Steve Humphrey, head ranger at the Pinconning County Park, greets thousands of visitors each year. (MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers Take a Tour of Pinconning with the Camera of MyPinconningNews.com
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The question: Do you know how long cheese has to be aged to be super, super sharp?
The answer: Forty-eight to 120 months.
Just what is Pinconning cheese? That is a question best answered by local cheesemakers who have established the Pinconning brand and maintain it in the face of interlopers from Wisconsin.
Those are some of the interesting facts this MyPinconningNews.com reporter found out on a tour of the hottest little town in northeastern Michigan -- Pinconning.
Ever since Dan Horn arrived in 1915 and began making cheese, Pinconning has been known far and wide as "Cheesetown."
The Williams Cheese Company explains: "James and Janina Williams started their cheese business using an old barn as a warehouse, back in 1945, along Michigan's Saginaw Bay. Today, Williams Cheese Company produces, ages, and packages more than five million pounds of cheese annually.
"James W. Williams, the founder of Williams Cheese Company, along with local cheese makers developed this unique version of Colby cheese. Williams claims world class hickory smoked Swiss since Sheri Budnik of of Williams Cheese took the bronze medal in the 2008 World Championship Cheese Contest with a score of 98.80.
The Pinconning Cheese store, established in 1948, has its version of the history of Pinconning cheese: "Pinconning is designated "The Cheese Capital of Michigan" because it is the home of the famous Pinconning brand of cheese. The Pinconning formula was created by Dan Horn who settled here in 1915. Currently, Pinconning Cheese is produced, along with other styles of cheese at several plants around the state. They produce our famous style of cheese under our special formula supervision.
"Because of its formula, Pinconning cheese is ageable, which differentiates it from Wisconsin colby. The aging process is what gives Pinconning cheese its special and unique flavor. Here at The Pinconning Cheese Co., the cheese is aged up to 120 months.
"Super sharp cheese is an original and can only be found at Pinconning Cheese Co., Deli and Fudge Shoppe. Nowhere else in Michigan can Pinconning cheese be found in the super sharp range."
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers
This year, under leadership of the Pinconning Chamber of Commerce and buoyed by increased traffic heading for the Saganing Eagle's Landing Casino on Worth Road, Pinconning is the area's hot spot. President of the chamber is Rev. Carlos Vargas.
Now the little known (at least around here) disc golf is bringing visitors from far and near to a place called Blizzard Hills, just off Airport Road via Neuman Road (access from Pinconning Road).
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers
There a steady stream of enthusiasts is perking up activity on the bay shore. A woodsy nine hole layout has been carved from the woods and disc golfers are enjoying the natural setting as they fling their special flying discs around the course (par 54 for 18 holes). Plans are quickly forming for another nine holes to make the course certifiable for tournaments. Pinconning has joined Midland, Freeland, Frankenmuth, Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo-Battle Creek (where a tourney this weekend is estimated to draw about 150,000 visitors).
This really is hot stuff and Pinconning is getting in on the action, thanks to Lori Szyperski, vice president of the Pinconning Chamber of Commerce, her husband, John, land donor Ward Prindle of Blizzard Hills, Craig Prime and stellar workman Roger Myers of Pinconning who is contributing yeoman service on the course. Terry Calhoun of Ann Arbor (2000 Amateur Grandmaster World Champion) is the designer of the course.
Myers, John Szyperski and Prime were trying out the course on Saturday before the grand opening, shooting discs amazing distances through the woods and "putting" the smaller disc home. "This is the fastest growing sport in the United States," said Mr. Prime, who has played the game since he was introduced to it in 1978 while attending the Art Institute of Kansas City, Missouri.
And, leaders of the Pinconning project are even hoping to host the world championships of disc golf in a few years as the sport grows.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)
Stop by the Pinconning Cheese Shop and grab yourself some delectable fromage, to use the French term. This is the real Pinconning cheese, not your supermarket variety that has adopted the name but probably comes from Wisconsin.
Take a break from hectic schedules and spend some time at the Pinconning County Park, where you will be greeted by genial ranger Steve Humphrey who has shepherded the park since its beginning about 10 years ago.
The 206 acre nature preserve on Saginaw Bay is a paradise for fishers, bird watchers, hikers, boaters and campers. Cozy gazebos and pavilions are welcoming spots for picnics and outdoor gatherings. Call 989-879-5050 for information.
Six comfy cabins await vacationers and there are 42 modern campsites and eight rustic campsites. Launch your boat in the bay and discover the great walleye, perch and bass fishing of Saginaw Bay.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers
Hungry? Stop by the Third Street Deli & Coffee House for wonderful sandwiches, salads, soups, lattes, cappuccino, and even a full dessert complement. We especially enjoy the wry warning: "Unattended children will be given an espresso (sure to make them hyper) and a free puppy (sure to make parents nervous).
You can even get wild and crazy at the Deli, with the highlight on Thursdays featuring a Mexican fiesta with buckets of Corona. Ole'!
When you're done with that, stop over to the Northwoods Wholesale Outlet, billed as "Michigan's largest, most unique dollar store and deep discount store." You'll never see it all -- groceries, plastics, housewares, pet care, hardware, paper products, health and beauty, spices, lots of fishing equipment, tools, national flags from around the world -- you name it.
"Stop and see Marty, the talking moose, named after store patriarch Marty Hornacek, and fish for a pickle in the pickle barrel.
There's lots more to see and do in Pinconning, the largest little city in northeastern Michigan and a place you will find what you want in great varieties.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers
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