During the May primary race in Kentucky former President Bill Clinton wanted to make a speech endorsing his wife Sen. Hillary Clinton from Main Street in rural Kentucky. His staff chose Mt. Sterling, a community 35 miles east of Lexington, and they selected a house on Main Street with a front porch where President Clinton could speak. The house they selected happened to be owned by friends of my son Darren Payne and his wife Martha.

There was not much time for preparation. They needed a flag to stand behind Clinton and my son had one. Then the staff called and said they needed 20 prepared meals and since Clinton eats a "healthy heart" diet the meals had to confirm to his strict diet. The meals were for Clinton, his staff, his Secret Service men and Kentucky State Police. The Clinton staff said to have the meals catered, but there was one problem. Mt. Sterling does not have a cater and time was short.

Darren is quite a chef (I will brag) so he and Martha volunteered to cook the meals. They selected several items from their vegetable garden, bought a few items and had a few things donated. The day of Clinton's visit they had the meals prepared and ready for his arrival. Clinton arrived late, gave a speech from Main Street America and then returned inside the house where greeting were exchanged and pictures made. Darren said Clinton was most gracious and spoke with everyone and his staff told him it was time to leave, but he remained and had a good visit with everyone. Martha's parents Clarence and Rosemary Crabtree were there for the event.

Clinton's next speech was in Richmond, Kentucky so the meals were taken to be eaten during the car ride to Richmond. Darren said security was tight, but no one inspected the food. Next time we visit Darren and Martha I want him to fix the same meal for us that he prepared for former President Clinton. I can't wait to eat a "President's Meal."