The response to the passing of Vic Santeramo surprised me. The early 60’s were an interesting time, I had turned 26 with the beginning of that decade and had also just returned from Yugoslavia where I had spent time with my relatives in Montenegro. I really hadn’t worked in two years. We had sold the Masionette bar at 217 North Federal in 1959 which the two Pergakis brothers along with Al Diaz and myself opened in 1956. Probably not many who still remember that bar.
It was immensely popular; we sold 3 barrels of beer a day during the week and 5 a day on weekends. The people from the Blue Ribbon brewery in Milwaukee came to visit us to see what it was we were doing.
After I returned from Europe Jim Chimbidis decided we would open a upscale lounge in the city. We called it The Red Llama.This was the first bar in all North Iowa with carpet on the floor, it had flocked wall coverings, imported brass lamps from India hanging from the walls, the artwork on the walls were by Trechnokoff, a Russian artist. No juke box, we played jazz on our own player, no beer signs inside or out. It was our opinion the city was ready for such a lounge. We were both young, I, 26 and Jim 31. Yet when it came to acquiring the five needed signatures for the beer license….only three would sign. The council approved it with only three. The two who abstained were prejudice, didn’t like foreigners even though we were both born in America. Any of you got a better reason let me hear it. The police chief told me directly that he would not sign it because Chimbidis was Greek and he wore a beard; so did Abraham Lincoln…but Lincoln wasn’t Greek.
During that time Blacks were not served in 99% of bars, fewer yet restaurants. When the doors of the Llama opened there were no restriction on who could or could not enter….and there was never trouble. Eventually we took the building immediately to the South and opened the wall, built a stage and booked entertainment out of Chicago.
Hob Mason was playing the piano for Al Diaz who ran the Driftwood Club at the Clear Lake Country Club. This was and after hours club that stayed open until 5 am…or later. Duke Eellingston’s band…as well as many others all came there after their gig at the Surf ended. They would jam with Hob then go onto to the course to hit a few golf balls even though they were really not allowed on the course….hell they couldn’t even rent a hotel room in that town, or in Mason City for that matter. When the Driftwood Club closed, Hob came to the Llama. Years later Hob was Grand Marshall of the North Iowa Band Festive. He was also the first black man to live in Clear Lake, Iowa. Everything takes time…..more often than not for no good reason.
Peter Children
29 thoughts on “Op-ed: Red Llama, Pergakis brothers, and more (by Peter Children)”
Sitting here listening to Hob’s album at work. Thanks for the memories! Would love some photos.
When did MacNider get involved with the Red Llama? (pardon if the name is misspelled)
I have the piano from the Red Llama. My dad, Don Hitzhusen bought it in the late 60’s when he found out is was for sale at the music store in Mason City. Hob always said it was his favorite and played it at our farm. I can send you a picture of it if you like.
Dad and Jack Tyler owned the Brauthouse on Main St. in Mason City during the 60’s.
Mark Alcorn
markjalcorn@gmail.com
Sort of like if you went to the Red Llama and got drunk no body thought less of you. But if you were working poor and drank at the Kozy Korner you were known as a drunk. MC double standard.
Thank you Peter. An outstanding trip down memory lane. More to come I hope.
Time changes many things…but it does not erase the past. Both Mason City and Clear Lake were rife with prejudice….it was what it was and I stood witness to the entirety of it all. If there are those who wish to paint over it with a different brush…then by all means go for it….nobody really gives a shit what you think
@Peter Children-I can personally bear witness to the prejudice in the 60’s and 50’s in Mason City.
Who said anything about being prejudice? I was pointing out the FACT that Hob was NOT the 1st black person to live in CL. You sound like the one who’s prejudice since you brought the color up in the 1st place. Nobody gives a shit what you think either. Since you’re not God.
I remember all of these clubs. Great places and not as you seem to think. Hob was a gentleman-kind and conscientious. No drug dealer. He might have smoked pot but he didn’t deal it. Why are you trying to sully his memory?
I get sick of people in MC trying to paint people with lily white paint when it’s known they weren’t. I didn’t say anything bad about his music ability or personality. Just passing on the truth. If he wasn’t a known entertainer and just a plain Joe people would look down their nose at him. But ooooo he’s famous in MC so must be ok to do drugs. I don’t actually care if he did them or not. Just shows double standard.
I have the piano from the redLlama that Hob played on. I’ll send a pic if you are interested.
Mark Alcorn
markjalcorn@gmail.com
Hob Mason was NOT the 1st black “person” in Clear Lake. Long before him there was a black daughter of slave who lived there. Hob was also a known drug dealer by the drug crowd. Good musician but other than that just another Joe blows. Really never contributed anything to the betterment of the area. Red Llama was drunks & whores. End of story. Might have looked classy but no better than the Park Inn crowd actually.
Mr. Diaz worked for my Mother, Mary Brown who owned the Red Llama Restaurant. My Mom who worked very hard in the restaurant field from the Townhouse Cafe on Federal to All-Vets Clear Lake,Trokia,and paying her dues.when Urban renewal tore down the block for Southridge Mall, Mom decided not to go to the Chart Steak house. Our whole family …my sisters and brother and I worked to help Mom.
Hob Mason and Dewey Krueger provided great music at the Lounge.
I remember all three places, the Driftwood, the Llama and the Maisonette. My dad ran two of these clubs. He would take me with him on sunday mornings to clean the Maisonette and Driftwood. I was 7 in 1959. I still have the large Planter’s peanut jar which sat on the backbar of the Maisonette.
Hob was a great artist. I have fond memories of hearing him play and I have his CD. He was an honorary pallbearer at my dads funeral. Thanks Pete for the memories of those great days.
Joe Diaz
I used to listen to Hob at the Sheriton/Hanford when Ernie Kuhn ran it. He played in the lounge and every once in awhile he would come to our table and we would buy him a drink. Did not have a lot to say.
On a related note, I met a young man at my wife’s grandmother’s birthday in Des Moines that said he was Hob’s son. This was back in the 80’s and I really don’t know if he spoke the truth or not but he was very nice. He lived above her in a apartment and came down for the birthday and even got his picture taken with the group like he was part of the family. Funny that I had forgotten that until Peter brought up Hob.
how about some addresses as I was born in the early 80s and not in M.C. so a little help would be nice please
The Red Llama was just south of First Citizen Bank downtown. I think where the Bergo’s parking lot is now.It used to be THE place to go, I’ve been told. It was before my time but I did see it torn down.Like Peter said Tom McNider ran it at the end and he was part owner of Northwestern States Portland Cement. McNider then moved his place to the Chart House on South Monroe.The Chart House is the run down building owned by Russ Hardy just North of Furniture and Mattress Outlet.
Hob Mason never forgotten. eeegh!
thanks.
More on Hob Mason. I always wondered how he ended up in Clear Lake. Do you know Peter?
Yes I know. Hob was playing a club in a a south Dakots club. There was a guy living here at the time named Stan Ford who loved the a Driftwood Club at Clear Lake. He convinced Hob to come play for Poncho Diaz who ran that club. Soon after Stan stepped off the curb in a shopping center and was struck by a car and died.
Hob went from the Driftwood to the Red Llama shortly after he arrived. Hob loved to fly kites.
Back in the 1950’s the All Vets was one of out regular stops on Saturday nights, always a fun place. One of the nights we were there, I could hear this great jazz music coming through the wall. I asked the bartender what was going on in there, and he told me to just knock on the door and they would let me in. That was the first of many times I would hear Hob Mason. What a great musician he was. He also had many other really talented people that played with him. I was also in the Llama a few times and remember what a beautiful place it was. Yes, those were the good old days.
Peter wonderful walk down memory lane, I sure do miss the Mason City of the 1960’s and 1970’s that I grew up in.
Very good history Story Peter, I wish you could do more of these that you know about in Mason City like the one you did with Vic’s.
This was before my time as far as bar drinking age but I grew up in Clear Lake. Hob Mason was a unique person but I don’t think anyone in Clear Lake thought of him or remember him as the first black person in Clear Lake. He was just a guy that rode his bycicle all day long and played piano all night, didn’t talk much, didn’t expect much.
Again, thank you for a positive story about MC histiory.Those were better times for our city.
I remember the Red Llama name, but do not rembember the place.
I love Clear Lake and spend time their resturaurants and shops, it has turned into a beautiful city. But 50 years ago that wasn’t the case. A close friend of mine, a black guy who was in my class went to the Ritz one evening for diner. They served him and his wife but the food was burned to a crisp. He left the money on the table and left..Hob was the first black to actually live there. !!!
Peter,
Not sure what you are trying to say her, I just said Hob was respected from all who actually knew him.
Clear Lake was great even 50 yrs. ago. You’re judging it on one burnt dinner?! Pathetic. lol The Surf has been there for over 50 yrs., there was Billy’s Casino, Shady Beach, the huge 4th celebration. There has never been anything to do in Mason except get drunk and screw some drunk. Still the same today. ugh.
That might have been the case, I wouldn’t know I was out before McNider put the food in. I sold my interest in that lounge long before
Cry Baby red lama was the worst of all resturants in town….Jim
Not my opinion…………. Jim is not my name.