Memories of Veishea, QT and Panchero’s

J.R. Grant

Welcome to another crazy Wednesday. It might not be that crazy for you personally, but someone out there is having a rough day and it is to these people that I say, “Relax. Everything will be all right.”

A couple of weeks ago, I registered for my last semester of college ever, and with that came a sense of loss and grievance. It does not feel like I’ve been here that long.

I began to think about all the things I’ve seen over the past years. So let’s begin with the Ohio Guy stroll down memory lane:

Memory 1: (These are in no particular order. In fact, I’m just thinking these up as I go.) One of the biggest travesties in Iowa State history — the old QT was stripped away from Welch Ave. and in its place came Kum N’ Go.

Now, what kind of name is Kum N’ Go to begin with? I won’t even go into it.

And what happened to the nice, friendly atmosphere of QT? Now we have the porn-slumming cigar-shop wanna-be Kum N’ Go folks who have taken QT’s place.

If you’re a freshman, I’m sorry you never got to have the QT experience and I know your life will never be the same.

Memory 2: Getting a minor in possession. I have figured that it is every student’s right to get at least one minor possession ticket. If nothing else, you get to see your name in paper. Of course when I got mine, as a freshman, the fine was only twenty-some dollars and it was no big deal.

Today’s MIP victims have some kind of prestige. They can say that the drink they were holding was worth whatever the ticket is now — I can’t keep up with the increases in the fine.

The best part about seeing your name in the paper is that you get to see all the other idiots that got a ticket as well. For a long time, I could look in the police blotter and say, “Hey, I know that guy. He was in in my English 105 class.” Or for you young punks, you could say, “Hey, that guy is in my English 105 class.”

Besides, it is a great way to keep in touch with old classmates because it always prints addresses.

Maybe we should come up with a greeting card we could send to our buddies when they wind up in the paper.

Something like: “Congratulations on your MIP. If your parents don’t know you drink, they will soon see. So pay your fine with good cheer and let’s go out and have a beer.”

Now Hallmark can probably be more creative, but it’s a start.

Memory 3: Panchero’s after the bar. This is where you hold some of the best conversations of the entire evening while dining over huge, delicious, fresh burritos.

Memory 4: Panchero’s any time.

Memory 5: Any time that other school from Iowa comes to play Iowa State in anything and all your friends come over to talk smack about how good the Hawkeyes are, and you just want to beat the tar out of them because they’re so arrogant.

I always say something like, “It takes a true fan to cheer for a 1-8 team you uppity jerks.” (Vary that however you want.)

Memory 6: Those great days in January when the wind chill is lower than Darren Davis’ rushing totals all season and your face is going to freeze off.

And then Jischke gets in his car and drives from the Knoll to Beardshear waving like he is in some kind of procession as we all freeze to death.

Memory 7: Every single Veishea I’ve been a part of. And it’s not because of all this drinking activity going on. It’s fun because, for one weekend, everyone is out to have fun. People are always friendly (to at least the Iowa State folks.)

And for one weekend, this campus is fun no matter where you go. That will be sorely missed as they move Taste of Veishea and implement whatever other plans they have in mind.

Memory 8: All the people I have met over the years of this column and everyone who comes to me on Wednesdays and tells me they liked it or not, and you folks who send me email. Thanks a ton. Sorry to get so freakin’ sentimental at the end.


J.R. Grant is a senior in public relations from Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.