Survived Harry Potter 7!

Whew! We had our usual midnight opening, so all the boy-wizard fans could start in on the final installment of Harry Potter. People in cloaks, robes, and feathers lined up all the way to the Post Office, with props like a goblet of fire and, of course, brooms! We didn't run out of books, but boy, it was close. Well, now that I think of it, we spent part of the following Monday without stock, but at least nobody had to wait more than a day.
Rita has finished it (first day, actually), but I am taking my time and savoring it. The real question is, what will scratch that "great fantasy" itch next? My own recommendation for kids is Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson" stories. All I know is, it's fun searching, and a new book is always a treat!
--Eric

Saturday events for 07-21-07

Just a few things to point out:
There will be a large yard-sale event down at the end of Royal Street near the car-wash the the Wicked Bean Saturday morning. The folks at the Wicked Bean make dynamite coffee, so it's worth the trip, even if you don't find that genuine Downeast Tree Squeak Beanie Baby to complete your collection!
We will be blearily (after the midnight Harry Potter sales) providing the new Harry Potter book for sale at Cumston Library starting at around 9:00 in the morning in Monmouth.
If the weather drives you indoors, the Theater at Monmouth is performing Charlotte's Web at 2:00, then Sight Unseen at 7:30. If you haven't been there before, we urge you to give it a try; they never disappoint! For details, their full summer schedule, or to reserve tickets, call their box office at 933-9999.

Harry Potter Night!

As always, we will be opening our doors at midnight on the morning of the Harry Potter book release! We understand that everybody just wants to get their book and head home with it, so we won't make you wait through any games, contests, etc. We will have a few giveaway items, and a life-sized promotion standup that will go to the best-dressed fan. Oh, and stacks of books! This will be Friday night, July 20th, for the release of the book in the first minutes of the 21st. To reserve a copy, just call us at 377-3967; no need for a deposit or prepayment. --Eric

Essential stops

We were visiting Stonington last weekend, and stopped at a couple of our favorite food-places along the way.
On Route 3 in Liberty, "John's Ice Cream" is too easy to miss. If you spot it, it is so worth a stop! I always get the toasted coconut, and Rita always gets the ginger. Mmm...
A new restaurant in the Blue Hill area is "El El Frijoles". (Spanglish for L.L. Beans, I'm assuming, so you know they have a sense of humor). They have California-style Mexican food, all made right there in the kitchen. Home-made salsa bar, very friendly staff, and a casual woodsy setting combine to make it a real treat. The address is 41 Caterpillar Hill Road in Sargentville, but we think of it as "on the left, on Route 15, about two miles before you cross the bridge onto Little Deer Isle."
Of course, there's good food a lot closer to Winthrop, but that's another post... --Eric

Bumperstickers...a good laugh

I always enjoy watching (and listening) to customers as they look through our bumper stickers. There's a sure sign when someone has reached our box of stickers while browsing our shelves: the sound of laughter.

Some political (left leaning, frequently), some environmental (if one can actually separate politics from the environment these days), some just clever, our stickers get lots of attention, and I love seeing them on cars around town. --Rita