On a busy street in Canajoharie the sight of a push cart could catch your eye. The smell of hot dogs could turn your head. But it is likely it will be Loretta Pryor that will get you to stop.
Like a trusty mail carrier, Loretta is serving dozens of people a day, six days a week, rain or shine.
Loretta's husband John started the business 38 years ago, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
"We went to Admar, Long Island City and got the cart, went right to the place where they make them," she said.
Business was booming when Beech Nut was around the corner.
"Nine-thirty in the morning they would be down the street," she said.
Over the years she has served generations.
"School used to be down here, I used to have a lot of kids from school for lunch time," said Loretta.
Her husband passed away three years ago.
"I miss my husband very much he was a good person," said Loretta.
Loretta could easily push her cart home for good. But in her husbands memory, she keeps cooking dogs.
"I got sauerkraut, mustard, meat sauce, onions, ketchups, relish whatever you like you can have," she said.
Most popular she says, is her meat sauce that she makes from scratch.
"I pop into her at the store and try to see what she's buying," said one of her customers.
"I have people ask me all the time if they can buy my meat sauce," she said. But she won't sell her secret.
Those who make Loretta's hot dogs part of their diet don't want her to pack it up either.
"Has good hot dogs, kids like it," said a customer.
"I tried to make them and I can't get them to taste that way," said a customer. "I have a friend in the service and this is his first stop when he gets back."
We even heard stories of people who pull off the Thruway to grab a dog on their way.
Loretta says there is a nice feeling that goes along with feeding someone. Imagine what it feels like to feed a community.
"I love the job, love the people, love to be around people and I hope I can do it for a long time," she said.
