Finally, A Book About Jell-O
by Lynne Belluscio

NOV. 19, 2001 - Two hundred and fifty copies of the new Jell-O book by Carolyn Wyman arrived two weeks ago, and theyíre selling like hot cakes! Weíre going to call the publisher to see how soon we can get a second delivery. After Tuesdayís article in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, the phone started ringing, and we started taking orders by phone. Carolyn has agreed to come to Le Roy on Friday, November 30 and stay over until 1 p.m. on Saturday to sign copies of "Jell-O A Biography." Sheíll be signing books at the LeRoy House during the Le Roy Winterfest and if you are looking for a Christmas gift for friends or family, this might just fill the bill. The 145 page book sells for $15 and is chock-full of interesting Jell-O stories and a lot about Le Roy.

She has included the story about Pearle Wait and Orator Woodward. There are pictures of Pearle Waitís granddaughter Martha Tabone and a copy of her grandmotherís favorite Lime Jell-O salad. Martha remarked that like many kids, she and her siblings didnít like walnuts, "So we always picked them out and put them on the side of our plates."

David Frostís grandfather, Roy McPherson, who worked as a Jell-O salesman in the early 1900ís, is quoted in chapter 2: "Roy McPherson admitted to pangs of conscience in selling to a small store what you know is more than they can easily use. Still, McPherson wrote to a family member who had once sold books door to door, ëI think this work is more honorable as the grocers can eat the goods if they canít sell it."

Although Carolyn gives me credit as someone who knows more about Jell-O than anyone on earth, I think Carolyn deserves that honor. One of the mysteries of Jell-O for me has been trying to center the molded Jell-O on the plate. How many times have I unmolded a beautiful Jell-O only to discover it is an inch off center on the plate!!! Carolyn notes that if you lightly wipe the plate with cold water before unmolding the Jell-O it can be repositioned. Now that certainly made the book worth the money! She also includes a recipe to replace the once popular self layering Jell-O 1-2-3 which was introduced in 1969. It was removed from production in 1996. It is one of the most frequently asked questions at the Jell-O Gallery: "Will they ever make Jell-O 1-2-3-again?"

Last week I was browsing through Ebay and came across a box of Mr. Wiggle Jell-O which I bid on and quickly got outbid when the price soared over $100!!! I knew about the Mr. Wiggle puppet and according to Carolynís book, Mr. Wiggle was introduced in 1965. It was an artificially sweetened candy flavored Jell-O and it was introduced by General Foods when Pillsbury made plans to introduce "Jiggly," a similar gelatin product. Pillsbury never marketed Jiggly and General Foods lost $3.3 million before discontinuing Mr. Wiggle. (If any one knows of a box of Mr. Wiggle in the back of their cupboard, let me know. I need one for the exhibit, but I sure donít want to pay $100 for it!!)

Carolyn discovered the annual Jell-O Art Show held in Eugene, Oregon. Started in 1983, the event is a fund raiser and each year features 30 most unusual and unique creations, which have included a Jell-O dress and jacket, a Jell-O lampshade, and a place setting of Jell-O titled "Jell-Osy." There is also a Tacky Food Buffet created from Jell-O which has included deveiled Jell-O eggs, Jell-O sushi and green gelatin sardine cupcakes. But the more intriguing story that I discovered - - in fact when I read the proof copy for the first time, I had to call Carolyn immediately and tell her that I was truly impressed by her investigative skills. She was able to trace the original Jell-O Girl, Elizabeth King. Our files indicated that Elizabeth King had married George Muir and moved to China. A newspaper clipping indicated that she and her family had moved to England just before the war, and thatís where Carolyn picked up the clues. She located Elizabeth Muirís will and from that, Carolyn discovered the name of Elizabethís daughter who related several stories. Her mother was a very good cook and enjoyed serving desserts and gelatin, although Elizabeth used the British brands of gelatin that were sold in solid blocks instead of a powder. One or two times, relatives from the United States brought boxes of Jell-O and "I remember my mother pointing to the drawing on the box and saying "Thatís me, you know. And thatís all there was to it. Thatís all she ever really said about it."

Carolyn caught the irony: "And so Elizabeth King died in England in 1982, amid countrymen who didnít know Jell-O or Elizabethís important role in making it Americaís most famous dessert." I think you will find Carolynís book intriguing and fascinating. If you need a couple of copies for gifts, I certainly encourage you to stop by soon. We expect to sell out of the first shipment quickly.