Joshua Davis and Bruno Tropeano, two guys right out of college, felt that something was amiss. People in Maine created some of the best of everything in the world — higher education, ships, television doctors, winter boots. But the gelato of which they dreamt could not be found here in Maine, or anywhere else in the United States. Josh and Bruno sensed both a responsibility and an opportunity and set off to rediscover the lost art. Imagining a long-forgotten Red Spoon Society of superior gelato artisans, they learned the techniques and practices of the old masters of gelato. They used those techniques as a foundation for creating an even better gelato experience: make lots of creative flavors for discerning guests, serve them in a way that invites discovery and delight, and never compromise on quality. In 2007, the doors to their first gelato store opened. Josh and Bruno named it Gelato Fiasco as a hedge against trend-pursuers, treasure hunters, and impostors, for only a true food lover, guided by his or her own sense of adventure, would dare enter a store with that name. And as they loved it, they would share with their families and friends, who would share with theirs. Gelato Fiasco is a book brimming with humor, Maine values, mouth-watering color photographs, and, most importantly, delicious recipes (out of 1500 in the “flavor vault” the book will include 100 or so) for making your own gelato at home, plus recipes sauces, cones, and other treats to enjoy with your gelato.

Today's library leaders face a world in which the only constant is change. Seeking out innovative ways to meet the evolving needs of their communities has become a critical part of their responsibilities. In this book, Doucett mines new territory in this ongoing effort by exploring how successful organizations "outside the stacks" conduct their business. She interviews leaders of advertising, online commerce, fundraising, retailing, crowdsourcing and other organizations (including Kickstarter, L.L. Bean, Down East Magazine and Tom's of Maine, among others), learning what they do exceptionally well. From this research she presents more than 100 examples of game-changing ideas ready for application in libraries. And most importantly, she articulates a simple process that readers can use to pursue the same path of exploration at their own institutions, including the actual questions used during her interviews. An exciting survey of creativity in action, Doucett's book will encourage public library directors, managers, trustees, and staff to cross-pollinate their own expertise with innovative ideas from outside the stacks.

The Swiss Army knife of guidebooks and the standard by which all other Maine travel guides are judged. This book is the standard that all other Maine travel guides are judged by. Now in its 17th edition, this bestseller just gets better and better! With expanded coverage and thousands of selective, up-to-date listings of the best lodging places, dining spots, recreation options, attractions and events, shopping, and lots more.

The standard by which all other Maine travel guides are judged—now completely revised and reenvisioned The best-selling and most trusted guide to Maine is back! Once again fully updated and revised, this 18th edition features a brand-new design with expanded sidebars, itineraries, and lush color photographs throughout. As always, authors Christina Tree and Nancy English offer the best, most up-to-date recommendations for food, lodging, recreation, shopping, events, and much more. Whether you’re a native New Englander or one of the thousands of visitors who flock to “Vacationland” every year, in Explorer’s Guide Maine you’ll find the most comprehensive and useful information to make your stay more enjoyable.

A traveler’s must-have companion for over 30 years—a complete guide to the best of Maine Explorer’s Guide Maine is back for the 19th time, providing readers with everything they need to know for making their next trip to Maine the best one yet. This comprehensive, fully up- to- date edition guides travelers of all interests, whether they are looking to explore wildlife wonders or cultural hubs. Featuring hot spots from the southern coast (like Ogunquit and Wells), Casco Bay (Freeport), the Midcoast and the islands (Boothbay Harbor region), and Down East (Acadia area) to the western mountains and lakes region (Bethel area), the Kennebec Valley (Augusta and mid- Maine) and the Maine highlands (Aroostook County)— Explorer’s Guide Maine offers suggestions for dining, lodging, outdoor activities, art and music events, museums, and must-see sights. Whether readers are looking to soak up the sun at Old Orchard Beach, traverse the Appalachian Trail, or observe Porter Bridge over the Ossippee River, Explorer’s Guide Maine proves there is something for everyone at any time of year in the beautiful Pine Tree State.

Small businesses are the backbone of the U.S. economy. They are the biggest job creators and offer a path to the American Dream. But for many, it is difficult to get the capital they need to operate and succeed. In the Great Recession, access to capital for small businesses froze, and in the aftermath, many community banks shuttered their doors and other lenders that had weathered the storm turned to more profitable avenues. For years after the financial crisis, the outlook for many small businesses was bleak. But then a new dawn of financial technology, or “fintech,” emerged. Beginning in 2010, new fintech entrepreneurs recognized the gaps in the small business lending market and revolutionized the customer experience for small business owners. Instead of Xeroxing a pile of paperwork and waiting weeks for an answer, small businesses filled out applications online and heard back within hours, sometimes even minutes. Banks scrambled to catch up. Technology companies like Amazon, PayPal, and Square entered the market, and new possibilities for even more transformative products and services began to appear. In Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream, former U.S. Small Business Administrator and Senior Fellow at Harvard Business School, Karen G. Mills, focuses on the needs of small businesses for capital and how technology will transform the small business lending market. This is a market that has been plagued by frictions: it is hard for a lender to figure out which small businesses are creditworthy, and borrowers often don’t know how much money or what kind of loan they need. New streams of data have the power to illuminate the opaque nature of a small business’s finances, making it easier for them to weather bumpy cash flows and providing more transparency to potential lenders. Mills charts how fintech has changed and will continue to change small business lending, and how financial innovation and wise regulation can restore a path to the American Dream. An ambitious book grappling with the broad significance of small business to the economy, the historical role of credit markets, the dynamics of innovation cycles, and the policy implications for regulation, Fintech, Small Business & the American Dream is relevant to bankers, fintech investors, and regulators; in fact, to anyone who is interested in the future of small business in America.