The opening scene of Universal Pictures' "Public Enemies" has Johnny Depp as John Dillinger in black and white prison stripes breaking out of the Michigan City Prison in 1933.

Yep, Dillinger was once housed in the same prison where I teach courses for Purdue North Central, in addition to also teaching at Westville Correctional Center.

I sampled today's recipe for "Behind Bars Banana Cake" at an honors luncheon last year for students who had earned good grades.

This delicious cake was served for dessert.

I'll never forget it.

While seated with some of the inmate students, one of the men serving time for arson passed the creamer packets and sugar to me for my coffee.

He casually mentioned those tiny powder packets of creamer are highly flammable, "just look at the warning on the packet."

And sure enough, he's right.

On the subject of cake, the photo I snapped of this cake includes a paper garnish of an origami (Japanese folded paper art) prison butterfly. Many of the inmates learn this paper craft as a way to pass the time. At this month's reader dinner event on July 12 for my father's 80th birthday celebration, this prison origami art is among some of the more than $1,000 of free drawing prizes to be given away.

Final Reader Reminder

Thank you for the many reader reservations made last month for my dad's 80th birthday party event. Here's the final chance for reservations, which must be made next Monday, July 6.

The doors open promptly at noon Sunday, July 12, with dinner served at 1 p.m. The event ends at 3:30 p.m.

Guests have a main entree choice of roast beef and gravy OR boneless chicken breast with a creamy mushroom sauce. Both entrees are served with a fresh garden salad with choice of dressing, fresh mashed potatoes with chives, fresh-snapped green beans with carrots and red pepper slivers, bread rolls with whipped butter and vanilla ice cream and birthday cake for dessert, along with beverage choice of coffee, hot tea or iced tea.

Price is $25, which includes tax and tip. There is also a cash bar available.

A portion of each ticket sold benefits The Porter County VNA and the Christmas for the Elderly Fund.

Since seating is limited, reservations are required by calling (219) 933-4173 and leaving name, contact telephone number and the number in your party attending.

Behind Bars Banana Cake

No. 147612

Cake:

1/4 cup shortening

1/4 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup mashed bananas

1/2 teaspoon banana extract (optional)

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup flour, sifted

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting:

2 sticks of butter, softened

1 egg

2 cups sifted powdered sugar (1 pound box)

1 teaspoon vanilla

DIRECTIONS: Cream shortening, butter, sugar and vanilla using an electric mixer on a medium speed, for about 10 minutes. Add bananas (and extract, if desired) and eggs and continue mixing for another 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Add dry ingredients, alternately, with buttermilk, using a low mixing speed. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch by 13-inch pan, baking 20 to 30 minutes at 350 degrees. While cake is cooling, make frosting by creaming butter until light and fluffy using an electric mixer on low speed. Beat in egg and gradually add in sifted sugar, frequently scraping down side of the bowl. Lastly, add vanilla, beating frosting until smooth and light. Frost cake generously and serve. Makes 20 slices.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at philip.potempa@nwi.com or 219.852.4327