source: The Toledo Blade, April 4, 1962

Quick recap for those who do not want to read: This is a 1962 article written by food editor Mary Alice Powell about Mrs. Ahmet Esmailof of Toledo, Ohio who needed a hobby to distract from health issues.  She decided to put her baking skills to good use and around every holiday she just bakes and bakes and bakes cookies. She usually ends up with about 1,500 with about 10 different varieties including hand molded marzipan in shapes of fruits. These cookies along with candy that she buys in bulk get put into care packages.  Then she makes a phone call to the sheriff department who comes collects the boxes and distributed them to local orphanages and other needy children. She is quoted in the article saying that she has “a ball decorating them” and that “best of all. I know it pleases the children”. When asked about the added cost to her grocery bill, Mrs. Esmailof had a simple solution. She just bought a little at a time so that she never noticed the extra money that she spent.

My thoughts on the article: Not much to say except that this is incredibly heart warming. I completely agree with the sheriff who was interviewed for the article who called her “exceptionally humane”. I also couldn’t believe that on top of baking these cookies for children she will never meet, she also does this for her seven grandchildren from her two sons as well as her neighbor’s children and grandchildren.

I have typed out the Cooky Cutouts and Honey Bar recipes from Mrs. Esmailof that was included in the 1962 article to make it easy for anyone who wants to try them.  I have not tested them myself so if you do let me know either in the comments or on Instagram @quaintcooking.