Mooseville Moose Gifts Mayor Brodey

Brodey Moose Visits Monroe Salt Works Pottery

2010-10-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

I know it has been a few weeks since I visited Monroe Salt Works here in Monroe, Maine. The temperatures were much warmer then and the leaves still green! Sometimes, things just take a little while to work into the schedule! But it was such an amazing and educational experience!

I have posted lots of pictures on Facebook and anyone can check them out by clicking here!

The good people at Monroe Salt Works produce the best salt glazed stoneware in the world and are recognized throughout North America and worldwide, as far away as Japan, for their outstanding quality and style. The pottery is highly durable and is safe for the table, dishwasher, microwave, and even the REAL oven! No lead is used in their pottery or paint and its durability makes it great to use everyday.

I like to call the place where it is produced their studio. When I say factory, you think of mass production and such, but Monroe Salt Works is far, far from being mass produced! Their goodies are made in the rolling hills of mid coast Maine, close to Penobscot Bay, on a dirt road even! They are surrounded by wild life and nature and if you look at their designs, you can see that each piece is influenced tremendously because of it!

Monroe Salt Works started in 1971 and for the past four decades, these artisans have been shaping and molding and firing and painting each piece by hand! Salt glazed pottery has been around for centuries, being developed in Germany in the 15th century. Wow! That is a long time ago! At Monroe Salt Works, they use most of the same techniques used way back then!

I could try to explain it but here is a quote directly from them about the creation process. "We load green (unfired) pottery into a large, walk in, hard brick Kiln. After loading, the fire begins very slowly. Over the next 20 hours, the fire builds and the temperature reaches 2300 F. Now the action really starts as we throw handfuls of salt into the roaring blaze. When the salt hits the white hot fire, it is immediately vaporized, the salt vapor combines with the firing pottery to create our pottery's unique and distinct glaze. There are always surface and color variations in the pieces from a salt glaze kiln. Some pieces receive large amounts of salt vapor and others little. The color and texture of each piece vary according to where the piece was in the kiln. It is this variation that makes a body of salt glazed pottery so rich and compelling. There are light pots and dark pot and dimpled pots and smooth pots. You can see the mark of the firing on each piece. No two pieces are ever alike. Each piece has its own character." That sounds just like moose! Each one has his own character!

During my visit there, I got to see how each piece is designed from a lump of clay to a beautifully finished piece. Each piece is handle by no less than 18 pairs of hands! They are molded, shaped, painted, trimmed, fired, checked, and so much more. Every part of the process is done right there in Monroe, Maine - nowhere else! It is designed with beauty in mind to admire it daily, but it is also made with durability in mind to be used daily!

I have started my own collection and I have more than just moose because it is difficult to decide which design I like best! They have a moose design, bears, pine trees, dragonflies, chickadees, cardinals, oak leaves and acorns, maple leaves, horses, buffalo, cattails, pine cones, black dog, crows, frogs, hummingbirds, loons, iris, roosters, and a few more even!

Want to buy a piece or two or three or four or more? By mentioning this blog, every time you make a purchase, we'll give you a deal! The deal is, buy one piece at regular price and get the second one of equal or lesser value at half price! Get that collection that you always wanted that will be with you for a life time and more!

Don't forget, check out all the pictures of my visit by clicking here!

I definitely give this pottery a two hooves up!

The Cold and Rainy State

2010-09-24T06:23:00.000-07:00

Here I sit looking out the window at the falling rain. Yes, I realize that moose really belong outside and not inside a building, but how am I supposed to type from outside, especially if it is raining? Computers prefer to stay dry and they work much better and longer if they are dry! So, inside I am typing!

I went to the big Farmington Fair in Farmington, Maine this week! I tried to stay hidden as much as possible because you know, when you get that many people and a moose walking around, everyone wants to get your picture and then you have no time to enjoy the delicious fair food! I had some french fries, fried dough, an ice cream, some fudge, AND I had another whoopie pie! I saw one and I couldn't resist the urge to sample it. I think it is my life's mission to find the best whoopie pie maker! This week I also had a pumpkin whoopie pie with cream cheese frosting for filling! That was delicious too! But I have to say that my grandmother still wins in the whoopie pie category.

Oh, I totally forgot what I was supposed to be typing about today. The thought of whoopie pies got me all distracted. Today, I wanted to ask a question and talk about it a little bit. Why is Maine almost always the coldest and rainiest state in the Northeast? If you look at the weather map of temperatures with this blog entry, taken from September 24th, you will see that all of the other states in the Northeast are quite a bit warmer than Maine.

Yes, I know it is further north than the rest of the states, but at least part of the state of Maine is at the same latitude as New Hampshire and Vermont. So, why does the temperature just seem to go south when a moose (or person) is headed north to Maine? It is an interesting phenomenon if you stop and think about it. Sometimes, the very southern tip of the state is warm like the rest of the world, but after you get to a certain line, it's like somebody forgot to pay the heat bill!

Being a moose and all, I like the cold temperatures because of all the fur that I have. However, some of my human friend counterparts, fail to see the goodness in cold temperatures. Now I am beginning to understand the concept of blue states and red states! Blue states are colder right? And red states are hotter? If you have any ideas on this I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until the next time...there's always Mooseville!

www.mooseville.com

Whoopie Pies or Moon Pies?

2010-09-19T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, this week I have had a huge craving for whoopie pies as we like to call them here in Maine! Yep, probably many of you, especially from the South might call these little goodies, Moon Pies. Well, I think there is a difference between the two! Both are probably as yummy as the other but they are a little different!

Let's examine a moon pie first! According to Wikipedia, "A moon pie or MoonPie^[1] is a pastry which consists of two round graham cracker cookies, with marshmallow filling in the center, dipped in chocolate or other flavors. The traditional pie is about 3 inches (76 mm) in diameter. The four main flavors are chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and banana. Six newer flavors, lemon, orange, peanut butter, mint, blueberry and green tea are also available." It is nice to see that they are getting in on the health craze by adding green tea!

Even though moon pies got their roots from good ole New England, they are still the most popular and well known as a Southern food! Roots in New England you say? Yes - marshmallow cream originated in New England in the late 1920s and spread south and became very popular! Someone decided to put it between two cookies and cover it in chocolate and voila! you have a moon pie!

Whoopie Pies on the other hand are not covered in chocolate but are very similar in shape. They are made by putting two cake-like-cookie shapes together with delicious boiled frosting in the middle! Doing a little research on them, they were also very popular with the Amish and seems like this is where the name possibly originated. According to Wikipedia, "Amish women would bake these (known as hucklebucks at the time) and put them in farmers' lunchboxes. When farmers would find these treats in their lunch, they would shout 'Whoopie!'"

Well, let me tell you what, a moose has quite the sweet tooth and loves whoopie pies! Especially this moose! The new Mooseville shop in Farmington, Maine has a little sandwich/coffee shop right next to it and guess what they sell? Whoopie Pies! That is not such a great thing when you have a whoopie pie craving! I think I am going to try to have a mini whoopie pie festival at Mooseville in October!

I guess that is all for now! If you want a whoopie pie and have never had one before, send me an email - info@mooseville.com and let me know! I'll send you one for real!!!

www.mooseville.com

Brodey Moose Visits Paine Balsam Products

2010-08-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I made a visit to a really cool company in Auburn, Maine called Paine Balsam Products. What an awesome place to visit and to work.

Do you know what balsam is? It is a lovely smelling scent, often called a pine scent. This balsam scent comes from the balsam fir tree which is an evergreen that is found throughout the northern forests, especially in Maine! Many Christmas wreaths are made from these fragrant tips. The folks at Paine Products, take these dried branch tips and put them into beautifully scented pillows and incense logs.

In fact, they use 4,000 to 5,000 pounds of these dried tips every week! Local loggers and tree farmers bring in their remaining tips from their operations and these are recycled into pillows and incense sticks. When the tips are received, they grind them down and put them in the pillows and they make the most aromatic smell! The leftover sawdust is used to create the infamous scented sticks that can be burned in the log cabins incense holders. Many people remember these log cabins from long ago.

The company was started in 1931 by Elliot Paine. In the 1940s, the Wentworth family purchased the business and owned through two generations of the family until 1988 when a fire destroyed the entire business. Fran Wentworth, owner at the time of the fire, at age 72, decided she did not want to rebuild the business. Guy Vigue, having retired the previously year, decided he wanted to purchase the rights to the business. He and a couple other friends rebuilt the business in 1989.

Soon after, Guy bought out his two partners and with his sons and daughter rebuilt the business to where it is today. Current owners, John and David Vigue and Anne Vigue Loomis, have plans to continue with growth and keep it as a family business long into the future.

Fans send mail often talking about remembering how their grandmother used to have one of those famous log cabins with the incense sticks always burning. They receive much thanks and praise for keeping the business thriving. You can see one of those famous log cabin burners here.

It is one of the only natural, non-oil based, incense that is on the market today. And just think, it is made right here in the Maine woods where the moose roam and help the balsam trees grow! These incense and gifts date all the way back to the Native Americans. Balsam has been a sign of friendship for hundreds of years.

So, my visit was not only fun but also very informational. I know when I walk through the woods now I will look at the trees all a little bit differently. You should try some of those balsam pillows or the incense sticks. Bring that sweet, woodsy scent into your home. Check out all the balsam pillows here at Mooseville or even visit Paine Products website here! See more pictures of my visit at the Mooseville Facebook page here!

Dancing in the Lupines

2010-06-07T07:42:00.000-07:00

Spring has definitely sprung around Mooseville, we might even be on the edge of summer. The roadside lupines are in full bloom right now and Mooseville couldn’t look more beautiful. Did you see the crazy fun clouds swirling around in last night’s sunset? Did you ever notice that the greatest pictures seem to happen when you left your camera at home?

Gardens are sprouting up all over the neighborhood – after last summer season’s wet sopping mess, I am surprised anyone is willing to try again. But, of course, I think we are all tempted by those colorful seed packages and the promise of little boxes of tomatoes seedlings. I did see my friend put in an extra row of Brussel sprouts, I think he is expecting me for dinner!

I wanted to send out a big Moostulations to all the students graduating this weekend! If you still need a gift for your favorite graduate, stop by and check out the new Mooseville store in Farmington. www.mooseville.com

One last thing…

As the mayor of Mooseville, one of my sworn duties is to remind all the Maine residents to vote next Tuesday, June 8th. Remember, you can’t complain about politics if you don’t vote! We will be voting about spending our money, taxes and choosing the Republican and Democratic candidates for the November governor’s race. So head down to your town office and cast your ballot.

The itch of black fly bites will continue for a bit longer and that trick about putting witch hazel on them does not seem to work at all for me. Any other ideas?

Have a great week everyone!

Black Flies and Swimming

2010-05-16T05:51:00.001-07:00

I was amazed at the amount of mail I received last week after my blog about fiddleheads. So many of you just did not know about the joy of that special little fern that grows along the banks of the Sandy River, but be sure to get some quick because the season will end soon.

Well, in my quest to bring you new and exciting news from Mooseville – this week I thought I would mention my most annoying friends. A hint: it is black, it buzzes and bites. The Black Fly is a my personal nemesis, so maybe I was being generous to call them friends! He makes picking fiddleheads a bloody nightmare even for a moose like
me. How can somethings so small be such a pain?

The only relief I can get is to go swimming, so despite the cool temperatures, I took my first spring bath in Mount Blue Pond yesterday – too bad that guy who was videotaping me near the road missed it. Depending on how I feel today, I might just take a bath two days in a row!

I do love to swim, but the water is still cold even for a fury moose like me!
Someone just forwarded me an email that asks what four places do you spend money? Moose money does not have the widespread acceptance as the dollar, but I always love to go to the Mooseville store for all things moose and I can have a good snack at the Salem General Store. If you need it for your house, they are sure to have it all at the Phillips Hardware Store. The Star Barn Uniques store offers great gifts and treasures, most made right around the neighborhood.

Have you been to the new Mooseville store yet? I sure have made some great new friends in Farmington, Maine and every time I am there, there is new stuff to see!

Check out all the new goodies here -- http://www.mooseville.com/xcart/home.php?cat=150126!

Frenzy about Fiddleheads

2010-05-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have been so distracted by fiddleheads that I haven’t written my column in a few weeks. Do you know about fiddleheads? They are a most wonderful little taste sensation that grows along the banks of the Sandy River in the springtime. Many have described them as a cross between asparagus and broccoli, but I think they have a special flavor all their own, but you have to be quick because they will be gone until next year sooner than you think.

I like them raw, but most folks cook them. Or you can pickle them, steam or sauté them with butter, it is hard to go wrong with fiddleheads.

Everything is in bloom including my allergies, but it does appear that spring has arrived a little earlier than usual. Besides the fiddleheads, Corey and I have been busy at the new store in Farmington. He has ordered up some great new products that feature my friends, so be sure to stop by and visit us soon.

I wanted to send out a hello to my pal, Luke who celebrated his 105th birthday on April Fool’s Day. He is one old dog, but he is enjoying his retirement! I know you like to see pictures of me, but Luke really wanted to be on Willard Scott’s birthday list and this was as close as I could muster for this year.

Have a great week of fiddlehead eating ahead!

Census Time in Mooseville

2010-04-17T18:21:00.000-07:00

Spring is just such a random season, last week I was lollygagging in the sunshine and this morning I was surrounded by snow. It is that wet sticky kind of snow that covers the trees and confuses the daffodils and tulips.

As you could see from last week’s photos, I have been keeping busy at the new store and we are getting ready to open soon. But I have been doing my best to keep up with mayoral duties, as well.

Around Mooseville, we are currently starting our decennial(a fun new word that means every ten years) count of all the residents. The Census only counts people, but I am sure they want to know how many moose there are too, probably just another part of their current work. So I will warn you, Census workers will be out traipsing around in the woods over the next couple of months just to see where you might live most of the time.

I met a new little guy yesterday – his name is Poke. He is a member of the rodent family and he can have as many as 30,000 quills. You guessed it, he is a porcupine and despite that challenging exterior, he is a nice guy...as long as you don’t rub him the wrong way.

I also heard that they are considering a new sport for the winter Olympics – snowminton. I can’t wait to see what that will look like, imagine birdies zipping past your head, rackets specially fitted with mittens and the funny looking hats that players will be required to wear.

Until next week, stay goofy! Check out our favorite website -- www.mooseville.com

Busy Times at Mooseville

2010-04-11T06:16:00.001-07:00

It sure was a busy week here in Mooseville. I have been helping to get the new store in Farmington ready - but it is really just a pile of boxes so far. The nice UPS man keeps bringing more boxes for us, but I haven't even had time to investigate all the great things yet. Even though it isn't open yet, I had a lot of friends drop by the store to visit.

I think people have forgotten what it looks like to see a moose wandering around downtown Farmington, but as Corey would say "Get used to it, my friends!"

Gifford's Ice Cream is open for the season, along with the County Delite in Avon. Have I ever told you about how much I love ice cream? My goal for the summer is to do a walking tour of all ice cream shops around Mooseville. I have got to help eat some of cones and really I need to help decide the question about which is best plain, sugar or waffle cone.

I am also looking forward to the new Gifford's flavors. Have you tried these yet? Butter Almond, Cherry Amaretto Chocolate or Chocolate Rainforest Crunch.

I want to say a special hello to my pals Em, Abigal and Alice.

Spring seems to have come early to Mooseville this year and I saw my first mosquito on Thursday, but we won't talk about that.

Have a Mooserrific Day!

Happy Spring!

2010-04-04T07:32:00.000-07:00

The balmy weather around Mooseville is truly splendid! It might even make it to 80 degrees this afternoon, but it does look silly to have patches of snow right beside those daffodils.

Yesterday, I checked out the happenings up at Saddleback – pond skimming on skis and snowboards. It sounds like absolutely ridiculous behavior, but it was precariously funny looking too. I went with my new friends Diana and Wyatt and what a time we had. I thought you might like to see a photo too!

I have been keeping busy surveying all those mud puddles and can’t wait to start swimming. I worry that many folks still have swimming pools in their basements, but a few more warm dry days ahead should help them out.

Can we talk honestly about chickens! I recently spent some time with Marigold and her ladies in Madrid and they are working hard to provide enough eggs for everyone’s Easter celebrations, but really, I have been hoping to inspire Marigold to start writing her own blog. She remains resistant, but I will keep trying. It seems like there might be some crazy chicken adventures that we are all missing.

I have also been in touch with the nice folks at CNN – they definitely don’t cover the most important Moose News. When President Obama comes to Maine, he gets full coverage, but when I open the new store in Farmington and they will not even send the TV cameras for a live shot. Imagaine!

And this week’s biggest news, the asparagus is coming!

Have a wonderful Easter, Passover, or whatever you feel like celebrating!

Frost Heaves and Bagels

2010-03-27T08:02:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

Can you believe this weather – spring has definitely sprung around Mooseville! I have been keeping awful busy lately. In case you haven’t heard, we are moving the Mooseville store to Farmington, Maine. Our new place is right next to Java Joes, in the old Hallmark store on Main Street.

I am excited to think that at least I can get a good cup of joe and a bagel without having to go too far. Unlike our old store – we are sure to have plenty of room, but it may not last if Corey keeps buying new stuff. Have you been able to keep up with all the new things he gives me every week to share with you? Well me either, but we won’t tell him.

The clocks changed, the snow is melting and I am glad that winter is coming to an end. It was a weird one around Mooseville and those folks down south in Baltimore and Washington got more snow than we did, but they were overdue. Sugarloaf and Saddleback are both still open for spring skiing, but mud season is upon all of us!

Mud season you ask? Well, I'm sure some of you city folk aren't sure what mud season is all about. If you have ever lived on a dirt road or walked down one in the spring, or have a dirt driveway, in Maine you would understand. Some of those bumps and ruts are huge! I'm not talking about those ruts in the fall either if you catch my drift! The frost goes pretty deep in the ground in the fall and winter and in the spring when it warms up, the whole ground turns to mush, almost like chocolate syrup! So just be careful if you venture this way that you don't get stuck in a pot hole or a rut! If you do get stuck in a rut - just check out Mooseville! It's always a good place to lighten your moose, oops I mean mood! www.mooseville.com

And we won’t talk about the frost heaves – what do you really need a car muffler for any way? See you soon at the store – it is due to open sometime in April!

Seth Wescott and Gold Medals

2010-02-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

Greetings Friends!

I have been keeping tabs on my friend Seth Wescott – hometown pride of Farmington, Maine. He won his second gold medal last week in snowboard cross and the cheers from Carrabassett Valley could be heard all around Mooseville, not to mention Vancouver. The Olympics are so exciting - men and women from all over the United States are winning medals and going crazy fast and high on skis and snowboards. And have you seen those speed skaters, it seems like they can skate sideways and jump over people! Apolo Ohno is simply amazing!

I, on the other hand, being a moose and all, have trouble keeping all four hooves on the ground when it is icy, but I digress. The Olympics get me so excited and distracted!!

And now for the next installment of my memoir – hopefully, I won’t get distracted this time…

Once upon a Moose

I still love swimming, but it would be hard to pick a favorite pond. But the leading contenders are... I know you are waiting patiently for my list, so here goes.
Let’s see ponds...Harvey Pond and Lufkin Pond. I do love all kinds of water, but I am especially fond of the pools at Smalls Falls and the icy cold water that runs in Orbeton Stream. I also love the Sandy River! Lakes are even more difficult, there are so many I love, but they do have a great pizza next to Clearwater Lake at the Ugly Moose. I haven’t ever seen an ugly moose, but I would admit I have had a few bad hair days in my life and nothing helps the confidence of moose like a slice of pizza. Speaking of moose food – I do love those nice ladies at Moosely Bagels in Rangeley, and their place is along side another great lake and they have the very best wild berry bagels!

My hope was not to get too distracted, but you can see what happens when you are budding Moose author is overdue for dinner!

Once upon a moose time...

2010-02-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Now really is that the way a moose like me ought to start his memoir? I think not, but it does seem like a good way to get my hooves wet.

"...there was a moose named Brodey. I have served as the prestigious mayor of Mooseville for many years, but my story begins long before my encounter with Corey Moose and the Mooseville store. It began at the edge of a pond, a soft breeze blowing the crisp fall air and there was love. You really didn’t think I could let Valentine’s Day slip by without a little bit of sappiness.

My parents, Eloise and John were destined to be together in the end, but there were some other suitors that were still optimistic for a chance to win my mom’s heart. My dad, however, was the mightiest moose in the state and he had an enormous rack.

As a little moose, I did love swimming in that very pond where my parents met and eating the lily pads, tender grasses and reeds around the edge. I still love swimming, but it would be hard to pick a favorite pond. But the leading contenders are...

Gosh, writing a memoir is hard. You have to stay focused, a task that I am not very good at especially when I start talking about food. I do love food - grasses, lily pads and Brussel sprouts. Well, I guess that is enough hard work for now.

I do want to mention a few new tidbits, the Star Barn Bed and Breakfast is having two yoga retreats in March! The Phillips Public Library is having their annual Penny Sale Auction and there are so many events going on during school vacation week I can hardly even remember them all. There are sledding parties, movies and ice skating. Also the Phillips Elementary School Boy’s basketball team is overdue for a big congratulations! They have gone undefeated for two years and they clinched the title in a tough game last week against Strong. I think this might be a very good sign for the years to come at Mt. Abram High School!

If you still haven’t told your sweetheart that you love them, the clock is ticking away because it is Valentine’s Day!
Chocolate kisses and Moose love to all of my great fans!

Moose it up For Valentines!

2010-01-31T07:15:00.000-08:00

Last week, I gave you some serious advice in the newsletter. Don't just give flowers for Valentine's this year! Flowers will only die and are quickly forgotten, and besides that, there is that whole thing about water.

Now, a moose is the kind of gift that will last. Imagine if I showed up at your door … the memory of Brodey on your back stoop would bring a smile to your beloved’s heart forever! Well, I am available, but the cost is probably up there to high for most folks. I mean a moose on a plane? You get my drift? So I wanted to make a few more affordable suggestions.

Moose earrings, moose socks, pajamas, handsome figurines, and my favorite, the cuddly stuffed version of me would all make great gifts. It would be hard to go wrong, if you are shopping at the Mooseville store.

Now, let’s just think about this! If you wait much longer, you will have to call Corey begging and pleading to get an emergency shipment of Moose goodies. So this week’s advice is don’t wait until the last second like you did for Christmas!

If you have your heart set on chocolates and flowers, you can always get those at the last minute from your local gas station. But I would expect that you should plan ahead for those cute little moose, so you can get chocolate moose poops or a fruity assortment of moose lollipops to go with that great Moose gift for your sweetheart.

Love your friends, love your neighbors, love your Moose!

Welcome 2010 Moose Style!

2010-01-31T07:11:00.000-08:00

I know, I really know that I am just a few weeks late, but I have been super busy moosing around! I also know that I am overdue on my list of resolutions for the New Year. I decided this year, I would follow the old advice that less is more, so I only have three resolutions.

One: Be on Time! You can certainly see that I am definitely getting off on the wrong hoof with this one. But, I am trying and hopefully will do better!

Two: Read More Books! This is another one of the resolutions that seems to come up year after year, but I do plan to visit the library more often. And it seems that I am just in time for the Penny Auction at the Phillips Library! Shopping - now that would be a resolution I could really be good at keeping. I did read the back of the cover of a great little book called A Good Dog. It appears that it is all about a dog named Orson. That brings me to my next and final resolution.

Three: Write my memoir! I am thinking about calling it A Good Moose: The story of Brodey. It does seem unlikely that Jon Katz, author of A Good Dog, will have time to write about my life. He does have a farm and a whole pile of dogs to take care of, besides he isn't available as moose ghostwriter. So I guess the sole responsibility
falls to me.

And so it begins, in earnest with something like this, "Once upon a
time, there was a moose named Brodey..."

Stay tuned and I look forward to hearing from you!

Once in a Blue Moose

2009-12-26T12:35:00.000-08:00

Hello friends!

I just realized that next week will be a very special one, indeed! The moon will be full on New Year's Eve and that will make it "a once in a blue moon" celebration for my friends and family.

Being an inquisitive moose, I found out that a "Blue" moon happens when there are two full moons in a single month, but the phenomenon rarely happens to coincide with the last day of the year. It does happen every few years because the moon cycle lasts 29 days, so the extra days add up over time.

Do you remember where you were on the last day of 1990? It might be better if you cannot remember – the late eighties and early nineties had serious fashion missteps, especially for a moose like me, but that was also the last time there was a blue moon on the last day of the year! We can look forward to the next one New Year's Eve blue moon until 2028. Wow! That's a long time from now!

So will the moon impact your party plans to celebrate the New Year?

A moonlight kiss at midnight sure sounds romantic for a sappy moose like me and for devoted moose fan, I know that Corey has rustled up some great "Blue Moose" goodies down at the store.

The full moon does seem to bring out the wild side of most people, so be careful out there!

My next blog will be coming to you, straight from the year 2010! I can hardly believe it has happened again, all my resolutions from last year have been forgotten or long abandoned. But I promise that I will come up with a new list!

The Perfect Christmas Tree!

2009-12-20T07:29:00.000-08:00

Despite a lack of major snow cover in Mooseville, I have been searching for the perfect Christmas tree. What does the perfect Christmas tree look like?

The perfect tree has to be the right shape without any weird protruding branches, but that is just the beginning.

Height is very important, if it is too tall, you can get the angel on the top and if it is too short, well you will have a box of ornaments left when we are finished decorating. Now, I am not one to worry too much about my waistline, but the tree can’t be too wide because it will throw off the entire shape and the overall size must fit into your space.

I must admit that every year, I spend about a week walking in circles looking at all the trees. The first question might be be species. Balsam, Douglas Fir or White Pine. I usually try to mix it up from year to year, but sometimes I just find the perfect tree.

Chopping down the tree and getting it home are always the most difficult part of the day and then there is always the point when you get to the back door and the perfect tree is just too big. Believe me, there are a perilous few hours there and then we have to attach the always difficult tree stand.

Once the tree has been found and moved, decorating must commence. But there are so many questions. Lights – multicolored or all white, who will make the popcorn and cranberry strings without eating all the popcorn, how do I decide if it will be an Angel or a Star for the top this year, and the ornaments – how many is too many? And lastly, the perfect bows must be tied. Some folks like to add garland and tinsel, but too many of my bird and animal friends eat that stuff and it isn’t the best for the digestive system so I skip it.

The perfect tree is really a figment of your imagination, because each tree is perfect for one family, you just have to find your tree. I always have to laugh because, the perfect tree is usually the first one I saw when I started my search three miles ago, but that is another story.

Keep searching – your perfect Christmas tree is out there and waiting for you to bring it home!

Who invented those ear muffs everyone wears?

2009-11-28T16:39:00.000-08:00

Can you eat another spoonful of stuffing, piece of turkey or just one more little sliver of pumpkin pie? If you can still say yes with enthusiasm, then waddle over to the fridge and dish up another plateful of Thanksgiving leftovers.

But if you are forced to answer no then you are officially ready to begin your holiday shopping. Some of you were out driving to the stores on Friday morning – I don’t know does four o’clock count as morning or is that still the middle of the night, but I digress. My point is you could have and should have started and finished your shopping at Mooseville from the comfort of your couch, wearing your fuzzy slippers and that goofy plaid bathrobe. Please take note – there will never be any photos of that and speaking of slippers, new slippers are never a bad gift idea, but they never seem to be quite as good as the old ones.

I hate to sound like an advertisement, but the reality is Mooseville has gifts for everyone on your list and can ship it out straight away with no hassles.

Dust off your Earmuffs!!

Farmington, Maine will celebrate Chester Greenwood Day on December 5. It is the only place in the world to celebrate the man who invented earmuffs. The festivities include a huge parade (11AM), a chili contest (12:30PM – 1PM) and then some “CRAZY” people will go swimming just for kicks in Clearwater Lake at 3PM. For more information and a complete schedule of all of the fun events for Chester Greenwood Day, contact the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. Even if you won't be able to attend the festivities, you should look up Chester Greenwood and see what a great inventor he was!

Thanks Chester! I only wish they made earmuffs large enough to fit over my big ears!

Moose Thanksgivings!

2009-11-22T07:14:00.000-08:00

I apologize for not posting my column in a few weeks – I am still all goofed up from the time change and Corey has me very busy with the new store in New Jersey.

Have you seen it? Crazy ornaments everywhere! No wonder he is having that sale to try and get rid of some.

Let’s talk about the real news around Mooseville – Thanksgiving is this week! Who knew it could sneak up on us like a molting chicken, but that is another story.

This time of year, even a moose like me has to count his blessings! I survived another hunting season without a scratch, my cupboard is stocked with vegetables and the fireplace will be sure to keep my hooves toasty all winter.

I have also been thinking about the people in my life and that always brings a smile to my face! I wanted to send a special hello out to all of my friends in Franklin County, Maine.

Who are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? The hard question is – have you told them! Don’t wait! Just pick up the phone, call Corey, and tell him how much he means to you and he might even give you a discount on your next purchase.

Have a great Thanksgiving – remember if you have to start shopping early, Mooseville online is open 24 hours a day to meet all of your moose needs. www.mooseville.com

What time is it?

2009-11-01T07:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome to November and Day Light Savings Time. I know you are probably still wondering, what time is it? In case, you have forgotten, you are supposed to turn your clocks back one hour last night before you went to sleep. As the days get shorter, this was supposed help us to have light in morning when we try to pry ourselves out of those warm covers. But I do not really see that it makes much of difference for most folks in Mooseville, but for today at least, most people, including one perpetually late moose, do seem to get places on time or maybe even early. Shorter days and longer nights are supposed help us to save energy, but I am not convinced. If you go to church, you see that it is the one Sunday out of the year that the family that always comes in late is there on time!

Why on earth do we do this twice a year?

But once you figured out how to change all of your clocks especially those clocks in your cars – you won't have to think about it again until March when we will all spring-forward!

A friendly reminder to everyone – dig out your orange fashions, as deer hunting season kicked off yesterday and there are sure to be lots of sleeping hunters in the woods in the weeks to come. I am sure looking forward to seeing Tom Saviello at all those 4:00 AM breakfast "meetings" they have this time of year. This week's true rumor – Tom Saviello has announced that he will run for the State Senate of Maine next year.

But back to those "meetings," check The Irregular newspaper for times and locations, because you will be cranky if you get there and realize that you are all alone and there isn't a sausage in sight.

I have no idea what time it is - moose never wear watches! It's about day light!

I know one thing is for sure, it is time for me to get back to work! Yep - www.mooseville.com is where I do all my work!

A few questions answered...

2009-10-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends!

I receive a lot of email from the friends of Mooseville, and this week I thought I would answer some questions that I have recently gotten.

Has it snowed yet in Mooseville?
Yup! We had our first snow on October 13, but it didn’t last the day. We had some flurries the week before too. I, for one, am not ready for the white stuff, but even as the mayor I can’t control the weather.

Is it true that there was a moose born in someone’s front yard in suburban Minnesota?
Maybe.
I tried to get in touch with my Aunt Sally, but she is still mad that I haven’t sent her a photo of my Mooseville mayor’s inauguration. I will have to look into that one for you and will get have to get back to you.

What will you be for Halloween this year?
I can’t answer that – seriously! If I tell you, I won’t be able to be trick or treat incognito next week and score all those peanut butter cups. I have had some great costumes the last few years, but my favorite was the Moose from Mars, but this year’s is sure to be my best yet!

Are there black flies in Mooseville during the winter?
Finally, an easy question. No! But, soon I will have to start to complain about those stupid Cluster flies that insist on dive bombing the lights. I mean, really, don’t they have anything better to do all winter?

Do you have a question – well, I can’t answer it unless you send it to me, so do it now why don’t you.

Don't forget to check out all the good moose stuff on the website! www.mooseville.com.

Have a great week!

The Moose In-laws are coming!

2009-10-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

It is the middle of the week and I am trying to type up my column for the weekend, but I am a might bit distracted because my moose-in-laws are coming! You understand – there’s dad’s inspection of the wood stove, the cobwebs in the corner need to be cleared away and those leaves had better stay on the trees for a few more days despite the rain.

Anyway, when I am distracted, I always start with a Google search, just for a little something to get me going and look what I found this morning when I searched for moose…

"MOOSE, originally an acronym for Man Out Of Space Easiest and later changed to the more professional-sounding Manned Orbital Operations Safety Equipment, was a proposed emergency "bail-out" system capable of bringing a single astronaut safely down from Earth's orbit to the planet's surface." Here is the link so you can read all about it, straight from the source at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOOSE.

Now that will give you something to bring up in a random conversation with the moose-in-laws. Or maybe we could study the photos and build our own – you know, just a little project.

Hey Corey, maybe you could help me with this new product idea and offer a supply kit at the Mooseville store.

I could help you write the ad: “Everything you need to build you own MOOSE contraption for only $9.99” In the fine print we could add – It will be guaranteed to protect you from black flies and mosquitoes for at least 12 seconds or as long as your remain in the plastic bag and one size will fit most idiots.

Well, I guess I had better go for this week – but hey keep you eyes peeled on the website for this new MOOSE product, it might go straight to clearance!

Check out the new stuff at Mooseville -- www.mooseville.com.

Moose Leaves and Apple Pie

2009-10-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, after all of my adventures these last few weeks, it is good to be home.

I did get an email from the new bride who said she was celebrating her birthday in Rome, and as she put it “with her hubby.” Now that is just plain adorable, I would have to say!

The autumn leaves are in all their glory around Mooseville with shades so vibrant – it does seem to amaze and surprise me every year.

I found this great new website – www.mainefoliage.com which shows a map of Maine and details where the leaves are turning. You can even sign up for a weekly report from the forest rangers. The website also has a list of what kinds of trees create each of the colors. Did you know that white ash and witch hazel trees turn purple in the fall – have to go looking for some of them in the woods around Mooseville. And did you also know that red maple trees turn red and that sugar or rock maple leaves turn gold or orange. That is how you know which trees to get sap from to make maple syrup from!

There are lots of things to do around Mooseville – from apple picking and the Scarecrow Reunion in Phillips to the Fryeburg Fair, so I am likely to be keeping plenty busy. With all the apple events, I was just thinking that I sure do love a good apple pie!

So I thought, how about sharing a recipe with the readers, so you will have a reason to crank up the wood cook stove and warm up on a rainy Sunday afternoon. I am sure that I could be made available, if you just can’t manage to eat the whole pie by yourself.

Moose Apple Pie

Cheddar Cheese Pie Crust

1 ¼ cup flour
¼ teaspoon salt
5 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of shortening
½ cup of grated sharp cheddar
2-3 tablespoons of water

Mix together dry ingredients, and then add water slowly to form dough.
Roll out two pie crusts on a floured surface.

Moose Apple Pie Filling
6 cups of apples (tart ones are best!)
½ cup sugar
½ cup of grated sharp cheddar
¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
¼ teaspoon of nutmeg
1 tablespoon of flour

Mix together all the filling ingredients and then fill the bottom
crust, add the top crust and be sure to put a few slits in the top.
Bake for about 1 hour at 375, just until the crust is golden brown and
the filling starts to bubble.

Thanks to my friend Amy for helping me out with this yummy pie recipe.

Have a great week – I will look forward to seeing you jumping in a
pile of leaves soon!

Check out our website www.mooseville.com and mention leaves in the comment section of your order and I'll throw in a surprise for you!

Continuing the Moose Road Trip

2009-09-25T11:47:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! Brodey here, coming to you from Baltimore, Maryland.

I know, I have been one busy moose lately, but the work of the mayor of Mooseville is just never finished. I am here in Baltimore to attend the wedding of Robin and Mike – and boy was it one heck of a trip to get here. It all started with a walk down to Farmington and then my new friend gave me a ride down the coast.

Well, if you think a moose can stop traffic along Route 4, you should
see the back up I caused near the George Washington Bridge last night.

But I would have to say, I did sleep like a baby last night -
snuggled up under a down comforter in my hotel room.

For seafood lovers, Baltimore provides the opportunity to feast on
crab cakes, crab chowder and just in case you can’t get enough there
are giant platters filled with only crab and French fries. Every
restaurant seems to say that it has the best, but it seems impossible
to judge, so as a crazy moose – I opted for Mexican food instead.
So I am off to the wedding, a moose in tux with a tails and a top hat
– I only wish there were pictures to share!

Tune in next week for a little excitement we had in Mooseville while I was traveling...hint...it has to do with squirrels and such!

Live from Cape Cod!

2009-09-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

This is Mayor Brodey Moose blogging to you live from Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

It is an amazing thing, every week or so, I get to tell you all about
the wonders of Mooseville and my crazy life as the mayor, but this
week I thought you might like to come along for a little Moose road
trip. I am spending the weekend soaking up the ocean breezes and even putting
a hoof in the cold waters of the Atlantic.

I did, however, get some strange looks - you know the ones - what is
that moose doing on the beach? But I just smile and wave and the
lookers seem to wander off eventually. They often, though, want to come up and take their picture with me! I guess it is not every day that they get to see a moose on the beach!

I also did a little fishing, but for future reference, it does help if
you put a hook on the end of your line. But as a vegetable-loving
moose, I find that it is just as much fun to dangle the string in the
water and dream away the afternoon. Besides, I do look extra
handsome sporting a fishing vest.

I have to head back to Mooseville on Monday because I got to start
planning for the annual Scarecrow Reunion held in Phillips, Maine
which will be held in early October. I think this year, I might try
to... Oh, I guess I better keep my idea a secret for now.

And next week, I will be heading south to Baltimore, Maryland and the
wedding of Robin Beck and Michael Maher.

I will try to get some pictures. You know I can be a little camera shy sometimes!

Labor Day and Back to School!

2009-09-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

Labor Day, Back to School, and the promise of incoming pumpkins
decorations and a scarecrows reunion– what’s next? Sleet, Frost and
Snow!

Well as you know moose like me do not deal well with change and we have
a hard time with smooth transition, but I do love the cool mornings
and catching the sight of my breath in the morning. The leaves are
all still green and the grass continues to grow, but hurry up and
enjoy the last bits of summer sunshine.

I have not talked about the blackberries up in Madrid, Maine (that is pronounced Mah-drid for none natives that may not know!)! They are
so fat, sweet and juicy that they are falling off onto the ground, but be
quick to pick them because they never last long. I keep hoping for a blackberry
pie with a scope of vanilla ice cream on top. Now that is just like a
slice of summer heaven.

Do you ever wonder how one moose, say the Mayor of Mooseville, could
spend so much time talking about the weather and snacks? If you have
to ask, I will tell you how it is because inquiring minds need to
know. As the Mayor, I spend my days wandering about in Mooseville,
but really it is a quiet little place.

I might dabble in politics and chat with the local folks, but there
is not much newsworthy that goes on around town. I mean, really, do
you need to know what Larry, down at the Transfer Station, is up to
right this minute or what the special was over at Country Bumpkins
last Tuesday. Probably not so I just tell you about a few fun things that happen to me in my life!

I think everything in the neighbor’s garden pulled trough okay last
week when we had a hint of frost, even his tomato plants. I have
decided to make some green tomato pickles tonight; maybe I will even
have a picnic and enjoy the view from beside Toothaker Pond tomorrow. Until
next time, be sure to keep smiling like a moose!

Fall is on it's way!

2009-08-29T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends. I hate to start the conversation, but after the cool temperatures at the end of the week, I think autumn has arrived in Mooseville. My neighbor, Mr. Barker, reports that he had 37 degrees outside his back door the other morning and that is just a moose wink away from a frost. But being the eternally optimistic Mayor that I am, I think we are in for a long and warm Indian summer despite the Farmer’s Almanac. Maybe if we all just believe, it will happen and we can expect sunshine and warm temperatures through September.

September will be upon us next week and many of the kids are already back at school. Is it my imagination or does the summer seem to get shorter every year? Anyway, watch out for those school buses and kids crossing the road. Gosh, driving is hard – with moose, deer and kids all convinced that they have to cross the road because the grass is always greener there. And soon those leaf peapers will be stopping in the middle of the road to take my picture. Can’t they just buy a postcard - the photos of my cousin Charles are much better anyway?

I thought today I would mention the five crazy women that live down the road. These women make such a fuss some mornings; it is hard to believe they haven’t ended up on the dinner table. It is a good thing that they live with a vegetarian. Oh, I guess it is prudent to mention that they are chickens. Anyway, I just want to say hello to the fabulous five: Nutmeg, Pepper, Violet, Marigold and Thyme.

I am trying to come up with a catchy slogan...I'll keep you posted! Check out Mooseville for all kinds of moose goodies!

Phillips, Maine Old Home Days!

2009-08-15T13:21:00.000-07:00

Old Home Days Starts Today!

I apologize in advance, but I just couldn’t mention everything. For a complete list of events and times, please pick up a brochure at any area business. If you see Janet White, be sure to thank her for her hard work and tireless dedication to Old Home Days.
Here are some of my favorite events coming up this week:

Sunday (8/16) – Country Music at the Old Gym and a Golf benefit for the Phillips Public Library.

Monday (8/17) – Get ready for the busy week ahead!

Tuesday (8/18) – Cruise Night at Country Delight and a Talent Show at the Phillips Elementary School

Wednesday (8/19) – Cribbage at the American Legion

Thursday (8/20) – Flower Show, Golf Ball Drop and the Fashion Revue

Friday (8/21) - Everything Sale at the Old Gym, Lawn Sales Everywhere including a benefit at the Historical House, Craft Sale at Trecartin Park, Antique Appraisals, Train Rides, Food Sales, Bingo, a Street Dance and …

THE BIG PARADE - What Can You Do With Duck Tape
Line up for the parade starts at North Franklin Park and then it heads down Main Street!

Saturday (8/22) Plane Rides, Frog Jumping, Bathtub Races and Horse Pulling

Sunday (8/23) Breakfast with the Sandy River Flying Club, Bob Parker Children’s Parade and the Duck Derby
I have to say, I do love a good parade and every year, the parade seems to get bigger and better! I can’t wait to see what people do with this year’s theme. I have to say, duct tape is so important that I hope we don’t have a shortage.
Duct Tape – it is good wet or dry…it can do if you need stitches, a new bumper for the family car or just want to keep track of your remote control, not to mention fixing up the heating duct in the basement. And I would imagine that Earl and Lorraine Berry, this year’s honored couple, have used a fair amount of duct tape over the last 58 years of their marriage.

Swimming Moose and Obama's Second 100

2009-08-08T15:38:00.000-07:00

What a week of fun adventures…
Hello friends! This week, I decided to go out to Mount Blue Pond to try a little bit of fishing. I thought a moose, especially the Mayor of Mooseville, could surely ride in a canoe. But, that first step into the boat proved to be more difficult than I had ever expected it to be and I decided that a swim would be better. Thankfully, there aren’t any embarrassing pictures to post on Facebook – Corey sure can be merciless with his camera!

This week’s garden report finally offers some variety, but still no hope for the grapes that haven’t flowered. I do love those green beans and, finally after a few sunny days in a row, they are big and yummy. Turnips, beet greens and peas are plentiful and the lettuce is super tender, thanks to all those cool rainy days.

I think that the rain must have washed away all the potato bugs because I haven’t seen a one! And there might be a tomato ripening on those pathetic plants, good thing they have sturdy cages to hold them up.

Obama celebrated his second one-hundred days last week and there still was no news about a Secretary of Moose, but I guess he may have had more pressing things on his presidential plate than my future political career. Maybe you all could put in a good word for me!

I did also wander over the Forks for a little rest and relaxation, but I had to take a rain check on the white water rafting after my canoe experience. The fine folks at Northern Outdoors do offer a nice place to visit, but I would have to say the hot tub doesn’t really appeal to a moose like me.

So I guess since moose are really good swimmers, I'll stick to swimming! Did you know moose can swim across an entire lake? Oh that reminds me of a joke...Why did the moose swim to the other side of the lake? To get to the other side of course! The swamp grass is always greener on the other side of the lake! Well on that parting joke, I will bid you farewell for now!

Check out the website -- www.mooseville.com

Bunnies and Moose

2009-07-19T07:19:00.000-07:00

What is a moose to do? Is it time to wander beneath the trees, hide in the tall grass or watch a thunderstorm race across the sky, but if you don’t know the right answer – all of the above will keep you busy this summer. I also love to swat the mosquitoes with my tail and stand near the road to have my portrait taken. Oh wait, I don’t have a tail so those mosquitoes just keep pestering me!

I wish you would send those funny photos of me and my neighbors to us here at Mooseville and if we look like rock stars, I might post it for everyone to see.

The summer is going by so quickly –it is only a few more weeks till Old Home Days in Phillips. This year’s theme makes me laugh because I just love Duct Tape and you can use it in so many ways. I can’t wait to see the parade floats look like – a creative bunch those Phillips folks are! The list of events seems to get longer every year – but this year I am looking forward to the Everything Sale at the Old Gym and wandering by the train tracks to wave at the people. I might dress up as the four-legged Ghost of Duct Tape just to keep things interesting.
I do want to send out a hello to Charlie – he is my new little buddy who moved up to Mooseville from Wilton. He thinks he is going to grow up to be a lion, but really he is just a rabbit with a big head of hair and likely won’t grow to be more than three pounds.

The garden seems to be emerging from the mud now, but after such a slow start, I am not sure if there will be any tomatoes. The potatoes seem happy, but it is hard for me to dig those up with two left hooves, so I am hoping for a little help. Charlie and I do love the carrot tops, but we have learned that if we eat too many carrot tops, there aren’t any carrots left for the winter! That was a tough lesson for both of us to swallow!

Well, I guess that is all of my moosely wisdom for today! Check out our website www.mooseville.com!

Happy Summer and Moosecellaneous!

2009-07-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hello Summer!

This week we welcomed back the sunshine to Mooseville! It was a strange phenomenon – blue sky and warm temperatures, but it sure had everyone in good spirits, including me. Everything seems to be drying out and despite my optimism, I would have to admit that I am getting ready for the next batch of thunderstorms and clouds. The nice folks at the Farmer’s Almanac even went so far as to apologize last week for being right – but being right isn’t always a good thing.

In other news around the Moose state, the legislature decided to prohibit smoking in state parks, beaches and historic sites. The law, put forth earlier this year by Senator John Nutting, was passed just before most parks opened for the summer season.

As the mayor of Mooseville, I try not to be too political, but I am pleased with this new effort to reduce secondhand smoke for the animals and people who enjoy the parks and it will eliminate those ugly cigarette butts from littering our favorite places.

Now if I can just convince people to stop throwing trash out of their cars – there was already is a law against littering, so stop already will you! We don’t even have any fast food restaurants in Mooseville, but I am always stumbling over Burger King and McDonalds bags and wrappers. I do fancy those new Frostys from Wendy’s, but there never seems to be anything left in the cups except rain water and that is a real disappointment for me.

I also wanted to talk up the new section of Mooseville for a little bit. It's called Moosecellaneous! It is going to be growing into something for you to be entertained and have a good laugh when you visit! So if you are having a bad day, this will definitely be a place to go to help lift your spirits! It will have things that are not moose from fun signs, t-shirts, lights, oddball items and plush animals. Keep checking it out weekly for fun new products! Here's a link to it now!

Don't forget your sunscreen and have a great week ahead!

Doing the Moose Walk

2009-07-04T08:52:00.000-07:00

Here we are on the verge of summer -at least, we are hoping that the monsoon season is coming to a close in the mountains of Maine. June was rumored to have been the rainiest in decades, maybe ever, so we aren’t hoping for a drought, but a sunny day would be a nice change of pace.
Family, Fun and Fireworks - I hope you had a great day yesterday to celebrate Independence Day!

The barbecues were fired up in Madrid (pronounced maaaa-drid - you have to draw out the a) for the annual picnic and they even had a deep fried turkey. Those ladies sure do put out a nice spread of snacks – salads of every kind, decadent cakes and pies and my favorite - sour pickles.

Micah turned the big 4 years old yesterday and he is convinced that all the fireworks are just for his birthday. And being four, you can’t argue with him.

There have been lots of photos in the news of my nephew Buckey. He is my sister’s youngest boy, but even he is having trouble competing with the news about Michael Jackson. Out of respect, I have been trying to learn how to do the moon walk, but having four legs rather than two makes it quite a sight. I will spare you the photos.

Do I like turnips? It is a question that has been on my mind for a while - you know one of those deep philosophical questions to consider on a long rainy afternoon. I would love to hear your thoughts on turnips or any other thoughts you might have for that matter.
Until next time – be careful with those leftover Sparklers!

Catch Up!

2009-06-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

You have probably been wondering what happened to me these last few months… the new grass, the flowers and spring fever had me in the mood for traveling!

I know we live in a high tech world, where I could tweet my every move, but I decided that you don’t really need to know what I am thinking about in between mouthfuls and the answer to the Facebook question of what’s on your mind would likely be too scary.

I will humor you with a recap of my spring adventures. It might just keep you curious humans on the edge of your seats. In the heat of the April summer, I went to Massachusetts to welcome little Julianna – she will be a heart breaker in a few years. To get away from the mud and black flies, I dropped by to see Corey in New Jersey and took a little vacation at the Star Barn Bed and Breakfast. I do love Toothaker Pond for a relaxing swim.

Lately, I have been busy slowing the traffic at my favorite spots along Routes 4 and 16. June proved to be a cool and rainy month, good for growing bugs but somewhat challenging for tomatoes, so I have been checking the progress of the new asparagus.

Did you know they are building a new road up to Rangeley and they are straightening out the S – curves along the way? It is supposed to be done later this year, but we shall see…wasn’t it supposed to be done last year? If you are inclined to drive up to Rangeley, be sure you make a pit stop at the Bear Hill Variety store before you head north because it might take you the best part of an hour to get there from Madrid.

But as my mom always said, the road to a friends is never long…I look forward to your visit soon!

Hello there Spring!

2009-03-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hello there Spring!

Spring has sprung around western Maine – grass is visible, albeit brown, driveways are muddy and the snow sure is melting after a handful of warm days.
I did visit my smart friends down at the University of Maine – Farmington and saw a row of brave tulips poking up near the library, can’t wait for those colors. It seems too soon for those, but who am I to say!
As the mayor of Mooseville, I haven’t had much to say politically of late, but I think we should all take advantage of the Spring to celebrate the “Day the Moose Sprung” day!
A day where you might sit on your back porch and relish in the sunshine and laugh at the cluster flies who are confused by the warm temperatures and the big snow bank that you created with all that shoveling over the railing. Or maybe, you might head down to Farmington and sit on the bench outside Java Joes and just wave at the cars driving by…it is fun for me! Or just maybe, you could live dangerously and wash that old beater of a car you drive – as long as the dirt isn’t holding it all together!
I hope you have a great week filled with sunshine! Ahhh…the joy of spring – I can lick the salt off the roadways and wander through the melting bogs…wait, I think I feel a haiku coming.

Spring moose temptations
Laugh at the camera-laden cars
Wander across the road

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

2009-03-14T17:59:00.000-07:00

I would like to send a personal thank you out to my friend, who shall remain unnamed, for telling me that indeed, “March is the snowiest month of the year.” Well thank you, Corey (oops!) for that bit of uplifting news. Snow is good for skiing and snowshoeing, but my mind has already shifted to spring like the clocks last week.

Well, let us move on to some happier news for this week’s post because spring is indeed just down the road a piece. In the coming week, we will all turn a bit Irish as St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around Mooseville. Moose can go green with the best of them. I even have a four-leaf clover that I keep as an emergency snack, oh wait, maybe I ate that one already.

Corned beef and cabbage isn’t really a meal fit for a moose, but if you are so inclined, please do enjoy this truly American version of St. Patrick’s Day feast.

I would also like to send a hello to my buddy George in Wisconsin. He spent most of last week in the hospital, but is home now and definitely “moose-ing” it up! So I thought I would take a minute to tell you about all the healthy leafy greens we have to look forward to as the snow melts. According to Prevention magazine’s March issue, romaine, watercress and spinach are great sources of vitamins, calcium and even iron. Who knew Popeye was eating spinach to help lower his risk of macular degeneration.

I hope you have all made the transition to Daylight Savings Time and are now waking up at a respectable time!

Daylight Savings Time!

2009-03-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends! (oops I forgot to publish this one!)

After a long February vacation around Mooseville, I have returned to remind you about Daylight Savings Time. Last night, the clocks were supposed to spring forward in the middle of the night and when we woke up it was an hour later.

March is one of those ironic months. For example, yesterday I saw people wearing sweatshirts instead of coats, puddles of water and sunshine, but this morning there was a wet and sticky snow covering everything in Mooseville.

I still don’t understand the time change, because time it is doesn’t matter much when you are a moose who doesn’t wear a watch. I get up when it is sunny and go to bed when it is dark, but occasionally I do stay up to watch late night television but that is a story for another time. But the hardest part of the time change is remembering what clocks you have changed and which ones you haven’t.

While I have your attention, I do want to encourage you to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. You could run down to the Phillips Hardware and I am sure Betty can fix you up with some new 9-volt batteries. Did you know you should replace your smoke detectors every ten years? I apologize for adding something else to your to do list!

Since you have absolutely no idea what time it is, I would recommend that you make yourself another cup of coffee, read all about the specials at the Mooseville store and have a great day!

Love is in the Air!

2009-02-06T15:37:00.001-08:00

What a busy week it has been in Mooseville.

First we start with the bad news…Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania predicted six more weeks of winter! But that wasn’t really that unexpected for moose around town who had predicted a blustery February and a snowy March, but then we can talk about the hints of April’s peak at spring. For Arizona Cardinal Fans, they lost the big game.

But now moving onto the good news, it was a great game! A couple of random guys made a fun commercial for Doritos and got a million dollars for throwing a snow globe into a vending machine full of chips.

Valentine’s Day is coming right up, so to get you in the mood for love, I thought I would include this recipe from The Best of Strong Cooking (Strong, Maine).

Recipe for Love
By Anne Baker

1 c. love
1 boy
1 girl
2 c. kisses
4 c. hugs
1 T. aggressiveness
7 c. “?!&%#$”

Set all on a park bench and stir well. Put among the trees and bushes with one faded lamplight, a full moon and a deserted area. Then add a pinch of luck from the matchmaker.

Now, like Christmas, I hate to have to remind you, but moose like women have expectations. These expectations revolve around chocolate, flowers and the sappiest card that you can bear to sign your name on the inside, plus a gift. So get busy, because it is on Saturday and Corey still needs time to get your gifts in the mail.

Don’t forget your first loves – your mom and dad, your goofy college boyfriend and your husband! Check out the special Valentine's Section at Mooseville!

Love is in air – isn’t life just full of moose-e-ness!

Winter Lingers On...

2009-01-31T17:41:00.000-08:00

Is it cold enough for you? What about snow and ice, haven’t we had enough of that already. In Mooseville, the snowdrifts are getting bigger than I am, but the nights are getting shorter as we move towards spring.

I know you hate it when I am overly optimistic right! I can hear you now saying, “Brodey, it is only Day One of February.”

In the month of February, there are some exciting things to celebrate. There are holidays like Valentine’s Day and February school vacation and the Phillips Community Center is having an Ice Skating party with cookies and hot chocolate on the 17th. We get to celebrate the birthdays of Abe Lincoln and George Washington with Presidents’ Day in the middle.

However, before I get myself all excited about that we should talk about today – it is Superbowl Sunday! Turn on your television and chef up some chicken wings and nachos because I am coming over soon.

In case you live in a burrow and don’t know who is playing, count on me to keep you informed. It is the Cardinals against the Steelers. Almost as important as the game, is the commercials they will play during half time.

Speaking of burrows, I want to remind you about one very important thing that happens on February 2. According to the smart people at Wikipedia, “the largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.” Punxsutawney Phil will step out of his burrow to meet his adoring fans on Monday and there are expected to be more than 25,000 people checking out his shadow.

We hope it will be cloudy!

Resolutions Progress!

2009-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Well, friends, the New Year is two weeks old, so it seemed appropriate to check in on everyone’s resolutions and how they are doing. It is said that most people abandon their resolutions the first week, but friends of Mooseville are a special bunch so maybe you have been more successful and made it to the end of week two.

As far as I am concerned, you are probably anxiously awaiting the results of my sixth resolution, which was to start writing the first great American Moose novel. I may first have to revise my resolution because I am considering writing a memoir instead to give people a first hand look at my life.

I have been struggling with my title, so I wanted to find out what you think. So far I am considering two main options which are “Brodey Goes To Graceland” or “Brussel Sprout Forest: Brodey’s Memoir.”

Once I have gotten my title nailed down, then the hard work will begin…because as you know typing with two hoofs is a little bit of a challenge. I keep hoping that the fine folks at Dell will invent a hoof-friendly keyboard, but no luck yet!

I would love to hear what you think about my title ideas or if you have another suggestion that would be great too!

Have a great day!

Third Graders Moose Resolutions

2009-01-03T08:55:00.002-08:00

Here are a few New Years Resolutions (Moose oriented of course!) from a total moose third grade class in Utah! They even called Mooseville and sang a song for us at Christmas time! Well, here are their excellent resolutions!

I will not Moose-behave!
I will listen to good Moose-ic
I will not get sent to the Moose RC  (That is a place in the back of the room where they go for time out -- The Moose Responsibility Center.  If that doesn't work they get sent tot he SRC Student responsibility Center and get in all sorts of trouble... so the Moose RC is a warning)

I will not Moose Around
I will be 10 % smarter than the object I am dealing with.
I will not grow a moose-stach until I am 16.
If something is mooseing -I will look for it before asking
No more Moose-le toe for me!  *blush*
Someday I am going to Moose-issippi.
I will not be moose-chievous
I will not let my desk get Moose-y
I will try and read more Moose-tries
I am going to work out hard so my Moose-cles will be impressive
I will not moose a day of school
I will go to an a-moose-ment park this summer
I will not make any more moose-takes
I will listen carefully and write down the correct Moose-age
When I grow up I want to drive a Moose-tang

And there you have it!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T08:55:00.001-08:00

The time has come to say goodbye to 2008 and welcome in 2009! I always resolve to eat less and exercise more, but quickly fall down on my plans…just as soon as the new spring grasses are starting to grow and I can stand the better part of a day in a single spot chewing happily away.

Nonetheless, I figured it was about time for another top ten list to celebrate my new year’s resolutions.

As the mayor of Mooseville, I resolve to:

10) Not to eat more than two or three gardens this year – but watch out because I am likely to fail miserably at this one.

9) Get satellite television, so I can watch all my fellow creatures on the National Geographic channel – it is a long cold winter in Mooseville!

8) Get a good haircut, so I don’t look too mangy in the spring.

7) Not make fun of humans – even if they are funny looking!

6) Start writing my own great American Moose novel.

5) Learn something new, maybe like parasailing or French cooking (I can’t wait to share the photos with you!).

4) Send a thank you note to Corey for helping spread the love of Moose throughout the world.

3) Visit Roger at Saddleback and take some skiing lessons from him.

2) Keep all my blog readers informed about important Moose issues!

And my number one resolution for 2009 is…

To try my best to stay out of trouble and have fun every day!

One of my friend's favorite quotes (I'm deciding that it is one of mine too!) was written in 1905 by Bessie Stanley of Lincoln, NE:

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction."

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-21T10:51:00.000-08:00

Well, the holidays are just around the corner and if you have not finished your shopping, I hate to sound pessimistic, but you are seriously running out of time.

Mooseville as you know is located in the western mountains of Maine and as a result, I always think that locating the perfect Christmas tree should not be hard. I spend the better part of most days wandering around the woods, so theoretically I have had all year to look at my options.

Well, last weekend, I went for a walk to find the Christmas tree. The snow was crusty enough after the ice storm to be annoying, but not too deep. I started up a little hill and came to a pleasant little frozen bog, but the perfect tree still eluded me.

You know what I mean. Not too short, not too tall…and for humans they have to worry about too wide to fit though the front door, but you cannot get one that is too skinny either! A skinny tree is like a skinny moose – just wrong.

A few snowflakes and a long walk, make the perfect tree easier to find after a while. Your perfect tree is somehow redefined as you start fantasizing about a cup of hot chocolate.

And almost before I realized it – there it was standing before me. Well, as a moose I do not have much use for cutting it down and hauling it down the side of the mountain, but I like to take a few minutes with my tree and take stock of the last year.

It was an adventure and my year was full of fun and I met some interesting folks along the way – so to each of you, I want to say Happy Holidays and wish you the best for 2009!

I know, I am usually not so philosophical, but it happens, now and again when you give a moose like me a blog.

Ice Storm in Moose Country

2008-12-14T08:35:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share with you some pictures taken by Ginni our friend at Star Barn Bed and Breakfast with the recent ice storm in the Northeast that has left so many people without power for many days! They are beautiful pictures! Mother Nature's harshest conditions sometimes leaves us with the most gorgeous views! These pictures don't do it justice of how magnificent it looked.

Time flies like the snow!

2008-12-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

Happy December!

While I know the big thing on everyone’s mind is the round happy guy with the overgrown goatee these days, I wanted to tell you about one of the legendary residents of Mooseville.

As the mayor, I meet all kinds of interesting moose in my travels. I wanted to send a hello out to my good friend Roger. He has been keeping an eye on all the winter preparations going on at Saddleback Maine. The mountain is due to open any day now and Roger said the snow is really piling up.

Roger has started training for the Lollipop races. It takes a lot of practice to coordinate all four moose legs on skis to go in the same direction, but to be fair how many moose do you know that can ski?

Be sure to wave to Roger – he has been hanging out near the Access Road keeping the trees trimmed!

There is still no words from President elect – Obama on the appointment of the Secretary of the Moose. When I was checking on the latest moose news, I did find these two important moose facts from the folks at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. ”A moose can store more than 100 pounds of food in its stomach. Moose can run 35 mph and easily swim 10 miles without stopping.”

I didn’t, however, find anything about Roger’s downhill ski record online, but maybe it is top-secret because of his status as a potential Secretary of the Moose candidate! I will keep you posted!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

This week I am plan on spending some time at the Star Barn Bed and Breakfast while the Robie’s are away visiting their new granddaughters. They have this nice pond and a splendid Moose-Eye view of Blueberry Mountain from their place.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, I can’t stop thinking about the fact that Christmas is right around the corner. We don’t have a lick of snow yet in Mooseville, but it will likely come in a big rush just in time for everyone to go slip-sliding down the road to visit their family and friends. The Farmer’s Almanac promises this winter is going to be a doozy, but we shall see.

I haven’t finished my holiday shopping yet, have you?

I have spent a lot of time at the Mooseville website – picking out the very best moose gifts. I mean really, for your discerning moose, they have it all from t-shirts to skiing moose figurines and my personal favorite was the ingenious Mainer who made ornaments out of Moose poops. I mean really – what will they come up with next., but I am sure that it will be amazing and our friend Corey will be the first to have it!

I guess that is all for now. Oh, but be sure to wear your pumpkin clothes if you are out wandering in the woods these days, as hunting season lasts a few more weeks.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL YOU MOOSERS OUT THERE!

It's FINALLY over!

2008-11-09T08:47:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

The big election for humans is finally over - now what will the folks have to talk about? As the Mayor of Mooseville, I thought I would offer a list of suggested conversation starters for those of you struggling at the water cooler or at the next Hunter's Breakfast.

I do like making lists - now if only I could find the one I wrote about what I should be doing today, I would be all set. Excuse me if I repeat myself, but I sure am glad these antlers of mine are attached!

Conversation starters for the residents of Mooseville:

When do you think the president elect will start running for re-election?
Will the new president appoint a Secretary of Moose?
When will the country be ready for a Moose President?

Now if you are dealing with some highly intelligent "Moosey" types, these questions are likely to be better still to get folks riled up.

Can you use powdered ice tea mix to make hot tea?
Are Cluster flies really as dumb as they appear? I mean really, they just buzz around the lights and spin on the floor, but what is going on in their heads.

If hunters expect to be successful, why do they eat so much at the Hunter's Breakfast?
I would think all those sausage links would weigh them down and cause them to just need a nap - wait, I think I may have stumbled upon the answer here. A nice nap in the cab of their truck at the far end of a skidder road without the wife around to complain they haven't done anything around the house. Pure genius! I knew they wore those orange clothes for a reason - to highlight their intelligence.

Back to my questions...I guess I am obligated to mention the old standby...so, how about this weather we're having. I realize that the truth is, if you don't like the weather, you can always wait five minutes and it will be doing something different.

If you get bored and need something to look at, don't forget all your favorite things at Mooseville!

Wood Piles

2008-11-02T07:05:00.000-08:00

Greetings!

October has come to a close and most of the trees around Mooseville have shed their leaves. The weather sure has been unseasonable the last few weeks, but winter will be coming on quick now that we have turned the calendar to November.

Most folks are still scrambling to button up their houses before the cold wind starts blowing. This week I saw a scary site – a crazy bearded guy poised rather precariously on ladder yielding a caulking gun. I am not sure what possessed him to think that thirty feet up in the air was the place to wave his arms around and try to learn how to fly, but it did make for amusing entertainment while I was eating his Brussels sprouts. But I won’t reveal his name – wouldn’t want the neighbors to talk.

I did see him with his feet firmly planted on the ground yesterday, but he wasn’t moving too fast. I think he may have caulked his shoes together by mistake.

Speaking of my neighbors, I can’t even see their house because of the huge stack of wood they have piled out front – maybe they are using it as rustic decoration. I know they do not have the same sense of moose fashion that I do, but really, they could try a little harder. At least, they could visit the Mooseville website for some moose accessories.

I am starting feel a little distracted and a bit itchy these days, as my winter coat starts to grow. I did hear from my cousin Marvin who lives by Mooselukemeguntic Lake that it has already snowed up his way. He waits all summer for that first snow, but then he is the first to complain that he’s mooserable!

Popcorn Falls

2008-10-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

The leaves have proven to be spectacular this year and the weather – a moose couldn’t ask for better. Warm and breezy days and cool autumn nights with just a hint of frost, but winter may play a cruel joke on all of us this year and promises to be a frigidly cold one.

Despite the good weather, I spent the better part of last week looking high and low for my red plaid vest. It isn’t like me to loose things, you know my antlers are attached! I was thinking that someone might have tried to auction it off on Ebay, but I do take an irregular size. As you can see with the above picture, I still do not have my vest but I do have my Scout Popcorn!

I can’t imagine how something moosey could be so elusive? I probably got distracted by a snack and left it dangling on a tree limb somewhere. I guess I had better order up something new from Corey – he has all these new sweatshirts and pjs. He is pretty quick to send them out, and they are sure to arrive just in time to keep me warm and snuggly as I curl up by the woodstove. Check out the website www.mooseville.com!

My buddy Fred had a run in with a car last week, but he is one tough turkey...I mean moose! He’s hobbling around and making do with snacks from the ladies who lunch at the historical society. I would hate to see the car!

Did you know – October is National Popcorn Popping Month. Me either, but thanks to my faithful readers for reminding me about that one after my National Moose Day rant last week. I look forward to hearing from you too! The Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts are out in full force raising money by selling their yummy popcorn. Check out the website to find some near you! http://www.trails-end.com/.

I would like to send a special hello out to my new friend Brett from Mendon, Massachusetts. I hope you had a great visit to Maine and by the way did you see my vest along the train tracks?

Leaf Peeping for the Moose...

2008-10-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Brodey here with a special announcement - I want to send a reminder out to all Moose – the Tourists are here and more are coming.

The Tourists are Coming!

This is your chance to stand in the road and be gawked at by silly people in mini-vans and SUVs.

I have been spending some time getting myself ready because I wanted to look my best for all the leaf peeping Tourists. My coat is all trimmed nice and neat for all the fall photos – I do have my mayoral reputation to uphold.

I have heard stories where folks will drive all the way to Eustis and back to Farmington and have not see any of my fellow moose, even though I was standing right along Route 4 waving at them.

So to help you capture a great moose photo, here is my first ever top ten list!

· Look in the low wet bogs by the sides of the road (Route 4, Route 16, Route 142 and Route 27)
· Forget your camera - I can sense it, so I will be extra handsome!
· Try looking for me around dinner time
· Wear a funny hat and big polka dots, so I can see that you are out looking for me
· Look for me around town- I can’t always be just hanging out in the woods, I am the Mayor after all.
· Take a guided moose tour with C. Moose Ellis
· Get a moose picture frame and put your picture in it. It feels like your getting a giant moose hug.
· Get off the road, use your hazards and pay attention to other people who don’t care about a prize-winning moose photo and remember my photo isn’t worth getting rear-ended
· Get some better sunglasses – at least you can try to look cool while you’re driving around. The ones you had in junior high need to be retired!
· Buy some great moose stuff at www.Mooseville.com – my picture is on just about everything!

Autumn Leaves

2008-10-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

The autumn leaves will be at their peak this week here in the western mountains of Maine, so I hope you have made plans to pay us a visit to take in our fall colors or at least visit me.

I like the trees that look like yellow school buses this time of year, but my favorites are the red maple trees because moose look best with a red background.

I have been wondering why the leaves change color, so this year I decided to find out. Those beautiful red colors are caused by glucose in the leaves and that it is there all summer, we just can’t see it because of the green. It is amazing the things that one slightly technologically inept moose can learn online.

On another Moose tangent - Did you also know that of all the important acts our United States Congress has passed this year, the most notable was declaring National Watermelon Day (August 3rd)!

But on a serious note, what about National Moose Day? Just wanted to get your antlers tuned in for now, but more on that coming soon!

I wanted to send out a special hello to my friends who will be loitering at the Phillips Scarecrow Reunion starting on October 4th. People sure don’t need much of a reason to dress up their scarecrows in funny clothes now do they, but I have yet to see anyone dress one up like a moose. Now that would be almost as much of a spectacle as the autumn foliage!

Lipstick Moose

2008-09-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Not that I am swayed politically one way or the other because I am a moose but there are some issues before the moose population. The biggest issue is what happens to us moose if a McCain and Palin get in the White House? Well...after thinking about it a little bit and putting our heads together we have come up with an idea. This t-shirt promotes the idea and hopefully you can help spread the word to other Moose! All moose from now on should try to wear lipstick of some sort. By wearing lipstick, hopefully, we can be kept safe! Sarah Palin and her pit bull with lip stick is just part of the problem!

Moose need to be safe and hopefully, we can! You can find this t-shirt by going to www.mooseville.com and also by going to www.lipstickmoose.com.

In the NEWS!

2008-09-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a little something I thought you'd all enjoy. It's a little article of all moose's spokesman, Corey Ellis.

Face Time: Corey Ellis, Owner of Mooseville

By Kathryn Skelton , Staff Writer, Sun Journal.

Moose, moose, everywhere moose. (And an occasional bobble-headed beaver.) Turkeys need not apply.
Corey Ellis is bursting with moose.

The Phillips native has run the Mooseville shop on Route 4 for the last five years, a store dedicated to all things brown and gangly. The storefront is open May to mid-September. Moose bangles, backpacks, bedding and tons of other moose merch can be found year-round at www.mooseville.com.

Ellis has been in one business venture or another his whole life. He made wreaths as a teenager. For parades and other events, he dons the costume of Brodey, the Mayor of Mooseville. Yes, he said, it does get hot in there. More recently, according to his site, he's gotten a case of Beaver Fever. The moose may have to watch out.

Name: Corey Ellis

Age: 34

Lives: Phillips

Relationship, married, single? Married to Mooseville

Best part of working for yourself: The challenge, and being able to create my own future.

The downside: It all depends on me. I can't have bad days! They are not allowed!

How did you find beaver bobbleheads? Well, on our never-ending quest to find moose, the beaver bobbles just happened to be discovered. You know, beavers and moose, they live in the same places!

Most interesting question you've gotten from a tourist: A (serious) marriage proposal I think would have to be the strangest question ever sent my way.

How'd you react?! I just told her that I didn't really think it would work out and that I appreciated the offer. I'm like Rhett Butler from "Gone With the Wind" - "I'm not the marrying type." (Whatever that might mean! haha!)

Farthest you've ever traveled? Utah

Why Utah? I went to Utah for a semester of college. Funny, I wanted to be a dentist!

Fun things to do in Phillips: Biking is my favorite thing to do in Phillips. Swatting black flies and mosquitoes can be a blast as well!

Animal you would least like to find has broken into your home and made itself comfortable: moose, beaver or turkey? I think moose have already broken into my home. They are everywhere!! They come often, with me being their spokesperson and all. A beaver might just come to ask a question or two and then leave. But a turkey? I would definitely say I would least like a turkey breaking into my house, because they just get into everything and leave their droppings wherever they go. They are also loud and kind of obnoxious.

Hoped you enjoyed the post! It was a lot of fun to read! Check out all the cool moose products at www.mooseville.com and don't forget about the bears at www.bearstream.com.

Next week....pictures of me around some local landmarks!

Recycling at Mooseville

2008-08-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

Ok...so I was a few days late. Can you blame me? Summer is almost over so I was out enjoying the last little bit of it! Today's blog I am going to talk a little bit about recycling and what we do here at Mooseville!

Maine’s forests are among our great natural resources. Here, at Mooseville, we strive to protect them by reusing paper and cardboard products. Many local residents and businesses know of our recycling efforts so they help us out by giving us other packing material such as peanuts, bubble wrap and paper. All of our packing material has been used at least one time before it is used by us to protect your goodies! So you see, we make recycling a way of life.Your orders are generally shipped using boxes that are not new. We appreciate your help in being part of our recycling effort and encourage you to reuse or recycle the boxes and other packing material that come to you from us as well as from other places if you are able. We moose are always recyling things and try to be as green as we can. Some of the boxes may look a little bit used but now you know why!

I have encouraged Moosevillians to try to be green too! I like some of the products that we sell now because they are green “recyled” products. We have over 30 different products that are made from some sort of recycled products! Don’t you think it’s amazing what they can do with recycling things now? Here are a couple products that are “green.” This henley is so very comfortable and warm! See it here. You definitely should “soft” this one! These kinds of blankets are amazingly warm and soft! Try one on here!

Next week, I'm going to take you on a short tour of where I live. I'll take a few cool pictures!

If you want to email me directly, you can at brodey@mooseville.com.

Check out all the cool moose products at www.mooseville.com.

The Beginning 2002

2008-08-21T04:42:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Story to Come Out of Mooseville in a Coon’s Age

As C. Moose Ellis was walking through the woods one day in the summer of 2002, he saw in the distance a large clump of trees. There was some noise coming from within, and he decided to sneak in for a closer look. What do you suppose he found? There was a group of moose and they were talking. It wasn’t until he got a little closer that he could tell what they were saying.

They were talking about what’s going on in America right now. “There’s a new wave where people are buying things with moose on them.” They were also sad that there were so many people that needed jobs here in America and stuff that was being made with moose on them was being made elsewhere, way across the ocean. They were very concerned that there were people making images of them that did not even know what a moose was. They also talked about helping other moose connect and rally round each other to protect themselves and their image.

It wasn’t long before he was discovered! He thought he was in trouble, but somehow, the moose seemed to trust him and talked to him a little while and then asked him to leave for a minute. Although he wanted to stay and listen, he figured it’s probably best not to argue with a moose! He went a little way off. Soon, they called him back over to their circle. The moose who seemed to be the leader, my Uncle Jeffery, stepped forward and informed C. Moose Ellis that through popular vote he had been elected to be their spokesman to the rest of the world. So, his calling had begun.

And the rest is pretty much history. Mooseville has been gaining momentum ever since! Check out the website at www.mooseville.com