A Little More of the Story

A lot more pictures have been added to the slide show, so be sure to take a look before you leave.

Thought I'd post a bit more about the store.

One of the most enjoyable things in the old store was the Rinkytink piano that Joan played whenever she had a chance. Whenever a group showed up, we could usually talk her into playing "The Babcock's Store Song" and maybe a chorus or two of the Beer Barrel Polka. We found the old piano north of Mena. It had been used in a little church that had since closed, so we were fortunate enough to be able to buy it. It had a GREAT sound! Perfect for Babcock's Store.

We really enjoyed foliage season, because then the little church buses and CMAers would come by on their way to or from the Talimena Drive looking at the fall colors. They'd come in, get something to drink or an ice cream cone, and Joan would start playing the piano. What singing we had going on. Everyone else in the store would either stop and listen or join right in. It was a great big sing-a-long! Joan always said, "If all I had to do was play the piano and sing with the customers, I'd be a happy camper."

Back by the ladies' room we had a box labeled "WARNING: Baby Rattlers". Folks would happen upon that box, and you'd see them back up, look around, and then tippy-toe up to take a sneaky peek. Then they'd laugh, and then go get someone they were with to show them to. Of course, in the box were three BABY rattles. Pink ones at that.

The news media was always quite good to us. I always said, "if you do something DUMB and STUPID, the media will beat a path to your door to let everyone else know about it." We met many super writers and always tried to give them something good to write about. They did good by us, that's for sure.

So did the Oklahoma Department of Tourism. They came by on their "tour of the state" to check us out. Then they sent the people that stopped by the tourism centers over our way for a visit. Many times visitors told us how we were recommended by the folks at the tourism centers.

Every time a politician came through - county, state, or federal - they were treated to one of our "fantabulous" malts from the Olde Soda Fountain. George Nigh, former Governor of Oklahoma, even appointed me as a Territorial Marshall. Not that it really meant anything since Territorial Marshalls went out with statehood, but the certificate he sent looked real official on the wall by my station, and I actually think that if anyone was contemplating starting a ruckus, when they saw that sign on the wall, and the badge I always wore, they changed their minds. In all our 17 years, we only had a couple "incidents".

Well, I guess that's enough reminiscing for this post.

See ya next time.
wb