Annual La Rosa dinner declared 'very good success'

By P.J. GLISSON

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Ironwood - From the moment the public arrived at the annual La Rosa spaghetti dinner this past weekend at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Ironwood, they encountered enticing aromas, welcoming signs and friendly faces.

The major fundraiser took place Saturday and Sunday, bringing dozens of volunteers and hundreds of hungry folks together.

"It was a very good success," said Alison Schlag later. "It was a beautiful day. We were very happy with the results."

Schlag, who organized the event, said that 1,116 dinners were sold. Some diners sat and ate in the church hall, while others enjoyed the meal by way of takeout, drive-up or delivery.

"It's definitely something people look forward to," she said. "It's just a fun event."

Schlag estimated that about 60 to 70 people helped with the process, whether before, during or after, and she was grateful for their contributions, which included anything from decorating to cooking to cleaning up.

"In this day and age, volunteers are very special," said Schlag. "Time is very precious. I think for most people this is a labor of love."

Several generations of an Ironwood family were among the volunteers, along with other church members.

Michael Schmaltz was washing dishes while his daughter, Stacy Saari, was serving and clearing tables with the help of her son, Nick, 10.

"I've been doing the coffees," said Nick.

Saari's daughter, Emily, 13, also was bagging to-go orders with her friend, Christina Braucher, 13.

Also at that table was Mark Kolesar of Minnesota. "I come up every year to help - and to see Don," he said, referring to Don Pelkola, who said, "I've been doing it almost 50 years."

The guys were teamed up with Joanne Kovales in filling the serving containers with spaghetti and meatball sauce, which was served with Italian bread and salad.

Mary Ann Niemi of Ironwood was running the cupcake table, which featured a variety of prettily swirled frostings and flavors. "Everybody donates them," said Niemi. "They bake them at home and bring them here."

Selling 50/50 tickets during the event was William Perkis, a member of the Knights of Columbus of Ironwood, which helps to support the event.

"We just brought it back after three years," said Perkis of the drawings that he said occurred every hour and resulted in about $50 or so of winnings each time.

He said "a huge part" of the event is "to build cohesion in the parish."

Schlag said an anonymous donor helped with this year's expenses. Hence, she added, "We didn't have to raise the price. So we're very blessed with that."

Schlag, who is the church's faith formation coordinator, said the dinner's profits go to help church members and others. "Most of the proceeds benefit the faith foundation education of children, adults and the community."

Schlag has been running the dinner for 24 years.

This year was the 49th annual event, so the church is already planning for an extra-special celebration of next year's 50th anniversary of the dinner.

"We are going to be planning some special activities," said Schlag. "We're looking forward to it."

Anyone still wishing to donate to this year's fundraiser, or to volunteer for the church, may call Schlag at 715-367-2540 or the church at 906-932-0174.