December Newsletter - 2011
   
 
 
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company Registered Trademark
 
 
 

 
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" - which means, "God With us."
Matthew 1; Verse 23 



What's In Your Cup????
 
 
There is an ongoing commercial on TV that drives me up the wall and its catch line is, "What's in your wallet?"  Well, that is the point...you know if it drives you crazy, you will remember the product.  Now here is hoping that you remember The Alpaca Bean Coffee for more than we were successful in bugging you to distraction! :o)  But... 
 
This time of year we, as all companies that want your business, want you to remember us in a way that brings sales.  Most of all, however, we really want you to remember that we want you to be satisfied with our coffee...so satisfied that you would want to give it as gifts to the people you care about.  We continue our attempts to meet most of your wants and desires...we have brought back the chocolate covered espresso beans - matter of fact, we have expanded this product line - and we have now packaged two true espresso roasts, ground to an espresso grind.  The espresso beans will mainly be sold at the alpaca shows we attend because of the special chocolate, but we are researching how to ship safely.
 
We also are packaging our coffee in 12 oz and 1 lb bags with one way valves...as well as 8 oz and single pot sizes.  We sell all our coffees (excluding the choco beans) wholesale to folks that want to re-sell on their farms or at shows...we even have relabled our coffees to simply show our "brand" rather than our alpacas, so that there is no "competition" between herds! :o)
 
Every show we attend brings the question from our alpaca friends, "How is the coffee company doing?"  The answer is mixed...because of heavy investment, and the economy, our company has not realized a true profit over the past two years.  That is disappointing to us, but we are holding our own...I state this only to let you know that it is disappointing simply because as our sales base increases, so will our contributions to the Alpaca Research Foundation.  We look forward to the day when our operating expenses are far out distanced by our income...because that will hopefully improve the quality of life for all North American alpaca herds. Yep, we are committed to giving a full 20% of net profit to ARF or other research entities specifically geared to finding ways to improve the health of alpacas. We all like to be paid for our work, but a good deal of our "pay" is your friendship and seeing your enjoyment of the labor of love we put into roasting The Alpaca Bean Coffee. 
 
Finally, we want to say to each of you, "Merry Christmas, and may you and your family be blessed in a special way during this special holiday season!"
 
 
 
On A Personal Note......
 
11-11-11
 
       Now that is just a number - right?  Not hardly...It is a number that will not come around again in some fashion until 2111, cannot say I can make that wait!  So I am gonna' enjoy the happening by remembering that on 11-11-11 our country celebrated Veterans' Day, honoring folks of all ages that served our country by giving their time, their devotion, and in some cases, their lives.
        Way back during the Vietnam Conflict, I was going through a lot of changes...you see I had met the most wonderful young woman that I fell head over heels for, I had just completed my second year of college, and I was a prime target for the dreaded draft that existed then.  Well, my country meant as much to me then as it still does today, so I joined the U.S. Air Force...but I did so in the delayed enlistment program so that I could marry that woman and begin a home together. 
       In reality, Judy and I served our wonderful country together...me in uniform and Judy living with me and the Air Force and our ways.  You know while we did not serve in a combat zone, we were on the "front line of defense" totally and completely in the Minuteman Missile System.  I/we are proud of our service and the role we were fortunate to play that in some way kept our country safe from foreign attack, but I cannot help but reflect on the friends I lost in that conflict. 
       I cannot help but reflect on Steve, a close high school buddy, who threw himself onto a grenade during training with an elite military group, or remember Herman, another friend, that was supposedly killed in action...or any of the guys that came back in body, but not with the same mind that I had remembered them having.  No, but I do also remember the day I found out that incorrect info had come back from the combat zone concerning Herman...the happiness that enveloped me that day...then after we all had returned to finish school, having Zerb "buzz" our little house in the country outside of Carrollton, GA...boy did that bring some excitement and laughter to our little family!  And then hearing the news that Zerb had died shortly after that in a fatal crash...
       All those and other memories flood over me now as I walk across the beautiful land where our home is these days...while I stroll through the alpacas and admire their grace and unusual beauty...while I look up at the blue - blue sky of fall and see the beauty of the changing trees and bushes.  Memories that they will not have because they died way before their time...way before they could meet someone special like my Jude...way before they could father fantastic children and still be here to enjoy the magic of grandkids.  I feel obligated to always do my best to pass the gifts they have given me along, because without their sacrifices, the sacrifices of all that serve our country, our states, and our communities...well, I would not be placing my unworthy feet on a soil that remains free, nor would I have memories of a lengthy life full of challenges and successes...and occasional failures.  
       Yes, I have had the privilege of this full life because of all those that gave their time, and their honor to this country...that is why I am proud to say that I was given the opportunity to also serve...and to always know that each new stage of my life has been, and continues to be, shaped by that service and the folks I met along the way.  Because of this, I was caught up in a segment of the NBC Nightly News... Making A Difference ...when they talked about two guys that wanted to pay back a little bit to these folks that serve and served our country by establishing a new organization to promote veteran owned and run businesses.  I decided right then to find the organization and join...which I did.  I also decided to try my best to promote and use businesses owned and run by veterans wherever and whenever I can. 
      I hope you will join me in that effort.  If you walk by a business and see a decal in the window stating that it is owned and run by a vet...hey, turn around and go into that business.  Even if you do not purchase anything...do so because you might find you are in the presence of a hero...there aren't too many of those you know! :o) 

Peace, and May the Blessings on The Holiday Season Remain With you Throughout Your Years!

The Coffeeman 
 
 
 

Gift Cards now available at the online The Alpaca Bean Coffee Shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If you want to send friend, family, boss, or someone you just met, a great gift but do not know what to give...then give them a gift certificate for The Alpaca Bean Coffee!!!  Now wasn't that easy! :o)

 

If you want a friend, family, boss, or someone you just met, to send you just the right present...then go to our online,The Alpaca Bean Coffee Shop, and fill out your wish list!  Tell the party in question to logon to our site and look you up!  Get ready for some good coffee!

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Coffee Lovers and Friends,  

Judy and I are really enjoying having the opportunity to provide the best possible coffee for your enjoyment.  We also hope you will be able to visit us soon to experience the pleasure of drinking an outstanding mug of our Alpaca Bean Coffee while watching the little ones pronking all over the place!

George Dick
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Company, LLC 


 
The Alpaca Bean Coffee Co., LLC
466 Stone Lane
Canon, Georgia 30520