OUR TOWN
It’s always fun to recreate a childhood photo. Especially if the old blackand- white photo is of the lemonade stand you and two neighbor kids had as children. It’s even more fun if you are still friends and see each other from time to time in person as well as on social media.
That’s the way it was for me and two of my childhood friends, Stacy Steger Roznovak and Priscilla “Prissy” Salm McKelvey. The three of us lived on Hackberry Street in Taylor. One warm summer day in 1970, we decided it would be a great idea to open a lemonade stand and make lots of money.
We decided to sell bright red punch, for a nickel a cup, and I think our family members were the only customers we had. The wealth came from the memory we made and the good time we had together drinking most of the profit.
Last week, we held a mini reunion for the old “Punch Stand” team. Instead of recreating the same pose at a little table and little chairs on the front lawn of Prissy’s old house, we opted for a grown-up version at Plowman’s Kitchen, which is only a couple of blocks from where the original photo was taken 55 years ago.
At Plowman’s, the lemonade was pink, the chairs were comfortable, the air conditioning was nice and cool and the service was great. Our waiter, Alex Shelgren, snapped the 2025 retake of the old pic, and we each added a slice of pie to the visit.
I totally recommend the lemon blueberry. We may have to make this reunion an annual event.
While adding our first work experience at the top of our resumes might not have impressed future employers, it was a good introduction to having a job and owning a business. That’s probably why Aug. 20 is recognized as one of two National Lemonade Days. The other is the first Sunday in May.
Promoted as a fun, experiential program that teaches youth how to start, own and operate their very own business — a lemonade stand — National Lemonade Day is said to encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in young people across the country.
In case you were wondering what future careers were inspired by that lemonade stand on Hackberry Street, Stacy is a nail technician at her own business, Nails By Stacy. Her daughter Karyn Morris owns and operates Sweet and Southern Finds, a local favorite that specializes in gifts, home décor and vintage finds.
Both businesses are located at Sixth and Main streets in Taylor.
Many of you will remember Stacy’s parents, Nell and Lloyd Steger. Their businesses in Taylor included Western Auto, Car Parts Center (later renamed Central Auto Parts) and Merle Norman Cosmetics.
Her mom was also active in the Taylor Conservation and Heritage Society from its beginning as well as New Century Club and Jr. Women’s Study Club.
Prissy is a hairdresser and has owned Off the Top Hair Salon in Round Rock for more than 30 years.
Many of you will remember Prissy’s mother, Joyce Fails Salm, a 1943 Taylor High School graduate and longtime Taylor teacher. When Mrs. Salm was the yearbook sponsor, future Emmy-award winning actor Elmore “Skip” Torn was one of her students on the yearbook staff. He would later change his nickname to the now famous, “Rip.”
You may also remember Prissy’s grandparents, longtime Taylor residents Constable Ned and Evie Fails.
Prissy’s uncle and aunt, Foy and Opal Wilks, will also be remembered by many. Mr. Wilks was the principal of Twelfth Street School. Mrs. Wilks worked at the Northside campus and later for the Taylor Public Library.
If you are looking for one last summertime activity before the kids start back to school, think about helping them start a lemonade stand in honor of National Lemonade Day. Or they could sell punch. And be sure to take photos. They may want to recreate the memory in 50-plus years.
Join me here next week as we take a look at the story of how Taylor became the Ducks. Until then, make it a great week.
Crow is a longtime Taylor resident and retired from the Taylor Independent School District after 40 years of service. For a topic or suggestion, reach out to Crow via jason.chlapek@ granitemediapartners. com.
