I'm from west central Iowa (Guthrie Center) so am aware of Remsen's success in sports. One of those small towns with rich sports history like Lake View-Auburn... As for the taverns, you're a farming community! Where else would the farmers hang out on those rainy/dreary or hot/dusty days? Before the advent of DTN or the Weather Channel that's how people found out about the "weather" and other important issues. My folks owned a little tavern back in the days of the Iowa Liquor Store monopoly. When pops sold out he had people owe him more in bar tabs than what the thing was worth! Don't think the auditor agreed that they could be entered as accounts payable.