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Center goes 'national'
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Photo supplied Henry Tschanz and Bill Schmid, members of the National Historic Cheesemakers, mount the latest addition to the groups signage at the Green County Welcome Center on Thursday. The countys cheesemakers claim the National Historic Cheesemakers title, based on Green Countys long association with cheese and cheesemakers. The National Historic Cheesemakers Museum is housed at the Green County Welcome Center, at 2108 7th Ave. Both open April 1 for the tourism season.
MONROE - Mary Ann Hanna, new director of the Green County Welcome Center and Historic Cheesemakers' Center, had short notice that an important addition to the Center was happening Thursday morning.

Henry Tschanz and Bill Schmid, Historic Cheesemakers members, mounted the "National" board to their Center's sign.

"Henry and Bill are our 'go-to' guys," Hanna said. "They are such hard workers."

The Historic Cheesemakers have been making broad inroads to claiming the "national" identity for their organization and for their future museum and historic cheesemakers' center.

The sign added Thursday is just one more step in that direction. The group has been using the name in its correspondences since last fall.

The Historic Cheesemakers believe Green County's past associations with cheeses and cheese producers holds the best reason to claim the title of National Historic Cheesemakers Center.

"The new sign is, in part, preparation for the spring opening of the center April 1," Hanna said.

The Center is staffed by volunteers, who not only help visitors with their visit to a variety of Green County sights, but also introduce them to the county's historic cheesemakers and the National Historic Cheesemakers Museum in the Center.

Hanna said the center is looking for more volunteers, who can give as little as three and a half hours of their time a month.

"Anybody can volunteer, " Hanna said.

The National Historic Cheesemakers are in the earliest stages of investigating the future possibilities of a newer, larger center, which could house more than a museum.

"This is just where we are now," Hanna said about the addition of the National name to the signage.

Hanna assumed the duties of director at the center after Jim Glessner retired in 2008, and accepted directorship Jan. 1.