Background: Originally published September 22, 2004. As the asterisks indicate, this is the fourth entry of my five most popular columns, based on positive feedback that I received from readers.
I'm still searching in my piles of newspapers for the fifth and final top five entry: a story about my seventh grade adventure playing Ichabod Crane in the The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, with the lovely Angelia Abbott cast as Katrina Van Tassel.
"I'll have a gallon mug of cola, please."
That statement may be heard sooner than we think, if it isn't being said already.
My father would probably turn over in his grave if he could see the size of today's fountain drinks. It was during the 1970s that 7-Eleven debuted in Douglas County with its 32-ounce "Big Gulp" drink.
Fountain drinks were relatively new. Most stores didn't have them. The only choice at most markets was grabbing a 12-ounce can, or a 10 or 16-ounce glass bottle from the cooler.
Restaurants' small, medium, and large drinks were typically 12, 16, and 20-ounce cups. To my dad, it was unthinkable that anyone would consume 32 ounces of soft drink in one siting. It was an assault against one's teeth!
Despite my young age, I had great respect for my dad's judgment on beverage selection. He drank more milk than the rest of my family combined. In his 60s he still had a full set of natural teeth. If he thought a 32-ounce Big Gulp was bad for one's health, I would certainly take his advice into consideration.
Then, 7-Eleven came out with the 44 (or was it 48?) ounce Super Big Gulp. Hmmmm, I began to think to myself: If a 44-ounce cup of cola is now the standard "large" size, then surely it must be safe to swallow a 32-ounce Big Gulp? Besides, I didn't drive by 7-Eleven every day, so it wasn't like I was making it a "habit."
Fountain drinks began to increase in popularity. More markets began selling them. Restaurants were somewhat behind the times, but they too gradually inched up their "large" sizes to 32-ounce cups. It was becoming harder and harder for me to avoid my 32-ounce cola ritual, which I did not yet consider to be a "habit."
About seven years ago, a new size cup at Hall's Driftwood Market caught my eye. A 52-ounce insulated mug! It kept cold beverages cool and hot beverages warm. I felt entitled to buy one. People like my father wouldn't be able to judge me for consuming too much cola. As far as they knew, I might be drinking something more healthy...like coffee.
As luck would have it, I wasn't the only one who enjoyed my 52-ounce mug. While working as assistant manager at Izzy's Classic Buffet, an unidentified co-worker one night decided to lift my mug from the dishwater and take it home.
I didn't need a 52-ounce mug anyway. That's because, two years ago, I discovered an even better cup at a different convenience store. A 64-ounce "Chiller" mug! By this time I was no longer worried what people might think. Besides, everyone else seemed to be collecting giant insulated cola mugs as well.
I still proudly use that 64-ounce mug. I am happy to say that I keep ice water in it, and not cola. However, I am sad to say that I am behind the times. Minit-Markets in Medford are now selling a 100-ounce "Tanker" insulated mug that makes my 64-ounce Chiller mug look like a teacup! I haven't yet decided whether or not to dole out the $8.99 to purchase one; it'd be more of a conversation piece than anything else.
I don't know if I'd have the muscles to carry around that much liquid on a daily basis. I might as well fill up an empty gallon milk jug with ice water and carry that around instead.
But truth be known, I still drink a 44-ounce cola from time to time. The stingy Scotsman inside me refuses to pay more than one dollar for a fountain drink, so the day may come when I'm no longer able to buy a 44-ounce soft drink anymore.
For cola connoisseurs, here is my private list of places that still charge less than a buck for a 44-ounce fountain drink.
1.) Sherm's in Roseburg and Medford Food 4 Less. Sixty-nine cents is their everyday low price for 44-ouncers.
2.) The Douglas County Farmers Co-Op in Roseburg. The convenience store charges between 75 and 89 cents for 44-ounce soft drinks. They have a "Buy 5, Get 1 Free" card, which makes the price even lower for those who are regular customers.
3.) Mini-Markets in Medford and Ashland. These convenience stores charge 89 cents as their regular price, and they also have a "Buy 5, Get 1 Free" punch card.
4.) Hall's Driftwood Market in Sutherlin. Their 95-cent price is a refreshing change, when I can actually receive a nickel back from a dollar, rather than a troublesome penny.
5.) Bart's Market in Oakland and every other store that still charges 99 cents or one dollar for a 44-ounce fountain drink. You'll still get my business!
[ 2014 update: As one might guess, inflation has changed prices in the past nine years since this column was written. I haven't been able to visit Minit-Markets recently to see what their current prices are. But every other store mentioned in this column is now well over one dollar for a 44-ounce fountain drink...EXCEPT...Douglas County Farmers Co-Op convenience store in Roseburg! Douglas County Farmers Co-Op still only charges 99 cents for their 44 ouncers...and they often still have the "Buy 5, Get 1 Free" punch card! D.C. Co-Op, if I ever drink fountain drinks again on a regular basis, you will continue to get my business! ]
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