Big Things are Cooking at CADL

Martha Dixon: A Local Icon

Michigan native Madeline Ver Planck, known by many as Martha Dixon, was a beloved T.V. show host and producer. Dixon worked across the country in various food and hospitality positions before accepting a position as the host of the television cooking show "The Copper Kettle" in 1954. She also hosted "The Martha Dixon Show". Both shows were hosted on WJIM-TV, now known as WLNS Channel 6. She was active in the organizations American Women in Radio and Television, as well as American Women for International Understanding.

Dixon remained on the air for 25 years. During that time she also published a cookbook called "Martha Dixon's Copper Kettle Cookbook" in 1963. A 20th anniversary edition was published in 1983 due to popular demand. CADL Local History department has a copy of both books. Interested patrons can request to access a collection of weekly recipe newsletters that were published during Dixon's time on T.V. in the Local History Room.  

CADL has recieved a donation of footage from Carl Easlick, who formerly worked at WJIM-TV. You can view the collection on CADL YouTube channel.