The Times Herald from Port Huron, Michigan • Page 113

SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2003 TIMES HERALD, PORT HURON, MICHIGAN 17K SMITHS CREEK: Pink Elephant bar gives place for local folks to gather and talk Continued from Pane 7K "They pass the hat in here a lot." A Closer Look Pink Elephant Bar 1 i -til 1 I 1 Where is 340 Henry Smiths Creek business went sour. When it's most neighborly: Happy hour from 4-6 p.m. What it looks like: IK I ft- smiths Creek, formed in 1861, has a small collection of dusty buildings on Henry Street for its downtown. It has two moments of fame in its history: Thomas Edison was kicked off a train there after accidentally setting the baggage car ablaze, and two robbers holding up the post office during the Great Depression died in a police shootout. The Pink's regular customers consist mostly of factory workers and farmers, Hill said.

Many of them said they've been coming in for a cold one after work for 30 to 40 years. "We have one rule in here," she said, laughing. "If you come in with a suit and tie, the tie comes off or we cut it off." Contact Deanna Weniger at (810) 326-1231 or Why residents uke rn the new names never stick. Its weathered sign out front suggests the smoky two-room establishment is nothing but a place for people to quench their thirst. But Hunter says it's become much more.

"It's a typical neighborhood meeting place," he said. "It's a place to gather, tell lies, that kind of thing. It's a community meeting hall of sorts." It's also where families gather for annual Christmas and Halloween parties, a Michigan State vs. University of Michigan party and fund-raisers for Leader Dogs for the Blind. They also have men's and women's pool leagues on the bar's two tables, and horseshoe and volleyball tournaments out back.

"We're awfully rough looking, but don't let it fool you," said Thomas Pierce of Smiths Creek. bar, tables and chairs, two pool tables, one mounted TV, one big-screen TV and a juke box. Who owns it Bill Hunter, 63. Bought it in 1980 when his excavating It's a friendly, comfortable place where everyone knows each other. How RESIDENTS describe it No-frills bar where regulars "pass the hat" a lot to help other residents.

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