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Barefoot In The Sand: Remembering the Waning Days of the Hopewell Community (1998) Bruce C. Gragg 75/123

the built in holding bins. A trip to a store like this was more than
a youngster could take in, especially the candy counter. At one time
they even had gas pumps, the kind they really had to pump the gas to
a ten gallon glass holding-measuring tank, then put the nozzle in
car’s gas tank and drain the gas into the car. As more gas stations
began to appear, they got rid of the gas pumps. There was an aroma to
the old store -a combination of new cloth, groceries, various feeds
and the salty smell from the meat counter, it was so tantalizing. A
country kid would go in there all wide eyed, what a sight and smell.
This aroma, this unique aroma cannot be duplicated in the modern
super market. There was an excitement to this odor, squeaky floor and
dark but homey general store. It was always a treat to go there, they
would get a sack of candy for Vera and me. When either of the Fargo
kin would come down to Florida to visit us (Fargo was only about ten
to twelve miles) they always would bring us grocery items. They never
failed to remember something special for Vera and Me, usually a sack
of mixed candies, what a treat. The big treat for the family was when
they would bring some venison, it was always a good cut of meat. I
have so many fond memories of going there, there is no way to tell it
all. Even looking at a photograph of the interior of an old store
such as this, you cannot capture the aroma and the live sight of
being there, and getting it first hand. It can't be done’’

Before we moved in October 1952, there were big changes beginning to
take place. I would probably have a difficult time placing where
everything was if I were to go back now. I do plan on going there on
one of my trips to see Vera in Jacksonville. The timber business has
changed so much over the last many years the local sawmills have
mostly disappeared, so the area changes. I am sure a lot of the older
buildings have also been torn down.

During the war there was a German POW camp 2 or 3 miles north of
Fargo on US 441. Maggie May would often drive up there so we could
see it. I was too young to really know the meaning of it, it was just
a place to go. Nor did I understand why it was closed at the end of
the war and all POWs were returned home.

The three younger Hall children, Vera and I would get so carried away
playing in the woods between their house and the deep river swamp,
(the Suwannee River)we would be threatened with no dinner or supper
(which ever meal was due) if we didn't come in right then. There were
all sorts of areas to explore and just roam around in as well as play
in their tree house in the woods. We enjoyed many a trip to Edith,
while they lived there, and we were saddened when they told of their
going to move away. These three kids were not just relatives but
really our best friends, and we would not see them as often. After
they moved to Perry, Fla then to

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