Rotary Club plans fish fry

Kilgore Rotary Club members are preparing to hold their annual fish fry fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 5 until 8 p.m. in the fellowship hall of the First Baptist Church of Kilgore.

Tickets for the event are on sale from any Rotarian or are available at the door. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. The menu includes fried fish, french fries, hushpuppies, cole slaw, tomato relish, pickles and a drink.

Rotarians have been holding this fish fry each fall for more than 20 years. The money raised from this event help to fund more than 10 scholarships for students who attend Kilgore College.

John Lockman is the chairman of the fish fry, and the longtime Rotarian has done an excellent job administrating the event. He said the fish fry is not only fun for those attending but also those who work during the day.

“We are raising money for a good cause and so we try to make it fun for everyone,” he said. “We will serve 500 people in the fellowship hall that night and also have a great number of takeout orders. So, it is hectic for people working but it turns out well in the end. Everyone gets a lot to eat and we raise money for scholarships.”

Lockman said Rotarians enjoy putting on the fish fry and added the money goes to a very worthy cause, so he is hopeful that Kilgore people will support the effort and purchase tickets for themselves and their friends.

“We think we serve a pretty good plate of fish and fixin’s for those who come,” Lockman said. “And, we take a lot of pride in trying to do a good job so that people will come back and support the event year after year and help us help college students.”

Club members say they appreciate First Baptist Church of Kilgore for the use of its nice kitchen and fellowship hall for the event.

“With the spacious kitchen, the abundant seating and parking and a nice lighted cooking area out in the back, we have excellent facilities to hold our fish fry,” Lockman said. “We are grateful to First Baptist Church for the use of their very nice building.”

Kilgore Rotarians are extremely active in a wide variety of projects during the year to benefit people in need. The club puts out more than 1,300 flags on six flag holidays each year to raise money for scholarships and other charitable programs. The club also honors scholar athletes in the spring for their academic and athletic accomplishments and participates in programs that help different people all around the world.

The local club annually ranks near the top or at the top of Rotary Foundation giving, making it one of the most respected clubs in District 5830, which stretches from southern Oklahoma to down near Nacogdoches and encompasses most of Northeast Texas.

The Kilgore Rotary Club meets each Wednesday in the ballroom of the Meadowbrook Country Club at noon. Guests are always invited to attend.