Thank You from Connie and the Angle Inn

In 1970, Al Hursh built the iconic Angle Inn, which has been a staple in Walford and the surrounding communities ever since. A friendly down-home place where people gather to socialize, give their neighbor a helping hand, have a friendly card game over a cold beer or shoot a couple games of pool. After the building was complete, Al and many of the people who helped him were sitting around drinking (Old Style – 'cause that was the only thing on tap at the time), and the question was asked if he had a name picked out yet, and he said no. Gary Hinrichs said, well you are just an angle inn off the road out there, and Al said well, that is what we will name the bar – Angle Inn. I absolutely love that story and have told it many times.

Al's son Jim Hirsch bought the Able Inn and ran it for several years. Jerry Conaway and Peggy Gleason took over after Al, then Brian took over and changed the name to Brian's Hope. After only a few short months, Jerry and Peggy got the bar back and changed the name back to Angle Inn. Chuck and Jean Vopalka took over after that. A year later Chuck and I ran the Angle Inn for 14 years. I bought Chuck out and have ran the bar for the last 14 years myself. The Angle Inn has been my life for 28 years now.

In the beginning the Angle Inn only served frozen pizza and microwave sandwiches. Throughout the years a kitchen and back room were added. The bar was well-known for their handmade tenderloins, broasted chicken, Iowa pork chop lunch special, taco pizza, ice cold beer and good drinks.

The memories are endless. Couples have met their partners here, anniversaries, retirement parties, birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, golf outings, bus trips, celebration-of-life gatherings, and even down-on-one-knee marriage proposals. I can't thank our patrons throughout the years enough for helping make the Angle Inn a friendly "Cheers" kind of place. It is legendary to have said that you have had the privilege to "Dangle at the Angle."

The grand finale party was absolutely epic. I want to thank everyone who came and shared the memories they've had throughout the years. And I would like to apologize to those of you I did not get a chance to speak with. The flow of people did not stop all day long, some of you had not been out here for years, and then there's those of you I see all the time. There are not enough words to tell you how much love and appreciation you have made me feel, it was absolutely overwhelming. My 28 years with the Angle Inn have been very memorable and enjoyable. I loved everything about the Angle Inn, from putting out great food, bartending, great conversations over ice cold beer, the Halloween costume parties, champagne toasts at New Year's Eve parties, serving traditional Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, and the various outings. I could go on and on about all the good times over the years and about all the stories I have heard BC (before Connie).

With every ending there comes a new beginning. Now comes a new era for the legendary Angle Inn. Jeff Bulicek and Jeff Gardner are doing a fabulous job with a complete remodel. Bully's Angle Inn will have an all-new look, new food items, some of the classic menu items, daily lunch specials, and as always, great fun and new memories to be made. I am so ready to "Dangle at the Angle" with all of you on the other side of the bar, so watch for the opening of the new Bully's Angle Inn.

Thank you again for 28 years of fabulous!

Connie