The "And They Left Me Off At $1500" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Reading one of my favorite columns in my Lancaster morning newspaper which is titled "The Scribbler."  "The Scribbler's" story today was titled "From Seed to Popcorn."  I knew the main characters as soon as I began reading the story.  The Reist Popcorn Co. has operated in the Mount Joy area for nearly a century.  David A. Reist, the recently retired grandson of the founder, Alvin J. Reist, has written a history of the business titled "And They Left Me Off at $1500: A Century of Progress at Reist Popcorn Company." Alvin Reist began the business as the Reist Seed Co. in 1925 to supply seed and seed cleaning services to local farmers.  David's father, Henry E. Reist, later took charge of the business and in 2001 changed its name to Reist Popcorn Co.  David Reist took over from his father.  His son-in-law, Michael Higgins, has taken his place as company president.  Reist Popcorn operates at two locations in Mount Joy, PA.  "Family farms and businesses created around family farms are complex entities," Dave Reist explained.  "Understanding the conflicts and the accomplishments - the joys and the toils - that allow them to survive through several generations, is an important part of keeping them functional and successful."  And the book's unusual title?  Alvin Reist, the founder began the seed company with two other men.  In a taped interview, he explained the others "decided that I should be President of the company and they were willing to put in $3,000 apiece and they left me off at $1,500."  Copies of the 192-page book can be purchased on the Mount Joy Area Historical Society website (mountjoyhistory.com) or by visiting the society building on Fairview Street in Mount Joy on Sundays from 1-4 p.m.  Proceeds benefit the historical society.  Now, the main part of my story has been completed, but I am still trying too find out how two young gentlemen by the name of Art and Al Reist play into this historical story, for you see...I had twins Art and Al Reist in one of my Graphic Arts classes when I taught high school in Manheim Township School District a few years ago.  The twins were fun to have in class and were extremely respectful to all their teachers.  With a name like that they must have somehow been part of the family that produced the popcorn that you just read about.  Some day I might see one of them and my question will be answered, but until then, I will just have to eat their delicious popcorn that they produce.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.