“Making homemade donuts involves preparing a yeast-based dough, letting it rise until doubled (about 90 minutes), cutting out shapes, and deep-frying them at 375°F (191°C) for 1 minute per side. Finally, glaze or sugar the warm donuts for a classic, fluffy, and delicious treat.”
That’s how Artificial Intelligence believes a good donut is made. Dough. Shapes. Fryer. Glaze. Done. And delicious.
But there’s a step missing. At least Leif Green believes so. And he has history in the donut industry, too.
Yeah know, Green’s Donuts in South Wheeling?
“Do you know what people mention to me the most when they’re telling me their favorite? It’s not the glazed or chocolate-covered; nope, it’s the maple roll … the maple cinnamon roll,” Green revealed. “I did work there when I was a kid. We all did, and that let us learn exactly how they went about making the best donuts in Wheeling.
“We did do things differently, but it wasn’t about the dough or how much flour and sugar and cinnamon and spice and everything else,” he said. “Of course, you have to have all those things, but the reason that people loved Green’s Donuts so much was because all those donuts went into what’s called a proofer, and the proofer accelerates the yeast process. If you wanted to do it without a proofer, you’d have to take the donuts and let them sit for 3 hours until the yeast rises.”
Now that Green has moved home to the Wheeling area more than a year ago following a Hollywood career that included film, stage with the Young Americans College of the Performing Arts, and animation, most folks are wondering if he’s come home to relaunch his career in donut production?
“I get asked about those donuts all of the time because they were really, really popular for a really long time. My family opened that donut shop a lot of years ago, and some of us toyed with the idea of doing something, but that conversation always ends with the fact that we’re too old,” Green explained. “But, if I were only 40, I’d think about going to the bank and doing something cool.
“I’d just have to get the equipment that we used to use back then, and I know a great location,” he teased. “But it’s too late for me now, and I’m concentrating on what I’m working on now.”
Instead, Leif is working with West Liberty University’s theatre department and with Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre. In fact, he’ll host a special event this evening that includes dinner and a movie that just so happens to be “Grease 2” – a 1982 feature film in which Leif portrayed high school student Davey Jaworski from the “T-Birds”.
“I can’t wait to watch the movie with people and then answer whatever questions they may have because it’s all part of why I moved home. I believe Wheeling is a great place to live, and I have family here who welcomed me home,” Green said. “I think it was always in the back of my mind that I might retire here, and, the way my situation worked professionally, job-wise, I was 62 and got laid off, so that’s when I had to ask myself what I wanted to do next.
“Working for the Young Americans was the best job I ever had. It’s what took me out of Wheeling so many years ago, and I loved that I ended my career with them,” he said. “My brother and his wife welcomed me home, and now I live in the same house where I grew up as a kid. All of the friendly ghosts are there, and so are all of the memories.”
Welcome Home
Instead of staying home to remain involved with the Green’s Donuts empire, Leif left Wheeling as a teenager to join the Young Americans troupe after they had performed at Wheeling Park High School.
He arranged his classes with his Park teachers so he could still graduate with his Class of 1978, and four years later, he was starring in “Grease 2” alongside Maxwell Caulfield and Michelle Pfeiffer. He made more movies, worked in production and animation, and Green has also helped raise millions of dollars for AIDS research and prevention.
And then?
“I came home a few years ago for my high school reunion, and I met up with a lot of my friends … and it was really sentimental to me. I am just a sentimental sap when it comes down to it,’ Green admitted. “But that weekend I was home, I think, convinced me to move home when I was finished working in California, and I told all of my friends that they’d better get ready to spend time with me.
“And they all said no, but I moved back anyway,” he said with a big laugh. “I’ve become very involved with Towngate, and I’m involved with West Liberty University’s theater department. I am also now on the board of the West Virginia Independence Hall, so I’ve tried to become very involved in the community since I came home.”
“Grease 2” was the sequel, of course, to the 1978 box office hit “Grease” with John Travolta and the late Olivia Newton-John, and this evening Leif will tell tales about his co-stars, the filming process, and how his career evolved in Hollywood.
It’s also likely he’ll explain why he loves living here at home, too.
“I do love it here. I’m so happy,” Green said. “Through the years, I’ve come home many, many times, so I’ve known about a lot of the changes that have taken place here in the Wheeling. When my parents were alive, I probably came home at least twice per year, and then, after their funerals, maybe a little less, but I’ve stayed in touch with Wheeling for sure.
“I’ve never lost touch, and I’ve read about all of the big news stories,” he added. “But it’s wonderful to be living here now and to be involved with what I’ve found so far. I’m sure there will be much more in the future; just not donuts, sadly.”
