Neighborly Dinner Includes Seniors, Firemen and Frankenstein

When Flo Lundy and Rose Krc walked across the street to invite their neighbors to dinner, visiting for nearly two hours, it wasn’t a typical coffee klatch. The ladies are residents of Peace Village Senior Living in Palos Park and those neighbors are firemen at Palos Fire Protection Station #2, or as Lundy says, “Station Number Fun”.

“The ladies came over, had coffee, hung out and we chatted about this and that. I can’t tell you much more, because some of that conversation is sacred,” chuckled Lieutenant Joe Lenzen.

Lundy and Krc had met these public servants at a Village Fair and were taken with their friendly demeanors. They assembled their friends, about 14 ladies who dine together each day, and decided to invite the men to dinner at the Village. They had crossed the street to deliver that invitation in person - and to sample Engineer Ted Klekamp’s cole slaw.

On Halloween just before dinner, the friends, dressed in red shirts, black suspenders, fire hats and sticker “badges” greeted their four guests. Expecting to see all four firemen in turnout gear, laughter broke out when Frankenstein’s Monster accompanied Firemen Lenzen, Tom O’Connor and Kevyn Holdefer. Klekamp was in the Monster mask and handmade elevator shoes.

Lundy said, “We thought we’d give them a good surprise by dressing as firemen. We looked through our closets for anything red - some of us are wearing inside-out Christmas sweatshirts - but they really surprised us with Frankenstein.” Lundy carried a water-filled spray bottle, dousing her friends. Some of the women carried plastic axes and stuffed Dalmatian dogs.

After greeting each other and posing for photographs, the group headed into the dining room. Lenzen said, “Flo told me there’s going to be ribs, and we’re excited. Oh, I can smell them already.” The men contributed a bowl of Klekamp’s cole slaw. “We couldn’t show up empty-handed,” said Lenzen.

As the group entered the dining room, residents already seated hailed greetings. Most of the residents were unaware the firemen - and Frankenstein - were going to be dinner guests. The group settled at two tables reserved for the party, and Klekamp’s cole slaw was served. Krc enjoyed it so much, she licked her bowl.

Klekamp serves as the main cook for the Fire Station and uses many of his mom’s recipes, including her cole slaw recipe. “It has crushed pineapple in it,” confided Klekamp, “plus a little hot sauce.”

Lundy explained that one of the friends has had her palate expanded since moving into the Village. “She never had parsnips before or Brussel sprouts. Now, she loves them.” The group talked about trips, games and activities they enjoy at the Village.

The residents explained how the men could order from a wide variety of choices, including the ribs, that day’s special. Most of the men ordered the ribs with mashed potatoes. Sous Chef Frank DeSoto visited the tables to greet the party and Nairee Williams began serving.

Lenzen discovered Elna Fudacz previously lived in his own Beverly neighborhood. The group chuckled as they related that Wanda Johnson made a special trip to purchase jeans for her costume, as she had never owned a pair. Klekamp realized that the residents were more comfortable with technology than he was, as the ladies take computer classes offered at the Village.

“We’re have been called here, but we don’t really get a chance to visit and look around. This place is awesome and unbelievable, just beautiful with the lake and fountain. It’s safe, the residents are buddies and everyone has their privacy when they want it. I’d move in tomorrow. The commute to work would be great too,” Lenzen smiled.

Klekamp agreed. “As firemen, we go to many senior living facilities, but this one is really top.” The ladies nodded and Lundy said, “We are so happy here.”

The ladies were invited to the Fire Station for a Thanksgiving celebration and to see the newly redecorated facility. “I’m not sure why we’ve never done this before,” said Lundy, “but we are definitely going to do it again.