Thanksgiving praises for Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey
Published by Becky S November 22nd, 2004 in uncategorized, travels, miscellaneous fluffIn the United States, this is the week where we give thanks. Without further ado, allow me to express my gratitude to the states of New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Except for an unfortunate six-month stint in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I’ve always lived near one or more state lines:
- When my grandparents used to visit Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they always made a trip down to Weaver’s Outlet in Maryland for cheap booze. I don’t remember them drinking very much, though my grandmother often filled a Robitussin bottle with Kahlua and carried it in her purse as an emergency ice cream topping/coffee flavoring.
- During my years at James Madison University, Virginia outlawed grain alcohol. Luckily, West Virginia—where you can buy most liquor at the 7-11—is a twenty minute drive from Harrisonburg. Did I really used to drink grape Kool-Aid and grain alcohol?
- Don’t feel like paying sales tax on that big ticket item? Hop on I-95 and head to Delaware. Motorists entering Delaware are greeted by a huge billboard:
DELAWARE—LAND OF TAX-FREE SHOPPING
Hidden behind that billboard is a smaller one:
Oh yeah, and Delaware is also the first state and very historical. BUT DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE TAX-FREE SHOPPING!
- New Jersey is a fine option for confused Pennsylvanians who want to circumvent their state’s odd liquor laws. In New Jersey you can purchase beer, wine, and liquor in a single, non-state-controlled store. In addition, you don’t have to buy an entire case of beer. You can buy a six pack! On Sundays and everything!*
Maryland, West Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey, I salute you.
*Some Pennsylvania liquor stores are now open on Sundays, but not the one near my apartment in Philadelphia’s Fairmount neighborhood. We Fairmounters are God-fearing folk who have no need of demon liquor on the holy day.
No Tags
Georgia has more relaxed liquor regulations than Pennsylvania. Weird.
I think there is a beer distributor near 18th and Brown…are they closed on Sundays as well?
I am always amazed when I see beer in supermarkets in the South. Which is a good thing, when I can’t figure out where the bars are, but am always driving by Walmarts.
They ban off-sale on Sunday in Minnesota too, except for that abomination called 3.2 beer (cross yourself when you hear that term). That’s why God created Wisconsin.
FYI Grandpa made Grandma the “Kahlua” from 200 proof Vodka. He made a wide variety of Liquours e.g., “Strega”, Lavender (ugh!), Tangerine (superb, “Grand Marnier”, Anise, Vanilla.(just to name a few). They may have lacked the high octane of the original, but with aging were a suprisingly agreeable “knock-off”. Hence the large supply of the the “Base” materials needed and the trunk full of alcohol.
The South has a fine tradition of alcohol consumption. It began with Jack Daniels and moonshine. Continued with selling beer in WalMart. (Oh yes, shotgun and beer all in one stop.) And last year, the Georgia legislature upped the quantity of alcohol allowed in beer. The 8th deadly sin is sobriety.
Wow, I had successfully repressed all memories of that awful lavender liquor. But now it’s all coming back. Ugh.
Sam, are you talking about Stones (17th and Fairmount, I think)? Great place, but not open on Sunday as far as I know.
No beer distributors are open on Sundays in PA. You can only buy 6-packs from bars.
Also, what’s up with your state legislature. Boo!
Huh, I didn’t see that, but I remember people predicting such a scenario when the wi-fi plan was announced. Comcast has headquarters in Philly, and Verizon also has a presence, so they’re not likely to go along with a free wi-fi plan.
The PA legislature should focus on important issues like repealing the silly liquor laws. Oh, taking care of that public transportation funding. No bus on weekends? Bleh!