October 2012 News

Hello There Talkeetna and Beyond,

Well, when it snows on September 29, do we say "Yay, summer is finally over and we can all start having some fun!" or "Boo, my yard is still such a mess and I'm not ready!" It sure seems like there are lots of exclamation points going around these days. To those that still have colorful leaves and the remains of lots of rain, happy raking. To those with the encroaching white stuff, enjoy a reflective moment, then happy shoveling to you. Can you tell that my family feels like there's always work to do? Maybe once all the potatoes are dug and the holes in the parking lot are filled in and there's a few cords of wood split we'll be ready to start planting garden starts for next year. Don't worry, we WILL take a break at least once this winter! I know Oliver can't wait for a winter full of skiing and sledding.

Whatever the weather, the Squirrel is warm and dry and always happy to fill up your belly and your soul with awesome coffee, hearty soup, fresh bread, tasty treats and fun activities. Here are a few happenings for October:

Second Saturday Art Opening
Some of you will remember Tinker Ryerson's colorful drip paintings and unique sculptures from years back in Talkeetna. She also had one of the first art shows here at the Squirrel three years ago. Her artwork always makes me smile and I can't wait to see what she will hang on the walls this time! Come by the Squirrel for the art opening and reception on October 10 from 3-5pm. In November, despite his flooded art studio basement, Tony Crocetto will have his first Squirrel show. Beyond November, nothing is booked, so please contact Anita if you are interested in hanging your art or photography.
 
Halloween Creepy Treats
Back by popular demand! Always fun and crazy, this will be the third year that kids come into the Squirrel's kitchen to prepare scary, funny, and delicious Halloween themed snacks. We will have two sessions for different ages with limited space so sign up early! Thursday, October 25, 3:30-5pm for ages 7-10 and Sunday, October 28, 2-3:30pm for ages 4-6. Limit is 12 children per class - an adult must stick around for the younger kids class. Watch for fliers around town and at the Squirrel. Call or e-mail to sign up!

 
New T-shirts
We finally have more t-shirts in including a new color of blue and some heavy cotton sweatshirts. If you wanted one toward the end of summer and we were out of your size, drop us a line and we can put one in the mail for you!

New Hours
October is here which means new hours for the rest of winter. Also, please note we'll be closing a little early this Sunday, September 28 at 3pm for a staff get together. For the new bread schedule click here.
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS: CLOSED
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-6pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-6pm
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)

Squirrel Notes & Reminders
K-Bay Coffee orders - I'll try to be better about announcing my order dates. Still shooting for ordering by the end of the month and receiving at the beginning of the month. Next one will be end of October.
Early Bird Coffee Card - Rewarding those poor Talkeetna folks that have to get up early all winter! Buy 9 drinks made on our espresso machine any morning before 10am and receive a 12 oz coffee drink free! Ask for a punch card at the counter.
Gluten Free Bread - Order by the first Thursday of the month for pick up on the first Friday of the month. Let us know if you want to be on the Gluten Free bread e-mail reminder list.
Prepay Credit Program - Prepay $50 or more and we give you a 5% bonus. We keep track of your prepaid credit and you can come in without a wallet and be out the door in a minute! And it helps keep your purchasing money local instead of many small credit card transactions with fees going to merchant services!
New Faces - We have some new faces around the Squirrel kitchen. This winter brings a well balanced, fun and creative crew with Kelly, Scott, Gina, and Leslie up front and Ben, Leslie, Nate and myself in the kitchen. Say hi, introduce yourself and let us know how we're doing with getting the new ones all trained up!

In the Works
I've been talking with LouAnne from Tales Told Twice about another book signing at the Squirrel since the last one was so much fun! Keep your eyes open for something around Halloween! We're also hoping to do more kids cooking classes this winter and the always popular and fun family gingerbread house workshops in December. Stay tuned...

Cheers!
Anita Continue reading »

September is in the air...

 Hard to believe that the summer of 2012 is coming to a close. A few leaves are falling. The woods smell musty like ripening high bush cranberries. People keep asking me how to make kale chips with all their surplus greens. And all family talk has turned to getting homework done before play time and trying to get to bed earlier so waking up for school isn't so hard - yeah, right! So, as you're out and about this fall, stop by the Squirrel for great coffee, food, pastries, pizza OR one of these other engaging reasons...

Banned Book Poster Contest & Second Saturday Art Opening
In conjunction with the Second Talkeetna Festival of Books, there will be a Banned Book Poster Contest on display at the Squirrel beginning this weekend. It might be too late to submit a poster unless you're really on the ball and talk to Holli Papasodora today. Otherwise, the art opening is being held on Saturday, September 8 from 3-5. Stop in to cast a vote for your favorite poster and spend a little time appreciating your freedom to READ! Interested in showing your art or photography at the Squirrel? Contact Anita for more information - shows are available starting in December!

Bun to Bun Fun Run and Talkeetna Trail Marathon AND Book Festival
August 22 is a BUSY day in Talkeetna (oops for the wrong date in the e-mail version of this newsletter)! At the Squirrel, we'll be going with the flow as the Second Annual Bun to Bun Fun Run and Trail Marathon will be ending here (starting at the Roadhouse, of course) sometime in the afternoon. To participate in this pretty informal and super fun community event, you might find out more info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/349862938403194/ or by hunting down Dan Harrell. Meanwhile the Book Festival is the same weekend so you could dress up as your favorite comic book character or book hero while running, just to get in the spirit! Maybe we'll have some special discount that day for those dressed in "bookish" costumes! More info about the Book Festival is here: https://www.facebook.com/tka.book.festival?ref=ts or go to the Talkeetna library!

September Hours
No more Mondays!
We're closing early September 23 for a staff party!
October's newsletters will have official new hours for October and the rest of winter.
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
TUESDAYS: 7:30am-7pm
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-7pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)

A Few Honorable Mentions:
• Coffee Orders: Later today or tomorrow, I will be e-mailing the "coffee list" folks with ordering info. Please order your K-Bay Caffe Roasting Company coffee beans before Saturday morning. Beans will be at the Squirrel by September 15. Send us an e-mail if you're interested in getting on the coffee e-mail list or stop by the Squirrel for an order form. Please note: we will not have coffee beans for sale at the counter all winter - ordering ahead is the way to go to keep your coffee fresh and get the best, most thoughtful coffee beans in Alaska!
• Willow Market: There are only a few more weeks of the Willow Farmer's Market on Friday afternoons (and, by the way, Brian's farm stand at the Squirrel which is on Saturdays from 4-7). I hope some Willow folks have become addicted to Squirrel bread! If you live in Willow and might be interested in a "bakery CSA" - subscription bread ordering - delivered to Willow this winter, please let me know! It would take about 10 regulars wanting to order bread to make this work. Send an e-mail or call the Squirrel if you're interested.
• Farm to School Community potluck: Keep your ears and eyes open for announcements about an Alaska Foods Community Potluck in conjunction with the Farm to School program at the Elementary School. What a great way to show our local children what good eating is all about! I encourage everyone to take an interest in Talkeetna's children and in Alaska's fantastic and healthful food offerings.
• Health Food Orders: Interested in a health food grocery buying co-op? The Squirrel has been working with local resident Michelle Crow to place orders once a month with Azure Standard in Oregon. For more information, here is a link to Michelle's website: http://organictalkeetna.com/
• Gluten Free Bread Orders: Order Gluten Free Bread from the Squirrel! Monthly pick up is the first Friday of the month. Bread must be ordered by Thursday morning.

Whew! That's a lot! So, I'll shut up now... Continue reading »

August News

Hi Everyone,
So nice to finally get some summer weather! Of course that means we're pretty hot in the bakery, but I haven't heard many complaints since we've been so happy to see the sun. Looks like some rain is ahead, which is a great reason to stop by for soup or coffee! Here are a few tidbits for August...

Second Saturday Art Opening
August's art show brings long time Talkeetna resident Jim Trump and his first photography show ever! Many have seen a few of Jim's photos on Facebook or other places - he really captures the beauty of Alaska big and small in so many ways. Come by for the opening on Saturday, August 11 from 3-5 or check out the show throughout the month. September will also be great fun with a banned book poster contest! For more info on that opportunity, please contact Holli at the library.

Meet & Greet Wes Keller
It's that time of year. The Alaska primary election is at the end of August. One of the two folks in the running for the rural Mat Su district seat in the Alaska State House has asked to hold a meet and greet at Flying Squirrel. Wes Keller will be here on Monday evening, August 13 6-8pm to chat and answer questions with area residents.

To Market To Market
Brian's vegetables are looking amazing! We are featuring Talkeetna Grown produce in everything from scones to pizzas to salads and soups as much as possible this time of year. To get some gorgeous and delicious veggies for yourself, he's holding a Farm Stand in the Squirrel parking lot every Saturday around 3-7pm. Lately there have been snap peas, kale, cucumbers, summer squash, beets, chard, celery, herbs, and even some strawberries and cherry tomatoes! Also, if you're passing through Willow, you can get veggies, plus Squirrel bread, goodies, coffee and rhubarb ade at our booth at the Willow Farmer's Market on Fridays from 2-7.

Order Coffee & Gluten Free Bread!
Oops. I totally forgot to see if anyone wants to order K-Bay Coffee beans this month! So, I'm moving the deadline one week. Order coffee by August 3, pick up August 10-12. K-Bay Caffe Roasting Company has the most delicious and thoughtful coffee in Alaska! Well, we sure think so. E-mail if you're interested, and we can let you know the options or look for the order forms at the Squirrel. Also, Gluten Free Bread orders will be taken up until this Thursday, August 2 with pick up on August 3 - e-mail, call or come in to order. We can even bring the GF bread to the Willow Market on Friday if you ask.

Hope you're all having a great summer. Go jump in a lake!
Anita
Continue reading »

July News

Hello all!
A July newsletter always seems like a bit of a joke. We're all so busy and there's so much light, it seems like the only chance anyone has to rest comes when you get sick or your family is in town and you have to do some visiting! So, I'll keep it brief...

Bread Reservations, Coffee, Gluten Free Bread Orders
During the summer months, you never know when the bread will fly off the shelves and be gone by noon! Please feel free to call in your bread order and we'll hold your bread aside until you come later in the day. Also, we're ordering K-Bay Caffe coffee beans once a month and you can order a variety of tasty and thoughtfully roasted coffee in 1 pound and 5 pound bags. Let us know if you want to be on the reminder e-mail list. Order forms are available at the Squirrel. Gluten Free Bread is available on the first Friday of every month by special order only. Please order by Thursday, July 5 at noon if you'd like some.

Second Saturday Art Opening
July brings another show of local resident Jon Mann's work. Rumor has is he's creating new art with a bit of a new style. Come see for yourself at the opening on Saturday, July 14 from 3-5pm. August's show will be photography by Jim Trump.

Willow Farmer's Market
Flying Squirrel has a vendor booth at the Willow Farmer's Market this summer every Friday afternoon from 2-7pm right across from Newman's Hilltop gas station. We will have breads, a few goodies, rhubarb ade and coffee along with some of Brian's vegetables from the farm. Stop by and see us!

Future Cooking Classes
We're getting many requests for adult cooking classes lately and hope to work with Alaska Folk School to offer some educational opportunities in the kitchen this fall. If you have ideas for class subjects or think you would like to participate, please send an e-mail with your contact information!

That's It! Hope you're all enjoying summer - it sure goes by fast.
Anita Continue reading »

June News

Hello Flying Squirrel friends!
June is my birthday month. Although I'm about at the age where I won't tell you how old I am, I so look forward to being a year wiser when it comes to running a business. The staff at the Squirrel is all lined out for summer, so if you see me here EVERY day, then be sure to tell me that they can handle it and I'd better go fishin' with my family! Summertime means we're busier with every day customers, independent travelers, wholesale accounts and a few weddings. But there are still some very fun activities happening that we want to make sure you know about:

COFFEE ORDERING
We will take orders this week for your home coffee bean (or gift) needs and hope to continue this service once a month: order during the last week of the month, pick up the next week. Please e-mail us or stop in at the Squirrel to place your order. K-Bay Caffe's coffee is chosen and roasted with great care for both high quality and positive environmental/political impact. Let me know if you need more info, prices and what varieties are available and I'll e-mail you the whole brochure. YOU MUST PLACE YOUR ORDER BY THE END OF THE DAY ON THURSDAY, MAY 31! Beans can be picked up at the Squirrel between Wednesday, June 6 and Friday, June 8. Orders over $50 must be prepaid. Orders not picked up by Friday will be put out for sale unless special arrangements are made! Also, let us know if you'd like to be on the monthly coffee order reminder e-mail list!

Second Saturday Art Opening
Bob Churchill is an Anchorage photographer with a Talkeetna cabin. He's been a great customer whenever he's up this way and has shown me some wonderful photographs of the natural Alaska world we all love so much. His photography will be on display during June with the opening reception on Saturday, June 9 from 3-5pm.

Father's Day
It seem very unfair for Alaska dads that we're all so busy in mid-June. If you can find the time to take the dad in your life out on June 17, bring him by Flying Squirrel to see what specials we have. We can promise buckwheat biscuits and gravy, plus a few other surprises for a fun and informal Father's Day brunch or lunch or snack or treat.

Solstice
We had several requests this past winter for Solstice Sun Bread. It came out so delicious and beautiful that we're going to have it on summer solstice too! Please pre-order to make sure you get one in celebration of the longest day of the year! Order by June 18 for pick up before noon on June 20.

Summer Hours
YES, WE ARE NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK!
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAY: 7:30am-7pm
TUESDAY: 7:30am-7pm
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-7pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
BREAD SCHEDULE CLICK HERE
PIZZA MENU CLICK HERE

Enjoy early summer's green and sunshine!
Anita

Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe, LLC
907-733-NUTS (6887)
www.flyingsquirrelcafe.com Continue reading »