Marking 20 years of community tradition with fish fry events

As the Lenten season approaches, communities across the United States prepare for a cherished tradition: fish fries. This year the Holy Trinity Knights of Columbus Council 13081, near Zoar, announced the commencement of its 20th annual fish fry events.

Beginning Friday, March 7 and continuing every subsequent Friday through April 11, these events will take place at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1835 Dover-Zoar Road NE, near Zoar. Operating from 4-7 p.m., the fish fries provide meals and serve as an opportunity for the community to come together and support local causes.

According to Ed Wills of Strasburg, the treasurer of the Knights of Columbus Council, Mark Yovanovich, the grand knight, oversees the organization of these events. Historical records reveal the success of the past fish fries.

“Since we started this tradition in 2006, we’ve served an astonishing 58,000 fish dinners,” Wills said.

With volunteers fueling the success of these events, Wills said around a dozen individuals work in the kitchen each week while an additional 15-20 volunteers assist with cleaning the dining area. Their efforts result in patrons returning year after year. In a nod to tradition, last year’s fish fry saw the sale of approximately 3,600 dinners, showcasing the event’s popularity.

Every Friday fish fry requires extensive preparation, with volunteers cooking about 250 pounds of fish. The signature menu includes fried pollack and baked cod, accompanied by a variety of sides. Local mothers from Tuscarawas Central Catholic provide desserts, which can be ordered separately from the meal. Proceeds from dessert sales directly benefit the school.

Adult dinners are priced at $10 for two pieces of fried pollack or one baked cod while a larger portion — four pieces of fried pollack or two pieces of baked Cod — costs $13. The children’s menu offers a one-piece fried pollack dinner or a plate of mac and cheese for $6. All dinners come with sides such as hush puppies, French fries, rice pilaf, or mac and cheese, alongside coleslaw, a roll, and juice or coffee. Sodas are available for an additional dollar. Prices have remained stable since last year, showcasing the Knights of Columbus’ commitment to making meals affordable for everyone.

The COVID-19 pandemic made adapting a necessity, leading the church to introduce a drive-thru option for fish fry customers.

“The drive-thru option has become very popular,” Wills said.

It allows patrons to enjoy the offerings with the added convenience of a contactless service. Youth volunteers from the church actively contribute to this effort, taking orders and delivering meals directly to vehicles while also having the opportunity to receive and keep customer tips.

While the fish fry events center around offering food, their impact extends far beyond. Proceeds benefit numerous charitable organizations, ensuring the spirit of giving remains at the forefront of each gathering. Beneficiaries include the local Salvation Army soup kitchen, Bolivar Food Pantry, Bolivar Fire Department (providing free smoke alarms), Community Hospice, Fisher House Veterans Home in Cleveland, community Thanksgiving meals, TV Strong Trojan Foundation, Horizons Inc., Tuscarawas County Friends of the Homeless and St. Vincent DePaul Society, among others.

The Knights also extend their generosity to Appalachian communities in North Carolina following hurricane damage and victims of California wildfires.

Interested individuals can call Holy Trinity Catholic Church at 330-874-4716.