Do you know the Bread Man? Mr. Chet Fery is a former Kaisertowner with a unique hobby- breadmaking with a purpose! He is the founder of Bread Time Stories and More through which he bakes bread and believes in sharing it with food pantries, fund raisers and strangers alike. Chet has now given away around 60,000 loaves of bread from some 50 different recipes resulting in over 100 Bread Time Stories which he shares at public events. The stories are intended to promote kindness, the art of storytelling, baking and tasting! Chet will be honored by the General Pulaski Association on September 11th as an outstanding educator of Polish decent. I have pasted his biography below where he touches on such Kaisertown institutions as Dick’s Music Store, Ben Franklin’s Five & Dime, St. Casimir’s and much more. He was also kind enough to answer a few questions for me. I hope you enjoy his story as much as I do. Kaisertown Buffalo: What is your favorite Bread Time Story? Chet: I recently conducted a bread activity with a second grade bilingual class at a city school. I arrived with plenty of bread, dough and wearing my Bread Man apron. It wasn’t long before we all had our hands in the bread dough and I was reviewing the ingredients. “Flour, yeast, salt and water” is all you need to make bread. I asked the students what ingredient was most important. A few expected answers were offered and then one boy raised his hand and said, “Love is the most important ingredient”. His response always gives me the chills, and it gives me reassurance that our children are learning what’s important for a happy and fulfilled life. A young boy who knows that love is essential to making bread also knows that love and kindness is an important part of life. Kaisertown Buffalo: What is your fondest memory of Kaisertown? Chet: I have many fond memories of living in Kaisertown but one special memory comes to mind. Near the corner of Clinton and Barnard St. was the Sunnyside Cleaners. A lady named Connie worked at the store and I remember her friendly and welcoming manner. I would warm my winter mittens on her heater and visit with her in the summer. She was like so many merchants in the neighborhood that offered a kind and gentle greeting to all customers and helped create a true feeling of community. Kaisertown Buffalo: If you could go back to visit a former shop/restaurant/event in Kaisertown one more time, what would it be? Chet: I recall the excitement that would build as we approached East Clinton Day at Crystal Beach. We would save our pennies earned by doing odd jobs around the neighborhood. Our mom’s would pack a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at the picnic pavilion. I remember the sack races, running with eggs on a spoon and of course the water balloon toss. Riding the Comet was always the highlight of the day, with the Wild Mouse a close second. Great memories and great times! Kaisertown Buffalo: What is the furthest you have travelled for a Bread Time Story? Chet: Last year my wife and I travelled to Los Angeles and she arranged a surprise tour of the Le Brea Bakery. The Le Brea bakery is a famous regional bakery with a long reputation for flavorful, crusty, artisan breads. I always travel with bread and was proud to trade loafs with the bakers at this famous bakery. I’ve found that bread has a universal connection with all people and bread makers love to talk about their baking adventures. A loaf of bread, a kind word and a smile can open doors all over the world. Kaisertown Buffalo: Which type of bread is your favorite? Chet: I enjoy creating new breads and welcome new ideas. I always have white, wheat and rye flours on hand but will use various ingredients to add flavor to my breads. Just a few unique ingredients are: red wine, caraway, basil, bourbon, rosemary, roasted butternut squash, potatoes, vinegar, apple sauce, toasted oatmeal, beets. My favorite bread remains the basic bread recipe of flour, yeast, salt and water. I believe most bakers would hold to this basic recipe and create the special unforgettable flavors by baking in a hot oven, adding a little steam, brushing each loaf with a water/milk glaze and adding some love! I’ve yet to have anyone not enjoy hot bread from the oven, truly an unforgettable experience. Mr. Chet Fery Founder of Bread Time Stories and More Biography Chet Fery, often called “The Bread Man”, began his hobby of baking and giving away bread over 14 years ago. He has been introduced as a baker, story teller and humanitarian. He promotes doing random acts of kindness. He believes the world can be changed one loaf of bread at a time; one act of kindness at a time. He estimates he has given away over 60,000 loaves of bread, created over 50 recipes and generated over 100 inspirational “Bread Time Stories” which he shares with audiences across Western New York. The message of the power of kindness has been well received by all. Last year, Chet conducted over 180 events, gave away over 5800 loaves of bread and recorded almost 9000 travel miles. He presents to people of all ages in many different forums such as: senior centers, libraries, schools, private homes, churches, commencement events and more. He donates bread to food shelves, fund raisers and continues to give bread to “strangers” he meets along the way. In addition, he conducts staff training activities for educational and corporate audiences. Chet, born and raised in Kaisertown, was immersed in Polish Culture. Chet’s father, the late Chester Fery, was from Holland, New York. His mother, the former Theresa Jendrasik , was from Kaisertown. Back in the day, you could find a church, grocery store, bakery and tavern at most cross streets. On Friday nights, family and friends would gather for fried fish and a cold beer at Panek’s. Grandma and grandpa lived below on the first floor of the large wooden house at 267 Barnard Street. He would return home to his loving family after playing all day on the red brick paved streets under the watchful eyes of “porch sitting” neighbors. The “old neighborhood” taught the importance of family, the value of hard work and the importance of kindness. Chet, or Butch as he was often called, delivered the Buffalo Evening News at age 10, took accordion lessons from Dick Szykowny of Dick’s Music Store and worked for Mr. Nowicki at the Ben Franklin Five and Dime. He fondly remembers Sunnyside Cleaners, Kwiatkowski’s Delicatessen, Houghton Park, Ted’s Grocery Store, PAW Company, Bocce Club, Kelly’s Corner Store, Town Edge, Orange Front, Mr. Gorko’s Barber Shop, Gold Ray Bakery and Jack Schrutts fresh fruits and vegetables, including the fresh ground horseradish. He attended St. Casmir’s and St. Bernard’s Elementary Schools. He graduated from Bishop Ryan High School in 1968 and continued his education in the SUNY College System. He holds 3 Master Degrees in Education and worked as a teacher, counselor and school administrator for 33 years. He retired from the Gates Chili Central School District, near Rochester NY, in 2006. Chet and his wife, Marina, reside in Brockport, NY and have 3 adult children. Their son Matthew is Legislative Counsel for the Governor of Puerto Rico in Washington DC and formerly worked for Congressman Brian Higgins, Kevin is Director of Human Resources for United Way of Rochester and Lauren is a Physical Therapist working in Washington DC. Bread Time Stories and More has become his passion and he devotes most of his time to this effort.
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