For 35 years, the Kopper Kettle has provided customers with a family owned place to enjoy breakfast and lunch,. William Taxis Owner/Director at Tuscany Restored Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy. People are also reading "I was driving the ladder truck that day, and I jumped in the ladder truck and started out.". I-77 was still . I was living at Dexter Arms apartments, across from Hardees, several blocks away. 13,909 were here. Mixed bands of pro-papal Guelf forces of Florence and allies, Pistoia, Lucca, Siena, and Prato, all loosely commanded by the paid condottiero Amerigo di Narbona with his own professional following, met a Ghibelline force from Arezzo including the perhaps reluctant bishop, Guglielmino degli Ubertini, in . They're spirits of loved ones, Lowell Catholic boys basketball team blows out Belchertown, Toddler safe, car theft suspects apprehended, No end in sight for case involving Dracut doc charged with patient's death, MVC girls basketball: Dracut's Ashlee Talbot named Div. Downtown looked like a war zone. PhillyVoice Staff. This production is made possible with the help of the following: Recorded with Terri Stacy. Would you be interested in looking at it? Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. A short time later, I realized how cold had gotten. You could see down into the cellar. The Worcester native enjoys road trips and hiking. "The boys from Station 2 come driving up there in the truck, and they thought it was just people laying out there in the road.". I was like, That sounds delicious, she says, laughing. I had just woken up and was sitting on the couch in my apartment at Eagles' West when the whole building moved. It was owned by John Brooks, Laurel Kapalas great-uncle. The original building is no longer recognizable. Photos of smiling customers line a wall behind the DJs booth. Thanks! "Criminals like Eckler chip away at the integrity of the system, which has a ripple effect on everyone in the community. and au jus (!!). It was his (Karols) lifelong dream, Richard Kapala said. Our paper and website are always free, but if youre feeling kind, you can contribute to our journalism efforts here. Welcome! We couldnt think of a better reason to settle down. Theyre heavy-handed in the kitchen, she says, and I like that.. Thank you for reading! Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Cloudy. The event made national news. The anniversary and a sermon given shortly after the blast by the Rev. Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, pleaded guilty on. Please read the rules before posting. Cool. "My office will aggressively pursue businesspeople who operate in such an illegal manner," McSwain said. Hashbrowns pitched at me by the owner. Shortly after the explosion, chaos ensued as volunteers, police, firemen and state officials were on the scene to determine the cause of the explosion as they prepared for the worst, searching the rubble for fatalities. The event made national news. Eckler and Yost, if convicted, could face up to five years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine and full restitution to the IRS. Shes got a whole sheaf of notes in a drawer by the cash register with things her father, now 84, tells her. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. (And if youd like to help us keep the obsession with Auburn lore unhealthy and the lights on through the winter, click here.). There comes a time in every persons life when they have to grow up and settle down a bit. We serve anything from wings. I was also throwing papers for the Auburn bulletin before the explosion, and came through town I could smell the gas is really strong went home to tell my father about the gas downtown since we were running the newspaper thought something crazy was going to happen and it did.I made it downtown right after the explosion I was reaching of the window at the drugstore to call my boss to tell them I would secure the store until someone got there about that time I found myself with handcuffs against a brick wall ,thought I was trying to steal the money out of the cash register but was later released what a crazy morning. The tiger painting was done by Barbara Keel, which I still own. Today, the restaurants walls are covered with memorabilia, like caricatures of George and a former chef and waiter juggling dishes and rushing around, with captions in accented English. I was asleep in my bunk bed on the corner of East Glenn & Burton (about two blocks away?) "I went up there on the top of that on the fly section and the people had hand lines down there on the other buildings because there was about a quarter of a block that was burnt up," he said. Her father George still spends lots of time in the restaurant, chatting with customers who have been coming to the Kettle for nearly 40 years. After breakfast, our family drove as close to downtown as possible to see the damage. Thank you for signing in! Sara Morris, owner and operator of Kopper Kettle. It was a big deal. I heard that a dentist had his office on the upper floorthat they found his diploma in his mother's yard, two miles away. Its a memory Ill never forget, says Patterson. "The alarms went off in the station," McCord said. Customers range in age from 21 to 90, the Kapalas said. Built by Col. In the picture where the painting is on wall of the tiger, that was my dental office. My family was living in Willow Creek out on Highway 14. In April of that year, her father suffered his first stroke. Failure to report these wages allowed the restaurant to avoid paying FICA taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare taxes, authorities said. Karol Kapala would tell Richard that he caught the large brown fish. I remember the blast. "There was a clothing store back there, and there were these mannequins. The restaurant pays particular attention to the choice of local products, among which we find renowned specialties such as Chianina PGI beef, Cinta Senese cold cuts and fine . Its definitely like a family atmosphere down here, Saba said. I work days and he works nights, Laurel said on a recent Wednesday. FEASTERVILLE, PA One of the owners of the Kopper Kettle bar and restaurant in Feasterville has pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges. Do you have any stories from that day? You have permission to edit this article. LOWELL It may soon be last call at Cappys Copper Kettle. Another witness, a Vietnam veteran, said that it was the most devastating aftermath he had witnessed since returning from the war. Many of the businesses had not opened yet, but there were students living in apartments above those businesses. Lawrence, too, remembers details of the scene, especially the cold. Its Pronounced Jordan: Time to rebrand the Auburn-Georgia rivalry? Rubble to places? The Kapalas hosted road races to raise money for the fund. McDonald narrowly avoided getting caught up in the blast as he was behind Auburn First National (now AuburnBank) at the time, said McCord, who sprang into action with other firefighters on duty. The windowless home-turned-diner was a popular after-work destination for local farmers and factory workers who would sometimes drink and gamble into the night. The explosion, which originated in the basement of Waldrop's, also damaged numerous other buildings in downtown Auburn. I was working at the old Spur station on the corner of Gay and Glenn. "There were little fires there out in the street and all kinds of bricks and boards with nails sticking up and everything. Its not just the great food or even her Kopper Kettle family that keeps her around, however; theres also her real family to think about. Morris takes pride in the large portions. Like most children of Charlottes Greek community, she attended Greek school to learn the language and culture, and shes made trips to Greece to meet extended family. https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/pa/feasterville-trevose/1985-bridgetown-pike/pid_31709455/ https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/bucks-county-bar-and-restaurant-owners-charged-tax-offenses comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A tor29c I was in my second story apartment at the corner of Ross and Glenn (several blocks away) when this happened. Nicole DeFeudis covers early morning news and general assignment stories. It was owned by John Brooks, Laurel Kapala's great-uncle. : Combatting the Rattiest Cities, 9 Things to Do and See in Charlotte: February 2023, A Guide to Charlotte's Top Bar Food Spots: 2023. In addition, we offer catering and carry out! person will not be tolerated. We actually got there prior to fire/police. I thought a minute"Yeah?" My mom drove through the intersection 20-30 minutes prior, on her way to the Baptist Church a block away. Most days now, Morris picks him up and brings him to the restaurant, where he spends the morning talking to customers, telling stories, and eating his lunch. The restaurant's owners are facing federal tax charges after the allegedly failed to report employee wages. He hung a left on Glenn Avenue and made his way up College Street before turning down Magnolia. The large, quaint house is a veritable art museum - housing fascinating collection of art objects from many parts of the world - all tastefully displayed from beautiful antique furnishings and artifacts. 40th anniversary: Kopper Kettle explosion still reverberates today, Notice of Public Hearing - 801 Ogletree Road, Auburn Roundup: Arbor Day celebration on tap for Saturday, Auburn Public Library hosting Multilingual Story Time on Saturday, Steve Foote, Auburn's planning director, passes away, Tigers, Trojans close out series with a rare tie game, ACS Board of Education approves elementary rezoning. The room was about 20 x 10 feet. https://discord.gg/kJdJq5BRH5, Press J to jump to the feed. Stephen Eckler, 68, of Ivyland, pleaded guilty on Thursday to charges of willful failure to pay employment taxes, according to the office of U.S. Attorney William McSwain. Dick Kapala, bartender and co-owner of Cappys Copper Kettle, center, with customer and fill-in bartender George Saba of Lowell, left, and Luis Velazquez of Lowell, right. That was the concern; nobody knew where they were at.. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a112c2e80c212193dd17c68f8a42bb39" );document.getElementById("b526024170").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Kopper Kettle Owner Adapts Through Generational Changes. We use our own and third party cookies to allow us to understand how the site is used and to support our marketing campaigns. "For our federal tax system to work properly, businesses need to accurately report the wages paid to their employees," McSwain said. Found out later that day what had happened. My pals and I spent many a wee hour sobering up in that building. Not bad for a small bar, Laurel Kapala said. I think I remember asking my roomie on the top bunk: "what was that!?" Hes frequented the bar for years, and visits the Kapalas at least four or five days per week. Keep it Clean. When Penny calls during our interview to find out what time Morris will pick up her dad, the conversation is half in Greek, half in English. Then, everything changed, as a natural gas explosion rocked downtown, destroying Kopper Kettle restaurant, a dentist's office and other businesses by the northwest corner of Gay Street and Magnolia Avenue. The water, it wouldnt freeze immediately, but it was icy because of the water we were using.". Thanks for the great pics and the memories. It was an attorney's office, not a dentist. Monday will mark the event's 40th anniversary. He owned the business directly across the street from the explosion. The couple knows most customers by name, or in some cases, their drink orders. Join the conversation on our Discord! Then about five months in I was like, Theres no way I can sell it. Have a blowup of that photo hanging on my wall today. All Rights Reserved, On Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon. 800 Newtown-Richboro Road Richboro, PA ROBERT YOST OBITUARY Robert Yost, co-owner and operator of the Kopper Kettle in Feasterville, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on. It was a big deal. A Greek salad arrives on an oval plate that anyone else would consider a platter. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. They lived in Cary Woods, and the blast woke me up. I was the cleanup boy at the drugstore . To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com. I was downtown that morning delivering newspapers about 30 minutes before the explosion. When her dad, George Karnezis, had a stroke in 2014, she stepped in to run her parents restaurant, Kopper Kettle, until they were back on their feet. Kopper Kettle, Morristown: See 94 unbiased reviews of Kopper Kettle, rated 4 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #1 of 5 restaurants in Morristown. They hope to finalize the sale this year. Ells have been added, porches attached, stairways built, and patios and gardens laid out. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. !< I lived on W Magnolia at Lambda Chi house. The Rev. First the lights flickered. "I have to think it was divine intervention that nobody got hurt," said McCord. When I got back to the apartment, my roomie came out to the car and said, "Remember that noise this morning?" Now she can do both. 135 W Main St, Morristown, IN 46161 We hooked up a hose to the bed section of that ladder and we raised it up, spraying water on the fire scene there. I think he left me a $20 tip he felt so bad.. On Sunday, October 28, 2018, Terri Stacy and Mel McMahon chat with Leigh Langkable, owner of Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant in Morristown, Indiana. The Copper Kettle opened as a bar in the late 1930s. That old 68 Nova shook pretty hard! Were not going anywhere, Laurel said. Kopper Kettle Bistro Unclaimed Review Save Share 2 reviews #46 of 51 Restaurants in Beaumont 1518 Four Seasons Cir Beaumont, CA, Beaumont, CA 92223-3100 +1 951-845-3550 Website Open now : 07:00 AM - 7:00 PM See all (5) Enhance this page - Upload photos! And those were mine and my sisters dental records that got blown up. Notice the new Lincoln Continental still with dealer tag on it. They were hooking up hand lines from other sections of the town, different fireplugs.". These photos bring back so many memories! Specialties: Over 150 Years of History Full of Beautiful Antiques Serving Indiana's Best Chicken, Filet Mignon Seafood Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 8:30 Sunday - 11:30 - 6:30 Established in 1858. More than 70 businesses in the immediate vicinity were damaged . After 55 years of ownership, Richard Kapala and his wife, Laurel, are selling the building and with it, the business. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. I went and viewed the carnage that Sunday Morning. One of her main reasons for staying is the time she gets to spend with her dad. 765-763-6767. KATHLEEN PURVIS is a longtime Charlotte writer who covers Southern food and culture. We went running downtown and were just amazed at the damage at so many businesses. The Greek Salad (above) is so massive, it comes on a platter. From the shaded walkways, balconies, fountains, and sequestered nooks, the Kopper Kettle Inn has a very distinct charm. Kopper Kettle in Feasterville is up for sale, plus owners charged with tax evasion Pretty sad news. But some longtime customers arent ready to move on. An aviation management student got up in the air and relayed to several of his ROTC friends that it looked like bomb had hit. Your email address will not be published. More than 70 businesses in the immediate vicinity were damaged . It turns out running a caf filled with regulars suited her. I had slept through the explosion. We'd love to hear eyewitness In her time running the Kettle, Morris has brought it into the digital age, creating profiles on Google, Yelp, Facebook and, most recently, Instagram. Firefighters continued working on the blaze and to keep the natural gas fires under control for the rest of the day. The explosion, which originated in the basement of Waldrop's, also damaged numerous other buildings in downtown Auburn. Award-winning Alabama Living is the official statewide publication of the electric cooperatives in Alabama and the largest magazine of its type in the state, reaching some 400,000 electric cooperative consumers. Rod Sinclair was preparing for the 8:30 a.m. service when the explosion happened, knocking him to his knees. Sunday morning, I was just beginning to wake up when, >BLAMMO! I immediately fell to the ground, and when I looked up, there were huge pieces of buildings so far up in the sky, I couldnt believe it, says Patterson. We have had many discussions about that office, the explosion and the aftermath. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, The Kopper Kettle used to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Jan. 15, 1978 was a quiet Sunday in downtown Auburn. It was kind of a wild place for dinner back in the day, recalls Sara Morris, the Karnesis daughter, born just four months after the restaurant opened. "Having never been in war or anything like that, I certainly didnt know exactly how to interpret that. It was an event that I will always remember. McCord swung up Magnolia before fire chief Ellis Mitchell turned him down Burton Street. chat with Leigh Langkable, owner of Kopper Kettle Inn Restaurant in Morristown, Indiana. Click here. McCord said he later went to the top of the ladder's fly section, which was extended some 70 feet in the air, to spray water on the blaze. They are down to two prospective buyers, both of whom plan to run a bar in the space. The Kopper Kettle is the place where one can savor Hoosier fried chicken, broiled prime steaks, and delicious seafood, served by lovely girls in peasant costumes. In the years since she took over for her parents, Morris hasnt changed the menu much: biscuits and egg platters for breakfast, along with a signature dish, The Original Smash Pot, a heap of potatoes topped with cheese, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and sausage or bacon. Morris admits that, before returning to the restaurant, she got so distracted by her own job and kids that she didnt make enough time for her father. 2 Player of Year, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds. Welcome to the Bucks County, PA Subreddit! I hits close to home, huh? One elderly white couple tries to keep up as she explains the restaurants annual celebration of International Jorts Day, which the Kettle staff celebrates on May 24. Kopper Kettle is located at 1985 Bridgetown Pike. The dentist was, and still is, my dentist. Dang I dont remember it looking that devastated. One of which is about the Kopper Kettle. The couple has listed the building and business on the market, and hope to finalize a sale later this year. All rights reserved. They're still open. We have a close connection with the customers, Richard Kapala said. You can throw whatever you want in there, she tells me as I peruse the menu. Hurricane Hugo hit Charlotte hard in 1989 and did serious damage to the restaurants north-facing wall. If everyone in the world would stop and listen, she says, it would be a better place.. At breakfast, I remember my mother saying there was a really big Boom ! Its like a slice of Lowell, George Saba, a 66-year-old Cappys regular, said as he sipped coffee at the counter on a recent Wednesday morning. 82. I had to park my Patrol Unit on West Magnolia one block away from Gay Street. "It was just like, Holy moly. You look there, and theres this whole section of the block thats gone," he said. Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again. accounts, the history behind an article. Oh, and now we have video.). Copyright Indiana Owned 2023. A birds-eye-view picture of the restaurant and the land around it that was taken in 1971 hangs on the wall near the cash register today, and it shows just how isolated the Kopper Kettle was three residential trailers are all that can be seen nearby. COVID brought some changes, of course. Three sides had glass. After a couple hours in the restaurant, its clear why Morris never could bring herself to sell it. I love this place., Were sitting at a booth near the front door of the original dining room on a rainy Tuesday morning, and throughout our conversation Morris has to pause to ring up customers as they leave, chatting each one up as if theyre family. Still, she does big business on Saturday mornings, when Pineville families come in for breakfast. Holy crap---a house blew up couple streets over from us! Her second creation is for those with a sweeter tooth: French toast biscuits. Much to everyones relief, not a single person was killed that day and no life-threatening injuries were sustained. The county is named after the English county of Buckinghamshire, abbreviated. No one even thought about looting or taking something that did not belong to us.