A New Years Resolution: Find out what happened to my grand uncle, Eddie Stephan McCullen. Family legend, passed down by family historian Judy Herbert, has it that he was murdered in the streets of Manhattan on August 18, 1953. A very high level of probability is attached to this lore. Eddie’s uncle, Judge Edward J. McCullen, apparently sealed the court records surrounding the homicide. […]
Hugh Simmers Thought His Mother’s Cooking Would Be the Death of Him
Hugh Simmers, III, thought his mother’s old-world cooking, which included time-honored classics such as Yorkshire pudding and standing rib roasts, would send him to an early grave. Simmers made these allegations in a letter written to an unidentified recipient on December 30th, 1996. In it, he takes his mother, Mabel McCullen Simmers, to task for using butter to cook nearly everything and his […]
Genealogist Shines Light on Simmers Past
When it comes to the Simmers side of the family, it’s no easy task separating fact from fiction. Spirited recollections made around holiday dinner tables, memories shared over coffee or scotch were taken as gospel. Little paperwork was left behind to substantiate oral tradition. Then along comes intrepid family genealogist Judy Herbert , who, based on her postings in message boards […]
Patricia Simmers Thompson Remembered for Blue-Plate Classics
Patricia Simmers Thompson will be forever remembered for her inspired, succulent interpretations of blue-plate classics that, to this day, remain beyond imitation. Though she left many of these priceless recipes behind, her children make largely feeble attempts to imitate her culinary artistry. Some, such as her recipe for wonderfully pungent spaghetti sauce, may be lost forever,now that bottle after soulless bottle […]