Notes from Nan: Attention Three-Year Olds:
BY HF Contributing Writer, Nan Parati

Attention three-year olds:  I’m sorry to have to bring this to your attention, as I know that you are very busy learning to say your “Rs” and don’t have much time for stuff like this, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to temporarily stop drinking the little Half and Half creamers. I know they are addictive—such thick and creamy milk, and they are perfect little shot-glasses for hands your size, but the problem is that it’s summer, we’ve been very, very busy with lots of customers, and we find that every single Sunday we’re out of creamers. I’m afraid we just don’t have any extra to spare, and so we’re going to have to ask you to leave the creamers in their little bowls until, say, Labor Day when things go back to normal. Unless, of course, you’re putting them in your coffee, which, I think may stunt your growth, so you may want to talk to your doctor about drinking coffee at age three. You might also want to think about your cholesterol levels, which drinking the Half and Half is not helping. It might not be such an issue right now, but you’ll thank me later in life for making you aware of your cholesterol level now.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this issue.

Incidentally, a blue and orange pacifier was found in the dirt after the Clambake. I’m not sure you still want it as it appears to have been stomped upon, but in case if was your favorite and you wondered where it went, I believe it’s here.

Boy was that a real nice clambake!

You know what you get at a Clambake I now know? You know those big-ass aluminum pans that you put a whole 50 pound turkey in to cook it at Thanksgiving? You get one of those filled up with lobsters, clams, the best clam chowder ever in the history of clams, barbequed chicken, corn on the cob and potatoes. Filled up! People had to rent trucks to take all their left-overs home. Now, it did rain a little, but I learned a valuable lesson: People in New England would rather sit out in the rain to watch a concert and be able to drink than to be inside a nice and dry Town Hall without being able to drink. Not being a drinker myself, I did not realize that! But no one complained at all and everyone seemed quite happy to be outside, with or without hooch. And the concert was wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Even in the rain. We have CDs by May Erlewine and Seth Bernard here now, and they are so worth listening to. What great voices! What great songs! And Rani Arbo and daisy mayhem blew the roof off the joint just like I thought they would! It was a great night all around!

Dinner this week!

Thursday:

• Chicken Stew with Dumplings

Friday and Saturday!

• Lobster Fettuccini with Sherry Cream Sauce with Mushrooms, Tomatos, Fresh Basil and Peas
• Vegetarian: Vegetable Mousaka: A hearty multi-layer Greek-style Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole

Elmer’s Store | 396 Main St. | Ashfield, MA 01330 | (413) 628-4003
www.Elmersstore.com

Nan Parati

Nan is the proprietor of Elmer’s Store in Ashfield, MA. A New England transplant from the Deep South, Nan shares her southern wit, wisdom and charm every week in her column, “Notes from Nan.” Share dinner with her every Friday at Elmer’s. Menu’s are posted with her column. nanparati@aol.com