MUSCATINE, Iowa — In 1990, several Muscatine women  established a monthly bunco club as a fun, social past time.

Bunco, which began in England and became popular in the United States after the Civil War, is played in teams with three dice, according to the World Bunco Association. A winning throw is to throw three of a kind of a specified number.

Members today in bunco clubs typically take turns hosting the games.

Over time, the hearts and minds of the dice-rolling Muscatine group were joined through the joys and sorrows that the 13 members shared.

“We’ve had some exciting times,” said club member Kim Burdakin. “And some real trying times.” 

The women who comprise the close-knit club fondly remember the days when their friends, the late Tula Knott and Carol Peterson, contributed to the laughter and friendly chatter.

“Both died of cancer and were wonderful women,” said bunco club member Christy Johnson, a teacher at Muscatine’s Central Middle School where Tula and Carol both worked.

Tula, a media specialist at Central, was 71 when she died of cancer on Oct. 15, 2003. Carol, who taught special education at Central, was 64 when she died July 31, 2006.

The bunco club members funneled their sadness into a memorial in the form of an original cookbook, “A Taste and Toast of Friendship.” The publication includes 450 recipes contributed by former and current bunco club members and the family and friends of Carol and Tula.

“All proceeds for the sales of the cookbook will be donated to the American Cancer Society in Carol and Tula’s names as a tribute to their lives,” said Burdakin.

Johnson said the bunco club always makes food a fun part of the evening.

“The cookbook idea has been stewing in our minds for awhile,” she said. “We love to share recipes and now have our favorites along with some new ones together in one book.”

Burdakin and Johnson, who is chairman of the cookbook project, said the fundraising idea is a natural expansion on what has become the service mission of the bunco club.

 The group has carried out several service projects, including bringing toys to the Muscatine Salvation Army each year. During the holiday season, each member brings a Barbie doll to donate to the Salvation Army’s Christmas program.

 The group has also participated in the Relay for Life and conducts auctions to make donations to groups that have made an impact on their lives.

“We try to do things to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Burdakin.

Reporter contact information

Cynthia Beaudette 563-262-0527

cynthia.beaudette@muscatine

Details

What: Cookbook “A Taste and Toast of Friendship,”

available at The Window Box gift shop at Unity Hospital, 1518 Mulberry Ave.

Cost: $15

Details: The cookbook contains more than 450 recipes collected from Tula and Carol’s friends and family and the Muscatine bunco club they once belonged to.

A sample recipe from “A Taste and Toast of Friendship.”

Squash with praline topping

by Christy Johnson

2 pkgs. (12 oz. ea.) frozen squash

4 tbls butter or margarine

1 tsp salt

Dash of pepper

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup light brown sugar

½ tsp cinnamon

2 tbls butter or margarine

½ cup chopped pecans

Combine squash, butter, salt and pepper in saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently. When squash is completely thawed, add gradually to beaten eggs. Mix well. Turn into 1-quart casserole. Combine remaining ingredients and sprinkle over squash. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serves six or more.