Every neighborhood had its own grocery store. In Springdale the store was a block away and Rob and I were both allowed ( at a very young age ) to go to the store and pick up an item or two. They stocked bread and staples like flour and sugar. They had very little produce some of the stores might have a butcher shop; I know the McBee Market that turned into the Johnson Market across the street from Pop and Ma on South Pine did. I can remember a number of grocery stores in Harrison; one was Thompsons on Stephenson Street; South Pine Grocery which was our Uncle Johns favorite ( he resorted to vanilla extract when he couldnt get whiskey ), Edgemons Grocery on Highway 43, and another store on Stephenson near Circle Drive. Some of these stores let you charge your groceries and then you would get a bill at the end of the month! Everyone bought white bread. Well, except for Bert Tonne, a friend of Mother and Daddys, who was way ahead of her time. She had whole wheat bread. And you knew when you visited her house she would offer you fruit (usually a banana or an orange if it was in season) or a Fig Newton! Mother and Daddy had more social activity when we were in Springdale. They belonged to the Newcomers Club and they would get together for parties or outings at Lake Atalanta in Rogers in the summertime with some of these friends. And, yes, the lake name is spelled differently than the city in Georgia. Everyone had fruits and vegetables when they were in season. Lettuce was iceberg. The only time we had other lettuce was when Uncle Ira would bring us a box of produce from his garden. Uncle Ira, the sweetest kindest man you could imagine, was married to J, Loyd Shouses sister. They lived near Hudson Grocery, just off the four lane. His wife, Lurla, was neither kind or sweet. I never saw her In a good mood. Even when they celebrated their big anniversary. We all got dressed up and went over to celebrate with family ( Irene Bacon was their daughter ). It is difficult to believe that so much of what you find in a grocery store today was not available or not produced. The trucking industry was in its infancy during the late forties and early fifties. Almost all the mothers of kids I knew did not work outside the home. There was no need for processed food. The things Mother used occasionally were Velveeta cheese, Pillsbury crescent rolls, and Betty Crocker scalloped potato mix (and that probably was new in the early sixties). There was also no need for a second car since the moms were at home. We used damask napkins for special occasions. Northern napkins for everyday use. And these napkins for a special meal ( and Mother hadnt ironed the napkins ). I cant believe they still make these!
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 15:00:27 +0000