April 6, 2009

New recipe collection will benefit RVH CT fund

“What’s for dinner?”

Jeff Dick has hundreds of ideas for local cooks looking for new inspiration.

The owner of J & J’s Chocolate Sensations has teamed up with his wife, Judy, to compile “Recipes of the Week”, a 128-page collection of the Renfrew and area community’s favourite menu items.

The book is based on the popular weekly column published by Jeff’s mother, Elaine Dick, during her tenure as editor of the Renfrew Mercury.

Jeff discovered a collection of her recipes a little over two years ago, and instinctively knew they were meant to serve a community purpose.

“We were supposed to make a book out of them. That’s why I found them,” he asserts.

At the time, Judy was diagnosed with cancer and beginning chemotherapy treatments. The value of high-quality local health care was clear to the Dicks.

“You’ve got to help your community,” Jeff says, explaining that the concept of a cookbook as a fund-raiser for Renfrew Victoria Hospital was obvious from the beginning.

When the hospital announced its campaign to bring CT (computerized axial tomography) diagnostics to Renfrew, the plan was clear.

“We knew how beneficial it would be to have this in our own backyard,” says Jeff. “We wanted to help out.”

The CT project will cost approximately $3 million. All of the money has to be raised by the local community, since there is no provincial funding envelope for CT capital or operating costs.

Judy set about typing up hundreds of recipes and Jeff put the word out about the project. It didn’t take long for others to catch the spirit.

“The snowball started to roll,” says Jeff, noting that a number of sponsors came forward to help cover the book’s production costs. Those sponsors include J & J’s Chocolate Sensations, Renfrew Chrysler, Times Fiber Canada, Ottawa Valley Glass Enterprises Ltd., Renfrew Pizzeria, Bob Sledz Smokehouse and Pub, Jocko’s Beach Resort and Motel of Calabogie and the Renfrew Mercury.

Renfrew Mercury Editor Lucy Hass also contributed her mother’s collection of Elaine Dick’s recipes as soon as the Dicks issued their call for contributions to the book.

The new book includes both previously published recipes and new additions, which were provided by local Women’s Institutes and other organizations and individuals.

The first page of the book commemorates Elaine Dick, describing her as “a woman whose belief in a better community was to be personally involved at work and at home”.

“She would have put her heart into something like this,” Jeff adds. “This captures her spirit and her philosophy.”

While the inscription provides an elegant and simple reminder of Elaine Dick’s community involvement, the book’s dedication builds on that concept by recognizing ongoing similar contributions. Jeff and Judy chose to dedicate “Recipes of the Week” to “individuals who aid in the care and recuperation of those afflicted with health issues.”

“We are extremely grateful and honoured by this project,” comments RVH CEO Randy Penney. “The reputation of the Dick family is stellar. Elaine led the way for many as a living example of community commitment, and it is very gratifying to see her memory honoured in this way.”

“I witnessed first-hand the love Elaine had for RVH and this community,” Penney adds. “It’s so nice to see those values passed on to Jeff and Judy, and their enthusiasm for this project.”

“Our patients, our hospital and our community will all ultimately benefit from this, and we are indeed grateful,” he concludes.

All proceeds from the cookbook sales will be donated to the RVH CT fund, and Jeff Dick has granted future rights to the RVH Foundation.

“It’s theirs now,” he says. “They can reap the benefits.”

The books are for sale for $15, and are available at the RVH gift shop and at J & J Chocolate Sensations, 200 Raglan Street South.

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(For more information contact Randy Penney, CEO, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, 613-432-4851, ext. 260.)