A salute to Mr. Ponder

Very recently, an ice cream shop was opened in the downtown area and immediately when I saw it, Ponder’s ice cream came to mind.

I knew Abbott’s was not in the same location, but very close to my beloved Ponder’s. Growing up in Greer, I fondly remember Ponder’s as one of Greer’s treasurers. It was much more than a just a business. It was an establishment that resonated the minds and hearts of ice cream lovers. It was a location where people gathered, chatted and enjoyed what was thought to be the best ice cream and I must add the best hot dogs anywhere. The people who operated Ponder’s were also nice.  I remember that Mr. Ponder had thick gray hair with a part on the side.  I always wanted him to wait on me because he gave big scoop for I believe, 10 cents a scoop. Grape and lemon were my favorite flavors.  And I believe a hot dog was 25 cents. A group of us; Glenda Sullivan, the late Loretta Sullivan, Rudy Pearson, Deloris Sweet, and others would walk to Maple Creek for choir practice, (the reference in my community was not rehearsal) practice for the Easter program, etc. and we just had to stop by Ponder’s.  Ponder’s was also a gathering place for people who worked in homes of white people. These ladies walked to work and Ponder’s was a resting point between their homes in the Sunnyside community and a place for them to shoot the breeze. So, during this month of Black History when we commemorate the contributions of African-Americans, I am going to be unorthodox and salute Mr. Ponder for recognizing our humanity. Posthumously, I honor and thank Mr. Ponder for not robbing African-Americans of their humanity. He provided a front door entrance for us. Thanks be to God he attempted to incorporate ethical practices in his business. He was courageous and he dared not to support the systemic hideous ideals of this country, since its inception, to deprive us (African-Americans) of our dignity. This was the only food establishment that I remember that allowed black folk to come in the front door. There were two separate doors and facing the building we came in on the right side and whites came in on the left. On our side were long benches and on the White side there were a few tables and chairs and a bench.

Periodically, just for fun as a kid, I would come in on the left side to test the system and to see what would happen--nothing happened, no guns drawn.

Mr. Ponder nor his staff did said anything, but “may I help you.” It was a joy to walk in Ponder’s.  

Norma Jean Nesbitt Givens
Greer