After John Cain, retired executive director of South Shore Arts, took his bows in November 2019 before a packed ballroom luncheon audience in November 2019 at his 26th annual holiday reading charity event, he might have thought it was the final hurrah for his popular tradition.
He was joined that year by puppeteer Jim West on stage at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster. Cain and West shared the vocal narrative reading duties while presenting the published short stories of John Rowell titled “The Music of Your Life” (2003 Simon & Schuster). Then the pandemic loomed four months later and we lost the smile and talent of West, who passed in May 2020.
After a yearlong pause in 2021, Cain returned and resurrected his annual sold-out reading and revisited one of his first theme narratives, recounting his early career crossing paths with the late publisher of Hustler magazine, Larry Flynt. Last year’s 2022 luncheon also attracted eager arts patrons and Cain’s signature fans and followers, especially the traditional “ladies who lunch.”
Last week, Wednesday’s 30th Annual Holiday Reading, benefiting South Shore Arts, was once again jam-packed, and Cain drew a standing ovation as he took a final bow for this lunch and literary tradition. His reading theme was about family foibles, with sprinkled in references to Jim West, Barbra Streisand, Carol Channing and Truman Capote.
I lent a heavy walnut carved folding screen to the occasion as a last-minute addition to Cain’s stage microphone landscape in the ballroom to soften the glare of lighting since a cameraman was recording the presentation. When the always direct Cain took to the stage, wearing sunglasses, fedora and fur coat in homage to his equally talented look-a-alike, the late Capote, one of his first remarks was about “this hideous folding screen onstage,” and then he promptly hung his hat and coat over it, “as an attempt to hide it.”
Formerly called the Northern Indiana Arts Association since 1970, in 2006 the nonprofit was rebranded as South Shore Arts to reflect balanced emphasis on both music and visual arts. Cain, who was born and raised in Gary, became executive director in October 1993 and has worked hard to grow audiences for the NWI Symphony, teamed with the baton direction of Maestro Kirk Muspratt, with the long-haired latter also a favorite fixture at South Shore Arts for the past two decades.
While the annual charity luncheon opportunity with Cain, always using his unique brand of humor to hold court, has already passed, the milestone 35th Annual Festival of the Trees Holiday Luncheon presented by the Women’s Association of Northwest Indiana Symphony is still just around the corner. The event is on Nov. 29 at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road, starting at 10 a.m. with “a Stroll of the Avenue of Trees” with ornate and unique trees throughout the lobby area representing a variety of sponsors and clever themes.
WANISS Publicity Chairwoman Lisa Tyree promises there will once again be caroling and shopping at “The Boulevard of Shoppes” while guests enjoy the traditional Wassail Bowl mulled wine punch. Lunch is at noon with entertainment to follow.
The cost is $50 per person and reservations are due by the end of the day Nov. 21 by calling 219-836-0525, ext. 206. Reservations can be guaranteed by mailing a check by Nov. 21 to NISO, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, IN 46321. Make checks payable to WANISS. This event benefits the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Throughout the years of his hosted charity holiday reading luncheons, Cain, 67, has always embraced a folksy “comfort food” menu of recipes for the themed meal.
In the past, he has had Chef Joe Trama create a delicious homemade green bean casserole, including whipped up with a homemade cream of mushroom soup base. For the main entree, Cain has often requested the retro recipe favorite of “Hellmann’s Mayonnaise with Parmesan Baked Chicken Breasts,” as recalled from his own youth.
This simple recipe was unveiled in the late 1960s by the home economists at Hellmann’s Mayonnaise, and was only second in popularity to the moist chocolate layer cake recipe which also included Hellmann’s Mayonnaise as the “secret ingredient.” Both recipes were printed on the jar labels of Hellmann’s Mayonnaise.
At age 14 in 1903, a young Richard Hellmann began his love of food and recipes at the local food market in Germany near his home.
He moved to New York City in 1913 where he met his wife Margaret, the daughter of two deli owners who helped the young newlyweds open the Hellmann’s Delicatessen in 1920 and they began to jar and sell their homemade mayonnaise, using a blue ribbon on the jar to designate it was award worthy in taste, flavor and creaminess.
Today, Hellmann’s brand is under the umbrella of Unilever Company as of 2000, and it still ranks as the top selling mayonnaise brand in the United States.
Columnist Philip Potempa has published four cookbooks and is the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa @comhs.org or mail your questions: From the Farm, PO Box 68, San Pierre, Ind. 46374.
Makes 4 servings
1/2 cup Hellmann’s Mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/4 lbs.)
4 teaspoons Italian seasoned dry breadcrumbs
Directions:
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise with Parmesan cheese to make a coating.
- Arrange chicken breasts in a baking pan and coat with mayonnaise mixture and then sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
- Bake uncovered about 20 minutes or until chicken is completely cooked. Test by poking with a fork to assure clear liquid escapes.