New Logo


 

Mayhem to Marvelous, in 7 Short Months...Actually, 3 Long Years!

 

And we are ALMOST to marvelous, everyone! These past seven months of renovation mayhem, since we have become a co-op, have been a trial for all of us, but in the best possible way, one that reveals once again how well we can come together as a community to get things done. We've had an incredible outpouring of support and volunteerism, and we just couldn't have come this far without you, so thanks to all who have helped in any and every large or small way.

 

And heads up! We are about to embark on the most intense week, to my mind anyway, of renovation. We will be closing the kitchen at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, to allow staff to prepare for the relocation of the kitchen and deli, complete with new cabinets and equipment. On Wednesday, while the kitchen remains closed, the wonderful work crew will work more miracles.

 

We expect to have coffee (as long as we don't run into any glitches when we install the brewer), but please know that the availability of prepared foods from our kitchen will be very minimal Tuesday through Thursday. Our dedicated Creamery staff will begin cookin' up the usual delights as soon as the new kitchen is set up.

 

During this hubbub we will again rely on volunteers to help assemble the last few rows of new shelving and take down the last of the old shelving. We still need two additional volunteers to assist us on Tuesday at 3 p.m., and two more volunteers to assist us on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with removing products from shelves and placing them on the new shelving. If you can help, please let us know in advance (preferably no later than Monday evening), so we know if we have these needs covered. Advance notice is very helpful! Contact Shirley Todd, our volunteer coordinator, to sign up at [email protected].

 

I want to remind everyone that there are many more changes and improvements to come as we begin to settle into the expanded space. And that the way things have been set up during these past few weeks is not the way they will be by the end of June, when we expect building renovations to be substantially complete. For example, that shelving unit so close to the checkout stand is only temporary. The remarkable support among staff and customers alike has allowed us to remain open during renovations.

 

And I want to thank you for your immense patience in trying to find what you are looking for. If you can't find an item, it's likely in a black plastic tote, so please don't hesitate to ask. Today I located chocolate caramels for a young child and Ball canning jar lids for another customer. We are willing to look!  

 

The lovely rain comes down -- local produce is out in the farmers' fields absorbing all this water, and we at the Creamery Co-op are absorbing all your ooohs and ahhhs as you begin to see the new store design take shape. We look forward to the sunny (we hope) day when we can all celebrate what we have accomplished. Stay tuned for the date of this celebratory Grand Opening -- there will be music and merriment, hugs and kudos, smiles and gustatory delights for all!

 

Have a safe Memorial Day weekend, everyone....summer is on its way!

 

Yours in cooperative spirit,

Karen, your general manager

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What the Heck! Where Is ... ?

Our new phone system is only partially installed. We know some of your calls have been disconnected, and we apologize for any frustration you have experienced as we learn the new system. Soon you will be able to leave a voice message for specific departments if no one is there to take your call. Again, thanks for your patience with this change; the new phones are a bit more complex, and we are all trying hard to learn the proper buttons to push.

 

The sustainability group has been meeting to make sure our systems for composting and recycling will be everything we want them to be, and be easy for customers to know how to sort. Remember to bring back your Bagshare bags, as the system only works if you do!

 

By the way, we have received a few questions about where the greeting cards have gone. After twenty years in the business, Berkshire Cards has decided to close its doors. We will continue to stock cards from our local artists. And the Little Gallery pottery will be back just as soon as we can ensure it will not get knocked down and bumped around by the renovation process.

 

We are also designing a new wooden produce display. And the bulk herbs, spices, beans, nuts, dried fruits, and coffees will all have a new home that will be easy to shop. We expect delivery next week of new bulk displays.

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Cheese of the Week

This weekend's sampling cheese is Willoughby from Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, Vermont. Willoughby Made from the milk of Vermont cows, Willoughby is the washed rind version of Jasper Hill's bloomy rind Moses Sleeper cheese. Willoughby is incredibly creamy, nutty, and complex. To learn more about this stupendous cheese, click on the photo.

 

C'mon down to the Creamery this Saturday to sample this wonderful cheese. Remember, we'll take 10 percent off the regular price all day!

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Step Right Up! Get Yer Free Fax Machine!

The Creamery Co-op has a working fax machine, free for the taking. It's a Canon Faxphone B640 "Bubble Jet Facsimile." If you're interested, send Karen an email at [email protected].

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Location Change for Bob Miller's Life Celebration

As we reported here last week, there will be a life celebration for Bob Miller of Worthington this Sunday, May 26. Originally it was to be at the Worthington Golf Club with a potluck following at Carol's house. Carol has canceled the Worthington Golf Club and will now have the celebration at her house at 1:30 on Sunday (210 Williamsburg Road, Worthington). She will be providing a barbecue and is asking that everyone bring a side dish to share or a drink. Wine or beer would be much appreciated!
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Hearings Set for Massachusetts GMO-Labeling Legislation

The Massachusetts Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health has scheduled a June 11 hearing, "Food Safety, Nutrition and Labeling," where three bills will be discussed related to the mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs). Momentum is building!  

 

Massachusetts Right to Know GMOs, an emerging statewide network of safe food advocates that has been helping to increase awareness and support for labeling of GMO ingredients, invites you to join them at the hearing in Boston on Tuesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. to make your voice heard. For more information and to learn about a June 3 hearing in Spencer, click here.

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You Can Help Bees Survive on Earth

Bees are essential for one of three bites of food we eat, from almonds to soybeans to strawberries -- but they're in trouble. Last winter, beekeepers reported losses of 50 to 70 percent of their hives, the worst year yet since the global bee die-off began. Pests, diseases, and changing climate have all contributed to this die-off, but a growing body of scientific evidence points to the most widely used pesticide on the planet, neonicotinoids (neonics), as main culprit behind this crisis.

 

Neonics aren't just used on commercial crops. These toxic pesticides are on the shelf at your local garden store. Some products labeled "bee friendly" actually contain bee-killing pesticides!

 

Friends of the Earth asks you to add your voice to an effort to get Home Depot, Lowe's, and other garden-supply stores to stop selling products containing neonics. To be heard, click here.

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Spinning, Fiber Style 

The Old Creamery's Community Calendar is your place to post, and check for, happenings in the Hilltowns. The Community Calendar can be found on the Old Creamery's website under "News & Events." You can click on any event in the calendar to pop up an expanded information box. For instance, click here to see the listing for this weekend's Massachusetts Fibershed Spin-in at the Cummington Fairgrounds. 

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Stay in Touch! We Love to Hear from You!

For questions about Co-op membership, product requests, or suggestions or other feedback, please send a note to [email protected]. We'll make sure your note is sent to the appropriate person and that you get a prompt response.

 

If you'd like to contact the Co-op's Board of Directors, simply send your email to [email protected]. Emails sent to this address are received only by the board.

 

To reach Karen Doherty, the Co-op's general manager, send an email to [email protected]. Emails sent to this address are received only by Karen.

 

If you're thinking of becoming a valued volunteer of the Co-op, you can reach Shirley Todd, volunteer coordinator, at [email protected]. There are many opportunities for volunteers. Emails sent to this address go directly to Shirley.

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Help us spread the word! Consider encouraging your friends to sign on to receive the Creamery's weekly email newsletter. Better yet, encourage them to become member-owners of the Co-op. You can forward this email to your friends and relatives (for best results, use the "Forward email" link in the white space at the bottom of this page). Rest assured, we won't clog their inboxes and we will respect their privacy. We will not disclose your or their email addresses to anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time. Thank you for your interest, commitment, and support.  

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Many items are on sale every week at the Creamery. Look for the brightly colored shelf tags. These items are 15%-45% off regular prices. We work hard to find bargains on many different items, including staple groceries, treats like chocolate, juices, refrigerated items, personal care products, and supplements. The shelf tags indicate when the sale price expires. Some sale items are one-time opportunities that remain on sale until sold out. Many are purchasing opportunities that can be replenished over several weeks at great prices. Enjoy the savings!
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Your continued patronage supports the ongoing success of our community-owned, values-based cooperative. Thank you for supporting the Old Creamery Co-op as a member-owner, as a shopper, as a friend. We value every contribution to the success of the Old Creamery Co-op.

 

 

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Quick Links

Creamery Specials and Sales                    Bulk Purchase Program  

445 Berkshire Trail

Cummington, Massachusetts 01026

413.634.5560