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22 | February 22, 2018 | The orland park prairie Life & Arts opprairie.com Multicultural celebration proves recipe for success Laurie Fanelli Freelance Reporter As the 2018 Winter Olympics thrilled sports fans across the globe, the annual Taste of Jerling offered a multicultural celebration right here in Orland Park. Only one country can take home the gold medal in each Olympic category, but everyone who participated in Jerling’s highly-anticipated event were champions when it came to cooking. Although the festivities were rescheduled to Friday, Feb. 16 — following the massive winter storm on the originally planned date of Feb. 9 — that did not put a damper on the attendance of this local tradition. Dishes from more than 18 countries were featured at booths throughout Taste of Jerling, where students, parents and residents also took time out to share additional aspects of their culture with more than 300 attendees. “This event celebrates culture, while giving our students the opportunity to showcase their own heritage,” said Maggie Massih, Jerling Parents for Education co-president. “We are very delighted that, year after year, we are able to provide this event for our students and the community.” For a $5 entry donation, Taste of Jerling visitors received access to delicious homemade food from all over the world, as well as offerings from select local businesses, including Trader Joe’s and Burger 21. Additional companies, restaurants and individuals donated money and prizes to enhance the event’s goody bags, raffles and silent auction. “We have electronics, all-inclusive trips and even mystery bags, which I love,” Jerling student Tamam Motan displays an Arabic bingo game that she was to lead at the event. Massih said of the auction. From India to Mexico to Pakistan to the United States, the global cuisine found inside Taste of Jerling had mouths watering. Orland Park resident Wanda Kasiulis and her granddaughter Jessica Niemeier served delicious Black Forest cake to showcase their German roots. Flags, clothing, beer steins and more gave additional insight into the culture. “It’s a beautiful country,” Kasiulis said . “I grew up in Northern Germany and there was Erica, blooming plants, growing wild. It is a gorgeous place.” A few stations down, Abby Azhar displayed a variety of items from Jordan, including sand art and home decor objects made from mother-of-pearl. She provided guests with samples of warak dawali (stuffed grape leaves) and harissa (a semolina wheat dessert topped with syrup and nuts), while sharing information about the country. “Jordan is home to one of the wonders of the world, Petra,” she said. “A lot of times, people don’t realize that, so if they want to see one of the seven wonders they should visit Jordan.” Along with celebrating the diverse cultures of the community, Taste of Jerling serves as a fundraiser for the school’s PFE. This year, the group plans to use the money raised to help replace the performing arts program’s wireless microphones, as staff has been noticing a degradation in the current system’s sound. Principal Kevin Brown explained that the goal is to put the money raised toward items that will benefit the greatest number of students. “Our school is really unique, because over onethird of our students are involved in the performing arts; it’s incredible,” he said. “This year, one of the big wishlist items is to enhance our sound system, because we do a really big spring musical here.” Orland Park resident Bhoomi Patel (left) gives her niece Rysha Patel a henna tattoo Friday, Feb. 16, at the India booth at Taste of Jerling. Photos by Laurie Fanelli/22nd Century Media Sandburg students (left to right) Evan Gonzales, Ivana Lucero and Ysabella Zarate practice their moves before performing with the Filipino iFest team. He added that more than 100 children are involved in every aspect of the play, from acting to lighting and sound to stage design. Taste of Jerling organizers also celebrated the arts during the event with a variety of performances. “We have an Irish-Scottish bagpiper, and several Carl Sandburg students are going to share a Filipino traditional dance,” Massih said. “Jerling Jazz Band is going to play — and represent American culture — and also we will have a group that comes in to perform a traditional Palestinian dance called dabke.” Thanks to the efforts of the PFE, Taste of Jerling continues to grow, while bringing the community together in celebration of the melting pot that is Orland Park. “Our PFE is amazing,” Brown said. “They do incredible work.”
opprairie.com Life & Arts the orland park prairie | February 22, 2018 | 23 License to shred Jim Pape leads Electric Guitar program at The Bridge Jump-starting the dream kitchen The Bridge, DreamMaker team up for design program Program Volunteer Jim Pape leads a recent Electric Guitar program at The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park. Photo submitted They, literally, could hold a candle to this Rockler Woodworking joins The Bridge for Wooden Candle Holder program Faith Bromann and Alana Koster take part in the Designing a Dream Kitchen program with DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Orland Park at The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park. Photos submitted Rockler Woodworking store manager Tom Bradley (left) works with Meena Garcia during the program. Richard Moreland takes part in a recent Create a Wooden Candle Holder program at The Bridge Teen Center in Orland Park. Photo submitted Tyson Sutherland and Vincent Moreno work together on a portion of the project.
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