you . School in Elwood , I enjoy it . It ’ s like a smallknit town . I feel familiar with everything , and all the teachers know me .”
Hong , Anthony and Kaitlyn are all strong students , and the parents make sure they know that education is the top priority .
“ I always tell them , school is first ,” Pete says . “ I ’ m proud of him for doing well in school .”
And the parents notice that their children have settled well into Elwood , the only home they have ever known .
“ The kids love to live here ,” Fen says . “ I don ’ t think they want to move out of town , or out of state .”
She recalls having that feeling even when the kids were young .
“ When they were little , and I just kidding asked him , ‘ Maybe we move ?’ and he was maybe only 5 years old , and he said , ‘ No , I want to see my friends every day .’”
The pandemic was a challenge and a hurdle for China Town , like most businesses . Pan recalls the uncertainty throughout the community .
“ We never knew what was going on ,” he says . “ Everybody didn ’ t know what was going on , so we desired to help people , so we gave away food for free .”
Ultimately , Pan had to close the business for a couple of months .
“ It was tough ,” he says . “ We didn ’ t have any business , and this is the only income we have , but we still need to feed the family , and pay the bills .” •
ANTHONY , FROM LEFT , HONG AND KAITLYN PAN WORK ON THEIR HOMEWORK AT THEIR FAMILY RESTAURANT , CHINA TOWN , IN ELWOOD . THEY ARE STUDENTS AT ELWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS .
LEFT PAGE : THE PAN FAMILY POSES FOR A PHOTO IN THE FAMILY RESTAURANT . SEATED ARE PARENTS CHELSEA AND PETE .
“
WHEN
MY WIFE AND I WERE TOGETHER AND WE THINK TO HAVE THE BUSINESS , WE LOOKED AROUND , AND I LIKE QUIET , AND THE SMALL TOWN . WE WERE LUCKY , WHEN WE CAME HERE , WE MET NICE PEOPLE THAT BECAME FRIENDS . EVERYBODY KNOWS US , AND WE KNOW EVERYBODY .
”
2023 Diversity Magazine 19