Sophie Eaton & Ronald Reagan, 1969

Sophie Eaton & Ronald Reagan, 1969

Williamsburg (Mass.); Damon, Sophia Clara, 1896-1987; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-2004; Pillsbury Company; Elementary school teachers--Massachusetts--Williamsburg; Baking-Competitions--Massachusetts--Williamsburg; Bake-Off (Contest)

Sophie (Damon) Eaton, a beloved grammar-school teacher in Williamsburg for many decades, was a finalist in the 20th Annual Pillsbury Company Bake-Off Competition held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1969. As part of the hoopla surrounding the event, this publicity photograph was taken of her with then-Governor of California Ronald Reagan. What Gov. Reagan had to do with the festivities is not clear, but this was probably the only opportunity he ever had to be photographed with Mrs. Eaton. Eaton submitted her 'Java Crunch Cake,' which she revised and entered in the contest 6 years in a row. Her 1969 recipe added toasted sesame crunch layers to the cake. The Bake-Off featured recipes that were 'new and lots quicker than yesterday's baking.' Eaton built her recipe around a package of Pillsbury Yellow Batter Cake Mix. Eaton's recipe was published in the February 11, 1969 Boston Globe in the 'Women' section. The photograph is 8 x 10 inches.

Photographer unknown

C/WMARS, Inc. http://www.cwmars.org/

1969

Permission to publish the image must be obtained from the Williamsburg Historical Society by writing to ddarienzo@cwmars.org or Meekins@cwmars.org. The Williamsburg Historical Society, Williamsburg, Mass., must be credited as the original source of the item for all use.

Part of the Williamsburg, Mass., Historical Society, Historic Photographs Collection

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Williamsburg Historical Society--Historic Photographs Collection--WHS902 Sophie Eaton & R. Reagan, 1969