Sunday, August 23, 2009

KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM


KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
EDDYVILLE, KY -->


The latest update on my cookbook “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities.”
The Kentucky Department of Tourism contacted me, because they want to use my cookbook in the Kentucky State Park Gift Shops, their online sales, and as a possible promotional tool for Kentucky Tourism.

It is the perfect idea, because the cookbook brings to attention not only the large cities and famous tourist sites, but also the unique and perhaps otherwise unnoticed areas and regions of Kentucky. The places that make the state truly special.

Example: Flatwood, KY is in extreme Eastern Kentucky. Wickliffe, KY is in extreme Western Kentucky. Most Kentucky residents and tourist never heard of either town. Yet one is the home of a famous singer (Billy Ray Cyrus) and the other is the home of a famous basketball player Kenneth Rollins. Rollins was on the NCAA Champion University of Kentucky Basketball Team (The Fab Five) and went on to play on the US basketball team, which won an Olympic Gold Medal for the USA.

Speaking of unique places, I will be doing a book signing at Eddyville, Kentucky, Saturday, August 29th at the Eddyville Founder’s Day Celebration in the Eddyville City Park. You can find me at the Lyon County Chamber of Commerce Booth. What makes Eddyville so special is the entire town was moved from its original location in the early 1950’s because of the construction of Barkley Dam and the formation of Lake Barkley. The town would have been totally submerged by the lake had it not been relocated. SEE MAP ABOVE

If you want to know more about the cookbook and how to purchase a copy contact me at
whinneryw@bellsouth.net or call 270-554-5332.




Friday, August 14, 2009



KENTUCKY ARTISAN CENTER AT BEREA

As the author of “Favorite Recipe of Kentucky Celebrities,” it is always gratifying when there are new opportunities for the cookbook. It is nice to know that in these difficult economic times, I am given the chance to share the cookbook with a very deserving and worthwhile organization.

This occurred a couple of weeks ago when I received an invitation to be an approved author at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. The invitation was from the Director Victoria Faoro.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is part of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts & Heritage Cabinet of Kentucky. The center was established to celebrate Kentucky's artisan heritage and to encourage Kentuckians and those traveling in Kentucky to enjoy Juried artisan products and activities. I am extremely humbled by this opportunity.
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is located at 975 Walnut Meadow Road, Berea, KY alongside Interstate 75 at exit 77, just 40 miles south of Lexington, KY, and only 2.5 miles from downtown Berea, the "Folk Arts and Craft Capital of Kentucky."
In this 25,000 sq. foot facility you can shop for Kentucky products; experience Kentucky hospitality; explore Kentucky crafts & history; enjoy Kentucky cuisine;
The Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea is open to the public seven days a week, from 8am-8pm (Eastern Time), with its cafe serving from 8:30am-5:00pm. Please note that during hours the Center is closed, the public rest rooms are also closed.



















Saturday, August 8, 2009

BOOK SIGNING POND CLUB & CULPEPPER PLACE

BOOK SIGNING POND CLUB & CULPEPPER PLACE


Yesterday I did a book signing at Culpepper Place, 2114 New Holt Rd. Paducah, KY, a residential apartment complex for Senior Citizens. I had so much fun. I shared information on how I obtained recipes from various celebrities for my cookbook, “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities.” The emphasis was on celebrities they would like information. Examples: Fess Parker, Dale Evan, Irvin S. Cobb, Vice- President Alben Barkley, John Scope, and Soap Opera star Kassie DePavia.

The really neat surprise was the opportunity to meet Virginia Glover, who owned Hales Restaurant in Smithland, Ky. The restaurant was there for nearly 50 years and everyone there told me how great it was. Mrs. Glover said that when they filmed the movie “How The West Was Won” in the Smithland, KY and Cave In Rock, IL area, in 1963 that all the stars (John Wayne, James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Gregory Peck, Carol Baker, and Debbie Reynolds) would come to the restaurant every day for lunch. She said her special recipe was Chess Pie.

When I told her, I was working on collecting recipes for a second cookbook she promised to share her recipe.


In addition to doing the book signing at Culpepper Place, I also did a book signing at a local Pond Club. These 2 booksignings and individual purchases allowed a nice donation to Paducah Cooperative Ministry.

Remember the cookbook is available to any non-profit organization that would like to use it as a fundraiser, or if you would like an individual copy (Retail $19.95 with proceeds going to a local Paducah Charity) please contact Pam Whinnery, 270-554-5332, whinneryw@bellsouth.net.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

129TH FANCY FARM PICNIC

129TH FANCY FARM PICNIC

The only thing spicier than the barbeque is the Politics.

Today was the infamous Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, KY, which kicks off the campaign season in our illustrious state.

If you head to the western most part of Kentucky, you will find the town called Fancy Farm. This small community is nationally known for two things: its magnificent catholic church and the world’s largest one-day picnic.

This was my first trip to the picnic. My plans were to enjoy the GREAT food including the secret Barbeque sauce, fresh vegetables, and homemade desserts. I was not disappointed. Being an author of the “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities” I also hoped to get a recipe from the St. Jerome Parrish. It is a historic site and the picnic deserves Celebrity Status. A very sweet lady at the “Country Store” promised to send me a recipe from the Parrish.

Another reason for going there is my plans to do a 2nd cookbook on recipes from Kentucky Celebrities. As my 1st cookbook had recipes from several Kentucky politicians, including Gov. Steve Beshear (Democrat) and Senator Mitch McConnell (Republican) I was hoping to give out my business cards to request recipe contributions for the new cookbook.

At the dinner, Former U.S. Representative Carrol Hubbard set at my table. He was extremely gracious and promised to send me a recipe.

I ran into House Majority Leader Jody Richards at a concession stand and he promised a recipe.

Out at the campers (this is what the politicians running for election use as a base when in Fancy Farm) I gave the various campaign groups my card and they all promised recipes. I will admit Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo’s campaign worker came back later and requested a 2nd. Business card. He said he had given the 1st to Mongiardo, but he wanted one for himself to be sure I received the recipe. I was impressed.

Gatewood Galbraith, who is running for Governor in 2011 not only promised me a recipe, but also gave me an autographed book.

Now I don’t want to take political sides, but this will be an interesting, but simple test to see how many of these politicians keep their promise.