Fort Hays State University - Reveille Yearbook (Hays, KS)

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An organized kitchen is essential lor quick service by both the counter-waitress and the cook The wide variety of entrees keeps Teresa Lieiker from cooking the same thing over and over. Students and faculty alike visit the Red Coat to relax and talk or to study. Amid tables of students, Don Price, assistant professor of business ad- ministration, seeks solitude to prepare for his next class. the red coa;

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Unlike most fast food restaurants the “traditional gathering place” does not try to serve you and Push you out the door 20h e red coat fessor of business administration, said. Price, who conducts independent study classes at the Red Coat, said the regular classrooms provide too sterile an atmosphere for senior and graduate level students to discuss material effectively. Although the Red Coat does not include Kistwiches on its menu, its hamburgers — ' fixed any way you like — are the usual fare of customers. The menu also includes chef salads, soups, bierocks, other hot sandwiches and popcorn. In addition to the regular menu, specials are offered daily, including the restaurant ' s latest novelty — Pit- cher and Platter, The $4,89 special, which includes a pitcher of beer and a large plate of mountain oysters, has caught the fancy of several customers. I like the idea because it is innovative — it ' s unique ' Huff said. — Debbie Sehrum Hamburgers — fixed any way you like — are the specialty of the Red Coat. Bryon Can- non, Hutchinson sophomore, grabs a quick lunch before returning to campus for class. Although the decor lacked any memorable quality, the atmosphere was the factor that led students and university personnel to gather at Mack ' s, just across from campus, in the 1930s. It was the place everybody went to hang out ' Katherine Rogers, class of ' 33, said. They would eat or play cards there, Rogers said. We didn ' t drink beer like they do today, Kansas was dry then. One of the most popular items on the menu, Rogers said, was a Kistwich — a toasted Hershey bar sandwich, made similar to a grilled cheese, and served with pickles for just 15 cents. They really were good, Rogers said. And you didn ' t need potato chips to go with them — you got all the grease you wanted. The decor and menu have changed a bit since then, but the Red Coat, as it is known today, is still a traditional gathering place for students and faculty. Amid the deep red interior, accented with English coats of arms and hunting scenes, customers find a place to eat, converse or even study. Gary Gabel, Red Coat manager, credits the Red Coat ' s popularity to the restaurant ' s atmosphere and its tradition as a hangout for university-related people. It ' s just always been the place to come for some people. People even come back, after they graduate, for Homecoming and stop in after the game, Gabel explained. Indeed, students do frequent the establishment because of its at- mosphere. First and foremost, I go there because of the atmosphere, Luci Huff, Norton sophomore, said, It ' s not as stuffy as a restaurant, yet it ' s more personal than the Union, Craig Chizek, It ' s not as stuffy as a restaurant , yet it ' s more per- sonal than the Union.” — Luci Huff Belleville junior, agrees that the at- mosphere is im- portant, I like the atmosphere because it (the Red Coat) isn ' t trying to serve you and then push you out the door like most fast food restaurants ' Students are not the Red Coat ' s on- ly customers, though. Faculty and administrative members also visit the restaurant for lunch or even to conduct classes. I am a firm believer that learning comes outside the classroom, Don Price, assistant pro-

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Transforming a child into a down, Paul Gregg, Hays fr., adds the finishing touches to this young Oktoberfest partici- pant ' s make-up. Many of the festival ' s booths provided more than the tradi- tional German food and beer. As 11:00 a.m. rolls around, Mayor Dan Rupp draws the first beer to start the Oktoberfest celebration. Tapping of the kegs was delayed for two hours in order to put less emphasis on the alcohol consumption. ountdown to eleve BEER CONSUMPTION AT OKTOBERFEST DELAYED When walking over the hill into Sims Park, many new participants of the Oktoberfest celebration did not see what they expected. There were people everywhere. It wasn ' t what I ex- pected ' Beth Swick, Newton freshman, said. Cars were parked in every available space on side streets sur- rounding the park, as approx- imately 28,000 people experienced the Volga-German festivities. The Oktoberfest experience in- cluded many types of German food, such as bierocks and brat- wurst, authentic Volga-German music, a medicine show and booths which sold everything from t-shirts and mugs to hand- made arts and crafts. Over the years, Oktoberfest has fought an image problem of being nothing but a beer bash. I heard Oktoberfest was just a big party ' Darlene Brokaw, Ken- sington freshman, said. But, I didn ' t think there were very many drunks ' Some newcomers were unsure of the exact purpose of Oktoberfest. I knew that it had something to do with the German heritage, Swick said, but I thought there would only be college students there ' Oktoberfest is an annual among and the surrounding communities to celebrate the strong Volga- German background in the area. Traditionally, the Oktoberfest celebration is to commemorate the harvest season. Francis Shippers, Oktoberfest chairman, explained that beer consumption is an essential part of the celebration but it is not the sole activity. To play down Oktoberfest ' s drunken image, organizers restricted beer retailers from sell- ing beer before II a.m. In the past, kegs were tapped during the opening ceremonies which began at 9 a.m. Classes were cancelled the day of Oktoberfest to give students a chance to go to the celebration and begin the Homecoming weekend. It was great to get out of class. The food was really good and I liked talking to all the people ' Brokaw said. It was fun ' I think that it is really neat that the community has this type of celebration, Swick said. There were people of every age. I had a really great time. — Stasia Keyes Oktoberfest