For the first time in 25 years, Thom Arends decided to close his “tonsorial parlor” (make that barbershop now days) during Christmas week to take a family vacation. He and his wife Sue planned to spend the holidays with extended family and friends in Sandy, Utah.
When Arends asked the members of the three families they were about to visit, all formerly from Rockford, what they wanted for Christmas they responded without a second thought, “Bring Corner Bar Hot Dogs and our hometown newspaper, The Rockford Squire!”
Before leaving town Arends laughingly told Andy Tidy, of the Corner Bar, of the unusual request. Tidy didn’t think the request so unusual at all and told Arends, “No problem!”
So when the Arends packed their car for the trip west part of their cargo was a freezer chest full of 5-dozen Corner Bar hot dogs along with the eateries chili topping and all the trimmings, earlier assembled by Tidy. Of course, they didn’t forget the Rockford Squire!
Between skiing, sledding, and holiday festivities, Thom and Sue gathered with the three families to celebrate Christmas Rockford style. Pictured at the far left is Thom and wife Sue, reading from the Rockford Squire, while the rest of the families prepare to chow down on their surprise Christmas gift, World Famous Corner Bar Hot Dogs.
Also pictured are Arends’ son Scott Hay, niece Lori (Shay) Miner & daughter Ellie, son Todd Hofert & wife Deb & daughter Madison from nearby Colorado. Also present were the Strobel family, Todd & Sheryl, and children Michael, Nichole, Ben & Matthew who just moved from Rockford to Utah one year ago.
Everybody present thought the Squire reading was better than “The Night Before Christmas” and young Matthew (9) proudly holding up the famous dog said, “One of my best Christmas gifts ever was the Corner Bar hot dogs!”
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