Category: Holidays
Happy 4th of July!
Happy 4th of July to all of our wonderful customers from all of us at Shisler’s Cheese House!
However you’re celebrating, we hope that you have a safe and happy day.
We decided to put together a list of celebrations around the country, in case you were wondering how your fellow Americans were spending their day.
In Key West, Florida, the annual Key Lime Festival kicks off with a pie eating contest and the day will end with a huge fireworks display!
New York City tops the impressive fireworks with around 40,000 being set off.
In San Francisco you’ll hear live music all across the city.
San Diego hosts Southern California’s largest fireworks, called the Big Bay Boom!
In Boston you can hear the Boston Pops Orchestra playing Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with cannon fire.
And did you know…?
It’s traditional in New England to eat salmon with green peas on 4th July.
There are around 15,000 fireworks displays across the country, with some cities spending millions of dollars on them.
Around 150 million hot dogs are eaten by Americans on this day alone!
The Declaration of Independence wasn’t actually signed until August 2nd 1776, but it was printed on July 4th!
Have a great day everyone! Let us know how you’re celebrating in the comments!
Independence Day: The Essential Checklist
Independence Day is just around the corner again! To help you celebrate the day in style we’ve put together a checklist of essentials for having fun.
1. Family or friends
Whether it’s with family or your chosen family of friends, this is a day to celebrate with your loved ones. If you haven’t already, get in touch with them now to see what their plans are.
2. Great food
Whether it’s a simple picnic, a fun barbecue or an elaborate meal, we all know that it’s not a holiday without some great food. A really fun and easy way to create a great spread is to have a pot luck dinner. Ask everyone to bring their signature dish and you’ll have a variety to dig into. You might want to let people know what to bring or supply some basics like bread, cheese, and salads. If you’re having a barbecue, check that you have the right fuel and all the equipment is clean and ready to use.
3. Drinks
Pick up some of your favorite beer, mix up a pitcher of a cocktail or make a refreshing juice. Be sure to keep hydrated if you’re out and about in the sun! Remember to get ice and plenty of soft drinks for the kids.
4. Plates and cups
You’ll need something to eat and drink from! Make sure that you’ve got enough plates, cups, and flatware to go around. If you haven’t, you can always ask your guests to bring their own along. You’ll just need to check that everyone goes home with theirs at the end of the night.
5. Fireworks
Of course, this is the way to celebrate with a bang! Either find a display near you or set off some yourself. Do make sure that you follow all the safety guidelines. We don’t want any of our customers to get hurt!
6. Games
If it’s hot enough where you are, get out the sprinklers and super soakers for a fun water fight. Otherwise, you could play your family’s favorite games. Whether it’s team sports or a board game night, this is a great way to bring people together. Grab all the equipment that you need today so that you’re not looking for it on Thursday.
7. Outfits
There’s nothing we love more than seeing families dressed up for Independence Day. Pull out your most festive red, white and blue outfits and show your true colors.
8. Tables and chairs
Another essential if you’re hosting guests. This is also something that you can ask people to bring along if you don’t have enough. Otherwise, you could hire them from a rental service. Some will even drop them off and take them away for you.
9. Decorations
Make your space as festive as possible with lots of decorations. This might be a fun way for kids to get involved in the party planning.
10. Relax!
The last essential is to remember that this is supposed to be a fun holiday. Everything will come together on the day and you’ll have fun as long as you’re surrounded by the right people!
How are you celebrating this year? Let us know in the comments below!
There’s a National Day for Everything!
Did you know that there are national days and months for almost any topic that you can think of? There’s a National Peanut Butter Day (March 1st) and National Deviled Egg Day (November 2nd). National Cheese Pizza Day falls on September 5th and February 28th is National Chocolate Souffle Day! Today we’re going to explore some of June’s more unusual holidays!
National Cheese Day
This falls on June 4th and is, of course, our favorite national day of them all. You can always celebrate with a slice of delicious cheese from our range of beautifully made local cheeses.We also have lots of blog posts about different cheeses and ways to eat them to inspire you.
National Donut Day
June 7th provides the perfect excuse to indulge in a sweet treat, whether it’s the fried variety at the fair or a glazed donut from your favorite bakery.
National Rosé Day
June 8th should be spent with a glass of pink, hopefully soaking up the sun.
National Candy Month
Yes, that’s right! June is National Candy Month! According to the National Confectioners Association this is “a moment to celebrate a classic American manufacturing success story”. Of course, we recommend celebrating with some of our amazing range of candy and chocolates that we have in store and online. Many of them are from Heggy’s, a local supplier that we are proud to support. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s Chocolates remains one of the premiere candy companies in America. Over the years, Heggy’s Chocolates has remained a family owned and operated business and today they maintain a high level of commitment to their customers and the community.
If you think that you’ve overdone it stocking up on confectionery, then check out our fun ways to use up leftover chocolate.
National Dairy Month
Naturally, National Cheese Day falls within National Dairy Month. The International Dairy Foods Assocation say “National Dairy Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world.”
Whether it’s with ice cream, cheesecake or a simple glass of milk, there are lots of ways to celebrate National Dairy Month. Of course, we always recommend starting with a slice of cheese!
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
After all that candy and cheese, you might be relieved to hear that June is also National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. Why not check out our salad ideas for ways to use fresh fruit and vegetables to create a delicious meal? You could also celebrate by planting some of your own fruits and vegetables to harvest later in the year. If you’re not experienced in gardening, start with something easy like fresh herbs.
We hope that you’ve enjoyed getting to know some of these holidays. As we’re nearing the end of June now you might need to celebrate them all this weekend! Don’t worry though, we’ll be back to tell you about some more in July.
What’s your favorite national celebration day? Let us know in the comments!
June 16th is Father’s Day!
Father’s Day is coming up on June 16th, so we wanted to get you all ready with some suggestions for brilliant gifts.
We know that you will all want to show your Dads how much they mean to you. It’s certainly a special day to show them your appreciation for all that they do for you and our range of gifts is the perfect thing for the man who has everything. You’re sure to find something that will appeal to every taste, so read on to find out more about our fantastic range of gifts.
Our Gift Box for Dad contains Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring, Ohio Swiss Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, Shisler’s Private Label Mustard, Shisler’s Private Label Hot Pepper Relish, and Carr’s Crackers. It’s everything that your Dad could need for a perfect Father’s Day. If you’re lucky he might even let you share some of his delicious treats!
Pepper Jack is a cow’s milk cheese that has been given a spicy intensity through the use of jalapeno, serrano, and habanero peppers. Troyer’s Trail Bologna Ring is a chunky, all-beef bologna with a smoky taste, created by the fourth generation of the Troyer family. Don’t be fooled by imitators.
You could add a bottle of wine, beer, or scotch if you want to impress Dad even more.
If our Gift Box for Dad doesn’t sound quite right, have no fear, we have a huge range of gift baskets that are perfect for showing him how much you care.
Our cheese lover’s box is extra cheesy! You’ll receive a 3/4Lb. wheel each of Cheddar, Cojack (Marble), Farmer’s Cheese and Pepper Jack. Just like our other boxes, you’ll find some assorted chocolates as well.
For a showstopping gift, our Baby Swiss Cheese Gift Box is certain to create a stir. It contains a whole 4Lb. Baby Swiss Cheese Wheel. Our Baby Swiss is made in Charm Ohio, by the original producer Guggisberg Cheese. It is a young, semi-soft whole milk cheese with small holes and a mild flavor. It also comes with chocolates for those with a sweet tooth!
We also offer a Scotch Collection and Beer Collection for those Dads who like to pair cheese with their favorite drinks. Make sure you include a bottle so that they can enjoy their gift right away! If your Dad has more of a sweet tooth, then check out our chocolate section.
We can’t wait to get your Father’s Day gifts to you all and make it a great day for everyone. Please remember to check our shipping policy if you are ordering online to make sure that your gifts will arrive on time.
If you need some help to pick out a great gift, why not get in touch or pop into the store to see how we can help?
How will you be celebrating this Father’s Day? Let us know in the comments below!
The importance of Memorial Day
Memorial Day is approaching and while some turn their thoughts to barbecues and a long weekend, we prefer to think about where the day came from and its importance.
There is a considerable amount of research surrounding the origin of Memorial Day. Placing flowers on soldier’s graves has been a long standing tradition. Annual decoration days at cemeteries often included meals together and a small service. This could be where our love of eating with family and friends on this day comes from.
There are several significant days that could have led to the introduction of Memorial Day. On June 3rd 1861, a soldier’s grave was decorated in Warrenton, Virginia. In 1863, a dedication was held at Gettysburg. On July 4, 1864, ladies decorated soldiers’ graves according to local historians in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. There were many other instances, until 1871, when Michigan made Decoration Day a state holiday. The other northern states quickly followed.
Speeches became a traditional part of the day, with people wishing to offer words of hope and gratitude in honor of those who had died.
The name Memorial Day was first used in 1882, but didn’t become more commonly used until after the Second World War. It was declared the official name in 1967.
On June 28, 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved Memorial Day from the 30th May to the last Monday in May. Whilst this made it a convenient three day weekend, it also confirmed the importance of having a day to remember those who gave their lives.
We do hope that you enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. It should be a time to spend with loved ones enjoying each others’ company, but it should also be a time to remember and reflect on the sacrifices that others have made for us. We are immensely grateful to those who have given their lives as well as the families they leave behind. Keep them in your thoughts this weekend.
Mother’s Day: get ready with our gift ideas
This year Mother’s Day falls on Sunday May 12, so now is the time to make sure that you have picked up a great gift. As always, we’ve worked to put together a list of ways that we can help you here at Shisler’s Cheese House.
Our favorite way to show her how much you appreciate all she has done for you is our delicious Mother’s Day Gift Basket!
Our Mother’s Day Gift Basket Includes:
- Havarti Cheese
- Assorted Heggy’s Milk Chocolates
- Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Fudge
- Strawberry Caramel Creams
- Yogurt Covered Cranberries
We think you’ll agree that this is a rather incredible selection but in case you need convincing, we have put together some information about everything included. We’re also going to give you some other gift ideas, in case there’s something in there that your Mom doesn’t like! Read on to find out more.
Havarti Cheese
Havarti Cheese is a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese that can be sliced, grilled, or melted. It has a buttery, semi-sweet taste with some acidity. It’s perfect for making grilled cheese, but it would also be great with a fruit platter after a meal.
Assorted Heggy’s Milk Chocolates
Heggy’s Candy Company has built a rich tradition of premium handcrafted chocolates and candies throughout the United States for over 9 decades. Founded by Ben Heggy in 1923, Heggy’s Chocolates remains one of the premiere candy companies in America. Over the years, Heggy’s Chocolates has remained a family owned and operated business and today they maintain a high level of commitment to their customers and the community.
We know that these are great gifts, so we had to include them here!
Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl Fudge
If you’ve never tried this, you have got to hope that your Mom feels like sharing! This is a fudge unlike any you will have had before.
Strawberry Caramel Creams
The perfect taste of summer strawberries wrapped up in smooth caramel.
Yogurt Covered Cranberries
A delicious treat and something a little refreshing after all the sweets and cheese.
Order your Mother’s Day gift basket today or pop into the store. Be sure to check our delivery times if you are ordering online so that your gift isn’t late.
Even more gift ideas
We have a whole selection of different gift baskets to cater for every taste. Whether your Mom is a cheese lover, a bologna fan, or wants to try a little bit of everything, we’ve carefully curated our favorite products to make them smile. We even have a basket for those who love hot and spicy foods! If you’d like to, we can help you build your own gift basket with all of your Mom’s favorite things.
If you want to let Mom pick her own selection of treats, we can provide an e-gift certificate. We send you a code immediately, so this is a great option if you’re not able to see your Mom in person (or if you’re a little forgetful and have left things til the last minute!).
We want to wish all of you Moms a very happy Mother’s Day this Sunday. Enjoy your day; you deserve it!
Cinco de Mayo: celebrating Mexican culture
On May 5, many will come together for Cinco de Mayo. Today we thought that we would explore the history of the day and how it has changed over the years.
What is Cinco de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican Army’s defeat of the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Considering the small size of Mexico’s Army compared to the French forces, it was an unlikely victory and one that boosted morale amongst the Mexican troops.
Many mistake it for Mexican Independence Day, but this actually takes place on September 16.
In Mexico, it is usually commemorated with military parades or battle reenactments. The city of Puebla itself holds an arts festival, a celebration of local cuisine, and reenactments. However, it is now more widely celebrated here in the United States.
It was first celebrated in the United States in Southern California in 1863. The celebrations were a show of solidarity with Mexico against French rule. It has gradually grown into a time for Mexican-American pride, with culture, food and traditions on display. Whilst it has become a day for drinking and parties here, in Mexico it is still a much quieter day.
The association with margaritas and beer began with marketing campaigns, rather than any tradition.
How do American cities celebrate?
From the New York parade to San Francisco’s family friendly festival, there are events taking place across the country. See live entertainment in St. Paul, Minnesota or try a variety of foods in Chicago.
Here in Ohio, you’ll find lots of restaurants taking part in special events.
Some ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo
One of the best ways to celebrate is to learn more about Mexican culture. Talk to people in your community and do some research to learn something new.
Supporting Mexican owned businesses in your area is another way to show your support on May 5.
Finally, you might like to try some traditional Mexican cuisine. Find an authentic restaurant or have a go at some recipes at home, rather than eating at chains. These will rarely give you a taste of true Mexican flavor. If you are looking for ingredients, why not pop in and see if we can help?
How do you celebrate Cinco de Mayo? Let us know in the comments below!
Easter Gifts For The Whole Family!
The time of year for celebration is upon us again! With Easter coming up this weekend, we have put together a list of delicious Easter gifts that you can buy right here at Shisler’s Cheese House. Read on to find out all about our gift options and how to make this Easter extra special.
Our Easter gift baskets are perfect for sharing with loved ones. You can purchase them online or in store. We can even deliver them straight to your family and friends to make gift giving as easy as possible. Inside you will find Marble Cheese, Dried Fruit Chips, Yogurt Pretzels, Heggy’s Chocolates, Wild Maple Walnut Syrup, and Muddy Trail Mix.
We created this mix of treats to make sure that everyone will love our gift basket. There’s chocolate for those with a sweet tooth and marble cheese for savory lovers, with dried fruit and trail mix to keep your energy up after all of the Easter fun.
If you’re looking to give a chocolate gift, then you need to look no further than Heggy’s Solid Chocolate Bunnies. These are a real treat with 20 oz of chocolate. They are available in both milk and white chocolate, so you can pick one up for everyone in the family.
If you are looking for some more grown-up chocolate options, check out our whole chocolate section. You’ll find dozens of products that will cater to every taste. Grab some Brazilian coconut or chocolate truffles for those friends that always want to try something new. You could take some Heggy’s milk chocolate turtles into work and share some Easter joy with your colleagues, but they’re certainly popular with the children as well! We offer sugar-free treats for anyone with a restricted diet.
We also have a range of other gift baskets for every taste. Pick from a simple selection of cheeses all the way up to a huge selection of locally sourced delicious treats. If you have your own Easter gifts in mind, we can create a custom basket for you. Custom baskets can include anything currently available on the website. This is perfect if you know someone who would prefer cheese and pickles to chocolate, even at Easter. You could create a box full of dark chocolate treats or even pick our healthier options such as our sugar-free chocolates. Call us today for a quote!
If you are ordering online, please check our shipping policy to ensure that your gifts will reach you in time. If you can, pop into the store. We love to meet our customers face to face and help you find the perfect Easter gifts.
We want to wish all of you a fantastic Easter weekend. How will you be celebrating? Let us know in the comments!
Happy St Patrick’s Day!
On Sunday 17th March, people around the world will celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Today we thought we would tell you a little more about the history and traditions of the day.
What is St Patrick’s Day?
It is a cultural and religious celebration held on the death day of St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Who was St Patrick?
He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century and kidnapped at the age of 16 when he was taken to Ireland as a slave. He escaped but later in order to convert the Irish to Christianity. By the time of his death on March 17, 461 AD, he had established monasteries, churches, and schools across the country. He also wrote that he “baptized thousands of people”.
There are many legends surrounding St Patrick. Probably one of the most famous is his use of the shamrock to illustrate the Christian teaching of three persons in one God. The shamrock subsequently became a symbol for St Patrick’s Day and for Ireland as a whole.
Another legend tells that he banished all of the snakes from Ireland, after they tried to attack him as he undertook a 40-day fast on top of a hill. Some say that the snakes are a metaphor for the druids, who St Patrick drove out by teaching Christianity.
How is St Patrick’s Day celebrated?
It is officially a public holiday in Ireland. Historically, the Lenten restrictions on food and alcohol were lifted for St Patrick’s Day, making it a time of celebration. That has continued today with drinking and revelry forming part of the celebrations in many different areas around the world. There are often parades and festivals with traditional Irish music and many people will wear green or adorn themselves with a shamrock.
The custom of ‘drowning the shamrock’ was popular in the past, with a shamrock being placed in a glass and covered with whiskey, beer or cider. The shamrock was then either drunk with the rest of the drink or tossed over the shoulder for good luck.
In England, the British Royals traditionally present bowls of shamrock to members of the Irish Guards, a regiment in the British Army. This is currently done by the Duchess of Cambridge. The city of Liverpool has the highest proportion of residents with Irish ancestry in England and they celebrate with a parade as well as musical and cultural events.
Around the world, parades are held in Moscow, Sarajevo, and Tokyo, amongst other cities. The Caribbean island of Montserrat and the Canadian province of Newfoundland & Labrador both join Ireland in taking a public holiday.
Are there traditional foods to eat?
Soda bread, a yeast-free bread that is very simple to make, is a traditional Irish food and is a good accompaniment to a main meal of roast lamb and potatoes. You could also enjoy a traditional Irish stew. For dessert, baking with chocolate and Guinness is a fun way to celebrate Irish flavors.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our exploration of St Patrick’s Day. How will you be celebrating? Let us know in the comments!
Mardi Gras is Upon Us!
What is Mardi Gras?
A Carnival celebration usually celebrated in the days before Ash Wednesday. Sometimes known as ‘Fat Tuesday’, it is a time to feast before Lent. In some traditions, it is associated with the time all the way from Epiphany up until Lent. One of the most famous Mardi Gras celebrations takes place in New Orleans, but there are famous parties everywhere from Rio de Janeiro to Venice.
Masks and costumes often form part of the celebrations and parades can be seen through cities around the world. Parades and balls are organized by krewes, which will raise funds throughout the year to put on the elaborate floats seen during the festivities.
The History of Mardi Gras
The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced all the way back to Roman celebrations in Europe, when celebrations would be held to welcome spring. Over time, the festivities became wrapped up in the Christian traditions and started to spread.
Mardi Gras first arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers in the late 17th century. The pair were sent by King Louis XIV to defend France’s claim on the territory of Louisiane. They arrived and set up camp around 60 miles downriver of modern-day New Orleans on March 3, 1699, the day of Mardi Gras. In honor of the holiday, they named the place Point du Mardi Gras. By 1703, French settlers in Mobile, Alabama had established their first organized Mardi Gras celebrations. The first krewe was formed in 1711.
Mardi Gras Food Traditions
There are a variety of different foods eaten around the world during the Mardi Gras festivities.
In the United States, we celebrate with rich foods, as a way to eat them before the deprivation of Lent. Traditional dishes include gumbo, crawfish boil, and beignets (classic French doughnuts served with powdered sugar). The King Cake is usually filled with nuts and spiced fruit and is topped with sprinkles in the Mardi Gras colors: purple, green, and gold.
Over in the United Kingdom they celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. Pancakes, usually in the French crepe style, are served with a variety of toppings. The traditional way to eat them is with a sprinkling of sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice, although many other toppings are also enjoyed.
In Sweden, they delight in the fastlagsbulle, more commonly known as Semla, a sweet cardamom-spiced roll, cut in half and filled with both almond paste and cream. In Finland, they sometimes have a jam filling instead. It is common to eat them with a cup of tea or served in a bowl of hot milk.
Do you celebrate? Let us know how in the comments!