The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
FAMILY, TRADITION, FOOD COME TOGETHER
20th annual Paczki Ball hosted by Kiedrowski’s
Tim and Terri Kiedrowski say their 20-year tradition of providing a Paczki Ball celebrates family, food and deep roots in Lorain.
The paczki is a Polish doughnut, they say, filled with sweet fillings such as rose, poppyseed, and apricot.
It was a traditional favorite for “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Lent, when Catholics begin a fast until Easter, said Tim Kiedrowski. The couple owns Kiedrowski’s Simply Delicious Bakery at 2267 Cooper Foster Park Road in Amherst, a business they started in 1984.
The ball featured Polka music by Ed Klimczak, and prizes. Children twirled and jumped to grasp streamers and play with helium-filled red and white balloons.
During a ceremony that honored veterans, Tim hugged Terri as their grandson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The best part of the Paczki Ball for Terri is the camaraderie and the community, she said.
“Just a lot of fun and stress free and enjoying the party,” Terri Kiedrowski said. “They all get along together. It’s like one big family. We’re all
about family, traditions and ethnic food.”
On the dinner menu were Lorain favorites of cabbage and noodles, sausage and sauerkraut, potato and cheese pierogies, green beans and bacon, Polish sweetbread, “and all the paczki you can eat,” Tim Kiedrowski said.
“We have 500 of our closest friends here tonight,” Kiedrowski said. “We sold out here a week ago. They came from Conneaut, Toledo, Columbus, Dayton, everywhere. It’s great.
“I’m 61 years old,” Kiedrowski said. “I’m a firm believer in Lorain, grew up here. In my paczki you taste a memory in every bite. A true paczki is from Kiedrowski’s.”