Cast of Characters, Chapter Seven: In Four Parts

Part One:

The Pine Tree Tavern

     In the Village, on the south side of Pine Valley Lane, is the commercial building now occupied by thr Pine Mountain Pizza Company. That space has always been a restaurant/bar since it was built in the late ‘70’s, but it was not conceived as a Pizza parlor, and it was considerably smaller when it first opened for business.

     Joe and Marsha Sparks, newly retired from the LA area, moved to PMC and decided buy a lot and build a tavern-style restaurant on the street behind the only other restaurant in Pine Mountain Club: The Apache Saddle. Whereas the Saddle was a Bar/restaurant, was open late most nights, and could get rowdy sometimes, especially on weekends, the Tavern was laid back, served just beer and wine, and Marsha made great, un-fancy food. AND, she didn’t put up with any foolishness, either. Bad language would get you a swift invitation to leave the premises!😁

 

          It was a mellow place: family-friendly and unpretentious. Joe loved to talk, and we had many great conversations, only often interrupted by Marsha from the kitchen: “Pick up, Joe!!” Loved that place! 

Part Two:
Dago's Dugout 

          After a few years of long hours, and few (if any) day's off, Marsh and Joe were persuaded by John Fallavollita to sell the business to him. John had a successful cabinet business that he ran with his son, Johnny. John thought the restaurant would be a great fit for his wife, Rachel, to run. The Tavern same came down, to be replaced with "Dago's Dugout." Now, if you're Italian, the word "Dago" may or may not be offensive to you, but, again if you're Italian, the word should not be used by someone who is not of Italian heritage without offense being taken. But, also, different times then.

     Anyway, Rachel's Italian dishes were delicious, and it seemed like most everyone put on a few pounds eating pasta. The same beer/wine format continued. Within a short time, however, controversy began to brew. Roland (Rollie) Furlano, who spent weekends in PMC and had a home there, didn't like the restaurant name one bit, and told John Fallavollita just that. After a time, Rollie came up with a solution: He would buy the restaurant, and he and his new wife Louanne would run it -- after they changed the name to "Furlano's". Done!

John Fallavollita, Jr. (Johnny) 1961-2021

          Johnny left his Dad's business, got married, and had a bunch of kids. He went to work for the Dept. of Corrections in Calipatria, California. We saw him almost every year, when he would come to Kern County with a son or two, to go fishing. He succumbed to ALS in 2021.

Part Three:

Furlano's

        Rollie and Louanne owned their eponymous restaurant for a long time (at least in restaurant years). Rollie enlarged the kitchen, and bought a pizza oven. The food was excellent. He added a large deck to the front of the building that took advantage of the views, that also had a side stairs that weren't as imposing as the many steep stairs to the front door! (Secret: most of us who knew used the back door, off the alley! -- no steps!) Louanne was sweet and soft-spoken, while Rollie had a temper - but, hey! whattaya gonna do! Great garlic pizza and antipasto salad! Miss it!

     Later, the Furlanos turned over the operation of the restaurant to Lana Ramsey and Vicki Weaver, who both were employees, and with backing from Lana's Mom and Dad, Dan and Millie Dutra, bought the business, while retaining the Fulano's name. About this time, the building was enlarged to add a bar area next to the dining room, and the liquor license modified to include hard liquor. Party time!

      Around this time, the Apache Saddle had made its progression through several reincarnations: Iribarren’s, Whisper’s Lounge, The Chalet, and now Madd Bailey’s. Thus was born the PMC equivalent of the Bermuda Triangle. On weekends (sometimes, long weekends): Start at the Clubhouse Lounge, after golf, or whatever, then on to Furlano’s Bar, maybe a pizza or something, and since Furlano’s kept restaurant hours, not bar hours, finish up ‘til close at Madd Bailey’s at 2 AM. It could be exhausting!

                                                            Rollie and Louanne Furlano

 Vicki Weaver (never liked her picture taken!

Kris and Lana (Dutra, Ramsey) Staidle

Part Four:

The Pine Mountain Pizza Company 

     Vicki Weaver ran Furlano’s for several years, until Bob and Suzy Hopp bought the business and the building. The name was changed to Pine Mountain Pizza Company, and the bar room turned into a gift shop, and the room above became a flower shop. The Pine Mountain Pizza Company remains in the family, and has returned to its roots as a family restaurant.