 In Northeastern Pennsylvania, like most other regions, the holidays represent tradition, celebration, and family. There is one thing held in common across all ethnic traditions– food. Following suit are four Lake Ariel families who take their holiday food and traditions very seriously.
W ith four different types of stuffing present at Thanksgiving dinner, the Safko and Krompasky families are able to please all pallets, and then some. Three generations have their hands in the proverbial Thanksgiving stuffing, each adding their own “touch” to the recipe.
“Grandma Krompasky would always stuff the turkey with egg noodles, sausage, and butter. They called that ‘Polish stuffing,’” said Katrina Heckman, of Pocono Mountain. “Grandma Safko’s stuffing is bread crumbs, ground sausage, and celery. It’s a little crispy. My Aunt Lois comes with another bread stuffing, with other vegetables in it. It was my Grandma Safko’s favorite, but Aunt Lois refuses to give the recipe out. I, on the other hand, started making Stove Top stuffing because the kids and I like it.”
Heckman further explained that family members traditionally leave enough room on their plate to have a sampling of each, but everyone has their favorite.
“It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without all the stuffings,” said Karen Safko, of Moosic Lakes.
Christmas Eve would also not be the same without the special white cake and singing. Karen’s mother, Grandma Krompasky, wanted her grandchildren to know the true meaning of Christmas. Once dinner is finished, the family gathers around a cake and sings “Happy Birthday” to baby Jesus.
“As the grandchildren kept coming, it’s just tradition, tradition, tradition. Grandma would make feather white cake from scratch, with whip cream icing and sprinkled coconut,” Safko explained.
While traditions tend to become routine, the Safko and Krompasky families know their family gatherings would not be the same without the usual jokes that still warrant laughter, the singing to baby Jesus, the variety of stuffing, and the true meaning behind the holiday.
The Krisanda and Marchegiani families have been perfecting the art of tradition for 40 years. Every Friday before Christmas since the late 1960s, with only a few years missed in between, the families combine tradition and holiday spirit into one evening that never fails to produce memories for years to come.
David Krisanda is the mastermind behind “The Feast”, and hosts the meal at his home in Moosic Lakes. In the early years, the attendance was less than 10 people; however, attendance has grown to 50 in most recent years.
As teenagers, both families and a few close friends would get together every Friday night and make spaghetti, play records, and enjoy being together. For Christmas, the family wanted to do something special.
“We bought an Acme turkey. We had spaghetti from our regular Friday nighters. The menu was Acme turkey, Chef Boyardee, and Kraft spaghetti,” Krisanda (aka Mr. Feast) said.
Krisanda uses only Acme products because it’s the grocery store they would visit as teenagers for Friday nighters.
“In 1995, the local Acme store closed down in this area, which was a major crisis. But to satisfy tradition we traveled to the nearest store, in Allentown. We went there for many years and then Allentown closed. So, we started going to Quakertown and then that shut down, as well. So, now I travel about 80 miles, to New Jersey,” Krisanda explained.
Krisanda calls Acme in advance to reserve three 50-pound turkeys. Other items on the list include: Acme spaghetti, Acme tomato paste, Acme cranberry sauce, Acme canned corn, and Acme candles. Other traditional menu items include Razzleberry dressing made by Elizabeth Marchegiani, Krisanda’s sister.
“Being together celebrating with family and friends, appreciating those you’re lucky enough to still be with, and remembering those who are no longer here is what the holidays are about,” said nephew Justin Marchegiani. “Add in the splendor of holiday decorations, the 16-foot Christmas tree, Christmas lights completely covering both the exterior and interior of Krisanda’s house, and an inflatable Burl Ives snowman that sings to you as you walk in the door. There’s a holiday magic to the whole night.”
The Feast has grown so much over the years that Krisanda made a second level tiered balcony for additional seating, including a dumbwaiter to bring food to the second level.
“The Feast really keeps the happiness of Christmas alive for me. While many things change when you get older, and much of the magic fades, the Feast presses on,” said nephew Joseph Marchegiani.
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