Final Report - 2026 Fish Fry
Hi Fellow Parishioners! AS promised, when I gave my brief summary of this year's Frys at all Masses, here is a proper acknowledgement to all those involved who made the event the success it has become.
Final Report; 2026 Fish Fry
The 6 Frys
Forty-two adult volunteers, the most ever, worked at least once at Prep or during the Fry and included Thursday afternoon Prep crew of Cherie & Paul Colomb, Linda Wirth, Celia Cuadrado, Kathy McGuirk, Carolyn DeLoe, Ann Nowicki, Joyce Shortz, Lauraday Kelley and Grace Zaveckas. Friday prep, cooks, servers, & workers included Stephanie Lapham, Biff Rosensteel, Karen & Ed Szoke, Andrea Switzer, Gabi Cranga, Therese Prevoznik, Diane Reid, Jeanne Blaker, Riley Redding, Kaitlin Repp & her beau Mike Flynn, Margaret Myers, Mike & Suzanne Landis, Kay Walters, Tony Redding, Matt & Nicole Redding, Bonnie Isenberger, Kathy McGuirk, Eric Land, Becky Baldwin (8th grade), Ann Nowicki, Philip Zaveckas, and Grace Zaveckas. Frank Tharp was Exchequer. Hospitality/Orders were John Lapham, Therese Prevoznick, Ann Nowicki, and Kathy McGuirk. Regina Hollar acted as main Greeter & Hospitality. Barbara Redding supervised overall operation of Kitchen to keep us in code. Becca Dickerson introduced the first time Credit option. Irene Borba and April Land operated the Prayer Table. PCCW had space for fresh pretzels as did Girl Scouts for cookies. Walt & Rita Tuchalski ran the raffle and raised an additional $1,253, monies calculated into Fry total. Walt also was responsible for the design, purchase, and placement of all the new signage throughout the neighborhood prior to and during the Fry. Joe Hallinan & Stephanie Lapham, and Teachers supervised the student volunteers to set up tables/chairs while Kim Reiner coordinated same for serving and assisting seniors in obtaining their meals. Approximately 1,000 hrs. of worktime was donated by all of the above by the end of the Frys.
Dessert/Bake Table - Saving us the expense of buying desserts, the PCCW & Parish Ladies who donated fully cooked/bought desserts included Cherie Colomb, Winnie McMaster, Jeanne Blaker, Nancy Newbold, Bonnie Isenberger, Lucy Jurcak, Helen DeFayette, Harriet Glass, Kay Walters, Katie O’Farrell, Emilie McGinnis, Sue Wilson, Rita Tuchalski,, Suzanne Landis, Maritza Torres, Connie Trump, Mary Malewicki , Donna Kriger, Joyce Shortz, Marialuise Collins, Pat Thorsen, Irene Borba, Rita Tuchalski,, Lucy Simmons, Margaret Myers, Margie Maue, Nancy Six, Deb Hartman, Terri Gelles. Lisa Kelly, Anne Nowicki, Karen Szoke, Barbara Onofrey, Kathy McGuirk, Diane Reid, Chris Ciparik, Sue Herrin, Dee Krasnansky.
This & That
Publicity was orchestrated by Grace Zaveckas & Walt Tuchalski at NO charge to the Parish and included GARMA, Internet, Radio & Facebook, Catholic Witness, Emmitsburg paper, Gettysburg Companion, Celebrate Gettysburg.
Parish Social Media was Helen Jahn; Darryl Wheeler (Gettysburg Times).
This year, and for the first time, monies were used by Walt to obtain signage advertising our event.
Fish Frys throughout the region during Lent the last few years has been sporadic and I’m proud to say our menu has been a bit more dynamic. Very little comes from a can and mostly everything served is either fresh or frozen. A few other Parishes had prices higher than ours but we offered more choices. We’re still offering those under 5 a free serving.
The Frys absorbed the full cost of the event as usual before donation to the Parish was made, exceptions being the utilities.
Deliso Ristorante supplied sixty pizzas again at cost to me ($600).
I still regard the event as a non-fund raiser with Fr. Pistone’s original goal of “a gathering of St. Francis and community for friendship & fellowship” still applicable, and within fiscal responsibility.
PCCW graciously donated $5K for kitchen upgrades which Barbara Redding put to good use.
Comparisons & Numbers (bold equals highest)
Attendance Lbs. Fish Served Return to parish
2012- 645 392 $ 3,000
2013- 820 485 3,609
2014- 1,297 611 6,595
2015- 916 632 5,623
2016- 992 426 5,220
2017- 1,301 518 6,634
2018- 1,194 490 7,002
2019- 1,088 454 7,141
2020- 760 (3 dates) 388 4,100
2021- 750 est. 390 5,638
2022- 1,094 360 9,023
2023- 1,123 510 10,020.85
2024- 1,458 620 15,080
2025- 1,444 650 18,031.65
2026- 2,167 870 31,770.90 (6 dates)
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17,049 6,526 lbs. $ 138,488.56
Final Thoughts
Why such a banner year, now, and after 15 years? I’ve thought about this greatly and I’ve considered at least 20 possibilities, in random order. I'd be interested to hear your comments or suggested additions, to any of the below.
1) Frys were personally announced at ALL Masses for the first time.
2) Fifteen-year track record, consistency of menu brought people back.
3) Dedicated group of parishioners that keep returning to work/donate to the event.
4) Quality and quantity of food served.
5) Prices. I’ve been told by many of you that my prices are too low, as nowadays, a full breakfast can cost more
than my fish meal.
6) Overall, fewer Parishes are offering Frys.
7) No competition from local Parishes.
8) Hospitality & hearty welcome extended to all.
9) Parish School kids assisting in all areas of the event which impressed many diners.
10) Extent of advertising
11) NEW advertising with signage.
12) Prayer (Evangelism) table for all.
13) WORD of mouth.
14) Friendliness of event & interactions.
15) PCCW, scouts, Priest presence showing a total Parish involvement.
16) Child friendly menu.
17) Coney Island Frys (over 350 lbs. potatoes served, most ever, sold out every fry).
18) The “J” factor.
19) Increased Facebook exposure.
20) Everything jelled at the same time.
Again, THANK YOU to all of my volunteers for making the Fry the success it has become. It could not have been done without you.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth J. Zaveckas (aka "Look Mommy, there's that Fish guy)
Note: Check out some photos from the Fish Frys here.