Stuffed at the Toga
OK, seeing you guys know everything … what’s the story behind the stuffed “animals” (ground hogs? gophers?) at the Club Saratoga. I’ve “only” lived in Duluth 25 winters and every time I’m in there (did I just out myself as a Toga regular?!) I wonder about their origin. Anyone have the knowledge?
Here’s a photo of the Club Saratoga’s rodent taxidermy:
I don’t know if there’s a story behind it beyond the owner probably thinking, “This is awesome. I will put it in my bar.” But I suppose it had to come from somewhere and we ought to find out.
Perhaps PDD should have a safety meeting at the ‘Toga tonight.
Do they have stuffed Beaver?
Sorry, it had to be asked!
Is this related to the cover of the Weekly which has two ground beavers making out under the mistletoe? Its pretty cute…, must be national gopher awareness week. A pesky gopher can knock out power to a whole city, so naturally they should be given more respect.
Something to “shoot” at.
This is one of my favorite “hidden” things in Duluth. I’m pretty sure they are all albino chipmunks. Which would mean somebody spent a lot of time hunting down albino chipmunks.
I don’t really know if there is any hidden meaning to the stunning collection of taxidermy housed at Club Saratoga, but I do know that it was once in vogue for bars in the upper Midwest to have stuff like that on display. I’ve seen similar set-ups in other bars that also follow the ‘Toga’s model of non-remodel.
Hands off my albino chipmunk
As a former employee, the story we were told was that these stuffed chipmunks were given to the previous owner (Jim) and he had them over the piano for years. As time went on, the piano and owners changed, but the chipmunks came with the bar when it was sold to the current owners. I’m not sure which has been part of the club longer, the chipmunks or Bev, the door lady?!
They look like the handywork of former newspaper gadfly Jimmy Luhm.
They are ermine, not chipmunks.
Albino Ermine is my new bands name, anyone in?
Chipmunks have been there longer. Bev’s been there less than 15 years.
I miss HotCha Hinton and Pepsi.
I’m not sure they are albino, I think they were “normal” chipmunks/ ermine and the florescent light that has been shining on them for 200 years has bleached the color out of the fur. Check the shadows, the fur is still dark.
I love to show this odd display to out of town friends when we go to the ‘Toga for “jazz.”