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WILKES-BARRE — The Friday before last, “back by popular demand,” traditional poached-not-fried fish dinners returned to St. Andrew’s Church on Parrish Street.
And fish fans rejoiced.
“It’s very good,” a customer named Marge said as she made her way into the church community room and explained she was looking forward to a light and healthy meal.
“I like that the fish is poached instead of fried,” she said, “and they give you a baked potato instead of french fries.”
“That’s what makes it so different,” said Ann Shinko, a volunteer at the ticket table.
If you missed out on a serving of tender, poached haddock — or the other options of halushki and red clam chowder — at the church that day , don’t worry, you’ve got two more opportunities coming up.
The “original fish dinners,” as organizers call them, also will be served March 29 and April 12.
“We’ve got a good group of people here,” said Bob Steininger, of Wilkes-Barre, glancing around the kitchen at his fellow volunteers. “And it’s Juana’s recipe.”
“Butter and lemon juice in water — distilled water,” volunteer Juana Gyza said, describing the liquid in which the fish was poached.
Similar dinners were a popular Lenten fixture at St. Andrew’s Parish more than 10 years ago, when it was known as St. Patrick’s.
“Then they fell by the wayside,” Steininger said.
No one seems to remember exactly how long it’s been since the church last had a fish dinner, with one customer estimating it’s been two or three years and some volunteers suggesting it’s been five years before agreeing it’s more like 11.
However long it’s been, a customer who identified himself simply as the husband of “the number-one bingo player around here” said he’s been missing the dinners and he’s glad they’re back.
He also seemed happy to see an array of desserts on a table.
“I bought three dinners so I get three of these, right?” he asked the volunteers as he considered slices of carrot cake, banana cake and peanut butter cookies before opting for slices of yellow cake with rainbow sprinkles.
Church volunteers have been busy lately with several different kinds of meals, Steininger said.
“We did fantastic with the ham and cabbage,” he said. “That was parade day, and we sold 250 dinners. We had people picking them up even before the parade (on March 10).”
A few weeks before that, he said, a piggie dinner “sold out in two hours.”
While they have another fish dinner (takeouts only) scheduled for March 29, the volunteers are finding time March 24 to rustle up an eat-in breakfast, with serving from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The menu includes ham, eggs made to order, including omelets; toast, pastries, coffee and juice. Tickets are $8.
The fish dinners, set for March 29 and April 12, are available from 3 to 6 p.m. or until sold out. Cost is $12.
Even if you are not an avid fan of fish, a customer named Gary said, “in Lent you can learn to like it.”