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Co-cycle Pedals a Powerful Idea at the Old Creamery
-Cate Cook, 2013 Co-cycle rider
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The idea smacks of genius. How much of that genius is inspiration and how much is perspiration is for you to decide. A band of rugged cyclists from varied backgrounds, with unique professional interests, set out on a 4,000 mile bicycle journey to learn about different co-operative models across the country. All along the way, they learn more and more what it means to live and operate collectively.
Co-cycle, created in 2012, "The Year of the Co-op," decided to continue its mission to "Empower Cyclists, United Co-ops" in 2013. This year, eight cyclists began their educational odyssey on June 5 in Seattle, WA and will be rolling into Boston, MA on August 26. In between, they've been stopping at many different types of co-ops in diverse industries, from health care to agriculture to retail. The Old Creamery is honored to host the Co-cycle team for lunch today, Friday, August 23. Old Creamery members and patrons will get the chance to speak with these dedicated seekers and to ask questions about their epic tour.
As explained on Co-cycle's website, "Through collectively run and organized bike tours, Co-cycle facilitates an experiential learning environment in which emerging leaders develop confidence and skills in collaboration, organization, and cycling. By directly interacting with cooperatives, Co-cycle strengthens co-op networks and builds awareness of and support for the cooperative movement and its capacity to catalyze social change."
Although an exact time for their arrival is difficult to pin down (Co-cycle is human-powered, after all...), once the riders have caught their breath, they will be discussing their novel undertaking with Old Creamery supporters. Visit their website to read about this, or last, year's journey. Come by to hear about what Co-cycle has learned about co-op successes across the nation. You might be amazed to find out what the riders have learned about living together collectively, non-stop, for 4,000 miles!
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Fresh Food Explosion!
It's all here--really too much to list. Local fruits and vegetables that tempt the palate by tempting the eyes are available now in assortments that challenge the chef in us to create a seasonal sensation.
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Veggie Explosion |
Both the bell type and the Asian varieties of eggplant from Hadley are gorgeous, and affordable, centerpieces in a shopping basket.
Native Cummington Corn makes for the perfect barbecue companion (or perhaps the star of your fresh salsa recipe?)
Greens from various hop, skip, and a jump locales include lacinato kale, rainbow chard, and turnip greens. Ever wonder when a great, unlikely time to enjoy chard is? How about at breakfast! A rainbow chard omelet with sliced Sungold tomatoes from Ashfield (and maybe some Feta cheese...) makes for a unique, light, and healthy start to a summer weekend morning.
Of course, no one would blame you for pairing that omelet with some baby potatoes from Worthington--maybe let's call it brunch...
Some of our most long-awaited items hide from sight all year, of course. Local garlic and onions have finally graced our shelves, and, combined with freshly picked hot peppers, the mind tends to wander back to the aforementioned fresh salsa...
Peaches, blueberries, and other representatives of the fruits and berries universe are also here at the Old Creamery, of course. But as with the veggies, all supplies are limited. Come early this weekend for the best selection!
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The Home Stretch
Our outside renovations are nearing completion. This week the new ADA-compliant sidewalk was poured on the west side of the store. (Look at the base of the building in the photo to appreciate the gradually sloping walk.)
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We also installed a tiered system where we can display plants and plant starts at various times of year. This new entrance will be fully functional later this week. Meanwhile, on the east side, the bottle shed has been moved, the old pavement has started to be removed, the manhole covers are being raised, the grade is being raised, and the back bank and extended parking is nearing completion.
Next week we will be pouring concrete footings on the east side and the week after we will start constructing the outside dining area. Wow!
Oh, and when the entrance on the east side is finished, not only do we look forward to a vibrant outside dining experience, it will also include become our primary ADA-compliant access, home of the new Florence Savings Bank 24 hour ATM and an outdoor service window.
The big dig is nearly over, and except for a few cosmetic touches inside; we will finally be able to think about celebrating our accomplishments together. As always, thanks for your patience and support. We look forward to sharing more celebratory photos over the next few weeks.
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Cheese of the Week
Shropshire Blue
As we were considering returning Stateside for the Cheese of the Week tasting this Saturday, an important news bulletin came in about Shropshire Blue from the Colston Bassett & District Dairy. This spreadable cheese was just announced on Monday as a winner of a "Great Taste" Top 50 award for 2013. Regarded as the "Oscars" of the British food world, this summer-long ceremony chooses the best of the best in all categories of food and libations.
Do we know how to pick our cheeses, or what? We selected this cheese for you waaaaay before some panel of 405 judges had to tell us how good it was. The distributor, Neal's Yard Dairy, describes Shropshire Blue as a "creamy, savoury cheese with a slight yeasty bite from the blueing."
"Great Taste" goes further, "This traditional creamy blue is made from pasteurised cows' milk and has a distinctive orange body and a milder flavour than Stilton, for which Colston Bassett is best known. Each cheese is matured for 6-8 weeks to make a product that judges thought was 'divine.'"
Supplies of this "divine" cheese are limited, so come by this Saturday to sample it, and take home some Shropshire Blue at 10 percent off all day. Vegetarians take note: animal-based rennet.
Fun Wikipedia fact! The origin of the name "Shropshire" is the Old English "Scrobbesbyrigscīr" (can you pronounce that?), which means, literally, Shrewsburyshire.
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Garden Tip
Next Year's Seeds, End of the Season Prices
Now is the time that many gardeners are a little burned out. All the planning. All the soil preparation. All the weeding. Even some avid horticulturalists get to the end of August and think, "Okay, I'm ready to be done now." Understandable. But now is actually the very best time to make notes for next year.
Right now, gardeners have the clearest recollection of what worked and what didn't. You tried some new varieties of vegetables that either wow-ed you or disappointed you. And now is a great time to record those experiences in a garden journal.
For those of you who are already thinking about next year's planting, may we suggest that you take a look at our selection of half-priced Fedco seeds from 2013. Fedco is member-driven co-op from Maine that supplies discriminating gardeners with seeds, tubers, trees, bushes, and more.
If you buy 2013 seeds here at the Old Creamery, it's like your giving yourself permission to buy even more in 2014 with the money you save! Most seeds can be frozen and used the next year with satisfactory germination rates, and if you can save 50% on next year's paste tomato seeds, why not?! Look in the produce section for the boxes of great seed savings.
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Deadline for Applications for Board of Directors
AUGUST 23!
Our Co-op will have its first annual meeting in mid-October (stay tuned for the exact date) and this meeting will include the first member-owner election of the Co-op's board! Our business is governed by a volunteer board of directors (minimum of 6 and maximum of 9 directors). So far we have 8 candidates who are interested, willing, and able to serve. We'd love to be able to put forth a full slate.
The Co-op's nominating committee encourages anyone interested in running for election to contact us. The deadline for applications is August 23rd. We will be preparing a slate of nominees by mid-September for distribution to all member-owners. Board recruitment will be a perennial activity for our Co-op.
Why consider this opportunity now? A long time Creamery staffer, founding member-owner and current board member provides her thoughts:
"Board work can be time-consuming, complex, and, at times, difficult. It requires a serious commitment to responsible stewardship to ensure that our member-owners loyalty, love and investment in our little Creamery Co-op are properly cared for.
I'll tell you why I am a member-owner. Being a member owner, for me, is, oddly, an act of faith. This little rural store supports more than 30 jobs and families and, as importantly, supports more than 100 small farm families and growers, potters and poets, makers of soaps and sauces. This little co-op offers a way for folks to stay in the hilltowns, young folks to move here or back here, to have a place to sell their meat from small herds, local eggs and vegetables, it's a way of preserving what we have and offering a future to a rural way of life.
"When you become member owner, you support not just one small store, you support a whole community. This is the 99% owning our own store, about changing the world we dreamed of in our youth, made real in lumber and stone and heart and soul. When you become a member, you become that pebble in the pond that ripples out to an entire community; you become what sustains us and offers us a future."
-- Patty Kimura
An informational packet about the board responsibilities and application process can be obtained by clicking here.
The Co-op nominating committee members are happy to talk with you about this great way to support your Co-op. And we'd be happy to talk with you about opportunities to help the Co-op by participating in the work of our standing committees: Finance, Nominating, Outreach, and Personnel.
Kimberly Longey - kimberly@oldcreamery.coop
Hattie Plehn - hattie@oldcreamery.coop
Susi Westwood - susi@oldcreamery.coop
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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 info@oldcreamery.coop. 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 board@oldcreamery.coop. 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 gm@oldcreamery.coop. 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 volunteer@oldcreamery.coop. 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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