The Rural Voice, 1985-11, Page 16pfl'5 HARD -UP ROAST
LUNCHES VARIETY
PROPANE SALES
The Ryan family was faced with the difficult decision to leave the farm because of financial hardship. Today all
ten farnily members share in the new business, Ryan's Hard Up Roost, a restaurant and variety store in St.
Columhan. Seated at the far right is Marv, and standing beside her is Kathleen. In the very front are Julianne
and Bill. Behind the counter are Joe..Stephen, Paul, Margie, John, and Ronald.
counter and a tie with farm life.
Accustomed to feeding a family of
ten, Mary quickly adjusted to prepar-
ing food for the restaurant. She
serves country meals and homemade
desserts in her "expanded farm kit-
chen."
Farm hats of many colours hang on
14 THE RURAL VOICE
the wall around the eating area. Auc-
tioneers, farmers, businessmen, and
representatives of a wide range of
professions who frequent the village
restaurant have contributed hats to
the Ryans' collection.
"Our farm roots came with us,"
Mary says. When it rained for ten
days in a row recently, Ron still
wondered aloud, "What if we had
beans this year?"
If the weather is good, the Ryans
see the relieved look on their farm
customers' faces. "When the weather
is bad, you can feel the dread," Mary
says. I]