Each year, Christmastime brings friends and family together from near and far. All across the state, we gather for traditions of baking cookies, visiting Santa, and watching Christmas movies. My family began my favorite Christmas tradition before I can even remember- the tradition of our Christmas tree. Visiting a local Christmas tree farm to browse, select, and cut down our tree is an annual event that never gets missed. The Tree Farm Over the years, we have visited several Wisconsin Christmas tree farms. With over 800 in the state, there certainly are plenty to choose from! Supporting local tree farms supports local jobs, even beyond November and December. Throughout the year, the trees need to be planted, sheared, kept pest free, and more. This year, we visited Stricker’s Tree Farm, just outside of Stoughton. They have been growing Christmas trees for over twenty years, and currently maintain 72 acres. The Hunt The tree hunt is the best part. We walk through the field of trees, often splitting up to see who can find the perfect tree first. In Wisconsin, several varieties of Christmas trees are grown. The principle varieties are Balsam Fir, Fraser Fir, Canaan Fir, White Pine and Spruce. Trees are typically planted in rows with six foot spacing between trees, leaving room to walk through and browse the trees. Sometimes our hunt can take a while, but we always manage to find just the right tree. My personal preference? I love full, chubby trees! Cutting, Hauling, and Hot Cider After we have found the perfect tree, it’s time to cut it down. No chainsaws here, just a standard hand saw. Dad will get the cut started, but then we all take our turn cutting part of the tree. The secret? Slow, even sawing. Next up, we haul the tree up to the shaker. It works best if you bring a tarp to haul the tree on, protecting the branches from the uneven ground. Our tree will then be shaken or pounded on a wood block to remove all of the dry needles. While we wait, we warm up with a glass of hot cider. This year was not too cold, but some years, the cider helps to thaw our frozen hands. The Decorations When we get the tree home, Dad sets it up in the stand and we bring it in the house. As a general rule, your tree stand should provide one quart of water per one inch of stem diameter. If you choose a pre-cut tree at the Christmas tree farm, it is best to remove a ¼-inch disk of wood from the base of the trunk before placing your tree in the stand. This will help the tree live longer and stay greener. Once the tree is up, we decorate. Many of my favorite ornaments are handmade, and bring back memories of my childhood. It is a magical tradition. There is something special about spending time together, out on the farm (though we have one of those at home), surrounded by the smell of evergreens. Selecting a real, farm-grown Wisconsin Christmas tree is a sustainable choice that support local farmers and truly builds memories for a lifetime.

There are few things in life that go together better than artisan wines and cheese. Lucky for us Wisconsin residents, our state is home to both. Picturesque wineries dot landscapes across our state, complete with vineyards and orchards alike. Visiting these wineries is the perfect way to truly experience Wisconsin’s incredible variety of wines. Of course, when it comes to high quality cheese, there simply is no better place than Wisconsin. Our cheesemaking heritage began before we were even a state, and to date, our Wisconsin cheesemakers have won more than 5,500 awards. Pairing unique Wisconsin wines with fine Wisconsin cheese is the perfect match. But which wines should you pair with which cheeses? With help from the Wisconsin Winery Association, I’ve put together a list of grate cheeses, and suggestions for wine pairings. Hoard’s Dairyman Farm Creamery Belaire A relatively new cheese on the market, Belaire cheese is made from pure Guernsey milk on the Hoard’s Dairyman farm. The Hoard’s Dairyman farm was started by former governor of Wisconsin, W. D. Hoard; and today his legacy lives on in the Guernsey cows that descend from his original herd. The Belair cheese is a Port Salut-style variety that has a creamy, soft texture. Pair Belaire with a dry white or a sparkling wine. Marieke Young Gouda Each batch of Marieke Gouda cheeses are hand-crafted with pride and passion. Cheesemaker Marieke Penterman uses an old world recipe from her homeland, the Netherlands, to transform the fresh raw-milk from her family farm into creamy, rich Marieke Gouda. Their Gouda is available in 13 flavors, some of which rotate in and out seasonally. The Young Gouda for a buttery, mild flavor. Pair Young Gouda with a sweet white or sweet red wine. Widmer’s Cheese Cellars Mild Cheddar Widmer’s Cheese Cellars has been handcrafting cheese in small batches since 1922. Today, the fourth generation owns and operates the cheese factory in Theresa. They produce a variety of cheeses such as pepper cheddar, aged brick, or cheddar. Their mild cheddar has a rich, nutty flavor and a smooth, firm texture. Though cheddar is usually golden in color, their cheddars are also available in white. Pair Mild Cheddar with non-grape wines such as a berry wine, Mead (honey wine) or even a hard cider. Learn more about Wisconsin-made wines from the Wisconsin Winery Association at wiswine.com. Discover what separates Wisconsin cheese from the rest at wisconsincheese.com.

Have you ever admired a fancy cheese board on social media and thought, “There is no way I could make that. Where would I even begin?” Well confession, even I have had those thoughts! That’s why I started small, and put together my first ever all-Wisconsin cheese board! I began with just a board and blocks of cheese, and ended up with a photo-worthy product. Check out below how I went from point A to point B quick and easy. The Board First, select your vehicle for the cheese and goodies. You can choose from wood, marble or slate boards. A slate board can be fun because chalk can be used to label cheeses that guest may be unfamiliar with. I chose a wood cutting board, in the shape of Wisconsin, of course! The Cheeses Good, Wisconsin cheeses are essential to the perfect all-Wisconsin cheese board. Aim for at least three varieties of cheese. If you plan to make a larger board for a big family gathering, you can add in more varieties. Also, be sure to think about texture when making your selection. You will want diversity here, too. My cheese board includes one sliced cheese, one crumbly cheese, and one spreadable cheese. Here’s the cheeses I used: Sliced Rounds - Baby Swiss from Chalet Cheese Cooperative Chalet Cheese Cooperative may best be known for producing the famous “stinky” cheese, limburger, but their baby Swiss is an international award-winner. Baby Swiss has buttery, slightly sweet flavor, with a creamy texture, and sliced perfectly for my cheese board. Chalet Cheese is a dairy farmer-owned cooperative located in the heart of cheese country in Monroe. Sliced Triangles - Medium Cheddar from Widmer's Cheese Cellars Widmer’s has been handcrafting cheese in small batches since 1922. Today, the fourth generation owns and operates the cheese factory in Theresa. Their medium cheddar is a crowd favorite, and a 'grate' addition to your cheeseboard. Crumbled - EWEmazing from Eckerman Sheep Company The Eckerman Sheep Company first began producing cheese from their flock of sheep over 100 years ago! Their cheeses, sold under the label: Phlox Farms Cheese, are rich, smooth and creamy. Made from original recipes, they are great for snacking, hour d’oeuvres and gourmet pairings with wines. Their Ewemazing is a bold, Italian style cheese. Spreadable – Port Wine from Pine River Pre-Pack Every time I bring these Pine River Pre-Pack cheese spreads to a party, they are an instant hit! Their Port Wine variety is the perfect balance of creamy Wisconsin aged Cheddar and sweet, fruity port wine. Pine River Pre-Pack has deep roots in Wisconsin, as the Lindemann family has been in the dairy trade in our state since the 19th century. The Side Kicks After neatly arraigning my cheeses on the board, I needed to add in the ‘extras’. These accompaniments add flavor and pizazz to your presentation. I added crackers for the Port Wine cheese, and Rosemary Salt and Pepper Pecans from Sweet P’s Pantry. Lastly, finish off your board with a Wisconsin meat. You could choose cold cuts and roll or fold them on the board, or snack sticks diced for easy grabbing. Here’s the meat I used: Sliced – Original All Beef Sticks from Dreamy 280 Meats Dreamy 280 direct markets beef, all of which was raised on their farm. The Schlimgen family also grows a variety of crops on their land, which is used to feed their mixed herd of Angus and Shorthorn cattle. They offer all retail cuts, a flexible beef CSA program, and several hard-to-find specialty beef cuts. Their original all beef sticks are the perfect addition to your next cheese board. After assembly, take a photo and share your board with family and friends. Learn more about all of the companies featured on my cheeseboard at somethingspecialwi.com.

A true family company, Inthewoods Sugar Bush has been passed down for generations in the Wagner family. Together, their family mixes maple traditions with the latest technology to make their products. Their maple syrup is award winning, and has claimed multiple Best-in-Show and blue-ribbon awards. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, they tap approximately 1,300 maple trees each year. On average, these maple trees must be at least 40 years old before being tapped for the first time. Pure Wisconsin maple syrup is not only delicious on waffles and pancakes, but is also great for cooking and baking. The recipe below is made with pure maple syrup, giving the cookies great flavor and color. For the freshest taste, be sure to use real Wisconsin butter. Cooking and baking with local butter is a sustainable and smart choice for your family. Local products have a smaller carbon footprint and travel less distance from the farm, to your local store, and into your kitchen. And when it comes to irreplaceable flavor and texture, real butter makes a huge difference. Maple Sugar Cookies Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp. salt 1 cup Wisconsin butter ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup light brown sugar 1 large egg yolk ½ cup Inthewoods Pure Wisconsin Maple Syrup Directions Preheat oven to 325°F. Beat butter and sugars until pale and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and mix until fully combined. Repeat step with maple syrup, flour, and salt, mixing after each. Scoop dough, roll into a ball and place on lined baking sheet. Chill cookies until firm. Bake cookies for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned on edges. Cool for 5 minutes and transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Be sure to check your labels for local, Wisconsin butter, and order your pure Wisconsin maple syrup online from Inthewoods Sugar Bush. Both products are members of the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program, requiring at least half of the ingredients, production, or processing come from our state. You can often find products by searching for the red Something Special from Wisconsin logo on store shelves.

Inspired by Oprah, and her annual list of Favorite Things, I too have put together a list of my favorite Something Special from Wisconsin ‘things’ this year. The Something Special from Wisconsin program highlights high quality products grown and produced right here in our state. Businesses who take part in the program guarantee at least half of the ingredients, production or processing activities come from Wisconsin. Shop for the products on my list below, as well as hundreds more at somethingspecialwi.com. Snack All Season Long with Palo Popcorn When family and friends show up last minute this holiday season, set out a bowl of Palo Popcorn. Though caution, their popcorn is addicting! The creamy cheddar flavor is hard to resist, and I always find myself going back for another scoop. Palo Popcorn is a family-owned, small batch manufacturer based in Sheboygan Falls. Their recipe starts with real cheddar cheese, producing a gourmet cheddar popcorn experience like no other. Stock up on varieties like jalapeno cheddar, white cheddar maple bacon, or Mexican street corn to impress your next guests. (Or keep them all to yourself, because they are that good!) Smell Wonderful with soaps and lotions from Maple Hill Farm Gift boxes from Maple Hill Farm also make a perfect gift this holiday season! The main stars of their gift boxes? Sheep’s milk soap and lotion! You read that right – the milk for the soap and lotion comes from sheep that are milked right on the Michielson's family farm. Their farm, Maple Hill Farm, began with two lambs, and has since grown to a large flock of milking ewes. Their ewes are milked seasonally, twice a day. The farm holds some of their milk back from the milk truck to make artisan sheep milk soaps and lotions. Milk is frozen during milking season, to allow for production to continue year-round. Their soaps and lotions are handcrafted in small batches in over 10 different scents. Pick up a lavender, almond, or spearmint eucalyptus gift box for every stocking on your list. Shop for the Foodie with Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese Marinated fresh mozzarella balls from Crave Brothers Farmstead Cheese are a perfect gift any foodie on your list. Their fresh mozzarella balls, marinated in olive oil, canola oil, and Italian seasonings are savory and delectable. Each time I bring them out of the fridge, they quickly disappear. All of the cheese from Crave Brothers, including the marinated mozzarella balls, is handcrafted right on their family farm using only the freshest, high quality milk from their cows. Their cheeses are produced with great care and have earned over 100 national and international awards. Satisfy a Sweet Tooth with Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes Skip the dessert prep this season, and have Suzy and her team do the baking. Suzy Strothmann, president and founder of Suzy’s Cream Cheesecakes has been baking from scratch for as long as she can remember. Like many of us, baking reminds her of time spent in the kitchen with her mother. She began making and selling cheesecakes 36 years ago, and they quickly began flying off the shelves. Today, the number of cheesecakes baked in a day has grown, but the business’s core mission has never changed- to bake the finest cheesecake money can buy. Pick up a cheesecake from Suzy’s for your next holiday party! Showcase your Wisconsin Pride Support all of the Something Special from Wisconsin companies when you purchase program branded apparel. The new line of branded apparel and products is perfect for holiday gifting and everyday living. Choose from T-shirts and sweatshirts or mugs and traveler’s bags. Items are all branded with the familiar red, yellow and white Something Special from Wisconsin logo and can be bought and ordered online.

Original spice blends from Spark Spices can spark up any entrée, side dish, or appetizer this holiday season. Their spice-maker has 30 years of dried spice experience and works to create unique spice blends ensuring that your taste buds will spark! As a true family business, all aspects of preparing their product for sale is done by family members. Visit their website for great recipe ideas full of unique flavor experiences. I recently made their zesty snap cranberry dip, and it is now on my list to bring to every potluck! The short list of ingredients and simple directions make the dish easy to prepare last minute. When you shop, look for Wisconsin cream cheese, sour cream, and dried cranberries to truly showcase the flavors of our state. After all the ingredients are mixed together, the result is a perfect mixture of sweet and zesty. Check out the recipe below. Zesty Snap Cranberry Dip Ingredients 8 oz. cream cheese ½ cup sour cream ¼ cup dried Wisconsin cranberries 1½ TBS Spark Spices Zesty Snap seasoning Directions Blend cream cheese, sour cream and Zesty Snap seasoning together. Mix in dried cranberries. Order this Something Special from Wisconsin™ product online at sparkspices.com. The Something Special from Wisconsin program requires at least half of the ingredients, production, or processing come from Wisconsin. You can often find products by searching for the red Something Special from Wisconsin logo with yellow letters while shopping.

I am often asked, what makes Wisconsin agriculture so special? That answer is easy – the people who work in agriculture, and the diversity of agriculture industries in our state. From cranberries to cows and mint to maple syrup, the long list of food, fuel and fiber products grown and raised in our state is a true blessing. The meat industry is certainly one to be proud of in Wisconsin. Meat packing companies have a rich history in our state, including one very important team sponsorship by the Indian Packing Company that funded the start of our beloved Green Bay Packers. Today, a variety of meat processing companies can be found across the state. Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Meats and the Nueske family have been crafting smoked meats in Wisconsin since 1933. Still to this day, they use many original recipes. This third-generation family company has a great selection of sausages, beef, poultry, and bacon products. Adding flavor and variety to Wisconsin agriculture are companies like Polar Bear Kitchen. They handcraft seasonings and sauces to spice-up your holiday get-togethers. Their collection of sauces are great for barbecue or pretzel dip, and their dry rubs are perfect for baby back ribs. Gabe, the creative behind Polar Bear Kitchen’s flavors makes all of the products from scratch. Their flavors are top-notch, and several have won awards at an international level. This holiday season, take your cooking to the next level with the flavors from Polar Bear Kitchen. Of course, I must remember to mention cheese when writing about Wisconsin agriculture! With over 600 styles, types, and varieties of cheese made in our state, the diversity of cheeses alone is amazing. For example, only one state, and one cheese plant in the nation produces limburger cheese – Chalet Cheese Cooperative in Monroe. Best known for its infamous stinky aroma, Limburger cheese has German roots. It is a soft, ripened cheese with a creamy texture and a buttery, mild flavor. The best way to enjoy this cheese is the traditional way, sandwiched between dark rye bread with thickly-sliced, raw onion and pub mustard. Hidden below the surface of Wisconsin soil, you will find more agriculture diversity. Found mostly in the central part of the state, American ginseng roots have been cultivated in Wisconsin for more than 100 years. Today, 95 percent of our nation’s cultivated ginseng is grown in Wisconsin, on farms like Heil Ginseng Enterprises. Joe Heil and his team care for their ginseng roots from initial planting all the way to to final product. Their roots, capsules, and tea bags are high quality, and are in demand around the world. Diversity comes in the form of flavored condiments, too. Condiments from Madame Chu add a note of Southeast Asian flavor to traditional holiday dishes. Their products represent authentic flavors and techniques passed from generation to generation. Traditional Southeast Asian cooking can take many hours to arrive at just the right flavor, but the end result is uniquely delicious. Behind the Madame Chu brand name is Josey Chu, a Singapore native with a passion for cooking. Her collection showcases the diversity of cultures represented in Wisconsin food. All of these companies, though diverse, have one thing in common. They are all members of the Something Special from Wisconsin™ program. Participating members in the program guarantee at least half of the ingredients, production, or processing come from right here within our state. Browse and learn more about the diversity of Wisconsin agriculture companies at somethingspecialwi.com.

CTL Foods, Inc., a company from Colfax, provides the perfect ingredient for any dessert. They have been blending and packaging Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder for over 40 years. Thanks to real dairy ingredients in every batch, their malt has a premium, fresh malty taste. It is an award-winning product that took first place at the 2016 World Dairy Expo Championship Dairy Product Contest in the Innovative Products category. Add two heaping tablespoons of the malted milk powder to your favorite ice cream shake to make a malt, or bake with the rich flavor to make pumpkin malt bars, peanut butter malt bars, and more! Their recipe for Malty Puppy Chow is delicious, and *caution* it can be addicting! Substitute half of the powdered sugar in a traditional puppy chow recipe for a unique taste on a classic. Check out the recipe below. Malty Puppy Chow Ingredients 3/4 cup peanut butter 1 cup chocolate chips 1/4 cup Wisconsin butter 8 cups Crispix cereal 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup Soda Fountain® Malted Milk Powder *Add dried Wisconsin cranberries for an added Wisconsin flavor Directions Melt the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and butter together. Pour over the cereal in a large kettle or bowl and stir well. Pour the powdered sugar and malted milk powder into a large brown bag or plastic zip lock bag and add the cereal. Fold the bag to seal and shake well to coat evenly. Add dried cranberries if you choose. Keep in a cool, airtight container. Order this Something Special from Wisconsin™ product online at ctlfoods.com. The Something Special from Wisconsin program requires at least half of the ingredients, production, or processing come from Wisconsin. You can often find products by searching for the red Something Special from Wisconsin logo with yellow letters while shopping.

Kick off your holiday shopping this Thanksgiving weekend at the second annual Something Special from Wisconsin Holiday Market. The event, extended to two days this year, will run November 30 through December 1 in Johnson Creek. Mark the dates on your calendars to shop for unique, local Wisconsin-made gifts for everyone on your list. The holiday market, located at the Johnson Creek High School, is hosted by Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters and Café, and will feature some of Wisconsin’s finest products and services. Berres Brothers is a veteran-owned business, deeply rooted in their Watertown community. They are most known for their signature coffees, which are roasted and distributed right from Watertown. Popular varieties include Tres Rios, Highlander Grogg, and Packer Perc. Stop by their booth at the market to check off your coffee-loving friend from your holiday gift list. All participating business, including Berres Brothers, at the market must be members of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s program: Something Special from Wisconsin™. This program highlights products grown, raised, and produced in our state. To qualify, at least half of the value of the product must be attributable to Wisconsin ingredients, production or processing activities. Founded in 1983, the Something Special from Wisconsin program and logo bring recognition and credibility to Wisconsin products, building upon our reputation for providing the finest goods and services available. Program members benefit from having a "Wisconsin" brand identity that consumers recognize as top quality and high value. Participating products can easily be identified by the red, oval logo with white and yellow lettering. The Something Special from Wisconsin program truly has gifts for everyone. If you are shopping for friends or family with a sweet-tooth, be sure to visit Sweet P’s Pantry. They create award-winning toffee and chocolates, all made with Wisconsin butter. Based in Oconomowoc, Sweet P’s Pantry makes all of their artisan confections by hand. In 2016, their Rosemary Salt and Pepper Pecans won a blue ribbon at the Wisconsin State Fair. Sharon and Pat Pavich (the sweet ‘P’s in the pantry) invite you to visit their booth, and fill the stockings of everyone on your list. Additional businesses participating in the Holiday Market are quite diverse. Check off the foodie on your list with cheese from Hoard’s Dairyman Farm Creamery or a gingersnap cookie from Beans n Cream Bakehouse. Shop for stylish friends with custom-made clothing and one-of-a-kind jewelry. Several Wisconsin wineries also will be at the market, representing the diversity of wines made in our state. While you shop, satisfy your own sweet tooth with caramels from Cream City Caramels & Confections. The second-annual Something Special from Wisconsin Holiday Market will showcase some of Wisconsin’s finest products and services, all under one roof. Mark your calendars, you won’t want to miss this event! Holiday Market Details Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Location: Johnson Creek High School Gym, 455 Aztalan St., Johnson Creek, WI Admission: $2 entry fee, children 18 and under are free. Entry fee benefits the Johnson Creek Lions Club

This season, sweeten your holiday with local Wisconsin gifts. Support one of Wisconsin’s many beekeepers with the gift of locally sourced honey. In 2017, beekeepers in Wisconsin harvested 2.9 million pounds of honey. Honey is a completely natural sweetener; if the label on the bottle says “Pure Honey” you can be guaranteed that the only ingredient is what the bees have provided straight from the honeycomb. Interestingly, the color and flavor of honey differs depending on the bees’ nectar source (the blossoms) and can vary with the season. The most common flavors of honey in Wisconsin are buckwheat, clover, basswood, and wildflower. Pick up your next jar of wildflower honey from Dancing Bear Apiary Honey. Their hives are located in woodland areas, so the bees collect nectar from naturally growing wildflowers. Their beekeeper, Kent Pegorsch, began caring for bees and collecting honey in 1976. Since then, they have been harvesting and bottling raw honey. At Dancing Bear Apiary, they handle their honey from hive to bottle, keeping a rich, fulfilling taste. Find the perfect jar at dancingbearhoney.com. Handmade confections are sure to put a smile on faces of friends and family this holiday season. Shop for toffees, candies, fudge, and more at local sweet shops across our state. When you support local businesses, your dollars stay in our state and return to our communities. Gifts from Cream City Caramels & Confections are perfect for friends and family with a sweet tooth. Their caramels are produced in small batches using plenty of local Wisconsin dairy products. Both sweet and salty, their caramels are available in a variety of flavors; and with a soft and creamy texture, they are sure to melt in your mouth! Look for unique varieties flavored with Berres Brothers Highlander Grogg coffee or Oasis Bee Company honey. Select a few bags of different varieties, or order a holiday box of salted vanilla caramels at creamcitycaramels.com. Homemade cookies and brownies from Beans n Cream Bakehouse are sure to sweeten your holiday. Located in Sun Prairie, their bakery crafts all of their sweet treats from scratch. Plenty of Wisconsin butter and dairy are used in the process, supporting local farmers and processors here in our state. Stop by one of their stores to pick up a gingersnap, scone, muffin, or chocolate brownie for everyone on your list. And for the coffee-lover? Grab a bag of their locally-roasted coffee, available in holiday flavors like White Christmas and Silent Night. Find more local sweets and treats produced by Wisconsin businesses at somethingspecialwi.com.

For decades, cheesemakers across Wisconsin have been crafting and perfecting cheese recipes. Whether the recipe has been passed down from generation to generation, or is an innovative original, the story of these cheeses are truly woven in to the fabric of our history. Certified Master Cheesemaker Sid Cook knows this well, as he has spent a lifetime in the cheese business. Sid is the fourth generation in his family to make cheese. Combined, there is over 1,000 years of cheesemaking experience in the Cook family. Sid fondly recalls growing up in a cheese plant, learning the family business. At the young age of 16, Sid received his cheesemaking license, and has since spent a lifetime crafting high-quality Wisconsin cheese. Today, Sid Cook owns and operates Carr Valley Cheese. As a company, Carr Valley Cheese began in 1902, and today is best known for producing high-quality, artisanal aged Cheddars. Carr Valley operates four cheese plants, all in southwestern Wisconsin. Between the plants, they produce over 100 different dairy products. Their line-up includes classics like pepper jack, medium cheddar, and brick, but also a long list of original cheeses. Today, Carr Valley produces more than 50 original varieties of artisan and specialty cheeses. These varieties are made with cow, goat, and even sheep milk. Several varieties combine two or all three of the milks to create unique flavors. Cheese at Carr Valley is made the old-fashioned way, by hand, with a goal of producing high-quality cheese with outstanding flavor. These techniques, combined with a lifetime of experience have garnered more than 800 national and international awards for Sid’s Carr Valley cheeses. To date, Sid Cook has won more top national and international awards than any other cheesemaker in North America. He is proud of these accolades, but is humble sharing, “It takes a lifetime.” Shop their award-winning cheeses, and learn more about Carr Valley Cheese at: carrvalleycheese.com. *Photo of Sid Cook courtesy of Carr Valley Cheese Facebook page.

Ghostly greetings, and happy Halloween! Today is one of my favorite days of the year! I love crafting costumes and enjoying Halloween candy each year. Often, the day is filled with ghoulish feasts and spooky sweets (which I thoroughly enjoy). This, however, can make it hard to find a treat that is also part of a healthy diet. How can you give your friends and a family a nutrition boost this Halloween? Enjoy a refreshing glass of chocolate milk! As the Official Beverage of Halloween, fuel up with a glass of chocolate milk today. Bring a gallon to your neighborhood party or enjoy as a post-trick-or-treating refreshment. Chocolate milk is the perfect beverage for Halloween because it is nutrition in disguise! With the same nine essential nutrients as white milk, you can feel good about drinking a glass. Each serving of chocolate milk includes calcium for strong bones, protein for muscle growth, potassium for a healthy heart, and more! Experts agree that low-fat chocolate milk is a tasty way to build strong bones that no one will find frightening. According to the American Dairy Association, research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association confirms that chocolate milk is a healthy beverage for both kids and adults. They found kids who drink chocolate milk tend to drink fewer sweetened soft drinks and fruit drinks, which are the number one source of calories and added sugars in their diet. They also found children who drink flavored milk or chocolate milk have higher calcium intakes and actually ingest less fat and sugar in their overall diet. This holiday, keep skeletons growing with a glass of chocolate milk. Celebrate the official drink of Halloween, and feel good about your choice! You can even dress up your chocolate milk for more spooky fun! Check out this quick and easy mummy milk craft for inspiration below. MUMMY MILK Materials: Bubble chewing gum tape or adhesive gauze tape Self-adhesive craft “googly eyes” Tall clear glass Decorative paper straw Directions: Remove backing from google eyes and adhere them to the side of the glass. Take a long strip of bubble gum or gauze and wrap the glass with the bandage. Make sure the eyes peek out from behind the “dressing”. Pour chocolate milk in the glass and add a decorative straw.