By Alex Moore
Contributing columnist
This week brings the third month in the year 2022. It also marks the much-anticipated, I’m sure, return of this “Calling Around Covington” column in the pages of Miami Valley Today, for the first time this year. Hopefully, the events will continue to restart and will lead to more Covington news and more columns in these pages.
Early spring seems to be the time for several community organizations to hold a yearly fundraising meal. The first of these community dinners will be held next Friday, March 11, as St. Teresa Catholic Church will again be hosting the first of their delicious Lenten fish fries. The church is located just east of town, at 6925 W. U.S. Route 36, and this year will be offering at least two opportunities for delicious fish dinners. The first fish fry will take place from 4:30-7 p.m. on March 11 in the parish hall. Please mark your calendars for the other fish fry on Friday, March 25. St. Teresa’s fish fries feature a generous portion of their golden-brown fried fish, their highly anticipated green beans, applesauce and a roll. The cost is $10 each, and coffee is also included. And desserts and other beverages will be available for purchase at a small additional cost. Easy carry out meals are available as well, so please make plans to come out and enjoy the best fish fries in the area.
The Covington Noon Optimist Club is hosting the annual Covington Community Pancake Day on Saturday, March 12, from 7 a.m. until noon at the Covington K-8 School cafeteria. The public is invited to come and eat one’s fill of delicious pancakes, coffee, and one serving of sausage, applesauce, juice, or milk. This year, in lieu of ticket sales, there will be a free will donation taken at the door. 2022 marks the 56th annual Pancake Day event in Covington, which was originally started by the Kiwanis Club in 1965. Over the last half-century, the responsibility for Covington’s Pancake Day fundraiser has been assumed by the Noon Optimist Club. This year marks the fifth that this event will be held at the Covington K-8 School cafeteria and commons area at 807 Chestnut St. Enter the K-8 school main entrance to the east of the high school. Serving hours this year will be from 7 a.m. to noon.
After being exclusively a drive-thru event in 2021, folks are again invited to sit and enjoy their meals and fellowship in the school cafeteria. All proceeds from Pancake Day stay in the Covington community to benefit the youth of the village. The Covington Noon Optimist Club, begun in 1985 and meeting every Wednesday at noon at the Covington Eagles Aerie #3998, is marking its 37th year as a “Friend of Youth” to Covington kids. In addition to generous contributions to the CHS Scholarship Fund Program, the Noon Optimists sponsor numerous other youth events. This includes recurring support of the annual Oratorical Contest, Halloween Costume Contest, High School Honors Banquet, the P.L.U.S. organization, the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference for CHS students, Covington music programs, and numerous other donations to worthy Covington youth-oriented causes. Pancake Day would not be possible without the continued generous support of numerous Covington-area businesses whose sponsorship will be visible on the placemats.
And lastly when it comes to meals, the annual Covington High School Scholarship Fund Spaghetti Supper will be upcoming in a few short weeks, on Tuesday, March 22. This delicious Italian dinner will be served from 4:30-6:30 p.m. that evening in the K-8 school cafeteria. All proceeds from the spaghetti supper go to the Covington Schools Scholarship Fund Program.
The menu features all-you-can-eat Italian spaghetti and garlic toast. It also includes homemade coleslaw, dessert, and a drink. The cost for dinners this year is a meager $7 per person. Carryout meals will also be available. The Spaghetti Supper coincides with the community scholarship fund drive, which is now currently underway for 2022. Donations to the scholarship fund may be sent to Ms. Laura Ayres at Covington High School, 807 Chestnut Street, Suite A, Covington, OH 45318.The community’s continued support of the Covington Scholarship Fund is greatly appreciated. For more information, call (937) 473-2856.
