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PAGE LINCS YEAR-END BANQUET FIRE CHIEF LEAVES FOR STRATFORD PAGESt. Marys Independent Thursday, May 15, 2025
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St. Marys Independent 36 Water St. S., St. Marys ON | 519.284.0041 | info@stmarysindependent.com | www.stmarysindy.com
Issue #1262
Thursday, May 15, 2025
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From Grand Trunk to Grand Champion, Stonetown Artisan Cheese wins consecutive top prize at SIAL Canada International Cheese competition EMILY STEWART Independent Reporter
ing, council voted to dedicate more time at council’s June 3 meeting so township staff can review the draft budget line by line with councillors in the hopes of finding savings that could reduce the impact on local taxpayers. Township staff, however, cautioned council it is unlikely they will find additional savings beyond what has already been
St. Marys cheesemaker Stonetown Artisan Cheese won the top prize in an international cheese competition for the second time in a row. Stonetown Artisan Cheese won the grand champion prize at SIAL Canada’s International Cheese Competition for their Grand Trunk Gruyere-style cheese. The Grand Trunk also earned the Swiss cheese category champion title at the April competition in Toronto. The SIAL Canada International Cheese Competition featured about 200 cheeses from around the world. Stonetown’s Wildwood cheese also earned the firm-cheese-category champion title and a special award from Dairy Farmers of Canada for Best Canadian Cow’s Milk Cheese. The St. Marys cheesemaker’s newest accolades were earned in conjunction with its 10year anniversary. “It just kind of puts the bow around the last 10 years and a reward for the hard work that everyone puts in here at this place,” co-owner and cheesemaker Ramon Eberle said of the win. Stonetown Artisan Cheese won grand champion previously in 2023 with their Wildwood cheese. “We experienced more sales with that cheese. This year, we won with the Grand Trunk and we’re hoping for the same result,” Eberle said. “We already got a bunch of big orders, actually, this week for that cheese.” Eberle was also part of a 14-judge panel for the SIAL Canada International Cheese Competition. As he was among retired cheesemakers and culinary instructors, Eberle was the only
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STONETOWN CHEESE BRINGS HOME THE GOLD AGAIN
(PHOTO COURTESY OF RACHEL DUNDAS)
From left, Ramon Eberle, Hans Weber and Wendy Furtenbacher with the award-winning Wildwood and Grand Trunk cheeses at the SIAL Canada International Cheese Competition.
Perth South councillors still trying to wrap heads around proposed double-digit 2025 levy increase GALEN SIMMONS Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
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Though it’s nearly halfway through the year, Perth South council continues to grapple with the proposed 14.7 per-cent levy increase included in the township’s draft 2025 budget. At the May 6 Perth South council meet-
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