BLACK RIVER CHEESE COMPANY as BLACK RIVER CHEESE FACTORY, 1908 By Karen I. Smith In 1901, local farmers raised $5300.00 among themselves to build the Black River Cheese factory so as to create a market for their milk. It was incorporated as a joint stock company - 90 original shares selling @ $20.00 apiece with no more than 5 shares per person, shareholders being local milk-producing farmers. The factory was a co-operative but farmers who supplied its milk didn't have to be shareholders. There have been about 27 other cheese factories in The County but only Black River still operates today. The first directors were John Minaker, Robert Brown, and William York, the first president (1902 - 1938). Fred Goodman was the first Cheesemaker. Today's directors are George Emlaw, Martin Miller, Sue Miller, Steve Martin, and Ken Minaker who is President. Today's Cheesemaker, Kevin Gibson, is third generation Cheesemaker, following in his father's and his grandfather's footsteps. In the beginning, there were about 4 hired employees. Black River Cheese today depends largely on local markets hiring 19 local people, and takes great pride in its community. When the cheese factory does well, so Continued on page 4 100 Years of award-winning cheese © | You can make cheese from goats, and even from ewes, But when there's a choice and you get to choose, = In Milford there's never a battle, Black River cheddar comes from Prince Edward cattle. Take your Edam, your Gouda, your veiny old blue, 1 Whatever the cheese, this much is true, Black River Cheddar with crisp apples or pears Makes all others wish our cheese was theirs. Everyone stops on the days they make curd For to pass right on by would be downright absurd. Just like a mouse when its caught by a kitten, Black River curd squeaks when it's bitten. Yes, The County has prize winning cheddar, From East to West they can't make it better. So when locals or tourists cross the Black River, They've got to stop by to purchase a sliver. A sliver! Good grief, I'll be bound, We buy this cheddar by the wheel or the pound. For a hundred years they've been making this cheese, And we say, give us a hundred more please! - George Underhill ® Circle Notes 3 ® Open Wide 5 @ Accountability 7 @ Druella Acantha Malvina 11 ® Library Notes 16 ® The Mother Award 19