Fasano Pie Party!

After a 25-year absence, one of Chicago's all-time favorite desserts is about to return to tables across the metro area---and one of the very first places you can get yours is right here at St. Joseph School, 5641 South 73rd Avenue, Summit (just a block west of 57th and Harlem).

The famous "Pies by Fasano" pie tin. A Chicago collectible!

The Fasano Pie Company will deliver absolutely delicious apple, cherry, blueberry and pumpkin pies to a Fasano Pie Party set for 3:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, December 18 in St. Joe's Centennial Hall (school hall).

Pies by Fasano ("As Good As Mother's and Better Than Others") is as familiar a Chicago name as Riverview or Bozo's Circus. Many thousands of Chicago-area moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas remember these mouth-watering pies fresh and warm from the Fasano bakery and outlet store on 65th Street---as well as from grocery stores and restaurants across the Chicago area. Many people still have the memorable Fasano pie tins as collectibles.

Company CEO Peter Fasano (son of the legendary Joseph "Joe Pies" Fasano) has pledged that a portion of all sales will be donated to St. Joseph School, which has provided a Catholic elementary education to boys and girls in Garfield Ridge, Summit and other communities for nearly a century.

"I'm a product of Catholic schools myself, and I know that schools and churches can always use a good fundraiser," Fasano says.

Fasano says that he is using the event at St. Joseph as a test of demand in the area; and if he sells out of pies that day, he will offer Fasano Pie Party partnerships to other schools and churches in the area.

The new, colorful Pies by Fasano delivery truck...

"The Fasano Pie Party on December 18 will benefit St. Joe's; but this is the time for all our friends in neighboring parishes---St. Dan's, St. Jane's, St. Rene, St. Symphorosa, St. Camillus, St. Blase and so forth---to step forward, buy a couple of absolutely delicious pies and secure your chance to host a fun and easy fundrasier for your school or church," adds Tim Hadac, St. Joseph School Director of Development and Alumni Relations.

The freshly-baked apple, cherry, blueberry and pumpkin pies, full-size and bursting with flavor, are quite possibly the most delicious pies you will ever taste.

Only 500 pies will be sold for the December 18 event, and pies must be purchased in advance. Deadline to purchase pies is 2:00 PM Friday, December 9---although the pies are being sold on a first-come, first-served basis and may sell out before the 9th. So order yours today!

Here's how to order:

1. On a sheet of paper, print your name, mailing address, phone number and email address---as well as how many pies you want and what kind (apple, cherry, blueberry or pumpkin).

2. Write a check, payable to St. Joseph School, for the total amount of your order ($16 per pie).

A freshly-baked Fasano apple pie...

3. Put the sheet of paper and your check in an envelope and bring it (or mail it) to St. Joseph School/Fasano Pie Party, 5641 S. 73rd Ave., Summit, IL 60501.

4. Then come to the Fasano Pie Party at 3:00 PM Sunday, December 18, pick up your pies and share a few warm memories of yesteryear. (Additionally, Peter Fasano may be bringing a limited number of freshly-baked fruit tarts to sell at the event; and St. Joe's will be selling coffee, tea, cocoa, milk and juice for those who want to sit down, relax and eat a tart.)

Questions? Call 773-203-5759.

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Beth Lewis Shines in "Music Man" at Argo

By Tim Hadac, SJS Director of Development, Alumni Relations
and New Media

Beth Lewis dancing on the Argo stage.

You may recall the St. Joseph School Blog post from September 9, in which Mr. Manetti announced the good news that SJS alumna Beth Lewis (Class of 2008) was cast in the role of Marian Paroo in Argo Community High School’s fall production of “The Music Man.”

Well, the show wrapped up its run tonight----and by all accounts, Beth gave an outstanding performance. Not surprising, really---Beth is a talented actress, musician, vocalist and composer. But great news nonetheless!

Beth is the daughter of Ms. Kim Lewis, the longtime director of the St. Joseph School Clubhouse.

Congratulations, Beth!

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Gingerbread House Family Fun

By Tim Hadac, SJS Director of Development, Alumni Relations and New Media

A “build your own gingerbread house” event is set for 2:00 p.m. Saturday, December 3 right here at St. Joseph School.

Everything needed to build a festive-looking gingerbread house (a sturdy base, gingerbread panels, icing, gumdrops and many other colorful candies, and a secure box to carry it home) is included.

Price is $35 per gingerbread house (two builders), with a $3 additional charge for each additional person working on that house. For example, a mother and two children building one house would pay a total of $38.

This is real family-fun event that helps get people in the Christmas spirit. While it is one of our newer annual events---it launched less than a decade ago---it has established itself as a holiday tradition at St. Joe’s---so we encourage everyone to reserve their gingerbread house kit as soon as possible.

Festive Christmas music will fill the air at the event, and light refreshments will be sold.
Additionally, our school's Chess Club will be on hand to wrap your Christmas presents for a modest fee. So please remember to bring your unwrapped gifts with you!

All proceeds from the event will be donated to St. Joseph School. Deadline to purchase your gingerbread house is Wednesday, November 23. Simply bring your check to the school office. For more information, call the school at (708) 458-2927.

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