Approximately 125 visitors attended the Cookbook Exhibit of the Late James D. Larosa which was held on Sunday, August 24 at the Uptown Event Center. The exhibit was presented by the Progressive Women's Association and sponsored by the Davis Funeral Home.

 

The collection contained approximately 350 cookbooks and represented a lifetime collection of the Late Mr. Larosa. It contained books with Mexican, Chinese, French and Spanish recipes as well as Italian recipes and speciality books. Many of the books had been in Mr. Larosa's possession for over 50 years. 

 

Mr. Larosa was a successful businessman in the area and not many knew of his interest and love of recipes and the preparation of fine foods. Several local chefs prepared some of Mr. Larosa's favorite dishes for the visitors to sample. 

 

Participating were Giueseppe and Pam Iaquinta from Julios, Rocco Murial from Muriales, Danny Watts from Wonder Bar, Eric Leasburg from Bluebird, Tomara's Bakery and Ranee Torchia from Torchias Italian Desserts. 

 

Some of the dishes for sampling were pasta fagioli, wedding soup, hoagies, crab cakes, pepperoni rolls, rice pudding and Italian cookies. 

 

Visitors attending included business men Louis Spatafore and Harris Holt, Mike Queen and Bob Mazza friends of the Larosa family. The grandchildren of Mr. Larosa attending were Lauren Larosa Aman and her husband and young Jimmy. Several mothers even brought their children to browse through the books. 

 

Committee members assisting Mrs. Alonso were Alexis Scott, Mary C. Queen, Marsha Vigilianco, Lexie Mayfield, Elinda Carson, Dan Fisher and Dave Alonso.

The exhibit also contained a display of Saint John the Ba

ptist statue which was presented to Dr. Judy Byer on her recent trip to San Giovanni in Fiore. The statue which was blessed by the Pope will have a permanent home at the Frank and Jane Gabor Folklife Center at FSU.

 

The cook book collection will remain with the Larosa family until further plans are made for its permanent home.

 

The Italian Festival had its kick off with the Pasta Cook off which was held this past weekend. Dave and I always help sell the Taster's bags along with Denise Rancone, Jill Defazio and Kay Defazio. 

 

There was a great crowd that was able to taste all the specialty pasta dishes prepared by the cooks. I always enjoy the cook-off as it gives me the opportunity to visit with a lot of friends that I only get to see once a year. 

 

I am now in the mood for the "Festival."  Hope to see you all there. Catch up with me as I wil have my cookbooks with me if you are in need of one. You may also purchase one at Tomaro's Bakery or James and Law.

 

Special birthday wishes to Cathy Fisher, Nick and Vince Smith, Mary C. Queen and all of you August birthday babies.

 

I love hearing from you at spanishqueen86@aol.com and until next week, "Now You Have Heard It through the Grapevine."

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from left to right are James J, and Leigh Ann Larosa , son and daughter inlaw of the Late James D. Larosa and Rosalyn Queen Alonso as they view the cookbooks contained in the collection of the Late Mr. Larosa.  An exhibit was held on Sunday, August 24 at the Uptown Event Center.