Knights of Columbus 17th annual Lenten fish fries start Friday

By Maureen Robertson

The 17th Annual Lenten Fish Fry, touted as “all you can eat, best fish fries in town,” will begin on Friday, Feb. 24, and continue every Friday in March.

Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, the fish fries will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the church’s Social Center at Sixth and E streets.

Dinner includes Atlantic cod, french fries or mashed potatoes, cole slaw, rolls and coffee/punch. A bowl of clam

chowder is $1.50, and ice cream is $1.

Cost is $9.50 for adults, $4.50 for children under age 12, and $25 for families of two adults and two or more children under age 12.

Take-out meals may be ordered. Extra fish is put in the take-out orders since it’s an all-you-can-eat dinner, said Roger Galka of the Knights of Columbus.

The dinners are open to the public, and the social center is often packed with individuals, friends and families who make Lenten fish fries an annual tradition. Teens in the church’s youth group are among volunteers who help.

“This is a great time for everyone in our community to come together and enjoy good food and family hospitality,” said Galka.

And the fish is great, regulars agree. Galka thinks it’s a combination of the white Atlantic cod and the batter that Martha Johnston makes.

“She puts a little bit of beer in it,” Galka explained.

Knights members do the cooking, with head chef Sam Sharamitaro, a former restaurant owner, making the rolls and helping to coordinate the effort.

Knights of Columbus is a men’s nonprofit organization. Proceeds from the annual Lenten fish fries go to various community needs and groups. Among groups receiving part of the annual proceeds of $9,000 to $10,000 are Ramona Pregnancy Center, Ramona Food & Clothes Closet, Community Feed the Poor, Michael’s House and Ramona Unified School District, said Galka.