Local
pasty to be Arnolds humble pie
Governor to eat Michigan meal to mark Pistons win
By RYAN OLSON
The Daily Mining Gazette
June 17, 2004; pp 1,8A
HOUGHTON When California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
digs into his piece of humble pie after the Detroit Pistons' dominating
victory over the L.A. Lakers, he'll be biting into a Copper Country pasty.
Calumet-based Pasty Central is one of three bakeries in the Upper Peninsula
tapped to send pasties to the Golden State to fulfill a friendly bet between
Schwarzenegger and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm for this year's NBA
Finals. The Pistons decisively clinched the basketball championship Tuesday
with a Game 5 win over the widely favored Los Angeles Lakers at the Palace
in Auburn Hills.
To celebrate the Pistons victory, Schwarzenegger will
eat a meal of Michigan delights including a pasty at his
desk in Sacramento while wearing a Pistons jersey.
Pasty Central Administrator Charlie Hopper said the meat-and-vegetable
filled pies are a very appropriate food that's identified with Michigan
and the Upper Peninsula.
"They had a bet going, but the real winner is Gov. Schwarzenegger
because he gets the pasty," Hopper said.
Hopper said Pasty Central sent a package of six pasties to Sacramento,
Calif., Wednesday afternoon. The governor is the companys latest
shipment to California. Hopper said the mail-order companys ships
the most orders to California, Arizona and Florida.
Hopper enclosed a letter along with the governors pasties.
"We're sure you will enjoy this special treat from
the U.P., even if you can't enjoy a Laker victory!" Hopper's letter
read in part.
The other pasties are being shipped from Lawry's Pasty Shop
in Marquette and LaPanteria Bakery in Bessemer.
In addition to pasties, Pasty Central's package included pasty-related
items such as a bottle of "secret" pasty sauce, chocolate fudgie
pasties, a plush pillow in the shape of a pasty and a XXL T-shirt that
says "I love pasties." Hopper said he also included a book about
Calumet's history and a Pasty.net calendar featuring photographs of the
U.P.'s beauty.
"It'll be like Christmas (today) when the package arrives,"
Hopper said.
If Schwarzeneggers taste buds have been tempered by sampling from
three different pasties, the package also includes a invitation to be
a judge at this years Pasty Fest July 4 in Calumet.
Schwarzeneggers press office was unavailable for comment Wednesday
night.
Granholm spokeswoman Mary Dettloff
said the Michigan governor wanted to showcase products identified with
the state. She said she hopes Schwarzenegger enjoys his Michigan-made
meal.
"It's a pride thing, we wanted to show off Michigan especially to
a state like California which often thinks they have the biggest and best
of everything," Dettloff said.
The governor's staff picked the three pasty vendors from several companies
seeking the honor. Dettloff said LaPanterias pasties were Granholm's
favorite.
While the pasties are being shipped directly from the UP, Dettloff said
everything else was shipped from the governor's office in Lansing Wednesday.
Michigan food items included Vernors soda, chocolate-covered cherries
for desert and several smaller agricultural gifts including maple syrup.
The package also includes a Pistons jersey for the California governor
to wear and a disposable camera so a photo of Schwarzenegger fulfilling
the bet can be taken. Dettloff said the Pistons jersey was "as big
as possible" to fit the former weightlifter and actor.
Dettloff said Granholm and her family are basketball and Pistons fans
and attended two games of the finals. Granholm grew up in California and
graduated from University of California, Berkeley.
"The governor was all about the Pistons winning in four," she
said. "It took five, but we'll take it."
Granholm, in a press release, said Michigan is inspired and proud of the
Pistons' victory.
"The Pistons' determination and cohesiveness are a metaphor for Detroit
and for the state of Michigan," she said. "They are astonishing
proof of what can be achieved when teamwork and a commitment to excellence
are combined."
Had the Lakers won the championship, Granholm would have had to eat a
meal of California items including an In-N-Out hamburger, asparagus, strawberries
and ice cream. She would have had to eat the meal at her desk in Lansing
wearing a L.A. Lakers jersey.
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