Wrapping up getting to know your local bartender
During the summer months the Pine Island Eagle has dedicated space to the hard-working bartenders found serving customers at 10 participating restaurants and pubs. This edition will wrap of the series and features two bartenders employed at the Ragged Ass Saloon in St. James City. This week meet Laura Franklin and Debbie Horst.
First meet Laura Franklin through her answers to the bartender questionnaire.
1. Astrological sign: Taurus
2. Birth place: New Haven, Conn
3. How long have you worked here: Since February 2009
4. Vanilla or chocolate: Yes
5. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up: Professional skier or a cowboy. It was a toss up
6. What’s your drink of choice: Mr. Jack Daniels and Mr. Jaegermeister
7. Do you have a collection or hobby: Photography
8. Who would you want to play the role of you in a movie: Charlize Theron
9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Somewhere lovin’ life
10. Who was your celebrity crush on in high school: Rock stars
11. What is your absolute biggest pet peeve: Slow drivers
12. What is your favorite pastime: Riding motorcycles and hanging out in my backyard with friends and dogs
13. Which cartoon character to do you most relate to: Pebbles Flintstone
14. If you were a wild animal, what would you be: Red Tail Hawk
15. If you were on a deserted island, what one thing would you want with you: Coast Guard
16. Who has been the biggest influence in your life: My father, grandfather and mother
17. What is your favorite sport to watch: Drag racing and men’s and womens’ downhill and giant slalom
18. What is your favorite TV show: Speed, History, Discovery and PBS channels
19. Do you have any pets: Dog and two cats
20. Describe yourself in one word: Whoa
Laura moved to the Pine Island area nearly six years ago and has worked at the Double Nichol Pub in St. James City and for three and a half years at Red’s in Bokeelia, but is very happy with her move to the Ragged Ass Saloon.
“I love the laid-back atmosphere and the people are great,” said Laura. “We have a lot of fun, I have made a lot of new friends and this feels like home.”
Meet Debbie Horst through her answers to the bartender questionnaire:
1. Astrological sign: Cancer
2. Birth place: Two Harbor, MN
3. How long have you worked here: 3 years
4. Vanilla or chocolate: Both
5. When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up: Broadway dancer
6. What’s your drink of choice: Coors Lt.
7. Do you have a collection or hobby: Reading
8. Who would you want to play the role of you in a movie: Debra Winger
9. Where do you see yourself in 10 years: Still working
10. Who was your celebrity crush on in high school: None
11. What is your absolute biggest pet peeves: Non tippers
12. What’s your favorite pastime: Relaxing
13. Which cartoon character do you most relate to: Mr. Wizard when he would say to Tooter Turtle, “drizzle, drazzle, drone, time for this vun to go home.”
14. If you were a wild animal, what would you be: Wolf
15. If you were on a deserted island, what one thing would you want with you: My immediate family
16. Who has been the biggest influence in your life: My mother
17. What is your favorite sport to watch: Nascar
18. What is your favorite TV show: CSI
19. Do you have any pets: A dog
20. Describe yourself in one word: Thrifty
A long-time resident of Pine Island and the mother of two grown daughter, Debbie has worked at Bert’s Bar and Grill and the Lob Lolly in Matlacha and also worked for 12 years as a bartender at Bert’s Club also in Matlacha.
“After 27 years I think I have met all of the island characters and enjoy them all,” she said.