The Valley Chronicle - Anchor Bar and Restaurant a port in the storm N

The rain didn’t dampen the spirits of Anchor’s regular clientele

[caption id="attachment_658" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo by Chris Smith/The Valley Chronicle
Revelers ring in the New Year with a champagne toast as the clock strikes midnight inside Hemet’s Anchor Bar & Restaurant, 2524 E. Florida Ave., Hemet.[/caption] ■ By Chris Smith / Advisory Editor Country western fans rang in the New Year at Hemet’s Anchor Bar Club Restaurant on New Year’s Eve despite a downpour that flooded streets and kept the timid at home watching TV. The Anchor, 2524 E. Florida Ave., Hemet, was a veritable port in the storm for New Year’s Eve revelers as they braved the weather to enjoy a special show and live band, appetizers, and champagne toast for customers who were willing to pay a $10 cover. Proprietors Ben and Nicole Seelhofer were kind enough to pipe the live music into the bar area so those who preferred the cozy warmth of their favorite neighborhood pub could enjoy the sounds of Hemet’s own Tommy Turner Band on the special night marking the end of 2016. Tommy and the boys kept the party going all night playing country and rock favorites until the clock struck 12:00. Then, as the wind and rain blew up a storm outside, Tommy and the band warmed the hearts of the revelers inside by filling the hall with the sounds of Auld Lang Syne. (The Scottish phrase roughly translates to “for old times’ sake.”) Meanwhile, after hugs all around, bartenders LaDonna, Michelle, Sarah, and Lane kept the champagne flowing ‘til closing. [caption id="attachment_657" align="aligncenter" width="576"] Photo by Chris Smith/The Valley Chronicle
Members of Hemet’s own country western group, the Tommy Turner Band, perform Auld Lang Syne New Year’s Eve at the Anchor Bar & Restaurant as the clock strikes midnight on the west coast.[/caption]