Another e-mail from Bart Lombard
'Mark Hultmark was the DJ at Ozone and then for a time at Christopher Street I believe, or the bar incarnation after C-Street. All I can say about Mark, or Turtle, as his friends called him, was when he was on, he was the best disc jockey of that time. He could make a room full of leather-clad men, more suited for a night of intimate cruising, throw off their chaps and dance like contestants-in-waiting for Dance Fever. He was the only disc jockey I knew that had that type of musical magic over the 200 leathermen jammed on the Ozone dance floor dancing in unison like animals, instead of just wearing them.
'As for Thomas, Tommie (Rogers) ... he was a young, tall kid I hired at the Men's Room, I think from Kansas (no Dorothy puns here) or Nebraska. I believe he had once studied in Jesuit college or seminary and his coming out was quite an event on top on his moving to Chicago and then working in a busy Chicago gay bar. He found a partner shortly after starting his stint behind the bar, and was still working for Dr. Steve (Rempas) after I left in 1988. I believe he also filled in for us at the Loading Dock, on weekends. He was a founding member of the Loading Dock softball team, loved all sports, especially college basketball, and became one of the customers' more popular bartenders. A very sweet boy that grew up very quickly and sadly passed away so very young.
'Tommy Parks never actually DJ'd for Dr. Steve, I don't believe. I think he worked with the Chuck Renslow/Rodocker group, or Eddie Dugan, but somehow, I'm remembering Renslow because he and Gary Chichester, 'Gretta', were roommates and Gary worked for Renslow. ... The gang was either at Rod's in Madison or Douglas Dunes. Groups of friends, Gretta, Vern Mershon, Steve Allman, Jamie Kohn, myself, RJ, and others would go every summer up to Douglas Dunes in Saugatuck for a mini retreat and a week of putt-putt golf, firework displays and other non-city activities.
'There are many faces that made my life in Chicago such a wonderful and full experience. I know I'm going to start this list and forget some, but of the ones that were close personal friends, and/or worked for me at a Dr. Steve locale and are passed: Michael B., (DJ, Loading Dock), Michael K (bartender at every Chicago bar, including the Men's Room), Larry 'Chicago Molly' Berlandi (Bartender at Halsted's among his many stints), Terry (assistant manager at Loading Dock), Skip (assistant manager at Loading Dock), Jeff (bartender at Loading Dock), Tommie R. (bartender at Men's Room), Kenny W. (bartender at Loading Dock), Brant Larson (friend and bartender at Ozone), Chris 'Passionalla' Timmons (friend, roommate and VJ Sidetrack), Vern Mershon (friend, roommate and longtime Touche bartender), Rodney Scheel (friend, owner of Hotel Washington, Rods in Madison, Wisc.)
'... and a number of bartenders and music /video jocks whose faces are embedded in my memory, but my age has taken its toll on their names. And I'm sure there are many other former employees that have passed ... .
'But to close on a happier note, I am happy to see the news of former Loading Dock bar wench, Michelle Fire, who went on to fame and fortune with Big Chicks and now a new eatery venture. She was a very popular and hardworking bartender for the back-room boys of the Loading Dock and has earned all the success she enjoys today.'
Halsted's …
'Halsted's was opened after the success of the Loading Dock (Dick Dock) in the space of the now Kit Kat Club. It was an alternative to the Loading Dock, more cocktail club atmosphere, neighborhood-style bar that featured a small restaurant in the back portion of the bar. The then famous Ceasar was my asssistant manager there. However ... the bar never really caught on and was sold to Norm, from the then-famous Saugatuck Lodge, and he opened it as basically a North Side 'New Flight' bar. (hustler oriented).'
(The hustler bar he refers to was LA Connection, owned by Norm Hilton).
If you have memories to share, contact Sukie at Windy City Times, voicemail at (773) 871-7610. He collects memories and interviews over the phone, in person, or via e-mail sukie@windycitymediagroup.com