TAHLEQUAH — For a culture that finds its greatest joy in the latest technological advancement, the simplest things sometimes can deliver the biggest smiles.

A couple of generations ago, opening the front door in the morning to gather a bottle of fresh waiting on the doorstep was a sign of societal advancement. Today, a person can read the paper while ordering groceries online, and expect them to be delivered within hours.

For those wanting to slow down and relive the past, some retro food products are now available – including milk in glass bottles.

Reasor’s grocery store recently started bottled milk that also requires a $2.25 deposit.

“We’ve had really good responses with the [Memory Lane Dairy] milk,” said Reasor’s Store Director Glen Stafford. “It’s a new product line we’ve had now for about three weeks. It’s a half- gallon, and there’s a deposit charged when purchasing the product. When you’re done with the milk, you bring the bottle back. It’s great for recycling, and what it means to be green.”

Memory Lane Dairy, which produces its milk from hormone-free and antibiotic-free healthy cows, pasteurizes and bottles its milk in glass containers twice a week to ensure the milk stays as fresh and cold as possible, according to the Fordland, Mo., company’s website.

Memory Lane Dairy is a division of Hiland Dairy, and distributes its product to leading grocery stores throughout southwest Missouri, and now stores in Oklahoma.

Customers even have a choice of a cream line milk, which is whole milk in its natural state, that might bring back memories of growing up on a farm. The cream line container has a green cap. Customers are instructed to shake the bottle to mix the cream throughout the milk before using it.

Other Memory Lane offerings include three lines of homogenized milk – whole, 2 percent and 1 percent – and flavored milk, including chocolate, strawberry, orange dream, root beer, cotton candy, eggnog and other seasonal flavors.

Stafford said the Memory Lane Dairy product is the only new  “old” product, but said two sodas brands are offering throwback versions.

“Now, we do have the Pepsi and Mountain Dew throwback products that are made with real sugar,” he said.

Dr. Pepper also made a throwback version, according to Daily Press reader Jessica R. Combs, who responded to the Daily Press’ Facebook poll on defunct products readers would like to see return to store shelves. Reasor’s carries the small bottles in six-packs featuring Imperial sugar.

“I also enjoy the Pepsi and Mountain Dew throwback [sodas],” she said. “I like the idea of milk in a glass container, because it cuts down on plastic. And glass will not leach chemicals into your product.”

Reader Linda Martin posted she would like to see “6-ounce bottles of Coke” return, while June E. Garner noted she loves the tongue-tingling candy known as “Pop Rocks” and would like to see the candy back in stores.

“Mom wants the old Mars bar candy to return,” said Martin.

Erin A. Guzik also has a throwback favorite.

“Koala Yummies,” said Guzik. “I can’t find them anywhere. I was able to find Dunkaroos at Tahlequah Walmart, though.”

Richard Hoenes posted his wish to see the full 8 inches of braided caramel covered in milk chocolate, otherwise known as the “Marathon Bar,” make a comeback. John Yeutter said he wanted to see the original “Mars Bar” return to candy shelves.

Susan Littlejohn has a hankering for a certain type of homemade ice cream to return to stores.

“Does anyone remember the fabulous homemade-type ice milk ice cream called ‘Chipper?’ she asked. “I miss my Grandma Strauss and Chipper ice cream. She bought it at the original Reasor’s store on Choctaw.”

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