Local history buffs and those who love good southern food will have a special treat this fall.

During the fall pilgrimage weekend, Butler County Historical and Genealogical Society (BCHGS) members and their guests will have the opportunity to sample some of the county’s tastiest time-honored dishes during a Sunday covered-dish luncheon.

The occasion will mark the debut of &uot;A Taste of Butler County&uot;, the historical society’s brand-new collection of southern recipes and food memories.

The buffet lunch is set for 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 10 at First United Methodist Church of Greenville. BCHGS members are asked to bring dishes representing recipes featured in the new cookbook, allowing everyone to enjoy the fruits (not to mention the vegetables, meats and breads) of their labor.

With recipes like Winnie’s Super Squash Casserole, Granddaddy’s Fried Chicken, Lena’s Pecan Pie and Ova’s Cream Cheese Pound Cake, it’s unlikely anyone will leave the church hungry that day.

&uot;This ‘taster’s choice’ luncheon will be another part of our 40th anniversary celebration. We are really looking forward to it. We have some fabulous recipes, not to mention fabulous cooks,&uot; says Barbara Middleton, BCHGS president.

The cookbook, featuring 400-plus family recipes, vintage photos and food memories, is slated to be ready for purchase that weekend. Cookbook editor Annie Crenshaw estimates the book will sell for the &uot;very affordable&uot; price of $10.

&uot;We think ‘A Taste of Butler County’ will make a very special memento of our fortieth anniversary and I’m sure everyone in town will want copies…and it will make a great gift,&uot; Middleton comments.

Attendees can work off some of those rich southern calories ingested Sunday afternoon with a walk through one of the area’s most historic landmarks.

A walk through history

A narrative walking tour of historic Pioneer Cemetery, the final resting place of many of the county’s earliest settlers, will follow the meal. &uot;Captain William Butler, for whom the county is named, is among those buried here. In the cemetery you can also see wonderful Victorian cast-iron grave covers created by one of Greenville’s own, craftsman Joseph Abrams,&uot; says Middleton.

After the tour, everyone is invited to stroll over to South Park Street to enjoy a refreshing glass of ice-cold lemonade on the shady veranda of Ramona and Gary Martin’s home.

The 1865 Queen Anne cottage is on The National Register of Historic Places and was recently featured on Home and Garden Television’s &uot;If Walls Could Talk.&uot; Ramona Martin will share with her afternoon visitors the story behind the fascinating discovery she made in the home’s attic.

&uot;Our Sunday luncheon and tour is open to anyone interested in attending, not just historical society members. It will cap off a wonderful weekend for our town,&uot; Middleton says.

The BCHGS does request anyone planning to attend the Sunday lunch and tour to contact Judy Taylor, Publicity Chairman at (334) 382-6852 or at dwt720@camelliacom.com to make reservations.