A shrinking world.

Technology has allowed society to see or speak with anyone around the world in a matter of seconds. We as a people have allowed our immediate social interactions to be controlled mostly by this technology. As wonderful as it is people sometimes need a place just to meet, talk, perhaps work out a problem, laugh, cry and share a meal or just a cup of coffee. Fred's News was such a place. Although it's location was just a small New England town, it's reputation was far reaching. The Sisters of Charity, Holy Family Academy is the Motherhouse or headquarters for this order of nuns and also a world known boarding school for teenage girls. Over the years, young ladies from Africa,Mexico, Korea, Vietnam, South America and many more countries would attend the Academy during the school year. Everyday they were allowed a certain amount of free time to be out in the community. Many frequented Fred's News for the usual American snacks, chips, soda, fries, burgers and ice cream. Many came back after their graduations to tell us of the memories they cherish, the fun times and good food of Fred's News. To this day as we now live in Florida, many contact me through Facebook just to tell me thanks for the memories.

When our youngest son decided to move after graduating from college it was difficult for me. He wanted to leave the area, especially this fishbowl of a place. His original plan was California but a change left him in Orlando, Fl. Immediately he went to Disney for job, was hired and never looked back. His tenth anniversary is just two months away yet it seems like yesterday I cried as he left. His first day at Disney he had the opportunity to meet a young lady who took one look at his name tag which said "Mark, Baltic, Ct." Hers said "Becky" and the state listed was Georgia. Becky told mark, "I know where Baltic is." Surprised Mark was doubtful but listened. The story of a shrinking world unfolded. Becky was from Middlefield, Ct. or there abouts. As a child she had spent many summers with her Grandparents at the Salt Rock Campground in Baltic, Ct. She told him her good friend was Sara, whose parents owned the campground. Sara is also Mark's friend. She used to go into the Village and eat at a small diner named Fred's News. Mark listened in amazement, then told her his parents owned Fred's. From that day forward they have had a friendship that has never wavered. For almost ten years they were roommates, only recently has Becky and her boyfriend Sean moved in together in their own home. Mark and Becky's friendship continues, they are always together. Even more amazing is the fact that Becky's parents came into Fred's News after they found out the unbelievable story. They introduced themselves and we have kept in touch. About six months before we retired to Florida they too sold their home,moving on to Orlando. It is so wonderful to have what is now our extended family here in Florida. Truly exciting is the fact that it was Fred's News as the common denominator that brought it all about.