"ALL YOU CAN EAT"

CHICKEN TENDERS!

PRIME RIB!!

4 pm 'til close

On the left are Danielle, Katie, Ben, on the right  are Jim, Haylee, Manny and Michaela


Today, I'm heading out of town to a Maine Bankers Association meeting and won't be returning until Sunday. I had a talk with my two sons last night at dinner and mentioned we were going to be gone for a few days. I laid out the ground rules and discussed what could possibly go wrong and the ultimate consequences should a party be held at our residence. Either Derek or Kyle quickly replied "You mean Nanny isn't coming out to stay with us? " (I sure wish she was.. LOL) but at 18 and 20 years old, it's about time they start showing me how they handle the responsibility. Actually, they have for a couple of years now but I thought their reply was cute.

We often talk about their futures and what lies ahead for them if they do their part. Neither of them have an interest in the restaurant industry, however, both would love to own the roofing company someday. I explained to them how one event, like having a big party at camp while we were gone, could change their lives forever, if drinking was involved and something tragically happened to anyone at the party or during their drive home. I'm pretty sure I got my message across and to make sure, I will call them each evening around 9 pm just to keep my finger "on the pulse" of the situation. They are great young men and I trust them, however, they are still young adults.

We all know of someone who has died in an alcohol related motor vehicle accident but very few of us know someone who is paying the consequences of either being the driver or owning the establishment where the drinking took place. I do, through this newsletter. A lady who is a regular reader, and not from central Maine, has a son who is spending time in prison today due a motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of his friend. Both families will be changed forever and there is no taking it back. I am telling this to all of you because it does happen and it will happen again, but we must be vigilant, not only with ourselves but also with our young adult children. My heart goes out to both families. There are no winners in a situation like this, only losers. I pray that none of us ever have to experience a situation like this first hand.

On a brighter note, the Common Ground Fair is going on this weekend from Friday September 20th to Sunday September 22nd and each year we see many of you at the China Dine-ah, before or after you attend the fair. We hope you have a chance to stop to see us on your way to or headed home from the Common Ground Fair.         

On an important side note, China Dine-ah is a participating restaurant in the "Dine Out for No Kid Hungry" program through the Maine Restaurant Association to end childhood hunger. A portion of our September sales will be donated to that cause.