The Joy of Eating Vermont Cheddar Cheese

by Eric H., lifelong New England native (posted 9/26/07)

When Fred and Dan Murphy weren't sitting on their front porch rockers and enjoying their beloved Arlington, MA, neighborhood, these two salt-of-the-earth New England gentlemen traveled New England as cheese salesmen.

Oh, they were much more than cheese salesmen, having specialized in being real human beings -- loving thy neighbor, playing tennis, enjoying the Boston Red Sox and just being all-around good guys. They were loyal to their hometown -- brothers growing up together and staying together to an old age in the same house they were raised.

I remember first and foremost how nice they treated me and my brother, Marc, especially at Halloween where we put aside all trick or treating to spend a few hours conversing about anything and everything in their old-fashioned, inviting dining room. Sure, they gave us candy, but we were more eager to chat with our favorite neighbors than eat a candy bar -- noteworthy given sugar is an integral part of childhood. Eventually, my Dad would come over to get us, usually two hours past our bedtime. We ended up staying longer, however, because my Dad then started talking with the Murphys!

The Murphys weren't always home, having been on the road to make a living. When they returned, Fred often gave us some of the most delicious-tasting Vermont cheddar cheese you could imagine. To this day, I don't know why Vermont cheese seems to be in a class of its own. Maybe because someone we really liked gave us cheese made it taste that much better, but, in reality, probably not. Vermont cheese, especially cheddar, is, to me, part of the matrix that makes Vermont so special and eating such a neat thing to do!

Fred and Dan are no longer with us, and I have great regret not being in touch with them in their last few years. We grow up, responsibilities increase, and we sometimes fall under the misguided belief that when there's more time down the road that we'll reconnect with the people that matter to us. The years of having the Murphys as the ultimate neighbors and the kind of people we need more of in this sometimes unkind world leave memories that can never be taken away. But I wish I had seen them more in their latter years. They were truly a special part of our childhood.

May you love your neighbor, create time to be with others and have some good Vermont cheese!