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Saint Joseph School of Downers Grove
What’s the Skuddlebutt? A Parable played out in Real Life
With 320 guests on their way, the food had yet to arrive. One phone call told the horrified organizer that yes…the caterer had lost the order!
There was no food coming! St. Joseph School's Annual Father/Daughter Dance, themed "A Winter Wonderland" was about to take place at the school. This annual tradition at St. Joseph has been going on for more than 12 years. With its roots established by the SJS Girl Scouts, it quickly expanded to a Parent Forum school-wide function. As tradition had it, the caterer was arranged and the contract was signed.
The transformed school hall was a place of wonder for the daughters and dads as they danced their night away. In this, his second year as D.J., "Coach Josh" (Porter) found this dance floor to be an active one and with his direction attendees had no time to rest! As the evening got underway, dads and daughters had no idea that an organizer's worst nightmare had just occurred.
Swingin' Into Action
St. Joe mom and party chairperson, Linda Provenzale couldn't believe her ears. With little help being offered by the caterer and with time ticking away, St. Joseph School mom Kelly Aguayo, now fondly referred to as "the angel" was wandering over from 5 pm Mass to work her shift at the dance. Meeting Provenzale outside, she wondered why she saw her friend out in the cold instead of preparing the serving line. Learning of the predicament, Aguayo simply said, "Call Skuddlebutt's!" Provenzale, shocked at the time, listened to those angelic words and did just what Aguayo suggested. That was at 6:05 pm, and by 7:20 pm food fit for a king was being delivered and set up. Provenzale has never been happier to see food arrive. "As Bill personally handed me the bread, I asked where are the fish, because this loaves and fishes thing is working for me!" said a smiling Provenzale.
"The moment Linda told me of the problem, I knew Bill would fix it. He's been so reliable for me in the past. I knew he could save us…and he did," Aguayo added. The two spoke to Skuddlebutt's owner Bill Gall, who Aguayo knew from past parties. Aguayo had attended a Chamber event where Skuddlebutt's was catering the food. "Bill works within your budget. The last party we used him for was a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser where he created a Fajita party." Aguayo also uses Skuddlebutt's for family parties. "I think it's little known that Bill can come to your home complete with grills and side dishes ready to cook right at your party." said Aguayo. "It is a great service."
As many in Downers Grove know, the restaurant was forced to close
their doors on Belmont for the upcoming railroad underpass. With
that, Gall could have packed up and retired. Instead he reopened his
business as strictly carryout and catering on Ogden Avenue. "My
children wonder why I reopened Skuddlebutt's," said Gall.
"Personally, for me, I've been working since I was a kid. At 18, I
was a bartender for my dad. I like to work. I could go lay on the
beach, enjoy the sun and drinks, but I take a little of that and I'm
done. I want to go back!" Gall added, "When you get a lot out of
what you are doing, why stop?"
While dancing the night away, little was known by guests about the food rescue which took place. For the organizers of the event, Gall is their saint. How did he do it? St. Joseph can thank a Cub Scout Pack whose next day order was already underway. "I was able to add to the order we were creating for the next day and deliver with my crew on hand" said Gall. His night crew then worked until midnight and again at 7 a.m. to recreate the next day's order.
Skuddlebutt's can expect to hear from the mothers who witnessed this miracle.
St. Joseph School sends warm thanks to Bill Gall and his employees who worked double-shifts to create a successful Winter Wonderland experience for the fathers and daughters in attendance. The Skuddlebutt? Thanks to Bill, they were dancin' in the kitchen!