Scoop: Notes from a Small Ice Cream Shop

I enjoyed reading this book, it's fun and tells quite a bit about making ice cream and going into the bed and breakfast work. This book takes place over one year. Two friends, Jeff Miller and his friend, Dean, buy an ice cream parlor in Hayward, Wisconsin. Jeff is a midwesterner, born in Minnesota not far from Hayward. Dean is an Englishman. People in Hayward love his accent. The two also build and refurbish the old McCormick House, an old, fading beauty and turn the old dear into a bed and breakfast. Jeff is a lawyer, Dean a businessman, both made tons of money, took expensive vacations and have two little spoiled dogs. They came to Hayward because they bought a summer cabin on a lake in this area.The book takes readers through the four seasons the first year the men lived in town. It's a good read, lots of fun, also lots of hard work getting their businesses going. Jeff ran West's Dairy, Dean the McCormick House, both did great jobs of their choices. There are quirky people all through the book, fun to read about as are the men and their dogs.The tourist season in northern Wisconsin is fast and furious, as tourists are taking advantage of the beautiful lake country. Jeff works hard at making ice cream in many unusual flavors. During cooler weather he adds coffees. Dean is learning how to run a bed and breakfast. He must learn to cook the American way. He has never done a job like this. The two meet so many people in their jobs. This is the musky capital, muskys are important in the north country. People are fisher people, others hunters. Autumn comes, the countryside is ablaze with color and hunters.Then winter. Dean is not used to such cold weather, so much snow. Jeff has been gone so long from cold, snow, ice, freezing weather. The men have their first tast of lukefisk and learn about cross country skiing. Both summer and the Birkie, cross country skiing, crowd the little town. Town people are happy to get their little town back to quiet. Too much excitement. Good read, highly recommended. I enjoy reading people writing about themselves, especially good, interesting writing.

Enjoyed it . . . Saw Miller on a TV hotel show and searched for the book he mentioned there . . . Well written, filled with wonderful real-life characters, a good bit of humor and tons of personal insights. Miller and his partner made major life changes in settling down in Wisconsin from London, but seem to have completely embraced their new lifestyle running their bed and breakfast and the ice cream shop. If you're looking for an great read and a fun personal journey, pick up a copy of Scoop . .. Well worth every minute.

This book is all about my town There are people in here that I know.Some of them are my good friends.My husband John is even in here He is one of the Shriners that ride the scootersin the Musky parade. You go up main street during the "Lure of Lights" held now duringChristmas when every store is covered with lights. It is so beautiful.Jeff Miller passed away in October He will be missed

Our book club read this book a few months ago and we all enjoyed it. As we are in northern Wisconsin, a trip to Scoop's in Hayward is a summer day trip for some of us to get an ice cream cone and explore the town of Hayward. Nice to read a pleasant book about small town living and personalities.

I thought I might be inspired by the author's story of leaving the corporate world, but did not expect to be so thoroughly entertained. It is cleverly written; I had several "laugh out loud" moments. Anyone who has ever lived in the upper Midwest, visited a small town, or passed through one on the highway and wondered what it might be like to live there, will enjoy this book. It is good to know that there are still places and people like this, and lucky for us someone is taking notes.

Endearing and engaging story-telling, with touches of humor and getting to know the folks. I love stories of persons who re-invent themselves and discover their new lives. Also, the touches of history and nostalgia for northern Wisconsin brought back favorite memories of vacationing there as a child. This was a very good read! Now I want some Almost Sinful ice cream!!

I also live in a small town & just loved this story. It was v well-written, esp when one considers Jeff Miller was not a writer before. It is a great story of transformation. I kept wondering how it would turn out.

being a Hayward summer neighbor for many years,it was a pleasant story reflecting on many of the traditions and businesses we've been part of and visited. congratulations to the men who brought back life to such an important corner shop and kept the stop to "West's" something we still enjoy doing. well done in so many ways.

not one of my favourite stories. But I am sure there will be lots of people out there with different views.

Wonderful book about one person's observations of living in a small town in Wisconsin after having lived in London for many years! Full of interesting characters and humorous situations. Even if you've never been to Wisconsin, this is a great book! I can't wait for the sequel!

I had been really looking forward to this one, based on the blurp, but found it un-readable. Nothing happens, nothing's shown, everything's told. Weird time lapses, hardly any dialogue, no wit, no humor, not anything that could have saved this for me. Gave up in chapter two. If there was a way to get my money back, or rather, my time and wasted anticipation, I'd do it. Worst book I've ordered in a while.