Fridays are for fish fries

SANDUSKY — Whether because of the stellar service, delectable dishes or camaraderie among community members, any number of reasons reel in hundreds of people for a fish fry feast. For about 20 years now, the Sandusky Central Catholic School Lenten Fish Fry dinner occurs annually on Fridays amid the span between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Depending on the year, it's either six or seven Fridays when local fish fries happen. Previously occurring at South Shore Inn and the Knights of Columbus, for about a decade running now, it's taken place at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Sandusky. It's the only weekly community-oriented fish fry event — serving meals or standalone entrees of hand-breaded fresh perch along with french fries, pierogies, made-from-scratch coleslaw, homemade desserts, among other options, including those for kids — around the area, organizers said. "When we first did it, we only had it two times a year, but there was such a huge response from the community, so we decided to do more," said Jessica Lewis, a middle school math teacher with St. Mary's, noting diners come from as far away as Canton to eat. "It's fun because we have the regulars we see, and we are always seeing new people." All proceeds raised support field trips and other extracurricular activities taken on by Sandusky Central Catholic School students. "Catholics don't eat meat on Fridays during Lent, so it's a nice alternative to have something like this," Jessica said. At any given dinner, about 30 students, ranging in grade level between sixth and 12th, work in various roles: table setters, cashiers, hosts, preppers, food runners, dessert servers and bussers. Volunteering at these events checks off service hours required for each student in these classes but also teaches them life skills, Jessica said. "It's fun for them and me," Jessica said. "They get to interact outside of class and do something that is appreciated by many." Jessica then turned her attention from these front-of-the-house workers to those behind the scenes. She noted that many supporters and graduates of St. Mary's come together to make these dinners possible. This would include: • Ignazio Spadaro, who ran the former Cedar Villa restaurant, and Jessica's husband, Danny, a Sandusky police lieutenant, who begin prep work on Thursdays; Both Jessica, in 1991, and Danny, in 1990, graduated from Sandusky Central Catholic School. • Spouses Vincenzo and Concetta Di Rosa; Concetta, a 1994 graduate, is Ignazio's daughter. • Chad Kresser, a 1987 graduate; Julia Brown, a 1977 graduate; Tim Riedy, a 2002 graduate; and Eddie Brown, a 2012 graduate; who all serve as co-coordinators • Matt Dillinger, a 1999 graduate, and Graham Brown, who help in the kitchen "We are proud to provide an exceptional fish fry for our community, however, this effort would not be possible without the dedicated support of our many student and adult volunteers," Jessica said. Many expressed their gratitude to these people, including Jessica's mom, Joyce Dillinger. "It's the only time of the year that I eat perch, but my daughter and son-in-law work it, and the service from the students is wonderful," she said. For 2026, there's one more fish fry left on this year's calendar: scheduled for 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday at Holy Angels, 428 Tiffin Ave. (U.S. 6), Sandusky. Dine-in and carry-out options are both available. "Make sure to come on out," Jessica said. "It's your last chance to get perch and pierogies before next year."