Cabbages reader offers reflection on Ben Franklin

By LUELLA DOW

Contributor

Sometimes a writer reaches out to give others a glimpse of pleasant times now gone. Cheney resident Bonnie Haines has written "Ode To Ben Franklin Store," a remembrance of Bill and Nancy Nation who owned the store and gave so much of themselves. Bonnie calls it "A magical place." You shall see why.

'Ode To Ben Franklin Store'

BY BONNIE HAINES

A cloudy evening in early autumn. I stop by the Ben Franklin store, shopping, just to see the color, feel the bustle, as leaves and darkness begin to fall.

The portal slides open, and there are seed packets, 10 for a dollar, and canning jars. I grab a cart, head into the cavernous variety store, familiar and friendly, and right here in our own small town.

Candy! Boxes for gifting, little bags for snacking. Greeting cards to the left, beside gift-wrap, ribbons, party balloons. A little further, batteries, photo frames, posters, candles of all sizes and scents. Games and toys, Halloween costumes on a rack, children's books and puzzles, stuffed animals, boy's aisle, girls pink thingies, unisex science projects and magic rocks.

Wandering past shoes, slippers, baby clothes, racks of women's fashions and on to cosmetics, drugs and potions, hair coloring, personal hygiene and rows of vitamins. Nancy Nation says "Hello" as she passes, pen and inventory clipboard in hand.

The pharmacy is in the back, near the drinking fountain. Small pets run in wheels and swim in tanks across from aisles of hardware, sports, fishing and bath needs. There are pet supplies, with collars, hamster bedding, rawhide bones and a large kiosk of lively potted plants. A few birds sing to one another in the corner.

I've come 'round to the lush and county-renowned Ben Franklin fabric department, where Mim is deftly cutting bright blue print fabric on the large table. There stands a line of women, carrying fabric, quilt batting, thread, yarn, embroidery floss, needles, ad infinitum. An entire wall is covered with bright spools of ribbon.

Heading on, I see kitchenware, then stationery, poster board, mailers, pens and markers, and ever so many art supplies. Clay, paint and brushes. All are there. Yarn is across the wide aisle, and suddenly I'm in a forest of craft supplies. Felt, shelves of scrap-booking paper, doo-dads, stencils, spray coating and bead findings. Silk flowers, spices, flower arrangement supplies, vases great my gaze. The wondrous, ever-changing "row of bargains" lies near the checkout counters. Have I purchased anything? Only a poster board and a birthday card for my brother.

As I drift from sleep, my spirits fall - it was a dream. This magical place has vanished into corporate America, leaving memories and gratitude for the 44 years of community service. Thank you all for being there. Bonnie Haines.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].