July 4th 2026 represents a momentous day for our great country. Our 250th anniversary is at hand and is a day to be celebrated. It is a time to reflect on the great history of the past quarter century and look forward to the one to come. From the brilliance of Federalist papers of Hamilton, Madison, and Jay, to the spirited defense of American values and our constitution in generations since, from the valor courage of the revolutionary war heroes, to those of our present day, we have much to look back on with pride and gratitude.
Lest we forget, the impetus for our great revolution was a tax on a breakfast beverage that was subsequently dumped into the Boston harbor. America has always been a place to meet the challenge of the day bright and early, and impediments to doing so have been dismissed quickly and effectively.
High tea and England may still go hand in hand, but coffee was declared to be an American original and has been so from that day forth. Even among those who frankly preferred the less patriotic drink, the urge to conform to our national beverage has been felt strongly. In 1774, John Adams wrote in a postscript to his wife Abigail recounted here with its original language:
"I believe I forgot to tell you one Anecdote: When I first came to this House it was late in the Afternoon, and I had ridden 35 miles at least. 'Madam' said I to Mrs. Huston, 'is it lawfull for a weary Traveller to refresh himself with a Dish of Tea provided it has been honestly smuggled, or paid no Duties?' 'No sir, said she, we have renounced all Tea in this Place. I cant make Tea, but He make you Coffee.' Accordingly I have drank Coffee every Afternoon since, and have borne it very well. Tea must be universally renounced. I must be weaned, and the sooner, the better."
250 years is a long time. Verso L'alto Coffee roasters has only just recently passed 5 years, a mere 2% of the lifespan of our country. 5 years, however, is also a great length of time in the life of a small business. It is not only the 5th anniversary since our first July 4th, but also the annual celebration of our patron Pier Giorgio Frassati, and his first as a canonized saint. Referring to traditions in America in his short story Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen, one of our favorite authors O'Henry writes, "Traditions are growing older more quickly than traditions in old countries. That is because we are so young and full of life. We do everything quickly." While that was written over 100 years ago, it rings true today and reminds us that in the broad history of the world, we are still a relatively young country with more traditions to build.
We are grateful for your support, and for making us part of your American breakfast tradition. In that spirit, we wanted to recognize some of the founders of Verso L'alto Coffee Roasters. Not the creators or junior roasters in this case, but the Mt Rushmore of subscribers who have been with us since the early days, and who have made Verso L'alto possible: Margaret & Bobby Richard, Chris & Mary Bathon, Kyle Schmucker, and Debbie Simenc.
In honor of the anniversary of the country which made our venture possible, we will be sending out an anniversary handmade pottery gift in your next box.
We salute you, we salute Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Roosevelt among the multitude of others who have made and who continue to make this country great, and we wish all of you the best on this historic day.
To the heights and may the best be yet to come!
