The Bears: An Update.

As you've already heard, Rubber Ducky bear was dislodged from its log a few weeks ago by some local hoodlums. Luckily and unlike Chrome Bear, he wasn't actually bear-napped.


Check out the facebook page for the still missing bear... Where is Chrome Bear?



Rubber Ducky bear enjoyed his respite in the window of Mt. Tom's, has been wiped clean of ice cream fingerprints, and is now perched on a log outside Pick Your Flick video store, just up the way on Cottage Street. Please update your bear maps accordingly...

And in other just breaking bear vandalism news, 'Three Bears' was tipped over last night by another group of bear-art haters. He sustained a bit of damage, but I'm told it's nothing a little bondo and paint can't remedy.

He should be fixed up in short order and back in action soon. Probably in a different location though... will keep you posted on where that might be.

In the meantime, the sun is shining, and it looks like a go for the fireworks tonight. Of course, that could change in a New England minute, but here's hoping...

Enjoy the festivities, be on the lookout for bear defacers, and hope to see you soon.

Let's Hear it for the K-kids.

Somewhere in the blur of the past few weeks of Bear Fest prep, scooping all over town during the big event, and the post Fest steady stream of bear peepers, as I like to call them, another field trip season has come and gone. I think a few kindergarden and 1st/2nd grade classes this year opted for the bear tour, which is great (from what the teachers have said, it's pretty much all the kiddos have talked about since the bears arrived), but we did have a few here. Above is the Maple School kindergarden class, aka. K-kids.

Who just so happened to be the 'artists' of Jelly Bean bear, the tabletop bear that's right here at Mt. Tom's for the summer...

Nicely done. The silent auction bidding is already up to $150 on this bear!

One of my favorite parts of field trips is the cool thank you cards that often get delivered to the shop a few days later...


Here's a closer look...



The best line... 'We had infinity and beyond fun.' K-kids rock.

Here are a few other random candids from the field trips. It's all about the hats... and the sample right out of the machine...

Happy summer vacation to you. Rumor has it summerlike weather is just a few days away...

Bear Fest Day - the video

From Gazettenet.com via youtube, in case you haven't seen it. Gabby hobknobs with the mayor...

How about them Bears.

Well, the unveiling of the bears is complete. Saturday truly was a day that will go down in Easthampton history. Even lifetime locals admit they'd never seen their town so alive. Streets full of people wandering around, enjoying all the incredible bears, patronizing local downtown shops they may have hardly noticed on their daily autopiloted commutes. I can't speak for all the businesses, but we had lines out the door from start to finish. Contrary to popular rumor, we didn't actually run out of ice cream, but I must admit we went through a ton. It's thursday now, and I'm finally all caught up and restocked with all the usual suspects and a good amount of the specials I like to rotate in and out. Phew.

(Image by Patrick Brough.)

Over at the official unveiling party at the public parking next to Whisker's, we scooped out over 500 free samples of Gabby's Bear Tracks ice cream! I even had to recruit retired scooper Katie Sojkowski to help with the scoopin'. Thanks Katie.

Gabby did a nice job too. The Teddy Graham on top was her handiwork.

Here's Gabby getting congratulated by Mayor Mike. Gabby rules. If she doesn't grow up to open up an ice cream shop someday, I'm thinking political office may be in her future...

(Image by Patrick Brough.)

It really was an amazing day, and as the links I shared earlier attest, a good time was had by thousands. The entire Easthampton City Arts team hit it out of the park on this one. They deserve a huge round of applause for making it happen. From Ellen Koteen getting the first grant, to Briana Taylor keeping it all together in the coordinator position, to the entire ECA team and the countless hours they volunteered over the past year plus to make it look so easy on Bear day.

I was going to do the walk around with my trusty camera for blog shots, and I'm sure I still will someday soon, once it stops raining. There certainly has been no shortage of camera totin' folks this week. It really has been pretty cool to see the town still bustling with, dare I say, tourists. So rather than post images you may likely have in your little digital camera already, I thought I'd share a few images from early last Saturday morning. 4 am to be exact. That's when Stuart Beckley, our beloved city planner, backed up the DPW flatbed to the loading dock at Eastworks, the hiding place for all the finished bears. It was an early start to a very long day, and I can't begin to claim more credit than being an extra deck hand for the ECA team's setting up of the bears, but I must admit it was one of the coolest things I've done since I rolled into this town.

Here we are, cruising down Union Street, pre-dawn, with a bed full of all-dressed-up bears with somewhere to go. I was impressed that the entire early morning team of Amy Davis, Briana Taylor, Stuart Beckley, John Pollack, J.P. Pascuche, and Mayor Mike each knew the names of all the bears, who created them, and where each will be sitting until October. It was easy to see how hard this still-not-quite-awake team has worked to make the bears that you now see among you happen.

After each bear was dropped in its spot, part of the team stayed to secure each bear to its new log home...

Here Briana Taylor, Amy Davis, and Mayor Mike complete the first bear installation. Worked like a charm. Obviously, they'd rehearsed this part a few times...

The sun finally rises. Stuart, planner by day, flatbed truck driver by early morning, helped to keep the crew moving, so by this time, most of the bears were already in place...


Don't be alarmed. This isn't a shot of mayor and city planner making off with one for their office. It's just John and Stuart putting one of the final bears in place...


Mayor Mike and J.P. taking power tools to 'Bear hugs', making sure cub #1 is firmly attached...


'Bearon' enjoying the flatbed ride enroute to his home in front of the old firehouse on Union Street...

I thought I'd also share a few more images from my clandestine visit with Briana to the bear hideout last week. Now that all the bears have been unveiled and are perpetually posed for snaps with your own camera, here are a few of all the bears together...which won't happen again until early October when they make their way up to the Log Cabin for the big charity auction. You can click on these to get a full-sized view...

Even Cartledge's on Union Street has bear fever! From their window...


Not to end on a sour note, but I did want post up a shot of the still missing 'Chrome Bear' by Michael MacTavish. It is a pretty cool one, one of my favorites actually, for its shininess and simplicity. In case you didn't get to see it before it was swiped, here it is...


You can get a map of Bear Fest right here at Mt. Tom's, along with lots of other cool BearFest stuff (the beer mugs are particularly cool). And check this out, 'Jen' put together a BearFest map on Google... BearFest goes GoogleMaps

I think it's going to be a beary good summer. If, of course, summer actually decides to arrive...

Kidnapped!

You've probably already heard, but posting up this cool poster created by Bronwen Hodgkinson just in case.

Much more on the amazing Easthampton BearFest to follow. In the meantime...

Patrick Brough Bay Road Photo post

CBS3 Story

22News Story

And contrary to the original rumor, the 2nd alleged bear gone missing was pulled off its log, but was not taken. Deshria's 'Rubber Ducky bear' is safe and sound. In fact, it's quite comfortable sitting in the window of Mt. Tom's right now. It will be back in its spot in a few days...

Hope you got to get out and check out the bears this weekend. If not, I hope you can grab a map (we have plenty here in the shop) and a take a stroll around town to see them.

It's Bears Time.

Well, if you're one of the few who haven't yet heard of the Bear Fest summerlong art display that kicks off tomorrow (Sat., June 13th) yet, here's one last reminder for the big event. I just got back from a secret tour of the 35 completed bears, who are all tucked away safely in an undisclosed location, and all I can say is, wow. Briana Taylor, Easthampton City Arts coordinator and chief spokesperson for Bear Fest took time from all her media appearances and last minute wrapping up of details to sneak me and my trusty Pentax in...


I took a whole bunch of shots, but rather than show you what the amazing bears all look like before the big unveiling tomorrow, I'll just show you one. I don't mind showing this one because it was already 'unveiled' on the cover of the Springfield Republican this morning. It's Clementine the Circus Bear, painted by Amy Johnquest, the banner queen, and local legend in the art world.

They're all this good.

And when you stroll into town tomorrow (Saturday) morning, all those empty logs you see today will be have bears perched on them.

But wait, there's more. You'll also find 30 'tabletop bears' in many of local businesses. Here's the one right here in Mt. Tom's... Jelly Bean Bear... Each of those bears was completed by local school children. I've seen most of these bears too, and they are equally as impressive. Each tabletop bear has a 'silent auction card' next to it. Bidding for those starts at 50 bucks. The big bears, as I've mentioned, will be auctioned at a big gala at the Log Cabin in October.

The fun starts at 2pm on Saturday at the public parking lot next to Whisker's. Here's the schedule of events.

We'll have plenty of maps and other Bear Fest paraphernalia here at Mt. Tom's. The maps are free. Here's what else we've got...

And last but definitely not least, this month's Mt. Tom's ArtWalk show is up, and it too is very cool.

In keeping with the Bear Fest theme, Don, along with Dr. Linda Henderson, will be presenting a show of their favorite images of bears - actual bears from the Mt. Tom Reservation and other local spots. While you're sampling the new Bear Fest ice cream flavor, have a look at some great images of the 'real thing'.

Hope to see you this weekend.

Gabby helps make the first batch of Bear Tracks.

Gabby Neal, the seven year old ice cream genius from Maple School, stopped by the shop today to help me make the first official batch of Bear Tracks, the winning entry in the Bear Fest flavor contest. It would be an understatement to say she was giddy as a schoolgirl. She and her posse of best friend, brother, and Mom arrived after school today and immediately took charge of the ice cream kitchen.


Here she is, standing proudly next to the top secret ingredients about to go into the inaugural batch...


Note the precision with which she executes the introduction of inclusions to the batch. Teddy Grahams, right out of the box, that's not an easy move to complete...



Gabby later resorts to the 'bag out of box pour'. See the concentration on her face as she times it perfectly with my stirring...


Here's Gabby enjoying the fruits of her labor, the first taste... She likes it, hey Gabby! (sorry about the bad 70's reference.)...


Gabby's entourage enjoying the finished product as Gabby discusses the finer points of ice cream making...

The first batches of the new Bear Tracks are hibernating comfortably in the blast freezer at 20 below until Saturday at 2pm when they will become part of the big unveiling event over at the Cottage Street public parking lot. I hope you can stop by to enjoy the festivities. We'll be scooping out free samples until 3:30. After that, you can stop by Mt. Tom's for a scoop of Gabby's Bear Tracks anytime...

Congrats again to Gabby for her winning entry and for stopping by to help make the first batch.

You rock.

And the winner is...

The moment you've all been waiting for (at least those 10 and under who entered the Bear Fest flavor inventing/naming contest during the month of May.

Congratulations go to 7 year old Gabby Neal for submitting the winning flavor! She named it Bear Tracks, and I'll be making the first batch (with Gabby's help) this coming week. You'll be able to get free samples of the new flavor at the big unveiling party in the public parking lot next to Whisker's Pub on Saturday, June 13th at 2 pm. If you can't make that, fear not, Bear Tracks will be available right here at Mt. Tom's for as long as the Bears are in town.

In addition to a shiny, charged up Mt. Tom's giftcard, Gabby has a free Mt. Tom's ice cream cone a week for the entire summer to look forward to!

A portion of proceeds will go to support Bear Fest and it's wicked worthy causes.

Second place goes to Kasi and Ethan Marowitz for their Pooh's Honey Pot Crunch, and third place to Andie Hall for her flavor, 'The Honey Pot'. Congrats to you three also! Who knows, maybe I'll whip up a batch of your flavor ideas sometime this summer...

We received over 100 entries! There were some great ideas, and it was a tough decision, but I think you're going to like what Gabby came up with. I'm sure you're wondering what's in the new Bear flavor. Well, you're just going to have to wait one more week to find out. Unless of course, Gabby decides to tell you on her blog.

I will give you one hint...

Thanks to all who participated. It seemed to be a big hit with the under 10 set. I even noticed a few 'grown ups' who were disappointed they couldn't enter, so perhaps I'll run another contest for kids of all ages one of these days.

And for all of you who participated, I'm planning to draw an entry a week out of the pile for a free kid's cone as thanks for your help. So you may still be a winner yet...

Cool Teas.

I realize we're closer to ice cream season than 'grab a hot cup of tea to get warm on a snowy night' season, but that's not going to stop me from posting up a quick plug for some cool new teas we just got in from local gourmet tea maker, The TeaGuys. I discovered them four years ago when they were doing their tea magic in a small space in a dark corner of EastWorks, right here in Easthampton. Their teas range from the savory to the exotic. Customers that ask for 'just a regular black tea' are often overwelmed by the flavors - Chamoimile Citrus, Ginger Papaya, Key Lime Pie, Jasmine Green. But the real tea lovers can't get enough. They've recently gained access to Whole Foods, perhaps you've seen them in the warm beverage aisle. There's is a great entrepreneurial success story.

They say tea drinking is good for you, so I, for one, try to sneak in a cup between batches of ice cream making from time to time. So I was perusing their online 'line card' the other day and came across some really interesting varieties that just had to be tried. Here they are...

SPA - Hydrate:

This uniquely formulated antioxidant-rich green and white tea blend features C’Watre sea minerals (www.cwatre.com) that fortify the skin and help sustain health and hydration. Delicate and delicious. Try warm or cold.

SPA -Energize:

This healthful blend of organic rooibos and honeybush combined with stimulating guarana and freshly cut spices is a great way to recharge and boost your energy. Enjoy warm or cold.

SPA -Relax:

Relax the mind and body with this blend of soothing botanicals. Chamomile, St. John’s Wort and gingko help to relieve the stress and tension of daily life and lift your spirits.


Sound interesting? I realize they might not be the perfect compliment to a cone of cookie dough, but something to think about. You can get 'em here, by the cup or by the ounce.

Something else to think about, the BearFest ice cream flavor contest entries are all in and tabulated, and a winner has been chosen....


Sorry, we've got to notify them first before we tell you here. I promise by the weekend, you'll find it right here. And a week from Saturday (June 13th), if you come by the big unveiling event in the public parking lot, you'll get in on the first sampling.

Stay tuned!