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Patsy Cline Route 11 Chips Tins For Sale
Star Staff Report Route 11 Potato Chips commemorative Patsy Cline tins, commissioned to raise funds for the proposed Patsy Cline museum, went on sale Monday. The limited edition tin portrays Cline in six photos from different eras of her career from 1952 to 1962. Sarah Cohen, president of Route 11 Potato Chips, said the net proceeds from the sale of the Patsy Cline tins will go to Celebrating Patsy Cline. Based on her calculations, Cohen expects to raise about $40,000 for the museum project.
Route 11 Potato Chips in Middletown is one of the smallest chip factories in the United States, where hand-made chips with gourmet seasonings are a specialty. The company compares its beginnings as “being young, broke, and full of dreams” as synonymous with the girl from the Shenandoah Valley — Patsy Cline. The idea to create a chip tin container honoring Cline came about from visitors to the Route 11 factory and retail store. Tourists and tour buses often head to Winchester after stopping in Middletown to purchase chips, said Cohen. The staff often discusses Patsy’s legacy with visitors and the need for a museum. The tin will be sold through the Route 11 retail outlet in Middletown for $35 (plus shipping, handling, and tax). Route 11 will fill the tin with an order of one of the 13 flavors chosen by the purchasers. The tins may also be purchased online at www.rt11.com. Customers may have the purchases shipped. The first tin was purchased on Monday by Celebrating Patsy Cline President Jim Stutzman as a gift for Patsy’s family. He will present it to them during the Patsy Cline Fan Club weekend, which will be held in Winchester this weekend. Stutzman said this contribution from Route 11 is significant for Celebrating Patsy Cline. “We are thrilled to have this very unique partnership with such a dynamic locally-owned and operated small business,” said Stutzman. This donation brings the group closer to raising the funds needed to purchase 608 South Kent St. and proceed with preserving Patsy’s home as a place for her fans to visit, said Stutzman. Jeanne Krohn of Krohn Designs created the design of the tin and donated her work to the project. Use of the privately owned photos used for the project were donated by the owners: Hal Buksbaum, Les Leverett, Joseph Zuckerman, Patsy Lillis Murphy, and John Reid. Legacy Inc., Patsy’s family, who owns Patsy’s likeness and image-use rights, endorsed the design and commemorative tin project in early 2003. The Patsy Cline chip tin is the first commissioned item intended specifically to raise money for Celebrating Patsy Cline’s museum effort by another organization, which has been approved by Legacy Inc., according to literature from Celebrating Patsy Cline. “As Celebrating Patsy Cline enters the next phase for development and implementation, it is important to note the wealth of contributions and support from her family, friends, and fans,” said Stutzman. A museum dedicated to the legacy of Patsy Cline is a long-overdue tribute to someone who gave so much to so many people, Stutzman. “We hope that these contributions and donations will serve as a catalyst for other local and national donations so that Celebrating Patsy Cline can have ownership of 608 South Kent Street and be well on the way to opening Patsy’s doors soon.” Winchester can tell the story of the young Patsy Cline as no other place in the world can, said Stutzman and offers a first-hand glimpse back into Patsy’s initial dreams of stardom. |
Originally Published In The Winchester Star On August 27, 2003
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