Smith & Jones

Some aspects of life in the South are comparable to life in another country. As with all places there are numerous good points and some, well, not so good. After having been born and raised in "the North" and lived there fifty plus years before moving to "the South", I now have a better understanding of how it feels to be transplanted. As with all living things, if you nurture them, they will flourish. The Town of Sprague, where Fred's News once was a thriving hub of family, food and friends, can claim ownership to many a transplanted families. This was nothing new for the Town. In the late sixties and early seventies it was also known as a Navy Town. Not too far from Sprague was Groton, which was and is still the home of the Navy's Groton Submarine Base. Many young couples that were wait-listed on the Navy housing rolls, moved to Sprague. It created a more diverse culture for the Town as well as a chance for Fred's News to provide a place for these young people to feel more "at home". Almost every small Town across this vast country can claim ownership to such a place and Sprague was no different. As the Cold War declined and the Navy built additional housing closer to the "Sub Base", the need for all those apartments also waned. Some of the apartment owners just rented to those in need, which created a certain sub-culture of transplanted citizens all across Sprague. However, some of Sprague's newest residents were families that came from other parts of the country and wanted to be together as their husbands worked many large construction projects that were ongoing in Connecticut. Some of these families still have members that are now permanent transplants.

"Smith and Jones" were two such families. They were a wonderful addition to the Fred's News family and although they left the area many years ago, their friendship endures. Billie Smith and Vanessa Jones worked together at Fred's News for a period of time. They were the "lunch time team" and had a great following of regulars. Miss Billie called Fred's "the cafe". Upon returning to her home in Louisiana, she opened her own cafe. Miss Vanessa stayed for a few years while her family grew and it was our hopes and wishes she'd stay forever with us. Eventually, she would move back to Lake Charles, Louisiana with her children so that they could be closer to her family. The void that was left as they moved not only away from us, but from the Town, took years to heal. We miss them everyday and not a week goes by that one of those sweet memories, tucked neatly in that special place in our hearts, becomes a part of our conversations. Miss Vanessa once told our closest friend Ward, who at the times was purchasing two to three packs of cigarettes a day from Fred's, "ya"ll better kick that habit, it's gonna kill ya!" Needless to say he kicked the habit and damn near died when he counted all the money he had saved by not buying them after a year of no smoking. Miss Vanessa's daughter, Jamie Jones worked for us every weekend. She was Bill's "toast girl". A job that many thought boring, but so extremely vital to the fast paced Saturday and Sunday mornings of Fred's News. So that we would be politically correct, this position became known as "toast person" and boasted many a character over the years. Jamie, however, has the notorious title of "Best ever Toast Person!" Those who followed had to endure the wrath of Bill as he moaned and groaned "that they couldn't keep up" or "where the hell is Jamie when I need her!" Jordan Jones is Miss Vanessa's son. When he was younger he'd sit in Fred's waiting for his Mama after school. Jordan would hop off the school bus, run into the restaurant, plop his backpack, which was bigger than him, down on the floor and give a great sign of relief school was over. I always loved the "Hi Miss Diane". Definitely southern charm! Jordan had a skateboard which he was actually quite good at. Dear Bill decided that one day he'd like to try. After a quick lesson he was ready. He thought maybe if he put Fred the Dog on a leash, Fred would pull him along on the skate board. During Jordan's quick skateboarding lesson, Bill failed to remember the part about not stepping on the very back of the board unless.........Yeah it all happened so fast, all we saw was Bill parallel to the ground, then on the ground, this God-awful sound of air leaving his lungs as he landed on his back and skating board shooting out in front of him. When we heard the "Son-of-b@#%@" coming from his deflated body, Miss Vanessa and I laughed so hard we cried. Fred the Dog stood there licking his master's face wondering what the hell happened, Jordan was running down the driveway to retrieve his skateboard, which was traveling, alone, at a high rate of speed and Miss Vanessa and I, well were still laughing! So much for that " no problem, I can do this, piece a cake" attitude. He won't be doing that again anytime soon!