Hey, Y'all! Paula Deen Visits New Lenox

Deep-fried butter balls and hospitals in the same sentence usually means something bad happened, but this week in New Lenox they went together like cheesy ham and bananas.

To explain that a bit more easily, Food Network star Paula Deen visited in New Lenox this week to spread cheer to patients. 

Deen was in the area to open a new restaurant in the Harrah’s Casino and Hotel in Joliet on Thursday. A day earlier, she visited the new hospital with her husband, Michael, and brother Bubba. 

"Every time I leave (a hospital), I feel like they give me more than I give them,” Deen said in a Silver Cross news release.  “It’s just wonderful that I’m in a position that people will allow me to do that. And I have a real soft spot for children.”

Read more Silver Cross Hospital news.

More from the News Release:

Silver Cross COO Mary Bakken welcomed Deen and escorted her up to the new pediatric unit, where she talked with patients and their families, autographed cookbooks and even fed applesauce to 5-year old Jordan Cameron of Country Club Hills. 

Deen also looked at X-rays of 13-year-old Shannon Macaulay’s newly straightened spine following surgery just the day before to correct scoliosis. And she shared nail polish secrets with 12-year-old Julia Bisbikis of Lockport, who had just been admitted. Deen even took time to chat and take photos with nurses and other caregivers praising them for their compassion and dedication.

“Paula was just delightful,” Bakken said in the news release.  “Her smile just lights up the room. We are so honored that she chose Silver Cross to share her southern hospitality with some of our youngest patients and their family members. She is definitely welcome anytime!”