Out of the fire, back in the pan

Deirdre Newman

The historic herald of summer that was brought to its knees by one

woman’s ankle is making a comeback this year.

The Fish Fry will make its triumphant return May 31 and June 1 at

Lions Park, said Mike Scheafer, president of the Costa Mesa-Newport

Harbor Lions Club.

The 57-year old event floundered after Arlene Wolff claimed she

hurt her ankle at the 2000 Fish Fry, when she stepped off a curb at

Orange Coast College. The civil lawsuit was settled out of court last

May for $30,000.

Lions Club officials, who host the event, said the Fish Fry would

come back to life gradually.

“It’s been gone, and we need to get the momentum going again,”

Scheafer said. “With support from the city, we’re going to tie it

into the [city’s] 50th anniversary. We’re really excited about

getting it going.”

The event may be scaled back from its traditional three-day run

and offer fewer rides, but the main attraction will be the same --

pure Icelandic cod fried with its secret-recipe batter, Scheafer

said.

Lions Club officials did not want to plan a Fish Fry while the

lawsuit was pending, Scheafer said last June. The club is moving the

venue back to Lions Park to take advantage of the renovations the

city made on the community center, Scheafer said.

In its strongest years, the Fish Fry raised up to $100,000 per

year, benefiting local organizations such as the Boys and Girls

Clubs, Little League and schools.

Dean Moore, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of the

Harbor Area, said the organization is welcoming the Fish Fry back

because it is striving to raise funds.

“We’re in the same situation as other nonprofits who are

struggling to make ends meet and provide the services we have in the

past,” Moore said.

Councilman Gary Monahan said he was elated the Fish Fry was

returning.

“I’ve worked with the Lions Club and think it’s great,” Monahan

said. “It’s the best event that Costa Mesa has had over the years,

and I’m really looking forward to seeing it happen again.”

* DEIRDRE NEWMAN covers Costa Mesa and may be reached at (949)

574-4221 or by e-mail at [email protected].