In October 1997, when Axel and Elaine Gehrmann were our ministers, some church members founded the Gastronomical Society. The group held monthly suppers, each featuring a different ethnic cuisine. Within a year, the diners decided to create a cookbook of favorite recipes, which could be sold to help fund improvements to the kitchen in Fellowship Hall.

Diane Ore was appointed the editor of the cookbook and recipes were collected from church members and friends. Other members of the Cookbook Committee were Sally Babbitt, Heather Beasley, Marsha Clinard, Sandy Hannum, Gail Hueting, Barbara Mann, Rob Ore, and Janine Reed. 

Scanning the names of the recipe authors delivers a list of well-known members, both past and present, including Carolyn McMahon, Valorie Deichman, Nancy Works, Jerry Carden and Tim Temple, Jody Hanger and Chris Hannauer, Doris Jones, Michael Loui, Peggy Patten, Bernadine Stake, Millie Davis, Sandy Finnerty, and Florence Barnes. 

When Jody Hanger and I discovered multiple copies of the cookbook languishing on the shelves of the Archives, she pointed out to me dishes she still cooks, including her chili recipe and a lentil soup that Janine Reed submitted. 

The 146-page book was produced for us Morris Press in Kearney, Nebraska. In addition to 118 pages of our recipes, the book includes tips on measurements and substitutions, suggestions for using herbs and spices, diagrams for folding napkins into festive shapes, and timetables and buying guides.