Goin’ to ‘Toadsuck’
By: Ted Tompkins-Love
Memories of the early 1950’s

What a Hoot! I’m goin’ to town today!
We’ve got eggs to sell
And Pa made money on the hay.

Charlie’s going to take us
In his ’41 Chevy coupe
Ma might buy me a soady
And some canned tomata soup

I’m ridin’ in the back
On the dusty mohair seat.
Goodness, we’re goin’ to town today!
Gracious what a treat!

We’re at the main road now
And turnin’ toward Suiter’s place
Ma and Charlie are talkin’ and laughin’
And I’m grinnin’ all over my face.

Down the gravel road we go
We wave at Mr. Murray
We’re all goin’ to Dewey’s store
And I’m really in a hurry.

Oh boy! Son of a gun!
We’re getting’ closer now.
An’ we’re going to get some rat cheese
My gran’ma did allow.

Scott’s Grocery Store in Iconium
With one gas pump and old screen door
With an old pressed tin ceiling
And a well worn hard oak floor.

Rainbow Bread is Good Bread.
Its says so on the door.
There’s Dewey and Miss Mary
And the dog sprawled on the floor.

Go on ahead Teddy Boy
Get yerself a soady
Ya didn’t have to tell me twice
That Nehi’s good! Oh Lordy!

I browse along the display case
Of glass and time worn wood
There’s Butterfingers and Baby Ruths
And everything that’s good.

There was braided fishin’ line
Corks and sinkers too
Fishin’ hooks of every size
And ribbon of every hue.

We sometimes called it Toadsuck
Little Iconium town
A place for folks to gather
From several miles around.

There’s not much left now
The houses most are gone
But Dewey’s store is still there
And the spirit is living on.