Saturday, July 31, 2010

FANCY FARM PICNIC BOOK SIGNING



130TH FANCY FARM PICNIC
The 130th Fancy Farm Picnic will be this next Saturday Aug. 7. It is drawing major news coverage, NOT because of the book signing I have been invited to do during the picnic, but because of the Nov. Senatorial race. Republican Candidate & Tea Party supported Rand Paul (son of Presidential candidate Ron Paul) and Democratic candidate Attorney General Jack Conway should draw major crowds. It is being shown live on KET and will be shown for the first time on C-Span.
Fancy Farm Picnic is famous as a traditional political gathering attracting statewide and occasionally national candidates. The picnic began in 1880 as a purely local affair. It takes place mostly on the grounds of Fancy Farm Elementary School. Since 1956 it has been held on the first Saturday in August. It has come to represent the traditional starting point of the fall campaign season in Kentucky.
The picnic was of purely local interest until A.B. "Happy" Chandler began making appearances, going for the first time in 1931 while running for Lieutenant Governor.
National figures that have made speeches include George C. Wallace and Al Gore. Vice President Alben Barkley, known for his oratorical skills, spoke many times over the years before his death in 1956.
In addition to the political appearances, the picnic offers traditional fair activities like Craft items, book signings, bingo, and raffle prizes. Food includes barbecue, a Knights of Columbus fish fry, and homemade baked goods.
The event was recognized in the 1985 Guinness Book of World Records as the "World's Largest Picnic", for the consumption of 19,000 pounds of mutton, pork, and chicken. The picnic is profitable and proceeds are used to finance local improvements. About 12,000 to 15,000 people attend each year.
Stop by the Country Store in the Knights of Columbus Hall (Just across from the dining area,) to get a copy of my cookbook "Favorite Recipe of Kentucky Celebrities.” It has recipes from Gov. Steve Beshears, Sen. Mitch McConnell, U.S Representative Ed Whitfield, & former Vice-President Alben Barkley (sent by his granddaughter).

Thursday, July 22, 2010

DAVID DICK 1930-2010


DAVID DICK 1930-2010

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of David Dick, who passed away this week at his home in his native Bourbon County Kentucky. He was 80.

He was a former CBS News correspondent and bureau chief. David worked at CBS from 1966 to 1985, winning an Emmy for his coverage of the assassination attempt on then-presidential candidate George Wallace. He also served as South American bureau chief from 1978-1979.

After his years at CBS, David went on to become Director of the University of Kentucky's School of Journalism. He and his wife Lalie own Plum Lick Publishing and together they have written over a dozen books on their beloved state of Kentucky and its people.

I had the pleasure of meeting David and doing a book signing with him and his lovely wife Lalie last year at Historic Penn Store. It was such an honor! He will be sadly missed.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

ELVIS PRESLEY RECIPE




TENNESSEE CELEBRITY

COOKBOOK UPDATE.

We now have over 230 recipes for the Tennessee Celebrity Cookbook.

I just received a recipe from John Schorr, President of Sun Studios Memphis. He sent Elvis’s Fried Banana Pie.

Sun Studios located on Beale Street is the legendary recording studio, and birthplace of rock and roll, widely known for recording Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash.

We also have received recipes with other Elvis ties! The Banana Pudding recipe the cook at Graceland always kept fresh in the refrigrator. This came from the folks at Graceland.

The Jordanaires were one and the same with Elvis for years. Ray Walker, their fabulous bass singer sent his wife's recipe for Corn Chowder. He said he had been married to Marilyn for 55 years and she and the corn chowder got better every year. I loved that!

Gospel Music was a big part of Elvis’s life. The Stamps Quartet sang with Elvis in all of his gospel recordings. The original lead singer Ed Enoch has graciously agreed to send us a recipe.

This is so exciting! I believe all these wonderful people sent recipes as they knew the cookbook is to be used as a fundraiser for various non-profit organizations all across Tennessee. We have already had several organizations that have sold the Kentucky Cookbook that want to sell the Tennessee one as well.

I think God is constantly creating opportunities for the Cookbook and fun activities for me.

THE TENNESSEE COOKBOOK

WILL BE AVAILABLE

NOVEMBER 1, 2010!