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The faces behind St. Ann’s annual fish fry

By Samantha Karam 5 min read
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Waynesburg residents Miles Davin and Barry Nelson have supervised and organized the annual fish fry at St. Ann’s Catholic Church since its inception in 2003.

“We’ve been here for the first one and, God willing, we’ll be here for the last,” said Davin, who owns and operates and land surveying business.

The two were charter members of the Greene County chapter of the Knights of Columbus, founded in 2000. Nelson, a retired electrician, said he and Davin organized St. Ann’s first fish fry. The meals were prepared in a small, back room of the church’s social hall, lined with bright orange cabinets. The purpose of the fish fry was to raise money for the Knights of Columbus’s charity efforts.

“We joined the Knights of Columbus because our main goal is charity,” Davin said. “And to do charity you need money.”

Nelson recalled how slippery the small kitchen was after just one night of transferring oily fish from fryers on one side of the room to prep counters on the other.

“You could practically ice skate,” he said with a laugh.

Davin said he was amazed at how much money the first fish fry raised and, though the Knights of Columbus only offered one fish fry in 2003, the concept would flourish into the club’s largest and most successful annual fundraiser.

The following year, Nelson and Davin coordinated a fish fry lunch and dinner for each Friday in Lent. The pair has maintained that rate ever since. Davin said their team of volunteers produce over 300 meals a week each Lenten season.

Davin and Nelson were there through each transition that led to the fish fry’s continued success. They noted how their list of volunteers grew from five to 130 and how the fish fry operation upgraded to a commercial-sized kitchen, an addition in the back of the social hall.

“Somebody has to do it,” Nelson said when asked why he and Davin continue to be involved. “We see the good it does and what we can do with the money.”

The Knights of Columbus sponsors at least two seminary students a year and gives out scholarships, worth $1,000 each, to three local high school students, Davin said. Additionally, the club gives Christmas money to needy families, among other acts of charity.

In preparation of each fish fry, Davin purchases all the food and supplies, then sets up each of the kitchen’s stations. Meanwhile Nelson handles the finances and coordinates with volunteers.

Davin said his fish fry days start at 5 a.m. when he receives deliveries at the church and starts making the desserts. He is present until 9 p.m., when he and anyone present cleans up. Nelson said he usually arrives at St. Ann’s around 9 a.m. to get organized and prepare the kitchen. He stays until 9 p.m. to help Davin tidy up and clean the fryers. They both supervise the crews during each fish fry and fill in wherever needed. The average crew size is eight volunteers for lunch and nine to twelve volunteers for dinner, Davin said.

Davin said he spends his hour-long break between the lunch and dinner either napping or relaxing. Nelson usually goes home to let his dog out. They admit it is tiring work, but they enjoy it.

The two are best friends, Nelson said, and can rely on each other. They work fluidly and, in addition to volunteering together, they go on golf trips and vacation in Myrtle Beach.

“We have fun,” Nelson said, noting even years later he still enjoys working alongside his friend.

This year, St. Ann’s is offering fish fry lunches from 11:30-1 and dinners from 4:30-7 every Friday until Easter. Call 724-627-7568 for more information.

St. Marcellus in Jefferson (724-377-2588) is also hosting a fish fry this year: every Friday in Lent from 11:30-3 for lunch and 3:30-6:30 for dinner.

Various volunteer fire departments will host fish fries, too. They are as follows:

Bobtown and Dunkard VFD (724-839-7140): 11 a.m. -7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday (March 6) and every Friday until Easter, including Good Friday (April 19).

Jefferson Firehall (724-883-3901): 11 a.m. -7 p.m. on Ash Wednesday and every Friday until Easter, including Good Friday.

Rices Landing VFD (724-592-5765): Ash Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. and every Friday until Easter from 11 a.m. -7 p.m.

Crucible VFD (724-592-5359): Every Friday in Lent from 3-8 p.m. and Good Friday 11 a.m. -8 p.m.

Nemacolin VFD: Hosting a meeting on March 2 at 6 p.m. to determine details of this year’s fish fry. Call the VFD for information at 724-966-7408.

Richhill VFD (724-428-4242): Every Friday in Lent, 3-7 p.m. Good Friday 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

For menus and information about delivery and pick-up options, call each of the locations or visit Facebook pages.

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