Northwest Indiana rich in holiday fare
Northwest Indiana is rich in holiday tradition, with added emphasis during December, says Philip Potempa.
Northwest Indiana is rich in holiday tradition, with added emphasis during December.
Carole Cornelison and the members of the Munster Historical Society are among my favorite friends of history in the Region. They are a dedicated team charged with keeping memories and names alive associated with the landmark Kaske House, at the corner of Ridge Road and Columbia Avenue in Munster. Kaske House is operated as a museum by the Munster Historical Society.
It was Wilhelmina Kaske who moved back to the Kaske House, which she built in 1910 on the site of the family’s former inn. The Kaskes’ daughter, Helen Bieker, and her husband, Lawrence, eventually inherited the house and surrounding acreage and in 1986. Helen sold the property to the Munster Park Board with the stipulation that she be allowed to remain in her home until her death. When she died in 1988, the property became Heritage Park.
From 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 7, guests can visit the Kaske House for the annual Munster History Museum Holiday Open House. The event is free, with donations accepted, and complimentary cookies and hot chocolate will be served. There also are free family photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus and their hard-working elves in the Kaske House parlor. The event also welcomes carolers. Parking is free at the Munster Schools’ Administration Building south of Ridge Road on the west side of Columbia Avenue behind Bieker Woods. For more information, visit www.munsterhistory.org or call (219) 836-6530.
And the same weekend, just around the corner from the Kaske House, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church — 1101 Park Dr. in Munster, just off Columbia Avenue — is inviting the public to celebrate the life of Saint Nicholas. Even though Dec. 6 marks the Feast of
St. Nicholas, St. Paul will host its annual St. Nicholas luncheon at 1 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Cloister in the Woods fellowship hall. Member Pat Kincaid reminded me that Nicholas is the patron saint of children, sailors and the poor.
“We will celebrate his life with delightful seasonal music, finger sandwiches, fruit salad and a selection of St. Nicholas cookies served,” she said.
“We will also share St. Nicholas stories and the details of his fascinating life.”
The cost for the event is $5 for each adult accompanied by a child.
There is no charge for children. The event coordinators are asking guests bring new hats, gloves, mittens and scarves for distribution to local children.
To make reservations, call (219) 838-3803 and leave a message by Monday with the number of adults/children attending.
Kincaid, who lives in Hammond, shared many newspaper years with me, prior to her retirement two years ago from The Times of Northwest Indiana.
She is also featured in my new cookbook “Back From the Farm” with a delicious recipe for carrot soup.
Now that she is retired from her editing and archiving newsroom duties, Pat spends much of her time baking and will be creating some of the delicious cookies served at her church’s December event.
“My St. Nicholas shortbread cookie press cookie is always a favorite,” Pat said.
“I like to use the cookie presses from Rycraft. And both these cookies will be served at the luncheon. My cut-out molasses St. Nicholas cookie variation is a wonderful recipe from the Saint Nicholas Center at www.stnicholascenter.org, which their bakers adapted from a ‘Gingies,’ cookie recipe originally published in the 1961 ‘Betty Crocker’s New Picture Cook Book.’ “