ARENA, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- The Mazomanie Historical Society is proud to uncover proof Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has real ties to Wisconsin, and not only that, but quite possibly the 'original Cheeseheads.'
The organization's webmaster, Andy Szudy, scored the genealogical touchdown a few years back.
He learned Rodgers' great-great-great-great grandparents —the Calkins —were buried in Mazomanie. But most recently, Szudy learned in nearby Arena — the Civil War era couple purchased a plot of land — on top of what is today the Mill Creek Cheese Factory.
Szudy explains what the Calkins likely did there:
"Here they certainly would have had some dairy farming and almost would have certainly been making their own butter and probably their own cheese," Szudy said.
The Mill Creek Cheese Factory’s Co-owner Mary Pitman says she was shocked by the discovery.
"Well to begin with, I didn’t truly believe it and everyone I told said, 'no this couldn’t be true,’ but, well he [Rodgers] had to come from somewhere," Pitman laughed.
Pitman would like Rodgers, a Chico, California native, to tour the world-famous-award winning plant and enjoy some of their specialty cheese, but she says all that can wait for the off-season.