A Personal Tribute to former president Jimmy Carter

By Frans Weits

Jack Sprat Restaurant Owner in Girdwood

In July, 2005, four years after we'd opened Jack Sprat in Girdwood, my two year old son and I were about to go camping on the Kenai Peninsula when Kurt Hoessel, owner of Girdwood-based Alaska Wildland Adventures, contacted us. 

Kurt said he could not say what was happening, but that he was bringing a "very important guest" to our restaurant for Sunday brunch. 

“Just make sure to be there!" he said. 

President Carter (right) and his wife Rosalynn pose for a picture. (Photo courtesy of Frans Weits)

This was my first time taking my son, Frans Ryker, camping and his mom was getting a much deserved break from child rearing. 

What did my wife, Jen Weits, do with her free weekend? Well, she cooked brunch, of course, as she often did. 

Jen has a way with making excellent soups, and on this particular weekend, she made a Welsh Rarebit Soup special served in a sourdough bread bowl.

We had only been in business for a few years so I was rarely away from work. Having a baby to care for turns out to be a great reason to take time off and so I was cashing in. 

James Dare had invited me to go fishing with him on the Kenai River and it was peak summer in mid- July. James was a chef for us and I have no idea how he had the weekend off. We were open seven days a week back then, so anything was possible, I guess. 

I was sure to leave camp earlier than normal so we would not miss whatever surprise was waiting for us. 

Meanwhile, Jen's cousin Tom Herrick was visiting from Michigan so he, Ryker and I made it back to the restaurant with time to have a latte before we found out what was happening. 

Two secret service men briefed us on the situation: Ex-President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were coming in for brunch. 

They had six secret service attendees with them. Two would sit at their table, two in the main dining room, and two would have to order take-out and secure the perimeter. They wanted to make sure Carter had the best table with good visibility (I imagine for possible snipers) and they requested a table of six in the newly built solarium. 

I believe Kurt and one other guest were also seated at their table. We only sat tables up to four guests in this dining room, so we quickly made adjustments and formed a table of six by combining a two and four person table that was perfectly situated in the front corner of the restaurant. 

This became known as the "Carter Table" and whenever we needed an additional table for six when the booths were full we referred to it in this manner. 

They were pleasant guests and I remember a hush fell over the dining rooms, like a sense of reverence, during the whole experience. I believe kindness is contagious, because even the secret service men were some of the kindest people I've ever met. 

They had the honor of protecting one of our U.S. presidents and I think they got a lucky assignment with this one. Kurt later informed me that Carter was touring some of the land he helped to protect back in the 1970’s. They travelled by boat and raft through the Kenai and Skilak Lakes staying at the backcountry lodges built by Alaska Wildland. 

Kurt built a strong tourism business based on the preservation of these lands and raised a family in Girdwood. He told us the Carters were in awe of the impressive landscape and wildlife.  

Now, Jen and I were benefiting from a thriving restaurant on the doorstep of the Chugach National Forest, also set aside, in part, by Carter. We certainly had no inkling that we would serve an American president within the first five years of opening a restaurant. 

Rosalynn ordered the Welsh Rarebit Soup Special and Jimmy got Jen's vegetable soup and sandwich. He shook her hand over the bar on their way out and insisted on a picture out front. Ryker was squirming all over in cousin Tom's arms. I still had my father-in-law's overall's on from camping. 

President Carter was the only one that seemed to have it all together.

(Turnagain News thanks Frans Weits for sharing this story as we commemorate and mourn the loss of former President Carter)