Good day to all,
I'm writing to you from Jackman Maine today. Teresa and I have been visiting with some good friends of ours, Jeff and Beth Vigue from Whitefield.
Yesterday while riding from stream to stream fishing, we saw a bunch of wildlife on the woods roads between Rockwood and Jackman. On the list are two rabbits, two deer and a couple of moose. They all looked healthy and had plenty of spunk when they saw us.
The high point of the day, other than catching several beautiful native brook trout, was spotting a large Maine black bear. We were in my vehicle traveling the Demo road at about 20 mph, when to our right on a small tote road about 40 yards away, I spotted him or her and shouted out "A BEAR!" She was on all four feet and looked right us. WOW !!! What an animal! I continued to drive by, hoping she would just stand and watch us, but no such luck. In a split second, she bolted into the woods for cover. Quick was not the word for it.
We could see her for about 10 yards until the woods became so thick she was no longer visible. She was gone in a flash. I then stopped the vehicle, backed up, turned up the tote road and drove about 40 yards to where she went into the woods to see if we might catch another glimpse and there she was again. She was hard to pick out through the woods and we could only see her because she was moving. She was completely gone in no time. She was an adult for sure and both Jeff and I figured she had to go 275-300 lbs and maybe even more. Her coat was jet black and she was beautiful, just as one could imagine.
Norm fishing in Jackman
A good day of fishing in Jackman
Today is my last day, as the owner of the Dine-ah. Lisa, Ashley and I sign the documents tomorrow morning. It is bittersweet for sure. The memories and friends I have made, have made all the hard work and time I have invested into this business worthwhile. I will miss managing my staff, although I will admit that has been the most difficult thing I have done in my life. The great news is, I still have the friendships with many of you and my staff. I also can visit my former staff whenever I wish. Lisa is keeping the entire team on and will be adding more staff, as she increases the hours that she will be open. Stay tuned for what I believe are some very positive changes coming down the road. I'm tired and I know the new ownership will be great for the Dine-ah and its continued success. You, the patron, should be the big winners, as Lisa continues the same great home cooked meals while adding a lounge, in a previously unused portion of the building, for your enjoyment.
Good bye for now, but it may be short lived. As I told you before, Lisa has asked, if I would be her mentor and continue to be involved at a much lower level. I also will be a patron, keeping an eye on the quality of the food and the service that you all have been accustomed to over the past 6 1/2 years. When I see you or you speak up, be assured I will come over for a visit.
A special thanks to Sherri and Jean, who have been with me from the beginning and work in leadership roles. Sherri has been our manger from the beginning and Jean has worked her way up to the lead waitress position. I will miss working with you both!!
God bless and I hope you will all support the Dine-ah team and the new management, the same way you supported me.
Tearfully and cheerfully,
Norm
