Sonoma County Fair 2011 Dairy of the Year

Congratulations to Monique & Mike Moretti Family Dairy

on being selected the 2011 Sonoma County Dairy of the Year!!!

Mike, Amanda & Monique pictured before the presentation.

Monique is a North Bay Dairy Women Past President,
current board member and active in many ag and community groups & events.

Amanda is currently serving as our Dist. #3 Dairy Princess (and freshman college student at Cornell University in New York) .

Mike is active on several Dairy industry boards.

Son Danny was not able to attend, but he also participates

in the family dairy and ag events.

The Moretti Family operate their dairy in Petaluma, participate at countless dairy & ag events and do it all with a smile.

The Moretti's are much deserved in this honor.

Congratulations!

Past (1961) Dist. #3 and California Dairy Princess and

 Sonoma County Fair Board Member Marilyn Herzog

presented the Moretti Family with their beautiful trophy during the Open Holstein Show.

Joining her was Alt. Dairy Princess Samantha Spaletta.

Monique and Amanda are congratulated by Alt. Princess Samantha and

North Bay Dairy Women President Audrey Wheeler.

Sonoma County Fair Feature Booth

North Bay Dairy Women had a great feature booth at the Sonoma County Fair this year.  The Fair was celebrating its 75th Year and our feature booth was in the History Hall, just off the Hall of Flowers.

Under the direction of Katherine Rinehart (from the Petaluma History Museum), the hall was a touching dedication to past Sonoma County Fairs and the people who have taken part over the past 75 years.

Many people & organizations loaned memorabilia and photos and other assorted items to the Fair to include in this look back.  Hope you didn't miss it, it was wonderful! 

NBDW Feature Booth "Chairs" Judy Buttke and Joyce Leveroni did an outstanding job planning and organizing our exhibit "Dairy History of Sonoma & Marin". 

Dot & Earl Holtz generously loaned their antique dairy equipment to us for the duration of the 3 week fair.  Thank you to them!

With the help of the worker-dairy women, the booth went up & was a true tribute to our industry.

Those helping Joyce & Judy were: Susan, Paulette, Angelina, Audrey, Annette, Cindy & Linda.  Thank you ladies for a job well planned & created.

Here is the finished product....

As part of the exhibit, Judy & Joyce prepared a booklet titled "Dairy Families - 75 Years - Sonoma & Marin Counties".  Information & history of 15 local dairy operations was included in this book, information provided by those families from a request by Dairy Women.  Thank you to all those who responded.

If you would like to read the information in this dairy history booklet, here is the link: 

And a treat!  During the planning of the Hall of History, NBDW was contacted about a photo in the fair files with the request to identify those in the photo.  Can you identify these two??

This photo is of the North Bay DAiry Women Feature Booth at the Sonoma County Fair in 1978 or 1979 and pictured is Rich Thomas presenting the trophy to NBDW President Cathy Nommsen!

Love this photo!  So much fun to see it!

North Bay Dairy Women Scholarships

At the June general meeting of the North Bay Dairy Women the

2011 Scholarship Winners were guests.

Pictured above are:

Joe Stefanoni winner of the Bernice Hadermann Memorial Scholarship

Amanda Moretti winner of the Florence Gilardoni Memorial Scholarship

North Bay Dairy Women President Audrey Wheeler

Maria Camozzi recipient of the Isolena Maestretti "Miss Vitality" Scholarship

Clark Moretti winner of the Rose Grossi Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to these fine students.  We look forward to hearing about your continued success as you pursue your educations.

Thank You Outgoing Board Members

A belated mention about our Outgoing Board Members. 

In April the board went to lunch in Sonoma at LaSalette.

Our invited guests were two ladies who put in many hours as NBDW Board Members....Mary Zimmerman and Kim Jones.  NBDW treated Mary & Kim to lunch and we enjoyed a great time visiting and enjoying a delicious lunch.

Thank you so very much to Mary & Kim for your years of dedicated service to our group. 

We know that we can expect you at future meetings, dairy events and social activities.  It is because of great women pitching in to help at every corner, that our organization is still active after over 45 years.

Standing: Sue, Christine, Kim, Pat & Monique

Seated: Judy, Audrey, Susan, Lorrie, Arlene, Mary & Annette

Summer Dairy Fun

June Dairy Month

On June 7, 2011 Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti made a presentation to the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors.  North Bay Dairy Women President Audrey Wheeler, along with members Judy Buttke, Monique Moretti and Andrea Krout were in attendance at the Supervisor's Meeting.

The Board of Supervisors presented North Bay Dairy Women with a resolution declaring

"June 2011 as Dairy Month and encourage Sonoma County residents and consumers to celebrate the contributions and achievements of its dairy farmers, cheese makers and creamery operators for striving for individual excellence."

The resolution was signed by Supervisors Valerie Brown, David Rabbitt, Shirley Zane, Mike McGuire and Efren Carrillo. 

Supervisor Rabbit presented the document to  Dairy Princess Amanda and President Audrey and Judy.

Thank you Amanda, Audrey, Judy, Monique & Andrea for participating in this event.

Marin French Cheese Company

Day #6 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Marin French Cheese Company

We would like to thank Marin French Cheese Company for their support in providing 2 of their cheese styles to our tasting at the

2011 Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Rouge et Noir Brie

Their award-winning California brie is made by hand, using the same artisanal methods we have employed for nearly 150 years. 

Received  World Cheese Award in 2005 and 2010.

Always popular, always delicious!

Rouge et Noir Pesto Brie

 The highest quality pesto, combined with other natural ingredients make this Brie a

a surprising taste treat.  The tasters at the fair enjoyed sampling this flavored cheese.

You can find Marin French Cheese at many local stores, including G & G Market and Raley's.

A short drive outside Petaluma and you can visit their store & have a sample and enjoy a picnic on the grounds.

See their website for more information:

http://www.marinfrenchcheese.com

Thank you Marin French Cheese Company for a long standing tradition in our area, made from milk in our local area!

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

Day #5 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company

Original Blue



Made by Bob & Dean Giacomini

& Daughters Karen, Diana, Lynn & Jill

We appreciate their generous support of our cheese tasting

at the 2011 Sonoma-Marin Fair Farm to Table Exhibit.

We had to work quickly to keep up with the sampling

demand for this delecious blue cheese.

The cheese is made and formed, then cured for about 3 weeks before aging for a period of 5 to 6 months.

You can find Point Reyes Original Blue at

G & G Market, Whole Foods, Oliver's Market as well as many other area food stores.

Or visit their website: http://pointreyescheese.com/index.html

Enjoy some soon!!!

Valley Ford Cheese Company

Day #4 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Valley Ford Cheese Company

Valley Ford Estero Cheese

Valley Ford Highway One Cheese

Made by Karen Bianchi-Moreda

(a North Bay Dairy Women Member)

with milk produced on the family dairy,

Mountain View Dairy, in Valley Ford.

Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti & Alt. Samantha Spaletta

share the enjoyment of Valley Ford Cheese.

Thank you to Valley Ford Cheese company for generously providing their cheese for our sampling at the 2011 Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Estero Gold Cheese is an Italian farmstead style cheese, good as a snack or melted into pasta or polenta.

Highway One Cheese is a version of old style Fontina; aged for at least 80 days and was a bronze medalist at California State Fair.

It was a hit with the cheese tasters!

You can purchase Valley Ford Cheese at G & G Market, Oliver's and Petaluma Market as well as area Farmers Markets.

Check out their website at: http://www.valleyfordcheeseco.com/index.html

Wallaby Yogurt Company

Day #3 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Wallaby Yogurt Company

Organic Lowfat Yogurt

Thank you for sharing your yogurt for our sampling at

Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti & Alt. Samantha Spaletta

offer samples of Wallaby Organic Yogurt.

Wallaby Yogurt is in the style of yogurt made in Australia.

The milk is locally produced and the

product is processed in American Canyon (Napa Valley area).

Yummy!!

Susan treats youngsters to samples of yogurt.

Her family is a milk producer for Wallaby.

Visit their website at: http://wallabyyogurt.com/index.htm

Wallaby Organic Yogurt is available at Raley's, Lucky's and other area stores.

Nicasio Valley Cheese Company-Nicasio Reserve

Day #2 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Nicasio Valley Cheese Company

Nicasio Reserve

Thank you to Nicasio Valley Cheese for sharing your

Cheese for our sampling at Sonoma-Marin Fair.

Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti & Alt. Princess Samantha Spaletta

 taste test Nicasio Valley Cheese!

Nicasio Reserve was a hit with the cheese tasters.

It is aged 3 months, semi-firm cheese and was a

Gold Medal Winner at California State Fair.

To find this cheese you can check their website:

http://www.nicasiocheese.com/index.html

Visit their store:

5300 Nicasio Valley Road, Nicasio, California

Thursday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Or check your local grocery cheese section, including:

Oliver's, Whole Foods & Fircrest.

We suggest you try some soon!



Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese

Day #1 Highlighting Local Dairy Product Makers

Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese

Made by Don & Bonnie DeBernardi

Thank you to Don & Bonnie for sharing their

cheese for our sampling.

Many of the tasters were leary of trying a goat cheese, but all were pleasantly surprised at it's nutty flavor.

 Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti gives out samples of Two Rock Goat Cheese while
Alt. Samantha Spaletta watches. 
Don & Bonnie DeBernardi are Amanda's grandparents.

These two cheese tasters came back several times to taste
Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese!

Some of the places you can find Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese:

 Local Farmer's Markets, Oliver's Market and Petaluma Market

Try some today!

Contact Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese at 707-762-6182

2011 Sonoma-Marin Fair Cheese Tasting

On opening day of the 2011 Sonoma-Marin Fair, North Bay Dairy Women hosted cheese tasting in the Farm to Table exhibit building (Bev Wilson Hall).

Susan Bianchi worked with the fair and President Audrey Wheeler contacted several local cheesemakers. In all we served samples of seven types of cheese, sour cream and several flavors of yogurt.

All of the products were donated by the producer and we would like to thank them by highlighting each one, one per day for the next eight days.

The products we served were:

Point Reyes Farmstead Blue Cheese

Nicasio Valley Cheese Company Nicasio Reserve Cheese

Wallaby Organic Yogurt in several flavors

Wallaby Organic Sour Cream

Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese

Marin French Cheese Brie

Marin French Cheese Pesto Brie

Valley Ford Cheese Company Estero Gold

Valley Ford Cheese Company Highway One

Thank you to all of them for the generous donation of product.

There was a great response from the public and many pleasantly surprised at the variety of locally produced milk products.

So, beginning tomorrow, watch for photos and highlights of these local dairy product producers.

June Dairy Baby

Each year North Bay Dairy Women present a gift basket of dairy products & "moo" related gifts to the first baby born in June at Petaluma Valley Hospital.

This year our Dairy Baby is Jasmin.

(Mom is not pictured for her privacy)

Dist. #3 Dairy Princess Amanda Moretti presented the gift basket.

Baby Jasmin was born at 9:58 A.M. on June 2 and weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz.

Princess Amanda even got to hold Dairy Baby Jasmin!

The nurses were also presented with a gift basket of treats.

Thank you to Cindy Bordessa, Princess Amanda & Bonnie DeBernardi for their help in making the 2011 Dairy Baby Presentation.

Bernice Hadermann Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Joe Stefanoni

2011 Bernice Hadermann Memorial Scholarship Winner

The Bernice Hadermann Memorial $500 Scholarship is awarded to a male student enrolled at Santa Rosa Junior College who is pursuing an education in an agriculture field.

The scholarship is presented annually at the District #3 Dairy Princess Contest & Ball.

Joe plans on attending Oklahoma State University in the Fall 2012.

His major will be Agriculture Economics with a minor in Political Science

Joe hopes to secure a job as a governmental affairs director for a non-profit, agricultural organizations such as California State Grange or California Farm Bureau Federation.

He has bee very active in local and state Grange Organizations.

Congratulations, Joe and best wishes on your bright future!

Come try some local cheese. North Bay Dairy Women will be hosting cheese sampling at the Sonoma-Marin Fair Sustainable Ag Building today, Wednesday, June 22 from 1:00 to 8:00 PM. Thank you to the local cheese makers for the donations: Pt. Reyes Blue Cheese, Two Rock Valley Goat Cheese, Marin French Cheese Co., Valley Ford Cheese, Wallaby Yogurt Company, Nicasio Valley Cheese Co.

Cookbook Feature

The (soldout) North Bay Dairy Women Cookbook was featured in Cookbook Publishers newletter.

Check it out at:

http://cookbookpublishers.com/NewsletterLinks/June2011/NorthBay.cfm

Rose Grossi Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations Clark Moretti!

On Wednesday, March 18, 2011 NBDW Member

Renee Renati presented the

Rose Grossi Memorial Scholaship to Clark at the

Petaluma High School Senior Awards Program.

Thank you Renee and Congratulations Clark!

2011 District #3 Dairy Princess Contest & Ball

 North Bay Dairy Women & California Milk Advisory Board

Sponsored the 54th Annual Dist. #3 Dairy Princess Ball on

April 9, 2011 at Petaluma Veteran's Memorial.

MOONLIGHT & DIAMONDS

Contestants: Maria Camozzi, Carly Miller

Amanda Moretti & Samantha Spaletta

A crowd of over 550 attended the crowning event followed by dinner & dancing.

North Bay Dairy Women & their helpers begin preparations in January each year and work hard to make the event beautiful and popular.  The local dairymen, dairy related businesses and community supporters help make this one of the states leading Dairy Princess Contests.

Set-Up Preparations

Friday, April 9th the Dairy Women & Committee helpers meet at the hall to begin set-up, decorating and organizing for the Saturday night Ball.

Some of the workers: Shirley Bianchi, Kitty Meadows, Joyce Leveroni, Event Chair Judy Buttke, Chris Camozzi, NBDW President Audrey Wheeler and Annette Grossi.  Joyce does a great job planning and supervising the stage and table decorations.  It is a big job and takes many hands to pull together.

 Wrapping silverware for the dinner: Audrey, Rachael Cheda, Arlene McClure, Lorrie Kidder (partially hidden), Kitty Meadows and Shirley Bianchi.

We are lucky to always have our favorite Clover-Stornetta rep. Mike Griffin on hand to help with the heavy jobs and the last minute shopping runs.  Here he is with Sue McIsaac and Kitty peaking from the curtains.

We owe a huge thank you to each and every person who came to the hall to get everything in order for the contest & dinner.  Every single bit of help is appreciated.  Apologies to those not pictured or mentioned, we THANK YOU for your help.

Rehearsal

On Friday afternoon, the contestants & escorts arrive to rehearse.  Here they are: Maria, Carly, 2010-11 Dairy Princess Emilie Strand, Amanda & Samantha.

Early Saturday morning the contestants arrive to be interviewed individually by the judges, practice on stage, have lunch with the judges, practice some more.....and that all before the evening festivites begin!  A full, fun filled day.  Above on stage are Amanda, Samantha, Maria & Carly.  Love this photo!!

Lunch with the Judges

Jimmy Maestretti Catering prepares our evening meal, along with the lunch for the contestants, judges, NBDW President and Event Chair.

Above far left is Judge James Garner who is the Communications Director of Dairy Cares and

Second from right is Judge Kevin Blount who is a Dairyman from Crows Landing.

Samantha, Amanda & Maria shown with the judges.

Judge Dr. Marit Arana, Ph.D. from A.L. Gilbert Company is on the far right.

With her are Carly and Dairy Princess Emilie.

The lunch is served by the Milk Maids, girls who we hope will be contestants in the near future.

2011 Milk Maids: Ashley Tresch, Michelle McClure, Cassie Redding,

Jenna Bergstedt and Danielle Dolcini.

These five girls did a great job serving lunch, helping with other little activities during the day and helping out at the buffet serving line in the evening. 

 Thank you all and hope to see you as a Dairy Princess contestant next year!

Cheese Social

Before the doors open to the public, the committee hosts a Cheese Social for the Contestants, Escorts, Judges, CMAB Reps, and Contestant Sponsors.  The Milk Maids are also on hand helping out.

2010-11 Dairy Princess Emilie Strand welcomes the contestants, escorts and her Alternates.

Pictured above left to right: Dairy Princess Emilie, Jordan Grove, 2010 1st Alt. Regina Camozzi, Spencer Neve, 2010 2nd Alt. Stephanie Rowley, Carly & her escort Dominic Balistreri, Amanda & her escort Anthony Bordessa, Maria & her escort Clark Moretti, and Samantha & her escort Danny Moretti.

The Outgoing Court with Spencer sample the cheese which included:

Nicasio Valley Cheese, Pt. Reyes Farmstead Cheese, Valley Ford Cheese Co. Cheese and Petaluma Creamery Cheese.  It was delecious and much enjoyed.

Contestant Maria chats with 1996-97 Dairy Princess Annie McIsaac at the Cheese Social.

Contestants Amanda & Maria wiith Kris Costa from California Milk Advisory Board

 and Judge Dr. Marit Arana.

During the Cheese Social, California Milk Advisory Board Representative Domenic Carinalli presents each Contestant with a special gift.

Dominic also presented Chair Judy Buttke with a very small token of appreciation for the job she does.

This contest continues and thrives because of the countless hours of time and work that Judy puts into it.

Thank you Judy from your entire Committee & the North Bay Dairy Women!

Time for the Contest!

Contestant #1 Miss Carly Miller

with her Escort Dominic Balistreti

Carly's Sponsor was Sevall, Thwaites & Soper Insurance

 

Contestant #2 Miss Amanda Moretti

with Master of Ceremonies Rich Silacci

Amanda's Sponsors were Matthew & Lauren Evangelo

Contestant #3 Miss Maria Camozzi

also with Rich

Maria's Sponsor was Wallaby Yogurt Company

 

Contestant #4 Miss Samantha Spaletta

and Rich.

Samantha's Sponsor was Gerald Spaletta Dairy

CMAB Rep Domenic Carnalli & NBDW President Audrey Wheeler

representing the co-sponsors

California Milk Advisory Board & North Bay Dairy Women

Chair Judy thanks the sponsors, committee and dairy supporters of the community.

Outgoing Dairy Princess gave an enjoyable farewell speech, thanked everyone who helped her and mentioned the doors that have opened to her following her selection as Dist. #3 Dairy Princess.

And yes, that is a cow-spotted cast on her hand, she badly broke her little finger working with cattle!

Adorable Contestant

Carly Miller!

Beautiful Contestant

Amanda Moretti!

Delightful Contestant

Maria Camozzi!

Radiant Contestant

Samantha Spaletta!

North Bay Dairy Women President Audrey is back on stage to present the

Florence Gilardoni Memorial Scholarship.

The $500 Award goes to a contestant who is continuing her education in a agriculture field.

2011 Florence Gilardoni Memeorial Scholarship Winner Amanda Moretti!

Audrey also announced the winner of the

Bernice Hadermann Memorial Scholarship (named for her mother).

Though he was unable to attend, Mr. Joe Stefanoni was awarded this scholarship.

Joe is currently a student at Santa Rosa Jr. College and will be continuing his

education in an agriculture field also.  Congratulations Joe Stefanoni!

The Isolena Maestretti "Miss Vitality" Award Winner

Miss Maria Camozzi!

The Miss Vitality Award is voted on by the contestants themselves.

They vote to select the girl who has been the most fun & energetic during all their prepartions.

Four beautiful girls await the judges return...

and wait....

and wait....

And here is where MC Rich Silacci said

"This is why I earn the big bucks!" 

The judges were in overtime deliberations and the time had to be filled.

Rich talked with the contestants some more, stalled, joked and invited Contest Coordinators

Andrea Krout and Dayna Ghirardelli on stage.

Andrea was 2003-04 Dairy Princess and Dayna was 1991-92 Dairy Princess.

  Andrea & Dayna talked about the preparations and work that the girls put in to be ready for their individual and group interviews with the judges.  Andrea & Dayna have done an outstanding job again this year helping the girls with their speaking and confidence, to be ready to speak to the judges and to 550 in the audience.

Nice work ladies.

The Judges return and the envelopes delivered.......

2011-12 District #3 Alternate Dairy Princess

Miss Samantha Spaletta

and

2011-12 District #3 Dairy Princess

Miss Amanda Moretti!!

Congratulations to four outstanding contestants!

Samantha, Amanda, Maria & Carly

Alternate Samantha and Dairy Princess Amanda

2010 Dairy Princess Emilie & 2011 Dairy Princess Amanda

Dairy Princess Amanda with her sponsors Lauren & Matthew Evangelo

 2011-12 District #3 Dairy Princess Court

Escorts Spencer Neve, Danny Moretti, Anthony Bordessa, Dominic Balistreri,

 Clark Moretti & Jordan Grove

Samantha Spaletta, Amanda Moretti, Carly Miller & Maria Camozzi

Thank you all for a terrific contest!

A special thank you to Brenda Hawkes-Ficco of Hawkes Photography

 for the Cheese Social & Contest Photos.

Thank you also to Jimmy Maestretti Catering for a delecious dinner,

to Goodtime DJ for the great dance music,

and most especially to all of our

Sponsors and Donors for making this event possible.