There's no denying that a healthy diet is crucial to living a long, happy life. However, people have different ways of getting there. Some drink green smoothies and eat fresh fruit, while others have a protein shake along with rice and the blandest chicken the tongue can handle.
In Wisconsin — especially during Lent — the road to the fountain of youth is a little different. Now, the day after Easter, Wisconsinites are coping with the new reality that eating copious amounts of fried fish and potatoes each Friday is no longer an acceptable given until next February.
"Sure, I eat fish here and there all year, but it's not always the same," said Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin native Adam Perly. "Most of the time, it's grilled salmon with asparagus and a lemon wedge. It makes me feel disgusting — not nearly enough batter or oil. My internal organs need more lubrication than that."
Health and nutrition aside, Friday fish fries are a key ingredient to the glue that keeps communities together. For many, including Plain's Steve Ebert, the Lenten season heals his soul in more ways than one.
"I only go to church for the fish. Otherwise, I don't really know what's going on," said Ebert, who attends St. Luke's Lutheran Church. "People I'd usually think of as just fellow churchgoers are suddenly the people scooping my coleslaw, baking my potato, frying my cod — it's really a beautiful thing that God has blessed us with, even if he's just doing his job that well for six weeks out of the year. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to that."
Without the tradition, many families would also have few happy memories. There's the cliche milestones and other moments — kids learning how to ride a bike or tie their shoes, holidays, summer camping trips — but loved ones are most appreciated when at a bar.
"It's those firsts you always want to be there for. I couldn't imagine not being there for my kids' first steps," said Roxbury native and father of four Dale Ballweg. "If I hadn't taken my family out for fish every week of March, I would've missed my four-year-old's first old fashioned. You don't get those moments back."
Wisconsinites will need plenty of time to cope with the annual reality. At this juncture, best practice is to eat a brat about it. If that doesn't work, victims may want to consider visiting any of the mere thousands of restaurants in which fried fish dinners are served year-round.
Photo courtesy of thoth188 via CC-BY-NC-SA 2.0
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