Catfish Fry returns to Sonnenberg Mennonite

Catfish Fry returns to Sonnenberg Mennonite
Submitted

Levi Lee fries catfish while Elimina Lee and John Lehman do the breading.

                        

Bring a good appetite and a love for eating fried catfish to Sonnenberg Mennonite Church of Kidron on Saturday, Aug. 31 from 4:30-7 p.m. The ninth annual Mississippi Catfish Fry supports the mission outreach efforts of the church, and the fare is a bit out of the ordinary, as the fish make a long journey from the deep south.

Since the beginning of the event nine years ago, Levi and Elimina Lee have been bringing the catfish and doing the frying personally, traveling from their multi-pond catfish farm in Macon, Mississippi to do so. Ken Neuenschwander of Sonnenberg Mennonite Church said the pair, now 80 years old, load up several coolers with catfish and drive up in time for the event every year.

“Elimina is the sister of one of the members of our church, so that’s where that connection started,” Neuenschwander said.

The Lees will bring plenty of fish, as they also are providing fried catfish for an event in Mt. Hope on Aug. 30.

In spite of advancing years, the two never fail to come and fry up catfish for the church, and they typically cook for hundreds of people. “We usually have close to 800 people come out for the catfish fry,” Neuenschwander said. “They might have slowed a little, but they never fail to make the trip for us.”

The meal consists of lightly breaded fried catfish, fresh hushpuppies, coleslaw, buttered redskin potatoes, ice cream or cookie bars and a beverage. All is by freewill offering at the door, and the fish fry is open to the public. Carryout is available.

Levi and Elimina Lee operate a large catfish farm in Mississippi with assistance from computer environmental monitoring for the ponds and help from family members.

“All of the money we raise that evening will go to support Sonnenberg’s mission outreach program,” said Neuenschwander, who explained there will be numerous displays at the church outlining the extensive work the church supports in the area.

The church supports Open Arms Hispanic Ministry of Wooster, which welcomes and assists immigrants to the area with housing, transportation and guidance. It also assists Lighthouse Ministries of Canton, an organization helping to support young people in the Canton area with a faith-based outreach and “an understanding of their God-given giftedness,” according to the organization.

Neuenschwander said the church also supports missionary work in Argentina and numerous other groups and organizations.

“All of our expenses in putting the catfish fry together are covered by members of our congregation,” he said. “So every bit of the money people offer that night is going to help other people.”

Sonnenberg Mennonite Church, with about 250 members, is the oldest community of Swiss-founded Mennonites in the area, dating to its beginning in 1819. The church is at 14367 Hackett Road in Kidron. The church website is at www.sonnenbergmc.org. They also can be called at 330-857-8222.

“It’s a delicious meal, and the funds raised go to help many people locally and around the world,” Neuenschwander said. “We will be glad to have as many people from the area as possible come and enjoy the catfish fry with us.”


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