Bio: Holland Family Cheese (Grand Opening - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Penterman, Stroinski, Reeg, Zoromski, Moulton, Brooks

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 7/30/2014

Holland’s Family Cheese (Grand Opening - 26 July 2014)

(I won’t put the pictures here, as one is on the paper bend and the other, I accidentally cut the top off.)
It’s been over three years in the making, but on Saturday, July 26, the numerous stages of planning, design, and construction came to an end, as the entire community came together for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of Holland’s Family Cheese’s new location.

The day long open house celebration kicked off at 9:00 a.m., as Rolf and Marieke Penterman and their five children, as well as their team at Holland’s Family Cheese, local dignitaries, political leaders, and members of the Thorp Area Chamber of Commerce, gathered behind the emblematic red ribbon for a brief ceremony.

Clark County Economic Development Corporation Director Sheila Neiberg opened the ceremony, welcoming the hundreds of people who were on site bright and early for the ribbon cutting. Mayor Ray Stroinski, City Administrator Randy Reeg, Thorp Area Chamber of Commerce President Justin Zoromski, and Senator Terry Moulton all addressed the crowd, speaking highly of the humble beginnings of the artisanal cheesemakers who chose Thorp as the home of their now world-renowned cheese.

City Administrator Reeg commented, “[Holland’s Family Cheese] is a great combination of Agri-business and Agri-tourism, and we think it’s going to benefit the city immensely.”

The city of Thorp has already seen how local dairy and creamery have impacted the city just since opening the doors to their new location in January - and it’s only grown since then.

Before the Penterman family cut the ceremonial ribbon, Rolf and Marieke addressed the crowd, expressing extreme gratitude to the community for the support and to their ceremonial scissors supplied by the Thorp Area Chamber of Commerce in Hand, the Pentermans cut the ribbon and officially opened Holland’s Family Cheese - home of the award-winning Marieke Gouda.

Throughout the day, Holland’s Family Cheese welcomed over 3,200 citizens from all around the state to their new location. Inquisitive patrons walked the grounds and participated in the dairy tours throughout the day, getting a first-hand glimpse of the entire cheese-making process - from milking the cows all the way to aging the cheese on traditional Dutch wood plants. Ending the exploration of the dairy and creamery, many patrons made sure to stop by the new store, sampling and picking out their own slice of Holland in the form of one of the many flavors and varieties of Gouda or other Dutch Grocery items to take home with them.

Citizens also got a chance to see the Gouda cheese put to the test as Chef Molly demonstrated the preparation of multiple deliciously cheesy recipes. Also under the big tent, event -goers got a chance to meet the 2014-2015 Alice in Dairyland, Zoey Brooks, and participate in the live auction, held by Luzinski Auctions.

Kids of all ages stayed entertained throughout the event as well. After checking out the petting zoo and playing a few games put on the by local volunteers, kids got a chance to play on the giant jumping pillow and have their picture taken with DUTCH-ess, the 14-foot cow.

An avid supporter of other local businesses, Holland’s Family Cheese also turned their new location into virtual fairgrounds for the day, inviting vendors to put out tables and booths to give our samples and sell some of their locally made products.

The team at Holland’s Family Cheese would like to express many thanks and their gratitude for all of the support the community showed throughout the entire relocation process, as well as the outpouring of encouragement during the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.