The mission of helping support learning for people with special needs was a big draw for volunteers and the public at Saturday’s Dutch Festival in Crestwood.
But there was also the delicious Dutch food, which also had some strong ties to Elim Christian Services.
The founders in 1948 were members of the Dutch Reformed Church and the festival has been a tradition on the scenic grounds of the Crestwood school for 29 years. The desire to help people with disabilities reach their “God-given potential” is always present at the festival, where many attendees have ties to the school or know someone who does.
“It’s a great fundraiser for Elim and it’s just a fun day,” said Marianne Tigchelaar. It’s a terrific school for these kids, who otherwise have no place to go.”
Tigchelaar was one of several volunteers helping out at a boot making oliebollen, a deep-fried Dutch pastry, and said her grandmother grew up in the Netherlands. Tigchelaar first heard about Elim decades ago at her church and then served for years on the Women’s Board, when there was one.
“Pretty soon it will be sold out,” she said, referring to the pastries. “People will have to wait for more to be made.”
Mary Yurschak, another volunteer who has been chipping in for years, said the batter was like any other batter and made the night before.
“The frying is a little trickier,” she said.
The festival is all about the food, she said, noting favorites include Poffertjes (small, fluffy Dutch pancakes), pigs in a blanket, red cabbage, pea soup and Hutspot (slow-cooked meat with boiled potatoes, carrots and onions).
Jean Korthals was busy frying the oliebollen, as her family helped prepare the delicacy.
There was also a pancake breakfast, another popular spot for families to gather.
Crowds also gathered to watch the Dutch wooden shoe dancers.
Elim entrepreneurs, adults with special talents who sell their artistic wares also had a booth. Cindy, one of the entrepreneurs, was selling her hand-painted greeting cards, which are also available at Dixon’s Florist in Munster, Indiana.
“They make them throughout the year gearing up for this big event,” said Jen Schmuhl, an adult case manager at Elim.
Elim has services for students age 3 to 22 with developmental and/or physical disabilities, including a comprehensive program for youth with physical, developmental and cognitive challenges, a transition-to-adulthood program and an autism program. Services for adults offer vocational training, case management, life-skills training, assistive technology and community life integration.
Another big draw was Rick Klompmaker’s wooden shoe booth, where he carved out the wooden shoes and also sold doll’s shoes. His parents were born in the Netherlands and he started learning the trade decades ago.
“It’s for a good cause,” Klompmaker said.
Jonathan Steinfort was one of many Elim student graduates who returned for the fun. Now living in Westmont, Steinfort, 41, came with a group of alumni with fond memories of the place.
“I learned a lot,” said Steinfort, who was chatting with Elim’s president, Bill Lodewyk, who was dressed in a Dutch period outfit. “We talked about God.”
Diane Finney, who lives in Worth and was waiting for her family at the pancake breakfast, said she worked for years at Bethshan, the faith-based organization that offers housing and supportive services for students at Elim.
“It’s fun, I like to buy the goodies and the flowers,” she said. “I see all the people I haven’t seen for years. It’s a good program for kids with disabilities and they love it.”
Mary Kok, who lives in Comstock Park, Michigan but used to live in Evergreen Park, was a regular until several years ago. But she was in town for her 70th birthday and a friend mentioned the festival on social media. She and her children and grandchildren were also enjoying the pancake breakfast.
“I said, let’s go for it,” said Kok.
Kok had a niece and nephew who attended Elim and her dad used to drive a bus for the school. Her mother-in-law was a speech pathologist there. Kok was recently in the Netherlands and enjoyed the fest’s food offerings and more.
“I just think the mission of the school is great,” said Kok. “They’re kind of accommodating the needs of the community.
Janice Neumann is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
