Sunday, November 14, 2021

Made in America - A & E Coffee


PRODUCT:  A&E COFFEE  

WEBSITE:  https://aeroastery.com 

WHERE IS IT MADE: Beans are roasted in Nashua, New Hampshire.  You can find Shops in the following New Hampshire communities: Amherst, Manchester, and Nashua.  

MOM & POP: Yes 

ROOM TO GROW: Yes  

From their website:  

A&E Coffee & Tea opened in 2001 and was the first USDA Certified Gourmet Organic Coffee Roaster in New Hampshire.  Each batch of our gourmet coffee is carefully roasted in our Nashua facility by our roastmaster. We source excellent coffees for both our single origin and blend programs, insuring quality + sustainable coffees across the board. It is batch-roasted to bring out the unique characteristics embedded in each coffee variety, with blending always happening after the roast. Our teas are distinguished by the quality of the leaf and flavoring components to ensure a premium cup every time.  Buy specialty coffee online and get gourmet coffee delivered from our organic coffee roaster. 


The website offers an opportunity to subscribe to their newsletter.  


NOTE: You can apply for a job with them online at their website. They offer a blog where you can keep up with happenings that involve the roastery and NH.


  They do have an online menu so you can check out the menu before ordering. 

They offer wholesale, merchandise and sell monthly coffee subscriptions.   

The website is easy to navigate. (AKA, yes, it’s user friendly)  


REVIEWS:  The business has an average of 4 stars on Yelp and generally receives 4 to 5 stars reviews.  


WHERE DOES A&E DONATE TO:  

FROM THEIR WEBSITE: Charity: As citizens of our local and global community, it is our responsibility to help our neighbors. We donate coffee and tea to local charitable organizations and sponsor fundraisers for national and international causes. 

 

REACHER’S NOTES: I could not a specific charity or political candidate that the roastery had donated too, and it might be because they are still a local shop working on building up a base. 

 

WHAT I LIKE:  It’s coffee. I LOVE coffee. I have ordered from them and shipped the order to my friend Jen who works at the NH Veterans home in Tilton because, as she told me on vacay, the Vets don’t get “good’ coffee. Since I’m a veteran myself, and knowing how a good cup of coffee starts off the day, I made it my mission to supply Jen and vets with a good cup of morning coffee.  I like the idea of recycling and reusing, and I support that.  

 

NOT TOO EXCITED ABOUT: The global community pitch. While I think the concept Is a well meaning one, the execution of such a concept is lacking. I’ve seen other Online Coffee stores that offer a more patriotic pitch, which I appreciate, more than the “global” approach.  


I, as a consumer and future buyer of their coffee would appreciate a more “Made in America” approach, and less global outreach.  


FURTHER RESEARCHER THOUGHTS:  Coffee is good business but you’ve got to set a good foundation in not only a good product but great customer service.  I think A&E is still growing. I like that it’s local, Mom & Pop to NH, and reaching out. The product is Great, customer service is solid. Not sure where they get the beans, but the roasting, marketing, and appeal is all made in America and that’s a BIG plus in my book.  With Christmas coming up, A&E coffee will make a good gift.  


Thursday, November 11, 2021

Happy Veterans Day 2021




For everyone who has served in the Armed Services, I’d like to extend a heartfelt “Thank You for your service.” 

 

Check out this website for Veterans discounts:  https://www.military.com/veterans-day/restaurants-veterans-day-military-discounts.html

 

 

This Veterans Day is still a somber one for me. Hard to explain. I feel like there’s a lot of domestic conflict; homelessness, along with crime is on the rise. I wish there was something I could do help in these areas.

 

What is a Veteran?  The primary definition is a person who has served in the Armed Forces. I was honored to serve in the U.S. Army from 1986-1997. I was a 95B, Military Police.  I did my Basic and AIT at Ft. McClellan, AL which is now a closed base. Ft. McClellan closed in 1999. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years! It was home to the Chemical Corps. 

 

I was in the service during Gulf War I (Operation Desert Storm), but did not get deployed. Serving in the military was tough, yet awesome. I spent 7 years overseas in Germany and I loved it. On leave, I would go to Garmish and Berchesgarten and Paris. 

 

Who is a Veteran? Here’s a partial list of Presidents who are Veterans:

 

George HW Bush

Jimmy Carter

Gerald R. Ford

Richard Nixon

Lyndon B. Johnson

John F. Kennedy

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Harry Truman

Teddy Roosevelt

 

George W Bush and Ronald Reagan served in the National Guard and Reserves. 

 


JFK

I’m reading a book right now about JFK written by Fredrick Logevall. This book focuses on JFK’s early years, how he became a studious student with a focus on foreign policy.  He grew up in New England and went to Choate and Harvard. When his father was Ambassador to England, he traveled in Europe before World War II, in 1937 and 1938, getting a feel for the vibe in Europe. He traveled through Nazi Germany.  These experiences helped to shape his politics.  He served in the US Navy and was a PT boat captain.  While I don’t know much about his medical conditions, it’s said he had medical issues his whole life, to include back pain. JFK was honored to have served and proud to be a Veteran. He wasn’t perfect, but he served in the Armed Forces with pride. 

 

 

Veterans History Project:

 https://www.loc.gov/vets/EagleScout.html

 

If you have an opportunity today, thank a vet.  

 

Be All That You Can Be

U.S. Army 

 

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JOURNEY OF THE HEART 


In my story, Journey of the Heart, James DiMera is a World War II veteran, looking for purpose. When he meets Rachel, who is struggling to save her family's winery, he embraces the challenge with every fiber of his being.  Journey of the Heart is avail on Amazon as an ebook for 99 cents. 



BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=stephanie+burkhart&qid=1636600116&sr=8-1 


Thank you for supporting my writing. 

 

Saturday, November 6, 2021

California Dreaming

 Forgive.  I'm a bit late with my California post. Just recently we went to Pismo Beach to check out the Clam Festival.  It was the 75th Anniversary of the event.  As I'm from New England, I ALWAYS enjoy a good Clam Chowder. :) 

But first I'd like to share this verison of "California Dreaming" done by the School of Rock. The leader sing kinda reminds me of Mama Cass (Voice-Wise!!) as she gives a really heartfelt, honest vocal performance with power and grit. 



Pismo Beach is so low key. The weather was really nice when we went. There was a real chill vibe, and I loved how the focus was on the clams. 


There's nothing like the peace of the beach and the beautiful coastline to make one relax.



The Clam chowder tasting was on the pier. A lot of local restaurants particpated in the challenge.  I picked #10. For me, that was the most authentic to a New England style chowder. 



Even the Beach has fun with it's Pismo Beach sign! 


Pismo Beach is great for surfers.  Here are a couple trying to catch a few waves.




California may have it's ups and downs, but one of the most beautiful places in the state, IMHO,  is anywhere on the coast. 

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STORY PROMO: 

My ebook, Journey of the Heart, is set in the California Wine Country after World War II. It's available with the Kindle Unlimited program. 



BLURB:

James DiMera returns to his home in California after World War II, only to find out he's lost his farm. His way of life gone, James becomes a journeyman, selling Bibles, looking for a sense of purpose. But after the loss of his dream, what can there be for him?

Rachel Santori's family winery is in trouble. She's looking for someone to trust. When Rachel meets James, she can't deny how he touches her lonely heart and soul with his kindness and the way comes to her aid. How long has it been since she had someone to depend on? Can James find a place of belonging in Rachel’s life? Can love mend both their weary hearts?

BUY LINK:https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Heart-Stephanie-Burkhart-ebook/dp/B07S1VL7JZ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Stephanie+Burkhart&qid=1636253141&sr=8-3