New Logo
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND - Old Creamery Tastings

Alice Cozzolino and Mark Bevan, with assistance from many of us, will be re-instituting the Creamery Tasting Series this winter.

 

The schedule:

  • Sunday, February 9, 7:00 p.m.: Chocolate Tasting  Click HERE for Chocolate details 
  • Sunday, March 9, 7:00 p.m.: Olive Oil Tasting
  • Sunday, April 13, 7:00 p.m.: Vinegar Tasting
  • Sunday, May 18, 7:00 p.m.: Beer Tasting - Mark Bevan
  • Sunday, June 8, 7:00 p.m.: Cheese Tasting (Alice and Peter)

Tastings begin at 7:00. The store, including the deli, will remain open until 7:30, though the west entrance will be closed. The caf� will be closed for seating after 6:45, other than for tasting participants.

 

PRE-REGISTER BY CALLING THE STORE AT 634-5560,

BY E-MAILING [email protected],

OR IN PERSON WITH A CASHIER AT THE CREAMERY.

___________________________________________________________
ATTENTION MEMBER-OWNERS WHO COULD NOT MAKE IT TO APPRECIATION DAY Did the ice keep you away on Appreciation Day? Although it was festive in the store for those who were able to get here for Saturday's member-owner appreciation day, over 80% of you were not able to do so. If you were one of those people please come and take advantage of a 10% off* single shopping trip anytime this Saturday or Sunday. The cashiers have a check list of member-owners who have not yet had an opportunity to exercise this benefit.

 

Thank you for being member owners of the Co-op. We appreciate all of your support. 

 

*Exceptions: tobacco, alcohol, newspapers, and the Little Gallery are not included in member-owner discounts.
___________________________________________________________
Florence Savings Bank held a ribbon cutting Saturday for the recently installed Smart ATM at the Old Creamery. Many people from the community, the co-op board and staff, and the bank were on hand. Brief remarks were offered by Peter Feitner, Co-op board chairperson, and State Representative (and Co-op member-owner) Stephen Kulik. Peter highlighted the value of the Co-op's relationship with Florence Savings on many levels, and Representative Kulik spoke about the Creamery's important role in Hilltown life and what a great convenience the new ATM is as a time and fuel saver for many of us.

Pictured left to right - Doug Baker, Williamberg Branch Manager, Florence Savings. Representative Kulik. Michael Kalagher, Co-op GM, Peter Feitner, Co-op Board Chair (scissors in hand) and Nancy Mirkin, Vice President, Commercial Lending Florence Savings.
___________________________________________________________
We Need Your Opinions
Last week we launched a Customer Survey that over 200 people have already responded to. It only takes five minutes and you can enter a drawing for a $25 Creamery gift certificate for filling it out. The survey will be closed at the end of January.
LINK HERE to let us know what you think.
___________________________________________________________

January is Oatmeal Month

The cold dark mornings of January are the perfect ones for a warm, creamy bowl of porridge. We carry both traditional porridge (oat cereals in Steel-Cut, Scottish cut, Irish, Rolled, Quick, Bran and Gluten-free in "instant" plain and flavors) and many alternatives from creamy wheat and buckwheat to 6 grain hot cereals.  All of these are delicious served or made with your favorite milk, dried or fresh fruit and a little local honey or maple syrup.  

 

Always in a rush first thing in the morning? You can prepare your breakfast ahead of time by making your own "instant oats" or soaking your oats overnight. To make a batch of instant oatmeal mix thoroughly 3 cups of quick oats with 1 cup of almond meal and a handful of chopped dried fruit such as apples, apricots, currants or raisins, and a teaspoon of cinnamon. To prepare, add just enough boiling water to about 1/2 cup of cereal to make a thick slurry (a little more or less depending on how you like your cereal) in a bowl and wait 5 minutes. Stir and serve with milk and a little sweetener. Store extra in an airtight container. If you prefer the texture of thicker cut oats such as Scottish or steel-cut porridges- you can soak them overnight (with or without a little yogurt to help break down the tough outer husk) and cut the 40 minute cooking time by more than half. Always start your morning with a good healthy breakfast and stay warm!

___________________________________________________________

Cheese of the week


This week's tasting cheese is Red Leicester, originally made by Thomas Hoe Stevenson in the late 1800s. Thomas Hoe was one of the original cheese makers from the Vale of Belvoir, who made cheese on Mount Pleasant farm near Molton Mowbray.  

 

Red Leicester has a firm texture and is a bit flaky or crumbly and quite red in color. The reddish orange color comes from adding tasteless annatto seed dye, derived from a South American plant. This cow's milk cheese is cheddar like and is great for grating and a good choice for use on toast or on a baked potato. Red Leicester is also famous for making the perfect Welsh rarebit due to its exceptional melting qualities. The flavor is lemony, slightly sweet with a nutty caramelized finish. Come on the Saturday and have a taste!

 

Bring some home and try it with a full-bodied white wine. Vouvray would be our recommendation. We think you'll enjoy it. Thanks and hope to see you this Saturday.

___________________________________________________________
Stay in touch, tell us what you think, and help where you can.

 

For questions about Co-op membership, product requests, 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.

  

The Co-op has an email list of over 50 volunteers who are available for occasional requests for assistance. If you can help out from time to time please send an email to [email protected]. We will let you know when we have a need and you can respond when it works for you. 

 

If you'd like to contact the Co-op's general manager, send an email to [email protected].   

 

If you'd like to contact the Co-op's Board of Directors, send an email to [email protected].   

___________________________________________________________

Help us spread the word! Encourage 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.  

___________________________________________________________

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.

 

 

Please pass this message on to your friends  

and encourage them to join our mailing list.

 

Click here if you would like to become a Member-Owner  

 

Like us on Facebook 

     

Quick Links

Creamery Specials and Sales                    Bulk Purchase Program  

___________________________________________________________

445 Berkshire Trail

Cummington, Massachusetts 01026

413.634.5560