Hartman's Dog n Suds Reunion

On Friday, July 24th past employees of Hartman's Dog N Suds drive-in came together for a first-ever employee reunion to meet again with friends who worked for past owners Max and Wanda Hartman so many years ago.  Those in attendance came to not only re-live the great memories of working at the Dog ‘N Suds in Rockville…but also to thank Max and Wanda for being such a positive influence upon the lives of approximately 250 young Parke County teenagers that were employed there from 1960 through 1978.  Event organizer Phil Garrigus (Rox ’68) stated that “the Hartman’s gave us our first real jobs back then as teenagers.  Max and Wanda are so much a part of our lives that we are honored to have this opportunity to show them just what they have meant to us, then…and now.  At last count, staff members now have scattered to at least 16 states all over the country since their employment at the “Dog”, and tonight 70 of them have come back from all over Indiana….as well as Iowa, Ohio, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, and Mississippi just to pay thanks to Max and Wanda…..Yes, just to show them we still love ‘em!”   

Hartman’s Dog ‘N Suds opened on (of all days) April Fool’s Day of April 1960; a day on which everyone was there and ready to open at 5p.m.   While waiting for the last load of white rock to be dumped and spread around the lot, a gravel truck caught and tore down their electrical line.  They had freezers full of frozen food and feared this might be a very bad omen! Fortunately, the electrical line was temporarily fixed and they were able to open around 7 p.m.  They maintained this schedule 7 days a week from April to November for the next 18 years.  At the time they opened, the Hartman’s were the youngest operators in the system for several years, maintaining a Rockville icon best known for its great food and drive-in atmosphere.    

During the evening, personal memories were shared by Marv Phillips (Rox ’72), Duncan Snowden (Rox’66) and Phil Garrigus (Rox ’68); all of whom had those in attendance laughing with their recollections of the great times that were experienced at “The Dog”.  The evening was capped off with a presentation and announcement that the Hartmans had been named “Distinguished Hoosiers” by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels in recognition of the positive influence they had on so many young Parke County workers entering the work force during the years they owned the Dog ‘N Suds.  It was a fitting climax to a great evening in tribute to one of Rockville’s great families.  Max wishes to perhaps try another reunion in a few years, so the next one could even be more enjoyable!