So Olivia Hollingsworth eats at The Whole Potato over a period of months and just happens to share a few of her photos one day to ask if I “think they’re good”. She has been traveling all over the world, she has a beautiful and amazing girlfriend, and she has this way of capturing intimacy like no one else; could be a portrait, a nature scene, a wall, or an event – she’s GOT IT! I told her to frame up what she could and do a show. Below is an example of one of her digital photos of a birch wood pile. These are only lightly edited. I can’t wait to see her work on our walls!

And our dearest friends Steve Hartley and Jillian are coming up for a visit from Cherryfield. Steve will play some old-timey banjo and guitar, while Jillian hangs with me in the kitchen! She doesn’t know it yet but I am going to get a lesson in bread-making – she’s an ant-energy wizz in the kitchen, glorious baker, and slow food officianado!  (sp?) Steve’s been playing in the county whenever he makes it up – at Full Circle years back and more recently at Music in the Park. We always play tunes around my kitchen table or out at the fire pit. Not to be missed. Hear me? Not. 8:00 sharp. ish. Doug Drew??? Where are you?

And guess who else is coming to dinner? He plays hard, hard to get, and he is interfaced with Bob the Painter in his FB Profile. YES! Travis Cyr! He’ll be on at 7:00 p.m.. OH What a night! And we will stay open until the music stops! Kitchen closes at 9:00 that night!

Carol

Taking time to know one another. Planning fun and participating in it! Having a basketful of percussive instruments in the car for moments like these (below)! Taking time to enjoy food and stories together. Catching judgements early and opening wider, our hearts.

I now spend my days in the downtown of Presque Isle, watching pedestrian and vehicle traffic like a movie in my large screen windows at The Whole Potato. Huge rolls of hay on the back of a giant flatbed can seem almost present in the room! The brakes and muffler sounds of a tractor trailer rudely hiss and choke in the stopping and starting at lights. People turn on dimes to step into KHC Music Store, Stew’s Downtown Sight & Sound, Wilders, or Cafe Sorpeso. Mr. Beatty everyday having his smoke at the bottom of the stair. The friendly staff at the Sidewalk Cafe on their breaks in our shared back parking lot. It is a nice feeling to see people out and about, lawyers, shoppers, musicians, and it is the best feeling in the world to have people come to our cafe for their lunches and dinners. Always good conversations arise, and lately I find people coming back from Florida, old friends from the past, or those tourists who seek wide open spaces and a less congested route than Maine’s beloved coast.

Most important, community is sharing. The Arootsakoostik Music Festival, Music in the Park, Biathlons, and The Acadian Festival are examples of opening our doors to others whose talents, whose stories, whose strengths inspire and thrill us. When we get to know a musician from another town, or an athlete, or concert/event goer, we experience the “well it’s a small world” feeling with them. We connect. Learn. Celebrate. Love. It is this loving moment that could inspire one to move here, decorate the fabric of our community, and help to create a diverse and rich culture. I talked with a man a couple of weeks ago, who grew up in Kashmir but who now lives in Santa Rosa. He was a delight, and I thought about our conversation for days – not that I have forgotten it – but I saw how important it was to him that we had vegetarian and organic food offerings, a place of comfort, and a compassionate approach to community. Through his lens, I felt on track. Will his work bring him here? Or will his feeling connected to community lead him here? I would hope that latter. Ask Heather Sincavage, or Hyrum Benson! or anyone who stayed in what might seemed at the time of their arrival, strange and challenging territory, but who found a community of characters, real and delightful, bizarre and refreshing, suspicious and empathetic. The village it takes – the village we make.

And we send our love to Junebug, as a community, in hopes of her safe return.

Carol

First – thank you to winner Becky Maynard for her “Potato Pushing” talents – she won the most referrals to our restaurant during April’s “EAT for ART” contest and drawing. Kathryn Olmstead came in second, and Ashlee Wood, Mary-Ann McHugh, Cynthia Leslie, and Ward Gerow were the drawing winners. Thank you to all who participated!!

On a more serious note, in order to expand and improve operations we are looking for an partner, so that I can develop summer (and year-long) programs with local farmers, youth, and do more booking of music and arts events at the cafe. This is a tough business to try and do by oneself and it is time I ask for help. I would hope someone out there might like to support our vision. (see Mission) Please share this notice/request within your circles and beyond, as it may or may not have to be someone from here. It does, however, have to be someone with experience and strong administrative skills to compliment our goals and services.

As my partner Cam plants rows and rows of vegetables at our home for the cafe, with tender loving-care, and while I am trying to keep up with dishes and serving at the cafe – I have decided to operate the cafe at peak hours – Tuesday & Wednesday (11-3); Thursday, Friday & Saturday (11-8): Sunday (10-2)  We hope this is understandable to our patrons as we wish to serve an optimal number of customers. Please share this new schedule with your families and friends!  We’ll see you as always, at our healthy and delicious lunches, dinners and arts events at The Whole Potato!

And DON”T FORGET!  BYO Beer & Wine!

Carol

NOON – Welcome / Ceremonial Sweetgrass Smudge with Dan Ennis

1:00 – 5:00 Water Bowl Placement/Compost & Recycling Demos / Reggae/ Art / Planting Seeds

6:00 – 8:00 – Kathryn Olmstead and others tell stories relating to love for the PLANET. All Earthling Stories welcomed! Step up to the Mic and share YOURS!  

Songs & Community Jam!

DON”T FORGET to BRING your WATER CATCHING Vessel!

SEE YOU AT NOON! – $5 donation at the door!

Laziness – Tea After Tea Prophesy, by Carol Ayoob

Getting over the hump – the middle of the week, but also, metaphorically, getting over life’s bumps, is the intention of our improv workshop. One could approach this day passively, watching it go by, or one might choose to climb to it’s challenges and finish with a smooth ride to the sense of accomplishment that a whole week might bring.

I directed Girls’ Theater Groups for a number of years and the bond created between these amazing young women still holds true. I just heard from yet another girl who found me on Faceless Book, (thanks Jillian!) to tell me that the experience of being in an Interactive/Improvisational/Drama Group changed her life. I of course responded, “Come and facilitate with me!” Bridging gaps, getting down to the basics – the voice, the body, the mind, and the soul – is what doing Improv is all about.  And did I mention laughing? crying? learning?  growing?  One cannot grow without some risk, eh? Deconstructing life and recreating new perspectives, new questions, new poetics for relating – that is the power of perfecting one’s skills on the stage, or in the streets – theater is an empowerment tool for any and all of us – since we all have experienced oppression, in one form or another at one time or another. It can be moving and fun, and it can only happen with trust and comfort – so if you are scared to try – know that I am the world’s most firm believer in “baby-stepping”! We will work our way up to skits and what-not only by little exercises.

Tomorrow night, our first HumpDay Improv Workshop will start at 7:00 P.M.  If you would like to form and be part of a group of other risk-takers – then this is the place for YOU! I have resources galore and you will find new friends, new approaches to life, and you will discover more about yourself than any individual or group therapy could ever reveal. And the price is right! $2 per person for the night!  We will finish at 8:30 or 9:00 – which ever time the group decides is best – this is how improv works, right?

See you tomorrow night!!

Carol

Sunday Brunch Networking

The Whole Potato Cafe is a great place to sup with friends, coworkers, and lovers. This group of women recently shared a bottle of bubbly (Mimosas are great for brunch!) while “catching up” on life, work and new possibilities.

Our EAT for ART Campaign is growing and the race is on to see who can make the most referrals by the next First Friday Art Walk (May 3rd) – when we will tally up and draw 5 names as winners of the SPECTACULAR works offered by some of the most stellar art practitioners in the County!  I will post all the Artists and their works next week, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, come by for a relaxing lunch or dinner – and make sure to sign up for the drawing – eat well and eat often at The Whole Potato – and enjoy your time with family and friends, while supporting local farmers.

Winter into True Spring already!

Carol

EAT for ART!! – April 1-30, 2013 @ The Whole Potato Cafe & Commons

During the month of April, every time you dine at the Whole Potato Cafe & Commons, you will be entered to win original artwork by Aroostook County’s favorite painters, photographers, and other fine artists from First Friday Art Walks and beyond.

Eat early, eat often, and eat again! The more meals you enjoy at the Whole Potato, the more times you are entered to win.

Even better: Be a Potato Pusher! We are aiming to hit 1000 meals this month. Spread the word and reap what you sow.

The person with the most referrals to The Whole Potato will get first dibs on Art!

Of course, you’ll also enjoy the prestige of being among the elite Potato Pushers who make this wonderful space a success.

Thanks for all your support — and see you soon at the table!

Carol & Carol & Carol – - – Meagan & Jeff & Shea

Tonight = come in and EAT for ART – and see the work of Ryan Scully!  As he hung his show last night, I snapped a photo of him checking out the wall behind our stage. Ryan is thrilled to show his work, his sketches, his CD Band Covers.