If you’re sick of me talking about Moxie, just plug your ears and go, “la-la-la-la-la.” It’s been awhile (two months) since I mentioned New England’s most iconic drink, and Maine’s official state soft drink.
Moxie as a subject has been a gift that’s given much more than I anticipated back in 2008 when I got the idea to pursue this intriguing subject. It seemed like a great follow-up to baseball. At the time, however, I never thought I’d sell out two printings and then, have Down East Books commission me to write a second book about this distinctly-different beverage. I certainly didn’t think I’d still be talking/writing about it five years later.
A few months ago, an activity director from Dirigo Pines in Orono asked if I’d come and do a Moxie book event at their retirement community in January. Since my book speaking schedule doesn’t fill-up that far in advance, I agreed. She wrote back very happy that I was amenable to traveling up and was pleased with my speaking fee and requirements. I realized at that moment that I may have missed a segment of my Moxie audience—an important and enthusiastic demographic of retirees.
Since then, I’ve booked two more speaking engagements in my area. Last Friday night, I was in Brunswick, at Thornton Hall. These events consist of a short talk about Moxie and then we have a little Moxie sampling. Some of the Brunswick gang dressed in orange. They were a hoot, and we had a lot of fun!
Another audience, another Moxie talk.
While most of my audience knew a bit about Moxie, many of them had never tried the drink. The tasting was fun, and I left my samples behind for them to finish with their leftover Moxie cake that had been baked for the event.
Tonight, I’m back out on the road talking Moxie, this time in Portland, at The Cedars. Some authors might look askance and think riding the retirement community circuit beneath them; for me, it’s a simple matter of going where my audience is at, and many of them are now living in these high-end residential centers. Even better, they’re staffed by enthusiastic activity directors, like Sally at Thornton Hall. It’s not much different than speaking before historical societies—the audiences are similar.
I’ll be bringing books to sign, as well as a cooler of chilled Moxie for our post-talk shindig.
My newest fan, Shirley, holding up a signed copy of my Moxie book.
Ah, such are the best fans.
If you think about it, I’m certain you have a lot of questions about things that you can ask them. It goes both ways.
I’ve had two successive presentations where there were women (not men) who were both 96 and 98 respectively. While the 98-year-old didn’t hear as well, both had their full mental faculties, and vivid memories of growing up, the world they remember, not to mention, how popular Moxie used to be (bigger than Coke and Pepsi!).
The past might be able to lead us into the future, if we’re willing to draw on some of the wisdom that still remains. In fact, wisdom comes only from a life lived well, while paying attention, and a lifelong commitment to learning. Those kinds of “seasoned” citizens are treasures.
I like the JBE’s new fan base; maybe you should take your show on the road to Hillsborough County.
I think Moxie is a theme that lends itself well to diverse audiences, whether in New England, or elsewhere. I’ll be looking (or, possibly, “I be looking”) to take the Moxie Self-improvement Medicine Show on the road, channeling the spirit of Dr. Thompson and his homeopathic remedies.