Oldest Vendor Debates Retiring or Continuing to Sell the Paper

by Lucille Egan

Now that I am 90, I may or may not retire. I have yet to decide if or when I will retire. If I retire, then I will miss all my loyal customers who treat me with dignity and respect. They will spend a few minutes to talk to me. I will also miss all the beautiful children that I see when I am selling at the West Side Market.

When a customer gives me $1.25 for the Street Chronicle, and there is a child with them, I always ask the name of the child. “Thank you Jimmy, “or “Thank you, Mary,” I’ll say to them.  A smile goes a long way. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice. I will also miss my co-workers and the director at NEOCH. If I stay, and continue to sell The Street Chronicle, I will be the OLDEST vendor in Street Chronicle history and proud of it!

The show must go on for the homeless – it’s nationwide.  I like that this paper brings awareness about the homeless problem, and how homeless people are coping with their situation. I share this information, and the paper with my customers so that they can better understand what the homeless go through every day. I want to thank each and every one of you for your kindness and generosity!  Till we meet again, in the sun, the rain, the wind, and maybe the snow, I will be waiting for you with the Street Chronicle newspaper.

I’ll sign off for now…Be Careful instead of  Dareful!

Editor’s Note:  For those who have missed Lucille at the West Side Market, she has been out sick for the last month.  She pledges to be back so don’t worry.