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boards nailed on to provide stability and a basic counter on which items were sold. The roof consisted of limbs of poplar trees that provided shade and some protection from sudden summer rain showers. There were various games of chance, with bingo being the main draw. The markers for the bingo cards were dried corn kernels. Prizes were of dubious value, but the entertainment of playing the game was as important as the prizes.

Homemade ice cream was always a big seller, as was the bottled pop, chilled on blocks of ice that had been harvested from the river the previous winter. The ladies of the parish provided baskets of lunches and fancy cakes that were auctioned off. The “suitor” of a particular lady was expected to purchase