The story behind the photos

There are so many people who post photographs but yet most don't tell the story behind the photograph.  When did you take it?  Where were you?  Who were you with?
I have posted two new photo ACEO's and each one has a special meaning.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86138309/aceo-christmas-angel

When Cole was born 18 years ago I purchased this angel for his very first Christmas.  We have always called her Cole's Angel. When I opened an account on Ebay way back in 2001 I called myself NoahsarkColesangel.  I hope to give this to Cole when he has his own children.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/86139295/aceo-candle-in-my-dreams-and-memories

This photo was not taken by me.  Back in 1996 I met a young man named Alan.  He was an art student at William Paterson College and my adopted daughter Kerry was also an art student and she met him there.  I had the opportunity to have a conversation with him when he told me that he was looking for his biological mother.  He gave me a little information and after some phone calls I was able to find her since she lived in this area.  They met and became friends. It was miraculous because he said that he had a memory of being torn away from her and that was what happened.  His adopted family were very warm and loving people also. 
He gave me this photo in an 8x10 size which was actually a school project.
When he graduated his parents gave him a new car as a gift.  A sports car.  He took full advantage of that car for its speed and he was killed in a very tragic accident.  He was a beautiful person and I am posting this in his honor.  He had a very bright future that was cut short because of that love for speed.  I will always remember our talks.


So those are the stories behind these photographs and I would love to know if knowing the stories would make them more meaningful or if posting them as is with no background is the way to go.

The Bronx-You can't go home again-Part Two-The corner candy store

Image taken from google images.

Back in the 40's and 50's we had "corner candy stores".  There was one on almost every corner.  The one that we went to was owned by a man named Philly Lapin and he and his family lived in the same building where his store was located, much like the photo above. 


When you walked into the door, the soda fountain was to the right.  It was very small with maybe 6 stools.  That is where Mr. Lapin stood whenever I saw him.  He always wore a white full apron that looked pretty worn for wear.  He wore wire rim glasses and otherwise, pretty non-descript.  He made the best chocolate malteds and chocolate egg creams.

You don't know what an egg cream is?  It did not contain eggs or cream either.  Chocolate syrup, milk and soda water.  It is imitated today but it just doesn't taste the same.

He had a few turning racks with clear plastic bags filled with plastic toys from the time.  My favorite was to collect the little foreign dolls and I had a ton of them. I have seen some on ebay for tons of money.  Of course, back then, I got the girl toys and my brother got the soldiers and cowboys.

He had one large card rack for those special occasions.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85063825/lot-of-10-vintage-birthday-greeting

http://www.etsy.com/listing/85036717/vintage-christmas-greeting-card-with

There was one table with a few chairs and that is where my mom and grandma would sit and chat while my brother and I drank our chocolate malteds with our pretzel rod.  The malted was so thick you could scoop it up with the pretzel and there is just something so yummy about that sweet and salty.

The store was not anything like the soda fountains we see today.  It was really kind of dark with neon lighting.  We got ice cream cones in the real sugar cones of yesterday.

Chocolate candies filled with raspberry jelly, a treat called Halva which is truly an acquired taste and memories for a lifetime.

Most of the time we would go to the candy store every day after school.  This was the 1950's, we ate a lot of chocolate!  It is a very sweet memory.  If I think about it hard enough, I can almost walk through that door and smell the goodies.