Saturday, June 6, 1998

VBS brings memories of special treat

By LORETTA FULTON / Abilene Reporter-News

Just like Pavlov's dog, every time I hear the words "Vacation Bible School," my mouth waters for a fried Spam sandwich.

Perhaps Pavlov's dog wasn't lucky enough to know the delights of fried Spam on white bread, mayo only, no lettuce, crust trimmed.

But thanks to the cancellation of Vacation Bible School one hot summer in Dallas 40 some odd years ago, I discovered one of life's little pleasures.

Back in the '50s when I was growing up, Vacation Bible School was heaven on earth for one week each year. Squeezed in between Roy Rogers and the Mickey Mouse Club on a snowy black and white TV, Vacation Bible School was an adventure unlike any other.

My plaster of Paris handprint, not even cracked, still collects dust along with my mother's other reminders of my childhood. The wishing well made from a Folger's can and Popsicle sticks, my personal favorite because you could actually turn the crank and retrieve the little bucket on the end, has long since disappeared.

But the smell of Elmer's glue, the image of Joseph in his multi-colored coat hanging from a feltboard, and the taste of grape punch are still fresh.

Those were the images I took with me one summer on my annual trip from our home near Waco to Dallas to visit my cousin. That year the trip fell during Vacation Bible School.

My Aunt Lillian, who also lived in Dallas, would keep us during the day while my cousin's parents worked. Aunt Lillian had promised to take us to her church's Vacation Bible School. But something happened that year, and the school was canceled.

Seeing the disappointment on the faces of a couple of 7-year-old nieces was too much for Aunt Lillian. So she improvised and created Vacation Bible School in her living room.

I don't remember exactly what type activities we engaged in. Perhaps we didn't mix plaster of Paris on her carpet or make a neat wishing well.

But Aunt Lillian created the Vacation Bible School snack to die for: fried Spam on white bread, mayo only, no lettuce, crust trimmed.

I can still taste that salty grease oozing out of the Spam into the mayonaise covered bread. A treat unlike any other.

Vacation Bible School was never the same after that. Spam sandwiches are not very practical for a horde of hungry kids, so the next summer I returned to the traditional grape drink and cookies.

But visiting Vacation Bible School last week for an article on new trends in the old summer standby took me back to that heavenly summer when Spam didn't turn into fat on a young body.

Pavlov's dog never had it so good.