Spreading holiday joy

I live in an idyllic town in Northeast Iowa, but I grew up in an equally idyllic town in Southeast

This is where I grew up. Told you.

Bliss on a cracker.

Wisconsin. My favorite movie is “It’s a Wonderful Life,” and it’s not a coincidence that I have always sought out Bedford Falls-type residences. For a long time, I had big city dreams, but the supportive and family-like character of small towns has kept me living in communities under 10,000. It can be a fish bowl at times, but the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

My family moved from my home town of Cedarburg over two decades ago, but home towns never leave you. My husband and I were married there, and my extended family and dear friends are still nearby. Thanks to Facebook, I have rekindled relationships with many of the people I grew up with, and it has been fun watching not only how much things in Cedarburg have changed, but how much they have stayed the same.

My friend, Elke, still lives in the area. I have known Elke since grade school, and her surname is among the German families that settled the small town north of Milwaukee. Elke’s mom ran the Cedarburg Cheesary, which was an institution for many years. Sadly, it closed when her mom became ill. But in its heyday, it was the place to go for fun gift items and specially packaged, Wisconsin-made cheeeses.

One of the biggest hits at the Cheesary was a spreadable, garlicky delight that I can only describe as bliss on a cracker. It was a wonderful treat any time of the year, but it was a staple at holiday parties and at Christmas Eve celebrations at my aunt’s house. After I moved, friends and family would bring me a fix whenever they came to visit. Everyone – and I mean everyone – who tries it gets a ridiculously blissful look on their face and says, “My GOD – where did you get this???” We loved spreading the joy (on crackers). That is, until the Cheesary closed. For many years, the cheese was a fond memory – gone, but not forgotten.

Until … and you can probably see where this is going … I reconnected with Elke on Facebook and she arranged a bulk order from the supplier who used to provide it to the Cheesary. The fun part of this story isn’t just that Elke ordered the cheese for me, but that she delights in the many stories people tell her about how the cheese is part of their family traditions. Elke knows that her mom had a role in creating those memories. Elke lost her mom several years ago, but the cheese stories are among the many ways her mom is brought back to her at Christmastime, and true to her giving nature, Elke wants to continue sharing that joy with others. Every year for the past several, she has put in a bulk order and delivers it on a designated evening from the trunk of her car.

My cheese arrived today and we all did a happy dance in the kitchen. And tonight, surrounded by the light and love of Christmas Eve and in the close circle of my family, I will toast Christmases past and those yet to come. And I will toast my friend, Elke, and her mom. Traditions are built by those with whom we have history and who continue to bring us happiness. Elke is both.