Schnock's Hall

Schnock's Hall drawing by Dave Birskovich.	Schnock’s Hall. Deep in the heart of Mckinley Heights was a business that was a major social center for generations. It was named The Lake View Tavern, but we called it Schnock’s Hall after the Pshsnychniac family that lived there and owned the business. The building still exists . It is at the corner of Carl Street and Bianco Avenue. There is a bar and dance hall on the first floor and living quarters on the second. During my parent’s generation, it was popular with the locals . Many people in the Heights were born and raised here and all seem to get along so it was like a constant reunion. My grandparents lived across the street. My Aunt Libby remembers, that as a young girl, she would sit on her porch and watch people come out onto the hall’s porch to smoke. They would often fall off of the porch, because it had no safety railing. My Aunt found this to be very amusing. The Heights can be a funny place.

During my generation, the bar business had pretty much disappeared. Only Mrs. Pshsnychniac and her daughter, Jenny, whom we called Ganka, lived there. The hall continued to remain socially important. Whenever, anyone in the neighborhood got married, they either had their reception at the hall, or, after the reception was over at the other place, they would gather at the Schnock’s. Neighbors from all around came, bringing their accordions with them. We would party and dance until sunrise. One band, made up of Danny Rohan on trumpet, Mike Psznick, a grandson, on accordion and me, Dave Birskovich, on drums, often played here. The hall is vacant now. It has new owners. Hopefully, I will meet them and we will become good friends. My drawing does not depict any wedding in particular. The cars are all Packards of course. — David Birskovich, March 2023