Whoopie Pies or Moon Pies?

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

Busy Times at Mooseville

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!

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

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

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...

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!

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!

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!

Moose Thanksgivings!

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?

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...

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!

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.

Continuing the Moose Road Trip

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!

Phillips, Maine Old Home Days!

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.