BIG I PUB AND LOUNGE  ~  122 TURNER STREET  ~  FAIRBANKS, ALASKA  ~  (907) 456 - 6437

Hi,
Glad to see this web site and comment area.
I was a regular at the Big I during the pipeline days and knew people like Ham bone, Jack and of course Hap.
This year met Hap's sister through the Arctic Cam site at the News Miner, and because of that, found out I was the only one who'd taken pictures of any of Hap's stage productions; I shot Pipeline Fanny for Hap in July '78. I was shocked and proud at the same time!
Last time I saw Hap was in 2003, on a visit to Alaska to say farewell to a terminally ill friend. I always stopped in on my visits to Fairbanks to raise a glass to the old days.
I live in Eagan, Mn. now.
Hap, rest in peace.
Jon

John, glad to see you're open there amid all the construction around you. Any chance you can get a group of patrons together to wave into the live News Miner webcam? Thx

Happy Birthday Hap.
Gone but never forgotten.
Hap and Jack together forever in God's care.
God Bless you both and may you both RIP.
Loved and missed forever.
Hap's Sister, Bev

I was there 1977.I lived with my uncle Bab Bigovich. He was very good friend with both of them. I loved them as my family. I remembered that Hap tried to learn my language. They are always in my mind. God Bless you both.
Regards Melita

I was the night bartender at the Big I during most of those years. I was just a kid then as you could drink in those days at 19. Was during the middle of the pipeline so there were lots of characters in town. Used to close the bar down about 2 am. Then a bunch of the regulars would play dice (4-5-6) until the wee hours.

I remember one time at the fairgrounds, there was an ice cream parlor. Hap liked ice cream and they had some sort of bowl where you could buy something like 25 scoops of different flavors all mixed into that bowl. A couple of us got together and bought Hap a bowl, and damned if he didn't actually eat most of it.

There were a couple of rooms up above the bar. Jack used to let some of the old timer prospectors who came to town once in awhile to get supplies, stay in the rooms for free. He was a good soul.