Who’d have thought passing a Friendship Plate throughout Naperville to commemorate the 130th birthday year of the Martin-Mitchell Mansion would turn into so many enlightening opportunities, complete with tasty recipes and reasons to celebrate? The thoughtful, imaginative folks at Naper Settlement, that’s who!
For instance, if you visited the 503 N. Washington Street location of BMO Harris on Fri., Oct. 3, you could have enjoyed homemade baked Toll House Cookies with white chocolate chips when the Friendship Plate made it ninth stop on its yearlong journey.
Let us back up…
First Pass / June 29: In case you’ve just become of aware of this initiative, the friendly folks at Naper Settlement presented the commemorative Martin-Mitchell Mansion Friendship Plate to Stephanie Penick, the publisher of Positively Naperville, recognizing her history-loving efforts as the publisher of Positively Naperville and as a 15-year columnist with the Daily Herald. In his remarks in June, then-interim executive director Mike Krol mentioned her achievements as a “scratch baker” with connections to the outdoor history museum dating back to 1993 when she was employed as public relations manager.
That afternoon, Positively Naperville accepted a platter of cupcakes from DeEtta’s Bakery on the steps of the mansion as visitors to the outdoor museum village celebrated the birthday of the splendorous Victorian home of the Martin-Mitchell family built in 1884. The Friendship Plate, designed by Cheri Tompkins who also works at Naper Settlement, depicts the special occasion. And the pass had been set into motion.
Ongoing Challenge: The task for each recipient is to pass the plate to someone else—could be family, friend, neighbor, business or anyone in Naperville—within 15 days, filled with a special baked treat or favorite recipe, to keep friendship traveling throughout the city for the next year and beyond.
Second Pass / July 13: Hot Diggity Dog! Positively Naperville passed the platter filled with miniature pigs-in-a-blankets to Frank E. Fling, the mascot for the Naperville Jaycees Last Fling.
Third Pass / July 27: The Naperville Jaycees passed the plate with a foot-long loaf of zucchini bread to the Kendall Cooks at the Judd Kendall VFW Post.
Fourth Pass / July 31: Lee Lindberg represented The Kendall Cooks when he passed the plate of Sour Cream Cherry Bars during the Naperville Municipal Band Concert in Central Park.
Fifth Pass / Aug. 8: The Municipal Band passed the Martin Mitchell Mansion platter to Community Access Naperville (C.A.N.), a group that meets at the First Congregational Church of Christ. Vicki Keller baked her husband’s favorite zucchini chocolate cake.
Sixth Pass / Aug. 16: Community Access Naperville passed the plate covered with Chocolate Coconut Nuggets to Mark Brown in Central Park in celebration of support from his business, M. Brown & Associates.
Seventh Pass / Sept. 20: Mark Brown passed a plate filled with “Grandma’s Best Brownies” to Vicky Joseph, founder of Families Helping Families in 1994, down at the offices of M. Brown & Associates.
Eighth Pass / Sept. 23: Vicky Joseph passed the platter with a large mound of delicious Quinoa and Black Bean Salad to Janet Derrick and friends at Naperville CARES as they are celebrating their 15th anniversary this year.
Ninth Pass / Oct. 3 : Naperville CARES Executive Director Janet Derrick and Angela Bender passed the plate overflowing with toll house cookies baked by Suzanne Hogarty to friends at BMO Harris Bank, celebrating the bank’s support of the community.
Tenth Pass: As the initiative enters the fourth month, where will the commemorative plate head on its well-traveled journey? BMO will select the next recipient by Oct. 18.
To celebrate for a year, the travels of the Friendship Plate are being tracked and documented with photos and tried-and-tasty recipes on the Naper Settlement website at www.napersettlement.org.
RELATED POSTS: Follow, follow, follow the Martin Mitchell Mansion Friendship Plate on this website as it’s been passed from place to place to recognize a sampling of the good things that continually happen in this remarkable community. Special thanks to Nancy Smith and friends at Naper Settlement.
—PN
