The 400-plus page cookbook has both history and recipes, with an added bonus of an interactive compact disc. Both books are bound hardback and were published by the City of Irving as part of its centennial celebration.

Helen Ogden Widener was born in Conway, Arkansas and is the fifth of ten children. Her father was a cotton farmer until the bole-weevils and drought destroyed the crops. The family moved to Texas in 1950 and to Irving in 1954 where Helen attended the Irving Public School. She graduated from Byrne’s Commercial College in Irving and has taken a number of accredited courses in subjects that interest her. Helen was married forty years to the late James F. Widener, a long time Irving Attorney.

History is Helen’s greatest passion. Helen has written four books of a historical nature which include: Scraps of Life, a historical book featuring a quilt made by Elizabeth Patton Crockett, wife of Alamo Hero David Crockett; James MacKay a Man to Cherish 1761-1822, a historical account of the man who drew the most complete map used by the Lewis and Clark expedition; a gift to the City of Irving’s Centennial Celebration, Irving Centennial Cookbook and Family Histories 1903-2003; and Hutchins of Pine Mountain 300 years of migration. Helen has always enriched the Wideners life with varied interest in antiques and anything historical. Also handcrafts, needlepoint, Ukrainian decorated eggs and cooking for holidays are her personal passions.