After a Long Days Work

Mary Watkins tells her son, Austin that he needs to make himself more presentable before his middle school dance. He's already an hour late to the dance when she comes home and he still isn't ready

Though she was pleased to have the deep-fryer and spices her husband, Victor, brought to the Peckerwood Grocery as a surprise, Mary Watkins was dismayed at the money he'd paid for chicken wings on the same shopping expedition. The pricey poultry became the first samples prepared with the new fryer.EDIT OK FINAL - L

Mary Watkins, owner of Peckerwood Grocery, reads a recipe book while waiting for customers at the store.EDIT FINAL OK - L

Jamie Jacobs, right, and Brandon Medley order sandwiches from Mary Watkins at Peckerwood Grocery.EDIT FINAL OK - LW

MIchelle and Dwayne Brown share a private moment at Renos, a local bar and grill with karoke on Friday Night.

With a quick slurp, Peckerwood Grocery cook-owner Mary Watkins checks the flavor of Thursday's lunch soup.EDIT FINAL - LW

Mary Watkins drives to Peckerwood early in the morning in her Corvette.

Neil Holtzclaw has helped maintain Norfolk Southern railroad tracks for 11 years. As a train crosses West Shelby Road in Junction City, he stands so close to the speeding locomotive that rushing air plasters his tee-shirt to his body.EDIT FINAL OK - LW

Mary Watkins silently weeps as she tries to find the words to write about Richard Elder, the Peckerwood Grocery infamous whittaler who passes the night before. Stores around the area are setting out jars to pay for his final expenses. He was at Peckerwood every day and died of cancer.