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The Villages
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Steve Doocy of ‘Fox & Friends’ fame and wife Kathy sign cookbooks for legions of fans

Steve and Kathy Doocy’s cookbook is titled ‘The Happy Cookbook: A Celebration of the Food That Makes America Smile.’

Villagers David and Madelyn Windmiller came to Barnes & Noble in Lake Sumter Landing on Friday night with a specific mission in mind.

The couple’s daughter, Kimberly, is an Army chief warrant officer 3 serving in Iraq and she had charged her parents with doing whatever it took to get a signed copy of a new cookbook written by “Fox & Friends” co-host Steve Doocy and his wife, Kathy.

Madelyn said Kimberly made it quite clear that she had to have a copy of the book, which is titled “The Happy Cookbook: A Celebration of the Food That Makes America Smile.” So that meant Mom and retired Army veteran Dad, of the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores, had plans set in stone for Friday afternoon when they lined up to be among the first to meet the Doocys and get Kimberly’s book signed.

Steve Doocy, right, co-host of ‘Fox & Friends,” and his wife, Kathy, prepare to sign copies Friday night of their new book titled ‘The Happy Cookbook: A Celebration of the Food That Makes America Smile.’

“She loves to cook and this is important to her,” Madelyn said. “For some reason, she really wanted this book – enough for us to stand in line a couple of hours.”

David, who spent a total of 50 years in the Army and working as a civilian for the Department of Defense, said there was no doubt that his daughter was going to see her wish come true.

David and Madelyn Windmiller, of the Village of Bridgeport at Miona Shores, purchased a copy of Steve and Kathy Doocy’s new cookbook for their daughter, Kimberly, an Army chief warrant officer 3 serving in Iraq.

“I even have an email from her that says to be sure to get the book and get him to sign it for her,” he said with a chuckle.

On a more serious note, David said the Doocys thanked him, Kimberly and their son, Army Lt. Col. Terry Windmiller, for their many combined years of military service.

Sally Doocy, daughter of ‘Fox & Friends’ co-host Steve Doocy and his wife, Kathy, takes photos of the large crowd waiting to get their cookbooks signed by her parents at Barnes & Noble on Friday night.

“We’ll think about this for a long time,” David said. “Especially since it’s for our daughter. And she’s going to remember it, too.”

Not surprisingly, the Doocys were touched by the special request for their cookbook to be sent overseas to an Army unit in Iraq.

“That is unbelievable,” Steve said quietly. “I’m going to tell that story.”

The Doocys also heard many other heartwarming stories Friday night as they signed books for about 2½ hours. The couple already had faced a long day, as Steve had broadcast live segments for “Fox & Friends” from RJ Gator’s in Lake Sumter Landing during Friday morning’s show, which aired from 6-9 a.m.

“I’m very happy,” Kathy said with a smile, adding that she wasn’t really sure how many people would attend the event. “Our book is so personal, so to know that all of these people are going to make our food, it’s very heartwarming.”

‘Fox & Friends’ co-host Steve Doocy takes a selfie with the crowd waiting to get their cookbooks signed at Barnes & Noble on Friday night.

Steve, who has visited The Villages in the past and even broadcast an entire “Fox & Friends” episode live from Lake Sumter Landing Market Square in 2011, agreed, while tossing in some of his well-known humor.

“The turnout was unbelievable,” he said with the all-too-familiar Doocy smile. “It’s The Villages, but the village showed up!”

The line to see Steve and Kathy Doocy snaked throughout the Lake Sumter Landing Barnes & Noble on Friday night.
‘Fox & Friends’ co-host Steve Doocy takes a selfie Friday morning with Port Orange’s Vickie and Cliff Smith.

That large group of loyal Doocy fans included Charles Edward Knight and his wife, Bernie, who drove more than 100 miles one way from Branford for the chance to meet the 20-year “Fox & Friends” co-host and his wife of more than 30 years, who he proudly refers to as “the best cook I’ve ever met.”

“We watch him every morning on the news and we think he’s a nice person,” Bernie said.

“And another thing,” Charles added, “I think he’s a Trump fan and I am a Trump man.”

Another couple, Dawn and Russell Lowrey, also traveled a long distance to spend a few minutes chatting with the Doocys. They came from Spring Hill, about 60 miles from Lake Sumter Landing, and agreed that the trip was well worth it.

Dawn and Russell Lowrey came from Spring Hill to meet Steve and Kathy Doocy and get a signed copy of their new cookbook.

“I have coffee with them every morning,” Dawn said of the “Fox & Friends” cast. “I like their perspective. I’m a conservative Republican and I just think they tell it straight and tell the truth. I like that.”

“You can believe them,” Russell added. “If they say something, take it to the bank. It’s not this leftist crazy stuff.”

Area residents took plenty of photos of Steve and Kathy Doocy signing copies of their new cookbook at Barnes & Noble on Friday night.
‘Fox & Friends’ fan Debbie Brady shows her signed copy of the cookbook written by Steve and Kathy Doocy.

Vickie and Cliff Smith also came from elsewhere in Florida to see the Doocys. Residents of Port Orange about 80 miles from The Villages, they drove over Thursday and spent the night with friends so they could attend the “Fox & Friends” broadcast from Lake Sumter Landing on Friday morning and the book signing that night.

“We threw our toothbrushes in our bag and headed on over,” said Vickie. “And then we decided to stay here all day.”

“We had a great time,” Cliff added. “They are really wonderful people.”

For their part, the Doocys said they were overwhelmed by the kindness shown to them by those in the large crowd who clearly were having a great time. Steve also said this trip was special because their daughter, Sally, is traveling with them and was making her first visit to The Villages.

“I grew up watching the commercials where everybody was having so much fun and there was golf free for the rest of your life,” the smiling 25-year-old said. “Everybody was smiling and having a good time. Then coming here, it was even better than I expected. It was so cool.”

“And she got to drive the golf cart!” Steve added with his trademark smile.

Kathy and Steve Doocy sign copies of their new cookbook for Jerry and Cathy Taylor, of the Village of Dunedin.

The Doocys’ visit was just one in a long line of Fox personalities who have made appearances at the Lake Sumter Landing Barnes & Noble. Fox News political commentator Tucker Carlson will be there today at 2 p.m. to sign copies of his new book titled “Ship of Fools: How a Selfish Ruling Class Is Bringing America to the Brink of Revolution.” Greg Gutfeld, co-host of “The Five,” was there in August to sign copies of “The Gutfeld Monologues: Classic Rants From The Five.” Chief Political Anchor Brett Baier signed copies of “Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire” in May. And Doocy’s “Fox & Friends” co-host, Brian Kilmeade, has been to The Villages four times, the latest being in December 2017 when he signed copies of his book titled “Andrew Jackson and the Miracle of New Orleans: The Battle That Shaped America’s Destiny.”

Pat Anderson, of the Village of Pinellas, was the last of many people to get a cookbook signed by Kathy and Steve Doocy on Friday night.
The Doocys spent 2½ hours signing copies of their new cookbook for fans at Barnes & Noble in Lake Sumter Landing on Friday night.
Helen and John Mulhern, of the Village of Buttonwood, pose with Kathy and Steve Doocy after getting their cookbook signed Friday night.

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