Community cookbook goes for second printing

Times Reporter

 

The community of Crowfoot celebrated the 100th anniversary of their school this past summer. The school was built in 1912 and it has been maintained and kept up in its original style. In 1945 there weren’t enough students to justify keeping the school. The students were being shipped into Strathmore. A group of 21 ladies in the community didn’t want to see the school sit empty and so they set about saving it. 

Ann Scheer said it took the ladies until 1948 before they were able to raise enough money and negotiate with the school board to be able to buy the property and the schoolhouse. The building is used now for the 4-H club, socials and all sorts of gatherings. 

“In 1982 a few ladies in the community got together and said why don’t we create an anniversary cookbook, a 70th anniversary, because there was going to be some 70th celebrations going,” said Alan West. 

In 2011 Scheer and Joan Tiede got together and decided to do a centennial update to the Crowfoot Cookery Community cookbook. 

In the first edition of the book there were 230 recipes, and 125 of them were brought forward out of that. The new book has just shy of 500 recipes. Scheer is a history buff and saw the revamping of the cookbook as a way to help the younger generation remember some of the people that helped build the community, but in a more fun way than digging through a dusty history book.

“I just wanted them to see that there’s a value in keeping connected to your roots,” said Scheer.

The book is filled with many tried and true recipes from members of the Crowfoot community. There are little hints, tidbits and special sections for readers. Reading through the recipes makes one think of the warmth and invokes memories of sitting in your mom’s, or grandma’s kitchen cooking away. There are tips in there on vegetables, meat and even how to brew a perfect ‘cuppa’ tea. 

There are also tips on how to use flowers with salads and presentations, cookery terms, weights and measures, how to use herbs and spices. 

There is a section, A Trip Around The World with Meatballs, where different meatball recipes are given from families who came from places around the world.

“I have actually made an awful lot of the recipes in here over again, and the new ones and I have some real favourites now. It’s country western cuisine with a touch of the more modern dishes,” said Scheer.

“There’s nearly 500 recipes and I haven’t found a favourite yet but they’re sure all good,” said West.

The first run of the book was for 250 copies; it has been sent to the printer for another 250. 

“The first print run basically sold to residents and descendants of residents of the area. So this printing we’re expecting to go a little bit further. It is a fundraiser for the Crowfoot Community Association,” said West. 

The book sells for $20 each, and promises good classic recipes everyone can enjoy. Anyone wishing to purchase a copy can either email crowfootcookery@gmail.com or call Ann Scheer at 403-934-4357 or Alan West at 403-934-4139. The newest batch of cookbooks will be available for purchase next week.