Marcia wrote me about her memories of her family working for the Southland Beverage Company in Brooklyn:

My family was from Vilna. My Mother’s three brothers and one brother-in-law worked for

Southland Beverage Company in Brooklyn during the 1940s, 50s and

early 60s. I believe that it was in Brownsville. The majority

owner was a man named Greenstein, maybe Harry. I believe that my

Uncle Willie Odinetz had a small share of the business. His

brothers Charlie and Bennie worked there as salesmen as did his

bother-in-law, Harry Rinestone. I remember the soda water as well

as the seltzer.

My most vivid memory is my Uncle Willie telling me not to drink the orange soda because it was “made from paint.” I still can’t drink it to this day.

When I wrote her back I asked, “Made from paint? What was that
about? Just teasing a little kid, or protecting you from something?” She replied:

I think they really believed that. They were used to seltzer and what does one use to change colors but paint?

Marcia encouraged me to share her email address, Mhlcswc2 AT aol.com, because “You never know who will turn up from something like this.” Very true!