Comments from readers Helen Porter wasn't the only cook to save issues. Here's what other readers had to say (though we didn't ask them their ages!):

Renee Erickson, Bloomington, packed her old issues of Taste to bring with her to her new home in 1981. "That is how special the Taste sections are to me!! I can't live without them. I read Taste religiously!!"

Kathryn Koenigsmark, Minneapolis: "Taste is my favorite newspaper section -- no weather, no politics. I also have, as I'm sure many people do, numerous single recipes that are worn, torn, and stained, but lovingly put down in the drawer after each use to be brought out again as a trusted old friend."

Judy Dungan, Plymouth, still uses recipes she's been clipping from Taste for 20-plus years. "Most of these recipes I copied as they came from the newspaper, punched holes in them and put them in a loose-leaf binder."

Betty Kickertz, Minneapolis: "I always look forward to the Thursday edition of the Star Tribune because of the stimulating ongoing Taste section, which I treasure. I have clipped, cooked and saved many of your recipes over the years and look forward to clipping, cooking, saving and treasuring even more."

Barb Schellinger, Forest Lake, began reading Taste in 1979 when she first moved to Minneapolis. "I remember looking forward to perusing the recipes and coupons on the MTC bus ride to my first professional job in downtown Minneapolis. I still make the Spicy Corn and Black Bean Salad and Southwestern Couscous Salad -- the clippings from the paper are spotted and tattered from use."

Karen Panton, Minneapolis: "I am a devoted reader of the Taste section. I read it from cover to cover. For 36 years (since I moved to Minneapolis), I have frequently cut recipes from the section and used them to feed family and friends."

Dorothy Swanson, Bloomington, credits Taste with increasing her food knowledge: "I use many more herbs and spices, have started making preserves (loved pomegranate jelly) and overall my meals are tastier and more fun. Thanks, keep up the good work."

Suzanne Ruff, Eden Prairie: "The October 1, 2001, Taste section features waffles. My mother was fascinated with the Raised Waffles recipe on page T2 requiring yeast. The batter must stand overnight. My husband surprised Mom and prepared the batter. I'll never forget the look of delight on her face the next morning or the fun we had making and eating those delicious waffles. Mom only visited us a couple more times before her death, but my husband made the waffles for her each and every time. And, each and every time we make them now, we remember."

Mary Giambruno, Victoria: "Who doesn't save their Taste sections?"

Charles Anderson, St. Louis Park: "Read every issue, completely, as a fan."

Karen Karn, Plymouth: "I love to read about food and clip lots of recipes, some of which I actually try! I don't know anymore why I saved that old Thanksgiving section, but I suspect I was nervous about my first time hosting the family."

Mary Wood, Richfield: "I think I have been more of a saver than a cooker!" she said of all her saved issues.

Deb Nelson, Stacy: "In going through [the old issues], I realize how much I miss the cover artwork from the '80s -- some were just wonderful. Now, of course, I'm going to have to take the time to go through each one before I discard any."