The Labor Day holiday is just behind us and with it the "unofficial" end of summer. Ahead of us adults, lies the return to our routine. For most of the youngsters, the end of summer ushers in a new beginning. The most extreme case is with the freshman in college that may be in a strange place with no refuge until they find their "comfort zone." However, the same can be said for middle school and high school and all others that move up a grade. It is a time of new challenges, but also that bit of uncertainty that creates a nervousness that all teachers recognize the first days of the new school year.

            I don't want to be run out of town by the "food police" and "sugar Nazis" but I think that a small after school treat may be beneficial to ease the tension. Sitting down at the kitchen table with your youngster, one of our apple bars and a small glass of milk, may instigate conversation on how their day really went. God knows, as parents, we do not want to hear the dreaded "FINE."

            When my kids were in school I always referred to a really open conversation as "catching lightning in a bottle." I found the trick is to put yourself in a position to catch that lightning when it strikes. That small impact of a cake or cookie may reap infinitely more benefits than the few calories consumed.

            This Labor Day I also caught myself looking backward. I turned sixty this summer; a number I haven't quite reconciled with yet. Also my older brother Andy retired from the bakery. Actually he retired in January, but while he purchased and outfitted his R.V. he would help out a day or two. On June 21st, the first day of summer, he took off on a series of road trips. While we miss him, he has mitigated his absence by frequent e-mails with wonderful descriptions of his travels. This may not seem like much, but trust me; for Andy this is momentous. His picture is in the dictionary next to the word technophobe.

            The last 5 weeks Andy was up to Maine, then to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and along the St. Lawrence River. Along with his descriptions of geography, culture, and economies, Andy talked a lot about the food preferences. He tended to sample local foods and not pre packaged or restaurant chain blandness. Particularly of interest was the harvesting of mussels and the mussel stew enjoyed right on the water's edge. This month's Sweet Treat Specials reflect some of the items Andy encountered on his trip.

            Check out the side panel for Andy's ideas and below for a few pictures we found intriguing.

Please enjoy your days,

Rich Reinwald