Shop Notes:
Not very much is known about this small cookbook, except that it was intended as an internal fundraiser to cover administrative and support service expenses for the Junior League of Raleigh. I've only ever come across two copies - one in the house of a past Junior League of Raleigh president and another in the estate of a prominent North Carolinian who loved cooking and had a fabulous cookbook collection.
Speaking of fabulous, this cookbook has everything from heathy appetizers featuring green beans with a lovely light dip to a Beef Stroganoff Recipe that would knock your socks off (if you had any room left after eating a big bowl of the Cheddar Mac Pasta salad). Top that off with recipes for Lemon Cloud Muffins and an ice cream pie recipe that is simply titled "Sin" and this is a rare and mighty cookbook in a small package.
About the Author:
In the 1920s, the Junior League of Raleigh (JLR), then called the Junior Guild, started with the vision of 53 women who wanted to make a difference in their community. They joined together to "unite in one body the young women of Raleigh to promote fellowship within the group, to foster interest among its members in social, economic, educational and civic conditions of their community, to make efficient their volunteer service." -Constitution of the Junior Guild.
In 1930, the Junior Guild was accepted into The Association of Junior Leagues international, Inc., which included a couple dozen groups in a growing community service movement that had begun in New York City just after the turn of the century. That year, the JLR had 87 members who volunteered 6,663 hours and gave $2,744 (over $40k in 2022 dollars) back to the community.
Throughout the rest of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, the JLR launched many new initiatives including health clinics for babies, a community chest for citizens in need, and puppet shows for children. They began hosting the Inaugural Ball for the governor and opened the Bargain Box in Cameron Village to raise funds to sponsor more community organizations.
Fast forward to today, the JLR has changed and grown in extraordinary ways, benefitting more than 170 Wake County nonprofit agencies and projects. Their nearly 700 active members commit over 21,000 volunteer hours annually.
Release Date: Unknown, likely late 1990s, early 2000s
Condition: Very good, small spot and crease on back cover. Otherwise like new.
