I always remember seeing the always entertaining Bobby Vinton perform a Valentine's Day concert at Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville in 2007.

While many among Vinton's army of fans brought the crooner red roses in homage of his song "Rose are Red, My Love," there also were some dedicated followers who presented the self-proclaimed "Polish Prince" with platters of pierogi.

And I remember visiting with him backstage and how he seemed even more pleased with these delicious doughy, filled dumplings than he did with the long-stemmed fragrant buds.

After all, pierogi never have thorns, just the occasional tart prune-filled surprise. Pierogi even have a special place in Martha Stewart's favorite kitchen memories, since they were among the specialty recipes of her mother Martha Kostyra, who died Nov. 16 last year at age 93, following hospitalization from a stroke.

Whiting has made pierogi the community's claim-to-fame, and everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Food Network have recognized Whiting's prized pierogi contribution.

Well, there's even more good news on the way for Whiting.

Whiting was just selected as one of the five finalists in the search for the capital of "the pierogi pocket."

Now, it's up to you, the reader, to help this neighborhood by the lake become officially recognized internationally for this cuisine distinction as well as help them win $10,000 for a local charity

Publicist Mike Surabian contacted me last week with this good news.

"The primaries are over, and it's time to find out which city made their case best and has the most pierogi passion," Surabian said.

Five finalists, including Whiting, are vying to be crowned "Capital of the Pierogi Pocket for 2009," and the competition is tough.

To convince judges they are most deserving of votes, Surabian said the final five cities have already submitted evidence to support their claims, ranging from petitions, mayor proclamations and films showing pierogi tosses to pierogi-eating contests, pierogi parades, hundreds of pierogi-making volunteers -- and even a search for the mythic "Pierogi Man."

The other cities, besides Whiting, vying for the title of Capital of the Pierogi Pocket, are Binghamton, N.Y.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Elmira Heights, N.Y.; and Forest City, Pa.

Evidence of Whiting's -- and the other four other cities' -- pierogi pride is posted at pierogypocket.com, and now it's time for you, the readers, across the country, to vote for the city that should be crowned Capital of the Pierogi Pocket. Voting is open now through Oct. 24, 2008. The competition once again is sponsored by Mrs. T's Pierogies, and this marks the third annual search for this title. Binghamton, N.Y., was last year's winner.

Surabian said the folks at Mrs. T's were particularly impressed that each year, Whiting shares its love with more than 50,000 people at the annual Pierogi Fest, where citizens participate in contests like a pierogi toss and pierogi eating. This year, Whiting even broke its own record from the previous year by making the world's largest pierogi, which weighed in at an astonishing 96.5 pounds. If crowned this year's winner, Whiting officials told contest organizers they will use the $10,000 prize to build a commemorative 10- foot statue of their dancing pierogies at the entrance to the town's business district.

"Over the last two years, we have seen incredible examples of pierogi passion and community pride in cities and towns across America," said Gary Lauerman, director of sales and marketing for Mrs. T's Pierogies.

"And Mrs. T's is excited to continue the celebration of culinary heritage and tradition with this year's search for the Capital of the Pierogi Pocket of America."

The term "pierogi pocket" refers to an area of the country in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest where pierogi consumption is higher than anywhere else in the nation. It spans cities and towns throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois, and parts of New York, southern New England and the Mid-Atlantic region.

For more information or to vote for Whiting to be crowned Capital of the Pierogy Pocket, visit pierogypocket.com.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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