Sylvan Lake’s Centennial Cookbook is now available for sale, following the work of hundreds of people who submitted recipes, organized and proofed the publication.
Giselle Campbell, who coordinated the project, said there are 214 recipes gathered from residents and those who have ties to Sylvan Lake.
About 40 volunteers were involved in collecting recipes, proofreading them, selecting pictures, creating historic tidbits and then checking the final book before printing.
The books are on sale at the Sylvan Lake Community Partners’ Association office on 50th Avenue beside the Telus building and the chamber of commerce office. Cost is $12 each (GST included). Campbell said they will also be sold at Centennial events this spring and summer.
The initial order of 500 books is already 20 per cent sold, she said. If demand is great enough a second printing will be done.
Orders have come in from such far flung places as Lloydminster, Edmonton and Airdrie, said Campbell, adding word is getting out to people with ties to Sylvan Lake, either historic or current.
She’d originally planned to have the books available for Mother’s Day — they would make a great Mother’s Day present — but they were available earlier.
One of the recipes Mayonnaise Chocolate Cake, was submitted by Sally Murdoch (nee Jensen) for Jean Jensen (nee Palmer, whose father operated the Creamery).
“This recipe apparently won someone a $100 prize - shows you how old it is!” states the opening line.
Another, contributed by Judy Scanland, is How to Cook A Husband, which is included in the ‘Extra Special’ section. This shows there’s also a little humour in the book, laughed Campbell.
Contributors ranged in age from kids three years old to grandmas 85 years old — it spans the generations.
The recipes are divided into categories — appetizers and beverages, salads and dressings, soups and sauces, vegetables, main dishes, breads, desserts, canning, and extra special.
The first couple of pages include important dates in history. Then scattered throughout the book are further tidbits of Sylvan Lake’s last 100 years.
For instance, in 1936 the first year round local constable was hired with the RCMP assisting in the summer. Or July 28, 1932, the boy scout camp west of town was officially opened and named Camp Woods in honour of James C. Woods, of Calgary, the man who donated the land.
The picture on the front cover from the Archives, is of a McClary wood burning stove with pots and pans hanging on the wall of Sherwood Lodge, a private cottage in town.
The project is a fundraiser for the Family Education Support program of Community Partners’ Association.