What’s Happening at The Cheese Shop,
March, 2010

As the days grow longer, and the sun shines warmer, we begin to get ourselves ready for spring.  I always get a smile on my face when I lock the door at 5:30 in the light of the sun.  My girls and I had a wonderful trip to DisneyWorld, the weather was cool, but not cold, and we had no rain.  We rode all the rides, and one night caught an amazing performance of Cirque du Soleil. I got my picture taken with my third favorite princess, Ariel the Mermaid, who flattered me by remembering me from last year. It was nice to be away for a few days, and The Shop ran just fine without me.  I am so lucky to have such self sufficient and competent staff.  At the end of February, we said goodbye to Catherine who leaves for Italy for a year-long culinary arts program in northern Italy.  We will miss her, but she assures us she will return for a brief stay behind the Cheese counter in December.

Vermont Sheep Dairies in Trouble
Effective in February, the US Food and Drug Administration mandated that all sheep’s milk be tested with a newly validated antibiotic test kit.  The sheeps’ milk kit is only available from ONE company- there are five options for cows’ and goats’ milk producers.  The sheeps milk kit will cost each of Vermont’s sheep dairies and cheesemakers $4700- the cows’ and goats’ milk kits cost just $200.  Why only one validated test? Because only one testing company participated in the study!  If you want to help, visit www.ruralvermont.org and sign up for their mailing list, noting “sheep dairies” in the area of interest.

Friday Night Dinner Club
Justin has done a magnificent job of creating new and exciting Friday Night Dinner Club menus.  This month he mixed it up a bit, with everything from an Italian theme with homemade pasta, to a Spring welcoming leg of lamb.  Each menu features some of our different cheeses and, as always, promises a wonderful night of dining “in”.  This month’s menu is available here

Cheese Classes
This spring, we again teamed up with Middlesex Community College for The Art of Cheese. The fun class lasts 2 hours, and includes some pretty handouts, and over a dozen cheeses to taste.  I hope to impart the basic understanding of the different kinds of cheese.  I break the complexities down to 5 families, and we taste a few in each family.  I love holding it here at The Shop, because when I go off on a tangent (which I am overly prone to do) all my props are right at hand.  Classes are offered on Wednesday, March 10, and again on Tuesday, May 4th.  It is limited to 12 or so students, and sold out the last few times, so call 1-800-818-3434 to register with MCC.

They’re Back….
Artisan Biscuits from Derbyshire, UK were a staff and customer favorite a few years ago, but then the source for these wonderful treats dried up.  But Armine found them again, this time from a new importer.  It is an all butter English biscuit, each infused with two elegant flavors.  We have the Honey & Almond, the Ginger & Lemon, and my favorite, Coconut & Lime.  We’d love any excuse to open a box, so please
ask for a sample.

Mrs. Crimble’s Macaroons
Forall of our customers who need gluten and wheat free goodies, Armine found a wonderful chocolate covered macaroon.  Packed 6 macaroons to a box, we always have
some open for tasting. 

Concord Residents- Town Meeting Warrant Articles
There are four warrant articles that are of special concern to us.  Three would raise taxes to supply additional revenues to the Town in order to fund a larger Town budget, and the other challenges the sophisticated look of our downtown.  

Article 31 would increase meals tax from 6.25% to 7%, adding to the cost of dining or lunching in Concord.
 
Article 32 would increase room occupancy tax from 4 % to 6 %, making it even more expensive for travelers to spend time in Concord and support our local merchants.

Article 33 would begin the process of adopting a local income tax on residents of Concord. 

Article 56 would change the sign bylaw, and among other things, allow the use of A-frame signs in front of businesses.  I wonder what Walden Street would look like if there were a couple dozen signs filling the sidewalk with advertising noise. 

If you are a Concord resident, I encourage you to attend town meeting onApril 26 and have your voice heard. 

Facebook and Twitter
Every day, we post the daily lunch specials on Facebook.  I am trying to get itontoTwitter as well, but it has been more of a challenge than I have taken the time to overcome, but I am still working on it.  Now, I “tweet”  when there is a wine tasting, or something special going on.  We are up to almost 600 fans on Facebook, and 50 followers on Twitter.  Amazing!

Spring will be here soon, despite the snow that fell this morning.  I am hopeful that the overall economic environment will improve, and I hope it hasn’t affected you and yours.  Thanks for making The Cheese Shop a part of your life’s experience.  We love what we do, and enjoy sharing it with others.  Thanks also for checking in on us, and next time you come by the shop, please let me know you are reading this, just so I stay motivated to keep writing.

See you soon!

~ Peter S. Lovis