St. Jude Church/School Nostalgia

**zitro** · October-16-09, 02:05 PM

Just in case anyone was planning on a surprise B'Day bash for me, it seems there is a resurgence of Sanders confectionaries and I sure would appreciate one of the Bumpy Cakes. Yummmm!

http://detnews.com/article/20091016/...ches-expansion

**zitro** · October-16-09, 02:13 PM

Here's an interesting sdie article to the piece regarding the pronounciation. We always promounce it like Saunders, apparently there is no right or wrong.

Sanders or Saunders?

The debate over how to pronounce the name of Detroit's candy behemoth has waged for generations. Who's right? Everyone is, say the brand's owners.
According to local lore, Europeans who frequented the early stores at the turn of the 20th century referred to the German surname as "Saunders." The name was Americanized over time.
"There is no right or wrong way to pronounce the name," said Brian Jefferson, chairman of the company that owns the brand. "People in the same family pronounce it differently."

**EMG** · October-16-09, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by kellyroad

It seems like a time warp doesn't EMG? That area as you described was a beautiful neighborhood with brick bungalows on elm tree lined streets. Kavan's was the new and in place to go for a great burger and a brew. It's amazing how fast things change in less than one generation's time.

I'm actually also old enough to remember the elms. Even in the approximately 12 years I still lived in Grosse Pointe Woods after moving out of Detroit, I would often visit the old neighborhood and notice the changes. The big elm devastation I believe occurred in the late 70's to early 80's, so in between my teen years [[70's) and adult years, there was almost a complete reversal as far as which areas had more or less trees. Streets and areas I remembered as particularly shady [[e.g. Nottingham between Morang and Casino or Somerset just south of Morang) became relatively barren of trees, while areas I remembered as having less shade [[e.g. the corner of Beaconsfield and Grayton) became veritable forests as the replacement trees grew over the years.

I did like to go to Kavan's for the novelty when it first opened [[though back in those days I was still too young for "a brew") - however, I remember not caring for their burgers because they made them "upside down." That let the condiments seep into the bottom bun resulting in a soggy mess. No, no, no - there's only one right way to make a burger, and that's meat first, with the other stuff on top!!!

**kellyroad** · October-16-09, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by zitro

Just in case anyone was planning on a surprise B'Day bash for me, it seems there is a resurgence of Sanders confectionaries and I sure would appreciate one of the Bumpy Cakes. Yummmm!

http://detnews.com/article/20091016/...ches-expansion

How about a 6 pack of Vernors too?

**12468_laing** · October-16-09, 02:39 PM

I, too, remember all the elms on Laing from Moross to Casino to Morang - we used to say it looked like a green cathedral. By the late 70's, most of the big old ones were gone, and replaced by oaks, if you wanted one.
EMG, do you remember going to the original Kavan's down Morang from where it ended up? I always thought that one was nicer. Wwhen I worked there as a busboy, I remember a lot of local and national celebrities coming in there. Al Martino who played Johnny Fontaine in the Godfather, who recently passed away, was at Kavans one night visiting with Vito the manager. My mom and dad were there waiting for my shift to end, saw him, said hi, and he kissed my mom on the cheek. Never saw that lady at a loss for words like that before or since.

**zitro** · October-16-09, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by kellyroad

How about a 6 pack of Vernors too?

Sure but it has to be in bottles though. Ironically I can get Vernor's at a local market here but it's in cans and there's just something a little different about it. Although when I throw it on top of some Blue Bunny French Vanilla ice cream for a Boston Cooler it's like a slice of home town heaven.

**kellyroad** · October-16-09, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by zitro

Sure but it has to be in bottles though. Ironically I can get Vernor's at a local market here but it's in cans and there's just something a little different about it. Although when I throw it on top of some Blue Bunny French Vanilla ice cream for a Boston Cooler it's like a slice of home town heaven.

Yes, Vernors in a bottle has that more "explosive" gingery taste, doesn't it? Nothing like taking Iowan ice cream, pouring a Detroit pop over it and calling it a Boston Cooler.

**EMG** · October-16-09, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by 12468_laing

EMG, do you remember going to the original Kavan's down Morang from where it ended up?

There was an "original" Kavan's before the one on Nottingham? I never knew that! Where was it?

I do remember there being another Kavan's in, I think, Roseville - was it Hayes near 12 mile?

**zitro** · October-16-09, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by kellyroad

Yes, Vernors in a bottle has that more "explosive" gingery taste, doesn't it? Nothing like taking Iowan ice cream, pouring a Detroit pop over it and calling it a Boston Cooler.

Now that would confuse any feerener wouldn't it?

**zitro** · October-16-09, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by EMG

There was an "original" Kavan's before the one on Nottingham? I never knew that! Where was it?

I do remember there being another Kavan's in, I think, Roseville - was it Hayes near 12 mile?

They had one in downtown Rochester for a while too. I think it was right by Cooper's Arms.

**kellyroad** · October-16-09, 04:23 PM

Originally Posted by 12468_laing

I, too, remember all the elms on Laing from Moross to Casino to Morang - we used to say it looked like a green cathedral. By the late 70's, most of the big old ones were gone, and replaced by oaks, if you wanted one.
EMG, do you remember going to the original Kavan's down Morang from where it ended up? I always thought that one was nicer. Wwhen I worked there as a busboy, I remember a lot of local and national celebrities coming in there. Al Martino who played Johnny Fontaine in the Godfather, who recently passed away, was at Kavans one night visiting with Vito the manager. My mom and dad were there waiting for my shift to end, saw him, said hi, and he kissed my mom on the cheek. Never saw that lady at a loss for words like that before or since.

Laing: I'm confused. Where was the original Kavan's on Morang? I alway thought it was the one near Nottingham just down the block from Pecar Electronics.

**EMG** · October-16-09, 08:10 PM

Originally Posted by kellyroad

Laing: I'm confused. Where was the original Kavan's on Morang? I alway thought it was the one near Nottingham just down the block from Pecar Electronics.

Right, that is the only one I ever knew too.

**EMG** · October-16-09, 08:12 PM

Originally Posted by zitro

Here's an interesting sdie article to the piece regarding the pronounciation. We always promounce it like Saunders, apparently there is no right or wrong.

Sanders or Saunders?

The debate over how to pronounce the name of Detroit's candy behemoth has waged for generations. Who's right? Everyone is, say the brand's owners.
According to local lore, Europeans who frequented the early stores at the turn of the 20th century referred to the German surname as "Saunders." The name was Americanized over time.
"There is no right or wrong way to pronounce the name," said Brian Jefferson, chairman of the company that owns the brand. "People in the same family pronounce it differently."

In my family we've all always pronounced it as if it were S-on-ders with the on pronounced like the word "on."

**7andkelly** · October-17-09, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by EMG

In my family we've all always pronounced it as if it were S-on-ders with the on pronounced like the word "on."

That's how I say it.

**12468_laing** · October-17-09, 01:24 PM

the Kavans on the corner which we all know was their second location on Morang. The first one was a block or two up on Morang towards Cadieux on the same side of the road. I think it became a hair salon when they moved. It was actually two storefronts made into one. You enterred through the front door, bar was on the left wall, and the two other rooms, like the one they had in the newer place were off to the right. Seems I remember seeing a television in the bar room that had a football game with the Eagles when Dick Vermeil was coach, so that would have been the time frame. And, I always said Sanders vs. Saunders.

**Eastburn** · October-17-09, 01:31 PM

You say potato.

**EMG** · October-17-09, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by 12468_laing

the Kavans on the corner which we all know was their second location on Morang. The first one was a block or two up on Morang towards Cadieux on the same side of the road. I think it became a hair salon when they moved. It was actually two storefronts made into one. You enterred through the front door, bar was on the left wall, and the two other rooms, like the one they had in the newer place were off to the right. Seems I remember seeing a television in the bar room that had a football game with the Eagles when Dick Vermeil was coach, so that would have been the time frame. And, I always said Sanders vs. Saunders.

OK, I do remember a restarant/bar in the location you're talking about. And I believe it would have been only one block east - between Somerset and Balfour. Right next to the big house with the bigger lot, that separated that bar building from Maraldo's party store, right? And I think half of the building was painted gray and the other red. Right? I guess back in those days I was old enough to realize it was "a restaurant" but too young to read or know the name of the place. I never realized that was Kavan's. I'll have to ask my mom and see if she remembers.

**12468_laing** · October-19-09, 09:45 AM

you are right about that location - i just looked at google maps. I can't remember for sure what went in after Kavan's moved down the road, but I also remember the store fronts getting the gray and red paint job after.

**kellyroad** · October-19-09, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by 12468_laing

you are right about that location - i just looked at google maps. I can't remember for sure what went in after Kavan's moved down the road, but I also remember the store fronts getting the gray and red paint job after.

You learn something new all the time. During the seemingly million times our family traveled up and down Morang [[Our family actually live on Morang for a while) i never knew of another Kavan's. I recall the "new" one [[on Morang) opened with great fan fare and there was never enough parking.

**Campfire Girl** · October-20-09, 02:18 PM

I agree KR - don't remember an original and a New Kavans. I remember it was a great Date place and it was a really "nice" restaurant.

**7andkelly** · October-20-09, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Campfire Girl

I agree KR - don't remember an original and a New Kavans. I remember it was a great Date place and it was a really "nice" restaurant.

Tsom, what say you? Which Morang Kavan's was better, the new one, or the one many of us don't even remember?

**7andkelly** · October-20-09, 02:35 PM

Cfg, taking a break from rolling golumpkies and pierogies?

I prefer potato over the kraut ones.

**12468_laing** · October-20-09, 02:38 PM

both places had the same great food, only thing I liked about the 1st Morang location was the two other rooms or whatever you called them seemed more homey. The one being the Longhorn something, and I think the other room was the Alpine Cafe. Two distinctly different atmospheres. The last place was bigger, and seemed more fancy.

**Campfire Girl** · October-20-09, 02:57 PM

Why do I remember the only Kavans as having the two rooms as Laing mentions with the bar on the right side?
No Golumpki rolling yet - dinner date is 11/22. Words can't describe my excitement about making another 200+ of those delicacies!

**Tsomyak** · October-20-09, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by 7andkelly

Tsom, what say you? Which Morang Kavan's was better, the new one, or the one many of us don't even remember?

I'll have to count myself as one of those not having experienced the original. I can say that the current incarnation on 12 and Hayes is doing a fine job of keeping up the tradition.. I met an old friend from NDHS there last March, and had a great meal.