Ms. Johnnie shares cooking expertise
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“Most of my life, I have been in some kind of agricultural and home demonstration work,” said Walker. “My mother, sisters and I cooked, baked, grew vegetables and dressed turkeys and chickens to sell on the curb market when it was in the courthouse yard under a tree.”
Now Walker is willing to pass along close to a century of great-tasting recipes with the release of her new cookbook called “Ms. Johnnie’s Best!”
The book goes on sale this week for $15 and all proceeds benefit LACE, the Ladies Association for Christian Education which works in association with Boyd Christian School.
The 142-page cookbook contains hundreds of hometown favorites. Walker has sections for breads, soups, meats, vegetables, cookies, cakes, pies and appetizers. There is a chapter for drinks and one devoted entirely to sourdough recipes.
“Baking sourdough bread has been my biggest project,” said Walker. “I bought a freezer just for my bread and baked three to four times a week.”
Growing up in the 1910s and ’20s was a far different world than we live in today. Transportation was by horse and buggy, and a good day selling vegetables and baked goods at the market was $4.
Walker lived without electricity until the early ’50s and there was no running water. Water was drawn from a well near the back porch. Walker recalls having to travel to Irving College just to use a telephone.
Walker is also known for her career as a teacher. She taught at Fairview, Irving College, Northside and William Biles before retiring in 1978.
She has endured some recent health issues which began in January, 2004.
“I was standing in the kitchen and all at once I fell to the floor,” said Walker. “My hip had broken and that was the reason I fell.”
Since her fall, Walker has undergone hip and gall bladder surgery. She’s been a resident of Riverview Terrace since this May.
As a charter member of LACE, Walker says the ladies have “been a great help” at Boyd Christian. That’s one of the reasons she’s donating all proceeds after expenses to LACE.
Cookbooks are available this week just in time for Christmas. Copies are for sale at the Three Star Mall office and Sue’s Beauty Shop on Spring Street.
Cookbooks will be sold this Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 13-14, in the lobby of Boyd Christian High School from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cookbooks can also be purchased from LACE members Linda Prater (939-2892), Brenda Curtis (668-9806), Elaine Goodman (815-8700), Christine Bouldin (635-2529), Nelma Chilton (668-8473) and Judy Cook (635-2811).