District 30 teachers work at Elly’s for fundraiser
BY TODD SHIELDS tshields@pioneerlocal.com January 31, 2012 4:02PM
Wescott School fourth grade teacher Michele Maisel takes her first order of the night during the annual Elly's Night Fundraiser Friday. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: March 3, 2012 8:04AM
Wescott School teachers and staff had “cheat sheets” at the ready Friday night in Glenview.
And, expecting repeated use, the index cards were unashamedly lamented.
For one night, School District 30 employees worked as tableside waitresses at Elly’s Pancake House in the third annual fundraiser for Wescott PTO.
Ten percent of sales and tips went to the organization, and the volunteer servers received an in-house short course in waitering.
Normally a breakfast and lunch restaurant, Elly’s was open for dinner Friday to 7:30 p.m., serving more than 400 meals to Wescott parents and students.
By 6 p.m., the friendly family restaurant that seated 175 was nearly full.
Head line cook, Frank Trujano, had experienced previous fundraisers.
“It’s fun. The teachers don’t make mistakes,” he said, leaning through the ticket window where waitresses placed orders.
In addition to the written cheat sheets that showed menu substitutes, soup choices (white clam chowder or chicken noodle) and how to abbreviate egg orders (like “o-w” for “over well”), customers were given shortened, two-paged menus.
Several teachers and staff had waited tables before in high school and college.
“Our teachers adapt very well to the role of waitress. I was a waitress while in nursing school at Valparaiso College in Indiana,” said Katie Weissler, Wescott PTO co chair and Northbrook resident.
Waitresses wore bright red football jerseys for the night with their names across the backs.
Owner Jim Tsekouras kept an eye on his temporary crew, only occasionally reminding them to toast the rolls warm before venturing out to a table.
“This is good for the school. We support all events that help schools,” said Tsekouras, who opened Elly’s in 2000.
Customer Chris Krzus sat across from his daughter, Aubrie, a Wescott first-grader.
“It’s a good fundraiser and I can spend time with my kids,” said Krzus, of Northbrook.
Karen McCluskey has taught third grade at Wescott for 41 years.
“This is third year doing this, but the first time was very intense, which is why we now use a two-page menu. It’s a good team-building activity for us, too,” said McCluskey, a former waitress at Sally’s Stage in Chicago that closed about 20 years ago on Western Avenue near Devon Avenue.
“Sally’s was known for its huge pipe organ. The waitresses danced on stage. It was so much fun,” she said.
Despite a sore knee, Wescott librarian Judy Lenger helped out by filling up bowls of soup and drink cups.
“I’m doing what I can because of this knee,” she said.
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