AUBURN - A season of fasting sometimes turns into feasting as people seek variety in local Lenten dinners.

Traditionally served on Fridays during Lent, fish is offered up in a variety of dishes.

Deep fried haddock dinners and shrimp dinners, both with french fries and homemade coleslaw, were served Friday night at the SK-Post American Legion 1324 in Auburn.

Post Commander William Guy said more than the 70 people were served at the Legion on Ash Wednesday. People come to the Legion from all over the area, he said.

“The money goes into our building fund,” he said. “We're working on putting up a big pavilion.”

The Legion hall seats about 100, which is all set up every Friday. Take-outs and in-town deliveries are made to residents at Mercy Rehabilitation Center.

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Auburn on Friday served broiled fish dinners with lemon pepper seasoning or fried fish for in its Fellowship Hall. The dinner included french fries or macaroni, coleslaw and a variety of baked goods such as cranberry bread, brownies and cookies made by the ladies guild. For $4, diners could also get macaroni and cheese dinners with a roll, a fish sandwich, or fish without a roll.

Martin Rindfleisch, vice president of the church congregation and the cook, said about 40 or 45 people had already tasted his dinners by 5:45 p.m.

“I just got through serving 15 broils,” he said, wiping his brow as he came from the kitchen. He expected to raise about $1,200 to donate to area charities. This is the sixth year the church has offered the dinners.

Ken Shaft, a neighbor of one of the parishioners and Marge Siracusa, both of Auburn, were at the fish dinner for the first time, eating the typical fried fish and french fries, with brownies for dessert.

The festive mood at the Ancient Order of Hibernians came from lots of people finishing their fish, shrimp, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, and salad. Dinner cost $7.50 with $4.50 for children.

Phil Colby, in a green apron, ran back and forth from the kitchen to the tables serving up the meals. “I've been doing this for four or five years now,” he said.

Pat Burns, president of the club, said he'd already sold about 200 dinners by 6 p.m. and only had about 20 left.

“We try to put out a good dinner for a cheap price,” Burns said. “We serve very large portions.”

Ellie and Bill McLane were there last year. Ellie had already downed her fried fish with a “diet” light beer while Bill had opted for the deep fried shrimp with potatoes.

“I'm here to eat tonight,” Ellie said, stirring her ice cream cup.

Despite the Irish atmosphere, plenty of people with non-Irish names were enjoying their meals. Bernie and Kathy Audet have been coming for 20 years.

“I'm Irish but he's French-Canadian,” Kathy said.

Jim Dranczak, who was finishing up his fish, coleslaw and fries, chased it down with a diet Pepsi.

LaBuff-Cole American Legion Post 911 in Cato had lots of variety in its menu. Dick Lee, a member for the past 55 years, said everything on the menu was homemade: fried haddock, fish sandwich dinners, deep fried clam strips, fried shrimp dinners, chicken tenders and Manhattan clam chowder.

“We decided this year to put the money we make into scholarships,” he said. In 2008 the Legion will offer two $2,000 scholarships to students in Port Byron, Weedsport, Hannibal and Red Creek.

Sons of the American Legion Post No. 1107 in Union Springs served up deep fried shrimp, shrimp scampi with rice, and deep fried chicken patties in addition to the usual fried fish and french fries.

“We normally serve 200 to 250 meals per night,” chef Gary Anthony said, “but 50 percent of those are takeouts.” While there is no delivery, they do take meals to the Senior Citizen Center across the street.

Anthony said everyone volunteers. It's a family affair. They buy all they can from the local Big M market, where they get good prices.

“You get a good meal, a good deal,” he said.

“The men do everything and the wives help,” he said. “The kids carry out trays to serve the people.”

“We make good money,” Anthony said. All the money goes to children's activities - baseball, bands, any children's activity. Scholarships are offered to Southern Cayuga and Union Springs.

“We don't turn down any children,” he said.

Friday dinners continue throughout the area for six weeks.

“That's enough,” he said. “People don't realize how much work goes into this.”

At the Elks Lodge No. 474, 314 State St., chef Jean Garropy served broiled fish with lemon butter sauce, deep fried shrimp in a basket with fries, cole slaw, and baked potato or fries with the dinners. About 60 dinners served on the first Friday of Lent should increase to about 100 by next Friday.

All profits from the dinners go back to the Elks for scholarships and meals for children, Garropy said.

Phyllis Allen, Auburn member of the lodge for the past 19 years, enjoyed broiled fish and baked potatoes. Her husband, Fritz, a 31-year member and former cook for the event, relished his fish fry. Their family group included their mother, Mrs. Garr, Phyllis' brother, Richard Garr, and Betty Traver, visiting from Ashville, NC.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net