8 Friday, September 27, 1968
THE UNIVERSITY TDAILY KANSAN
9
Laptad's proves success at KU
Laptad's barn solves the problem for many KU students.
Tired of picnics at Potter's and gab fests in "O" zone?
Well-known on campus, the barn averages about 50 parties a year, estimated Max Laptad, owner.
"Ten or twelve years ago we started having hayrack rides," recalled Laptad. "Then someone got the idea of having a barn party, so we've been having them now for five or six years."
Where to go
For entertainment this weekend, here what's happening on the KU scene . . .
The Experimental Theatre goes on stage at 8:20 tonight with "A Thousand Clowns."
Ragtime piano, pizza and beer at Shakev's Pizza Parlor.
At the Varsity movie theater, Walter Matthau stars in "The Secret Life of an American Wife."
While the weather is good, play a round of golf at Alamar Hills or Hillview Golf Course. For the less athletic linksman, trv Putt-Putt miniature golf.
At the Granada movie theater, "Wild in the Streets" scares adults over 30.
How about a romantic, moonlight canoe ride? Rent-a-canoe at Bellinger Electric and Marine Service.
"Once Upon a Mattress"
opens at the University Theatre at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. A matinee performance is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Take a giant slide ride for 10 cents. The slide is on Sixth Street across from the Buckaroo Steak House.
Clint Eastwood is appearing in "Hang 'Em High" at the Sunset Drive-In. Also at the Sunset is "In the Heat of the Night," voted best movie of 1967, and starring Rod Steiger.
Take your date on a bicycle built for two. Rent one at A to Z Rental.
On tap at the Red Dog Inn Friday night are the Rising Suns. Post-game party Saturday afternoon. Saturday night the Red Dog brings back the Young Raiders.
More in the mood for coffee, folk-singing, and poetry reading? Try the Fiery Furnace in the basement of the Canterbury House.
James Coburn gets into a "Dead Heat on a Merry-go-Round" at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Dyche Auditorium.
At
McConnell Lbr. We've Got:
- Lumber and Plywood cut to order
- Do-it-yourself shelving materials
- Homecoming Supplies including standard 1" poultry netting
Visit our newly opened
Concord Shop
For
- Canvas
- Stretcher Frames made to order
- Oil and Acrylic Paints
- Unusual Gift Ideas
Laptad still keeps a few milking cows which account for the barn's popular odor.
● Painting Classes
Mon. thru Thurs.—7-9 p.m.
One of the things that makes the barn so popular, said Laptad, is that "it's one of the few barns that really smells like a barn!"
We're open Mon. thru Fri.
Till 9 p.m. on Thurs.
McConnell Lumber
844 E. 13th . VI 3-3877
Laptad has lived on the farm for 56 years. He said the barn was built in 1877 on land acquired by his family from the railroad.
Damage to the barn from about 300 parties in it over the years has been slight, according to Laptad.
"We've been very fortunate that nothing serious has happened," he said.
"Although I don't chaperone the parties, I do chaperone the barn," said Laptad. He checks mainly to see that no one starts a fire.
"My wife and I aren't bothered by the parties and we've never had any real trouble," says Laptad.
"The barn is old and hay is in it, so fire is my biggest worry," he said.
"Sure the kids drink, and even though I don't approve, we've never had a problem with it," he said. "When the kids are drinking with a date, they'll take care of each other. It's the ones
WHEN DOES THE PARTY START?
During the day these two cows are the only visitors at Laptad's Barn, north of Lawrence. On weekend nights, however, the cows share the barn with KU students who rent the barn for parties. The cows Lantad said, account for the "popular odor" of the barn.
without dates who try to steal other fellas' girls that cause trouble."
With a grin Laptad recalled the time a big football player came to the door.
"My wife, who is a small woman, answered the door and there stood this big guy holding his foot. The kid had been
dancing on the wooden floors without shoes and had run a splinter in his foot," Laptad said.
"My wife sat him down and took the splinter out. It was funny to see such a big man sitting there looking just like a little kid," chuckled Laptad.
The fall is the busiest time for
barn parties, said Laptad. However, there are still quite a few parties in the winter until it gets too cold.
"Although the barn does have heat and electricity, it's pretty hard to keep a barn warm when it's 10 or 12 degrees and the wind is blowing out of the northwest," Laptad said.
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But dull?
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Southwestern Bell