Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville townlively.com
FEBRUARY 7, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 49
Preserving history at Mount Pisgah BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Tucked away a few blocks south of Route 462 in Wrightsville, Mount Pisgah Cemetery holds history on its grounds. The cemetery marks the final resting place of 50 veterans, with a dozen dating back to the Civil War. Historically, it was a Black cemetery, receiving the bodies that were forbidden burial in the
neighboring white cemeteries during segregation. Growing up in the Wrightsville area, Phil Lehman knew of the cemetery along Mulberry Street, but he didn’t know much about it. “It was always called the ‘Black cemetery,’” he said. When he became involved with the Wrightsville Cemetery Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, years ago, he learned its official See History pg 2
Members of St. Peter Catholic Church are ready for another season of Lenten Fish Frys.
Four decades of fish frys BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“The event is a tradition in our parish.” on the menu. Cheesy broccoli will be offered on March 15, and Maryland crab will be served on March 22. A variety of individually wrapped baked goods made by the women of the parish will also be available for purchase each Friday as well as a variety of drinks. As Storm explained, the fish fry tradition began at the church as a way to honor a Catholic dietary restriction during the season of Lent.
“Jesus died on Good Friday, so Catholics and other religions refrain from eating meat in His honor on Fridays. It is a form of penance,” she explained. “The tradition is to abstain from meat, not necessarily to eat fish.” The fish fry is a fundraiser for the Parish Council of Catholic Women, Storm said, noting that proceeds will benefit various activities in the parish, Our Lady of the Angels Catholic School, Water for Life and other nonprofits. Congregation members begin prepping each meal the day before, making crab cakes and setting up, Storm remarked. The men of the parish assist with the setup, cleanup, heavy lifting, washing dishes and working in the kitchen. Reservations are not required for the fish fry. There are two parking lots at the church as well as parking on the street. “Enjoy a tasty, filling meal at a reasonable price,” Storm said, encouraging people to come to the fish fry. “You just never know who you may meet there as people from Columbia and surrounding areas come to enjoy good food and to socialize.”
Phil Lehman holds a book of information on veterans’ graves at Mount Pisgah Cemetery.
Dance and auction will benefit CBAA BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Beat the winter blues and warm up on the dance floor at an event to benefit CBAA. The youth sports organization will host a dance and auction on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Hambones Social Club, 10th and Manor streets in Columbia. The doors will open at 6 p.m. The auction will run from 6 to 8 p.m., with dancing beginning at 8 p.m. Beverages and snacks will be offered at the event, and DJ Jimmy King James will provide
music. A variety of items will be featured in the auction, said Jane Murray, who heads fundraising for CBAA with Laraine Gray. “ We have something for everyone,” she said, mentioning a beach basket, a date night basket and a Blackstone flattop grill to name a few of the prizes. “Thank you to all the businesses in the community that donated for this event.” Proceeds from the dance will benefit youth sports in Columbia, including sports camps, cheer competitions, See CBAA pg 3
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or 45 years, the members of St. Peter Catholic Church in Columbia have been offering Lenten Fish Frys to the community. “The event is a tradition in our parish,” said Claire Storm, fish fry committee member. “It was started by our parents and handed down, so now a younger generation has taken over and the tradition continues.” This year’s Lenten Fish Fry will begin on Friday, Feb. 16, and will continue on Fridays through March 22. The event is open to the public, and dine-in and takeout options will be available from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Center, Second and Union streets, Columbia. The menu will include platters of one or two crab cakes, baked haddock, fried fillet of fish, fried shrimp, fish sticks, fried scallops, fried oysters or breaded fried clam strips. Macaroni and cheese, french fries, stewed tomatoes, a vegetable, coleslaw and a dinner roll are included in the price of the platter. A la carte items include a
crab cake sandwich, a fried fish fillet sandwich, an oyster sandwich, french fries, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, coleslaw and cheesy bread sticks with marinara sauce. Quarts, pints and bowls of homemade soups will be available each week as well. On Feb. 16 and March 8, potato soup will be served. On Feb. 23, minestrone will be featured, and on March 1, cream of crab will be