Each month, the Landis Homes Dining Committee, comprised of team members and residents, meets to discuss food choices offered on campus. Millie Shellenberger, a resident committee member, suggested a special lunch for residents featuring Romanian food, in honor of her friend and neighbor, Liliana Zancu.
H
aving Slavic roots himself, Executive Chef, Tate Morgan, embraced the idea wholeheartedly. He contacted
Liliana, and they met. Liliana was delighted.
“I pulled out my old recipes,” Liliana shared. “Chef Morgan saw that some variations might need to be made because of the translation differences but we chose a number of dishes that represented traditional peasant food in Romania.”
Liliana was born in Romania and her family suffered from persecution under the Communist regime. She looked for ways to pursue higher education outside the country. In 1969, an opportunity came at Kent State University in Ohio when the Comparative Education Society asked her to present on Romanian education. Liliana’s mother encouraged her to go and then told her to stay in the United States and see if she could get her doctorate. It was a hard decision for her to make, because she had to leave behind her parents and her son, but she forged ahead.
After her presentation, Kent State agreed to allow Liliana to stay on as an adjunct professor while she worked toward her doctorate in English. After receiving her PhD, Liliana took a position in the Pennsylvania State University system, eventually landing at Millersville University. Five years after she had arrived, she was able to bring her son from Romania to the U.S.
Enriching
Lives, Together
“I really wanted to pursue my PhD and also give my son educational opportunities that weren’t available to us in Romania. I went back to Romania in 1994 and it was promising to see that life was beginning to progress there after Communism fell.”
Liliana was a professor at Millersville University for over 20 years before she retired in 2002. She continued living in her Lancaster home on her own for several years, but after experiencing difficulties living alone, she moved to Landis Homes in 2022.
“I’m especially thankful that I ended up moving into a special hall known to Landis Homes residents as as Harmony Hallway. My neighbors are wonderful.”
Te Romanian lunch took place on April 14, 2023, and Liliana invited all of her friends and hallmates, Millie included. Te special menu consisted of Chiftele or Parjoale (Meatballs), Sarmale (Pigs in a Blanket), Schnitzel (Pan Fried Chicken), Mama liga (Polenta w/ Feta), Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles), and more.
“I’m extremely grateful for the kindness and acceptance shown to me here. I’m comfortable living here. I’m also profoundly grateful to Millie and Chef Morgan for their imagination and acceptance of my heritage. It’s delightful,” Liliana said.
Landis.org | FLOURISH | Summer 2023 • 13
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