Wis. Rapids-area Lenten fish fries benefit communities

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — People in the neighborhood of some south Wood County churches and organizations just might be tempted by the smell of frying fish, starting Friday night.

It's not a rare smell in central Wisconsin, but chances are the odor of the Friday delicacy will be amped up this time of year. The season of Lent, the six-week period leading to Easter Sunday, began Wednesday. It's also a common practice for many people to eat fish rather than other types of meat on Fridays during this season.

While many a restaurant touts a good Friday fish fry throughout the year, the Lenten events offer some tasty profits for local organizations.

Depending on the sponsor, guests can get fried cod, baked pollock — even shrimp. The Wisconsin Rapids Elks Club serves 120 to 150 pounds of pollock and cod a week during Lent, said Karen Baneck, one of the chairwomen for this year's meals.

Lenten events are some of the biggest fundraisers for the Elks, said Ralph Anderson, who has a top leadership position with the local group. Funds from the event go to the civic group's charities, including scholarships and Christmas baskets for less-fortunate families, Anderson said.

Members estimate the local chapter of the organization first started offering a fish fry in the 1970s.

"The first few years were a combination of wanting the camaraderie at the lodge and trying to use a little bit as a fundraiser," said Anderson, 58.

The six-week season now nets $6,000 to $8,000 annually, all of which goes to support the organization's locally based charities.

"Every fundraiser that we do gives us more dollars to support local charities (and youth programs)," Anderson said. "Our Lenten fish fries allow us to do more locally than we could without the support of the general public."

About four years ago, the Nekoosa/Port Edwards Knights of Columbus took over the Friday night fish fry at Sacred Heart Church in Nekoosa, said Andy Selenske, a leader in the organization. In addition to the funds benefiting the community, proceeds also go back into the St. Lawrence Catholic Church and Sacred Heart congregations.

"This past year, we donated $3,000 to (Sacred Heart) parish; they needed a new dishwasher," Selenske said. "The year before that, we put up a nice sign at Sacred Heart, telling of mass schedules and so forth."

The organization also donated $2,000 to help St. Alexander parish in Port Edwards with a new elevator. In addition, funds help teens attend Badger Boys camp in Ripon to learn about government and provide scholarships within the Assumption Catholic School system.

The dinners rely on volunteers, but finding them usually is not a problem, organizers said.

"It's a lot more fun to spend a little time to help our charities than to open up your checkbook and write a check," Anderson said. "We truly have a lot of fun; it's a lot of work, but everyone really enjoys our common goal."

In addition to parish volunteers, the Knights of Columbus' dinner has help from students, whose duties might include clearing and wiping down tables.

"It's good, because it gets them involved," Selenske said.

Sheila Pervisky, 70, joined St. Lawrence parish in 1978 — and has been volunteering at the fish fries ever since. She spends Thursday morning preparing food and works the delivery and carry-out station on Fridays.

"I enjoy the camaraderie with the other parishioners," Pervisky said. "People look forward to the fish fries.

"The people that come ... it's like a big family — they can sit anywhere and find someone to talk to," she said.

"It's also great food."

Deb Cleworth can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext. 6730 or deb.cleworth@cwnews.net. Follow her on Twitter @DebCleworth

Fish fry frenzy

•St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 530 10 Ave. N., 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 20 to March 27. Fried or baked fish, potato salad, french fries, cole slaw. Adults, $8.50; seniors, $8; children, $5; carry-outs and business deliveries, $8.50. Desserts, $1.25. Call 715-423-4680

•Elks Club, 430 Jackson St., 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 20 to April 3. Fried fish ($8), baked fish ($8.50) or shrimp ($9), baked potato or french fries, baked beans, cole slaw, bread and cake. Seniors 60 and older, 50-cent discount (dine-in only). Cash bar. Call 715-423-1930 for carry-outs and business/mill deliveries.

•Nekoosa/Port Edwards Knights of Columbus, at Sacred Heart Church, 711 Prospect Ave., Nekoosa. Dine-in, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; carry-outs 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 20 to March 27. $8.50 adults,$5.50 kindergarten through grade 8, and free to preschoolers. 715-886-3954.

•Nativity of The Blessed Virgin Mary, 5866 Main St., Auburndale, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, March 6, March 30 and April 3. Call 715-652-2747 for carry-outs.