FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Willie and Nancy Foster understand how difficult being a single parent can be. That’s why the owners of the Biscuit King Café and Fun Barn, on County Road 24 near Alabama Highway 181, are establishing Single Parent’s Night Out. It’s an opportunity for single and divorced moms and dads to drop off their children for a while so the elders can have an evening off to relax, or tie up loose ends.

“At one time both of us were single parents,” Willie Foster said. “There’s a need to have a little free time, without expense.”

The Fosters will host kids ages 2 through 12 at the Fun Barn each Monday from 6 until 8:30 p.m. (beginning Aug. 25), where they can enjoy an evening of food, fun and games — all at no charge. Reservations are necessary though, Foster said, and can be made by calling (251) 928-2424 or (251) 928-7363.

The activities will include foosball, billiards, basketball, television and movies. There are also toys for the younger children to play with, and Foster has animals the kids are sure to enjoy. They include emus, goats, donkeys and horses. There may also be a hayride offered.

Rachael Isphording and other Fairhope High School Key Club members have volunteered to help with the new endeavor, he said.

This is not the first time the couple reached out to area youth. The Fosters and others in the community established a “Field of Dreams” on the site during the summer of 2002, and opened it up to neighborhood kids so they would have a place to play softball, tennis, basketball and volleyball.

The Tibbie, Ala. native said, “At one time we had five kids who didn’t have a dad that we helped raise.” Because of that, Foster and his wife know the importance of giving children a chance to get outdoors and have fun.

“By being in a facility like this, we are able to do things we weren’t able to before,” he said. The Biscuit King Café was established 14 years ago, but moved to the present, more spacious location nearly three years ago.

The acreage was originally settled in 1921 by Nancy’s grandparents, Ed and Kate Yeager. Now the aroma of “ugly biscuits” and barbecue is known to waft across the landscape.

For the casual gourmet who doesn’t know, “ugly biscuits” are breakfast sandwiches with the meat, egg and cheese baked inside. Folks say they are tasty, but they are indeed ugly.

Foster isn’t the least bit concerned that everyone insults the aesthetics of his biscuits, nor is he worried that providing this new free service will hurt his profit margin.

“Giving back to the community is the bottom line,” Foster said.