The first in a series of public programs called "Blair: Reminisce!" will be held Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in the public library meeting room. The series is sponsored by the Blair Historic Properties Registry, a part of the Blair Historic Preservation Alliance.

The hour-long program will feature the IOOF building at 17th and Washington, which dates to 1892. While the second floor of the building initially served as the meeting hall for the Odd Fellows and Rebeccas, the first floor over the years has housed a variety of businesses. These include a cigar factory, a drugstore, a general store called the "Bee Hive," a Safeway store, Blair Clothing, and accounting and law firms. It has also housed two restaurants, the Colonial Corner and Young's Café.

The program of reminiscing will focus on the years the building was Young's Café, and the panelists are members of the Young family - John Young, Shirley Gutschow and present owners Teri (Young) and Scott Lashier. Jon Stewart will be the moderator.

Members of the audience will have an opportunity to reminiscence about the building during an open discussion.

Future programs in the "Blair: Reminisce!" series will continue to focus on historic structures and districts in the community.

Photo Cutline: The IOOF building (identified as the "Bee Hive") is at the far left of this photo of the north side of Washington between 17th and 16th Streets.