By Darlene Harrod, Board of Directors Member & Cookbook Committee Chair
A Fun(d)raising Idea
Having worked on a cookbook fundraising project with members of my church that helped to raise $6,000 in 2010, I believed it would be possible to do a similar project and double the profit to help ACLT reach its goals of promoting preservation throughout Southern Maryland. Robyn Truslow, Chair, ACLT Donor Relations, agreed it would make a good fun(d)raiser and took the idea to the Board of Directors. With their blessing, the Cookbook Committee was formed with Robyn, me, Board member Shirley Knight, along with members Pat Hofmann and Kathy Klauda. ACLT member Angie Shields and Mt. Gethsemane Church member Lingerine Robinson stepped up to proofread and help with typing some of the recipes.
A True "Community" Cookbook
The cookbook, called A Culinary Trail, intentionally focuses on recipes from various cultures and locally sourced ingredients from the Calvert County community … even putting to good use invasive plants and fish! More than 90 people submitted 277 recipes for the following eight categories: Appetizers & Beverages, Soups & Salads, Vegetables & Side Dishes, Main Dishes, Breads & Rolls, Desserts, Cookies & Candy and This & That.
Featured among the unique recipes are: Swiss Chard with Raisins and Almonds, Tangy Yellow Squash Salad, Zucchini (low fat Italian) Sausage Casserole, Japanese Knotweed Quiche, Woodchuck Gumbo, Smothered Muskrat, Baked Invasive Northern Snakehead Fish, Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits and Paw Paw Parfait.
Special Thanks
As you might imagine, it took many people to produce the cookbook. I thank all who played a role, including the staff at ACLT’s Office. Special thanks to ACLT Charter Member Peter Vogt who wrote an interesting article on Foraging Wild Plant Edibles and to David Farr, Board of Directors President, for writing the Forward.
I also want to extend special thanks to: Robbie McGaughran for naming the cookbook, Nathan Bowen for the cover photo of Parkers Creek flowing into the Chesapeake Bay, and Rhonda Saunders, RS GRAPHX, Inc. for the press-ready cover design and ads. In addition, we were extremely pleased to have received ads to pay for the cookbooks and related expenses from the following local businesses: Brothers Johnson Deluxe Portable Restrooms and Septic Services; Delaney & Keffler, LLC; Windy Willow Farm; RS GRAPHX, Inc.; LEAP Forward, Inc.; National Society of Black Engineers Jr. Chapter; Chris’ Rentals & Cleaning; Morgan Marie Photography; Jetmore Insurance Group; Gorman & Sons Landscaping and Lawn Services; Kathy Klauda Avon; Edward Jones (Nate Novotny); Reid & Reid Transportation Services; Prime Partners Engineering, LLC; and Chesapeake’s Bounty.
Get Yours Before It's Too Late
The attractive padded 3-ring binder with a linen-finish laminated cover will make a really memorable gift for all sorts of occasions. Five hundred copies were ordered, and we like that they are selling nicely. But we would love to have them all sold by the end of this year. Then ACLT would revisit re-ordering more copies to increase our profit. For now, ACLT is calling on friends, family members and the Calvert County community to purchase a copy or two of A Culinary Trail to help us continue our preservation and land conservation efforts.
Special Opportunity: Use the online form or purchase your copy at ACLT’s Annual Wreath & Greens Sale on Saturday, December 2nd from 11am-1pm at the South Side Trailhead!
NOTE: To save money, we are unable to ship the cookbooks. They must be picked up from the ACLT Office located at 676 Double Oak Road, Prince Frederick, Md. Office Hours are Monday thru Friday 8am-5pm.
