Over the course of the past 16 issues, several articles have
touched a personal chord with me, but none more so
than the story of Uncle Tom that appears in this issue. I spent
the first five summers of my life in Gills Rock and the walk
or bike ride to Uncle Tom’s was a regular family outing. The
image of the dark, cool stairway leading to the basement and
the welcoming scent of fresh popcorn is forever etched in
my mind. I can still conjure with glee the taste of the halfchocolate
half-peanut butter fudge in perfect bite-sized squares
offered by the leathery hands of an ancient (so it seemed to
me) man. And, the fact that a young family is carrying on the
tradition that has meant so much to so many makes the story
even better. Because it’s not about the world-famous recipes
and delicious candies – it’s about the sentiment of taking
the time to share an experience with strangers who may just
become friends in some way. It’s easy to forget in this age of
consumerism that the experience
