At The Table With Suzanne Calhoun Thomas
Sue Thomas embraces and celebrates life to the fullest. Her life has been full of love, respect and humor along with many good memories.
There were three Calhoun children who grew up in Phoenixville. Along with Sue was her sister Margaret (Peggy) and brother Thomas. Peggy now lives in Florida. Thomas sadly passed away in the 1990’s. And as for Sue — she has returned to the area.
You would need a wall map and a big box of push pins to identify all the places Sue has either lived or worked in
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Illinois.
After graduating from high school — Sue went to Millersville for her under graduate degree in library science. She then went to Villanova University for her MLS - Masters in Library Science.
“Some enchanted evening you may see a stranger — you may see a stranger across a crowded room.” This song became their personal love song. As that is how Sue met her husband John Thomas (across a crowded room) in Delaware. They were together from their first meeting. Over the year’s they enjoyed ballroom dancing.
Married for 47-years — there are two Thomas sons.
Son John’s family including two granddaughters resides in West Chester. Son David is a musician living in Florida.
Sue’s career in the library world had many different paths. Her expertise was in the reference department both in the educational direction as well as the corporate world. But, the love of her life outside her family was being a children’s librarian and all that goes with it.
Sue has many interests. She enjoys reading, genealogy and photography. She is an expert scrapbooker — having created many books for family and friends. I believe she mentioned twenty-five or so. Having a chance to see a few I can only tell you that they beautiful and expertly crafted. They showcase her writings, photography and scrapbooking to a full extent.
Hanna Thomas was born in Jerusalem (in the Holy Lands) to an Arab mother and a British father. Hanna translates to John — hence John Thomas (Thomas was his father’s last name). He came to the U.S. as a student and remained here. Most of his life he was a director of purchasing for several flag companies. John was known as “the procurator of flags.”
This is while they lived on Fourth Avenue John served on the Phoenixville Borough Council in the early 1990’s.
Sue and John led a full and happy life until John had a stroke. The family had to contend and deal with his illness for ten years — he passed away in May of 2018.
Many of the foods from the Thomas kitchen reflected John’s MiiddleEastern heritage — here is a favorite.
BABA GHANNOUJ
(Eggplant Puree)
1 lb. eggplant
¼ cup lemon juice
2 tsp. tahini sauce 2 large cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. finely chopped parsley
Roast or grill eggplant – piece eggplant with fork and either roast in the oven or grill until the skins crack. You can broil in the oven 4” from heat for about 20 minutes. Be sure to expose all sides to the heat. Cool enough to handle, peel and cut away any charred spots. Cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Chop, place in blender and puree until smooth. Add in lemon juice, tahini sauce, chopped garlic and salt to taste.
Makes 2 cups. Spread on serving plate with pita bread or crackers. Or serve in a bowl topped a dollop of olive oil, chopped onion and parsley.
ENJOY!
Contract columnist Bette at banjack303. verizon.net. Search YouTube – with Bette-Banjack as well as phoenixvillenews.com (search bar Banjack). She can be found on Facebook. Her book “2 Cups of Yesterday” can be found at the Gateway Pharmacy or by contacting her directly.