Postal Customer
Ottumwa Publishing
ottumwapost.com
•••••JUNE 22, 2022•••••
Family Meal Time
As I backed out of my driveway on the north shore, I told my dog, Nova Mae, “We should have mowed the lawn. I can’t imagine what the yard will look like when we come home next week. We were headed for Ottumwa, Iowa, then to Florida, back to Ottumwa, then home to Silver Bay, Minnesota. Unfortunately, I got delayed in Ottumwa for about an extra week, which kept me from working on projects at home. On a brighter note: it allowed me a few more trips to the Canteen.
The Canteen in the Alley has been in business for ninety-five years. Yet, nothing changes at the little restaurant. The concrete block building has been painted yellow since the beginning of time. Inside, vinyl-covered stools mounted on pedestals wrap around the horseshoe counter. All the sandwiches are prepared and served wrapped in waxed paper from the middle of the counter. Lord knows the menu hasn’t changed - at least not in my lifetime. The menu has been the same forever: the Canteen, loose meat (scrambled hamburger) with or without the cheese. Every sandwich is served with a spoon to scoop any meat that falls from the bun onto the paper. You can get a hotdog or an egg sandwich for the little kids. That’s it for entrees. But, of course, I’ve only had the Canteen sandwich, so I can’t vouch for the hotdogs or the egg sandwich. (Just the Other Day cont’d on pg 2)
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The authorities (who shall remain anonymous) quickly changed their plans. They have chips on a Instead of tearing down rack by the cash register and pie for dessert. If you the Canteen building, they order a malt, they fill your built a new parking ramp glass and leave the stain- around and over the top of the little yellow building. less-steel malt cup with Sometimes, it’s best not you, and of course, you get a long-handled spoon. to mess with the natural order of things. Not even the ownership changes (very often), So, people keep comHowever, it did change ing to the Canteen. Many hands about six years folks place their orders to ago. go, but most don’t mind standing in a crowded little The new owners, a loroom waiting for a seat cal family, made some to open. There’s always changes. They put in a new floor (the same style someone willing to talk. Even if you don’t know as the worn floor), and them, you can always they painted the outside of the building – the same discuss the Canteen’s hisshade of yellow that it has tory. been since Moses first The Canteen is a friendly stopped in for a Canteen sandwich. Or maybe Mo- place. Customers don’t ses had an egg sandwich; mind sliding over, so I can’t say for sure. Moses others can sit together. just doesn’t seem like the However, seating a family kind of guy to order a hot- of more than three or four dog. Okay, I’m exaggerat- can be challenging. ing. Moses probably never I took a break from work ate at the Canteen. I’m to get a Canteen for lunch. trying to make the point that people come from all The dining room was packed as always around over to eat there. Even lunchtime. But there was presidents of the United a single seat on the right States, movie stars, and side of the counter. So, I people from around the sat down and placed my world have visited the order; “I’ll have a cheese, Canteen. everything, and a bag of chips.” At one point, the powers that be from city hall “Do you want Sterzing’s,” suggested the Canteen The waitress asked? should be relocated and (That’s an Iowa thing.) the building razed, making way for a new parking “I think I’ll have plain Lays ramp. A new location, a today,” I replied. bigger facility would allow the Canteen to have more “What would you like to than 16 seats and posdrink,” she asked? sibly better parking. Talk about poking the hornet’s “Just water, thank you.” The ladies who work the nest! That idea didn’t go counter never write anyover well. thing down. Except for The townspeople, and walk-in or phoned-in to-go folks from around the orders. They write those country, pitched such a fit. on the side of the brown (Just the Other Day cont’d from pg 1)
JUNE 22, 2022
paper bag. The waitress turned around and drew a glass of water from the old-fashioned dispenser. She set the water in front of me and then went to get the chips. Meanwhile, another lady at the make table took out a bun. She took a large spatula from the stainless-steel bowl and put cheese spread on the bun with one swipe. Then, with two other spatulas, she added ketchup and mustard, sprinkled on the fresh diced onion, and added the pickles. Finally, she slid the prepared bun over the next lady. The lady at the steam table used a utensil that resembles a brick layers mortar knife to mound the loose meat on the sandwich, methodically finishing the edges. Then, after giving the sandwich a shake of salt, she wrapped it, leaving about a third of it exposed, and handed it to me.
behind them. Next, more people filled the open seats to my left while others stood patiently waiting by the door. Then, the person sitting to my left got up to leave. My sandwich tasted awesome!
A girl to my left called, “Mom.” I glanced her way, thinking she said, Tom. A couple of mothers on the far side of the counter looked up in response. Several more customers (That’s what women who entered the front door as she handed me the neatly have children do in busy places when they hear, wrapped Canteen sandwich. At the same time, a “Mom.”) The young blonde mother, with a child on her few customers on either side of me got up to leave. lap, called again, “Mom,” but I paid no attention this I wasn’t sure if it was something I said, or may- time. Then a little louder, she called out, “Karyl!” be I needed a shower. It was none of these things The lady standing to my left turned her way. The - that’s just how Canteen younger mom pointed customers are. If they’ve to the stool next to me, finished eating and are just chatting, they will get “There’s a seat right here.” up to open their seat for someone else coming in. I smiled as Karyl took the seat next to me. “’Mom. Focused on my sandwich, Mom. Karyl!’ That made me laugh,” I told my new I only noticed what was friend. “I’ve no idea how happening around me many occasions I’ve through my peripheral called out in a public vision. First, the waitress place, ‘Mom. Mom. Bevwiped down the counter. erly!’ trying to get my own Then, three people sat mother’s attention.” Karyl to my right; a lady stood
and I shared a good laugh about that. The dining room was packed. The middle of the horseshoe counter looked like a bee hive with women buzzing to and fro, taking care of customers, filling to-go orders – just a typical day at the Canteen. I asked Karyl, “Are you from around here?” Karyl told me she and her husband Randy, but people call him Mac, were from Illinois. Then she nodded toward the younger mother, with a baby on her lap. “This is our daughter Kelli,” she said proudly. “She has six kids and one grandson now.” I glanced again at the younger mother. “She doesn’t look old enough to be a grandparent, but then again, neither do you and me.” We shared a good laugh about that, then I asked, “So, does your daughter live here.” (Just the Other Day cont’d on pg 3)
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“No,” Karyl said, “She lives in Illinois, too,” I asked if Kelli used to live here. “No, she’s always lived in Illinois.” “Well, what brings you to Ottumwa?” I queried. Karyl explained, “My husband and I moved to Blakesburg (a nearby rural town) to retire. Kelli had heard many good things about the Canteen, so they decided to come to visit and check it out.” A man was standing behind the family; I assumed he was Karyl’s husband, Mac.
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to the register. At the Canteen, they don’t write tickets. So, Deb, the cashier, asked me, “What did you have today, Tom.”
When the waitress started bringing sandwiches to the family, I asked if I could get another. “Cheese everything, reorder.” She called out then, “Can I get a knife to cut this sandwich in quarters for the baby.” I smiled, thinking, “Bypassing the hotdog and egg sandwich to start your kid on a regular Canteen – now that’s just good mothering.” The waitress brought my second sandwich and refilled my water glass. The people to my right ordered chocolate shakes. Looking at them, I thought I should have ordered a shake, but I was saving room for pie.
“I had a cheese everything, a bag of chips, and pie,” I answered while reaching into my pocket. Deb smiled, “Didn’t you have a reorder, too.” But, I told you, these women remember everything!
I wasn’t trying to cheat them out of a sandwich; thrilled meeting some new friends I had just forgotMy sandwich was almost ten. I blushed with embarrassment and corrected gone, and I ordered a slice of pie. Unfortunately, myself. “Yes, I did. I had two cheese everything, they were out of my favorite, coconut cream, so chips, and pie.” Deb gave me my total. I thought I’d I had the peach pie. The put her memory to the girl next to me stood up, “Are you finished eating,” I test. “Do you know what asked? She was very po- this family had? I want to lite and said that she was. get their lunch.” I quickly slid my sandwich over. Karyl’s husband was “All of them,” Deb asked. standing behind them, I replied, “Yes, from the eating his sandwich. I register back.” motioned to the seat I left open, “Come on over and Deb looked over her sit with your family.” shoulder, adding numbers to the register as she Mac sat down, and we recited what each peralso enjoyed a good con- son had, “Cheese, chips, versation. I started putting Coke, plain, chips, Coke, two and two together, “So, cheese, chips, malt….” the kids to my right are See? The Canteen ladies with you also?” remember everything. Deb gave me the new to“Yep, they’re Kelli’s kids, tal, and I swiped my card my grandkids,” Mac said into the machine. (Oh, the with a smile. I thought new owner’s also added a how cool it was, the family was out for lunch, and I card machine – something was privileged to be sitting many locals thought was among them all. It remind- ridiculously unnecessary.) ed me of days long ago. I walked out to my van feeling pretty blessed for There were sixteen chilall that had happened at dren in my family. Occasionally one of the kids lunch. My dog, Nova Mae, and cat Edgar Allan were would have a friend over waiting in the aircondifor dinner. About halfway through the meal, my dad tioned vehicle. What took would pause to notice the you so long, Dad,” Nova guest, saying, “Hey, you’re wanted to know? “I was supposed to have lunch not one of mine.” I love forty-five minutes ago.” big families. Now I was the guest, and it felt very “I met some new friends,” comfortable to join this I explained, then changed family. the subject, “I wonder how A voice near the front door tall the grass is at home?” called out, “Okay, everyAs I was about to back body, look this way for a from my parking space, picture.” So naturally, I Edgar said, “Dad, the looked at the camera and grass will still be there smiled with the rest of when we get home, and them. Far be it from me to it will still need to be cut, spoil a good family photo just like it was when we by not smiling. left. But you just can’t beat family meal time.” I I finished my pie and agreed. Then Edgar said, started for the register. “Speaking of family meal I stopped by Karyl and time, how about you fill Kelli, handing them my this bowl with some kitty card and explaining that I write stories. I told Kelli, crunchies? You could give Nova her food, and we “When I heard you call, could share a little family ‘Mom. Mom. Karyl!’ it gave me my topic for this meal time of our own.” week’s story.” We said our Life. Isn’t it grand? farewells and I continued
“Photo courtesy of Kelli Wilson”
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JUNE 22, 2022
Warrant Wednesday
Wapello County has over 500 active warrants. Warrant Wednesday’s are designed to help law enforcement locate wanted persons, with the public’s help. Do NOT attempt to apprehend these individuals. Instead, call the Ottumwa Police Department at (641) 683-0661 or Wapello County Sheriff ’s Department at (641) 684-4350 if you have any information on their whereabouts. Your tips can be made anonymously.
Name: Jose Juan Casillas Rodriguez DOB: 11/29/1989 Warrant Issued: 06/15/2022 Warrant Details: Domestic Abuse Assault
Name: Retilimon Kristoph DOB: 01/08/1972 Warrant Issued: 06/14/2022 Warrant Details: Failure to Appear Original Charge: OWI 1st
Name: Arfin Rincher DOB:05/27/2000 Warrant Issued: 03/31/2021 Warrant Details: Failure to Appear Original Charge: Carrying Weapons
Name: Brandon Lee Swailes DOB:09/17/1998 Warrant Issued: 06/13/2022 Warrant Details: Violtion of Probation Original Charge: Controlled Substance Violation
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