SOUTHWICK-For more than 70 years, members of the Southwick Congregational Church have been hosting one of the most popular events of the year – its annual Strawberry Supper.
On Tuesday afternoon, co-coordinators Roxanne Cook and Patty Banasik were meeting with committee members to review last-minute details before the June 16 fundraiser that begins at 6 p.m.
Making final preparations for the annual Strawberry Supper at the Southwick Congregational Church are Patti Wood, Kristy Johnston, Roberta Kowal, Patty Banasik and Roxanne Cook.
The Strawberry Supper, conducted in the New Fellowship Hall, traditionally attracts close to 160 area residents, however, reservations are needed to ensure everyone has an assigned seat.
The menu includes ham, homemade baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad, as well as beverages and the signature dessert – strawberry shortcake with “real whipped cream.”
“Our strawberries are picked fresh on the morning of the supper by Calabrese Farms in town and then our volunteers start cleaning and slicing them for the shortcake,” said Banasik.
Church members have the preparation routine down to a science since one of the committee members, Roberta Kowal, has been an integral part of the kitchen crew for more than 35 years. Kowal, a member of the church since 1963 and affectionately known as the “Strawberry Shortcake Maker,” worked collaboratively on the strawberry supper with Barbara Koivisto for close to 30 years until Koivisto’s passing.
“We used to serve family style but now we have members and their kids as servers,” said Kowal, adding that one family has three generations serving this year – Patti Wood, Kristy Johnston, and her two daughters, Ezrit and Rylee.
Teams of volunteers work on Friday to set up the hall and on Saturday morning, the kitchen crew starts early washing and cutting up the potatoes for the potato salad, and slicing and dicing the vegetables needed for the cole slaw, as well as preparing the ham, beans, strawberries, whipped cream and homemade biscuits for the shortcake.
Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children ages 6 to 12, and children under 6 are admitted free. Take-out orders will also be available. Reservations will be accepted until 1:30 p.m. on June 16.
“All of our dishes are homemade with a generous serving of shortcake that includes two-thirds of a cup of strawberries,” said Cook, adding “seconds” are typically available.
Banasik echoed those sentiments.
“It’s a good evening of good food, friendship and fellowship, as well as entertainment by Mike Pitoniak and Steve Pitoniak who are returning to provide a variety of music from folk and country music to current hits,” said Banasik.
For reservations or more information, call the church office at (413) 569-6362.
