Putt for the Gut
Posted by mike | Filed under Community
Let’s assume that it’s Sunday morning—the day before Memorial day, and you’re looking for something to do with yourself. You know, after your yard work is done and you realize that you don’t have to go to work tomorrow. Allow me to present a feel-good option that also affords the possibility of tasting some of my own home-baked cookies.
Putt for the Gut
Sunday, May 24 2009 / 12pm to 10pm
Cool Springs Golf and Family Recreation Center
1530 Hamilton Road (Bethel Park)
Pittsburgh, PA 15234
(412) 831-5080
Let me explain. One of my good friends is currently in training for a half marathon to raise funds for the Crohn’s and Colitis Association Foundation of America (CCFA). Brett has first-hand experience with Chron’s Disease–a digestive disorder affecting millions of Americans. In Brett’s case, the disease is adequately controlled by a regular pharmaceutical regimen. Not everyone is so lucky, so Brett devotes a considerable amount of energy to supporting CCFA in their efforts to raise awareness and research funding for digestive disorders.
To support his fundraising goal for this race, Brett has organized an opportunity for you to enjoy a fun and relaxing afternoon, score some free food, and play a round of mini golf with your friends and/or family. How do you help contribute: just show up for a round of miniature golf at Cool Springs any time Sunday afternoon. If you pay a few extra dollars for your ticket (just $9 total for an adult ticket), Cool Springs will contribute your extra fee to Brett’s cause; in fact, they’ll cut into their profits a little and put some portion of their profits on that ticket toward the cause.
To make your extra contribution worthwhile, Brett will fire up a grill and throw on some burgers and dogs to pass out. If you buy a special CCFA-supporting ticket, the food is free. That’s where my homemade cookies come into play. I baked a little more than 20 dozen cookies for Brett to serve up at the event. You better show up and enjoy them, because he’s not allowed to bring any home (mostly because I live with him :P).
For anyone who doesn’t know, I’m a bit of a baking fanatic. Historically, that wasn’t the case, but at some point, I took the bread baking class from Enrico’s Biscotti in the strip. That inspired me to try my hand at bread baking until I finally succeeded. Every other form of baking is a handy side-effect of that skill: I am now one with the dough. Basically, I’m trying to tell you that I’m proud of my cookies and treats.
Here’s what I made….
- Chocolate Chip Cookies, a la Jacques Torres
- Tender Cranberry-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies, from King Arthur Flour
- Magic in the Middles, surprisingly successful from King Arthur Flour
- Rice Crispy Treats, complete hints of vanilla and almond extracts
My point: Come play some mini golf for Brett and the CCFA. Do it for all those whose digestive disorder isn’t controlled by drugs alone, or just do it for the cookies. Brett doesn’t care. Even if you can’t make it out to Cool Springs, you could just contribute directly to Brett’s cause through his fundraising page.
