Jeff Steele, Writer/Photographer

Growing up poor, as odd as it may seem, does come with it’s own perks.

How so? Well, for one it teaches you to appreciate some things others often take for granted.  Also, you tend to care and maintain anything of value you do happen to acquire. 

For any one reading this who is familiar the characters of Charlie Brown.  You may also remember one of the characters named ‘Linus’ Van Pelt who was the thumb-sucking kid with a fixation on his security blanket.

A company my mother’s worked for once hosted a picnic outting at an amuzement park.  It was totally free for all employees and their families. We attended and it became one of the best days ever.  Adlib rides, exploring shops, the sights and sounds, and genuinely just being able to have fun. It was such a rare and unique occasion and it got better.

The company held some mini-contests for the adults and also for the kids to participate in.  I honestly do not recall the actual contest itself.  I only know that it involved Rootbeer.

A&W Rootbeer was a big thing at this amuzement park. There was a entire barn like building dedicated to serving this beverage to everyone who visited the park. Their signature was serving this special blend of Rootbeer in a frosted clear glass mug. 

The real treat was the Rootbeer float.  They would add a scoop of French- vanilla icecream dropped right into the Rootbeer and frosted mug.  It was really a special refreshment that everyone seemed to enjoy as the place was always packed with patrons.

Back to the contest! I didn’t win the main prize, however, each kid who participated wss given a Rootbeer float. Plus they were allowed to keep the mug. A participation trophy I suppose.

My own mug? How cool is that? That glass mug became my Linus blanket in a way.  It was one thing that was individually unique to only myself. 

Now here we are many decades later.  Mom, the company she worked for, the amuzement park, are all gone now.  The things that remain are my memories of that day, and somehow, I still have and drink from that mug over five decades later.