Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

When Chris Armentano called Linda Piotrowicz with his cookbook idea, she was immediately enthused. What a great way to publicize Connecticut-grown agricultural products. And for Armentano, it could shed more light on the dangers of sports gambling. Collaborating, the two could serve both purposes. For the past 25 years, Armentano has been director of problem gambling treatment services for the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Piotrowicz is a marketing representative for the Department of Agriculture. The book will be titled "The March Madness Kitchen Survival Guide," with the subtitle "Recipes for the Road to the Final Four." It should be completed around March 6. As I informed Armentano when he asked me my favorite TV game-watching snack, I'm partial to a toasted cheese sandwich with tomato - sometimes two - at halftime. Not very exciting, but it's what I like. That's what I'll have this evening as I'm watching the Bears edge the Colts in Super Bowl XLI. But this cookbook won't be a toasted-cheese-sandwich sort of thing. It will contain party recipes interspersed with basketball facts and other entertaining items. But mostly it will contain recipes from all over the state. "I'm using my contacts to collect recipes for our project," said Piotrowicz, who grew up in Simsbury and now lives in East Hartford. "Through my work, I know a lot of chefs in the state. Also, many state farmers will be contributing their favorites. We'll have all kinds of things." A limited number of the cookbooks will be printed, but it also will be available on the Department of Agriculture's website (ct.gov/doag). The cookbook also hopes to give folks something to do other than bet during a time of intense gambling. "It is not new news that addiction to gambling has ruined uncounted marriages, families and lives. It's going to get worse before it gets better," Armentano said. He knows he's shoveling sand against the tide. "It's true," he said. "With the casinos in Connecticut, and now the poker shows on television and Internet betting ... it's glorified and it hasn't lost its shine." Super Bowl Sunday is a heavy betting day, too. "It's a day when folks who wouldn't ordinarily do it place a bet," he said. "And some frequent gamblers view it as a chance to get even for past losses." Piotrowicz also welcomes a chance to highlight the many food products produced in Connecticut. "There is great diversity in our home-grown products," she said. "Shellfish, dairy products, eggs, meat, poultry, cheese - there are some exquisite cheeses made here in Connecticut - maple syrup, apples and other fruits, winter squash, hothouse tomatoes and many other things."

Farmland is disappearing at an alarming rate in our small state as developers gobble up the open space despite considerable resistance.

"It's a real concern," Piotrowicz said, "but there is a lot of specialization and diversification going on now. Farmers are doing more with less land."

So a new cookbook will soon be born. Its message will be twofold: "Think cooking, not gambling" and "Use Connecticut-grown food products for your March Madness parties." They will taste better.