Introduction
75 Years of Caring and Sharing is a community cookbook published in 2006 by the Jersey County Homemakers Education Association in Jersey County, Illinois. It’s the kind of book that was made to be used — practical recipes, familiar ingredients, and the comforting “this works every time” feeling that comes from generations of home cooks sharing what they know.
At The Nostalgic Foodie, I’m cooking through (and preserving) recipes from vintage cookbooks like this one so they don’t get lost to time. This page is the home base for everything I publish from 75 Years of Caring and Sharing — the story behind the book, what makes it special, and links to each recipe as I add them.
Why This Cookbook Matters
Community cookbooks are more than collections of ingredients — they’re snapshots of how people actually lived, cooked, and gathered. Books like 75 Years of Caring and Sharing reflect the heart of everyday American home cooking: weeknight dinners, potluck favorites, classic casseroles, holiday bakes, and the kind of simple desserts that show up at family reunions year after year.
They also preserve something we don’t want to lose: local food culture. Even when recipes look “normal” at first glance, the details — the ingredients people kept on hand, the shortcuts they loved, the dishes that showed up again and again — tell a story about a community.
About the Jersey County Homemakers Education Association
The Jersey County Homemakers Education Association is part of a long tradition of local home and community education groups that brought neighbors together to share skills, support families, and strengthen their communities. Cookbooks like this one were often created to celebrate milestones, fund local efforts, and preserve recipes that were already beloved in kitchens across the county.
This 75th anniversary edition is a tribute to that legacy — caring, sharing, and passing along the “good stuff” that makes a house feel like home.
What You’ll Find Inside
While every community cookbook is a little different, this one has the signatures you’d expect from a well-loved Midwest collection:
- Comfort food classics made with pantry staples
- Potluck-ready sides and casseroles
- Homemade desserts (bars, cookies, pies, cakes)
- Practical, family-friendly recipes designed to work in real kitchens
If you love old-fashioned cooking — the kind that’s hearty, simple, and made to be shared — you’ll feel right at home here.
How The Nostalgic Foodie Uses This Book
My goal is to preserve and publish as many recipes from this cookbook as possible in a clear, modern format — without losing the original charm.
A quick note on process: I’m working with a large volume of recipes, so I sometimes use AI as a helper to organize text, improve clarity, and create consistent formatting. Over time, I’ll also be testing and cooking through recipes that catch my eye — chipping away as inspiration strikes, one nostalgic dish at a time.
When I make adjustments (for example, adding clarification, modern timing notes, or a small tweak for consistency), I’ll note it in the post — but I always aim to keep the recipe true to the spirit of the original.
FAQ
Do you test every recipe?
Not yet. I’m preserving a large collection, so I publish recipes as I digitize them, and I test/cook through favorites over time.
Do you change the original recipes?
I keep recipes as close to the original as possible, along with several tweaks to make recipes diet-friendly. When I add clarity (like temperature details, timing, or step formatting), it’s to make the recipe easier to follow today.
Can I share these recipes?
You’re welcome to share links to my posts. If you’re republishing, please use your own words and link back (and always respect cookbook copyright).
Credits / Attribution
Cookbook: 75 Years of Caring and Sharing (2006)
Publisher: Jersey County Homemakers Education Association (Jersey County, Illinois)
Recipes I’ve Published From This Cookbook
As I publish more recipes from 75 Years of Caring and Sharing, I’ll link them all here so you can browse the collection in one place.
- Texas CaviarTexas Caviar is one of those potluck recipes that feels like it could live in multiple categories at once: dip, salad, side dish, and…
- Dill Weed Dip
Some recipes earn their keep because they’re dependable, not flashy—and this Dill Weed Dip is exactly that. Norma Milner offers a creamy, herb-forward dip… - Hot Artichoke Dip
Some of the best party recipes are the ones that don’t ask much of you—just a bowl, a quick stir, and the oven. Hot… - Caramel Apple Delight (Dip)
If you love the flavor of caramel apples but don’t love sticky hands (or making candy), this dip is a dream. Caramel Apple Delight… - Guacamole
If you want a dip that feels instantly festive, guacamole is hard to beat. Mary M. Thompson’s version keeps things boldly fresh — creamy… - Spinach Artichoke Dip
There’s a reason spinach artichoke dip shows up at every good gathering — it’s comfort food you can scoop. In this church-cookbook classic, Pam… - Hot Cheesy Spinach DipIf you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to impress your guests, this Hot Cheesy Spinach Dip is a guaranteed hit! A warm and bubbly…
- Philadelphia Spinach DipIf you’re looking for the ultimate party dip, this Philadelphia Spinach Dip is a must-try! Straight from 75 Years of Caring and Sharing by the Jersey…