Made in Massachusetts

It has been proven many times over that if you spend locally, your dollar spends more time in your community, and works harder for everyone. If you are as much a fan of helping local businesses as I am, then you may want to check out the following links to companies in Massachusetts that I learned about on Wednesday night's Chronicle on ABC Channel 5 Boston. Each company listed below started small, puts a lot of care and handiwork into their products, and provides jobs which are a boon to the folks of the region.

• Sterlingwear - High quality winter wear. They make the peacoats for the US Navy.
• Vanson Leathers - For all of you motorcycle riders, and all-around fans of leather clothing.
• Best Friends Cocoa - Hot cocoa in four spectacular flavors! It's not just for winter (think fireside, after dark down at your lake/beach/camp, or for quiet backyard sunsets).
  
• Bay Shore Chowders - A variety of seafood chowders and bisques, both old favorites and exotic recipes.
• Aunt Sadie's Candles - If you're tired of your usual candle company, try this one. In addition to many standards and old favorites, they have several unique scents I've never seen before (iced tea! pipe tobacco! leather! beer!), and a $16 candle burns for 75 hours in a classy designer tin. The company even turned down bigger accounts to avoid having to ship the labor overseas!
  
• Wachusett Brewing Company - Sure, they weren't on the show, but how could I pass up a chance to plug my hometown brewery! Whether you are skiing at Mt. Wachusett, or dining at any number of restaurants all over New England, you have to try their beers if you get a chance. I recommend the Nut Brown, and the award-winning Blueberry Ale ("#9 Best Beer in America" - Stuff Magazine, 2005).
  

Also, check out this cool article about experiments where creating and utilizing a local currency could actually help the economy where you live. Creative and fascinating stuff.

Tell us about YOUR favorite local business (either in MA, or where you currently reside), and you could win a sampler of Best Friends Cocoa! Either leave an interesting plug in the comments section of this article, or send us a note at NotLameMinus@gmail.com We will choose a winner at the end of the month!

October Events

October is going to be a busy month here at Not Lame Minus.

☻ After an abortive attempt to participate in Kevin Youkilis' book drive for kids back in June (cancelled due to lack of interest, partly due to our little blog being so new, as well as the relatively short notice), we here at NLM are looking to do something of True Importance - contribute to a charity or cause of worth. We have posted a poll for all of our readers to help select which of several great organizations we will support. Below the poll there is a list of links, so that you can check out each option if you can't decide which you would most like to help. Once the chosen cause is determined (on October 20th), we will be asking that you readers please contribute at least a dollar out of the goodness of your hearts, and a willingness affect positive change in the world, no matter how small it might seem. Details will follow, but each person who sends in at least a dollar will receive a wooden nickel and an NLM magnet just for helping! There will also be a prize (hint: wearable) for the largest donor, and depending on how many readers participate, at least one other random winner.

☻ Also, we are going to have a Halloween Costume Contest! After all of the parties & celebrations have ended, please send a 'fit to print' (nothing x-rated please) photo of you in your costume to NotLameMinus@gmail.com so that we can choose the best (and probably a few other categories like Scariest, Sexiest and Most Original). The winner(s) will get something cool in the mail, and possibly a post about the event(s) at which it was worn. Finally, as a cool link to the charitable project listed above, NLM will donate one dollar per photo we receive!

☻ And lastly, if anyone has the urge to taste-test various fall beers (Octoberfests, pumpkin-based, etc...), feel free to submit a review and/or full-length story for publication to the e-mail address in the previous paragraph. We would love to hear voices other than our own, as well as be directed toward the best autumn grain-based potables!

Thanks in advance to all who dive into the shared fun here at Not Lame Minus. It's turning out to be what we imagined: a place for our friends & families to find local fun stuff easily, promote our friends' bands, and relate the random antics of a few guys most of you know. Let's make October the best month yet, and don't forget to check out the links at the top of NLM for all of your Outdoor Fall Fun searches!

Halloween Countdowns