On Saturday, we headed south to Freeport, Maine—to Maine Beer Company—where we met our daughter Shannon and her husband Mike to celebrate our eldest daughter Dee’s birthday. This has become one of our favorite places. High-quality beer for the beer lovers—Clif and Mike—and really good pizza for the rest of us—Dee, Shannon, and me. (Rest assured, Clif and Mike like pizza too.)
But the best thing about Maine Beer Company isn’t just that they serve excellent beer and pizza, but also that they do good.
Here is what greets customers when they drive into the parking lot. And note the other solar panels on the building in the background.
Then there is this:
Maine Beer Company pays its staff a decent wage, and instead of leaving a tip, customers are encouraged to leave a charitable donation. Which we always do.
Now, I want to make it clear that not every business we go to operates like this. Most are just average businesses that operate the usual way. But how nice to find a place like Maine Beer Company, which is a cut above the average in every way.
We also like the casual, friendly vibe.
And Finny, the skeleton of a finback whale who died of natural causes. (Click here to read Finny’s sad story.) Although Finny died far too young, her elegant skeleton reminds us of the beauty of these sea creatures and, I hope, encourages us to respect lives beyond our own.
Finally, of course, there’s the food.
The crowning glory of the outing was this tree in downtown Freeport, where we went for tea and pastries after we had our pizza.
All in all, a beautiful October day in every way. Happy birthday, eldest daughter!
Other Matters
My Book
My upcoming novel, Darcy Dansereau and the Missing Children, is at the printers for a proof copy, which I should get in a week or so. Then the hard work really begins as I go over it to check for typos. I must admit, this is my least favorite part of the process, but it’s necessary, and I take it seriously. Once the proof copy arrives, I’ll be taking another short break. But I’ll also be announcing a contest. So stay tuned.
The Election and What I do to Calm Down
All around the country, November 3 is Election Day. It is not a year for electing a president—alas, we still have two more years of Trump—but nonetheless it’s a consequential election. Senators, Representatives, and Governors will be chosen. It’s a chance to stem the far-right tide that has flooded this country.
I am on pins and needles about this election. I obsessively listen to political podcasts and watch news shows. I hear the same thing over and over: it’s looking good for the Democrats. But I’ve heard this before, only for the country to get skunked by the far-right. And will Trump kick up a fuss if the election doesn’t go his way? Last time, we got January 6, an abomination that still gives me pain to think about.
To calm my nerves, I watch Escape to the Country on YouTube. Yes, it’s formulaic, but I find it oh so soothing. Plus, I love the beautiful countryside featured in England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Another plus is that most of the time, the prospective homeowners don’t buy any of the houses they’re shown. So it feels like a real accomplishment when someone actually buys a house.
Here is a relatively recent episode. Not sure if a house is sold, but I’ll be watching tonight to find out.
Onward, ho!
The Maine Beer Company’s philanthropic work is impressive! That tree was gorgeous! What a wonderful outing; the best of course, being with those you love.
Yes, yes!
Birthday wishes to Dee.
Lovely pictures and your reasons for supporting the Maine Beer Company are indeed worthwhile.
Thanks, Rupali!
Coming from a country in which tipping is not customary, we find the whole deal a bit weird. The Maine Beer Company’s way would sit a little easier with us, I’m sure 😊
Tipping is the rule here everywhere, even ice cream stands. As we mostly eat at home, it isn’t an issue for us, but it sure can add up.
Happy b’day to your daughter! Sounds as if y’all had a lovely time. Marvelous red tree!!
Too bad I don’t live nearby. I love proofing and, if I may say so, am darned good at it, haha. Hope you don’t find too much that needs fixing.
Many thanks!
I agree with unionhonestead about tipping, but how refreshing to see a company doing their best for the community ad environment.
I love that tree!
Too bad more companies wouldn’t follow their example.
Your family certainly knows how to celebrate! You describe an absolutely wonderful day out. Good eyesight and lots of concentration is required for proofreading, so I wish you well with that task!
Thanks so much! Simple but fun is how we roll.
What a finest way of celebrating Laurie and belated happy birthday to Dee! 🧡🎉 xxx
Sure was! Many thanks.
It would be nice if more places followed Maine Beer’s example.
Fun that the shows might have inspired your move.
Turns dreams into action!
It would be a pleasure to spend money in such an establishment. Good luck with the typo hunting. Thankless work.
Thanks, Tootlepedal! Eating and drinking at Maine Beer is a great pleasure.
I love Escape to the Country. Hurrah for Jules, Nicki and Alistair! I watch a lot of British documentaries ,whether historical, travel or nature based. Here’s one I liked, just in case you need extra relaxation in the next few days.
Another fan! Thanks for the link. I watched the first episode last night and really liked it. Makes me wish I could go to England and walk coast to coast.
Me, too!
Trump is beyond awful. And many of our fellow citizens leave MUCH to be desired. After all, they put this jerk back into office despite the fact that he incited a mob to attack Congress. We live in a sick country.
He really is. And the ones who love him and vote for him are just plain scary. This country certainly has its dark side, with slavery being its original sin.
Stealing lands from, and wiping out Native Americans too.
That, too. Sigh.
An escape is needed, for sure! 😀
For sure! Another nail biter.
Well done, Maine Beer Company – it’s good to know that some businesses recognise there’s much more they can usefully achieve than simply generating a profit.
I’m glad you find Escape to the Country soothing; it’s a well-made and entertaining show. But please don’t think what’s featured is in any way typical of life here. Just as in the US, life in the UK is currently very challenging for large sections of the population. As well as the “cost of living crisis” the media often hones in on our “housing crisis”. The cost of buying a very basic property, a property nowhere near the standards of those featured on EttC – whether in town or country – is out of reach for large sections of the population. Property rental charges have also soared in recent years. Mrs P and I were very fortunate to buy our first house many decades ago, when things were a lot easier. I would hate to be an ordinary young person these days, facing such daunting hurdles when simply looking for a decent place to live. I guess the situation is similar in the US?
So true about the housing prices in Escape to the Country. Thanks for pointing this out. We actually do comment on it when we watch the show. Unfortunately, in Maine and in much of the United States, the situation is the same. It’s almost at crisis level here. Leaders, local and federal, must find a way to help with affordable housing. Clif and I are in the same lucky boat as you and Mrs. P. We bought our very modest home for $57,500, back in the 1980s. Nowadays, a new mobile home costs $100,000. Sad.
But I do love seeing the beautiful countryside in Escape, as well as the quirky community activities. In one show, Nikki, one of the hosts, delivered a lamb. In another, the prospective homeowners went out with a local naturalist to hunt for adders. You’d never see that in an American show. Never.
The show does well in highlighting the attractiveness of the British countryside, although of course most Brits actually live in cities or large towns. I lived the first 18 years of my life in London and am so glad I escaped to smalltown England, where life is a lot more agreeable. Beautiful countryside is within easy reach, and life is much more relaxed than in the harsh urban environment of my childhood. We have no adders, but there are sheep and lambs aplenty in these parts! 😊
I prefer sheep and lambs to adders!
I’m a big fan of snakes (in the right place, obviously!) but I’ve rarely seen adders. I’d love to see more. Sheep are OK too, in a woolly kind of way!
An outlet well worth patronising. I hope the election goes as well as it can. I wish you well with the book
Thanks, Derrick. Finger, toes, and everything else crossed. Oh, my!
Maine Beer is always a notch above the rest. Their tasting room is epic. Always expanding, and still not big enough. We always wait until the tourists are gone to visit.
😉
It sure is! Best to stay away from Freeport in general during the tourist season. Even in mid-October, it was plenty busy.
Perfect birthday celebration – family conversation, good food and drink, and helping local charities. I’ll be at the polls early. 🙂
We had a great time. I voted early, a couple of weeks ago. So I’m all set. Clif and Dee will vote on Election Day. and then we wait.
I’ve never heard of a company suggesting charitable contributions rather than tips, but it’s a wonderful idea: particularly if decent wages are paid. Beyond that: the pizza! It always looks so good there, and I wish there were someplace local that produces something similar. I know of a couple of establishments that might rival it, but they’re in Houston.
I always make it a practice to vote on the first or second day of early voting. Then, I go about my life, tossing mailers and ignoring polls with the best of them. I’ll tune back in on election day for the results of the vote, and any consequences that might arise. Work and music make fine time-fillers!
Yes, a wonderful idea, and the pizza is excellent. A good place all around.
It’s funny, Escape is one of my husband’s favorite chill-out tv. I’ll have to watch it sometime!
Love that the restaurant is so socially minded, a good example to others. Our food co-op asks us to round up our pennies on our order to contribute to local organizations and those little pennies sure do add up. Each month, they are able to donate thousands, with a priority on food security.
Those pennies do indeed add up. Escape is definitely chill-out TV. However, as one blogging friend observed, housing in England is so expensive that only the upper middle class can participate. Unfortunately, so true. But I love seeing that beautiful countryside along with snippets from the various communities.
We like to watch House Hunters International, always a strange collection of folks looking to live somewhere else, for no money, and with all the amenities!
Glad to hear you had another lovely celebration, Laurie. Sounds like you had a great trip. Autumn is certainly putting on a show in Freeport!
Thanks, Jacqui! The foliage has been beautiful this year.
I wonder how it is that a company like the Maine Beer Company can afford to pay its staff properly, do good and still thrive when so many businesses whinge every time the minimum wage or taxes go up and say it will put them out of business. Good luck with the proof reading – a real chore but necessary. And Happy Birthday to Dee.
Darn good question! To be fair, some businesses operate on a thin margin. Owing to its excellent beer and really good pizza, Maine Beer Company does really well. But we all know of very profitable businesses who do not pay their employees a living wage. In this country, many businesses depend on the Federal government to supplement their employees with health care and food vouchers. Disgusting.
Pizza and beer, how can one go wrong with that? Your outing sounds like a lot of fun!
Happy belated Birthday, Eldest Daughter! I’m so glad you shared solid space and time together 🙂 What a special spot to frequent when you can! We all do better when we all do better.
I am right there beside you with this election. Here in NM, we are voting for a new Governor and I’m especially nervous about this one. I remain hopeful for our Dem nom, and have voted accordingly, but if it goes the other way it could be devastating for our state. Alas, Deb *will* win 🙂
Sending you all the calm juju as we slide into The Big Day and the final results.
Many, many thanks! We, too, have a nail-biter governor’s race. Best of luck to you, to us, to the rest of the country! Tuesday is coming.
On Boston Public Radio today, people were calling in to say how they deal with election stress. “Escape to the Country” sounds like the right thing for me!
Calms us right down in a healthy way.
I love the business model practiced by the Maine Beer Company. It would be great if more businesses worked in similar ways, benefitting more people and the planet.
I had no idea that “Escape to the Country” was available on Youtube. The series ran on a free TV station for a while, but not for the last several years. I also love the show and the insights it provides into different parts of the UK, and the way people design their homes.
Let’s hope the elections will bring the results we hope for!
So worried about this election!
You are not alone.
I’m happy to hear you’ve been enjoying birthday season. I hope we get the predicted blue wave, but like you, it feels like anything can happen. If more politicians were less self-serving and actually had a spine, the orange guy would have been succesfully barred from ever running again. He belongs in jail, but that will never happen.
I’ll check out Escape to the Country. That looks like my kind of vibe.
Best of luck with the final proof.
Thanks so much! The proof copy came in today. I have my work cut out for me.