Ode to the Toasters!

Doesn't happen too often but today was just a down right soggy, gloomy day.  Clouds lingered for the better part of the day, although the rains ceased around noon time, with a brisk wind from the north, making for much chillier temps than the past week.  By Florida standards, it was so....un-tropical.  On the flip side...if one hailed from the colder climates to our north....today, much like the April showers, that bring the you know-whats-in-May!

The inclement weather good for appetites, making for quite the chaotic morning.  Much like the busy mornings at Fred's News, someone or something always stood out "in the or at the crowd".  That not so appetizing aroma of burnt toast, waifed through the dining room this morning, stirring up memories of those over used, pain in the butt toasters, probably still sitting in their final resting places, within the hauntingly quiet walls of the former Fred's News.  Interestingly enough, those little toaster more than paid for themselves......and oh the abuse! They deserve more than they got...should have been bronzed and mounted, as a final tribute for their faithful years.  Poked, prodded, slammed, turned upside, shaken until they spewed forth the entire contents of their innards,yet much like the "pink bunny" they took a "lickin and kept on tickin!" Even when they tried to just quit or lay down and die, we resisted their pleas.   Adding insult to injury, their own family let.....that greasy, grimy Johann, the Nephew....Great, violate them.  Dear God, what were we thinking! 

Patrons learned early on, "ya see smoke" billowing from the toaster area, first, head to the nearest smoke detector, take out the battery, THEN and only THEN, holler..."hit the toaster!"  Most people walking by the restaurant knew, all too well, that smell of burnt toast. Kathleen, always the artsy environmentality advocate, found wonderful use for burnt toast......Christmas Ornaments...oh soooooo thoughtful and definitely one of a kind.  With the amount of burnt bread, Fred's News could of mass produced these ornaments...probably would of sold well at Walmart during the holiday season.  When the season was over, hang them outside for our feathered friends, although I am sure they'd still be there in the Spring, even John and Rocco Carboni admitted they'd had enough burnt toast to last a lifetime....!! 

So this morning as a Guest approached me with the look of concern, a word need not be spoken, that all too familiar aroma had suddenly violated my air space.  "We have a fire in the toaster!"  she tried to calmly report, but the look of concern told me otherwise.  As I rounded the corner, I heard the sound of coughs and someone yelling, "where is the plug, pull the plug!"   Other family members were attacking the poor toaster with plastic utensils, which by the way were disfigured from the heat and adding to the aroma.  As if that weren't enough, this "odoriffic" smell now being transported to other parts of the hotel via the air ducts.  As I walked towards the Guests doing harm to the toaster, I remained surprisingly calm, having travelled this road many times before....".Please stand back from the toaster, it will be fine." I reassure the crowd now holding their pool towels over their noses.  As I retrieve the burnt object from the "guts" of the poor toaster, I realize, it is not your ordinary piece on bread, but the burnt remains of a cheese danish!  I will not write what I wanted to say, we do know one can warm a danish in the microwave, ironically that correct piece of equipment was located right next to the smoking toaster!  Enough said.  My only thoughts were, if anyone staying at the Lodge had ever visited Fred's News, they would of recognized the smell. Kathleen, if you would like to retire in Florida, perhaps I can persuade you to begin marketing burnt toast or pastry ornaments...we've got a much larger clientele NOW!

That Inner Circle....Friends

"The Brothers", Emil and Fred, born and raised in Baltic, had a set group of friends. Young men,  friends from adolescence, all their relationships matured into a lifetime of friendship. Some were part of the group that formed the Mukluk Club, but the bond between these friends was solidified years earlier.  It's funny how they talked about their earlier years, so nonchalant, at times it seemed as though it wouldn't have mattered if they were friends or not, but for those that knew them,the truth was evident.   A funny bunch of friends from all walks of life, yet truly a brotherhood with connections.  If favors were needed, markers were called in...a done deal.  They'd laugh, joke and take great pride in stories, "hey Emil, tell about your tour of duty in North Africa during WWII, where you made big bucks!"  They'd laugh as if it were a joke, but the bottom line....dead serious business.  These gentlemen joked non-stop, told whopping big stories, made people laugh, but they ran a family business...a serious family business. 

Pin-ball machines, juke boxes, slot machines, and yes, card games........stories unfolded, each time exactly as before, but if you listened, the real stories emerged.  One learned, NEVER ask questions....just listen.  Much the same applied when "the brothers" decided to sell Fred's News.  No questions asked......except for one, "did we want to buy the place?"  Yes, it would not be offered more than once, there would be no further discussions.  Emil told us in later years, "he had chosen wisely."  We would of liked to ask the meaning of the statement, but no questions were asked....it was a given, he meant it as a compliment.  Emil visited often, had favorite meals, enjoyed sitting with his cronies, talking about the shape of the world, laughing at memories, soaking up the ambiance.  As each friend passed, the remaining would have an iced tea in memory of the dearly departed, returning to the conversation at hand, as though nothing had changed.  If there was any sorrow or a time of mourning, it was done privately. I often wondered if private meetings were arranged for just such a reason, but the law ......don't ask.  Occasionally bits and pieces would emerge.   As old Fred passed away unexpectedly, friends filled Fred's News, stories, all comical, filled the place.  People laughed, reminised, wondered....secretly, those out of the inner circle asked questions amongst themselves. none of which were ever answered, at least not by us.  Fred's lifelong partner, Barbara visited late one afternoon.  As we readied the little place for closing, she confided, "I miss him so much, he was the love of my life.  Yes, I will never have to worry, he promised he'd take care of me, he has.  But I am so pissed off at that old bastard for leaving me way too soon........."  with that a single tear trickled down her cheek.  Enough said....life continues.

Unwanted Visitors at Freds

There are times I sit in front of my little computer, thoughts somewhat arranged in my mind, but can't seem to let the ideas flow from the brain to the fingers, poised ready, waiting and wanting to do "their thing ".  Frantically I begin searching for some sort of inspiration, please let the words come.  Trying to focus on my thoughts only seems to cause more confusion.  It's pretty sad when you can't even control your own mind! So, I walk away.  Looking out the kitchen window, I focus, much like my mighty owl hunter, on movement. Nothing, yet a strange almost eery rope like object, gently swaying in the breeze catches my attention.  With the multi shades of greens now blossoming in the preserve, the object seems to disappear and reappear continually.  With my owl perched twenty feet away, any human movement my send the mighty hunter a warning.  He too is focused on this object.  Slowly I move away from the window, the binoculars within reach, I might be able to identify our long unknown hanging object.  Looking through the binoculars, I now realize the owl's reason for such intense studying....my object is quite possible going to be his next meal.  This SNAKE has been slithering through the branches, ocassionally stopping, listening, not wanting to be some animals's breakfast, he moves ever so cautiously.  So I watch, waiting for this scene to play out. 

Their seems to be an intermission in the drama unfolding outside my window, but my thoughts have turned to Baltic and the the little brook that flowed along side of Fred's News.  Beaver Brook was home to many snakes.  In early Spring our young patrons patiently awaited their return.  Many times the snakes would be perched on the rocks sticking out of the brook or the edge of the restaurant's foundation.  Perfect place to soak up the warm rays of sunshine. Snake sightings in the brook was a sure sign Spring had arrived!  Mr. Bill not so happy, snakes not his favorite, he avoids them at all times.  Unless of course they see him first.  Rarely did the snakes appear in the driveway, but for some odd reason, one year they preferred to sun themselves up there.  The back dock or steps of Fred's News back entrance, also a favorite sunbathing area.  Much to the dismay of Mr. Bill, these slithering reptiles scared the hell out of him.  One afternoon, he is carrying trash to the dumpster, doesn't see a snake on the back ramp until he almost steps on it. Trying to avoid contact, a series of events unfolds, resulting in Mr. Bill falling off the ramp, into a puddle, skinning his knees as he hits the gravel driveway, rolling over into a puddle,  As he returned to the restaurant, whining all the way, not  making any sense, Todd and I heard the word SNAKES.   Heading outside I look for the reptile, which of course had quickly slithered back to the brook. Understand, if I were the snake about to be crushed by a size thirteen, or even worse, sat on by the falling two hundred thirty pound body of the Egg-Nazi, I too, would have returned to the safety of the brook, at lightening speed.

Beaver Brook, also home to many of the little field mice, that seemed to sneak into Fred's News, during the cold New England winter months.  At the first sign the intruders had returned,  traps of all kinds were set.  Some however, would make a "run for it" rather than succomb to an untimely death.  Most of the critters were in the basement, but ocassionally, a rogue would break free and appear in the restaurant.  In the twenty plus years at Fred's, only once did an itzy bitzy mouse make an appearance....during breakfast, his run for freedom began.  Some never saw or felt him as he ran over their feet.  They were just cozied up to the counter, sipping their coffee.  Some tried to catch the bad boy, others screamed.....his sprint, a galliant effort.  He disappeared, only to reappear in the traps the following day.....stiff as a board, his last meal, peanut butter laced bacon.

Again I sneak a look out my window, the owl's gaze fixed on the snake, but I sense drama about to come to an end.  The gentle breeze is now more a wind, the snake's protective leaf cover, blown aside.  I hear a screech, not my owl but another large feathered hunter, the mighty clawed Osprey, swoops in, grabbing the snake, disappearing above the canopy of the preserve. Looking at the owl, I realize, he is sleepy and probably digesting his evening meal.  Tonight while the Osprey settles into his nest, the majestic owl will once again rule the preserve. 

There is a Time and Place........When it's Necessary!

It's always exciting to see people from Connecticut visiting Florida.  Sightings most likely occurring at Disney, rarely a week going by without such a sighting.  However, when some one approaches you..."I know you, we've spoken before....I think it was at another one of the Disney resorts!", you know you've definitely been around for a while!   Such was the case yesterday, when a Guest approaches, saying I remember you from Disney's French Quarter.....funny, I did remember her!  Scary the memory of our first meeting, not so good.  That flashback left me wondering.......is it going to be Deja Vu!  Thirty seconds into the conversation....I can breathe easy....today, the "happy Gods" are looking down upon me with great favor!

Yes, we miss Fred's News, family, friends unexpected moments that are now cherished memories, yet there is a flip-side.  So for a moment we will journey to the "dark-side!"  Names will be left out although I can't imagine why, I am sure they plastered our names "in vain" all over the place.  As business owners we tried to please our patrons, always serving the very best.  Admittedly conversations at times could be heated, but the service and product, the very best.  Example:  Young lady calls in her order on a busy, choatic Sunday morning.  "Give me a Ham & Cheese omelet, home fries and toast.  I'll be right there to pick it up"  Click! 
First of all, on such a crazy morning, the  "I'll be right there to pick it up", isn't going to happen.  Although no name was given, the disconnect happening prematurely, I did recognize the voice....my immediate reaction as the phone line disconnected........BITCH! 

Within five minutes, Guess Who shows up......"I'll take this one",  "I just ordered a Ham & Cheese omelet, how much?"  As I explain the situation to this young woman, "it will be ready in fifteen minutes", words cannot describe what flowed from her lips.   I asked her to leave, more words flowed, I learned new ways to group such vulgarities together, although I cannot imagine why I would unless perhaps I was conversing with her, fat chance!  "My sister will be back to get it in fifteen minutes!"  Wonderful, BITCH number two, wonder if she can tell time better than you know who?  Yes, the order was made, yes, number two picked it up, yes number one called,  of course, to BITCH.  "You are trying to kill me, I found a mushroom in my homefries.  I can die if I eat one of those!  I am going to sue your ass, that place is going to be mine!"  Of course it never happened, one can only hope she would consume mushrooms soon (sorry!), but one would think, that would be the first thing out of her mouth, "I have an allergy"  Even if she grouped it with vulgarities, she would of  made us aware!  At the next week's phone order, I asked her to dine elsewhere, we could not insure "mushrooms" would not find their way into her food, as tempting as the idea might be!

Fred's News, the building......OLD.  The public restroom...OLD.  One must remember the original design of the building.....Out houses, out yonder.  So, with that in mind, quite understandable a patron would be upset for a few reasons.  The bathroom was co-ed, also not required by law to exist.  Someone breaks the toilet, at the busiest moment possible, OUT OF ORDER mode begins.  Very next patron..."Hey I need a bathroom" he snarls.  Jokingly I  respond, "me too, ours in broken!"  I thought it to be a quick comeback, Snarley Face....not so much.  "I'm calling the health dept. (he did), we'll close this place down! (they did not)"  Still determined in seeking revenge, "I'm calling my lawyer, I am going to sue your ass!"  First of all with all the pooh-pooh flowing like diarrhea from his mouth, he couldn't possibly of needed a bathroom any more.  Second, neither myself nor my patrons need to witness ridiculous outbursts like that.    The man left,  returning the following week.  Funny how people remember idiots like that......"Diane, that you know who is back.  What are you going to do?"  This foul mouth person was sitting at the table in the beloved "PARIS WINDOW."  That being reason enough to demand he leave, I approached him, "excuse me, but I am asking you to leave immediately.  Your last visit, not one I wish to repeat.  Neither I, my employees or patrons, wish to hear such language or witness your disgusting behavior again.  Please leave now!" As he tried to release verbal abuse...my outside voice rose from within....."Get out NOW or I call the State Police!"  Mr. Bill almost cracked his skull on the stainless hood as he heard my voice...."What the hell is is going on...oh it's you again Asshole, you heard my wife, get out!"   I reached for the phone, he exited the premises.  Cheers from the patrons, but "Me thinks Mr. Bill 's profanity..... Hmmmm,  absolutely disgusting but joyously appropriate!"

Social Networking

Everywhere you look, people are connected, with ear buds now part of the wardrobe!  People walking down the street, talking to themselves, at one time labeled wacky and strange, are now the norm, (Crazy Bruce, Root Beer and a number of other Baltic looney tunes were ahead of their times!), we don't always notice the hands free stuck in their ear.  Head to a public bathroom, people in the individual stall, talking on cell phones, with the mindset, the stall prevents EVERYONE from hearing the conversation!

The leaps and bounds in technology have created a society that no longer converses face to face, the younger generation almost afraid of visual contact!  Fred's News was all about the senses, whether sight, smell, touch or hearing, it was delivered in overload proportions. Yet, I believe it was a learning experience for many.  Shyness was overcome, opinions were voiced, mostly every one's opinions were respected, even if challenged, they were respected.  Much like the media talk shows of evening television, everyone talking at the same time, Fred's news was a hub of social activity.  Although manners were preferred, not everyone felt the same about the interruption process.  Many times the rudeness of interrupting, a necessary part of an ongoing conversation.  An "outside voice" usually beneficial....myself, Delaval, Thelma her Majesty, the Patties, Ms. Morning Mary and the Buzz-Man, also blessed with the vocal chords of a "Big-Mouth.  Mr. Bill often thinking, he could out talk, out yell and "win" a discussion, was merely a "baby" in training, his vocal chords severely "damaged" by years of smoking the turd smelling cigars, more often "throwing the towel in" on lively conversations.  He would return to his grill, head tucked neatly under the hood fan, withdrawing to familiar territory.  He enjoyed people thinking he couldn't hear the conversations erupting behind his back.  The Egg-Nazi definitely has refined his selective hearing process, using it to his advantage even now.

Our young people working the weekends might have been shy their first few times "on Stage" at Fred's News, but that shyness needed to be overcome quickly, a definite sink or swim process.  Yet the nurturing personalities of many customers, made the process for these young people actually quite easy.  Faced with a barrage of questions, the process screamed "interactions please".  Just as our regulars grilled new customers, the process repeated for new employees, just a softer side of interrogation.  "Hey I remember you as a toddler, you can't possibly be old enough to work!?"  What they really wanted to ask:
Hey kid are you old enough to work? You aren't sixteen!"  "You're right, I'm fifteen and ten months, in the State of Connecticut, that's legal!"  The surprised look of the interrogator, priceless!.  They must of thought, this kid is savvy!  Well let's put that rumor to rest.....truth be known, we never let any new employee out on the floor, without strict instructions......."They're going to question you, be ready, don't let them know you're shaking in your boots, give them a confident answer, they'll be-friend you for life!  Couldn't send those babies out "to the wolves" without a reassuring love pat!    

Just a Big Kid!

Today's early morning discussions while enjoying a hot cup of coffee, centered around recent visits from friends up north.  This past weekend Gracie Baby, now residing in Florida near Venice Beach, made the trip to Disney, with son Roger and friend.  The respective husbands, Mr. Bill and Roger Sr. opting to stay put at home.  Gracie-Baby says, with animals now part of the household, overnight stays out of the question.  Mr. Bill on the other hand, not feeling in tip top shape this past weekend.  So it was a time for Gracie and I to catch up on happenings to the North. 

Last weekend, Mr. Bill and I spent some much needed time at Disney, enjoying Mrs. G.'s granddaughters. Although the twins quite used to their "Billy", little Lena not quite sure about this rather strange,over grown kid her "sister cousins" lovingly adore. The twins having known Mr. Bill since birth, growing up with his wise-cracking, strange wardrobe choices, always the white golf socks and sandal, just like their Grandpa, are the norm for their Billy.

Heath issues over the years, have plagued Mr. Bill, thankfully, most just part of the aging process.  His cigar smoking has been the root of many of the health issues, yet it is something he dearly misses.  The first health issue caused by this disgustingly smelly habit....infected gums in his mouth.   Fact is...... he always chomped down on the wooden tipped cigars, causing a splinter to become embedded in his gums, creating a massive infection, resulting in bone loss and perfectly good teeth, didn't seem to changed his love affair with cigar smoking.  Thank you Forrest Gump "Stupid is as stupid does!"   As Doc Dyer informed him, good teeth would be replaced by a partial plate, I could see the wheels turning "I'll still be able to smoke my cigars!"  Fast forwarding to the "new teeth", it created a whole new world for  "Billy...the big kid".  He became the master of scaring little kids, popping out his teeth right before innocent little eyes.  The twins, always yelling..."Billy take out your teeth", to their delight, he'd oblige.  Early one morning, all the regular customers sitting in their usual places at Fred's News, Glenn sitting at one of the tables, in comes Gary, aka Doc, with young son Joel in tow. At the most impressionable age of four, Joel observed everything around him.  Not saying a word just watching, listening, taking it all in.  Mr.  Bill decides.....Let's see if we can get Joel's attention, he delivers the food, himself, directly to Joel.  As Joel continues to give the Egg-Nazi that "once over look", Mr. Bill pushes out his upper partial plate.  Joel's look of utter amazement, "priceless". He was also speechless.  I cannot even begin to imagine what was going through that young child's mind, although Doc reports, "Joel explanation to his Mom, take care of your teeth, we need to go to the dentist!"

As we sat dining with Mr. G and family, little Lena giving Mr. Bill that same "once over look".  Not too sure about this man everyone seems to be talking to, she remains quiet watching his every move.  Although, I could not see Mr. Bill's face, the wide-eyed horrified look that appeared on Lena's face told the entire story.   "Mr. Bill put those G-damn teeth back in your mouth!" Priceless!!!  

Smoking...Very Bad for Your Health and Future!

Funny how things do jog your memory and I sincerely appreciate when someone sends a message.....remember when this happened, or do you remember this person, whatever happened to them.  Those type comments always allow my memory a chance to re-boot, whatever spews forth is written about.  Well maybe there are some stories needing to remain suspended in anonymity, only to protect the innocent. Then there are those who cry innocent but many know differently. 

Many years ago, but during our Fred's News years, a series of burglaries as well as vandalism incidences were on the rise is Sprague.  Our resident trooper, worked diligently to find and arrest the culprits. Early one morning as we readied Fred's News for its usual early morning opening, a State Police cruiser pulled up to front door entrance of the restaurant. Although not a first time event, it was odd that he asked to come in early.  After apologizing for the inconvenience he said questions were necessary, a robbery had occurred at St. Joseph's School, just a few hundred feet north of the restaurant.  He confided, the office had been broken into, the safe had been stolen, a few other objects taken, along with minor vandalism.  Not being sure of the exact time the crime had been committed, he'd hoped we might of seen or heard something...anything.  Did we hear anyone talking, did we have a possible suspect in mind....all his questions geared along those lines.  No, we did not hear voices, but if it were young people, past experiences told us......they'd like to brag.  We assured him, if they'd managed to get the safe open, extra money might show up at Fred's News.  He thanked us, left his contact numbers and drove away.

As we opened that morning, numerous early morning patrons remarked as well as questioned, "Hey, there are State Police cars at St. Joe's School.........any idea what's going on?"  Of course, the story told and re-told many times over.  Yet, no one in particular or out of the ordinary stopped in to spend money....money they didn't normally have.  Troopers returned, more questions, more ideas thrown around, a few suspects beginning to emerge.  The Egg-Nazi and I had comprised a "short-list" of our own suspects, smooth talkers that might perhaps fit the bill.  With-in a few hours the troopers again returned, this time we told him we had a list of who we thought might be capable of the crime.  Since no clear cut clues stood out....they listened.  Although our list had three people, one of the suspects also appeared on their list.  Finding that odd, they questioned our reasoning. We told them, the mutual suspect, a young teen, lived very close by, was a very well mannered young man, but had been in trouble many times.  They agreed, their reason for putting him on their list as well.  One of the troopers mentioned he had questioned the youth's mother, she said he had been home all evening.......Mom had been known to cover for her troubled child before.  As new clues emerged, the police almost certain this was "their man", yet the youngster,  a tough nut to crack.   By some stroke of genius, the trooper mentioned whoever had broken into the school, smoked, having left their crushed cigarette butts all over the office and hallway floors.  Knowing this young suspect smoked, his older brother providing him with cigarettes, I knew the kind he preferred, they were purchased at Fred's News.  "If they are Marlboro, then you've got your man!" I laughed.  Not saying a word, the troopers left.  Within a couple of hours, word trickled down to Fred's News our"short-list" suspect had been arrested for the crime.  He did admit to the crime, only after they revealed he had left behind cigarette butts........Yes, smoking IS very bad for your health and future!