The Life and Death of a Country Store, A Memoir

The Life and Death of a Country Store, A Memoir, is a touching story of the men, women, and children who lived in rural Illinois near Hugo, along the banks of the Embarrass River. The book is an enriching read that leaves a sense of appreciation, nostalgia, and lingering joy for a way of life that spanned almost two hundred years, but has now come and gone. Edd’s writing skill is displayed in this simple, home-spun tale about Earl’s Place, a country store and gathering spot for the farmers who sat around the potbellied wood stove, drank coffee and RC Colas, swapped stories, played cards on top of an old cardboard box, shared life and friendship, and lived and died there.

The Life and Death of a Country Store, A Memoir, is a touching story of the men, women, and children who lived in rural Illinois near Hugo, along the banks of the Embarrass River. The book is an enriching read that leaves a sense of appreciation, nostalgia, and lingering joy for a way of life that spanned almost two hundred years, but has now come and gone. Edd’s writing skill is displayed in this simple, home-spun tale about Earl’s Place, a country store and gathering spot for the farmers who sat around the potbellied wood stove, drank coffee and RC Colas, swapped stories, played cards on top of an old cardboard box, shared life and friendship, and lived and died there. The touching account of this country store is a worthy book for just its contribution to the history of rural Illinois. Yet, it is more precious than just that, for you see, against that backdrop another entire chronicle unfolds, for Earl’s Place is also the setting for the life of the McGrath family. Their tale is a subtle, yet powerful, statement of the importance and wonder of being an accepted part of a real, multi-generational family, a family whose heartening lessons of life are shared in the experiences of love and sacrifice that permeate the McGrath clan’s narrative, as generation by generation they attend to the needs of the old folks while preparing the young for the challenges of life lived in truth and integrity. The McGraths' lifestyle could be studied and emulated, for it is a rewarding way to live.

While performing as a successful business leader for more than fifty years, Edd McGrath’s busy life also included numerous responsibilities as Bible teacher, church elder, and member of the Board of Directors of both Missionary Ventures and the Christian Motorcycle Association. Many are the good works that Edd sponsored and/or participated in with his beloved wife Janet. Though fully invested in their Florida community and extended worldwide ministries, the McGraths still made prime time for their family, not only their own children (Paul and Mindy) but also their parents, siblings, and beloved friends and neighbors back home in Hugo, Illinois. And that treasured retreat into the deep roots of family life is what the eBook The Life and Death of a Country Store, A Memoir is about. In it, Edd’s writing skill is displayed in a simple, home-spun tale about Earl’s Place, a country store and gathering place for the farmers who lived and died in Hugo, along the banks of the Embarrass River.