" i am from IL and just found out about this terrible fire. i have been visiting hatfield / BRF for 50+ years. when i was a kid always spent a week or two at GIL'S Resort (who remembers that?)in Hatfield. Or how about Frank and his wife who ran the A&W rootbeer stand in Hatfield? to later run a BAIT shop.
Or how about Helen and her husband who ran the corner store and supper club across from the roller-rink? i also had relatives who lived and worked in BRF, who remembers the A&P on main street, the Nelson family (A&P, Post Office & Bank). i just post this info to let people know that i really have spent a lot of time in Hatfield & BRF.
I spent many a dinner at Palms over the years. i have tried to visit hatfield every year and always have stopped in at Palms for dinner. what a loss! the question is ... is there enough support to see Palms again? if there isn't there should be. best of luck to the onwers .... would really like to see it make a come back!
one note here to the negative posts. when i completed by basic training at Fort Lewis, WA they gave a demo on how quickly an old wooden building could burn. i saw a two story barracks building completely engufled in flames in 3 minutes, burned to the ground in 7 minutes after a match was tossed into a trash can .... but it could have been anything that would have caused a fire. accidents do happen.
again, what a shame .... i really do hope to see a NEW Palms.... GREAT PLACE, GREAT FOOD, GREAT PEOPLE!!!!!!
jim "

" Hey Steve,

Did you see what "Withheld" called you? Do you want to meet him/her on the 6th it should be crowded> "

" Dear Withheld, real neat that you are going to stand behind the 1st amendment as if you are so brilliant to have posted a comment that YOU knew would get a community stirred up, congrats jackass! Best part is you are a coward, ANONYMOUS!??

On that note, this is a loss as though a funeral should be held, it truly is and that has been said numerous times in the past weeks. I've been coming to the Palm's for years and was brought there by the Staley family who has been a part of the Palm's since the Harry & Ethel days. We've got ourselves quite a Palm Family of regulars every Thurs-Sun and I mean religiously!! It is simply wonderful, "Paradise" as I've been known to refer to it. Every Wed afternoon we know that in less than 24 hours we get to be back there with all our friends, relax at the bar with Pete and watch as John peeks his head out of the kitchen to see how his customers are doing. When he seen us for the first time each evening we got a wonderful welcome smile and wave. More often that not there was no room to sit at the 20+/- seating capacity of the bar so we would make our rounds on foot visiting with all our Palm Family friends. While John & Peg served 150+ meals every night...Yeah the economy is really down let me tell ya!!! GIVE ME A BREAK...liberals!

WE LOVE YOU JOHN & PEG
See you Thursday!!! "

" The fire happened on the 9th, it was in the paper on the 10th, and you decided it was suspicious on the 10th. (You were the first to comments) When did you have time to find out if business was down due to the lake because of the dam work? You stated that It smells. What did you expect? Fires do happen by accident. Whether it be from old wiring, a hot plate left on or many other causes of fires. Your comment insinuated wrong doing by the owners or some others that wanted to see Palms destroyed. Now you have an issue with others being upset by your comments? You are truly a self serving egomaniac who likes nothing better then to stir the pot of conspiracy believers.
Be careful for what you wish for, there may be more than one person to take you up on the 6th of next month. "

" Whooaaa!! Looks like Ive stirred up a hornets nest here. Since y'all taken the liberty to assume that Ive insinuated this or that, my my my. All Ive done is read the article, made some observations concerning the time of the day, and other printed info in the article and made a comment. Ive eaten a good number of times at Palms Supper Club myself and am saddened to learn of the fire. Hatfield will always have a special place in my heart, there is no other place on the face of the earth that will be as special to me as Hatfield, Wisconson. Nevertheless, looking at the article "objectively", one can only wonder how the high gas prices, leading to higher costs of supplies, groceries, etc etc, in combination of the dam work, less tourists, etc, it has got to be a strain on any entity. All I said was something smells. Could be a rat chewing thru wires, could be a hot plate was never shut off, could be a freezer went into auto defrost mode and shorted out, could be a bad element on an appliance, the list could on and on. Fact remains to this date, "No cause for fire has been found", and one cant but wonder all the possibilities behind this. Why!!, after all these years that building has remained faithful and true and has been a successful landmark, that it should go up now?? Why now during times of the economy and higher gas prices and Im sure higher food supply costs? Why wasnt the fire noted much sooner by passerbyers on a fairly common traveled road? That place mustve really gotten going pretty good before it was noticed to have gone up completely as it did, that quickly and long. Nothing was said to implicated a person or persons was involved in it at all, but rather looking at the history, the current economy being like it is, all one can wonder is why now? I certainly would hope no one from our humble community would have any malice or tendicies to even consider doing such an act., but stranger things have been known to happen. An "objective" outlook until the cause of the fire has been determined, exhausting every possible reason, is only proper. Even the Chief Monkey outta know that much, (if in fact that was him/her that commented). But telling someone to "zip it", against rights granted by the constitutional amendments, when in fact youd think a real investigative personnel or insurance persons would welcome such dialogue? Unless of course he/she for whatever reasons has any reason they dont want people having an objective look at this? Wouldnt it be better to encourage discussions so IF in fact an idiot DID such a malicious act, that perhaps someone, somewhere might have seen or heard something and can pass that on to appropiate personnel?? Im not happy about losing a piece of our heritage myself AND IF there is no logical reason or excuse for what u say, a fire of natural origin?, that he/she is caught, irregardless of who that person might be. Could be the local priest for all I care, doesnt matter, guilty of the crime, do the time, no matter who you or they are. To the person that invited themselves to be my guide on a fishing tour, sounds good, I ll meet ya up at the island on the canal in the Black River, oh lets say, how about high noon on the 6th Tuesday of next month? "

" I keep checking the comment page to see all the happy memories posted. Please don't give "withheld" any more attention. It just seems to dwell on the sadness in peoples heart instead of all the happiness one place could and can give. I lived at Palms Supper Club until I was six. I remember watching my Dad build the fireplace that was in our living room that eventually became an eating area the Blue Room. I remember all of us dancing in the dining room to the juke box. I remember my Mom cleaning lots of shrimp and preparing the food. I have many happy memories there watching my Dad and Mom work there... not to mention all the family gatherings we had everytime we came back there to visit. Our Mom died this past December and I feel like we have lost a little more of her. Palms Supper Club has been a great loss to us and its community. My sister Pam said she feels like we should be going to a funeral. I imagine there are many people that feel the same way. Keep posting good memories and I'll keep watching. "

" Well withheld, the only thing i can see that was withheld is your brain, maybe you set the fire? hows it feel to have be accused of the some wrong doing. Bet it makes you feel good knowing that people who work hard and attempt to better themselves can be cut down by low lifes like you!! "

" Why haven't we heard more from "withheld" about
his mean spirited suggestion that "something
smells fishy" other than his persona. Perhaps he feels the palpable community outrage and has slithered back into his cowardly hole. "

" I have never met two people whom I admire more then John and Peg. These two have put their heart and sole into making the Palms a success, and in addition to that, they are just wonderful people.



To that sleazeball who calls him/herself "withheld" You are a shameless person with not one iota of decency. It makes me angry that you even breath the same air as the rest of us. "

" Dear Withheld,
I agree it smells! The burnt wood, roofing, food and other items all stink. Without knowning the facts about this fire why make the statements you have made? Many hours have been spent trying to learn how and why this fire happen.If you really know something about the fire we need to talk! If your just typing words to hurt a couple people already down then your a sorry case and just need to zip it. "

" As one of the other boggers wrote, there is always one gutless wonder like "withheld" who
will spin the negative. Easy and cowardly to cheap shot anonymously. My parents honeymooned
in Hatfield in 1942 and our family still returns annually. Our prayers and best wishes
thatthe decision is made to rebuild "

" To "Withheld", what a disgusting comment! I got my first job at Palms when Gloria and Hollis owned it, knew the wonderful people and their families of Harry and Ethel, Peg and Ted, Vicki and Phil, Terry and Laura, Peg and John, etc., not to mention all the great people I worked with. Met many sweet people who came from all over. Your lousy comment will not taint all of our cherished memories! Best of luck to Peg and John and their family. "

" It's unbelievable that someone could actually post such a comment as "withheld". This person obviously does not know John and Peg. To them, the Palm's was not just a job- it was their life! Ask any of the "regulars" who spent time there and they will tell you, The Palm's business was NOT down, even though the lake was. We have a lot of history at this place and I truly hope the community supports them if they should decide to rebuild. We love you, John and Peg!! "

" I know a family that owned it after Harry. Their son was sadden by the news as there were many memories and stories about the place where he sorted beer bottles took out garbage and watched his Mother and Grandmother ready food for the crowds of people that would come. Very sad to hear such a placed that has touched so many people is gone. "

" I admit to being old enough to have more than 55 years of time at Palms. I have lost a bit of history - from sitting on the bar while Harry fed me milk and crackers as an infant - to many, many family dinners and celebrations through the years. I hope they can rebuild and if they do, perhaps we can all spare a treasure to two to rebuild the ambience again -- should that be what they want to do! "

" A must stop on any camping trip to Lake Arbutus. We will miss a the wonderful antiques and warm surroundings the Palms always had to offer.What a loss for Hatfield, I hope they rebuild.Bob "

" All those memories. So many years. Good Luck. Hope to see a New fresh Club. Eating there then going to see that Bear that lived at the Klings. Twenty plus year resident of Komensky. It used to be fun there in Hatfield during the summer. "

" Be a real man,or fm...come forward you pathetic soul. There are many of us that would love to use u as an anchor on arbutus.
creep....

This community does support each other!!!

What a tragic loss,John and Peg have done a sensational job with Palms and continuing its LEGACY!

Palms Supper Club has touched many of us over the yrs with fond memories!

I too worked there,a few 26 yrs ago. WOW ....time flies.

God Bless You John and Peggy Hayden! You all are in our prayers and hearts!

The Legacy will always carry on!

P.S. Name with held,if you want to go fishin I know many of us will be glad to be your guide! "

" Aww..Palms. I worked there as well back in the day. It was my favorite place to dine in the BRF area. So many memories. "

" Our prayers go out to you John and Peggy. What a terrible loss.
We have had such fond memories of Palms here for over 25 yrs.
May you rebuild and have a newer version of Palms for many more memories to come. God Bless "

" To insinuate ANY wrong doing is a very SICK person. We lost a well established, excellent business in this area that was doing very well. Mr. Withheld, have you tried to get a meal there in the past two plus years? Standing room only for food and refreshments was the NORM. Our hearts go out to the owners and the staff who have worked so hard to continue Harry and Ethel Palm's legacy. "

" Jeez... Alllllway's has to be one in the crowd. "

" Note to "Withheld": The only thing that smells here is your sad little mind. Peg and John Hayden are some of the finest people in this community. They have poured their heart and soul into this restaurant. Anyone who knows them knows that they are devastated. Why don't you crawl back under your rock. "

" I was heartbroken to hear this news from my Dad and I share his sentiment which was Seems like I lost a few years of our life. Many of our cherished family memories are tied to Palms Supper Club the people we worked with who were like family, generations of patrons that I knew as I grew up living there, and of course Harry and Ethel Palm that were like grandparents to us girls. The memories will always be there for us even though the physical structure is gone Paula Wilhelm "

" I am pretty sad that it is gone. I used to work there when I was high school and have many fond memories. I also had my wedding dinner out there.
I am curious to find out what the cause was. There has been so much vandelism in Jackson County lately that I am getting really worried. This community is going down the tubes. "

" What a tragedy to our community, it was such a shock that a place where we have dinned for years is gone. Harry and Ethel Palm truly started a fine establishment, and everyone will truly miss it. I am sure there are many moments readers can think of, that took place at Palms over the years. "

" Business has been down due to the lake and damn work, tourist is down, Hmmm,, this smells.. "