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Farmer’s Wife Diner

by Jill Baker
Waitress Ann Oliver gets ready to open the The Farmer's Wife for the second to last time. The restaurant, which has existed in one form or another for 50 years, was closing its doors because the owner, Janet Sue Spencer, had fallen ill.
Waitress Ann Oliver has worked on and off at The Farmer's Wife location since 1976. "I tell everybody I come with the building," she said.
Seven-year-old Christopher Bellman, left, and his nine-year-old brother, Bradley, stopped for lunch at The Farmer's Wife with their grandmother Brenda Bellman on their way back from a visit to Lexington. The boys just moved with their mom and stepdad to Lawrenceburg, but spent part of their fall break with their grandmother.
David Watts, a regular at The Farmer's Wife diner, loves to give waitress Ann Oliver a hard time. "Where's that pie?" he said. "Why don't you get up and get me that piece of pie?" "He's about to get a piece of pie -- in his face," Oliver said.
Three-year-old Serena Bruneax can't resist taking a few stools for a spin during lunch. Her home is just a few blocks from the Farmer's Wife diner.
Glenn and Mary Lee Birdwhistell leave The Farmer's Wife for what may be the last time. The restaurant, which has been an important part of their morning ritual, was closing because the owner, Janet Sue Spencer, had fallen ill.
Tammy Moore, sister of Janet Sue Spencer, The Farmer's Wife owner, rubs her eyes in exasperation. Regular customer Walter Cunningham was giving waitress Brittany McDonald a good-natured hard time.

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