Paczki Ball

By Andrew Tallackson, The News-Dispatch

Upcoming event benefits St. Stanislaus Church

With an emphasis on camaraderie, dinner and dancing, and a certain deep-fried pastry,

the committee behind St. Stanislaus Church's upcoming parish fund-raiser aims to create

a fun evening for adults in Michigan City.

The annual, semi-formal Paczki Ball on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the church hall,

1504 Washington St., reflects an effort to resurrect what once was a tradition for the parish.

Last year marked the first Paczki Ball in many years. Open to the community, it attracted

about 125 people.

"A lot of people talked about it in the past, that it was such a nice evening," committee member Jane Eisele said. "Everyone always had such a good time.

"Last year, what made it different was that we added so many extras to an already great evening."

By extras, Eisele and fellow committee members mean little touches here and there to give the ball an air of elegance.

This year's event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cash bar and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a buffet-style dinner at 6:30 p.m. The menu includes baked apricot chicken, fresh sausage and sauerkraut, beef burgundy and pasta, potatoes, vegetables, homemade potato soup (courtesy of Eisele) and homemade desserts.

Paczkis (pronounced punch-key), which taste like jelly doughnuts and traditionally are eaten before Ash Wednesday, will be served at 9 p.m. A local bakery will prepare the treats. The large ensemble The Music Com-pany, Chicago, will present live music.

Guests also will receive complimentary photos that will be quickly developed as a keepsake for the evening.

Committee member Sue Malcer, who oversees the evening's decorations, promises a look and feel to the parish hall that is "bigger and better" than last year.

Incorporating a Mardi Gras theme, Malcer said those attending the ball should expect to see mascarade-style masks hanging from the ceiling, tables with Mardi Gras centerpieces, jesters, balloons and white lights.

Adding to the evening is the presence of the 21 eighth-graders from St. Stanislaus School, who will serve soup and salad to the adults before the buffet dinner, committee member Shirley St. Arnaud said. Decked out in classy, black-and-white attire, the youth also will seat guests, bus tables, even dance with couples.

The evening serves as a community-service project for the eighth-graders, St. Arnaud said.

It also benefits the church, as proceeds assist with all types of church costs, whether it be building upkeep or utility bills, the Rev. Walter Ciesla said.

But the main point of the Paczki Ball, he stressed, is fun.

"It's a good, good time," he said.

Tickets for the annual Paczki Ball, which are $25, must be purchased in advance by calling 872-2258 Monday through Friday. Tickets also can be purchased after Mass at the church.