The Sooper Dooper Chronicles – chapter 5 – the co-workers
Chapter 5 – the co-workers
I started working at Sooper Dooper when I was a sophomore in high school.
The paths of our lives are interesting don’t you think? I believe it is not in our hands, but up above. The life changers happen because they are supposed to happen. You meet people because you are supposed to meet people. You have good times and bad times because you are supposed to have good times and bad times. Life is challenging and life is rewarding and life is hard and life is beautiful. I don’t think life is ever easy.
The people at Sooper Dooper were amazing. Mr. Palmer and Billy Palmer – the owners. Kurt Dixon, Marvin Engelhaupt, Frank Denton, Charlotte Hiller, Pat Palmer, Lorraine Ebach, Randy Vermundson and Deb Sorenson – the day people. Dale Smith, Jessie Hall, Marlys Nellermoe (love her!!), Andy Deis, Irene Henrichson and Don Cleland – the night people. Art – the baker.
Chet Murray, John Pohlman, Sam Gilkerson, Sarah Gilkerson, Angela Schweigert, Brad Powell, Thane Badger, my sisters Wendy and Sherry, Tim Cleland, John Bren, Sheldon Suiter, Steve Oliva – the high schoolers.
When we got to work we punched in on the clock and punched out when we were done. The carry out guys grabbed the white apron and wore it during their shift. They also had to sweep and mop the whole store before closing time. The checkers had it pretty easy. We restocked the smokes and rearranged the candy boxes. The carry out guys also had to make sure the pop and beer coolers were full too.
I remember one summer while stocking shelves. It was a wicked one. First we unloaded the boxes from the truck and then separated them into piles according to the aisles. I stocked the baby food aisle. I had my cart and my boxes and box cutter in hand. I was stocking baby food. I got to one box and sliced open the short end with my trusty box cutter and then the long end. As I picked up the cardboard and opened the box fully, I couldn’t believe what I saw. There were a few broken jars of baby food in the box. No big deal. Except it was a big deal, because the broken jars had obviously been there a while. The whole box was full of maggots. I about died. I was so disgusted. I can’t even remember what I did next. I wanted to die. I have this thing about maggots. See, my cousin chased me with a stick covered with maggots. She got the maggots from a dead cow on the farm. I think that is where I learned to run fast. EWWWWWWW!!!!
Each and every one of the people I worked with impacted my life. Each and every one of those people taught me something about life. They taught me something. I’m sure I am forgetting some people and that makes me sad. But, it has been a long, long time ago.
One of the life changers in store for me was meeting my first husband, Steve. I met him at Sooper Dooper. We dated for many years and then married. The marriage didn’t last, but I wouldn’t change anything. I have three beautiful children. I can’t imagine not having them. The three are life changers for sure. Challenging and rewarding and hard and beautiful. Never easy!
Sooper Dooper had a huge impact on my life. Sooper Dooper changed my life in so many ways. Sooper Dooper allowed me to work with and meet the most amazing people. Sooper Dooper will always be a part of my life. I will always, always, always remember my years there.