A tremendous and loving remembrance, Sally. It took me back to the very early days when your mother and father came down to Key West. It was there in that little kitchen on Simonton Street that I got my first Media training by the two of them. Tremendous guides into a vast world I was about to enter. And when you mentioned the hot air balloon and the fish tanks I was transported to your home in Hatfield and the party for your mom's birthday. Oh what a party! Your grandfather Doc made the most epic french fries ever. I wrote about those for my radio show in fact. What a beautiful family what a beautiful memory. Keep sipping. Keep writing these stories too. 💙🌈
As I remember it, he did go out with a noted fishing captain from Key West. I most clearly remember his enthusiasm for the funky fishing, drinking and Bohemian town that the
cookbook project brought him to. Somewhere in the files I believe I have a photo of him in a Hawaiian styled shirt in my kitchen, explaining the media craft to me.
I am celebrating my first Father’s Day today without my Dad who died at 97 on December 21 2025. Being a child of divorce myself - my parent’s split when I was five - your story spoke to me, your feeling of grief, loss and regret beautifully expressed and communicated. I worked with your parents many years when they were still married. I was a very green food stylist in my late twenties, and spent a long day in a New York television studio with your father making a series of promotional videos. I remember what a strong life force he had and the visionary he was in the early days of “food” television.
Thank you for be brave enough to share your beautiful writing. It has made me feel less alone while processing my own grief today.
I’m sorry you’re facing this first as well. And I deeply appreciate that this connects with you. Thank you for taking a minute to remember what a force he was. I laugh and smile thinking about how his staunchness embodied everything he did, media skills included!
Thank you for reading it Leslie, knowing that I was ready to share a different kind of content with my readers speaks to the incredible people here. And I deeply appreciate you being a part of it all from the very early days.
Sally, this is a beautiful tribute to your father. I met Lou in 1997 when PBS sent me to Massachusetts for a three‑day media‑training session with him and your mom. At one point, as we were pretending to be live on Good Morning America, he rolled an onion across the “stage” and it hit my foot — a perfect Lou moment: disarming, funny, and exactly what I needed. You were about twelve then, and reading your tribute brought that whole week back with clarity and warmth. He was a remarkable man. Love what you’re doing here.
Oh my gosh, this is *so* my dad! Thank you for sharing that hilarious memory with me. I’m so glad this essay resonated with you. I appreciate you reading it and taking some time to reach out here. It’s wildly rewarding and comforting to hear from all corners of his life and our family history. 💕
Sally, I am so sad for you, especially as you mark this Father’s Day without your dad. I lost both my mother and my sister to pancreatic cancer; it is a cruel illness, and one that breaks your heart wide open 💜
Thank you for sharing this very personal and beautifully written reflection. Sending you light and love.
Oh Elizabeth, I’m so sorry you know the intimate pain and grief of such a horrible cancer. Thank you for reading and being a part of this amazing community. Hugs to you!
Oh, Sally. Thank you for sharing the vulnerability of loss in all the ways it can visit us--childhood, divorce, death. What a loving tribute to your father.
I am in tears Sally, thank you! I am grieving with you and needing to shed some tears for my own grief. I'm sad he is not here to celebrate your big recognition on the Cherry Bombe Power List. You are a powerful, as is the writing. Much love!
Oh Sally, this is so beautiful. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes after reading. Thank you for sharing this incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and transcendent time in your life. Such a lovely tribute to your dad.
A tremendous and loving remembrance, Sally. It took me back to the very early days when your mother and father came down to Key West. It was there in that little kitchen on Simonton Street that I got my first Media training by the two of them. Tremendous guides into a vast world I was about to enter. And when you mentioned the hot air balloon and the fish tanks I was transported to your home in Hatfield and the party for your mom's birthday. Oh what a party! Your grandfather Doc made the most epic french fries ever. I wrote about those for my radio show in fact. What a beautiful family what a beautiful memory. Keep sipping. Keep writing these stories too. 💙🌈
Thank you Norman! Yes, those fries and the exploding oil may show up in another essay at some point too. Did my dad fish when they were down there?
As I remember it, he did go out with a noted fishing captain from Key West. I most clearly remember his enthusiasm for the funky fishing, drinking and Bohemian town that the
cookbook project brought him to. Somewhere in the files I believe I have a photo of him in a Hawaiian styled shirt in my kitchen, explaining the media craft to me.
I am celebrating my first Father’s Day today without my Dad who died at 97 on December 21 2025. Being a child of divorce myself - my parent’s split when I was five - your story spoke to me, your feeling of grief, loss and regret beautifully expressed and communicated. I worked with your parents many years when they were still married. I was a very green food stylist in my late twenties, and spent a long day in a New York television studio with your father making a series of promotional videos. I remember what a strong life force he had and the visionary he was in the early days of “food” television.
Thank you for be brave enough to share your beautiful writing. It has made me feel less alone while processing my own grief today.
I’m sorry you’re facing this first as well. And I deeply appreciate that this connects with you. Thank you for taking a minute to remember what a force he was. I laugh and smile thinking about how his staunchness embodied everything he did, media skills included!
Beautiful essay, Sally. What a difficult Father's Day this will be for you. I'm thinking of you. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading it Leslie, knowing that I was ready to share a different kind of content with my readers speaks to the incredible people here. And I deeply appreciate you being a part of it all from the very early days.
You've created a magnificent community, Sally. 💜
Well done, you. ♥️ Tipping a hot cuppa broth in your dad's direction tonight.
💕💕💕
Sally, this is a beautiful tribute to your father. I met Lou in 1997 when PBS sent me to Massachusetts for a three‑day media‑training session with him and your mom. At one point, as we were pretending to be live on Good Morning America, he rolled an onion across the “stage” and it hit my foot — a perfect Lou moment: disarming, funny, and exactly what I needed. You were about twelve then, and reading your tribute brought that whole week back with clarity and warmth. He was a remarkable man. Love what you’re doing here.
Oh my gosh, this is *so* my dad! Thank you for sharing that hilarious memory with me. I’m so glad this essay resonated with you. I appreciate you reading it and taking some time to reach out here. It’s wildly rewarding and comforting to hear from all corners of his life and our family history. 💕
Sally, I am so sad for you, especially as you mark this Father’s Day without your dad. I lost both my mother and my sister to pancreatic cancer; it is a cruel illness, and one that breaks your heart wide open 💜
Thank you for sharing this very personal and beautifully written reflection. Sending you light and love.
Oh Elizabeth, I’m so sorry you know the intimate pain and grief of such a horrible cancer. Thank you for reading and being a part of this amazing community. Hugs to you!
Of course, I am bawling! The Great Loudini has such a special place in my heart now. I really hope he and Dad are up there having a blast together. ❤️
I know they are! 💕💕💕
This is beautiful, my friend. You are special.
Thank you, wow. When people I admire so much (that’s you!) say this about sharing something so personal it’s really hitting me. In all the best ways 💕
The best tribute to your dad is that he produced two such stellar human beings, you and your sister!
Oh, Sally. Thank you for sharing the vulnerability of loss in all the ways it can visit us--childhood, divorce, death. What a loving tribute to your father.
Thank you for reading Amy, 💕
Thank you for sharing. This was so beautiful to listen to. In honor of your dad, I will be having chicken tonight.
Thank you Ryann!
Sally, this was so beautiful.
Thank you Eleanor
I am in tears Sally, thank you! I am grieving with you and needing to shed some tears for my own grief. I'm sad he is not here to celebrate your big recognition on the Cherry Bombe Power List. You are a powerful, as is the writing. Much love!
Thank you for reading and I’m glad that this spoke to you. Sending hugs
I love you, STG.
Right back at ya Pam! 💜
Oh Sally, this is so beautiful. I'm sitting here with tears in my eyes after reading. Thank you for sharing this incredibly moving, heartbreaking, and transcendent time in your life. Such a lovely tribute to your dad.
Thank you Sara, 💕
Really lovely. xo
Thank you Amy