DaytonDailyNews.com

Elvis is in cold storage at a home just east of downtown Dayton.

Well, to be more specific, the image of Elvis is captured in icing on a frozen birthday cake that has been lovingly coveted away in a freezer there for 30 years.

Hazel Phibbs, who celebrated her 90th birthday on June 12, vows to keep her Elvis cake until the day she dies.

"I love that cake," she said on Thursday, July 10. "It is a treasure to me and I never want anyone to cut it. It's my Elvis cake."

The sheet cake has white icing with blue trim and features an image of Elvis holding a microphone, with his coat collar turned up and a beaded belt across his middle. It is topped with the message "Happy Birthday Hazel"

Joanie Duffee, who works in the registrar's office at the University of Dayton, bought the cake for her mother-in-law when Hazel turned 60 in 1978.

"I remember ordering the cake at Evans Bakery (now Gaytko Bakery, 700 Troy St.) and bringing it to Hazel during a party during her birthday party at the VFW 657 club on E. Third St.," Duffee said. "It was the year after Elvis died and when she saw the cake, well this is when it gets good. When she saw it she said that the cake would not be cut. She said anyone who tried to cut the cake would pay the price."

Hazel made room in her freezer on that day for the cake, still in the Evans' Bakery box, and it has been the centerpiece there for three decades often sharing the space with frozen dinners and containers of ice cream.

"Hazel is very hesitant to lift the cake out of the freezer compartment," Duffee said. "She thinks the box might fall apart or something will cause the cake to crumble."

Like the legendary status of Elvis himself, the importance of her cake seems to keep getting more intense in Hazel's heart as the years roll by.

"She has Elvis photos of the wall with spotlights focused on them," said Tracy Beck, Hazel's 35-year-old granddaughter. "She has a plastic Elvis guitar that was once filled with popcorn. She has an Elvis lamp and rare old Elvis 45 rpm records. There are pillow coverings with images of Elvis in his Army uniform."

She added, "But that cake has taken on hallowed status for my grandmother."

Hazel even has a backup plan in the event her electric power is interrupted and her freezer stops working.

"I'll find a relative with a freezer and have them rescue the cake as soon as possible," she said. "To me Elvis was the greatest star, and this cake just means the world to me."

Dale Huffman wants your suggestions and story ideas. He'd like to share a story about you, your family or a friend. This column is for you. Send email to dhuffman@DaytonDailyNews.com or write to Dale at 1611 S. Main St., Dayton OH 45409. Fax: (937) 225-2489. Phone: (937) 225-2272.