View from The Corner Booth   

Good day to all!

Is everyone ready for summer? We sure are ready at the Dine-ah! Meagan, Ryan and the rest of the Back of the House/Kitchen staff are ready to cook your meal to your liking. Sherri and Michelle and the Front of the House staff are ready to provide you with the same excellent service you have become accustomed to. We have completed our hiring for the summer and feel very confident that we have the right group in place to produce a high volume of meals in a timely fashion and with the best of quality that you so deserve. After all, you are paying customers! :)   

We have introduced a new menu item in that the size is bigger than ever! We currently offer a 10 oz., 12 oz. or 16 oz. prime rib. We are always looking for a novelty item and our assistant chef Ryan Cotnoir has come up with what we think is a winner. It is a 32 oz. prime rib called the "Rib-Diculous." We have already sold a half dozen of these and four out of the six patrons that have purchased it have eaten the whole thing. This is only for the heartiest of appetites. Guy Fieri, if you are reading, come and get it! You'll be glad you made the trip. We hope to sell a lot of the "Rib-Diculous" this summer.   

All reports indicate a busy summer tourist season and as much as some of the natives dislike the added traffic, we depend on our out of state friends to boost local economies where they vacation. Let's all be polite and make our neighbors from the south and from the north feel welcomed for the short time they are here. Without a summer tourist season you would see many restaurants, motels, hotels and other recreational opportunities disappear. After all, think of it as we have these establishments all to ourselves, 9 months of the year. As I have stated in the past, I have met some of the nicest people from afar continuing our relationship throughout the year via the newsletter hoping to see them in person the following summer. I would be remiss if I did not say it is all of you "locals" and "Mainers" that keep us going, thank you for all of your support throughout the entire year. 

The Celtics lost to the Heat in seven games and Derek and I had the opportunity to watch the final game together. Even though Derek loves his Celtics with tremendous passion, he handled the defeat with the grace of a champion. It is sad to think the big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen will never play again together, however, we had the opportunity to share this season together. I'm sure we will be talking about this for the rest of my life and Derek with his children. The Celtics have a bright future which makes this all easier to accept.  

Derek's dream job is to work in the Celtics organization and he is hoping to land an internship while attending Thomas College. My dream job for him and his siblings is to take over some of the stuff I have started. LOL! Dad needs a break!    

I'd like to introduce an old friend who I met when I was all of 8 or 9 years old traveling with my Dad on his RFD (rural free delivery) mail route out of Augusta. Joe owned and operated White & Bradstreet's on the Weeks Mills Road  along with Walter White. White & Bradstreet's in those days was called a junk yard. Junk, I think not! A collection of crashed or damaged vehicles with valuable parts would be a better way to word it. Stopping in on Dad's mail route at W & B's was always a highlight of the day. Dad would often go in with a package, enter into a quick but thoughtful conversation, that usually centered around the statehouse and what was or was not happening. I must tell you Joe is "old school" believing the best thing you can do for someone is to provide them with meaningful employment.     

Started in 1952, today White & Bradstreet is operated by Walter's son Whitey, who is a regular at the Dine-ah who comes in often with his good friends Ralph and Harry Stiman. Today they are one of Maine's largest suppliers of truck parts. Great job Whitey, keeping up the tradition that Joe and your Dad started. I hope to have my sons and/or daughter do the same, time will tell.     

Joe also has collected and restored many antique trucks and until recently Joe always drove one of them in most of the local holiday parades. Today, because of Joe's eyesight, he is unable to drive but can be found in the front seat enjoying the ride.        

       Joe Bradstreet our May 27th winner of  the Memorial Day arrangement

                 donated by Deb Dinsmore of Branch Pond Flowers & Gifts

This coming Sunday is Father's Day and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all Dad's and their families to enjoy their special day with us, here at the Dine-ah. We promise we will do our absolute best to make it enjoyable for all. Have a great Father's Day regardless.  

From all your friends here at the Dine-ah, have a wonderful week.  

Norm