image description
The story of the Cheshire Cheese appeared in a Dutch cheese association's annual magazine.
image description

Cheshire Mammoth Cheese Featured in Netherlands Cheese Magazine Kaas!

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Mammoth Cheese is certainly known in these parts, but its fabled journey to Washington, D.C., has turned heads at Nederlands Nationaal Kaaskeurconcours, the Dutch National Cheese Inspection Competition.
 
"We understood that in certain domestic circles the story of the Mammoth Cheshire Cheese was revered, however, I'm not sure anyone expected this kind of international attention," said John Tremblay of the Cheshire Community Association.
 
As the story goes, the 1,235-pound wheel of cheese was commissioned by Elder John Leland after the election of Thomas Jefferson as president in 1800. Local historians say Cheshire was the only town in Berkshire County to have voted for Jefferson.  In fact, it is believed that every single vote but one went to Jefferson.
 
Townspeople converted a cider mill into a giant cheese press and with the help of more than 900 Cheshire cows, the half-ton cheese wheel was created and delivered to the new White House.
 
The cheese was so large that it took over a month to get to Washington.
 
The article tells the story of the Cheshire Mammoth Cheese, and Tremblay said it was a bit of a surprise when the magazine Kaas! (Cheese!) reached out to the town. 
 
"Getting a request from the Netherlands about Cheshire's Mammoth Cheese was a big surprise," he said. " It turns out they are the largest per capita exporter of cheese in the world. In fact, Gouda cheese is named after a town in South Holland."
 
NNKC, a 61-year-old organization, organizes cheese contests throughout the Netherlands bringing in hundreds of Dutch cheese professionals and aficionados. Once a year, it publishes KAAS!, which is dispersed throughout the entire cheese community. 
 
"There has long been interest in the Mammoth Cheese story, proven out by a simple Google search, however since the installation of the full-size replica at the Ashuwillticook Trail Trail intersection with Church Street, it has piqued," Tremblay said. "It's not uncommon to see Appalachian Trail hikers and [Ashuwillticook] Rail Trail travelers taking selfies or photos with the sculpture."
 
Tremblay felt the recognition was important to the community and will help spark a stronger sense of community pride and an interest in local history.
 
"With more recent attention surrounding the Mammoth Cheese, it feels like folks have a better feel for the incredible history and understand that it is a pretty big deal," he said. "... It's really great to find that this significant event in both the town's and country's history is very much appreciated by many across the pond."

Tags: cheshire cheese,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Cheshire Lays Off School Resource Officer

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — A veteran officer of the Police Department is out after his position as school resource officer was was basically eliminated. 
 
The Select Board on Thursday night voted to lay off Sgt. David Tarjick after the Hoosac Valley Regional School District requested he not return to the high school campus. 
 
An investigation had cleared him of an incident with a student but he went to the school prior to being officially reinstated.
 
The vote came after about 19 minutes of discussion and statements from Tarjick, who had requested the posted executive session be opened. 
 
"I love this town. I've given my all to this town, and I guess this is the thanks I get," Tarjick said. He said he was being made a "scapegoat" because of threats of a lawsuit.
 
The 18-year veteran of the force was accompanied by his attorney and nearly three dozen supporters who were not allowed to speak on his behalf. Public participation was not listed on the agenda as the meeting had been for executive session.
 
The initial incident had involved a complaint of the use of force with a student; according to Tarjick and officials, a third-party investigation cleared him of any allegations. The Select Board at an executive session on Nov. 12 voted to reinstate him as he had been relieved of his duties as SRO during this period. 
 
View Full Story

More Cheshire Stories