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.

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.

BOOK SIGNING AMERICAN RED CROSS

BOOK SIGNING AMERICAN RED CROSS

We have just returned from doing a book signing for the American Red Cross, at the 28th Annual National Corvette Homecoming in Bowling Green, Kentucky. WOW! Was that fun? Bowling Green is the home of the only Corvette plant in the world and the National Corvette Museum. There were so many COOL cars. I saw one 1960 black Corvette with red leather seats and interior. Talking to the owners was great fun.

These car lovers will never let go of their corvettes.

"I fell in love with Corvettes back in 1962 when I was a child. I've always loved them. My wife and I own 4 right now," notes Corvette owner Bob Wallace. Its that love, along with a lot of horsepower, that brought Wallace up from Florida for the "National Corvette Homecoming." His 1962 Corvette Convertible is what Wallace calls a 'survivor" car since all of its parts are original from the day it was rolled onto the lot.

Bowling Green native, Rodey Grimes discussing his 1970 Corvette Stingray "Growing up, my dad always had a Corvette. So its kind of been a family tradition for me," he recalls. Now, he takes pride in his own vehicle, which he rebuilt from scratch. "It was completely disassembled. Some parts, a lot of parts that you can't find or can't buy anymore are sandblasted and re-painted to look like new," says Grimes.

Then there are the enthusiast who came from as far away as Norway such as Oskar Lilleaas and Christian Lilleaas.

And Ontario, Canada "It's worth it," said Margaret Adams, a Corvette owner from Ontario, Canada. "We love the United States. We love traveling down here, so we'll drive any distance to be down here.” They don't mind traveling because of their passion for Corvettes.” We’ve had them since 1985," said Glenn Adams, also of Ontario. "We still have the '85, and we bought a new one last year."

Special thanks to Joe and Vera Pruitt, Organizers of the Homecoming for their support of the American Red Cross, the local Bowling Green Chapter, and the Book Signing. It would never have happened without their efforts. Also to Lacey Steele from WBKO Bowling Green for covering the book signing and doing a great job of helping to publicize it.

Most of all thanks to all the wonderful people that contributed recipes, including Joe and Vera Pruitt and to the people who purchased the cookbooks to support the American Red Cross.

THE WINNER FOR THE DRAWING FOR THE FREE COOKBOOK WAS FAYE WILLIAMS OF BOWLING GREEN.

CORVETTES TO OUTHOUSES

FROM CORVETTES TO OUTHOUSES;
A CELEBRATION OF ALL THINGS KENTUCKY

Paducah, KY- Author and Kentucky native Pam Whinnery has four book signings schedule across Kentucky over the next 4 months. Each of the book signings are serving as a fundraiser for a non-profit organization.

Now in its second printing the cookbook, “Favorite Recipes of Kentucky Celebrities” is a celebration of all things Kentucky. It not only has recipes from famous celebrities with ties to Kentucky, but recipes from various historical locations, tourist attractions, and unique Kentucky celebrations.

Pam will be participating in one of theses celebrations July 18th. Joe Pruitt, organizer of the National Corvette Homecoming ask her to do a book signing at the event as a fundraiser for the Bowling Green Chapter of the American Red Cross. The 28th Annual Homecoming will be held at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green, which is the home of the only Corvette plant in the world and the National Corvette Museum.

Culpepper Place located at Holt Rd. in Paducah, KY will be hosting a book signing August 7th as a fundraiser for Paducah Cooperative Ministry. The activities director thought the cookbook would be of special interest to the residents, their families, and friends, because of recipes submitted by family members of Alben Barkley, Dale Evans, D.W. Griffith, and John Scope.

Probably the most unusual event will be the 17th Annual Great Outhouse Blowout Race held at Penn’s Store in Gravel Switch, KY (near Danville). The September 12th event is carried live on ESPN. The celebration first started in 1992 as an Outhouse Dedication Ceremony at America's oldest country store, still in ownership and operation by the same family since 1845. The historic '92 event included performances by Chet Atkins and Billy Edd Wheeler. Dawn Lane Osborn, granddaughter of Alma 'Tincy' Penn Lane invited Pam to do a book signing as a fundraiser for Penn’s Store and its OUTHOUSE, which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, a Kentucky Historical Landmark, and a Kentucky Centennial Business

Pam has been invited by the Grand River’s Chamber of Commerce to do a book signing at the Hunters Moon Festival, Saturday Oct. 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as a fundraiser for the Chamber.

If you cannot attend one of these book signings, but would like a copy of the cookbook, or would like to use it as a fundraiser for a non-profit organization in your community, you may contact the author at: Pamela Whinnery, 5754 Lovelaceville Rd. Paducah, KY, 42001; e-mail whinneryw@bellsouth.net, or she can be reached at 270-554-5332. The suggested retail price is $19.95 each with 50% of the cost going to the non-profit organization.

Jeri Ryan and Market House Theatre

CONGRADULATIONS to Paducah, Kentucky native Jeri Ryan and her husband Christophe Eme on the birth of their daughter, Baby Gisele weighing 7lbs. and 13oz.

“She is absolutely beautiful and an angel she is!” according to her father.

Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine on Star Trek Voyager, Ronnie Cook on Boston Public, and Jessica Devlin on Sharks) is from Paducah, Kentucky and started her career at a local community theatre. Market House Theatre was started in 1964. In the 1980’s The "Footlights at Market House Theatre" program for children was developed and regular classes were added. Jeri started in the Footlights program. She played Show White in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.

From 1990 to 2000, the theatre has seen phenomenal growth. It has become a regional theatre drawing audiences from Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri and Western Tennessee. Market House Theatre has won national recognition with awards at every state competition it has entered.

Located in the historic Market House Building, the theatre has also been a centerpiece of historic restoration in downtown Paducah.

My Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook has had 2 wonderful contributions this month. I received a recipe for Lamb from Jeri and her husband Christophe Eme. They own the Ortolan Restaurant located at 8338 W. 3rd Street in Los Angeles, CA.

I also received a recipe from Mary Margaret Hoffman. Mary Margaret has been a volunteer for nearly 40 years at Market House. She is now in her 80’s, but still tries to do one play a year. Mary Margaret was the Executive Secretary for McCracken County Judge Raymond Schulz and volunteered with the little theatre just because she loved it.

Many young people who hoped to get a start in the theatre have worked with her over the years. She played Jeri Ryan’s grandmother in a play in the 1980’s when Jeri was 12 years old.

I am still hoping to get a recipe from April Cochran who is the founder of FOOTLIGHTS programs. April is the Education Director for the Theatre, as well as having served as president of the Kentucky Theatre Association, and board member of the American Association of Community Theatre. She is an extremely busy and talented woman. I hope she will find the time to work my cookbook into her schedule.

I also received a recipe this week from another Kentucky Theatre. Actors Theatre of Louisville and The Stephen Foster Outdoor Drama has promised to send a recipe next week.

ARTIST AND VINEYARDS

DANIEL BOONE, FESS PARKER, ARTIST MABEL DAVIDSON

Daniel Boone was one of the first settlers to come through the Cumberland Gap along the Wilderness Road and into Kentucky.

Naturally, I wanted a recipe with a connection to him for my Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook. I have had some interesting results.

I received a recipe from Kentucky artist Mabel Davidson who is a descendent of one of the men who blazed the Wilderness Road with Daniel Boone. She was born in a renovated log structure once used as a stagecoach inn on the trail. As an artist, her work depicts a bit of Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountain Culture and her ancestral history. Originals, limited edition prints, mini prints, and note cards can be found at her studio.

Some have called actor Fess Parker of Santa Barbara, California an American icon. His portrayal of Kentucky frontiersmen Daniel Boone influenced millions of young viewers in the late 1950's and 60's. In 1964, Parker began filming his network television series, Daniel Boone. During six years as one of the highest rated shows of its time, Parker not only starred in the series but also co-produced it and directed five of its most popular episodes.

Mollie Sims/ W. Earl Brown

BATTLE FOR RED VELVET CAKE

Mollie Sims who plays Delinda Deline on television’s Las Vegas is from Boaz, in extreme Western Ky. She attended college at Murray State University. Naturally, I wanted a recipe from her for my Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook.

One of my favorite things to do is attend local auctions in this area where I also live. These are not fancy auctions. Just a mixture of everything you might find in a local estate.

This is also a favorite past time for Mollie’s mother. When I started working on the cookbook, I told her about what I was doing and that I would love to have a recipe from Mollie.

The following July 4th weekend Mollie was home for the holidays and came with her mother to one of Harris Real Estate and Household Auctions. Now you have to remember we live in a rural area and everyone knows Mollie so this was not unusual. She told me her favorite recipe was either her mother’s Red Velvet Cake or Spinach Quiche. She finally decided to go with the Red Velvet Cake, because it was the easiest recipe for her mom to remember.

As I have sent out request for additional recipes from various celebrities, authors, politicians, and places in Kentucky, I have sited examples of recipes I already have including Mollies.

About a month ago, I received and e-mail from W. Earl Brown who played Dan Dority on Deadwood.

He said, “I'll have to give some thought as to what I want to include, since Molly has already jumped on the Red Velvet cake (that is my killer-recipe-of-my-mom's that I use whenever the event calls for something special).

As it turns out Earl, his wife, and Mollie went to college together at Murray State University.

Well, I saw Mollie's mom this weekend at a local auction and told her what Earl had said.
She thought it was funny. Mollie’s mother e-mailed me the Spinach Quiche recipe this morning. I really appreciate both Mollie Sims and W. Earl Brown’s help with “The Kentucky Celebrity Cookbook.

I also received a recipe this morning from Oscar Winner William “Bub” Asman and his wife Jackie. Bub Asman has had 4 Oscar nominations and one win as Best Achievement in Sound Editing for: Letters from Iwo Jima (2006).

I would still like to have more recipes from Kentucky artist, businesses, and tourist attractions.