Church in the Windshield

Church in the Windshield

Grandma’s Soda Shop

December 25, 2019

 

It is Christmas morning. Sheron and I are as excited as children scurrying down a stair case to open Christmas packages. We are going to Grandma’s Soda Shop in Wilson, Kansas. Sheron has fashioned two white aprons with Christmas scenes sown smartly in front. We quickly put on our red shirts, dark slacks and shoes as we prepare to help serve the annual Christmas dinner to those that have no place to go for Christmas; families or singles, all are welcome. Although the soda shop provides the dinner as a way of giving back to the community, donations are accepted to help pay for food.  Since we didn’t have a sleigh or even snow, we just drove our red pickup to the soda shop.

Upon arrival to the soda shop, we were greeted with an exuberant “Good Morning” and Merry Christmas.” We are glad that you have come to help us serve today. A quick look around the soda shop revealed special Christmas decorations including two rows of tables that spanned the entire length of the shop. The tables covered with red striped table cloths enhanced the atmosphere of Christmas. Seasonal table decorations added a nice touch as well. And then there was “Sparky.” “Sparky” is a favorite stuffed animal attraction that resides at the soda shop. He is always dressed in seasonal attire and waits patiently for little children to come and give him a “hug.” “Sparky” is always happy and greets people with a big smile. His ears are soft and floppy; his fur inviting to the touch.

An old wooden telephone hangs on the wall giving the place a

feel of early fifties. I turned the crank and heard the bell ring. When I picked up the receiver I could imagine hearing the operator say, “Number please?” Now that’s going back to the good old days! I can even remember our phone number of ages past. Our number was 3303 . . . that meant line 33 and 3 short rings . . . not too bad for being on a seven party line huh! When the phone rang, all seven people on the party line would hear it . . . and listen . . . and listen. This in turn would drag down the power and no one could hear but . . . what fun!  It was like tying a string between two tomato cans and communicating by talking into the cans. Awe yes, those were the good old days . . . . A second look at the phone plays on the imagination. It has hair, (the flowers), two eyes (the bells), a nose (the transmitter), a mouth (the writing board); one ear up (the receiver) and one ear down (the crank).

Beside the telephone, stands a huge cabinet which is now being used for a show case. This antique cabinet displays craft items and other things like painted Czech eggs, coke bottles, a vintage radio, a Christmas tree and other items of interest. This massive solid wood cabinet stands at least eight feet tall and maybe ten feet wide. Its small doors unlatch and open with age old precision. The cabinet is certainly an eye catcher and a great conversation piece for locals and tourists alike, Are any of the items for sale . . . Yes, some of them are and some of them are for enhancement.

Well, it is almost 11:00 a.m. and Aunt Debbie, Uncle Terry, Brittany, Grandpa and Grandma have been in the kitchen cooking since early morning. The ham has been sliced, the turkey roasted, the salad tossed, potatoes mashed, corn creamed, gravy made, and rolls baked to perfection. Two kinds of pie, cherry and pumpkin, have been cut and placed on small plates. Coffee and ice tea has been made; water glasses filled and the silverware wrapped in festive napkins. And, oh did I mention . . . pie . . . two kinds . . . cherry and pumpkin? Grandpa takes one last temperature of the food to make sure it is correct and announces, “I think we are ready!” It’s a good thing too because people are at the front door waiting to get in.  Grandpa and Grandma pose for a quick picture (AKA: Jerry & Virginia Florian. The doors were opened and people began to stream in to the soda shop. There were five assisting that day. Jeanie was in the kitchen; Christopher, Sarah, Sheron and I were in the front. Each one had their own particular task of serving water, tea, coffee. Sheron and I were assigned as greeters and servers. Sheron would serve coffee, tea and meals at the table. I would greet people at the door and wish them welcome and a Merry Christmas. It’s a joy to serve people and especially at Christmas time. Christmas is the time when people put aside their differences; celebrate the birth of Jesus and just enjoy being together. Is that the Christmas spirit . . . we think so?

Some eighty people came that day to enjoy the Christmas dinner and it was fun to learn about them . . . where they came from and how they ended up at the soda shop. One family came from Nevada and had heard about the dinner at the soda shop . . . so they came. I couldn’t help but think about the three wise men . . . travelers from afar came because they had heard about the birth of Jesus. Well Nevada really isn’t the part of the world that the wise men came from . . . but it’s a start.

There was a family that came and spent some time visiting while they waited for others to join them for the Christmas dinner. I asked them if I could take a picture of them and put it in the blog and they graciously accepted.  All too soon the day was over . . . the tables cleared . . . the cloths removed and the chairs arranged in symmetrical order for the next day’s business. The dish washer in the kitchen rumbled, gurgled and emitted little puffs of steam as it washed the last of the cooking utensils. Sheron and I said our “good byes” and felt a little saddened that it was over but we also felt joy that we could help serve people at the Christmas dinner. As we left the soda shop we stopped to take one last look at the show window by the door. . . . Yes, this is what it

is all about. We paused for a moment . . . got in our pickup and drove away . . . .

Until next time, remember what we celebrate at Christmas and put December 25 on your calendar for a superb Christmas Dinner at Grandma’s Soda Shop.

Ron & Sheron, Drivers behind the windshield

Grandma’s Soda Shop is located at 2425 Avenue F in Wilson, Kansas