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Show Reflections, May 3, 1984, Page 2 At Bobs Post Lingers Spirit Hitching By Margaret Van Noy . Although most of us give a great deal of lip service to the good old days, few of us are ready to return to the horse and buggy. We could not give up our high tech lifestyle although we dream of a Utopia a made up of the best of both worlds spot that combines the warm neighborly personal touch of yesterday with the efficiency of todays computer age. a place There is just such a place where you can get that feeling and at the same time purchase the latest shade of lipstick. At Bob Halladays Grantsville Drug, the customer can not only buy a tube of medicated rub, but he can complain about his arthritis while he is at it. And just as in those nostalgic days now past, he is sure to get some friendly advice not only from Bob but from the regular clientele as well. The "regulars at Bobs Grantsville Drug make up a pretty hefty percent of the towns population, for Bob's is the official daily gathering spot so necessary to life in a small town that is all too rarely seen today. Oh, the pot bellied stove is gone, but its spirit lingers on. At Bobs the old 1890's onyx soda fountain with its stools that spin does just as well. You dont have to buy anything at Bob's. You can just drop in for a visit with your friends; you are sure to find at least two or more at that soda fountain. And it doesnt matter what time of day. According to Bob, Theres the morning shift, the midafternoon shift, and the evening shift." At Diet Center, you have nothing to lose but weight. fast forever Los Private, dally weight Keep It off counseling Low prices, no contracts Call today for a Over 840 Oquirrh 1W4 Owl Ccnitf. Inc 1,850 Iocs tions, USA, Canada and England. frea, Introductory consultation. unE YEARS ahead: 882-481- 6 Gwen Lowry And BATHING BEAUTY PAGEANT All Ladies, 1 6 or older, Married or Single May Enter Everyone who enters will receive an 8x10 portrait of themselves by Steve Thomas your friends are a little late, inter- esting books, and even a puzzle or two to occupy your wait. think they come here because of the atmosphere," Bob said. I enjoy it myself," he added. "It is always fun, and you can count on something new and interesting happening every day." The small town pharmacist has found this surprising over the past quarter of century. "Usually a drug store is where sick people come, and sick people are generally not much fun to be around." But Bob's is not your usual drug store. You feel this as soon as you walk in the door and are greetd by a friendly clerk who asks, Can I help you find something?" You immediately recognize that something is missing from toI days Ms. Tooele County July 4th if theres the morning paper, some huge, impersonal, "help your- self" establishment. The regulars agree: You can get a cup of coffee or a soda pop elsewhere, but you can't find the casual acceptance, the comraderie that you feel here." A visit to Bob's is like coming home. "Where else is there to go?" affirms Swede Johnson with that friendly smile that always hints theres a joke on the way. "Maybe we come here to see if we're still alive." We come here to find out about the ball games," chimes in Reed Johanson, Dan (Matthews) and Joan (Rowberry) know every team and every player on those teams. But this morning the group is disappointed. Dan Matthews is late, and Joan has taken a job in Salt Aake. There is a lot of good, solid, talk along with some nostalgic reminiscing at that soda fountain. "There really arent too many places left to go," repeats Swede. "We used to have the Opera House," his wife Joan points out. We all agree, remembering. There were good times there, plays, movies, dances. "The kids nowdays don't know what down-to-eart- Entry Forms and Rules May Be Picked Up At The Body Shoppe 83 North Main, Tooele Before May 23, 1984. Entry Fee 10.00 First Prize: 200; Second Prize: 100; Third Prize: 50 a dance is. They spend the whole evening dancing with just one person." "People keep talking about building a swimming pool or a bowling alley here, but theyll never do it. It costs too much. We always had the Warm Springs." "Hey, Bob, who was it drove the car into the warm springs?" Bob doesnt know, and the talk turns to the pros and cons of diking along and breaching the S.P. causeway on the Great Salt Lake. There is a lot of packed into experience and know-hothese conversations. The regulars agree that Bob's Grantsville Drug has an air about it. Ill say its quips Reed. Bob is still shoveling coal into that old stoker out back." d But it's a good heat. It really warms your bones. Gas heat doesn't. We all agree. Reed is right. The furnace is old, but it is newer than the building. As its capstone proudly proclaims, "Johnson Hall" was built in 1898. According to an article in "The Tooele Transcript," Aug. 5, of that year, "offices and other apartments" were to be on the main floor, but its main social or recreational attraction was to be the dance floor on the second story, capable of accomodating 120 couples. Since he took over the business more than a quarter of a century ago, Bob has remodeled and modernized the interior, but while the decor and merchandising layout are strictly much of the charm of the Grantsville Drug is the old building. Realizing this, Bob and his wife Patti are in the process of restoring the building to its original appearance where possible, with Patti providing much of the enthusiasm and expertise. It is her personal artistic touch and know-hothat is evident in the displays. One of the outstanding features of Johnson Hall was a balcony off the |