Where would Wisconsin Brie without cheese?
The Door County Historical Society is excited to announce their first program of 2019: Wisconsin Cheese & Door County Cheese Factories. The two-part program will benefit the DCHS Endowment Fund and is slated for February 23rd at Stone Harbor Resort. The first program begins at 11am.
Jim Pionkoski is the first presenter of the day and he will be talking all about Wisconsin Cheese! A little over 10 years ago, Jim entered his first cheese factory. It was there that he learned that Wisconsin makes some of the best cheeses in the world. In fact, over a third of World Champion Cheeses come from Wisconsin each year! And, every Master Cheese Maker in the U.S. is in Wisconsin. When Jim returned home to Milwaukee, he found that he couldn’t get the World Champion cheese he had just tried. After investigating even further, Jim discovered the same lack of availability for most Wisconsin Cheeses. So, he started WisconsinCheeseMasters.Com with a mission to introduce the highest quality Wisconsin Cheese to the rest of the country.
Following lunch, Don Rudolph will present “Cheese Factories of Door County” and discuss the evolution of dairy farming in Door County. It is a riveting story—one filled with excitement, intrigue, success, disappointment, failure, and even some criminal activity. At the height of the cheese factory era, there were 35 cheese factories and five creameries operating in Door County; some operations lasted decades and some only a few months. Don’s family has been in Door County since 1869, and he has been intrigued by local history since he was a young boy.
The Saturday, February 23 luncheon includes chicken dumpling soup, greens salad, pasta salad, deli meats and cheese, rolls and condiments, pie, and beverages. The luncheon and programs will be held at Stone Harbor Resort, located at 107 N. 1st Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. Luncheon and program fees are $32 for members and $35 for guests. Please plan to arrive a few minutes early for check in and seating; the first program begins at 11:00 am and lunch is served around 12 noon. Reservations can be made by sending payment to the Door County Historical Society, P.O. Box 71, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. The reservation deadline is Monday, February 18. All proceeds benefit the DCHS Endowment Fund.
For further information, contact the Door County Historical Society at (920) 421-2332 or doorcountyhistory@gmail.com.