We sold everything from plow shears, Wolverine shoes, overalls, soft drinks, nickel cookies, ice cream, sandwich meat, cheese and other groceries. My parents pumped gas for 30 cents a gallon at the two gas pumps out front.

Directly across the dirt road sat a rural post office. Nearby was a grist mill. On the hill was a church we attended every Sunday. I could stand on the porch and see the whole community.

I loved my life in the store. I got to meet and play with all of the children who came with their parents to buy groceries and fuel. Our friendships have lasted a lifetime of good memories. I attended school with most of the children. We always remember playing at the old store.

My parents had a new house built less than a mile away from the store. I cried when I found out we had to move. I didn’t want to leave the store. We moved into the new house before electricity was hooked up by the power company. I soon came to love this house in a short time because we had so many conveniences, although I will never forget my first home in the community, living in a country store.

Shelvey Pasour, Oak Island, a member of Brunswick Electric