Time passes at lightening speed, one day quickly passes to the next, as the week ends, a new one begins and I have only written one blog. Stories that constantly swirl through mind obviously do not always make it to print, they remain in my mind's cyberspace or as some might jest...."airspace". Time is not my friend these days, the summer tourist season is upon us, my new batch of college students, eager to "earn their ears" at Disney has arrived. Although most adjust well, the homesick blues, especially with my internationals, is in full swing. I urge the well adjusted to act as "buddies", becoming some one's new best friend. For the most part, it works! Only one threatening to leave!
Although these young people have no idea about a Fred's News, the Town of Sprague or its Cast of Characters, their antics, conversations and lives, very much mirror each other: Young international students at the Academy of the Holy Family, high school students eager to learn the "tricks of the trade" at Fred's News and the many regulars that mentored all of them through this process.
As a young wife and mom, I became a resident of Sprague, my first home away from home, a full ten minutes or so from my childhood residence. Moving to West Main Street in the Village of Baltic, might have seemed a world away from the security of my parents, yet my new found neighbor Alphonse also affectionately known at Fat Girard, welcomed me to the neighborhood. Although many still call him Fat, another alias, Hogan always seemed more appropriate. The Egg -Nazi and I, in the spirit of giving everyone a nickname, simply refer to our friend as "Hoagie, the Man".
Hoagie fascinated my children in their early formative years. His contraption that drove night crawlers from the ground, served as a source of amazement for the avid but young fisherman. His homemade backyard smoker, sending pungent aromas of smoked eels into the humid summer night, made many forget those slimy black snake-like creatures were a pretty tasty treat. Our Chef Matthew wasn't more than three years of age when he dined on these tiny morsels. Admittedly he hadn't seen them in their slimy, wiggling life. Son Mark, not as eager to try the tasty treat. As our boys matured and fished without parental guidance, any eels caught were donated to Hoagie.
Hoagie loved to cook, donating his time to the Fire Department: whether feeding weary firefighters, planning and orchestrating a multitude of fundraisers (pancakes breakfasts, ham and bean suppers) celebrating milestones, hosting dinners for fallen comrades or just cooking for the members, Hoagie never complained. He may of hollered, ordered and demanded much from the many volunteers that entered into his "kitchen" but the fact is everyone loved it as much as Hoagie the Man.
My favorite signs for the Pancake Breakfast, were those that depicted a hand pointing towards the Fire Dept. stating the date, time and a poignant message: Don't eat your pancakes here (Fred's News) support your local Fire Dept. We allowed only Hoagie the Man to post these signs and only for the Fire Dept. Somewhere is my vast collection of photos,there is one of Hoagie the Man next to his sign, pointing the way.
As a Fred's News regular, Hoagie visited everyday until he was no longer able. Complications from a spider bite, coupled with diabetes slowed down my friend. We talk of him often, we laugh at memorable "Hoagie stories" and we wonder how our friend is. He is now the last of his group of friends that frequented Fred's News. He organized fishing trips for them, served as their sounding board when their lives needed direction and staunchly defended them when he felt they were in need. Hoagie was a true friend, a man I admire and miss dearly. His sense of humor, so devious, delicious and dry. That man could tell a story: one never knew if it was the truth or not, but what the hell it was great.
We have tried to think of the many people (characters) that were part of Fred's News, Hoagie the Man is one of the little restaurant's leading actors, not because he visited on a regular basis but because he has had such an influence on my life. He has been one of my most avid cheerleaders; in my earlier years a great mentor, he has served as my healer in times of sickness ( his "hot toddy" a miracle cure) and my healer when he thought my spirit needed a lift. But mostly he is my friend.
Although these young people have no idea about a Fred's News, the Town of Sprague or its Cast of Characters, their antics, conversations and lives, very much mirror each other: Young international students at the Academy of the Holy Family, high school students eager to learn the "tricks of the trade" at Fred's News and the many regulars that mentored all of them through this process.
As a young wife and mom, I became a resident of Sprague, my first home away from home, a full ten minutes or so from my childhood residence. Moving to West Main Street in the Village of Baltic, might have seemed a world away from the security of my parents, yet my new found neighbor Alphonse also affectionately known at Fat Girard, welcomed me to the neighborhood. Although many still call him Fat, another alias, Hogan always seemed more appropriate. The Egg -Nazi and I, in the spirit of giving everyone a nickname, simply refer to our friend as "Hoagie, the Man".
Hoagie fascinated my children in their early formative years. His contraption that drove night crawlers from the ground, served as a source of amazement for the avid but young fisherman. His homemade backyard smoker, sending pungent aromas of smoked eels into the humid summer night, made many forget those slimy black snake-like creatures were a pretty tasty treat. Our Chef Matthew wasn't more than three years of age when he dined on these tiny morsels. Admittedly he hadn't seen them in their slimy, wiggling life. Son Mark, not as eager to try the tasty treat. As our boys matured and fished without parental guidance, any eels caught were donated to Hoagie.
Hoagie loved to cook, donating his time to the Fire Department: whether feeding weary firefighters, planning and orchestrating a multitude of fundraisers (pancakes breakfasts, ham and bean suppers) celebrating milestones, hosting dinners for fallen comrades or just cooking for the members, Hoagie never complained. He may of hollered, ordered and demanded much from the many volunteers that entered into his "kitchen" but the fact is everyone loved it as much as Hoagie the Man.
My favorite signs for the Pancake Breakfast, were those that depicted a hand pointing towards the Fire Dept. stating the date, time and a poignant message: Don't eat your pancakes here (Fred's News) support your local Fire Dept. We allowed only Hoagie the Man to post these signs and only for the Fire Dept. Somewhere is my vast collection of photos,there is one of Hoagie the Man next to his sign, pointing the way.
As a Fred's News regular, Hoagie visited everyday until he was no longer able. Complications from a spider bite, coupled with diabetes slowed down my friend. We talk of him often, we laugh at memorable "Hoagie stories" and we wonder how our friend is. He is now the last of his group of friends that frequented Fred's News. He organized fishing trips for them, served as their sounding board when their lives needed direction and staunchly defended them when he felt they were in need. Hoagie was a true friend, a man I admire and miss dearly. His sense of humor, so devious, delicious and dry. That man could tell a story: one never knew if it was the truth or not, but what the hell it was great.
We have tried to think of the many people (characters) that were part of Fred's News, Hoagie the Man is one of the little restaurant's leading actors, not because he visited on a regular basis but because he has had such an influence on my life. He has been one of my most avid cheerleaders; in my earlier years a great mentor, he has served as my healer in times of sickness ( his "hot toddy" a miracle cure) and my healer when he thought my spirit needed a lift. But mostly he is my friend.
Dee,
ReplyDeleteHe still loves to cook!! Every time I call he seems to be making chowder or soup of some kind!! I have many fond memories of you as our neighbor! When I talk to him I often refer to your blogs and we reminisce, but next time I talk to him I will read this one to him!!!
Hello to Hoagie...he is a great cook!
ReplyDeleteI read it to Hogan and he said thank you and he wanted you to know he is still kicking!!!
ReplyDeleteAw...we miss him!!!
ReplyDelete