Stephens’ book to help Parkinson’s research
MADISON COUNTY – Carolyn Stephens’ new cookbook, “A Peek into My Recipe Collection,” will please people with tempting food and drink, along with generating funds for research for Parkinson’s Disease.
“All proceeds will go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation,” Stephens said about the organization led by the Hollywood actor who has the disease. “Everyone who contributed recipes has a connection to Parkinson’s disease somehow.”
“As a former home economist, cooking has been a lifetime special interest. Over my adult years, I’ve collected many recipes that my family named as ‘Keepers’ when served at the dinner table,” Stephens said. “I wanted to write a cookbook before I became unable to manage the task.”
“I have Parkinson’s Disease. I decided that Michael J Fox Foundation for PD Research would receive all profit from my book sales,” Stephens said. All recipe contributors have Parkinson’s or have a relative or friend with the disease. The cookbook is “dedicated to those like me who live with the effects of Parkinson’s every day.”
“A Peek Into My Recipe Collection” is a comprehensive collection has 10 sections offering 360-plus recipes. Examples include “Cool at the Pool” Summer Punch, “Bumbleberry Pie,” “Christmas Crack,” “Fantabulous Flapjacks,” “Cupcakes for Your Feathered Friends” and “Not Your Same Old Juice.”
Stephens needed “nine months to search out recipes from the nooks and crannies in my kitchen, type each recipe and edit, edit, edit.”
In 1996, Stephens retired from Madison County Schools as a home economics teacher and counselor. She worked at Sparkman and Bob Jones high schools.
A native of Lauderdale County, she moved to Huntsville to begin her career. “My husband and I still live in Huntsville. It has been so long that Huntsville is home now,” she said.
Readers already are enjoying “A Peek Into My Recipe Collection” in 13 states and two foreign countries.
Readers can purchase the cookbook at Petunias’ Southern Essentials on Church Street in downtown Madison or by emailing nandcstephens@knology.net. Cost is $16.