It was the Chocolate Fudge Coffee.
Some of you are saying, “EW!”, others “YASSS Please - yum!” And others “wth is she talking about?”
A few days ago, I went to our local coffee shop, Creme Cafe and discovered a treat from the gods: chocolate fudge flavored coffee from Coffee by Design. “Hell ya” my brain said. Pumped myself a half-caff chocolate fudge and decaf coffee and then descended into coffee bliss. Now THIS I would wake up early for every morning!
Having experienced near nirvana, I returned the next day to repeat that wake-up delight. I was heartbroken (ok, a bit dramatic) by the fact that they did not have chocolate fudge coffee and would have to make due with the toffee flavor instead. A far second place, but tasty all the same.
I was going to head home but decided to sit, enjoy my replacement blend and do Wordle. The coffee shop was busy, as it normally is around 8:30 in the morning, and there were few seats to be had.
I noticed a tall, very young-looking, clean-shaven man, dressed in a suit and tie, awkwardly standing nearby and offered him a seat at my table. Seems silly to be taking up space when others are looking for a seat - and I’ve been in his spot before.
He said thanks and sat down. We started chatting. He told me he was in town for the Maine Downtown Conference where they were hosting an award ceremony for community leaders who are working to enliven or bring back our struggling main streets. I mentioned that I used to work for the Brookline Chamber of Commerce in Brookline, MA and we both shared our mixed thoughts about the challenges of engagement for chambers and local businesses. He aptly pointed out that, “you get back what you put in and that consistency is key” - I could not agree more.
I asked him what he did and he laughed and said, well, even though I look much younger than I am, I’ve had a number of careers as an EMT, sports announcer here in Maine for basketball and hockey, then moved on to doing announcing for the “big boys” with the Boston Bruins, the Red Sox and Maine Red Claws. He worked for Mix 107 announcing games. I said I was always amazed at how announcers could be watching the game and simultaneously calling shots, moves and players names. He attributed his ability to his love of music and learning as well as lots of memorization.
He had left announcing a year ago and started his own media company called Red Claw Media which is a locally owned video production company based in Maine, specializing in cinematic storytelling, commercial content, and branded visuals. He was coming to the conference today to try and learn what towns are doing and share ideas about how to revitalize the struggling bricks and mortar shops which are the heartbeat of so many small towns.
He asked me what I did - I just happened to be wearing my Hopeful sweatshirt - ha! Anyone who has seen me around town must think it is the only thing I own! (Marketing my friends!) I shared my story of working with Charlie to get the word out about the idea of Hopeful and spread good vibes. I mentioned too that I worked at a local restaurant which also allowed me to connect within my community and meet some really interesting people. And I gave him my business card.
Two hours later, I got a text from him showing me a picture of the presentation screen from the conference showing the Portland Hopeful sign! He mentioned that Hopeful was “heavily talked about” at the meeting. He then sent me another photo of someone at the meeting being presented with a picture of the Hopeful sign and a statement of some sort as an award. And that is why I like being a self-proclaimed Hopeful ambassador! Connections and community, and another opportunity to put some good vibes out there. Stay Hopeful people.