|
|
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
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.
* - Original story
misspelled the name of Granholm spokeswoman Mary Dettloff. (Return
to place in story)
|