Gleanings From
In Christian Fellowship
By Shirley Lindahl
Edited by Jerry Rutherford
Sunday Services Broadcasted
In 1948 Kirkland had a new radio station whose call letters were KRKL and in the spring of that year it was proposed to broadcast the Sunday services on a trial basis for three months. The cost per broadcast was $23 so the "hat was passed' and collected $60 to start the fund. A collection plate was set in the church to receive donations for the broadcasts. But by the end of the year there was still a deficit so the idea was dropped.
Another program that was broadcasted that year was a great success. It was "Breakfast in Kirkland!' a take off on a popular radio program which was called "Breakfast with Tom Brenneman," which came from Los Angles. The program was sponsored by the Women's Federation and was open to all women in the community and became very popular and was always sold out. It was not unusual for the women in the kitchen to scramble an entire case of eggs for the breakfast.
Charlie Johnson played the role of Tom Brenneman one year and Stan Boreson, who still entertains in this area, made a surprise appearance at one of the breakfasts. Orchids were presented to special women and the event became a highlight of spring for the local women.
It was held at the Civic Center in downtown Kirkland. The construction of this building was begun by the WPA before World War II and was completed by the Navy who had a detachment stationed in Kirkland. Barracks and an Armory were built adjacent to the Civic Center. It was in the general area of the library and ballpark. The Civic Center had a complete mess hall and kitchen still intact when the women used it. The Navy had given it the city for recreational use. This Center was used for many events in Kirkland and was the Teen Canteen for nearly 20 years. Ben and Rhoda Barrie were hired by the Coordinating Council to be the managers. The Council was a local agency made up of representatives of the city, churches and the schools to provide recreation and welfare as a Community Chest agency.
"We saw as many as 250 teens on a typical Friday night." Rhoda stated. "The young people had to be from the Lake Washington School District and we had a lively time with them, but I always looked forward to seeing them again.
The Teen Canteen used the basement of the large building which included a room with ping-pong, pool table, a large dance floor with a juke box and a complete soda fountain with booths.
For 14 years this genial couple became Mom and Dad to hundreds of young people who dropped in on the weekend evenings. The building later was destroyed in a large fire.
It has taken many years for the community to build a new and much smaller Teen Center, but we
are certain it is enthusiastically welcomed by the young people in the area.
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