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Miss Parolee’s Pie Co. to be featured on PBS

Photos: PBS films at local pie shop

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Marshall Gorby/From left Courtney Collins, Michelle Luciano, and Rachel Ray Smith films Gail Grant preparing blackberry cobbler for a segment on "Lifestyles of Rebecca" at her bakery on W. Perrin Ave on Tuesday Oct. 13.

Local bakery gains  attention of TV host

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By Haley Gerken, Staff Writer Updated 6:42 AM Thursday, October 15, 2009

SPRINGFIELD — When art teacher Gail Grant retired after 35 years, she never imagined she would still be doing something she loved.

Grant, the manager of Miss Parolee’s Pie Co., started her business in 1996 with the intent of being able to financially support her ailing mother who required constant supervision and home health care.

Her mother’s technique and love for cooking ultimately inspired her and helped her gain a love for baking.

“Mom was always baking for us,” Grant said Tuesday, Oct. 14. “She made my dad a dessert almost every night.”

Just last month, Grant attended the Country Living Fair in Columbus, where her booth of treats gained the special attention of a PBS television program titled “Lifestyles with Rebecca.” A film crew from the show spent the day at the bakery, located at 1407 W. Perrin Ave., on Tuesday.

The program is geared toward spotlighting individuals who have changed professions in order to better their own lives, or in Grant’s case, the life of someone else.

Hosts Rebecca Ray Smith and Michelle Luciano travel around the nation interviewing individuals about their new professions and why they chose to make the initial switch.

For Grant, her motivation is the joy she brings to those who eat her baked goods.

“I just enjoy making people feel good like my mother did,” Grant said. “For me, baking is a way to do that.”

Tom Jacobs, executive producer of the program, expects to see Grant’s feature on the program in five weeks.

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The apple cobbler is great. I used to go to the Black Cultural Festival just to get some cobbler. I am so glad this article was written because now I know where I can get some more!

Hip Hip Hooray!
1:10 PM, 10/16/2009

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To LJC: The blackberry may be very good, but the peach cobbler with a dolop of vanilla ice cream is the bomb. MY FAVORITE.

alphagirl
8:15 PM, 10/15/2009

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Great article. Great pies I have eaten many times over the years at festivals and Second Street Market in Dayton. The negative comments are unnnecessary. Oviously, these come from folks who don't get out much and know what's out there among the folks in their own town. I'll be looking forward to seeing the program on PBS. I am a former resident of Springfield and know Mrs. Grant from our school years from elementary to high school. They are known throughout Ohio for their wonderful pies.

alphagirl
8:05 PM, 10/15/2009

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Once again, I am in awe of the stupidity and disheartening comments made by my fellow neighbors. Let's concentrate more on the great little bakery right in our backyard and less on the hairnet crap. Trust me when I say I have seen less clean places in this very town that serves food. The problem isn't that these folks are offended by the missing hairnet, but the jealousy that someone is actually being successful. Get off your couch & computer and do something with your own lives.

Lisa L. Newman
8:01 PM, 10/15/2009

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Yum! I didn't know about this shop, I am definitely going to stop by and get some goodies from this local business!

Spflder
6:42 PM, 10/15/2009

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