A Lith baking class you don’t want to miss

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By Kathy Headley

Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor

6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778

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Last week I asked if you would like to learn how to make bacon buns from an old family recipe. The first time I ever had bacon buns was several years back at a Sisters of St. Casimir event, and they were delicious. Since then I have picked some up at a few different places over the years. But now I am wondering what fresh homemade same-day bacon buns would taste like. What could be better than homemade?

Aimie from Aimie’s European Bakery will be visiting the Chicago Lithuanian Center, 5620 S. Claremont, on Saturday, Feb. 24. Using her grandfather’s recipe, participants will have the opportunity to learn the secret techniques and ingredients behind the buns and will also get to take home their own completed bacon buns, along with dough and filling to recreate the treats in the comfort of their own kitchen.

The class fee is $40 and you do need to register ahead of time at antanas5190@gmail.com. Space is limited, so if this sounds like a neat culinary adventure, make sure to register soon.

Kathy Headley

Recently I wondered if you remembered the bar at 63^rd and Sacramento in the 1980s called Helen’s Never Inn. It was right next to Z Mart. The building, vacant for quite a while, all of a sudden sported a large picture of a hamburger in the window. This past week I went by and there is now a large picture of a taco next to the hamburger. I think we can guarantee there may be a restaurant opening soon.

Last Wednesday, the Hubbard High School BCU Club went over to visit the Southwest Regional Senior Center and sponsored a morning of the game JINGO for the seniors. It was free to enter and the students brought lots of school merchandise with them to offer as prizes for the winners, things like hats and t-shirts with the school logo. The seniors said they loved it.

For those of you that attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine or St. Rita of Cascia Grammar Schools in the 1950s, you may have had Adrian Dominican Sister Joan (Margaret Patrick) Murphy as a teacher. Sister passed away recently in Adrian, Mich. at the age of 97.

Beginning this Friday, Feb. 16, Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday during Lent at St. Thomas More, 2825 W. 81^st St., at 3 p.m.

This year marks the 100th anniversary since the Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania was established in Chicago. A celebration will be held at the Chicago Lithuanian Center, 5620 S. Claremont, at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. For more information, contact antanas5190@gmail.com.

Several years ago, the Rev. Charles Fanelli created a Spiritual Library at St. Thomas More, adjacent to the sacristy in the church. It consisted of a collection of books, DVDs and CDs. It has gotten a facelift. The shelves have been restocked with contemporary Catholic texts. The room has been renamed the Faith Enrichment Center and will officially open at 11 a.m. this Sunday, Feb. 18. Access to the new Center is planned for 11 a.m. to noon every Sunday.

Over at the Chicago Lawn Branch Library, 6120 S. Kedzie, Community Cinema brings the 2015 Universal Pictures film The Wiz Live! to the library on Sunday, Feb. 18, beginning at 2 p.m.

An AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be at the Southwest Regional Senior Center, 6117 S. Kedzie, on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until April 15. Seniors wishing to partake of this service will need to get an appointment ahead of time by calling (312) 747-0440.

Just as I was finishing up this column, I got a call from Ron Kalat, who shared the sad news that Ed ‘The Champ” Surma just passed away. I’ve written about Ed several times. Ed got his nickname during five decades of playing softball. He was inducted into the 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame in 1997.

Ed was a longtime employee of the American Can Company on 60^th and Western and played for the company team in the Gage Park Industrial League.

When the Can Company closed in 1992, many of the guys started getting together to talk about their job searches and how their families were doing. Once they were retired, they started meeting once a month for breakfast at Mabenka, then Les Brothers. Everyone gives Champ the credit for starting the monthly get-togethers labeling it Champ’s Breakfast Club. Until recently Champ could be seen there on Wednesday mornings.

If you knew Champ, and are reading this soon enough, visitation is on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at Lawn Funeral Home, 79^th and State Road, in Burbank from 3 to 8 p.m.

No one guessed the correct answer to last week’s history question so we’ll let it ride one more week. It comes from Brad O., who asks if we remember the place that gave Arther Treacher’s a run for its money. It was at 71^st and Pulaski where the Walgreen’s is now.