A recent article written by Dick Trail and published in the McCook Gazette has a few people in an uproar, and rightfully so.

In his discussion regarding a request to serve wine at the McCook Senior Center, Trail wrote, "Now we aren't talking the clientele of Sarge's Bar; more like the patrons of the Looking Glass or Coppermill and I love them all, especially the protesters."

Some people may not be aware of this -- many are -- but in June of last year, I made the dubious decision to take a sabbatical from the Gazette.

During my 10 month "vacation," I worked at Sarge's two to three days a week. I think I can tell Mr. Trail a thing or to about the "clientele" of Sarge's Bar.

I have no intention of mentioning names, but I will say that I have served city leaders, county officials, attorneys, engineers, prominent businessmen, upper level state employees, and college professors at Old Sarge's Bar.

I've also served the blue collar worker, the ones that go out and break their backs every day for 10-12 hours a day for little more than minimum wage. I think that's the "clientele of Sarge's Bar" that Mr. Trail must be talking about.

Fortunately, we don't live in a caste society. In our country, the blue collar worker is allowed to rub elbows with the white collars and, at times, (gasp) even befriend each other.

If I can say one thing about the owners, management and bartenders at Sarge's, it is that all customers are treated equally. As long as they respect the bar and the people in it, they are given equal respect.

Whenever I've been asked to describe Sarge's, I've always responded, "It's like McCook's 'Cheers.'"

The regulars that come to Sarge's have been going there for dozens of years. We mourn the death of our fellow barflies and there have been many. We pray for our ill friends. We celebrate the victories of life and offer solace for the defeats. And we do this all together as a sort of extended family.

Occasionally, we have our share of problems. As with every drinking establishment, fights do happen -- whether they are verbal or physical, alcohol simply brings out the worst in some people. Sometimes the fights come to the bar before the participants are even served alcohol by a Sarge's bartender. When they do, the people involved are asked to leave and for the most part, not to return.

In all I have worked at Sarge's four times during the past seven years, and not once have I seen Mr. Trail lower himself to check out our small drinking establishment, let alone try to understand the intricacies of our little social network.

Mr. Trail can consider this his invitation. If he can lower himself from the clouds for an hour or so, I would like to challenge him to stop by Old Sarge's sometime. I'd be happy to buy him the drink of his choice -- whether it's wine, whiskey, beer or just a soda -- so he can find out just what Old Sarge's is all about.