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| A toast to fine wines |
Morris Plains' Saucy Sisters host intoxicating book talk
by Patricia L. Jarrach
July 21, 2004/Daily Record
HANOVER - "What do you get you mix Chablis and Zinfandel?" According to their web site, "The Saucy Sisters!"
The community enjoyed a taste of this intoxicating cocktail on July 13 when the Saucy Sisters, siblings Barbara
Nowak and Beverly Wichman, hosted a book signing and presentation at the Crestwood Nursing and Rehabilitation
Center.
"I can't wait to go home and read the book," said Kathy Black of Parsippany. "They really know how to work a
crowd. It was incredible."
The March debut of their book, "The Saucy Sisters' Guide to Wine - What Every Girl Should Know Before She
Uncorks," launched Nowak and Wichman into the whirlwind two-month and 11,000-mile "Saucy Sisters' Wine Divas
Tour" of the United States in their personal "Grapemobile." The Sisters wanted to end their tour close to
where they were raised, Morris Plains, even though there were a lot of stops in between.
The road to being writers included working throughout the country in a diverse and a surprising number of
jobs - radio and television personalities, high-powered Washington lobbyist, Texas and Oklahoma oil company
employee and even a role at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. But they were inseparable sisters at heart,
which led them to Nashville and a joint radio show.
The siblings developed the "Saucy Sisters" name when they hosted a segment on the "P is for Pasta" cooking
show in Tennessee. Wichman, driving in her car, tried to come up with a catchy phrase for their segment,
and she surprised herself by the idea. The name stuck, and they continued with a Nashville radio talk show
until a guest inspired their idea for a book.
Getting published
The road to publication was a little bumpy for the women, though.
"We read all the books and decided that an agent was the best way to go," Nowak said. "Most books said you
send out 100 letters and you might get two responses. We sent out nine one-page letters and got nine
rejection letters. But, we sent out two long proposals and all of a sudden had two agents wanting us."
"We interviewed them," Wichman continued, "and chose June Clark. Within two months, our book was going to
auction with five publishers wanting it."
"We were ready to quit our jobs and buy new homes," Nowak said.
"The big day came," said Wichman. "And about 5:30 that night, Barb called me, and I know her voice well
enough to know something was wrong. Did the deal fall through? Are we not being published? She said, 'I
have good news and bad news.' I asked if we were being published, and she responded that was the good
news. The bad news was that her dog, Duke, died."
"When I told my husband our advance," Nowak said, "he asked if they were bidding in five-dollar
increments."
"Needless to say," Wichman continued, "we kept our day jobs."
'The book is hilarious'
Still, their book has been delightfully received.
"The book is hilarious," said Sandy Graziano of Hanover. "It's so informative, light and wonderful. I
really give them a hand."
"The Saucy Sisters' Guide to Wine" explores the world of wine in all of its forms, from the practical
to the historical. Mixed with humor and realism, this tongue-in-cheek look at wine from these self-
proclaimed "wine divas" tells readers how to "fake it" in a restaurant, how women can engage their men
by comparing sports talk with wine language and even how to know if a potential mate is compatible,
based upon the wine he drinks.
During their presentation, they revealed many of the book's secrets. For example, they showed the audience
the proper way to hold a wine glass - by the stem, not the cup.
They also demonstrated why the "Wine-A-Way" cleaning product has the best chance of removing wine stains
from carpets. And, they shared numerous stories about the writing of their book, their tour and their
experiences in writing. Laughter filled the room.
"I want to go to a restaurant to practice," said Margie Farrell of Florham Park. "They give a great version
of a woman's point of view on wine. It's light and funny, and this is really good for the residents."
Members of the facility agreed.
"We're happy that such a nice mix of families, the community and residents turned out," said Karen Ward, the
geriatrics social worker at the center. "It's a fun way to get everyone involved."
The first "Saucy Sisters' Wine Divas Tour" came to a spectacular end for the sisters, both personally and professionally.
especially since their book was dedicated to their parents.
"This is our first time giving our presentation at a center like this," said Wichman. "But ever since Mom came
here with Alzheimer's, we've wanted to. Mom was admitted in January, so we came to presentations and tailored
things to fit."
Founded in 1956, the Crestwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has grown into a 75-bed facility surrounded
by five acres. It's known for its 1890 Victorian mansion, which is an integral part of making residents feel
at home.
"People don't realize we're here," facility administrator Carol Shepard said. "We provide both long-term care
and short-term rehabilitation in a very homey type of facility. Unlike other places, it's very quiet, and our
residents do very well."
The Saucy Sisters' mother, Ruby Pearl "Tiny" Wichman, is one of those residents doing very well. She said she
was very proud of her daughters and she used to enjoy wine, too.
Their father, Dr. Adolph "Wick" Wichman, was also on hand to enjoy their presentation. He said that his father
was a self-described "wine connoisseur" and he and his wife wanted to pass on that love of wine to their
children.
"When we dine with the girls, I don't dare to look at the wine list anymore," he said. "They're the experts."
As for his thoughts on their book, he said, "It's a very charming and a mighty fine book. The index is
amazing and was a priority."
"They taught me to drink," admitted their brother, Jeff Wichman.
"Jeff is as saucy as we are," Beverly said. "He had to be saucy to put up with his two older sisters."
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