Something is cooking in the kitchen and it’s more than just soup
Frances Farnia prepares soup for the Queen of Apostles soup kitchen, something she has been doing every Thursday for the past several years.
By Charles Sercombe
One thing you will never, ever hear from Frances Farnia is “no soup for you.”
Yes, that’s a reference to the old “Seinfeld” TV show for those who are not of a certain age.
But seriously, Farnia is all about soup and giving. She has been the steady soup preparer at the Queen of Apostles Parish soup kitchen for several years now, after having served as a cook at many local restaurants over the last several decades.
Farnia is now 92 years old and is about to turn 93, and you would never know it. Maybe she’s a little more gray-haired and stooped over than in previous years, but she has not aged much in any other way.
This is the quintessential Hamtramck grandmother.
Farnia is quick and meticulous around the kitchen, and you can easily tell that her fellow volunteers love her.
The Review recently caught up with Farnia last week. We didn’t manage to get too many words in edge-wise because Farnia has a gazillion stories to tell, and darn it if you think you can interrupt until she finishes.
We checked in as Farnia began preparing her soup for that day, chicken and rice.
“I’m doing it my way,” she announced.
And then, before we could ask what “my way” was, Farnia was goaded by her staff to tell the “CVS story.”
Oh boy, it’s a good one with an unexpected twist.
Seems a few weeks ago Farnia went to the Hamtramck CVS to pick up a prescription, but upon pulling up saw a parking lot submerged with water and mud. A security guard told her to park in a handicap parking space that was free and clear of mud and muck.
Farnia isn’t handicapped nor has a license plate with a handicap tag or nor does she have a handicap placard that is displayed inside her car.
Yeah, she’s not handicapped.
But a Hamtramck police officer, who will remain nameless but will forever suffer the ridicule of his fellow officers, drove by and ticketed her car for illegally parking in a handicap parking space.
(Editor’s note: Attention Arlo Guthrie, this would make a great follow-up to “Alice’s Restaurant.”)
Where were we?
Oh yeah, the ticket.
Farnia finished her business inside and sees the ticket.
“I got a ticket even though they told me to park there,” she said.
It’s the one and only ticket she has ever received in her decades-long of driving, and in fact she just got the OK to drive for at least another three years.
Officer Luigi Gjokaj hands Farnia a birthday cake while partner Mike Fedenis looks on. Farnia will soon be celebrating her 93rd birthday
Without further fuss the next day or so Farnia went to the police station to find out what to do next.
And then this is where the story gets interrupted by the arrival of two Hamtramck police officers – almost as if by cue but actually totally a coincidence.
They came bearing two smallish boxes, each containing a birthday cake.
“We’re here to bring you in,” they joked.
There are laughs all around, and there is a huge apology by the cops. Everyone gets together to pose for a group photo.
So, long story short. Farnia of course does not have to pay for the ticket, and never even gets close to having to go into court. There are no hard feelings. We are on a deadline, and leave with one last question, which might have been only the second question.
We ask: What’s your secret to a long and healthy life?
“Keep busy because if you don’t someone will have to pick you up,” Farnia said.
And, may we add, avoid muddy parking lots.
