100 South Mill Avenue

When my mother moved to Arizona, she worked for a while as a server at a popular place called Harmon’s. Among their offerings was Colonel Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chicken. In those days, there were not free standing KFC restaurants; rather, the “Colonel” would travel the country selling his spice mixture. Those who bought it and agreed to cook the birds according to his standards could state on their menus that they offered authentic Col. Sanders Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Now, at Harmon’s they went through lots of chickens, and in the process of prepping them they chopped off lots of necks. These raw necks were offered by the bucketfull to a scrofulous mountain lion that was kept out front as an attraction. Yes–a protected species kept in degrading conditions for people to rubberneck at. How things have changed. Imagine the controversey that would arise were I to put in a little fountain at the Casa and stock it with snail darters.

In any case, at Harmon’s was also displayed a large, intricately carved wooden frame with a painting depicting an Old West scene. This piece  was executed by famed Arizona artist Dee Flagg. My dad bought the frame and painting at auction after Harmon’s closed, and today you can see it at Monti’s in our Hacienda Room.

A very interesting article  about the talented and eccentric Flagg family cropped up in the Tribune last week and you can read it here.

Flaggs’ art treasure trove on block

Herb Sendek will address the Tempe Rotary Club at 12:15 on Tuesday, March 27th.

If you would like to attend see www.temperotary.org  or call (480) 383-6564 for details