One of my faithful column contacts and a friend who liked to follow my daily writing was East Chicago notable Frank Hanak.
Frank hailed from the East Chicago class of 1938 and served as the editor of their alumni association's monthly newsletter, "The Anvil."
Frank always kept me on his mailing list for each month's issue of "The Anvil," knowing that I look everywhere for possible news items and tidbits.
I was saddened by the recent news that Frank died, a week ago today at age 89.
In 2006, Frank was beside me on the dais at a celebrity roast for fellow Times Columnist Arch McKinlay, who is one of Frank's fellow East Chicago alums, having graduated in 1945.
At the banquet, which I also wrote about the next day, I quoted Frank's tribute, describing Arch's (now 28-year-old) Calumet Roots column as "the important part of the glue that keeps so many of our classmates together."
"Arch is a man who uses his writing to keep memories alive, while also helping to record a history of this region for future generations to learn from," Frank said.
At the event, I told humble Frank he was the other vital "glue ingredient" among these ranks of who's who of East Chicago notoriety.
Over the years, Frank would call me regularly sharing updates.
When his classmate Dr. Gerald M. Reaven and wife Edie came back to town in 2007, Frank made sure I knew this man ranked as "one of the world's foremost and truly great diabetes researchers and a recent inductee for the East Chicago Hall of Fame."
My last update on Frank was in this month's "The Anvil" newsletter, which simply stated: "Frank is improving, but will still need assistance when he gets strong enough to get back to his home in Griffith."
Frank was a former principal at Ready, Wadsworth and Beirigner schools in Griffith and World War II veteran.
Among the usual gathered glitterati around Frank at East Chicago Alumni events always included gathered friends like retired East Chicago Mayor Robert Pasterick and his wife Ruth Ann, Jean Williams of Griffith and Mary Young of Munster, concert pianist from the class of 1937 Irene Levy Alexander, retired judge George "Cookie" Vann (Savanovich), who was Mr. Basketball 1947 and on the 1947 Indiana All-Star team, and his wife Ruth Blankenship, who was Miss East Chicago 1950, area movie theater mogul Ed Prusiecki (who's owned The Art Theater in Hobart for 66 years), region socialite and colorful world traveler Josephine Booth (who once told me a very funny story about dining in Booth No. 1 at the famous Pump Room in Chicago and being mistaken for TV personality Arlene Francis) and retired judge James Richards.
At parties, Frank would always get this group to sing "Hail Noble Washington," the old school fight song.
Most recently, Frank was particularly proud when last year, I told him that my third cookbook publishing in May 2010 would be written with his fellow East Chicago celebrity claim-to-fame Betsy Palmer, better known as a member of the class of 1944 by her given name Patricia Betsy Hrunek. He was very interested in the fact that the book includes an entire chapter of Betsy's region recollections and favorite recipes.
Frank will be missed and always remembered by all, near and far.
Free wine tasting
Join me this Saturday for a special free event that's a perfect weekend opportunity. Franciscan Communities at St. Anthony Campus, 203 Franciscan Drive, in Crown Point is hosting a wonderful free wine tasting and hor d'oeuvres event in their atrium at 5 p.m. Saturday, which also includes me hosting a short program and book signing of my new cookbook, followed by a 7:30 p.m. lawn concert by the Northwest Indiana Symphony. Only 23 open spots remain, call (219) 661-5150 by 3 p.m. Friday. Hope to see you there for all the fun!
The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327.
