Local artist Leonard Stomski and his wife, Doris, are introduced by members of the Historical Commission.
CHESHIRE, Mass. — Local artist Leonard Stomski has gifted an oil painting of the Cheshire Mammoth Cheese to the town.
Stomski and his wife, Doris, presented the Selectmen on Tuesday with a high-definition print of the painting that depicts the famous cheese wheel being sent off President Thomas Jefferson in 1802. The actual painting is 4-foot by 8-foot.
"My wife and I are celebrating 40 years here in Cheshire and we did that by creating this painting," Stomski said. "We would like to gift it to the town and have it in Town Hall.
The board thanked Stomski for his work.
"We will have to put it upstairs. It is beautiful," Selectwoman Carol Francesconi said. "Thank you very much."
The 1,200-pound wheel, reportedly made from the milk of 900 cows in an oversized cider press, can be seen in the painting on a decorated wagon pulled by six horses while residents of Cheshire see it off in a celebratory manner. Milk cans and another cheese being pressed are painted in the lower right-hand corner.
The cheese was created at the urging of the Rev. John Leland, the local Baptist minister and a friend of the president's. It arrived at the White House in January 1802 and Jefferson described it as being over 4 feet in diameter and 15 inches thick. It lasted at least two years.
Stomski also gave the town all rights to "Cheshire Cheese Goes to Washington DC" so officials can use it however they want and can utilize all possible proceeds the painting generates.
"Usually the copyrights belong to the artists but I want to turn them over to you people so you are free to do whatever you want with the painting," he said.
"Any proceeds go entirely to the town of Cheshire."
He asked that Historical Commission and the Selectmen take a look at the painting before the final hanging to make sure everything looks historically accurate.
Selectman Robert Ciskowksi suggested modernizing the painting by painting in the current select board.
"Could we get the Board of Selectmen in there somewhere?" he joked. "We could modernize it. It's not the Constitution, it could be interpreted."
The Selectmen plan to hang the painting Monday.
Updated Wednesday to clarify the board received a print of the painting on Tuesday and adding the painting's size.
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Cheshire Tag Sale and Bazaar
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Cheshire Community Association (CCA) announced the return of the Cheshire Community Tag Sale and Bazaar for its second year.
Scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2024, from 9 AM to 1 PM, the event offers a day of treasure hunting, local craftsmanship, and treats at the Cheshire Community House located at 191 Church St, Cheshire.
Attendees can explore a variety of offerings, including handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, and food options. The hot food truck, operated by the Berkshire Lodge of Masons AF & AM, will be stationed in the courtyard, serving up treats throughout the event.
One of the highlights of this year's event is the fundraising raffle, with all proceeds set to benefit the Cheshire Food Pantry. Participants can purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes, supporting a worthy cause that serves the local community.
Registration for vendors interested in participating in the bazaar is currently open, with fees ranging from $10 to $30. Cheshire residents looking to showcase their items from home can have their locations advertised on the event map for a fee of $10. The deadline for registration is set for Friday, April 26, 2024.
Registration forms can be obtained from various locations across Cheshire, including A to Z Printing, Cheshire Community House, Cheshire Library, Cheshire Glassworks, Cheshire Senior Center, the Cheshire Community Association Facebook page, and the Cheshire Town website.
For more information about the event, including vendor registration and sponsorship opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Jenny Gadbois at (413) 841-0844 or via email at jlgadbois@icloud.com.
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