Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 4, 1995 TAG: 9504040101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAN CASEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Monday, Kesler's wish was fulfilled in a grand way.
The 85-year-old retired retail clothing salesman arrived in a limousine, flanked by a police escort with sirens and flashing lights.
About 100 onlookers cheered as Kesler strolled through the hotel's doors, into its lobby and registered for a room - the first guest at the new Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center.
"So far, so good," the nattily-garbed Kesler said, clutching his camera bag. "What a great pleasure it is to be back in this beautiful place."
The soft-spoken widower's fond memories of the old hotel go back years and years. He and his wife, both members of a local cotillion club, danced many a night away in its ballrooms. Kesler also was present at its closing night finale in 1989, when the landmark's future was uncertain.
"The Hotel Roanoke has a special meaning for everyone in this area. You'd always dress up when you came to the old hotel. . .You didn't feel like you were in Roanoke," he said.
Kesler sent the letter to McComas on a whim. He figured he had nothing to lose.
At the time the reservations were confirmed, he told a reporter they were for two. By the time the hotel was open, he expected to find someone to share the experience with him, he said.
Alas, that wasn't to be.
"I'm here by myself," he said.
Kesler wasn't the only one reliving memories on Monday night. Among the other guests were 84-year-old James Stover and his 76-year-old "bride," Arlene.
They were finally getting their "wedding night" in the landmark hotel - after 57 years of marriage.
Stover and Arlene were married in Danville and caught a bus to Roanoke, where they expected to check into the hotel.
Instead, his brother met them at the bus station and persuaded them to go to Stover's parents' house, where they'd planned a wedding reception.
One thing led to another, and they never made it back to the hotel, Stover said.
"We had plans one way, [my family] had plans another way, and things ended up going that way," Stover said. "We never did get on over here. We finally got here, 57 years and 3 months late."
Another couple happy to observe the hotel's opening were Roanokers John and Betty Urquhart, who checked in courtesy of their children.
Their night in the hotel was a 48th wedding anniversary gift.
The couple attended many dances and dinners at the old hotel.
"I'm glad to see it reopened," Betty said. "It seemed like something was missing when it was closed."
by CNB