Today on my way to the Artist Reception at Sonny’s I saw activity at Peterson’s. Doors open. Vehicles in the parking lot. Tim Peterson’s vehicle in particular. This looked promising. I stopped in. Tim was there, along with a bunch of familiar staffers, fluffing the place up for a private party on Sunday. He said yes, the restaurant is reopening, certainly by the Fourth of July weekend, and most likely before then. They’ll have service on the back deck, and a view of Torch Lake from the porch, and that Up North atmosphere everywhere. He promised to send me an email. I promised to tell you.
Back in the old days, the Palmers sent postcards–and kept pet deer.
After the Palmers came the Callendars and after them the Ricciardis. Tim lent me a stack of old photos and postcards showing the tavern as it was in the 1940s–maybe before, I’m sure someone will tell me. It was Was-Wa-Gun then–a Cottage Colony on Torch Lake.
Besides the log tavern, there were a dozen tiny cottages, a dock, a diving tower, and a fleet of canoes.
The menu was a little different, too. Wonder if I could talk Tim into a Lake Trout dinner for $1.75 for old times’ sake?
Was-Wa-Gun was a lively place. There are stories about hot music, cold beer and dancing on the tables, told by people who haven’t so much as waltzed on the floor for a long time now. Sort of an indoor Sandbar. Today it’s quieter. The logs were sided over years ago, during the Ricciardis’ time. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that big stone chimney.
I’m glad. I always liked the fireplace. I liked the pizza and the walleye and the draft beer. I liked the collection of old newspaper posters and political campaign posters and Presidential Portraits. I’m going over there as soon as Tim gets it open. I’m planning on sitting on the porch.
Torch Lake Views 
katherine
June 6, 2010
Shrimp cocktail for $.75? I’ll take 2.
Gerry
June 6, 2010
Wait, wait – no waxing nostalgic about Was-Wa-Gun? No memories of Ricc and Joe? Just 75-cent shrimp cocktail??? It does sound like a good value . . .
Kathy
June 6, 2010
I have great memories of Was-Wa-Gun from the 1970’s. We used to drive over there for dinner. For some reason I remember one special night with my parents there after I started college. Ordered a White Russian and sipped it very slowly. It always felt like a magical place from another era.
Gerry
June 6, 2010
It is like going back in time, although many things have changed. I believe I’ll ask Tracie to make me a White Russian. I’ll sip it very slowly. On the porch.
P.j. grath
June 6, 2010
I’ll go the nostalgia route, Gerry. When I saw your headline, I was already sighing in anticipation, not realizing there were old postcards in store–old postcards! one of my favorite things! On the water, too: what could be better? Sounds like Tim has a winner. Will he still be open in September when I might have a chance to get there?
Gerry
June 6, 2010
Tim will be open as long as people keep coming. I am plotting to keep ’em coming as long as the supply of weekenders holds out, as otherwise I must go clear over to Central Lake to find dinner out. We will make a plan for September, which is an excellent month for meandering around the Bay in either direction.
Anna
June 6, 2010
What an interesting and delightful place chuck full of history. And what a neat postcard, the first one with Merry Christmas and the deer! The fireplace is spectacular. I’d love to have some lake trout, sit on the porch and look out at the lake. What a name—Was-Wa-Gun!
Gerry
June 6, 2010
I expect Nora Metz or Norton Bretz or Betty Beeby or Lois Dawson will be able to tell me where the name came from. It’s no longer used, although I think Tim should consider renaming “Peterson’s US 31 North” to something like “Peterson’s Was-Wan-Again.”
Cindy Lou
June 6, 2010
I love places like this – with their long histories and relationships – it would’ve been cool to live back then and seen it in its heyday!
Gerry
June 6, 2010
Every place has a long history. Sometimes it’s hard to read. I often think I’d like to be a mouse in the corner at the Blakely house, or in a logging camp, or on a steamer cruising Torch Lake. It would be fun to watch people dancing on the tables at Was-Wa-Gun. But all times come with heartaches, and those were no exception. Someday these will be the Good Old Days.
Maryanne Jorgensen
June 6, 2010
Your Torch Lake Views are a hard habit for me to break so I had to check in and see what you are up to this day, and I’m pleased to hear Was-Wa-Gun, Riccardi’s, Peterson’s is soon open once more. We had our wedding dinner reception there 37 years ago this September 21st after wedding vows on the beach and hope it the restaurant will be open at least another 37!
Gerry
June 6, 2010
Maryanne, this begs the question, why would you ever want to break such a healthy habit? 😉
I did not know that your reception was there–what a nice memory to share! 37 years ago–must have been Riccardi’s then. I’ll have to get you to help me identify some photos.
Beth Toner
June 7, 2010
Ahh, Gerry. The hot weather finally broke here last night, and as we were driving home, the skies were bright blue, there was a cooling breeze…. and I said to the kids, “This is a Torch Lake night.” They all agreed, and we wished fervently to wave a magic wand, come around the corner and see the Lake. Alas, we were fresh out of magic wands. But this photo, with that tantalizing glimpse of the Lake, will suffice for now!
Gerry
June 7, 2010
Torch Lake is patient. It will wait for you. This summer . . . this summer . . . .
Anonymous
July 28, 2010
Thank you so much for sharing the old photos and memories, I am anxious to share with Jerry Callender.
Gerry
July 28, 2010
I hope he’ll get in touch. We love Torch Lake Memories around here.
Stephanie Leach Basar
July 29, 2010
I am printing the photos to give to Jerry this weekend. I will forward this site and links at that time. I am guessing he has photos of the INSIDE of the tavern.
PS-did not realize I posted as ‘anonymous’ previously.
Gerry
July 29, 2010
Hi, Stephanie – The commenting process is imperfect, but I pretty much figured that was you. I have a couple of photos from the inside of the tavern, too. When I was over there, Tim showed me where some of them were taken, and you can see traces of the original. It would be fun to have Jerry show us around and share his memories. Let me know if he’s interested in coming out here! If I have time later this week I’ll post some more photos somewhere–maybe in a Flickr folder–and send you a link. Jerry could probably identify some of the people.