If you read my blog yesterday about my dad, Warren Breese, you know I enjoy spending time with him. (If you missed it, you can find it here.) Well, I did that on Saturday, June 18. Spent the day with both of my parents, Warren and Dolores.
When my husband, Bobby, and I attended the Cupcake Tour, in April 2016, part of that tour was visiting the JM Smucker Company Store and Cafe. I decided then that for Father’s Day I would get my dad a selection of Smucker products. You see when I was growing up, my dad worked for Smuckers as a truck driver in their fleet. He worked there until they decided to outsource their shipping. He doesn’t have any ill will towards them but always speaks fondly of the company. So I thought this would be a perfect gift for him.
However, Bobby decided we take the gift up a notch by taking Dad to the store and let him pick out the things he wanted to get. That made it a perfect gift. Not only did Dad get Smucker products, but I got to spend time with my parents.
We started the day a little off course, Bobby was driving. He decided to take a detour to East Union Bulk Food Store. We picked up some cheese and meat ends which is basically a tradition for Bobby to do for my dad. After that, we headed to our original destination, the Smucker store.
Dad had a good time looking at all the products Smuckers now has. He even reminisced with a store manager about his time with Smuckers. As is typical for the store, they had samples of some things to try. Dad also went through the historical gallery at the back of the store. We both learned that Goober Grape is as old as me. (We both arrived on the scene the same year.) We also discovered that Smuckers was involved in Disney World when it first opened.
If that doesn’t make for a great day, not sure what would. But wait, there’s more. After a brief break where Mom and Dad went home to let me rest for a few hours, we met up again with them. Only this time in Wadsworth. Dad was performing with the Wadsworth Community Band outside of the O. J. Work Auditorium.
I was especially happy to go to this concert because the concert featured the music of John Williams, much of his music is featured in movies. In fact he has been nominated for 50 Academy Awards for his film scores. On Saturday we heard music from movies Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Patriot, Schindler’s List and Lincoln. I don’t know what it is about music, but when I heard each of the songs it just made me want to watch the movies. The Wadsworth Community Band sounds great. Their hours of practice shows in their performances. But, their signature song, Stars and Stripes Forever by John Phillip Sousa, is always the icing on the cake.
Today as we celebrate Father’s Day, I will probably not see my dad. However, I hope he will cherish the memories we made (and relived) on Saturday. I know I will. Who knows, I might even watch a movie featuring the music of John Williams while I enjoy an ice cream sundae featuring the hot fudge and salted caramel toppings that we picked up for ourselves. All in all, it has the making of a great weekend.
It was a great time. And the Smucker products we bought are delicious!