Greetings, Coffee Lover!
Did you think that I forgot about you? I surely did not. We are BUSY up in Glen Arbor! And, actually, quite busy across all of northern Michigan. I am happy to dispel the nay-saying that the collective mass media is spreading: the travel economy is booming, folks like you are maintaining their vacations, and everyone is having fun in the process. This is not hyperbole: sales and rentals are up. Please pass along the good word.
The Glen Arbor Fourth of July Parade was the largest ever, and I think it took nearly an hour to get the first sheriff’s car and the last vehicle, Cherry Republic’s van (they handed out little packets of fresh cherries) through town. And the cheering and waving never wavered. John drove the Leelanau Coffee Roasting van, and tossed out candy and little coffee coupons. I drove my MGB and threw twenty pounds of Jolly Ranchers. After the road parade came the afternoon Boat Parade, and it also had a giant attendance. Glen Arbor was busy, and yet we managed to get everyone through the cafe, the restaurants, and grocery stores with smiles and ease. You know how much I enjoy all the seasons, but summer really is the best one.
This spring I installed photovoltaic (solar) panels on my garage roof, and now generate about 1/3 of my home’s power that way. You can read about it here.
It is one of the options we are examining for the business as well, and dovetails into our continuous efforts to reduce our energy usage.
Since we’re on the topic of efficiency, here’s a little-known one: if you go through a lot of coffee, you can order in five-pound bulk bags, just like a restaurant. When you do that, you save 10% on whole bean (5% on ground coffee). If you order ten pounds, you’ll also receive your free shipping! Store the unopened bags in the freezer, or as you portion out a little at a time for brewing, store the opened bag in an airtight container in the freezer. Buy with neighbors and family members. Buy it for the office. On the current website’s ordering system, please note that you want bulk coffee (or just phone us). On the new website, it will be an option. Just one more great piece of economic news from your friends up north 
The website is almost complete, and some of you are testing. The rest of the volunteers will get a crack at it shortly, and we should be up and running very soon. Thanks for your patience and support.
We had a brilliant thunderstorm last night, and now as I write this the sun is shining, there is a light breeze, and I see many tourists in flip-flops finishing their lunches and walking toward Lake Michigan. I think Auggie and I will go for a swim after work.