It would seem that an opera legend, politicians, a race horse
and a TV legend would have diverse tastes and savor different
things. However, Pennsylvania’s finest figures – both the
two-legged and four-legged variety – are represented in “The
Pennsylvania Celebrities Cookbook.”
The book was compiled by John Schlimm and Steve Troha from St.
Marys.
Schlimm said he had the idea of a celebrities cookbook a couple
of years ago. He wanted a different format than other fundraiser
cookbooks.
“My mind is always racing,” he said. However, the time didn’t
seem right.
Then, about a year ago, he was talking with Gwen Auman, from the
Women’s Health Team at the Elk Regional Health Center
Foundation.
The two realized that between Schlimm’s cookbook idea and the
need for women’s health initiatives, they had a viable
fundraiser.
They presented the idea to foundation leaders who liked it.
“It was different than anything we’ve done before,” he said.
“And here we have it in our hands.”
Schlimm used his expertise as an autograph collector to try to
reach people to submit recipes.
“I knew how to get to people,” by sending letters of request,
which would undoubtedly sail through many channels before they
reached the celebrity.
He noted that one of the impressive things about Pennsylvania
are the number of widely-known people. Those same people stepped up
to the plate to help.
This includes Bradford native, opera legend Marilyn Horne, and
L. Frank Baum, who lived in Bradford, and Chuck Daly, famed
basketball coach who was born in St. Marys and lived in Kane. And
those are just the local ones.
“We really got a great response,” he said, noting that to get
the 50 percent success rate that they had is “doing really well.”
They asked about 200 people and received more than 100 recipes.
Those who didn’t send recipes are also included through
inspirational quotes.
“I never like to do just a cookbook,” Schlimm said, adding the
history he added to the Straub cookbooks he’s done before.
And just because someone is deceased, doesn’t mean they are not
represented in the book.
For instance, a cake recipe from Andy Warhol.
For this recipe, Schlimm contacted the Warhol Museum in
Pittsburgh. Officials there went to the archives, found this recipe
in Warhol’s own handwriting and transcribed it for the
cookbook.
In true Warhol fashion, part of the recipe is not legible and
calls for one cup of chopped “croc” or “croe” or “crac” or
“crae”.
“He had quite a mysterious image,” Schlimm said. “It seems
appropriate of that” image to have a mysterious ingredient in the
recipe.
But pop culture isn’t the only genre represented. The estate of
James Buchanan, the only president from Pennsylvania, sent a recipe
for “sour-crout.”
Even Pennsylvanians of the four-legged variety, such as
Punxsutawney Phil and Smarty Jones, have recipes.
Inanimate objects were not a problem either, as Fallingwater and
the National Christmas Tree are also represented.
There’s one special section dedicated to one person – Mr. Fred
Rogers.
When they contacted his widow, Joan Rogers, she sent not one,
but 13 recipes.
“He’s so big, we thought we’d put him in a category all his
own,” Schlimm said. “We punctuated the book with that.”
The recipes were ones either the celebrity makes or likes to
eat. Some sent more than one, but those were pared down and weeded
out so everyone who sent one is represented.
The variety are a “pure testament of the diverse range of people
who come from Pennsylvania,” Schlimm said. “That’s what
Pennsylvania has to offer.”
There are also so many Olympians from this state that they had
to limit entries to gold medal winners.
The proceeds from the book will go toward women’s health
services and programs at Elk Regional Health System.
“We are looking at implementing new programs and services that
will benefit area women and funds raised from the (book) will
enable us to make these programs and services a reality,” said
Charlotte Floravit, director of public relations at ERHC.
For Schlimm, one of his favorites is Joe Paterno’s salsa, which
Schlimm claims is “out of this world … whether you are a Penn State
fan or not.”
He was surprised to receive one from Theresa Heinz Kerry, Gaby’s
Flan.
“I thought that was great,” he said, but “I am more surprised at
who didn’t respond … who will remain nameless.”
However, he has not received a complaint about any of the
recipes.
The introduction is written by Survivor champion Jenna Morasca,
who is from Bridgeville.
Schlimm will be one of the authors at the last book signing of
the St. Marys Book Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The book is also available at St. Joseph Monastery gift shop,
the hospital gift shop and strohnbooks.com.
