Northwestern Indiana nun's candies fund charitable works

HIGHLAND, Ind. (AP) - The glass case at the front of Poverello Delights is bursting with trays of sweet treats you'd expect from a candy store.

Truffles, turtles, chocolate-covered candied real orange peels, caramel-filled chocolates and peppermint bark are packaged neatly in rows.

But, then there's the Pistachio Delight powder, "a gourmet surprise," that can be used at least eight ways in toppings and spreads in snacks and desserts.

There are bars of blueberries coated in strawberry, dark chocolate or milk chocolate. "Where else can you find blueberries like this?" asked Sister Evelyn Brokish, who runs the shop.

She sells honey nut bars and an assortment of beverage mixes, including ginger apple pie and caramel coffee, among other confections customers wouldn't see at a typical sweet shop. Brokish smiles and taps her temple as she explains those creations came from her imagination.

Since 2006, Brokish has run Poverello Delights - St. Francis of Assisi was called the poverello, or little poor person - out of a small shop at 2912 45th St. The candy maker is a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. All the money she makes, after the bills and rent are paid, goes to the order, which supports myriad causes, including people with memory problems and people with disabilities.

Everything is crafted on site using fair trade chocolate and everything is packaged there and wrapped in a bow. The prices are comparable to or lower than similar shops, with a selection of items costing less than $1.

"Lots of people come in with just $5 (to spend)," Brokish told The (Munster) Times (http://bit.ly/1uEEkM9 ).

Other popular sellers are sugar-free goodies, nuts and assorted dried fruit creations, such as banana chips coated in sunflower kernels.

"I always try to keep a variety," she said.

She also makes seasonal chocolates, including Easter crosses, bunnies and Paschal lambs, as well as designs for first sacraments, such as Confirmation, First Holy Communion and Reconciliation.

She has helpers, but she said they would not want recognition for their work.

"They are wonderful volunteers," she said.

Her Valentine's Day line includes a difficult-to-make heart-shaped box of solid chocolate.

"People can put a love note in there, they can put other little hearts in," Brokish said. "I'm making milk chocolate ones and dark chocolate ones so everyone is satisfied."

Technically retired, Brokish has no plans to stop any time soon. Raised in a creative family, she spent most of her years as a church musician.

She transitioned from music to candy after creating candies for a choir fundraiser. Choir members and cantors remarked the sweets were so good, Brokish should sell them.

"I had spent 47 years being director of music and liturgy, and I knew that I had talents that would not be developed," she said. "Why stay on one thing for your entire life? I felt it was time to turn the page, so to speak. I started this at age 69. ... I have more talents than this. You never know what my next occupation will be."

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Information from: The Times, http://www.thetimesonline.com