When his grandson was born in 2015, Dave Reist wrote down some stories of his younger days to pass on to the next generation at the request of his daughter. This project prompted Dave to dig even deeper. In January, Dave published " 'And they left me off at $1500' - A Century of Progress at Reist Popcorn Company." The book includes stories about the Mount Joy-based company's almost 100-year history as well as tales about Dave's grandfather's life.

"We all need to tell our stories, and it helps my kids understand where they fit in the story," said Dave, the father of four daughters and nine grandchildren. "What would I give today to have such a book written by each of my four grandparents? That's what prompted me to keep going in the process of writing this book."

The Reist Popcorn Company was established as the Reist Seed Company in 1925 by Alvin J. Reist on the family's 118-acre farm in Mount Joy. As the company and its services grew, the business moved to several locations in Mount Joy, becoming the Reist Popcorn Company in 2001. Dave worked for the company for 45 years, becoming president in 1994 before retiring in 2020. Today, his son-in-law Michael Higgins operates two locations of the business in Mount Joy.

"This work has been a labor of love for me," Dave said of writing the book. "I wanted to create a written history of not only the Reist Popcorn Company, but also of my family, so the generations that come after me know and understand our heritage."

When he started on the book, Dave used an audiotape of his grandfather as inspiration. The recording captures his grandfather recalling the formation of the business, with $1,500 being the investment Alvin would make as the company president. That inspired the memoir's unique title, Dave said.

Dave pored over historical documents to write his book. His personal library is filled with binders and folders of information, including seed sales bulletins, diaries, letters and old photos.

"Between the many discoveries and my personal memories, I knew I had to capture as much of our family and business history as possible," Dave stated. "Family farms and businesses created around family farms are complex entities."

Along with stories about the company's shift from seed to popcorn production, the book includes tales about Alvin's 1943 airplane and what would become one of Lancaster County's first on-farm airstrips, as well as his contributions as a young man to tobacco production. The book also details what daily farm life was like and highlights the history of area landmarks.

In writing the book, Dave worked with the Mount Joy Area Historical Society, and all proceeds from sales of the book will benefit the organization.

The historical society will host a "Friend Raiser/Meet and Greet the Author" event on Sunday, March 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the society building, 120 Fairview St., Mount Joy. Light refreshments will be available, and a scavenger hunt will be held inside the building. Dave will sign copies of his book and give a brief talk at 2 p.m.

The book is available for purchase at Mount Joy businesses Reist Popcorn Company, The Baker's Book Shoppe at Made With Love Not Gluten Bakery and Time After Time Clocks, as well as at the Mount Joy Area Historical Society's website, http://www.mountjoyhistory.com.