Chop 1 cup pecans, 1 cup dates and ⅓ cup maraschino cherries. Cut an additional 9 maraschino cherries into quarters. Set aside. Crush 3½ cups cornflakes. Set aside.
Blend together 6 Tablespoons butter, 6 Tablespoons shortening and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in 2 eggs until well mixed. Add 2 Tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat well.
Stir in chopped pecans, dates and maraschino cherries (excluding the quartered cherries). Shape into balls using a rounded teaspoonful of dough for each.