PORKY'S LIVES ON...MOSTLY
Last month, I did the story of Porky's, an iconic drive-in restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, and wrote about its unfortunate demise back in April, 2011.

The details came from a street rodder in Minnesota, and the e-mail concluded by saying, "they gathered to await the wrecking ball, and it seemed like they were all attending a funeral."

After I published the story, I received an e-mail from Chuck, who said, Demolished? "Funeral-like"? Not so fast…, and Chuck directed me to a TV news video about Porky's, and the fact that it was ultimately saved!

I should have known better! My original info came in early May, and I held it until the September newsletter. I didn't bother doing any further research, and if I had, I would have known that Porky's had indeed been saved.

It turns out that Steve Bauer, who along with his wife and three daughters, builders of Little Log House Pioneer Village, a 160-acre collection of more than 50 restored historical buildings, has added Porky's to this incredible collection...well, mostly.

According to a news report, Porky's owner would not sell Bauer Porky's famous streetside sign, because they have other plans for it. And Bauer won't get ALL of Porky's, because much of the building exceeds the size limits that are mandated to be able to transport it to the new location.

What better way to get the whole story than to contact the new owner(s), right? I did, but never heard back from them. Nor did I hear back from the local newspaper I contacted.

There's been limited news coverage of the sale. But we do know this. Bauer is restoring Porky's, and he's planning to host a major car show at his Pioneer Village. And during the show, Porky's will be operational, and open for business!

So if you find yourself in the vicinity of Hastings, Minnesota, be sure and stop by the Little Log House Pioneer Village.

And if not, you can visit Bauer's Little Log House Pioneer Village website here. It's well worth the click.