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Istrouma High alums put together cookbook to celebrate Class of '60
Assistant food editor Three Istrouma High School classmates' lunch get-together five years ago led to the formation of the "Class of '60 Squaw Party," which as its name suggests, is made up of women in that class. That, in turn, resulted in the printing of a cookbook for the class's 45th reunion in July. The group is offering its 162-page, paperback, spiral-bound cookbook, "Istrouma High School Class of '60 Squaw Party Memories Cookbook" to the public. In October 2000, Linda Starnes McLaurin and Caryl Crawford Branch invited Istrouma High School classmate Kandi Boothe Prejean to lunch to cheer her up because she was undergoing treatment for cancer, she recalled recently. They asked if she wanted to meet again the next month and invite other classmates. Five other women joined them for lunch in November 2000, and they have continued to meet monthly at local restaurants or in a member's home. The luncheons are attended by as many as 30 of the approximately 130 former classmates who receive the group's newsletter, "Smoke Signals from the Istrouma High School Class of '60 Squaw Party." Ordell Griffith, a 1934 Istrouma graduate, suggested the 1960 classmates write a cookbook after she was invited to one of the monthly get-togethers in 2004, according to the cookbook's foreword by Cherry McCullough. They agreed to publish a cookbook to fund their newsletter, Web site and other projects. In addition to Prejean, the cookbook committee included Sandra Wells Wilson, Konita Bankston Berthelot, Sally Dykes Vicellio, Ann Stevens Campbell, Jeanette Conerly Loupe, Sue Mixon Hopper and Mary Gouedy Hillen. The book is filled with stories about the group's school days and with black-and-white photographs of classmates, some current and others from high school. There are even a few photos of the classmates (both boys and girls) when they were students at Winbourne, Brookstown and Gilmer Wright elementary schools. Among the group's favorite recipes are what Prejean calls "old-fashioned -- loads of calories -- and new, low-cal recipes." Also notice, she said, "the few recipes for one (serving) since some of us are now single, widowed, empty-nesters." The eclectic recipe collection ranges from a few breakfast and brunch choices to lots of dessert ideas. In between are recipes for appetizers, beverages, soups, salads, main and side dishes and breads. An inconvenience for readers is that not all the recipes have their ingredients listed in the order used. Graduates of Istrouma High School, particularly those who graduated in the 1960s, will enjoy this "Memories Cookbook." The book is $12, plus $3 shipping. To order a copy, send a check payable to Squaw Party of 1960, along with name, address and phone number, to Sue Mixon Hopper, 14123 Greenwell Springs Road, Greenwell Springs, LA 70739, or e-mail Hopper at suemc007@cox.net. The book is also available on the group's Web site: http://istroumahighclassof1960.classof1954.us/. A recipe from the cookbook is at below. Coca Cola Cake Serves 10-12. Recipe is from "Istrouma High Class of '60 Squaw Party Memories Cookbook" and was submitted by "Butchie" Millet Martone.
2 cups self-rising flour 1. Combine flour and sugar in bowl and set aside. 2. Heat butter, cola, cocoa and marshmallows in pan and bring to a boil. Pour over flour and sugar and beat. 3. Add buttermilk, soda, eggs and vanilla. Mix and bake in 9x13-inch pan in 325-degree oven until done. Ice cake while warm.
Icing 1. Mix sugar and pecans. Set aside. 2. Combine butter, cola and cocoa in saucepan and heat to boiling. Pour over sugar and pecan mixture and stir. Add vanilla and blend well. |