Is Your Ray's Place Story Funny, Weird, Sentimental?

It's a safe bet to say there are people all over the world who have a story involving . After all, the iconic pub has served 75 years worth of students and generations of townies.

Patrick O'Connor wants to hear all of those tales – and he believes plenty of other people would like a glimpse at them, too.

O’Connor, an associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies at Kent State, is seeking story contributions for a book celebrating the tavern as it marks its 75th anniversary.

Thanks to the participation of Ray's Place owner Charlie Thomas, submitting a story is as simple as visiting the Ray's Place website and clicking on the box explaining the "Memories of Ray's Place Project." Contact information is preferred, but there is also an option to submit memories anonymously.

“A lot of changes have taken place in downtown Kent, but here is one restaurant that has been here a long time and has been a magnet for Kent State alumni, staff and students,” O’Connor said of the locally owned Franklin Avenue tavern.

“I marvel at how popular Ray’s Place is, especially during Homecoming, and the tremendous loyalty of its customers. Sharing the stories of the restaurant’s employees and customers for the past 75 years is something unique and worth celebrating,” he added.

The bulk of the book will feature fond, funny, sentimental or weird memories of Ray’s Place shared by employees and customers.

“Whether you remember going into Ray’s, but never remembered coming out, as one anonymous contributor stated, your story could help build this memory book that transcends generations,” O’Connor said.

Contributors also have the opportunity to suggest a title for the book, which will be published in spring 2013 by Black Squirrel Books, an imprint of Kent State University Press.

Proceeds from the book will support the Ray’s Place Entrepreneurship Scholarship program for students in the College of Business at Kent State.

Thomas, a Kent State College of Business alumnus, gave the book his blessing. Thomas said celebrating a 75-year milestone shows the business has stood the test of time.

“For many years, Ray’s Place has provided Kent State students, faculty and staff, and the Kent community a place they can go to for great food, drink and fun,” Thomas said. “It has also been a place where they can come back to after graduation."

"Kent State and Ray’s Place complement each other ... we both run a fine institution," he said. "Whenever Kent State officials travel around the country to meet alumni, oftentimes one of the first questions they get is, ‘How is Ray’s Place?’”

O’Connor’s son, Patrick O’Connor, is also involved in producing the book. The younger O'Connor, a Kent State alumnus and former political cartoonist for the Daily Kent Stater, Kent State’s student newspaper, will provide illustrations for the book.

For more information, email O’Connor at poconnor@kent.edu.

Do you have a Ray's Place story to share? Tell us about it in the comments.