Now you can finally meet the sister!

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Do you remember this time last year when I went to Kansas?  Well, I think that was in July and I got there just in time to see this little gal born.  This is my sister, Donna Bartholomew who along with Karen Leshure owns Skaets Steak Shop in Hutchinson, Kansas.  Has for years.  I started working there when I was 17 years old and then Donna came on board when Ruth Herrington took it over from Norman Deschene.  Damn!  That was a very long time ago.  At one time or another all the little Bartholomew girls had a go at working at Skaets.  Skaets is steaks spelled backwards.  Little side note there.

  There were 5 of us girls and one brother.  Jake was killed in 1965.  Josephine left us several years ago, leaving just the 4 of us to carry on.  I am the oldest, then Donna, then Mary and last is Dorothy.  Dorothy is the baby.  Dorothy had a heart attack many years back and actually died and was revived twice.  I will have to write about that some day.  So Donna had bought Skaets and ran it with the help of Tom and Mary Shea for several years.  I lose track of time, but I do know that at some point in time Tom died, leaving Mary alone.  Then along in there some where mother had passed.  And at some point in time Karen Leshure, a long time friend of the family, bought into the restaurant.  Karen had a very sharp business acumen  and has been the stabilizing hand on the tiller for many years.  Course they are always talking about how they are going to retire and travel and Donna wants me to get my passport because we are going some where far away.  Well, I am sure I am going to get right on that!

But this is not about Skaets, or travelling or any of that stuff, this is about that little waif there in Donna's arms.  Isn't that about the cutest thing you have ever seen?  Her name is Adrianna and I do hope I spelled that right.  She was born in July of last year and I will not get more precise then that for obvious reasons.  Her daddy is Donna's only son Tom.  He is a salesman for Sysco Foods.  And a very fine salesman he is!   Sysco sells to restaurants and other food industry's in the Midwest.  I know the Midwest, and maybe farther away than that.  

Her mother is Alina.  Now here is a true test.  Alina is from Russia and was world kick boxing champion over there a few years back.  I can not remember her last name, but I know it now.  It is Bartholomew.  She is a beautiful woman and the sweetest little thing.  Course we know Tom would only have the best.  I give this woman a lot of respect for more reasons than one.  First she deserves it and secondly she could kick the crap out of me very easily!

Donna dotes on this little ball of fluff and I am sure it is a mutual admiration society.  They also have 2 little Chihuahua dogs which are spoiled very rotten.  I am starting to get pretty lonely for Hutchinson and my family there.  But first I better tell you that when we were kids at home Donna and Mary were always very close.  Dorothy was the baby and she mostly just cried and got her way.  But Donna and Mary just kind of hung out together.  Those three mostly got babysat when mother went to work.  Not always Donna.  Some times she followed me around, but as I recall we spent a lot of time worrying that a dog with Hydrophobia would come up the road and attack us.  We also worried a lot about the Gypsies who were camped on the edge of town kidnapping us.  And a lot of time we went to the cemetary to play.  Please do not ask me to explain that one.  I was probably the ring leader on that.  Always liked the cemetary because it was quiet.

Man, have you  ever noticed how I digress?  I am trying to tell you about Donna and her grand daughter.  The top picture is at her birthday party.  I think she ended up with a lot of frosting on her.  And I bet Donna loved every minute of cleaning her up and putting some new pink clothes on her.  All I can say is momma and daddy do not stand a chance with Grandma Donna on duty.  I think I am a pretty good grandma and Dorothy is also a good grandma, but Donna is making a career out of the grandma thing!

That is not hard to do thought because the little babies are so pure and innocent and they smell so good when they come out of the bath water and we rub them with baby powder and all the sweet smelling stuff.  And when they fall asleep in our arms with the little pouty lips, we are goners!

So you go Donna, cause I have words that I remember from way back when I had my first baby.  These may not be accurate, but it is close ..."Cooking and cleaning can wait for the 'morrow, for babies grow up we learn to our sorrow.  So cobwebs you hang there and dust go to sleep.  I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep". 

And with that I bid you a fond goodnight and very quietly turn out the light.

 

 

 

 

 

Skaets Steak Shop, Hutchinson, Kansas and Tom devouring the Moon Burger!

No trip back east is ever complete without a stop at Skaet's Steak Shop.  It is a family tradition for many people and especially for me!  When I was 17 years old, I decided to strike out on my own since I was almost an adult.  This entailed a job and I lucked into a very good job.  Now I look back and think perhaps it was not the brilliant future I first thought it to be, but at that time, washing dishes at Skaet's Steak Shop was my pinnacle to success!  I will not go into all the history of this place at this time only tell you that at that time it was owned by Norman Duschene and his wife.

Skaet's Steak Shop is located on the front entrance to the Kansas State Fair grounds in Hutchinson, Kansas at 23rd and Main.  This is not the original store front.  When I worked there the windows were from ceiling to floor and you could literally freeze to death waiting for your food.  That is a lie!  But you could really feel the cold.  Over the years it has been remodeled by various owners until it stands as you see it today.  It is currently owned by Karen Leshure and Donna Bartholomew, and therein lies my story.  You see, Donna is my sister!  Yes, I was originally Louella Bartholomew.  Ah, now there is also another story.  But I digress.  This is about Skaet's Steak Shop and the conception of The Moon Burger!

Enter in the front door of Skaet's Steak Shop and you are greeted by the sight of the counter and the grill.  All the food is cooked right in front of the customers, which has always been a draw.  No wondering what goes on here that you don't see because you see it all.  Karen is a stickler for cleanliness and the crew does their best to please her.

Now see that guy right there in the shirt that says "Tan Naked"?  In all fairness I did not notice him until just this moment.  He does have a very good idea there, although I am a pansy little white girl and was taught early in life to keep my clothes on unless in the act of procreating, which I have done very prolifically and there I digress again!  What I am trying to tell you is to look at the back splash on that grill!  Man could shave in that!

Now here is what we came to see!  Many years ago, when man first walked on the moon, it was decided that it should be commemorated some how by Skaet's.  Thus was born the mighty Moon Burger!  The Moon Burger is now a tradition in Hutchinson, Kansas at the Steak Shop.  They are known for good lean meat in their hamburgers and this is no exception.  First comes the lightly toasted bun, then the lean hamburger patty, a slice of premium cheese, then not one, but 2 slices of crisp bacon, followed by lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles, and the final generous dollop of mayonnaise.  Perfection in a bun!  The plate is then garnished with an overly generous serving of french fries or hash browns, your choice.

The Moon Burger is such a tradition that when my brother in law, Tommy Shea passed  (God only remembers how many years ago.) the entourage to the cemetery had to stop in front of Skaet's Steak Shop for a moment of silence.  And you know what?  I think I actually heard Tommy sigh!

Now, see that guy eating that Moon Burger or rather, wanting to eat that Moon Burger?  Notice the strong jaw line as he poses with the burger right there, ready to be devoured.  Notice the glint in his eye as he is determined not to bite until Aunt Lou says it is alright.  What a fine picture or restraint! 

That is my nephew, Tom Bartholomew.  He is Donna Bartholomew's only son.  His wife, Alina, is over on my left holding the new 3 day old baby who is Donna's only grand daughter.  Again, I digress.  What I want to tell you is I took many pictures of this Moon Burger on it's way to Tommy's mouth so I could show it to my son, who was heart broken that I did not bring him back a Moon Burger!  See, you can get Bacon Cheeseburgers all over the country, but only at Skaet's Steak Shop can you partake of the Moon Burger.

If you ever get down in the vicinity of Hutchinson, Kansas, be sure to stop in and see Karen and Donna. Tell them Lou sent you and I am sure someone will actually acknowledge that they know me or at least heard of me at some time or another.  I make it down a couple times a year.  Maybe I could meet up with you there!!