More Than Just Refreshment!

by Glenn C. Koenig, webmaster at Town Wide Mall

Maynard, MA - Although you can order almost anything delivered to your door these days, it’s nice to know that some traditions will always be with us.  Take the roadside lemonade stand, for example. 

As we were returning from a weekend trip, we happened to spot such a stand, just before arriving home.  However, this was no ordinary affair with a simple card table and a pitcher of lemonade.  This was a super deluxe version, put together by two beverage entrepreneurs, Nora and Caroline (and their moms), who seem to have thought of everything.

Their “facility” was decked out with custom painted furniture, a choice of two different beverages, cups of various colors, as well as a variety of snacks, all protected by a canopy to shield the vendors and their guests from both sunburn and raindrops.  The lemonade was dispensed from a clear decanter with a spigot at the bottom and real lemon slices floating on the surface inside.

As we approached, we were greeted by the family dog, serving as sort of an ambassador to the whole enterprise.  As we stepped up to review our options, Nora sprang into action, dispensing our drinks for us and for a few others who stopped by while we were there.  Of course, the days of 25¢ prices are long gone.  But considering the ambiance and prompt service, the $2.00 we paid was well worth it!

We were glad to see such an effort and attention to detail, overall.  The whole experience seemed to convey a “welcome home to Maynard” sentiment, and we were glad to have stopped by.

Comment

These days, I think it’s easy to end up with a sense of dread from reading or watching the latest news.  One of the best ways to lift one’s spirits, in spite of all that, is to spend some informal time with neighbors or friends.  Stopping to enjoy a little lemonade gave us a chance to meet neighbors we wouldn’t otherwise meet while driving around in an air conditioned car with the windows rolled up.

So, when people are out in their yards, having a yard sale or selling simple beverages on a hot day, we have a nice opportunity to stop and say hello, and connect in person instead of sitting at our screens or on our phones all day. It’s hard to describe the joy of being out, watching children both play, and learn, while creating something of value.