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Merrimack Valley Magazine

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A View From the Kitchen – If You Don’t Have Anything Nice To Say …

November 12, 2021 by Scott Plath

“Kareem” apparently missed the memo.  

It continually riles me to read pleading posts by my restaurant kin seeking understanding and patience as we struggle mightily, still, due to soaring costs and supply shortages — both in staffing and product — and the related tone deafness of many.

Right there on our brunch menu we provided the transparency to enlighten Kareem and anyone else. He gave us a one-star Google review anyway. Although such insult represents less than 2 percent of our online evaluations — nine in six years — they sting each time. “What a jerk” is my innate knee-jerk reaction preceding detailed contemplation of the circumstances and the auto-humble response. Generally.

From his perspective, he just stomped his spoiled feet at “Cobblestones,” the place of business. To us people who breathe restaurant (through masks for months), passionate about guest health and happiness, quality food and hospitality, it’s more personal. Kareem visited for our brunch relaunch after months of being closed. It’s possible he didn’t know that, or that the day before we were crushed by our busiest day in two years — a welcome-yet-harrowing Saturday of old, thanks to the return of downtown Lowell events and, oh by the way, hallelujah! The onslaught lasted day and night, depleting supply and staff — only three of whom have been with us more than a year, hence the commonplace: “We are rebuilding.” Do you have any idea how difficult this is? And at 50 percent of pre-pandemic sales? We barely hang on.

 

Kareem wouldn’t have known that due to a lack of drivers, our food delivery arrived too late for proper prep processes or that we considered postponing, but decided that offering a reduced menu was better than turning enthusiastic guests away. Once decided, the leadership team did a tired, late-night inventory to determine menu options, and early on Sunday we reformatted and reprinted just in time for opening. For all of that effort, we still got Kareemed! 

Most people don’t know half of what we are bearing. I get that. And maybe Kareem had a rough morning, or life. Regardless, he gets no pass. He chose. I maintain that the vast majority of people who would submit such a review are suspect. Whether childish, bullies, the ignorant or without empathy, a nasty word exists for all of you free-speech posers who dole out “fair critiques” while hiding behind your screens, amplifying your stories. Walk a mile …

One more thing about Kareem: Did he experience smiling hospitality? Was his mimosa sparkling? We will never know, he didn’t say. What set Kareem off was limited options. Life is so unfair.

When I reported his discontent to our Stones Hospitality social media tribe (that’s right I did), they were supportive in their responses, as expected. They gave old keyboard Kareem the what-for! “Every straw poll has an outlier,” said one wise fan. Honestly, these days I seize every opportunity to share insight while seeking empathy and understanding for our industry.

Which brings me to Facebook.

Merrimack Valley Eats is a restaurant-review page started by a Haverhill- based foodie named Gerald Schiavoni and one that I frequent too often (in part due to Facebook’s biased algorithms). Early on, judging by the page’s great lean toward Haverhill-area restaurants, typical negative commentary and Gerald’s near-weekly good-natured appeal for folks to be respectful and proactive, I assumed that a majority of the snarky followers were his actual friends. I falsely figured that he was complicit while attempting to keep his homie hood-rats in check. After meeting him, I was embarrassed to see how wrong I was. He proved a warm and friendly brother-in-large — genuinely pained by the incessant trolling and ignorance. In fact, his page finally began selectively deleting and/or blocking those deemed offensive — to the annoyance of many a loudmouthed fan. I cannot tell you how much this tickles me. “Start your own page,” his administrators encouraged. “Join the Yelp community,” they mocked. Let the foul abuse and amuse each other elsewhere in their common “honest” misery and mean-spiritedness; this here page is intended for positivity and respect.

Here’s my thing: In one way or another, we have universally suffered this virus in the past year and a half, and it just bloody continues. One of our chefs lost both of his parents within 24 hours of each other while I was typing this column. Illness remains pervasive, evolving science and data frustrates and confuses, careers have been ruined, homelessness and inequity increases, our freedoms to do what we want, when we want, have been compromised — the list is endless. At all times, but especially at times like these, I believe we should be confident and courageous enough to reject further disorder, to seek greater understanding and societal healing, while lifting others up. It blows my mind that this is so hard for so many.

Scott Plath, along with his wife Kathleen, owns Cobblestones of Lowell, moonstones, in Chelmsford, Mass., and Stones Social in Nashua, New Hampshire. Scott possesses a deep well of humorous and insightful stories, which are available here. >>>    

Filed Under: Food & Drink Tagged With: COVID, Dining, Facebook, fun, Kitchen, pandemic, Plath, recovery, Restaurant, StonesSocial

Fall Outdoor Fun – Your Guide to the Merrimack Valley

September 20, 2021 by Kristin Cole

New England’s fall season attracts worldwide visitors for good reason. The cool, crisp air paired with incredible color-changing leaves enhances any outdoor activity, from hiking to fall festivals to apple and pumpkin picking. 

Fall is the perfect season to get outdoors, so we’ve made this list of great fall activities in the Merrimack Valley to inspire you to get outside and embrace that which makes our area so unique. 

The best way to keep track of everything noteworthy going on in the Merrimack Valley is to follow Merrimack Valley Magazine on social media, regularly visit MVMag.net and subscribe to our free daily newsletter, Merrimack Valley Today. 

FESTIVALS

Notch Oktoberfest
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
Sept. 25
TheTrustees.org
It’s time to dust off your lederhosen and visit the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens for the 3rd annual Oktoberfest. Stevens-Coolidge will team up with Notch Brewing for this event that will feature German fare, desserts, and cold session beer, as well as the musical talents of an authentic German band.

Topsfield Fair
207 Boston Street, Topsfield, Mass.
Oct. 1-11
TopsfieldFair.org
Popcorn! Candy Apples! Cotton Candy! Carnival rides! Offering family fun for decades, the Topsfield Fair is among the most popular in New England. For just over a week, the fair features plenty of food, beverages, carnival rides and games, face painting, farm animals, live music, souvenir markets, and more exciting events. Whether you’re looking for a cute date idea or taking the family out for some fun, the Topsfield Fair is an event that people of all ages will enjoy. 

 

Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival 2021
Downtown Newburyport
Oct. 10-11
Come to downtown Newburyport on Sunday & Monday of Columbus Day weekend for the annual Fall Harvest Festival. Enjoy great food, live music, and family fun while celebrating autumn’s arrival. Explore downtown shops as well as craft vendor booths from artisans all over New England.

The Town and the City Festival
Downtown Lowell
Oct. 22-23
TheTownAndTheCityFestival.com
The Town and The City Festival is a music festival in downtown Lowell that will feature over 40 performances spanning multiple genres. Named after bestselling novelist Jack Kerouac’s “The Town and the City,” the festival will also include a musical tribute to Kerouac himself, and will take place in event spaces, bars, cafes, and galleries throughout downtown Lowell including Zorba Music Hall, Christ Church United, The Luna Theater at
Mill No. 5, Academic Arts Center, Warp & Weft, Gallery Z, Smokehouse Tavern, The Old Court and more.

Nature: A Walking Play at Appleton Farms.

Outdoor Activities & Events

Nature: A Walking Play
Appleton Farms, Ipswich, Mass.
Sept. 10-19
TheTrustees.org
“Nature: An Outdoor Walking Play” celebrates the dynamic connection between humanity and the natural world. This immersive and family-friendly performance tells the tale of Emerson, Thoreau, and their mutual love of the natural world. This event offers a deeply thought-provoking opportunity to experience a live performance in beautiful and historic outdoor settings.

Vintage Bazaar: Harvest Edition
Wolfsburg Farm, Holderness, N.H.
Oct. 2-3
Just minutes away from the beautiful Lake Winnipesaukee, Wolfsburg Farm in Holderness, N.H., will be hosting the Vintage Bazaar: Harvest Edition, a two-day vintage and hand makers harvest festival. The event will feature over 135 curated booths with antiques, vintage finds, architectural salvage, rusty junk, repurposed goodies, indie crafts, and more. Visit the Bazaar to also enjoy live music, food trucks, hard cider, fall brews and more. 

Yoga in the Gardens
Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, North Andover, Mass.
Mondays & Saturdays through September
TheTrustees.org
Relax and refresh with yoga in North Andover’s Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. This outdoor yoga program will teach you breathing techniques to calm your mind, postures to balance and stretch your body, and relaxation to soothe your soul. Surrounded by the changing leaves and fall breeze, this is the perfect setting to connect to the earth and find peace in nature. 

Foliage Hikes & Drives 

Winnekenni Park
347 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill
CityOfHaverhill.com
Haverhill’s first public park, Winnekenni is a hilly, city-owned conservation area of more than 700 acres. Situated around Kenoza Lake, the park is within a few miles of downtown Haverhill and includes approximately 10 miles of easy to moderate walking trails. One can enjoy fall foliage on a walk, from the playground, on one of the many benches and picnic areas, or near the beautiful Winnekenni Castle. 

Methuen, Lawrence, Salem, N.H., and Windham, N.H., Rail Trails
There are many things to love about rail trails: they’re pet-friendly; often well-paved; framed by wildflowers and forests that turn beautiful colors in the fall; available for walkers, runners bikers, roller-bladers and all of the above; and some can let you walk across multiple towns, cities and even states in an afternoon. Locally, hop on the Methuen portion of the rail trail on Railroad Street, or you can explore the Salem and Windham, N.H., rail trails by entering the parking lot on north Broadway at the Windham Town line (3 Rockingham Road). Whichever rail trail system you choose to explore, they offer great fall scenery and smooth travels suited for outdoor enthusiasts of all abilities. 

Maudslay State Park
74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport
Located right next to the Merrimack River, Maudslay State Park features 19th century gardens and plantings, rolling meadows, towering pines, and one of the largest naturally occurring stands of mountain laurel in Massachusetts. With trails framed by beautiful scenery, this area is the perfect place for a walk, bike ride or picnic.

Weir Hill
North Andover, Mass.
Fonat.org/WeirHill

North Andover’s Weir Hill is a 60-acre oak and hickory forest located on the shores of Lake Cochichewick. There are plenty of hills, streams and wet meadows to keep hikers of all levels entertained, in addition to an abundance of plant and animal life. In the fall, leash-up your four-legged friend and head to Weir Hill to enjoy a “woodsy ascent” into the beautiful changing leaves of the hickory and oak trees. 

Merrimack Valley Paddlers
MVPClub.org
If you’re interested in enjoying the fall scenery from a different point of view, consider joining the Merrimack Valley Paddler’s club. The club is made up of an informal group of paddlers who hit the water together on a regular basis and organize training trips for all levels. They paddle into the fall, so it’s not too late to join! 

Views Through the Windshield
93 North, 495 North / South
If you live in or near the Merrimack Valley, chances are you are familiar with two of the main highways nearby: 93 and 495. I have always found that going for a drive on one of these highways is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fall foliage, especially if weather, injuries, allergies or other circumstances prevent you from venturing into nature. When driving up 93 north from Andover towards Windham, the highway is framed by beautiful changing colors that are just as picturesque as they are alongside a lake or in a park. Just remember to drive safely!   

Filed Under: Health & Wellness Tagged With: fair, Fall, festivals, foliage, fun, hikes, Oktoberfest, outdoor, outdor, Yoga

A View From the Kitchen – Let The Good Times Roll

September 10, 2021 by Scott Plath

“Let’s bring back the fun,” encouraged our newest director of operations, rallying staff days after our restaurant group’s annual outing. Opening on a Monday just for us, the staff of Tyngsborough’s Shoreline Beach Club watched in amusement as we engaged in gourmet Jell-O shots (the epitome of an oxymoron), Stoner’s rum punch, Cards Against Humanity, and watching team members tip over in their kayaks! It was a great time and, likewise, a proper prelude to the director guiding our group’s future fortunes as we turn the focus upon our new social-themed restaurant; inspiring fun being a key component of our vision. I am so ready. His predecessor, like many, succumbed to attrition-by-pandemic as we essentially took “a gap year.” Where some see setback, we see opportunity. This guy is great. 

As he spoke of our industry’s passion and all the ways we bring the “feel good” — words from my own heart — he suggested tongue in cheek that we design a new, politically incorrect company tee shirt: “F&#K It!” boldly pronouncing our intention to cease playing scared. My mind began to wander, recalling endless inspirations (and notes!) of my restaurant heroes — those who create ultimate success measured by full tables and defying the odds by continuing to feed body and soul for the long term.

Amused by my industry’s sense of humor, I read through pages of my collected notes leading to our recent opening: “Duck in a jar,” “House Spam and PBR breakfast,” “Hanging monkeys,” “Kama Sutra wallpaper in the bathroom,” and “Half-keg urinals.” And, also by our commitment to community: “Hometown heroes,” “A portion of the proceeds…” and “Parking for older persons only.”

I love how the owners of Westford’s Korean-inspired Seoul Kitchen recruited other restaurants in feeding the hungry, and how they gave away fruit and toilet paper during the pandemic. And how at New York City’s Mighty Quinn’s, guests queue for their barbecue beginning at windows to the butcher’s room, allowing a peek at the messy work prior to the sexiness of smoke, sauce and smiles — our kitchen people are too often taken for granted. 

 

Years ago, I fell in love with Chicago’s Au Cheval burger; yes, their double-patty-double-melting-sharp-American cheese with oozing Dijonnaise and chopped pickle goodness, and yes, I took copious notes. (I even brought a burger home to be analyzed by our chef … “imitation is the highest form of flattery”); but also, their diner-come-tavern feel and the perfection of comfort food with a DJ as backdrop. Fried baloney and Beyoncé … how fun! Most of all, I love how the bartenders and cooks share the same space, harmoniously handling the room as one. Good luck getting in.

More recently (and more love notes), my heart belonged to Bar Tulia in Naples, Florida. I ‘jones’ to be sitting at their bar for the smell of the woodfire, watching pizza dude tucked into the corner alternatively stretching dough and skillfully spinning those pies to achieve perfect char, while also supporting the bartenders hustling mere feet away, shaking two mixing cups overhead. Regularly smile-winking at guests, they deftly avoid the conversations that will slow their roll. Low lights and happy hip-hop, the boldness of playful black and white nudes along the walls, crispy pig ears served in a jar. At Bar Tulia, I feel things. 

At Boston’s dimly lit Toro, I love how the tables and chairs are set so close together — like those in the dark, smoky comedy clubs of old — elbow to elbow, emotions stirred, the tickling of humanity’s funny bone before delicious mezcal cocktails and messy street corn. Sign me up!

I love how we love to burn stuff (but not trays of bacon, I hate that). Smoldering wooden boards complement whiskey drinks, creme bruleed sugar for that cotton candy smell, and how at Manhattan’s now-closed Desnuda, when you ordered the “tea smoked oysters,” the bartender lifted a giant gravity bong onto the bar top and sparked the bowl with, hmm, something that smelled vaguely familiar.

I love the ways we inspire warm and fuzzy feelings. How Starbucks plays music that pays cultural homage to the beans’ origins, how the queer-owned Seaweeds on Martha’s Vineyard seeks a welcoming, safe haven by stating on their menu “no space for hate,” and how when visiting Jacques-Imo’s in New Orleans we are led by the host right through the center of the kitchen (“Hey Chef!”) on the way to the rear dining porch for amazing Creole soul food. Similarly, when last visiting taverns in Great Britain, “us locals” went up to the bar to order our Sunday roast and get our own waters, taking part in the practices of a communal environment before sitting back to hoist a few with “our” neighborhood.

We are excited to put the last year in the rearview, poised to put the pedal to the metal and get back to it. Dear all you surviving restaurant brethren, with sincere thanks and love, good luck to you all. As our new director says: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

 

Scott Plath, along with his wife Kathleen, owns Cobblestones of Lowell, moonstones, in Chelmsford, Mass., and Stones Social in Nashua, New Hampshire. Scott possesses a deep well of humorous and insightful stories, which are available here. >>>    

Filed Under: Food & Drink Tagged With: COVID, Dining, Facebook, fun, GoodTimes, Kitchen, LetTheGoodTimesRoll, pandemic, Plath, recovery, Restaurant, StonesSocial

Letter from the Editor – A Certain Kind of Fun

July 5, 2021 by Doug Sparks

While looking at options for the cover of the July/August issue, my mind wandered, as it often does, and I began to wonder if I’ve lost the ability to have fun. People drawn to solitary pursuits like editing have uncommon ideas of what constitutes a good time. But still, there ought to be balance.

There’s no real problem. As I write this, songs performed by the greatest musicians ever to strum the guitar stream into my ears. The lunch I’ve perfected over the past year tastes better to me than anything I could get in a restaurant. I’m reclining in a giant, plush chair, my feet up. The words flow easily.

So why, as restrictions lift, do I find myself longing for silent mountains and fire-heated cabins rather than crowds and … what is it we once did for fun? It’s hard to remember. I think it had something to do with beer.

I wake up most days at dawn, and so does my youngest daughter. We have a complicated routine, in which I try to grind coffee beans and brew a cuppa joe while she tries to stop me. Before fatherhood, I never realized the number of steps involved in giving a child a glass of water. An hour or so later, my oldest daughter will burst into the living room with the energy of Joan Jett circa 1980.

 

open dishwasher

Fourteen hours later, my eyes bloodshot, a thin line of drool hanging off my bottom lip, I stumble to the garage, where I’ve built a ramshackle office out of discarded furniture. I put on my noise canceling earbuds, grab a pen, and get to work. 

Part of me figures I should be eager to rejoin the wider world after what we went through last year. But it’s just a quiet voice, not inspiring much beyond a trip to the gas station for a bottle of Gatorade Zero. I begin to reflect on the week — wow, I really unloaded the dishwasher in a cool way, or, it was really great to figure out how to update my laptop’s RAM. That was awesome. Shopping for bug spray, organizing a sprawling collection of charging devices, ordering a book online that I will never read. What more could a person want? Kings of old knew not such pleasures.

Beyond the pandemic, part of this reflects maturity (I should probably put that one in quotes) and trying to be a good dad (I should probably italicize the word trying). After all, my own pleasures are beside the point, spiritually and evolutionarily. My life doesn’t need to feel like a party. All that really matters is that my daughters feel secure and well loved. Here is happiness — bearing witness to their daily revelations gives me a joy beyond compare.

 

Doug-Sparks-Ink-Signature-May21

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community Tagged With: #LetterfromEditor, fun, language, maturity, pandemic, parenthood, Writing

Eight Great 6/27/19

June 27, 2019 by Jaden Mendola Leave a Comment

ONE: Join Wendee Glick this Friday at Gallery Z in Lowell as she performs standards from the Great American Songbook, as well as Broadway and pop music from the ’60s to the ’80s.

TWO: The Native American Summer Moon Pow-Wow will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Endicott Park in Danvers, Mass. The event is open to the public and will feature the renowned Aztec Indian Dancers who will perform ancient Aztec dances that honor centuries of indigenous culture and traditions. There will also be arts, crafts and traditional foods for sale, as well as storytelling and other traditions that are part of this popular cultural event. For more details: (617) 642-1683 or mcnaa@aol.com 

***

THREE: Visit The Stevens-Coolidge Place this Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. for the Summer Picnic Concert: an evening of food, drinks, dancing. Featuring live music from rock/funk group Mother Ton.

FOUR: The Amesbury Carriage Museum is hosting their “Driving Through History” fundraiser, organized to support the museum’s educational programs this Saturday, June 29, from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. in the Amesbury Chevrolet showroom.

***

FIVE: The Country Beach Jam at Salisbury Beach will be taking place this Saturday from 3 to 10:30 p.m. Enjoy a fun, country-filled afternoon followed by a night of fireworks.

SIX: On Saturday night, June 29, at 7 p.m., the excitement of the 2019 Drum Corps International tour comes to Lawrence as the East Coast Classic, New England’s premier drum corps show, makes its return to Veterans Memorial Stadium.

SEVEN: Drive in with your crew or roll in alone to the Southern New Hampshire Cars and Coffee show this Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. Grab some local coffee and show off your sweet, summer rides at The Coffee Factory in Salem, N.H.

EIGHT: This Sunday, check out comedian, impressionist and ventriloquist Terry Fator at the Hampton Ballroom Casino and his cast of characters including Winston the Impersonating Turtle, the World’s Greatest Elvis Impersonator, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Vicki the Cougar, President Donald Trump and annoying neighbor Duggie.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MORE FUN AROUND THE VALLEY

July 3

Monarch Story Hour

The Stevens-Coolidge Place | North Andover, Mass. | TheTrustees.org

July 6

4th Annual Americana Rhythm & Roots Festival

Newburyport Waterfront Park | Newburyport, Mass. | NewburyportWaterfrontTrust.org

July 21

Ring of Honor

Lowell Memorial Auditorium | Lowell, Mass. | LowellAuditorium.com

July 30

2nd Annual Red Heat Tavern and Burtons Grill & Bar MDA Golf Classic

Butter Brook Golf Club | Westford, Mass. | (978) 549-8681

Filed Under: Arts & Entertainment, Community, Food & Drink Tagged With: community, Dining, entertainment, festivals, fun, music, weekend

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