Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe, Talkeetna, Alaska

Hello all and happy winter! It’s that love/hate time of year. The dark and cold make it hard to feel motivated to do anything, yet it’s also excruciatingly beautiful and joyous between the sparkling snow and all the warm holiday cheer spread among friends and family. We hope Flying Squirrel feels like a warm, friendly and inviting place to stop in when you are out and about this holiday season. A few new items that are getting great customer reports so far and are really worth a try: whole-wheat--walnut-raisin-cinnamon-swirl bread on Saturdays and whole grain bagels on Sundays. Here are a few goings on at Flying Squirrel this December and some specifics on holiday ordering and holiday hours. Second Saturday Art Opening – Saturday, December 12, 3-6pm Expressions in Antler and Metal will be a show featuring the Fosters, a very artistic local husband and wife duo. Peg makes beautiful antler baskets and Kevin creates amazing hand forged iron work pieces. You can see their work at Flying Squirrel through the second week in February or better yet, stop by this Saturday, December 12 to meet and greet the artists from 3-6pm for an opening reception. There is a lot going on this Saturday, but hopefully you can squeeze in a quick visit to support local artists in their creative endeavors. Refreshments will be provided. *Also, Flying Squirrel is looking for artists to hang their work on our walls in February, March, and April. Please contact Anita if you are interested and spread the word!* What is Chanukah? – Friday, December 18, 5pm Ever wonder what Chanukah is really all about? Join us on the eighth and last day of Chanukah for an informal, educational, and free program all about Chanukah. This 1 ½ hour long fun-filled event for all ages will include a retelling of the Chanukah story, Chanukah songs with Esther Golton, candle lighting, Chanukah dreidel games and more. Traditional and delicious potato latkes (potato pancakes) with applesauce and sour cream will be available for purchase. Call with any questions or just come on over and see what it’s all about.
Christmas Holiday Orders Holiday cookies are already available by the each or by the dozen at the bakery - we'll be rotating through at least 10 varieties. A platter of assorted cookies is great for potlucks, holiday visiting, gifts or just to enjoy all by yourself. Order forms for Christmas treats will be available by the end of this week with an ordering deadline of December 20 and pick up on Wednesday, December 24 from noon to 3pm. This holiday season we will be offering stollen (a moist, delicious version of this traditional yeasted sweet bread made with rum and dried fruit), dinner breads, pies, and cookies, cookies and more cookies.
	BRICK OVEN UPDATE! Brian has worked so hard on our almost completed wood-fired brick bread oven. If you seem him, give him a pat on the back (or a small massage!) for the incredible job he has done. Masonry is truly an artisan craft and this oven not only looks fantastic, but will certainly still be standing after the next big earthquake. Thank you Brian!
So, the big question, when are you going to light a fire in it? Well, the next time you stop by you just might see that warm, happy glow inside the oven doorway, finally! But it will just be small curing fires for now which will give us the chance to fool around with the oven for a few weeks. You might even get to try out some pizza, focaccia and bread experiments. *Watch for an announcement about an oven warming and grand opening party in January* after which we hope to fire the oven for bread baking, meat and vegetable roasting, and pizza nights on Thursdays and Saturdays. WINTER HOURS WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY 7:30am-7pm DECEMBER 24: OPEN 7:30am-3pm, Holiday order pick-ups from 12pm-3pm. Closed at 3pm for a staff party! DECEMBER 25 - JANUARY 5 CLOSED FOR A MUCH NEEDED BREAK! We will still be around, so feel free to call if you are interested in having us cater an event or want to order something special. WE LOOK FORWARD TO REOPENING ON JANUARY 6, 2010. HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! Warmly, Anita
PAST NEWSLETTERS November 2009