I haven't been to Kneadful Things in Salem, VA, but this is the cheese wafer recipe my grandmother used to make, and she was from the Salem area. Maybe it's close:
ICEBOX CHEESE WAFERS1/2 pound grated Cheddar cheese
1/4 pound (1/2 cup) butter, softened
salt (to taste)
Small pinch red pepper (and somtimes more than a small pinch)
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
Pecan halves (optional)
Cream together cheese, butter, salt, and pepper; add flour and shape into a roll. Wrap in wax-paper and place in refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, preferably overnight.
When needed slice into thin wafers and top with a pecan half.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Here is another cheese wafer recipe that has a little less flour. I have not tried this one.
CHEESE CRISPSSource:
Virginia Hospitality by Junior League of Hampton Roads1 1/2 cups sharp cheese, grated
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon red pepper
1/3 cup pecans, chopped
Cream cheese and butter. Add flour, salt and pepper. Mix well. Stir in pecans. Flour hands and shape into 2 rolls, 1 inch in diameter. Wrap in wax paper and chill overnight.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Slice thin and bake for 10 minutes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Cool.
Yields 70.