A few days ago I was fetching my car from the garage and decided to stop at a new shop enticingly called, Wheaton Delights. What a find! In addition to a tempting array of ice cream from across the border (Wisconsin, not Mexico!) a variety of pastries were on display, including homemade chocolate and vanilla layer cake. I was offered a generous sample of the cake and must say it was one of the best I've had in many years.
The owners of the shop, a middle aged husband and wife, were warm and hospitable in a decidedly charming small-town way. I noticed they had just a hint of accent in their voices and asked them about it. My guess was that the accent was Urdu and that they hailed from the good country of Pakistan. My guess was right on, which helped explain their remarkable talent for hospitality. I also guessed they had been living in the US for quite some time. Indeed. Twenty-seven years in fact! We had a meaningful talk about the large number of Pakistanis in the Chicago suburbs and how difficult it is for new immigrant women, to adjust to American culture.
When I mention to people that I know Muslims that have lived in the US for more than twenty years they seem shocked. The usual impression is that most Muslims live "over there" and the few that are in the US are recent arrivals. This study published in the Toronto Star helps to dispel those myths: Study dispels myths on Muslim population - thestar.com
If you live in north Wheaton or Carol Stream, be sure stop by Wheaton Delights on the corner of Gary and Geneva Road. Don't miss out on the chance to enjoy their Wisconsin ice cream, homemade pastries, and small town hospitality.
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