Thursday, August 26, 2010

A Wonderful Addition to our Neighborhood!


When we moved to Anchovy Meadows nearly thirteen years ago, we discovered a charming but shuttered store right around the corner. It looked newly closed and we wondered if it was just temporary.

Well, almost thirteen years later this little shop has reopened as The Store Next Door. We were thrilled to see its welcoming porch with people coming and going again through the vintage screen door. The bookshelf on the porch for browsing still stands in honor of the late Mr. and Mrs. Fabrizio in their memory, who had the same books on the same shelves so many years ago. The new owner is Monica, who with her darling son, Ryan, man the counter with ready smiles and generous scoops of ice cream at surprisingly low prices. They serve up Damariscotta's own Round Top brand which is delicious. Monica also offers sodas (some artisanal and local), steamed hot dogs and "penny" candy. The coffee is on by 10:30 when she opens for the day. Almost one half of the shop is devoted to locally crafted gifts and ephemera. My kids are just as interested in the Silly Bands as they are in the ice cream!

If you're in our neighborhood of South Harpswell make sure you stop in to The Store Next Door and support Monica's efforts. They're located on Basin Point Road just after you turn right from Ash Point, on your left about the third property down. Then make sure you stop to see us, too. Or better yet come and visit us first and we'll stroll down together for a cone.

Having The Store Next Door nearby has helped me solve a great mystery; I guess I needed an ice cream store within walking distance to get me out walking!

Congratulations, Monica, we wish you well in your endeavor!

We'll be by soon for another cone!:)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

An Enjoyable Afternoon

I just spent a pleasurable afternoon with many remarkable women. Our local Catholic homeschool support group, St. Margaret Clitherow, had it's planning meeting here at Anchovy Meadows under the oak tree today. The Domestic Church is alive and well in Midcoast Maine. Watch out kids, the moms are pumped up and eager to teach you another year of ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW! We span the continuum from veteran homeschoolers with kids in College and married to moms who only have little ones and are just starting out. Every one of these precious ladies are laying down their lives daily to transmit the Holy Faith to their kids in a culture that is not only indifferent to Christ but aggresivelly seeks to eradicate Him from our land. They inspire me to be the best woman of faith I can be. I am so grateful for their presence in my life.

May our heavenly Mother and St. Margaret pray for us that we would have the strength (and, yes, the patience) to do His Holy Will as we educate our children for eternity. May the glory be His alone!

Have a wonderful day and an exciting school year!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Almost Two Years Later

I want to simply get over the inertia of having not blogged for almost two years by posting this! After having a frustrating 20 minutes of figuring out how to post I have precious little to say that would be for any one's edification. On another note, I have been accused of being a glacial blogger, a criticism I must , in all humility, accept. However, even I must admit that glaciers move, no matter how slowly. If I can earn back my family and friends' trust, I do hope to have something of our lives to share here at Anchovy Meadows: The Blog.