Sauerkraut at Center Ridge

by Don Bingham
There are so many unique dining experiences in the 501 area and here is one of the most delightful culinary treats available. Almost everyone enjoys a festival, a bazaar, a reunion or a community celebration. May I suggest you consider attending the amazing community event sponsored by the St. Joseph Parish in the community of Catholic Point in Center Ridge.
In the late 1800s, a group of Italian immigrants settled in the northern area of Conway County, purchasing land from the railroad companies. The early setters liked the valleys and the hills, as this land reminded them of the “old country where the barrel would not roll.”
In 1881, a strong faith, a desire for a better life, a kindred spirit and hard work were the foundation upon which the Italian Catholic community was established. The name of St. Januarius (Patron Saint of Naples, Italy) was given to the first constructed church. When the present church was built in 1925, parishioners named the church St. Joseph’s and it remains so today. The community had a small school, taught by Benedictine Sisters, which closed in 1967.
The community loves the get-togethers around families, friends and all cooks. Hence the reason for the Spaghetti Picnic at Center Ridge.
So popular, the line to get into the serving area stretches down the hill, across the street and continues on and on with eager folks and hungry appetites. This year, the Catholic Point community fed 2,400 guests in a short period of time!
While you wait, there is an option to participate in a version of the “cake walk.” You simply stand in front of a ledge with painted numbers and place your 50-cent donation on the number in the box in front of you. A roulette wheel is turned and if the dial falls on your number, you get to select a prize from shelf after shelf of homemade cakes.
There is “go fishing” and bingo, as well. Or, you could shop in the take-out area from home-baked goods. I bought a large jar of sauerkraut before being seated in the dining room. If it tastes anything like what I ate in the actual feast, it will be amazingly delicious!
Upon purchasing our tickets and waiting in line, we were taken to a table and seated with 250 other guests. Placed in front of us was bowl after bowl of spaghetti, sausages, sauerkraut, coleslaw, corn, bread and dessert. It was an amazing array of home-style served foods. We never felt rushed, and the ambience of community farm life and down-home tradition was electric.
And as if we needed one more cookbook added to our culinary library, I bought the first addition of CIAO! – the Catholic Point Cooks Cookbook.
It was nice to support the ladies’ organization, St. Joseph’s Altar Society and St. Joseph youth as they, in turn, help those in need and take care of the church within their parish. The results of the tornados of May 2 and June 9 were obvious as you approached the community; the funds procured from this event will help restore from the damage.
I plan on making the next one, which will be the Spring Dinner the third Saturday of March, and the Spaghetti Picnic on the third Saturday of June. I hear the 80th anniversary celebration is coming up and this will be one amazing festival. Until then I plan on trying the Italian Gnocchi, the Italian Meat Balls, the Italian Sausage Squash Special, and Pasta Con Fagoli, and top it all off with Sauerkraut!