Many school afternoons from ninth to 12th grade saw my friend Tony and me at Clark’s Grocery in Chunky.
My favorite after- school snack from there was a couple of the big Chic-o-stik candies and a paper two-pint carton of Jungle Juice fruit punch. And either a couple of Atomic Fireballs or some cinnamon-soaked toothpicks. Or both.
I think it cost somewhere around $1.50 for the lot.
I can hear the bell on the door of Mr. Danny and Mrs. Celia’s store, feel the hard floor beneath my sneakers and the cool air of the drink cooler as the seal softly popped when it was opened. I can still see Mr. Danny’s hands on the counter when I paid.
I remember Mrs. Celia’s voice but not what she’d say.
Their children, Bill and Cay, were a little older than me and a little younger, respectively. I recall mid-80s debates between them as to who was a better musician — Bruce Springsteen or Huey Lewis. Funny what comes to mind.
These siblings and their father are on my heart and in my prayers. Mrs. Celia went to be with the Lord this past week. She was 79.
Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and reach out to them.
I don’t know if you can still buy Jungle Juice and cinnamon-soaked toothpicks. But whenever I see Chic-o-stik candy I still think of their store.
And I thank God that Mrs. Celia is now somewhere much more special than even Clark’s Grocery on a school afternoon.
