When I first came back to Whitewater (I graduated from UWW in 1970), my office was at 131 W Center Street. Next to the office was the HD Cafe. It was owned by Hervey Duerst, a great Whitewater character. He knew everyone in town which was good because I was new. The cafe was like any cafe except it had a card room in the back. They would play a lot of different games but solitare was popular. Matt Schmitt and Roger "Mert" Gnatzig were regulars but there were a lot of others.

Hervey played golf well into his 80's at the Whitewater Country Club. I remember a match I had against him and because of his age he lost a lot of distance. He was not shy about doing anything to distract you during your next shot. He would talk in the middle of your backswing, ask what dump truck you got the putter from, etc. I can't remember if I won the match or not but I'll never forget Hervey. He was a great Whitewater character having lived on George Street for years.

Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Ins