Attendees to the Louisiana Area Historical Museum (LAHM) Annual Fall Dinner on Thursday November 12, have a painless opportunity to help increase the amount raised for the organization that evening. LAHM Board President Martha Sue Smith shared that guests at the event will be among the first to be able to purchase two new coffee-table books published by Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co. She says the books are being released as part of the nursery’s upcoming 200th anniversary celebration. “Stark Bro’s will offer its brand new recipe book and history book to our dinner guests for $5 off the regular cover price,” states Smith. “On top of that discount, the nursery is generously donating to our organization $5.00 from the sale of each book purchased that night.”
Fabulous Fruits, Recipes for Every Season, is 176 pages of gourmet-quality recipes featuring fruits consumers can grow in their backyard. From sweet to savory, this unique recipe book contains inspiring ways to use the fruit harvest in the kitchen. Plus, seven customer-submitted recipes are included, which were taste-tested and hand selected by locally-based, award-winning chef and author Karen Mitcham-Stoeckley. Photography is by Curt Dennison. Hardcover. Regular retail price: $29.95.
200 Years and Growing: The Story of Stark Bro’s Nurseries & Orchards Co. Discover 200 years of Stark Bro’s deep historical roots. From 1816 to present day, learn the remarkable story of this family-owned company and how it shaped the nursery industry by discovering “household apples” like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Gala. The book includes family interviews, rare photography and historical tidbits, as well as a look forward to the future. Written by LeAnn Zotta. Hardcover, 193 pages. Regular retail price: $19.99.
2016 is Stark Bro’s 200th anniversary year in business. “This is the perfect time for the nursery to provide the program for the LAHM dinner and we’re delighted to help Stark Bro’s kick off its bi-centennial celebration,” says Smith, adding that “Stark Bro’s has played an important role in the history of our community.“
Judge James Hart Stark, founder of the nursery, will come alive during the LAHM fall dinner program. Actor and Louisiana native Jim Waddell, well known for his impersonation of Hannibal’s Mark Twain, will portray Judge Stark, sharing an accurate rendition of some of the company’s early years.
The LAHM Annual Fall Dinner will be at the American Legion Post #370, 420 Kelly Lane, Louisiana, MO. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person and are available from the LAHM board members and also at the Louisiana Public Library, 121 N. 3rd St., Stark Bro’s Office, 20947 U.S. Hwy 54; or Stark Bro’s Garden Center, 11523 County Hwy NN in Louisiana.
Final date for making reservations is November 5, 2015.