Sorry loyal blog followers. There’s only so much a girl can write in 24 hours and hold down the day job. So I am cheating you all here by filling in my Friday post with the newsletter I’ve been working on for the Store(s). Mea Culpa, as my dear old Dad would say…
March came in like a lion that never left! We dealt with heavy snow and bitter cold far longer than usual but it didn’t slow things down at Monadnock Oil and Vinegar.
We kicked things off with a great day at the Women’s Expo in Manchester. From there, Kim and Korey took the store on the road to the Chocolate, Wine and Cheese Festival in Nashua. The very next day was our third Drop-In Cooking Demo of the year. Finally! The weather cooperated and we had a lovely, busy day. Chef Joe outdid himself with his Hooray For Spring menu. Recipes are on the site.
Customers flocked in for the Pan Seared Salmon in Blood Orange Olive Oil & Coconut Balsamic sauce. The Spring Vegetable Frittata and Orzo Lentil Salad with Mint & Feta disappeared fast. An old favorite, Rainbow Slaw had a new twist using our Jalapeño white balsamic and the dessert of Bananas Foster was a crowd pleaser!
The following Monday night we all turned out for a reception and private screening from our local NHPTV station. We were a sponsor for a new series they have launched called OUR HOMETOWN which featured Peterborough in the inaugural episode. Watch it here with lots of fun out-takes!
On the 26th we all gathered for the Greater Peterborough Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala Awards ceremony. Much to our shock and delight, Monadnock Oil & Vinegar was chosen for the Business of the Year! This is directly attributable to the support of folks like you! We could never have experienced our growth and expansion without our loyal MOVers!
And, speaking of expansions, Joe’s at the Grove Cafe will open on May 1st. First Friday in Peterborough will have a brand new gourmet destination and we are thrilled to welcome Joe, Andrea, Garret and the crew to 43 Grove Street.
Sandwiched between Ava Marie Handmade Chocolates & Ice Cream and Monadnock Oil & Vinegar, Joe’s is the perfect “filling.” Desserts from Ava’s and luscious ingredients from MOV pair perfectly with Joe’s creative genius for the ideal casual lunch or dinner date. Joe’s menu will feature lots of the proven favorites from his cooking demos as well as farm to fork special dishes. Outdoor dining on the patio this summer will afford bird’s-eye views of Peterborough and the rivers.
April is full of Cafe events so we are foregoing our monthly cooking demo but hope to see many of you at the pre-opening festivities, and certainly at the Grand Opening on May 1st.
New flavors? We have six new Northern Hemisphere Extra Virgin Olive Oils that are making their way onto the center table. An Extra, Extra Hot Baklouti Green Chili infused olive oil is gaining a popular following with those who love spice, and Coconut white balsamic vinegar is giving a tropical punch to shrimps and salmon in our recent recipes. (www.monadnockoilandvinegar.com/recipes )
Drunken Goat, a lovely Spanish Chèvre is now in and we are expecting a huge shipment of new stuffed olive flavors from our farm in California. We are working on doubling our Herb & Salt bar so if there is a special request, let us know!
If you can’t stop by in person, we are working on updating the online store with all our new products so visit us there at: http://www.monadnockoilandvinegar.com/shop
Thanks for your support and keep those photos coming!
Photo courtesy of our roving photographer and inaugural MOVer, Laura Mahoney of TouringNH.com
Therapeutic Misadventures 
I am exhausted just reading this!!! You GO GIrl!
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Thanks Steph! April looks just as busy!
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So this is how you spend your days. The town looks lovely.
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Thank you Susan. As soon as the mud and snow disappear, it will be a lovely spot once again!
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Thank you for the link. Great newsletter.
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Thank YOU for the wonderful shot!
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Oh what fun!! I am now hungry for all those things and will be looking at the links!! I keep thinking how far is that shop from the Bronx!!! Note the girl from England where 50 miles is far!
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We are a long way from the Bronx, Cheryl, both in miles and in our environment! I would welcome the chance to show you this corner of New England when you come back!!
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oh yes…it, the Bronx, is so different from our little town and countryside. Someone was bemoaning the fact they only had one thatching company near them (on the Isle of Wight), we have about twenty with colleges to train people, along with fields of different grasses to grow the correct shape of straw…oops countryside nerd beginning to show…! 😉
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From one countryside nerd to another! Cheers!
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I just finished watching Our Hometown and loved it. I thought of you when one person said, “This community seems to attract people who have the energy to start things…”
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Thanks Annie! I thought they did a really good job with the segment. Looking forward to seeing more. Your quote is spot on…I am surrounded by energetic folks who are shaking up the “establishment”!!
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I was thinking that, with all of your cooking demos being so popular, maybe the store should branch out into a restaurant. I guess Joe was thinking the same thing!
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Allen, I feel so lucky to surrounded by folks who are full of great ideas. Hope you can get by to say Hello some time!
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And now for something completely different…
I very much enjoyed reading this Martha. Love the feel of your community, which you so clearly cherish, that I get from your writing. I’ve opened the video link in the next tab and will check it out as soon as hubby wakes up (don’t want to disturb his sleeping in this morning!) and I’m going to also peruse your online link.
Happy Saturday!
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Thanks Jullie! No disturbing Saturday morning sleepers!!
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Martha, from the looks of the icicles on the windows, it’s a good thing you have a job to keep you movin’, movin’, movin’. At least at this time of year. ~James
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So True James! Thank you!!
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Yet again you make me wish I could visit and Laura’s photos are wonderful.
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I would welcome you and Commando with open arms, open store and love the chance to share your corner of the world as well!
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You’d be more than welcome and you me er know, we may make it to. Ew Hampshire one of these days. I feel I know it. I think I’d come in summer though 🙂
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Skip the snow, Marie. It is April 8 and we are expecting 2-4 inches overnight!
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