Store manager starts her new year off right

Yesterday, New Year’s Eve Day, while returning from a luncheon, my carpool rider and I began discussing our family’s New Year’s Day traditions. In my family, we always made sure each person at the dinner table had put their wallet or purse under the table, even infants had a little something there as well. My friend said in her family, they all hold a shiny dime in their hand while they eat.

Both of these traditions are to insure that you will have money for the whole of the New Year.

This conversation reminded me that I hadn’t bought any black eyed peas or greens, which is a traditional side dish on my table. So after getting my friend home I made my way to Vail Street Market. I use an electric scooter to get around but not in that slushy parking lot. I thought if I could find a spot up close I would make a try at walking into the store, no luck there.

I asked one of the store’s staff who was on her break if she could get those two items for me. She said she couldn’t but she would find someone who could help me. My knight in shining armor was the store manager, Kevin Marson. He asked me what I needed, took the $2 I offered and disappeared into the store. Within a few minutes he was back with those two traditional foods. I later found the money on my car seat.

I am very thankful to have Jewel-Osco as my neighbor and particularly Kevin there in my time of need.

Lois Hansen

Arlington Heights