It’s ‘offishially’ fish fry season in the Mon Valley

Churches, fire departments and community organizations across the Valley heated up the fryers for the Ash Wednesday kickoff to the Lenten fish fry season.

Ash Wednesday, which also signifies the start of Lent, officially launched the annual delicious fish fry season for many organizations in the Mon Valley.

Fish fry fundraisers are a popular way for local organizations, churches, and volunteer fire departments to raise money during the Lenten season. The idea of fish fries originates from the Catholic practice of abstaining from red meat on Fridays, especially during Lent.

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the 40 days of Lent, one of the holiest periods for Christians that culminates in Good Friday, when Christians believe Jesus was crucified for their sins, and Easter, the day they believe marks the resurrection of Jesus.

Volunteers at the Epiphany of Our Lord Church in Monessen had an early start Wednesday, with some getting up early for the distribution of ashes at 8 a.m. At 11 a.m., they opened up their kitchen for take-out fish fry orders.

Shown at the Ash Wednesday fish fry at Epiphany of Our Lord Parish in Monessen, from left, are volunteers Patti Francowic, Nida Sungala (sitting), Susan Polomoscanik, Camryn Scherer and Cindy Denman. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

Betty Geis, one of the head organizers of the Epiphany fish fry, said they’ve been holding fish fries for more than 30 years. Geis said the annual fish fry has been an important way for their community to come together and celebrate the Lenten season.

“It’s a coming together of our parish and our people, and mostly all of us. (I) went to Mass first at 8 a.m., and got ashes and came down,” Geis said. “Now, at 6:30 p.m., when we’re wrapping up, another whole group of people will go up to Mass to celebrate upstairs. It’s very important that we keep our faith alive here.”

Geis added that the funds raised from the fish fry go towards the maintenance of their church and upkeep of its grounds.

Camryn Scherer, a 15-yearold volunteer for the fish fry, said she appreciates spending time with the Epiphany parishioners.

“It makes me feel so accomplished in a way,” Camryn said. “It makes me very happy to see and to be here with all these people and just to help people, make somebody smile if they’re having a rough day.”

For the rest of Lent, the Epiphany of Our Lord Parish will have its fish fry every Friday, including a drive-thru option on Good Friday. On days they’re having a fish fry, they will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a limited menu, and 3 to 7 p.m. with their full menu.

According to Geis, Epiphany will also provide free local delivery from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on fish fry days. Call-in orders can be placed by calling 724-684-5512.

Rostraver Township Fire Department

This year’s fish fry season for the Rostraver Fire Department is a little different from previous years. Originally, a fish fry fundraiser was something that the Webster Volunteer Fire Department used to host at its location, but after merging with the Rostraver Central Fire Department, things look a little different.

Russell Johnson, owner of the Steel Plate restaurant in Monessen, is once again cooking for the Rostraver Township Volunteer Fire Department annual fish fry, being held at the Fellsburg Social Hall this year. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

The now merged Rostraver Township Fire Department is hosting its annual fish fry at its Fellsburg social hall, with help from Russell Johnson, the owner of The Steel Plate in Monessen. Last year, the Webster VFD fish fry was in danger of shutting down, but Johnson came to the rescue and helped the fire department hold its fish fries.

Even after the merger, Johnson is still helping the fire department because he believes what they do is very important for the community.

“If something were to happen at your house, a car accident, fire, or anything, these are the people that show up for it,” Johnson said. “So in order to support them and get them the equipment that they need, if this does a little bit of a dent for their large expenses, I’m all for it.”

Johnson said their main food options are signature fish dishes, but they’ll also have other items like mac and cheese, fries, lobster bisque, coleslaw, pierogies and haluski.

“Unlike most fish fries, we have a rotating menu,” Johnson said. “We’ll have specials every week. We’ll run pizza some weeks, with this regular menu that we have now. And then we’ll add in, like different po-boys and other Southern-style classics.”

Two of the first customers at the Rostraver Township Fire Department fish fry on Wednesday were Pamela Anderson and Bob Petruski. Anderson works at the Fayette Resources office, next to the fire department, and said that she likes to support the fire department, especially after they’ve helped Fayette Resources.

Petruski said he’s been supporting the fish fry since it used to be held in Webster.

“I know they were down at the Webster fire hall down the hill last year, and we really enjoyed it,” Petruski said. “So we’re happy to come back and support, and especially since they help us out, too.”

Fish fries for the Rostraver Township Fire Department will take place every Friday during Lent, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 1100 Fells Church Road in Rostraver Township.

Monongahela Elks Lodge 455

The Monongahela Elks Lodge 455 will be one of the other Valley organizations hosting a fish fry for the Lenten season. According to the Chaplain Chad DeSantis, they’ve been doing fish fries for over 70 years.

Shown at the Monongahela Elks Lodge 455 Ash Wednesday fish fry, from left, are volunteers Chad DeSantis, Brian Telegraphis and Kevin Behanna. Ladimir Garcia / Mon Valley Independent

“We need all the help we can get,” DeSantis said. “It’s very difficult to stay open and continue to serve the community without the support from the fish fry. Please stop by and give us a try.”

According to Monongahela Elks Secretary Stanley Welsh, funds raised from the fish fry are used for community events, donations to local food banks, and to provide help to area veterans.

Their fish fry menu includes fish sandwiches, fish and shrimp dinners, homemade haluski, and homemade mac and cheese.

The Monongahela Elks fish fry will take place every Friday during Lent from 3 to 9 p.m. for eat-in and take-out. They will be open on Good Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

To call in an order, they can be reached at 724-258-3370. Their location is at 444 Jackson St. in Monongahela.

St. Agnes, West Mifflin

Saint Thomas the Apostle Parish is hosting two fish fries, one at its St. Max location in Homestead and another at St. Agnes in West Mifflin.

The St. Agnes location was buzzing with customers and volunteers on Ash Wednesday. Sister Cynthia Wessel, one of the volunteers for the St. Agnes fish fry, said that people from across the Pittsburgh region come to try their annual fish fry.

“Our reputation grows, word passes,” Wessel said. “We have people who come from all over. We have businesses that order, like Kennywood orders, Bettis (Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory), and Jefferson Hospital orders. I volunteer at the hospital, so I took it in there and said to the people that I work with, it’s fish fry time, and they placed a big order today.”

During their fish fry days, they also have basket raffles and a selection of baked goods.

The Lenten fish fry for St. Agnes will continue until April 3, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The number to place orders is 412-466-5500.

The St. Agnes location of the parish is located at 622 St. Agnes Lane in West Mifflin.

A list of other fish fries at local churches, volunteer fire departments and other nonprofit organizations appears on page A10 today and will run weekly every Thursday during Lent.