Paula Deen draws big crowd

Hundreds flocked to Georgia Southwestern State University for the Boys and Girls Club 11th Annual Steak and Stake Dinner. The keynote speaker for the evening was Paula Deen, the first woman to speak at the event.

Deen, who was born in Albany, is no stranger to Americus. “I love Americus. Growing up in Albany, it had such a wonderful reputation,” Deen said. “I remember women and girls would load up and come to Americus to go shopping.”

Deen was also pleased to come and show her support for the Boys and Girls Club at the request of former President Jimmy Carter. “I’d do anything for Mr. Jimmy. If he calls, I’m going to be there.”

Her sons, Jamie and Bobby, also tagged along to watch their mother speak. “We like to travel with mom when we can,” said Bobby. “Just takin’ it all in.” Jamie said the brothers love to do anything that helps children. “When we have a chance to come down and help kids, it’s what we do,” he said. “And when the President calls and asks for a favor, you say ‘yes, sir.’ You give, you get back.”

Carter, who came with wife Rosalynn, was equally pleased to be at the event and see his old friend. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing one of my sweethearts,” he said. Carter and Deen have cooked together in the past for Deen’s show on the Food Network. He hopes to cook with Deen again. “I’d like to. If she comes back to Plains, I’d be delighted to,” he said. “She’s a wonderful cook.” In 2006, Deen came to Plains and cooked with the Carters at their home.

The program began with a dinner provided by Aramark. According to Larry Jackson, president of the Sumter County Boys and Girls Club, tickets for the dinner were nearly sold out, with 397 of 400 being sold. Jackson said the purpose of the event was “ensuring our club will always be a positive place for kids.” He also explained that the title of the event, Steak and Stake, means that everyone in attendance is a stakeholder in the Club.

GSW president Kendall Blanchard was pleased by the turnout and excited for the program. “This is great. It’s good for the school,” he said. “When Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and Paula Deen come, it’s a good day for the university and the community.

During the dinner, which was a buffet, the “Rustling Cowgirls” of the Boys and Girls Club performed a line dance to “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.” Deen led the audience in clapping to the tune of the song.

Carter introduced Deen to the audience. “It’s very nice for me to be alongside the famous person for a change,” he said. He also said that he had given Deen a few cooking lessons and that the two cooked quail and “beans, as Paula would say, right out of a shiny can.” Deen interrupted to add, “And half a stick of butter!”

Deen started by introducing her family, including husband Michael Groover. She introduced Jamie and Bobby as “two angels that I find lickable” with her trademark laugh and southern twang. “They just don’t understand they’re still my babies,” she said.

She acknowledged that some of her life’s struggles have not always made her the best role model for her sons. “They didn’t always have a good role model in me,” she said. “You just try to get through the days. I’ve certainly tried to make up for it as I’ve aged.”

After asking the audience if they would prefer to hear her talk or have a question and answer session, the consensus was to for Deen to speak. She shared her life story and struggles, beginning with her birth in 1947 in “a little square building called Phoebe Putney.”

She later went to high school and graduated with a certificate. “I didn’t have enough credits,” she said. “But I was one heck of a cheerleader!”