A Full Plate

Without experience in the restaurant business, Anna and her husband, Bill, purchase the Ponderosa, a foreclosed gutted–out restaurant, bar, and motel on the bank of the Main Payette River in Idaho. With wit, wisdom, and as many turns as the unforgiving Highway 55, which snakes through the tortured scenic Payette River gorge, Anna tells stories of family, customers, and building her business. The car crashes, river rescues, broken bones, and wildfires (only steps away) trigger Anna to relive several of her childhood adversities (alcoholism, the sudden death of her young sibling, and child molestation, to name a few). Despite the sixteen–hour workdays and seemingly unending tribulations, Anna and Bill tackle the obstacles in their path with an open heart and robust determination to achieve success. Unfortunately, Life Flight rescues aren't as easy to shrug off, and Anna must often repeat her words aloud: "There are no crybabies on this assignment-put on a pleasing smile and a clean apron and charge onward." Anna's story has an unexpected heart–wrenching conclusion.

-- Anna Kirkpatrick