The Hub is a Pub

In Paris, it's the Champs-Elysees.  In New York City, it's Times Square.  In beautiful, downtown Boring, it's the intersection of State Highway 212 and Wally Road.  In their own way, each of these locales is a focal point of activity in their respective corners of the globe.  Each is where the pulse of life beats the strongest.
               Many has been the day, in the late afternoon when the God-fearing and faint of heart dare not go to make a left-hand turn onto the highway.  It's better to wait for five minutes, work a crossword puzzle, or read an advice column, and hope to heaven that the line of traffic starts to show breathing space.   This may not be the "crossroads of America", but for those who live and work here, "Crossroads of Clackamas County" feels like almost too tight a fit.
        The vintage Cadillac, parked next the building to the left fronts the main artery through town, highway 212.  It is home to a sign company, a real estate office, an antique shop, and several apartments.  Once upon its time, the building housed the post office and the town hall.   As readers of this blog are very much aware, Boring has never reached city status.
              To the right, and across the highway is the buff-colored two-story known as McCalls General Store.  This establishment was spotlighted in a previous issue of The View.  The owner/operator, Ben, still holds forth; wishing this intrepid patron "a nice day" as he leaves, toting his one gallon jug of low-fat milk.
             And to the left, directly across from McCalls and Wally Road is the place where locals-in-the-know go to hob-knob,  quaff a stein of Boring IPA, and munch on the specialty of the house; the "Not-So-Boring" burger.

             Constructed originally in the early 1920's, the building which houses the Not-So first served a dual purpose as post and electric company offices.  It is one of the three oldest buildings in the village.
             Following those early days, the Hub of downtown saw a succession of taverns.  Some were reputable establishments, and some were not. The last of the latter appeared just before its current proprietors.  Called the "FullMoon", every intention was expressed by management to keep it a "family tavern"...one of the greatest oxymorons of all time.
            That noble effort continued until the cash drawer told the tale of
shrinking patronage.  The owner then decided to spice up the venue by appealing to the lowest common denominator of society.  A bevy of dancers was hired who, literally and figuratively, had nothing to hide.  The results were predictable.  Following a spike in business came the sparring amongst the clientele.  There is a suburban legend that the local fire department was dispatched to "the Moon", armed with fire hoses to break up brawls.  Thus far, nary a denizen disputes the legend.  In the aftermath, the owners liquor license was revoked. Ultimately, the Full Moon was eclipsed.
             Six months or so later, the Hub that is a Pub rose, like a phoenix from the ashes; under the new ownership of Mike and Vickie.  Their friendliness and goodwill have been the principle factors in the restoration of their business.  Of course, time, a fresh coat of paint, and a sign declaring, "No More Nude Dancers", have done their part to restore the trust of the local constituency.

           For a thirty-one year old, Vickie has logged a lot of miles.  Born and raised in LaGrande, Oregon, she had a promising future as a professional basketball player until she blew out a knee in her junior year, playing AAU ball.  Upon graduating from high school, she "hit the road", gaining experience on the highway of life while earning a living in  locales like Las Vegas, Alabama and Utah, before returning to Baker City in eastern Oregon.  Since the age of fourteen, she has acccumulated seventeen years of experience in the food and beverage industry.  Mightily she tried to talk her betrothed, Mike, out of ever venturing into this business.
                       However, Mike was of a different mindset.  Twenty-five years as a general contractor, specializing in window and door installation had taken a heavy physical toll on him.  He needed to find a way out of the demands of his day job.  When the opportunity to buy the Full Moon surfaced, his vote outweighed Vickie's...by just enough....despite the understanding that he had no previous experience in this line of work.
                    "Not-So's" demands do not deter Vickie in the pursuit of her own ambition.  Having already received a certificate as a certified nurses' assistant, she is now actively studying to earn a credential as a certified surgical technician.  While straddling these two entirely different worlds, she avers, "I love helping people, not serving people."  Until the days come when her hopes can be realized, she is satisfied while being the"Mom of the Bar".  When it comes to resolving disuputes which occasionally erupt, she is the terminator; reasoning rightly that guys respond more readily to a woman in authority in those situations.  Moms seemingly always have the last word.

                The co-owners agree that the most satisfying aspect of this new vocation is the support of the clientele.  Bit by bit, and little by little, the base of patronage has been restored to the point where Mike can now look longingly at a second establishment.
                 The downside, for the both of them has been the constant effort to retain good, reliable help; especially on the grill-side of the operation.  At present, they are looking for another replacement in a very transient profession.
                  Meanwhile, both remain quite optimistic about their own futures, and that of the Not-So-Boring Bar & Grill.  That's something we can all drink to.  Cheers!