For a lot of families, the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is chock-full of traditions. For Pat Paholsky’s family, up to ten women from multiple generations have gathered around her grandmother’s 100+ year-old oak table, which is covered with an old yellow oilcloth, to make more than 20 dozen sauerkraut, potato, and prune/apricot/raisin pierogis the Saturday after Thanksgiving in preparation for their Christmas Eve Wilia dinner. “There’s lots of girl talk. This is where my granddaughters learn the facts,” Paholsky said. She said the atmosphere is light-hearted and often full of colorful language. Pictured, left to right, are Pat Paholsky, daughter, Pam Phillips, and granddaughter, Addy Phillips, after making the latest batch of pierogis in Paholsky’s Ray Township kitchen. (Submitted photo)
