Falkland Islander visits Colquitt
by MCL Staff Writer

Mark Spruce and Lisa Reynolds are email friends.

Have you ever heard of the Falkland Islands? Neither have I. But last Thursday, August 2, 2007, I had the opportunity to find out where they are and even meet someone who lives there.

Lisa Reynolds, the 21- year-old daughter of Sidney and Debbie Reynolds, loves talking on the internet. About nine years ago, she started chatting with Mark Spruce, who lives in the town of Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The Falkland Islands are just off the east coast of South America.

Mark, who is 28 years old, and Lisa started chatting on the internet when Lisa was trying to find someone with Celine Dion videos and Mark responded. Since then, they have chatted daily and decided it was time to meet one another. Lisa invited Mark to come to Colquitt, and he accepted.

He arrived in the states on July 25 at the Albany Airport, where he was greeted by Lisa and her family.

However, this is not Mark's first trip to the states. He visited Kentucky, Maine and Massachusetts a few years ago with his parents, coming as close to Colquitt as the Atlanta airport where they changed planes en route to their destination.

When asked what he thought about Colquitt, he was quick to respond, "The people here are so nice and friendly, but I hate the gnats." He commented that Lisa's family was great, and he loved the sense of humor that her dad has. "The whole family made me really feel like I was at home from the very beginning, and I've even tamed the fierce family poodle (Louis) in only five days." Lisa stated, "Louis doesn't like strangers, but he has even taken a liking to Mark."

On Tuesday, July 31, Sidney, Lisa, Suzanne (Lisa's younger sister), and Mark attended the Braves' game in Atlanta. Mark commented that he loved the game, and most of all, he loved the fact that there were no gnats! They were also shown on the big screen TV during the game which was a special treat for the group. He also had his first visit to a Wal- Mart store.

Mark will spend the remainder of his time in Colquitt going to movies, bowling, playing pool and just hanging out with Lisa and her family.

He will leave Colquitt on Monday, August 6, headed for Mexico to visit more friends. He will be there for about two years before returning to the Falkland Islands.

Mark is a computer technician with a company where he has continued to climb the ladder for nine and one half years. He began as a watch keeper with a telephone company in the islands and has worked his way up learning everything about computers on his own.

He attended high school until the age of 16 (which is as high as you go) when he entered a community college in England. He is an only child and lives with his parents who are retired.