She claims even before she could talk, Notre Dame fanatic Margie Lapanja knew how to sing the Notre Dame fight song. Although she is now cheering the Irish from Incline Village, Lapanja has created an everlasting companion that all Notre Dame fans can enjoy.A Fan's Companion, edited and published by Lapanja, is a personal journal illuminated with "all things Notre Dame."
"I always thought it would be fun, exciting and inspiring to write a book on Notre Dame," she said. "This is a perfect gift for a Notre Dame fan."When Lapanja was two years old her father introduced her to Fighting Irish football, and she has been a "die-hard fan" ever since, she said. More than 180 pages include quotes from coaches, players, alumni and fans, autograph pages, photos, game schedules and Notre Dame football game note pages. There are blank pages for penning "thoughts under the Dome" and "Notre Dame moments" and to gather addresses, contact information and collecting tickets and mementos, she said.
"My hope is for this book to become interactive and takes a life of its own as people fill the pages with their ticket stubs, photos and Notre Dame memories," she said. "Everyone that has seen it has been so excited. My goal in writing is bringing happiness, more joy, inspiration and good will to the readers." As a former magazine editor, food writer and lifestyle columnist, this is not the first experience Lapanja has writing a book. She has thus far published three cookbooks and the Goddess' Guide to Love.
This is, however, the first book published under her publishing company Cathedral Media, established this year. Based on the success of the Notre Dame companion, thoughts of publishing other school's Fan's Companions are floating around Lapanja said."It feels so good to give my talent and knowledge back to such a huge inspiration in my life," she said. "Now I hope others can save the memories they have of Notre Dame."A generous portion of the proceeds from Fan's Companion benefit the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Foundation and Hannah andamp;amp; Friends. Visit www.parseghian.org or www.hannahandfriends.org. To order a copy of Notre Dame: A Fan's Companion call the Notre Dame Bookstore at (574) 631-6316 or visit www.cathedralmedia.com for additional information. The book's ISBN number is 0-9778467-0-9 and lists for $14.95 (hardcover).
