Fifth-generation Tarentum resident Cindy Homburg relishes memories of time spent in her grandmother’s kitchen.

“Her creamed cucumber recipe with the sauteed onions, that’s one that our family still makes today,” Homburg said. “She would add a touch of sugar and enough vinegar to make it bite.”

Homburg is hoping that families across the region share their own recollections through a new cookbook being compiled as a fundraiser for the Community Library of Allegheny Valley.

Homburg, a library board member, hopes to collect 200 tried-and-true recipes for the book, set to publish by fall.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, May 15.

Homburg envisions pages that will stir nostalgia, with photos of the area interspersed with notes about days gone by.

The effort is being assisted by the fundraising group Friends of the Library.

Beth McCullough of Harrison joined in the fall after retiring as a pharmacy tech from West Penn Hospital. Growing up, her family was heavily involved in community libraries in her hometown outside of Philadelphia.

“I have time on my hands, and my family instilled an appreciation for the library,” she said.

Her contribution to the index will remain a surprise, but McCullough guaranteed “it’s a fun recipe.”

The cost of the cookbook is expected to be $10. Proceeds will be used to help purchase new furniture for the site along Broadview Boulevard, along with updated materials, McCullough said.

She hopes the cookbook will shine a light on people’s special memories of the area and draw more volunteers to help with projects at the library.

Friends of the Library meet at 10 a.m. the third Thursday of each month at the site. Meetings are open to new members. Anyone unable to attend is welcome to volunteer at library events, McCullough said.

Giddy about the upcoming publication, Homburg is trying to whittle her recipe submissions to just a few. She said it’s difficult because so many that were passed down from her grandmother — born in the borough in 1885 — are still made at every holiday by her family.

“Same with my Aunt Marie. I just know someone will put in her recipe for mincemeat pies,” Homburg said. “They’re just heavenly little pockets of dough.”

Homburg hasn’t been shy in recruiting recipes from friends and strangers.

She was on hand at the Tarentum Council meeting last week to solicit submissions, and she has been “calling everyone I know!”

“I was in church on Sunday, and people were passing recipes down the pew to me,” she said. “I am so excited over this. It’s important to me to keep traditions alive.”

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