As a proud, first-generation Lithuanian, Chicago counsel Paul (“Povilas”) Sarauskas has carried on the tradition of Easter egg decorating for close to 50 years. He was raised speaking Lithuanian and has maintained strong ties to his heritage.

“As a child, everyday life was ingrained in being Lithuanian, whether I liked it or not,” said Paul. “In grammar school in Cicero—a suburb of Chicago—even the nuns were Lithuanian and, when we moved to the suburbs, my Saturdays were in Lemont, where I attended six hours of school, covering history, geography, singing, dancing and… egg decorating. Yes, I’m quite an eggs-pert.”

Paul even danced in the 1972 Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival (an Olympic-style event that takes place around the world) at the old Chicago Amphitheater, where then-first lady Pat Nixon was the guest of honor. Other attendees included then-vice president Spiro Agnew, Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley.