are a few of the photos collected by Jon, as well as the .jpg of Lloyd's eulogy, written by Lloyd himself, and read by Martin. It's time to say goodbye, and to get back to work.

To echo Jared: "Long Live The Highwayman!"

Visitation and funeral arrangements for Kevin Hammersmith.

Kevin Hammersmith's visitation and funeral are being handled by Seabrook Dieckmann & Naville Funeral home in New Albany (Market Street). The viewing will be from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, November 22), with the funeral on Wednesday the 23rd at 2:00 p.m. Below is a composite of information provided by the funeral home. Thanks to EP for the details.

For those who wish to send a message to the family through the funeral home, here is their address for your use, as well as the funeral home's general web-site address.

Kevin Nelson Hammersmith

(November 30, 1959 - November 19, 2011)

Kevin Nelson Hammersmith died in New Albany on Saturday at the age of 51 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born in Harrison County, Indiana and was employed by Duke Energy as a Regional Manager. He was a 1982 graduate of Purdue University. He was a member of the New Albany/Floyd County Parks Board, former President of the Harvest Homecoming, a member of One Southern Indiana, and a board member of; IUS Board of Advisors and the Carnegie Center for Art and History.

Family members include:

Mother: M. Dean Hammersmith
Sister: Tamyra Persinger (Lloyd)
Nephew: Jacob Cunningham
Nieces: Gretchen Cunningham and Jessica Persinger

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Nelson Hammersmith.

Visitation will be from 12 – 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Market Street Chapel of Seabrook, Dieckmann & Naville Funeral Homes (1119 E. Market St., New Albany, IN).

The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Market Street Chapel. Interment will be in Wolfe Cemetery, Georgetown, IN.

Expressions of Sympathy: Community Foundation of Southern Indiana/ NAFC Park Foundation Fund.

Goodbye, farewell and amen.

Last night's wake in honor of our friend Lloyd Wimp proved to be a rousing sendoff. Close to three kegs of Guinness were consumed, memories and tales and stories were shared, and there was music, food and laughter. Lloyd wanted us to have a good time and remember him, and I believe the evening did him proud. Thanks to everyone who helped organize and pay for the evening; you know who you are. Special thanks to Martin, Jon and Leslie (Lloyd's wife, who drew the marvelous portrait above; it will hang in the barroom of the Public House).

Here are a few of the photos collected by Jon, as well as the .jpg of Lloyd's eulogy, written by Lloyd himself, and read by Martin. It's time to say goodbye, and to get back to work. To echo Jared: "Long Live The Highwayman!"

Tonight is Lloyd's wake.

The wake for Lloyd Wimp will be held tonight in Prost (at the Public House) from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. There will be Guinness, photos and tall tales, and of course you're welcome to dine and drink as usual. Lloyd wanted a room filled with people having a good time. Thanks to everyone who has helped put together this celebration of our friend's life.

Calendar check: Lloyd's wake is next Monday, November 29. We still need photos.

A reminder that Lloyd Wimp's wake will be held on Monday, November 29 in Prost at the Public House (5 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

The evening seems to be coming together, but I still need for all of you who may have crossed paths with Lloyd to gather photos of him and the good times for a display.

Please send digital photo files to me at roger@newalbanian.com. These will be displayed as a slide show. We also can put traditional photographic prints on boards atop easels.

Thanks for remembering Lloyd.

Lloyd's wake will be held on Monday, November 29 in Prost at the Public House.

As most of you already know, NAC's longtime friend, blogging co-conspirator and community activist Lloyd Wimp died on Friday after a long struggle with cancer. All our thoughts continue to be with Lloyd's family.

Lloyd was very clear about his wishes, and there'll be no conventional funeral. Rather, he wanted a wake to be held at the Public House, and we’re trying as best we can to stage it the way he outlined. Lloyd was a remarkable man, and his wake should be a celebration of his life.

Following is the preliminary plan for the wake, Version 1.0, but first there's a wee bit of background.

“The Irish Wake (in Gaelic: Faire) is a traditional mourning custom practiced in Ireland. An integral part of the grieving process for family, friends, and neighbors of the deceased, Irish wakes are occasions that mix gaiety and sadness. The custom is a celebration of the life that had passed … " -- Wikipedia

Absolutely.

Lloyd’s wake will be on Monday, November 29 from 5 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., at the NABC Public House (Rich O's), in the Prost special events wing.

Prost being a family seating area, the evening is intended for all ages. There'll be draft Guinness (per Lloyd's request), soft drinks and light snacks provided. For these and minimal other fixed expenses, there’ll be a donation jar. Of course, attendees can order food and drink, "Dutch Treat." Servers will be on duty.

Leftover monies from the donation jar will be given to Lloyd’s family.

There’ll be music, too. I suppose what we need most at present is for all of you who may have crossed paths with Lloyd to gather photos for a display. Please send digital photo files to me at roger@newalbanian.com. These will be displayed as a slide show. We also can put traditional photographic prints on boards atop easels.

All this can be worked out in the coming weeks, so for now, assemble your memorabilia and let me know what you have. Graham is in constant contact with Lloyd's family, and of course we appreciate any further suggestions. Thanks.