Whit's Whittlin'

Donated by Awandi Cromwell

Last time we were recalling how Main and Olinda streets looked in the early days. Let's continue…hmmm.

I have had fun talking to a few "Old Timers" about changes that occurred through the years. "Change" is a fascinatin' word. I ask some buddies what change meant to them. Well, a very few reached into their pockets thinking I was talking about borrowing money. However, most of the "Coffee Clubbers" made slurring remarks about the "change" in my looks through the years.

You know, I had gotten older, my hair was thin and gray, I was bulgin' over my belt, and I certainly didn't look like I could run very fast, if at all. Well I tried to be nice and accept these remarks gracefully, because, I thought, surely, I hadn't changed as much as my friends claimed. By golly, they motivated me to dig out some old pictures to see for myself, the change that had taken place.

Holly Smokes, one look at my wedding pictures of 1937 and I couldn't believe my eyes! I know that picture had to be doctored! I was slim, good lookin', thick black wavy hair, a big smile on my face…hmmm…I looked as happy as if I had good since. I still can't believe it!

Uh huh… that's just what has happened to Yorba Linda. Since I arrived 57 years ago, the changes have happened, slowly, but surely, and all of a sudden it's not the same place! How and when did it happen? It seems each one I questioned has a different answer to the puzzle; so, I reckon I'll just proceed the best I know how. At least I have everybody talkin' and tryin' to straighten me out.

Doc Cannon's drug store was located in the Masonic Building, downstairs. A lot of change was exchanged in this popular place. Prescriptions and medical supplies were available, but more important, an old fashioned soda fountain. Doc loved to make malts, cherry ice cream sodas, lemon and cherry Cokes and ice cream sundaes. He used real ice cream and added powdered malt to his malts. Man O' Man, they were creamy and cold and tasty!

When I had the price of 10 cents to order an ice cream soda, I could hardly wait, as I watched him put his masterpiece together. He placed one big scoop of ice cream in one of the tall glasses, added the flavored syrup and blended the two with a long spoon. The soda water was added in a tiny hissing stream that foamed all the way to the top. He stirred the soda and topped it off with another big scoop of ice cream that sent the bubbles over the edge of the glass. You really missed it, if you never sipped on of Doc's ice cream sodas!

In the store, also were jars of jelly beans, jaw breakers, licorice sticks, stick candy, candy corn and glass cases full of Milky Ways, Snickers, Baby Ruths, Aba Zabas, Cherrilets, Oh Henry, Hay Stacks - yeah - you ask for a candy bar and Doc had it.

Mr. and Mrs. Cannon lived in back of the store. This was handy, because Mrs. Cannon could run errands for Mr. Cannon…like telegrams to be delivered, or prescriptions to be delivered. Oh yes, she made booties for most of the new babies that were delivered in Yorba Linda. It was a sad day when Doc Cannon retired and the store was closed.

Today City Hall takes the place of the drug store, and even though the problems people take there are "headaches," they are not solved with a simple prescription…hmmm. You know what I mean…solutions only come after reams of paper, lots of debate and red tape. I have to leave you now…keep Whittlin.