Irony of ironies: American celebration made in China
Everyday People
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Louann Thompson spent Monday night on an inflatable mattress in the parking lot at 1890 N. Henderson St."I guess last year they had some problems with people finding a way in and stealing stuff," Thompson said Tuesday afternoon. "So I'm here seven days a week for the next three weeks. That's not so bad - it's just three weeks."
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed 43-year-old stood behind a cash register at the entrance to the big red-and-white tent in the place where customers shopping at Eagle Food Center - and later B and G Foods - used to park.
Thompson cast her eyes about the tent. Her employer, Nice Novelties, offers all sorts of fireworks - from 99-cent sparklers to the complete boxed arsenal for a cool $375.
"I work here all day, then we cook dinner on a little mini-grill, then we sleep here and get up and do it all again," Thompson said.
A young couple wandered into a tent and browsed a table stacked with Dancing Butterflies, Party Poppers, Crazy Groundhogs, Lightning Flashes and Lava Cones. They paused in front of a Magnum Party Family Pack.
Just above the couple's head was a hand-written sign that encouraged customers to "Smile as you Browse, You're on Camera!!"
Thompson stayed behind the register and put her hands on her hips.
"This is the first time I've ever had this job. I heard about it through some friends."
Thompson said she used to work for Butler Manufacturing.
"I was there for 11 and a half years. I was a welder and a member of the union before I got laid off in 2003. They moved all the welding jobs down to Mexico."
Thompson scanned the merchandise.
"We all knew it was coming. What happened at Butler didn't surprise or shock me. I didn't get mad or even sad. You just have to keep going. You have to move on."
The couple brought their selections to the register. Thompson bagged sparklers and firecrackers and a See You Later Alligator.
"My last day here is the Fourth of July. I'll work all day that day because everyone will be buying their last-minute fireworks," Thompson said as the couple made their way across the empty parking lot.
"Then I'm going fishing on Rend Lake. My son's birthday is on the 6th, so we are going to celebrate the Fourth and his birthday on the same day."
A man in a yellow shirt and brown polyester pants shuffled along one of the tables. He paused in front of a display of Whistling Dixie fireworks. The ordnance's wrapping featured a Confederate flag.
The man moved on and paused in front of Liberty, a large ground-based sparkler wrapped in red, white and blue packaging.
"These fireworks are made in China," Thompson said. "It's stamped on all of 'em. We don't even make our fireworks for the Fourth of July."
The man put his hands in his pockets and shuffled out of the tent.
"I guess all the jobs are moving out now."
Thompson sighed.
"I wonder if everything is made in China and Mexico now."
Tom Loewy is a reporter for The Register-Mail. Contact him at 343-7181, Ext. 256, or tloewy@register-mail.com
