Other than annual Christmas cards, it’s been so many years since I’ve been able to catch up with Joanne Pieza McGlone, who is more than just a devoted reader but also a family friend from ages ago.
It was Joanne’s father, Chicago journalist Stanley Pieza, who was my mentor and inspired me to study journalism. Once he retired with his wife Anne and moved from the city, they resided at their weekend farm, which was just a few country miles away from our own family farm. Both Anne and Stanley were my catechism teachers while growing up. Stanley taught high school students, and his stories from his career were incredible.
A retired Windy City reporter and editor, Stanley started as a police reporter in the era of “The Front Page” journalism of the 1920s and then covered religion in the city for more than four decades for the Chicago Examiner, Chicago American and Chicago Today. He began his career at The Chicago Examiner in 1926. His passing at age 88 was a difficult chapter for all, but his family, especially daughter Joanne, has continued his legacy.
Joanne wrote me the following recent handwritten note:
“Dear Phil — I turned the kitchen light on early this morning, and from the backbone of your cookbook on a shelf, shone From the Farm. It might have been a prompt for me to send this note. So I come to say hello, although I’d rather be somewhere escaping this hot weather.
How I enjoy reading your cookbook! You have saved so many beautiful stories of family, friends, and neighbors and put them to paper, bound in books that gleam in the glow. They bring me back to days on our farm, so many summers I spent sharing the days with my grandparents. They were beautiful days and they make many happy memories.
I had a pony to take care of, and not a little Shetland type, but a nice tall fellow. I also had chores. I spent many hours with neighbor friend Sylvia Scholz drifting along in childhood play. The air in Indiana, the fresh country air, especially in June when mint gives off a scent, was a delightful treat to a city girl who lived in Brighton Park in Chicago.
And interspersed within family history are the recipes. Oh my, talk about ‘soul food.’
The last one from your book I did was on a cool day. It was Mary’s Polish Sausage and Sauerkraut, which of course is Aunt Mary Paulsen’s recipe, the aunt to Anne Eckert. With the approach of fall, I will get into the kitchen more frequently and dig into your books. Thank you! What a task it is to create books the way you have in your unique way. It must give you a great feeling of accomplishment to see those books all bound up and done. Whew!
I wonder how you are doing with newspaper writing in today’s world, or has the stage and theatre performance now filled more of your hours? I found some pictures of my father yesterday. I’m sharing this Polaroid snapshot with you when he was giving a talk to students at the San Pierre Elementary School.
My father never retired in retirement. He kept active speaking, writing, teaching, traveling until his heart said, ‘I’m tired, so I have to stop.’ So he had to spend some days at Little Company of Mary Care Facility until Jesus called him home. My husband John was in a nursing home, but passed at age 89 on Aug. 27.”
I hope you are well and happy, my dear Philip Potempa.
Love,
Joanne Pieza McGlone”
Thank you, Joanne, for your kind note and the memory photo of your father. It makes me beam to know my stories and columns for these past nine years have appeared under the umbrella of Chicago Tribune Media, the same company that purchased the three Hearst Publications newspapers, Chicago American, Chicago Examiner and Chicago Today, which carried your father’s byline for so many decades.
Your father’s name and legacy in journalism still remain today in researched archives, scrapbook clippings and of course, my own published books and columns.
He had the opportunity to interview many showbiz and sports legend names during his career, in addition to the popes, cardinals and the hierarchy leadership of the Catholic Church, which filled his stories. In his later career, I remember him telling me and our catechism class how pleased he was to meet and interview actress Ann Jillian, a devout Catholic who is the daughter of Lithuanian immigrants, so she shares your family’s same heritage. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing her, too, over the years.
Today, Ann is 75 years old and married to retired Chicago Police Sgt. Andy Murcia, who serves as Ann’s manager. Married 47 years, they have one son, Andrew Joseph, 33, and one granddaughter.
Ann’s meatloaf recipe is a family favorite with the addition of Andy’s fun ingredient twist using pizza sauce for added Chicago flavor zip.
Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is a radio host on WJOB 1230 AM. He can be reached at PhilPotempa@gmail.com or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.
Ann Jillian’s Meatloaf
Makes 8 servings
2 pounds ground beef
1 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 can (8 ounces) pizza sauce (divided use)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup milk
1 garlic clove, minced
Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients, except for 1/4 cup pizza sauce. Mix ingredients until combined.
2. Shape into a loaf and place in a 12-inch-by-8-inch baking dish.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
4. Remove from oven and brush with remaining pizza sauce and return to oven for 10 more minutes.