Book signing at Gingerbread University in Baiting Hollow

Professor Fred Terry Sr. had a book signing for his new book “Big Dan the Gingerbread Man” at his storefront Gingerbread University in Baiting Hollow Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of the books goes to Smile Train, which pays for surgery for children with cleft palates.

His first book, “Gingerbread for All Seasons,” addresses the common feeling of being left out or unneeded.  It appeals to all ages and represents the perfect read for early childhood development issues.

The artwork is by artist Anna Fallai of Wading River. In the new book, Big Dan happily concludes that “being different” is what makes us all interesting and valued.

Though not exactly a real university, Gingerbread University ™ is the brainchild of a real college professor and inventor/entrepreneur, Frederick H. Terry Sr. The idea for a Gingerbread services company arose some 30 years ago in 1975. It was born out of a need for a final exam in one of Terry’s advanced culinary classes at Nassau Community College.

Professor Terry began sponsoring student-run gingerbread decorating workshops for the community. The New York media went wild and Gingerbread University began to take shape.