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Faye Graves
Faye Graves, a native Wichitan, attended school at Friends and Wichita State, concluding at Midwestern Theological Seminary. He has been active in media for many years with Channel 12, KIRL, KFDI, KOOO AM & FM (Omaha), KFRM & KICT 95, as an owner, manager, producer, director and announcer. He has served as President of the Haysville Board of Education. He has also served on several national boards of the Southern Baptist Convention. Faye currently serves as Executive Pastor and Director of Administration and Education at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1415 S. Topeka, Wichita. You may contact Faye by e-mail fmgraves@amenibc.org, or by phone at (316) 262-1452.
Nostalgia
2008-03-01 09:38:00
Remember...
Answer: Yes, I certainly do remember those little stores. One of the things I remember most is how well-acquainted you were with the owner and, many times, his family. There was a certain smell too...a pleasant one, and so identifiable in my mind. It was composed of the blending of spices, confections of all kinds, tobacco and the many different products. I can remember the candies, many in jars, some in cases, and some not even packaged. I remember the relaxing atmosphere of the way folks shopped, without shopping carts by the way, actually carrying their purchases and usually stacking them on a pile at the counter where the cash drawer was located. That was before cash registers. Do you remember the pop case? I didn’t say cooler because it had to be loaded with ice before it kept anything cold. Pepsi, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, the several different Nehi flavors (Orange was my favorite), Grapette, Vess Colas and its flavors, Root Beer and so many others. In my mind they always tasted better than today. I think that is because they were kept ice cold, colder than now. Can you remember the sound when you popped off the cap? Remember that hisssss? Then you took that first refreshing swallow. It seemed like it was always bigger than the rest. If you were a kid, you would buy some peanuts to pour into your Coke or Pepsi. That was really living. And...you only paid a nickel for a big bottle of pop. If you were a housewife, the grocery store was the place to get your family’s food. Your trip to the butcher case might include a selection of meats by the cut. If you wanted, the butcher would trim off a little more fat. He would gladly accommodate anything you wanted. He knew you and your personality and how to please you. Little stores were everywhere. They were in houses, deserted buildings and abandoned filling stations, they were all integrated into the neighborhoods. They were the stopping places for the kids going and coming from school, as most of us either walked or rode bikes. We would get candy or gum most of the time, which didn’t make a lot of sense, for later, the teacher would usually end up with it in her desk drawer. Then, we would end up staying after school as punishment for eating or chewing it in class. Another great thing about the neighborhood stores was the fact that if you wanted, and you had more than a sack full, your purchases could be delivered right to your home and usually were. You could even order what you wanted by telephone. People were so trustworthy at that time and many times folks would just leave their house unlocked so the delivery boy could bring the groceries in while the residents were away at work. Can you believe that? These corner stores were definitely not the super markets of today, which I appreciate very much, but they were very personal, friendly and an integral part of your life back then. They’re nice to remember.
 
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