October 2014 - Lithuanian American Community

LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN NEWS JOURNAL
$5
October 2014
contents
Vol. 38 No. 8 / October 2014
Bridges is the official publication of the
Lithuanian-American Community, Inc.
www.lithuanian-american.org
EDITOR
Teresė Vekteris
ART DIRECTOR
Daniel P. Craig, Jr.
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, FOOD
Jana Sirusaitė Motivans
3
Professionals Share Their
Journeys
North American Ateitis
conference is a new type of
gathering
By Ramunė Kubilius
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, GENEALOGY
6
The 2014 LISS Program:
A Memorable and Rewarding
Experience
By Rasa Ardys-Juška
Glimpses From My Summer
With LISS
By Eduard Hessels
Tom Sadauskas
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Aleksandra Vekteris
ADVERTISING & SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER
Rimas Gedeika
HOW TO CONTACT BRIDGES
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BRIDGES (ISSN: 87508028) is published 10 times per year (Jan/
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Inc. The known office of publication is located at 78 Mark Twain
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8
Lithuanian Archives Abroad
Are we equal partners with
Lithuania’s archives?
By Loreta Timukienė
12
From Alameda With Love
Interview with Vaidas Šukys of
Mama Papa Lithuania
By Jana Sirusaitė Motivans
And more...
c2 this month in history
2 from the editor
14 a taste of lithuania
Cepelinai (Didžkukuliai)
By Jana Sirusaitė Motivans
15 the list
I Dream of Koldūnai:
Lithuanian Restaurants in
the United States
By Aleksandra Vekteris
14 our community
Daughters of Lithuania
K of L 101st Convention
Ateitis week
Postcards from camp
Angelė Podžiūnas
Borisas Traubas concert
Victims of Communism
22 current events
25 calendar
Front cover: Evening image of old building with sunlit windows and
tree shadows in Kaunas Old Town. Photo: Dat | Dreamstime.com
Back cover: A bowl of koldūnai at the aptly named Koldūninė restaurant in Vilnius. Photo: Terese Vekteris
October 2014
1
from the editor
Food for the (Lithuanian) Soul
In this issue, we have articles about places, events and cuisine that feed the heart, the mind and
the body.
Perhaps it has something to do with physical sustenance being the most basic need in Maslow’s
hierarchy, or maybe because it’s such a big part of our Lithuanian culture, but food for the body
holds court in this month’s issue.
Our food editor, Jana Sirusaitė Motivans, dined at Mama Papa Lithuania Restaurant and Tea
House in Alameda, California, recently and interviewed owner Vaidas Šukys. Vaidas generously
shared his mother’s (the chef at the restaurant) cepelinai recipe with us, and Jana coaches us
through the process step by step.
Our editorial assistant, Aleksandra Vekteris (pictured at left), who mightily enjoyed the
“lietuviški patiekalai” (Lithuanian cuisine) she sampled in the Baltic republic, wondered where
one might find those specialties in the United States. She did a great job in crowdsourcing a list
of restaurants and bakeries across the country. Not unexpectedly, many are concentrated in the
Alex gives the
Chicago area, but you might be surprised at where else they pop up. Perhaps the Lithuanian
food trail will become the next hottest road trip!
koldunai she had
There’s also the story of Angelė Puodžiūnas, who year after year coordinates the sweets table
in Niūronys a
for Philadelphia’s Mugė (Lithuanian Festival). It was she who made me the offer I couldn’t refuse
for the kugelis contest; in this issue, the offer you shouldn’t refuse is her help in finding traditional
thumbs up
Lithuanian dessert recipes. All she asks in return is for some of those baked goods to come back
to the dessert table at Mugė this November 1 and 2.
For those more interested in feeding their brains, we have Ramunė Kubilius’ article on the North American Ateitininkai Conference, held this year in the land of the think tank, Washington, D.C. Themed “Professionals’ Journey,” the conference featured
presentations in the style of TED Talks, where speakers shared ideas, experiences and challenges with the audience.
Ateitis Week, an annual Chautauqua-like event in Kennebunkport, Maine, nourishes the hearts of those who return year after
year to revel in knowledge, spirituality, family, community and the outdoors. Read Laima Lileikienė Shea’s account of this year’s
Lithuanian gathering “down east.”
The young people who interned in Lithuania last summer through the LISS (Lithuanian International Student Services) program
found a veritable feast of experiences to sustain them for the season. Student Eduard Hessels shares the bounty in his article
about the classes, seminars, professional experience and travel that are all part of the program.
In addition to the new Facebook page that we announced last issue, we have added another new item to the Bridges menu—a
way to subscribe (or renew) online at www.lithuanian-american.org/bridges. Dare I say that the holidays will be here before you
know it? Get a jump on your shopping list and give your favorite fan of Lithuania a gift subscription that will remind them of you
10 times a year.
May your heart always be full,
Teresė Vekteris, Editor
Bridges welcomes your contributions!
Have you just returned from a trip to Lithuania? Made an exciting genealogical discovery? Participated in an event in your local
Lithuanian community? Share your news and insights with the readers of Bridges! Send your original stories, photos, news, letters and upcoming events to the editor at [email protected].
Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/BridgesLithuanianAmericanMagazine
Visit us and subscribe online: lithuanian-american.org/bridges
2
October 2014
the list
I Dream of Koldūnai
Lithuanian Restaurants in the United States
By Aleksandra Vekteris
As an American Lithuanian, I have had the great honor of visiting my ancestors’ home country. I’ve seen the Hill of Crosses, walked
the streets of Vilnius and gotten lost in the smallest of rural towns trying to get from point A to point B. It was, in a word, incredible.
Several years later, however, my fondest memory is the food. Blame it on my nature perhaps, but what I miss most of all about
our dear country are the cafes and restaurants, knowing no matter which one I entered I would find the comforting, buttery goodness of authentic Lithuanian cuisine. In a particularly intense bout of daydreaming, I caught myself wondering where, among the
Italian, Spanish and Asian restaurants, one might find a Lithuanian counterpart. We are, after all, a melting pot of cultures; Where
is my plate of koldūnai? Where can I order cepelinai and not be met with confused stares?
Wonder no longer, fellow Lithuanians. To all those craving a taste of home, here is a list of Lithuanian dining establishments.
Check them out, let us know what you think and tell us about your favorite Lithuanian restaurants in the United States. And let
us know if we missed any!
A special “thank you” to the members of Our Moms’ Lithuanian Recipes on Facebook for their contributions!
CALIFORNIA
Mabenka Restaurant
(Polish and Lithuanian)
7844 S Cicero Ave.
Burbank, IL 60459
708-423-7679
mabenka.com
Racine Bakery
6216 South Archer Ave.
Chicago, IL 60638
773-581-8500
racinebakery.com
Old Town Restaurant
113 Stephen St.
Lemont, IL 60439
630-257-7570
Tues - Thurs: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 1 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Monday: Closed
oldtownrestaurant.com
South Boston
Lithuanian Club
368 West Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
617-268-1055
Sat - Sun: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Bar: 12 p.m. - last customer
sblca.org/index.php/
lithuanianrestaurantbar
MICHIGAN
Cafe Smilga
2819 83rd St.
Darien, IL 60561
630-427-0929
Mon - Thurs: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Old Vilnius Cafe
2601 75th St., Suite B
Darien, IL 60561
630-324-6811
Sun - Mon: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Tues - Thurs: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 10 a.m. - 12 a.m.
oldvilniuscafe.com
Grand Duke’s Restaurant
6312 S Harlem Ave.
Summit, Illinois 60501
708-594-5622
Mon - Thurs: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
granddukesrestaurant.com
Ruta Cafe
6551 S. Cass Ave.
Westmont, IL
630-964-7882
Tues - Fri: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
rutacafeandrestaurant.com
NEBRASKA
Mama Papa Lithuania
Restaurant and Tea House
1241 Park St.
Alameda, CA 94501
510-522-4100
Mon - Sun: 11a.m. - 9 p.m.
mamapapalithuania.com
FLORIDA
Lithuanian Club USA
4880 46th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, FL 33714
727-866-7936
Sunday: 1 p.m.
lithuanianclubusa.com
ILLINOIS
MASSACHUSETTS
Milda’s Corner Market
9901 Townline Rd.
Union Pier, MI 49129
269-469-9880
Sun - Thurs: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Fri - Sat: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
milda.us
Lithuanian Bakery, Inc.
5217 S. 33rd Ave.
Omaha, NE 68107
800-798-5217
Mon - Fri: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
lithuanianbakery.biz
Lithuanian Bakery & Cafe
7427 Pacific St.
Omaha, NE 68144
800-798-5217
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lunch Mon - Sat: 11:30 to
2:30
lithuanianbakery.biz
NEW JERSEY
Lithuanian Bake T.J. Inc.
131 Inslee Place
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
908-354-0970
NEW YORK
The Avenue Bar and Grill
7122 Myrtle Ave.
Glendale NY 11385
347-725-3853
Select Sundays: Lithuanian brunch
theavenuebarandgrill.com
OHIO
The Amber Rose
1400 Valley St.
Dayton, OH 45404
937-228-2511
Monday: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tues - Thurs: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
theamberrose.com
October 2014
13
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October 2014
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October 2014
calendar
Please verify all events, as places and times are subject to change.
ONGOING
Through December
November 2
All Souls’ Day Visit to Roslyn
Lithuanian Cemetery
Roslyn, Wash.
Info: seattle.lithuanian-american.org
November 8
Rudens Balius/Fall Ball
Marriot San Mateo, 1770 S.
Amphlett Blvd., San Mateo, Calif.
Info: sflithuanians.com
No Home To Go To: The Story
of Baltic Displaced Persons
1944-1952
Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian
Culture, Chicago
Info: www.balzekasmuseum.org
NOVEMBER 2014
November 1, 6 p.m.
Baltimore Lithuanian Hall
Fundraiser Night
Lithuanian Hall, 851 Rollins St.,
Baltimore
Tickets: $25 individual, $20 each for
group of 10 or more
Info: facebook.com/lithuanianhall
November 1-2
Mugė: Phila. Lithuanian Fair
Lithuanian Music Hall, 2715 E.
Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia
Info: lithuanianmha.org
November 1-2, 1-4 p.m.
November 8, 6 p.m.
Lithuanian Foundation Annual
Fall Gala
Lithuanian World Center, 14911
127th Street, Lemont, Ill.
Info: admin@
lithuanianfoundation.org
November 9, 12:30 p.m.
Saulute Orphan Aid Concert
Lithuanian World Center, 14911
127th Street, Lemont, Ill.
Info: sunlightorphanaid.org/
November 15, 1-3 p.m.
Amber Roots Heritage Club
Lithuanian Music Hall, 2715 E.
Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia
Potluck. Use side door.
Info: [email protected]
November 16, 1 p.m.
V.V. Landsbergis Documentary
“Tricolor” and Concert
Ballroom 384, 384 East Ave.,
Rochester, N.Y.
Living Folk Art Exhibit
Lithuanian World Center, 14911
127th St., Lemont, Ill.
Info: lithaz.org/museums/ldm
St. Andrew’s Philadelphia
Lithuanian Parish 90th Jubilee
November 30, 3 p.m.
Under an Angel's Wing Concert
Nativity BVM Church, 6812 S.
Washtenaw, Chicago
$25 in advance, $30 at door.
Info: 773-578-0182
DECEMBER 2014
December 6
Lithuanians in Texas Kučios
Info: [email protected]
December 6
Baltic Fair
Latvian House, San Francisco
Info: sflithuanians.com
MARCH 2015
March 19-22
Women's Weekend
Camp Neringa, Marlboro, Vt.
Info: neringa.org
March 29-April 5
Lithuanian Ski Trip 2014
Snowbird Resort, Alta, Utah
Info: Linda Crouch, [email protected],
1-800-525-2052, ext. 3329
JULY 2015
July 3-5
X North American Lithuanian
Song Festival
Chicago
Info: dainusvente.org/en
December 6-7
Advent Silent Retreat
Camp Neringa, Marlboro, Vt.
Info: neringa.org
December 6-7
Lithuanian World Center
Holiday Craft Fair
Lithuanian World Center, 14911
127th St., Lemont, Ill.
Info: [email protected]
December 7, 3 p.m.
JULY 2016
July 3
North American Lithuanian
Dance Festival
Baltimore Arena, Baltimore, Md.
Info: lithuanian-american.org
Lietuviškos Kūčios/Christmas
Eve Party
Mission San Luis Rey Parish, 4070
Mission Ave., Oceanside, Calif.
December 13, 1-3 p.m.
Amber Roots Kūčios
Lithuanian Music Hall, 2715 E.
Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia
Bring a meatless dish to share.
Info: lithuanianmha.org
November 2, 10 a.m.
Remembering the Departed
Putnam Convent, 500 Liberty
Highway, Putnam, Conn.
RSVP: [email protected], 860928-7955
December 21, 1 p.m.
November 2, noon
Marian Fathers USA 100 Years
Nativity BVM Church, 6812 S.
Washtenaw, Chicago
Info: thedivinemercy.org/news/6006
Tickets $20; LHSR members $10;
Children free.
Info: S. Philippone 585-489-5668
or A. Clifford 585-227-5018,
[email protected]
November 2
November 22, 7 p.m.
LWC Fashion Show
Lithuanian World Center, 14911
127th St., Lemont, Ill.
RSVP: R. Pašilė, 708.252.0551 or Ž.
Pranckevičius, 630.257.0153
November 30, 10 a.m.
Lithuanian Opera Company Fall
Concert
Lithuanian Youth Center - JC,
5620 S. Claremont Ave., Chicago
Info: www.operalt.com
Chicago Ateitininkai Christmas
Eve Fellowship
Lithuanian Youth Center, 5620 S.
Claremont Ave., Chicago
Info: [email protected],
630-325-3277
JANUARY 2015
January (date TBD)
Winter Šventė/Celebration
Camp Neringa, Marlboro, Vt.
Info: neringa.org
GOT EVENTS?
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word. Send you event notices
to [email protected]
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publication date of the magazine.
October 2014
25
PERIODICALS
POSTAGE
VOLUME 38
ISSUE 8
LITHUANIAN-AMERICAN NEWS JOURNAL