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The Chow Mein Dinner: A Community Favorite Returns in October
The Chow Mein Dinner that has been a tradition at Our Lady of the Angels Parish for more than half a century is returning after the pandemic put it on hiatus last year.
The four Frericks sisters — Janet Schulte, Joyce Frericks, Diane Leukam, and Lois Warnert — will once again chair the event that draws at least 1,500 diners for the homemade feast, with Janet as the chief organizer. The sisters are lifelong members of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, and they began organizing the dinner in 2008.
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Everyone is welcome to gather from 4-7:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 in the basement at Our Lady of the Angels Church. Volunteer cooks will be preparing the meal of chicken chow mein, rice, noodles, and pie for those eating in and for carry-out. If diners choose the eat-in option, they also will be served additional vegetables and pickled beets. Arrangements can be made to have the dinners delivered — at least 100 dinners typically are delivered that night.
There also will be a raffle during the dinner. Proceeds from the dinner and raffle will help support Holy Family School.
Although the dinner certainly is a draw, with those 1,500 meals served that one night, it is more than the delicious food made from the long-established recipes that brings people into the event. It is the fact that not only parishioners, but people from the surrounding community look forward to the chance to come together in fellowship.
With an October date for our Chow Mein Dinner, autumn decor provides the perfect backdrop for the parish hall.
“People from around the area come to eat,” Joyce says. “It’s definitely a communitybuilding event. A lot come to the dining room and talk and visit with each other. People from other churches in town also attend.”
More than 200 volunteers give of their time and talents to set up the dining room and prepare the food.
“It feels like, even more than seeing people and coming to eat, that you see everyone working together to make it and then to clean up,” Janet says. “Some may come in and work so hard, and some spend the whole day to get the dinner ready. It feels good to see all who are willing to help and willing to work hard. It really builds the parish, and builds rapport with the parish and community members.”
Volunteer help is always needed and welcome. Signup sheets will be placed in the church in mid-August.
“Most people sign up then,” Joyce says. “But sometimes people show up and help the day of the meal. That’s perfectly fine, too.”
Many volunteer hours go into the preparation for the Chow Mein Dinner. The chow mein is prepared from scratch and is served with crunchy noodles. More than 1,000 dinners are prepared for this longstanding parish tradition that brings together parishioners and people from the wider community alike.
