T-L Photo/SHELLEY HANSON BELLAIRE VOLUNTEER Fire Department Chief Joshua McMahon hands village resident Rosemary Hamm her fried fish order during a fish fry at the department on Ash Wednesday.

BELLAIRE — Whether a person eats fish on Friday for religious reasons or just because they enjoy the fare, they can Be Local by visiting some of the many area fish frys being held this Lenten season.

In Bellaire, volunteer Fire Chief Joshua McMahon said his department decided to begin holding fish frys this year to fill in the gap left behind by another organization not holding them this season. McMahon said his department, located at 2450 Belmont St., Bellaire, is holding fish frys from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays until Good Friday, which is April 10 — the Friday before Easter.

People of the Christian faith often abstain from eating meat on Fridays, especially during Lent, which is one reason fish frys are popular with many. While feeding hungry folks, the fish frys also serve as fundraisers for some organizations.

“I love it,” Rosemary Hamm, a Bellaire resident, said of the fish frys. “I enjoy coming to them all the time.”

McMahon said holding the fish frys was a no-brainer for his department.

“We stepped up to try and help. … We’re here for the community,” he said.

McMahon said the department also recently started hosting bingo every other Sunday starting at noon. Fish also is sold during the bingo sessions until it runs out.

Following is a list of some local fish frys being held during Lent:

OHIO

BELMONT COUNTY

∫ The Sons of Italy in Bellaire is holding it annual series of fish frys from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent. Patrons can eat in or carry out. A dinner includes a sandwich and two sides. Options on the menu include cabbage and noodles, cole slaw, french fries and onion rings.

∫ The Martins Ferry Knights of Columbus is slated to hold its 28th annual series of Lenten fish frys at the council home, 25 N. Fourth St., each Friday of Lent. Fish will be sold from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or until the fish is sold out. Call 740-633-0528 early to reserve orders.

The menu includes Coleman’s fish, onion rings, french fries, macaroni and cheese, cabbage and noodles, and cole slaw. Eat-in or take-out orders are available with delivery to city businesses.

∫ The Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department will be having a fish fry every Friday until Easter at the fire station. Options are eat-in, carryout and delivery. To place an order, call 740-325-1848. Fish frys begin at 11 a.m. Orders can be called in about 10:30 a.m. for pickup or delivery.

∫ Friday fish frys at the Shadyside St. Mary Church are underway from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays. Call ahead to order at 740-340-5061.

∫ St. John Church Fish Fry in Bellaire is holding fish frys on all Fridays of Lent with the exception of Good Friday, April 10. The fish fry is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located in the basement of St. John Church on Tallman Avenue. It offers Coleman’s fish sandwiches and dinners that come with two sides; cabbage and noodles dinner with one side; homemade pierogi dinner with one side; and homemade gnocchi dinner with one side. Sides include french fries, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, pierogi, cabbage and noodles, and gnocchi. Homemade desserts and beverages are also available. Service is take-out, dine-in or free delivery. Orders for lunch deliveries can be phoned in starting at 9 a.m. Call 740-676-2561, 740-579-6154 or 740-676-0051.

∫ Flushing Volunteer Fire Department will be holding fish fries from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday during Lent at the Flushing Fire Hall. Delivery is available in the Flushing area. Call 740-968-9700. The fish is an 8- to 10-ounce cod from Coleman’s Fish Market. New menu items this year include hush puppies, fried mixed veggies (cauliflower, zucchini and mushrooms) and fried pickles. Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted.

∫ St. Clairsville Eagles has a Coleman’s fish fry every Friday through the year with a wide variety of menu items. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dine-in and take-out. Call 740-695-9164.

∫ Smith Township Volunteer Fire Department will have fish frys every Friday until Easter. It is located in Centerville behind the Family Market/Custom Killing Store off Ohio 147. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Take-out is available. To call ahead and secure your late day meal or for take-out, phone 740-686-2150. Delivery is available to those shut in. The menu includes fish, chicken strips and shrimp, fries, slaw, homemade desserts and drinks.

HARRISON COUNTY

∫ Fish frys at the Harrisville Fire Hall will be held on the following Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: March 6, 13 and 20 and April 3 and 10. There will also be a bake sale and 50-50 drawing on April 10. There will be no fish fry on March 27 due to the Adena Lions Show at West Elementary. The fish frys are sponsored by the Harrisville Firemen and Auxiliary. Take-outs are available; call 740-546-3242.

∫ The Cadiz Fire Department Fish Fry will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday through Lent at the fire department, 160 N Main St., Cadiz. For call-ahead orders, call 740-942-3602.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

∫ Brilliant American Legion hosts a fish fry from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. the first Friday of each month. The next first fish fry will be March 6.

∫ Dillonvale Volunteer Fire Department’s fish frys happen every Friday through Lent at the Firemen’s Club, 26 Rhodes St. Hours are 11a.m. to 7 p.m. Eat in or carry out. Call 740-769-7777. The menu includes fish, shrimp, fresh cut fries, onion rings, cole slaw and homemade mac and cheese.

∫ The Belvedere Fire Department is hosting its fish fry from 4-7 p.m. every Friday during Lent at the fire department, 92 Janet Drive, Bloomingdale. To place orders ahead, call 740-264-4132.

∫ Baby-Boyz BBQ & Catering has a special Lenten menu featuring fish and seafood. The business has two locations — 301 Market St., Toronto and 2286 Wilson Ave., Mingo Junction.

MONROE COUNTY

∫ The Sardis Volunteer Fire Department will sponsor its annual fish fry 4-7 p.m. every Friday through April 10 at the fire hall on Ohio 255. Take-out, dine-in and limited delivery are available. To place an order, call 740-483-1048.

WEST VIRGINIA

OHIO COUNTY

∫ The St. Michael School and Parish Fish Fry will be held 4-7 p.m. Fridays through April 3 at the St. Michael Parish School, 1221 National Road, Wheeling. For call-ahead orders, call 304-214-6578.

∫ Vito’s 2 Catering is holding its Lenten specials from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday through April 10. Take-out only. Call 304-670-6104.

∫ The Elm Grove Eagles is hosting fish frys 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., or while supplies last, every Friday through April 10. Eat-in, take-out and delivery options are available. Call 304-242-4883 for delivery beginning at 10:30 a.m.

∫ Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Chapel Hill Road, Triadelphia, is holding fish frys 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every Friday in Lent through April 3. Menu includes hand-breaded Coleman’s fish sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw, no-meat vegetable soup and homemade desserts. Eat in or call ahead at 304-547-5342. Homemade food by the ladies of the Altar and Rosary Society.

∫ St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 2111 Market St., Wheeling, will host a fish fry 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. all Fridays during Lent through April 3. Menu includes fish sandwich, mac and cheese, pierogies, veggie tray, fries, cabbage and noodles, cole slaw, assorted desserts, soda and water. Coffee, tea and punch are free. Phone in for take-out orders at 304-905-6589.

∫ The Stone Church Volunteer Fire Department, 621 Stone Church Road, Wheeling, will hold fish frys 4-7 p.m. every Friday in Lent. Menu includes Coleman’s fish, cole slaw, french fries, onion rings, mac and cheese, homemade pierogi, green beans and drinks. Dine in or take out by calling 304-243-1571.

∫ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Ukrainian Church in South Wheeling will host a fish fry 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Menu includes fish sandwiches, french fries, cole slaw, cabbage and noodle, pierogies, Spanish rice and desserts. Call 304-232-1777 for take out.

HANCOCK COUNTY

∫ The Sacred Heart of Mary fish fry will be held 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays March 4, 11, 18, 25 and April 1 at the cafeteria, 200 Preston Ave., Weirton. For call-ahead orders, call 304-723-1648.

MARSHALL COUNTY

∫ Sherrard Volunteer Fire Department is holding fish frys 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fridays during Lent.

∫ St. John Catholic Church, Benwood, will host a fish fry 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday through April 3 at the church Fellowship Hall. Menu includes Coleman’s fish sandwiches, french fries, homemade side dishes including pierogi, cabbage and noodles, various soups, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, and pasta pesto. There also will be a dessert table and beverages. Free coffee is available for eat-in customers. Eat-in or carry out; for delivery, call 304-905-8036. The events are sponsored by St. John Rosary Altar Society.

∫ St. Jude Catholic Church in Glen Dale will host a fish fry 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today. Eat-in or take-out orders will be available. Call 304-845-2646 for local delivery if ordered by 10 a.m. for lunch and by 3 p.m. for dinner.

∫ Knights of Columbus Council 1907 and St. Francis Xavier Parish will hold fish frys 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. all Fridays during Lent at Xavier Hall, 912 Seventh St., Moundsville. Menu includes white fish, french fries, cole slaw, mac and cheese, pierogi, cabbage and noodles, homemade desserts and free coffee. Call 304-845-7080 for free local delivery.

∫ Christ Lutheran Church, 2 Richmond Ave., Mozart, will host fish frys 4-7 p.m. today and March 6 and 13. A chance auction also will be held on these dates.

WETZEL COUNTY

∫ St. Vincent de Paul Church, Klug Hall, 21 Rosary Road, New Martinsville will hold fish frys 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday. Menu include sandwiches, dinners, desserts and drinks; dine-in or carry-out orders available by calling 304-455-3555.