David the “jar-opener" is a veteran of the cheese shop. In addition to his superior cheese wrapping/cutting skill, his cunning problem solving aptitude, cheetah-like reflexes, and unbreakable mental constitution make him an unyielding and indispensable cog in the machine that is Dedrick’s Cheese. Some (everyone) would also say that his signage and chalkboard artwork are second to none. He also has a prodigious vocabulary. Make note of his annually-celebrated New Year's moustache and receive a complementary second cheese sample!

Hello, my name is Rachel and I am a single mother who works at Dedrick’s Cheese. My baby’s name is Baloo, and believe you me, he is one talented little German Shepard pup. My hobbies include: long walks on sandy shores, guitar riffs, jibber-jabber, a love of adding “esque” to nouns, and re-lyricing 80’s music to suit the egos of the cheese.  Example: instead of “ Cat Scratch Fever” I might say “Black Wax Gouda duh nuh nuh nuh.” I will be transferring to UC Berkley where I will be protesting against international fromage abuse.

Kyle can be described in two words: "masterful" and "dashing" and "nice-smelling". His hobbies include cheese wrapping, cheese tasting and cheese psychology. His favorite animal is the calulatorsaurus, which though imaginary, is the most ferocious of all animals in the mathematical kingdom. He hopes to find a nice girl who will love him as much as he loves himself. Look out ladies, here comes KYLE!

Hello, my name is Erin. I am tall and therefore bear the nickname “Sasquatch”, graciously given to me by coworker Francie (whom I like to call Frankenstein). I have found that working at Dedrick’s has proven very advantageous in the real world so far: my friends are extremely impressed with my cheese wrapping skills, and enjoy it when I come to their houses and organize their refrigerators. Although my fingers are scarred from multiple cuttings from our knives and planers, Dedrick’s has the ability to heal any emotional wound. Our coarse sense of humor coupled with our constant barrage of cheese-related puns have brightened rainy days and have encouraged me to abandon my schooling at UCSB to become a full-time cheese enthusiast.

Born in the ‘burbs of Los Angeles, Emerick has learned the street’s way of working. He’s brought these skills up north to Main Street P*Ville, where you can find him hustlin’ the cheese down at Dedrick’s. Humboldt Fog? Check. Fresh Asiago? Got it. Petit Basque? No problemo hombre. At Dedrick’s Main Street Cheese, Emerick may be the youngest worker, but he never forgets his game. When not working or in school, he is constantly updating his "WHAM!" fan club blog. Emerick first came to the cheese through the Shenandoah High School LTI (Learning Through Internship) program and has been with us ever since.

Love. Respect. Devotion. Francie. What does that name mean? According to ancient texts, the name Francie was defined as “Free”. Yet I do not speak of an every-day bystander or your commonplace cheese-store employee. Francie, you must understand, is more than just a name or single definition; it is a lifestyle… one that has been mastered at Dedrick’s Main Street Cheese. Since her initiation into our store, Francie Hoover has demonstrated dexterity, passion, and creativity equaled by none. “I believe the olive-jar-efficiency can be maximized through a 56.23% decline of liquid consistency”, or, “Through geometrically redesigning the customer’s cheese-trays, we can achieve optimal content.” are just two examples of what you may hear emanating from the mouth of Francie; proving her ingenious nature. A great man by the name of William Shakespeare once said, “Action is eloquence” and through the actions of Dedrick’s Francie Hoover, such a nature has never been better demonstrated. My bio is too long.

Hi, my name is Pablo. I’ve lived in Shingle Springs all my life. My favorite cheese is usually the one in my mouth. Working with the staff at Dedrick’s cheese has been a little slice of heaven! My hobbies include celebrating my culture which is of a Latin descent, and also watching my pet cat, Moliko Maffo and my tortoise, Poncho.  Stop in and say hi. Pablo is yet another of our awesome former Shenandoah High LTI interns.

Pinocchio is only a seasonal employee.

He is mostly an unwelcome distraction.

Photography by D.W. Johnson © 2008 | All Rights Reserved