When my eldest son, Steve , went to work part time at " K Foods " packing groceries at the check out, I gave him one piece of advice. I told him, "Work as if it was your own store. When you are not busy up front, check to see if you need a new supply of bags etc... and don't wait to be told to do the obvious." One day he came home with a big smile on his face and said, "That was good advice you gave me. The manager was so impressed that he promoted me to the deli counter." Steve met many of our former customers, and he had an interesting story to tell every day. He was amazed at how many people knew us and the stories they told could fill a book. It is precisely for this reason that I still like to grocery shop and visit the farmers' market. It is also why Janet does not like to come with me because I spend more time talking to old friends than I do shopping. Being in business, especially the retail business, is an education in psychology, human behaviour, interpersonal communication and problem-solving which you can't get in textbooks. You meet so many different personalities over the years and create lasting friendships. It is also an opportunity to be an integral part of the community and share in it's growth and development. I left municipal government in 1977 after completing one term as Mayor, but returned in 1997 after retiring from Holland College. During my campaign for that return, I relived my early years by meeting many of our former customers. There was a lot of reminiscing and an opportunity to rekindle old friendships. I even met Mrs. MacLure , the lady who served noon meals to the working girls. She was in her nineties and, on the day I dropped in, a hairdresser was there to help get her ready for a social function she was going to later that day. You can just imagine the conversation that went on between us! There were so many such instances that it took me twice as long to campaign the ward, but I loved every minute of it. It was not until after Dad died that a lot of interesting stories surfaced about his dealings with many customers. Just to mention a few: (1) On one occasion, a young lady came into the store to buy some groceries. She had a young family, her husband was unemployed, and she had very little money. When she bought a few meaner items, my dad knew that it would not feed her family for more than one meal. He filled up a box with some basic, nutritious food. When she said she could not pay for it and did not like to owe money, dad told her that it was all looked after. (2) A city resident was visiting her elderly father who was reminiscing about the old days and his association with the Zakem family. Afterwards, she wrote us a beautiful letter thanking us on behalf of her family for making life a little bit easier in the early years. (3) The next story was about a man and his wife who lived in Charlottetown . They 48