Not being raised in Birmingham, I knew nothing about The Club, until recently when Peter and I were treated to a nice lunch out at this swanky place. Situated high up on Red Mountain overlooking downtown, The Club is a paragon of prestige and old-Southern traditions. The sort of place I didn’t grow up going to. So how did we end up at this place? Well, that’s a whole ‘nuther story all its own.
Meet Mr. Jack. One of my readers (and now friends) Kaye from KK’s Creations (who also did the giveaway with me at Engraved Euniques), lives in TX and she had told me that her father-in-law, Jack, lives here in Birmingham and has for many, many years. Since 1935 we found out. That’s certainly a long time. Kaye mentioned that she would love for me to meet Mr. Jack and that since he and his wife were moving to a new garden home, could perhaps use my decorating help. So, I called up Mr. Jack and we talked on the phone. He invited Peter and I to lunch and this is where he took us. Mr. Jack is 99 years old, which is remarkable in itself. He’s so spry, witty, and personable and we had a delightful time having lunch with him and listening to his very interesting life story. He still drives, but Peter and I drove to The Club.
Oh, and the best part is, when I first talked to Mr. Jack on the phone, I asked him if he knew Peter’s grandfather, also named Pete. He did, they were friends for many years, in Kiawanis together and had a lot of friends in common, which was really cool. They were very close to the same age. Peter’s Pappy passed away a little over a year ago at the age of 97.
Now, apparently the club was built in the 1950’s. Can you tell that from this sign. 🙂 You can imagine just from the shape of the building what it looks like inside. This place would be a great movie set. A throw-back to simpler days, a dinner club, a place to play cards, a place to dine and dance. Like stepping back in time to the 1960’s. Apparently Peter’s other grandfather, known affectionately as Big Daddy (Grandma Eleanor’s husband), used to take him to The Club when he was about 8 years old. Peter grew up in Mountain Brook from the ages of 2-9 and then moved away from Birmingham after that. And now we are back.
So there you have The Club. Oh, and they pronounce it THE Club, like V Club, that’s how it sounds when you hear it. I had to laugh at that. I was calling it Tha Club, but apparently that is not the way to say it. A couple of my friends who had been there before also told me that and I noticed that’s the way Mr. Jack said it. And another thing, you have to wear a coat and tie for lunch to sit in the special section. Needless to say, Peter wasn’t wearing a jacket, so we were escorted to a nice section, just not the best for the viewing. But, that was OK, it was great anyway. There was a ladies fashion show going on when we arrived and I didn’t take any pics of that or the inside. They might not have wanted their picture on my blog. So, we had a terrific lunch, with the best orange rolls I’ve ever tasted in my life. I had 2 of them and was raving over how good they were and Mr. Jack had the waiter bring me a whole pile of them in a to-go box before we left. Oh yeah!
We ate on them for about 3 days. They were great with my morning coffee. Just got a link for the recipe for these fabulous rolls, if you’d like to try them at home. I think I might have to break down and actually cook something with yeast now. I usually avoid cooking anything with yeast at home, just cause I have never done it.
After lunch we walked out to the large patio and took in the enormous view of the city from this prime location.
Birmingham has a beautiful downtown.
And there’s a great angle of Vulcan (hello heiny!), our tribute to the steel industry high atop Red Mountain. There are many radio and TV towers up here too since this is such a high altitude.
We heard they have done extensive remodeling in recent years to bring it up to date. I didn’t take pics inside, but it’s very nice. Ladies were sitting around tables playing bridge that afternoon.
I really enjoyed seeing it. Hopefully, we’ll go back to THE Club another time.
Kaye shared this pic on her blog of Mr. Jack and offspring. She calls this pic the 4 Jacks. All 4 named Jack, 4 generations. I think this is the sweetest pic. They all look alike!
Mr. Jack still works and has multiple engineering degrees. Graduated from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and still draws and works with his son in town. Now, that is remarkable! We all could only hope to still be as active as he is at that age.
So, if you get a chance to have lunch with a 99 year old, do it. These wise old souls are a wealth of knowledge and history and we’d all be smart to listen to them. Kaye said she will invite us to Mr. Jack’s 100th birthday party and I’m looking forward to that next January.
Oh my goodness Rhoda how awesome! Man how I would LOVE to do something like that. My Aunt Bessie lived to be almost 101 and I dearly LOVED being around her listening to her. I think this is the coolest thing! The Club looks like a really neat place to hang out. I really really enjoyed this post!!!! What a man Mr. Jack is! Yessss just hope we’re blessed to be this active at his age! What a man!!!
And those rolls look like they’re to die for! lol
Already fixing to print out the recipe!!!
Great post about THE Club and Birmingham. I bet Mr. Jack was a fun person to have dinner with!
I just wanted to thank you so much for leaving me one of my very first comments on my blog earlier today. I know you probably didn’t even realize it but it was a great surprise for me tonight. And it was such a bonus that it was actually from you! I love reading your blog. Thanks so much!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful day! I can see that you had a great time! Glad you were able to capture the fun with your photos too!
Rhoda,
What an awesome post and what an amazing gentleman you have become friends with! I just love to meet and talk to those ‘old souls’, as you describe them. They DO hold a wealth of knowledge and have such great stories to tell. My dear sweet grandmother will be 96 years old next January. Until last year, she was so active, just as you described Mr. Jack. However, she fell and fractured her pelvis and has had a very hard time recovering from that. I doubt she ever will. However, she is still so great to talk to even though she has a hard time remembering things like she used to. I would encourage everyone who has elderly loved ones to talk to them as much as they can, while they still can. They are such a joy and a blessing from God.
Rhoda, thanks for sharing this with us. May God shine His Love on you as you continue to bring us these inspiring stories and wonderful information through your blog!
Faithfully serving Him,
Teresa
It sounds like you had a fantastic time at “The Club”. I am very blessed to still have my great grandparents living, almost 90 now, and get to spend time with them fairly frequently. Their stories and wisdom amaze me. Mr. Jack sounds exceptional, and so did those rolls! Thanks for sharing.
What an inspiration! I love hearing stories about people who live longer than the average Joe and are still active in mind and body. I hope to be the same way one day.
The picture of the four Jacks is awesome. It’s amazing how much they all resemble one another.
Thanks for sharing your trip to THE Club.
That is so neat. Conversations with older folks are great. And, the pics of B’ham were great!
Just curious Rhoda…what is the population of Birmingham? Looks like a pretty place! Jack sounds like a remarkable man!
It looks like it was a real honor to meet Mr. Jack. How fun to step back in time in such a place. Glad you got to go!
Rhoda, I enjoyed this post so much, it encouraging to hear about Mr. Jack, 99 and active as ever.(I’m happy for you that you had the opportunity to meet and share lunch with him.)
I love the picture of the 4 generations and I copied the recipe. Don’t be afraid of yeast!
Rhoda!
Wow…what a fantastic story of an adorable Gent. How fun for you and your hubby to meet such an interesting man, I feel certain you have a new friend!
Blessings….
(thanks too for your comment over at the Katillac Shack!)
That is so awesome. I remember having to dress up to go places. Stores being closed on Sundays. Now you can go in jeans to just about anywhere. I just love old men dressing up and especially wearing hats.
Enjoyed your post very much.
Awwh, Rhoda- I wish you would warn me before posting something like this! I lived in Bham for 8 years and I miss it! sniff sniff! And yes, the orange rolls at *THE* Club are to DIE FOR!
sigh…oh well…thanks for the walk down memory lane. And Mr. Jack is precious! (but I *do* have to say War Eagle! I’m so sorry- it’s a sickness! If you were raised in alabama, you would understand!)
How fun was Jack! My great grandmother lived to be 102 before she passed, and had lived in her own home! The neighbors said she was on a latter cleaning the windows at 99!
Cathleen 🙂
Rhoda, it sounds like you had a delightful afternoon!! What a special time!
What a fantastic story and what a fantastic time it seems that you all had, Rhoda! I love 50s architecture and just about everything about that period. There was a lot more class and politeness about that period; I feel there’s more coarseness today (just watch a reality show). I’ve always loved having older people in my life, too. Mr. Jack is a treasure!
Wonderful place and what a fabulous story about Mr Jack!
You have a fabulous blog! Love all the decorating pics, recipes and such. I think your blog will quickly become like “The Pioneer Woman” She has a huge following.
Rhoda~
What fun the thrifty party was! looking forward to more fun linky dyas. hmmm I may just have to buy some burlap to join in later this month!
Just wanted to thank you for stopping by “too Blessed to Stress” and commenting last Monday. I appreciate the encouragement and sweet words.
Stop by any time! I look forward to seeing you at “too Blessed to Stress”
Blessings, Emily