Despite inclement weather, the event drew a crowd of approximately a dozen dedicated community members, all eager to partake in this tradition.
Pierogy Day, a time-honored festivity for the residents of Shenandoah, featured a customary flag-raising ceremony outside the borough hall. The rain did not deter these resilient individuals from coming together to mark the occasion. Notably, the anticipated appearance of the iconic "Pierogy Man" was canceled due to the unfavorable weather conditions, as nobody likes a soggy pierogy.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Chris Dende, a representative from Mrs. T's Pierogies, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support of the Shenandoah community and delved into the rich history of the pierogy. He underscored the strong connection between Mrs. T's Pierogies and the concept of family, emphasizing that Shenandoah was the birthplace and upbringing locale of the company's founder. Dende highlighted the role of pierogies in bringing families together, emphasizing the significance of communal dining experiences.
Dende shared, "The root of the word pierogy means festive, so we need that. When we raise the flag, we think of the dream Ted Twardzik had when he created jobs for people and they didn't leave Shenandoah. They stayed here."
Following the ceremonious hoisting of the Pierogy Day flag, Tom Twardzik, the owner of Mrs. T's Pierogies, expressed his gratitude to the community that has supported the company for decades. Twardzik lauded the enduring love for pierogies in the region and emphasized the significance of celebrating their heritage with the pierogy enthusiasts present.
"15 years is beautiful. This region knows and loves pierogies. Today was a great day to celebrate our heritage with the people who love pierogies," Twardzik stated.
Pierogy Day, a time-honored festivity for the residents of Shenandoah, featured a customary flag-raising ceremony outside the borough hall. The rain did not deter these resilient individuals from coming together to mark the occasion. Notably, the anticipated appearance of the iconic "Pierogy Man" was canceled due to the unfavorable weather conditions, as nobody likes a soggy pierogy.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Chris Dende, a representative from Mrs. T's Pierogies, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support of the Shenandoah community and delved into the rich history of the pierogy. He underscored the strong connection between Mrs. T's Pierogies and the concept of family, emphasizing that Shenandoah was the birthplace and upbringing locale of the company's founder. Dende highlighted the role of pierogies in bringing families together, emphasizing the significance of communal dining experiences.
Dende shared, "The root of the word pierogy means festive, so we need that. When we raise the flag, we think of the dream Ted Twardzik had when he created jobs for people and they didn't leave Shenandoah. They stayed here."
Following the ceremonious hoisting of the Pierogy Day flag, Tom Twardzik, the owner of Mrs. T's Pierogies, expressed his gratitude to the community that has supported the company for decades. Twardzik lauded the enduring love for pierogies in the region and emphasized the significance of celebrating their heritage with the pierogy enthusiasts present.
"15 years is beautiful. This region knows and loves pierogies. Today was a great day to celebrate our heritage with the people who love pierogies," Twardzik stated.
He also extended heartfelt thanks to the loyal customers who have contributed to the company's success over the years. Twardzik reminisced about the humble beginnings of pierogy production in 1952, growing from dozens to millions annually, all originating from their Shenandoah plant and reaching customers across all 50 states and even parts of the world.
Officially, Pierogy Day will be observed on Sunday, October 8th, 2023.
Mrs. T's Pierogies continues to be a symbol of tradition and togetherness, rooted in the heart of Shenandoah, where it all began over 70 years ago.
Officially, Pierogy Day will be observed on Sunday, October 8th, 2023.
Mrs. T's Pierogies continues to be a symbol of tradition and togetherness, rooted in the heart of Shenandoah, where it all began over 70 years ago.
Story/Photos/Video by J. Reed / Skook News
