Dear readers,
How does The Grover Museum serve 1,000 free root beer floats every year?
As economist Milton Friedman famously said, “There’s no such thing as a free root beer float.”
The Grover does it by hosting the best fundraiser ever!
This year, Shelbyville’s historic Paul Cross Gym was transformed into the 1970s. A time when disco ruled the world.
New York City had Studio 54 where Bianca Jagger created a stir by riding a white horse onto the dance floor to celebrate her 30th birthday. The usual crowd included writer Truman Capote, artist Andy Warhol and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt.
Locally, Shelbyville’s Blue River Inn took the disco scene to the “Next Level” even before it was our motto.
Mike Thomas, Connersville High School class of 1959, moved to Shelbyville and bought The Blue River Inn in 1966. It was just a small bar located on the south side of East Jackson St. next to the alley that currently runs just east of Fire Station No. 1.
Next to the Blue River Inn headed east on Jackson Street was a taxicab company, beauty shop, and Edward’s Printing.
Studio 54 opened in New York City on April 26, 1977. As quickly as modern day teenagers can accept a TikTok challenge and eat a tablespoon of cinnamon, every tavern in America became a disco.
Yes, even Willie Farkles featured disco dancing. But no Shelbyville tavern embraced the disco craze like Mike Thomas’ Blue River Inn.
While writer Truman Capote sipped cocktails at Studio 54, I witnessed the same electric aura right here, as The Blue River Inn became the premier disco in Shelby County.
The lighted dance floor, strobe lights, and ever-present disco ball created a surreal, euphoric vibe. Inspired by Jagger riding her horse into Studio 54, I thought about riding my Schwinn Stingray into The Blue River Inn. I never did. I wasn’t sure Mike would have seen the “funny” in such a stunt.
Thomas ran a tight ship. Activities he didn’t approve of could bring out the “bad boy/iron fist” version of Mike. He acted as his own bouncer and didn’t hesitate to toss out troublemakers.
Before long, the line of customers stretched around the block. Expansion happened quickly. Walls were torn down. One by one all of the businesses along West Jackson Street were absorbed into The Blue River Inn.
The place was huge and growing. In addition to the lighted dance floor, Mike had on display his first automobile. Yes, you read that right. Inside the bar was Mike’s car waxed to a brilliant finish reflecting the light from the disco ball.
In one of my columns at the time, I wrote: “At its current rate of expansion, Shelbyville’s entire downtown will be The Blue River Inn by the year 2000.”
I still stand by that mathematical calculation. But, just as quickly as we were all hypnotized by the fog machine, strobe lights, and disco ball, the fad ended.
July 12, 1979, Comiskey Park in Chicago fans blew up disco records and declared the death of disco.
Fondue Anyone?
While the crowd at the fundraiser enjoyed the lighted disco dance floor and DJ spinning dance music, I think the star at the party was fondue.
The cheese fondue fountain for dipping hors d'oeuvres and the chocolate fondue fountain for dessert dipping stole the show.
Spegal’s catered for the affair, and the entire meal was delicious, but no matter how good the entrée, for a crowd favorite, you can’t beat dipping things in chocolate.
Thanks to director of The Grover Museum, Sarah Richardt, board members, volunteers, and generous sponsors, The Grover remains free to visit. If you haven’t stopped in to see the exhibits lately, you really should.
Maybe I’ll even make you a root beer float.
See you all next week, same Schwinn time, same Schwinn channel.
