PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZJay Gilbert (left), of Gilbert Funeral Home in Whitehall and an event sponsor, shares conversation and friendship with Mary Fran Kaminski and Terri Polenchar, all of Whitehall, during a spaghetti dinner, held Jan. 25 St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave. The dinner was held to kick off Catholic Schools Week. Typically held the last Saturday in January, the event benefited the St. Elizabeth Regional School.

Enjoying their spaghetti dinners by candlelight are sisters Olivia (left) and Sophia Kahr, of Northampton.

The Johns and Friendy families, of Whitehall, gather for the spaghetti dinner. Donna Friendy (left) oversaw the making of the meatballs for the dinner, which came from her family’s handed-down recipe.

Colton Billy, of Coplay, takes matters into his own hands to settle his appetite for spaghetti.

Kitchen crew volunteers stand ready to meet the appetites of parishioners and guests. This year’s proceeds will be used toward the replacement cost of smart boards in each classroom, according to Principal Kim Kocher.

Eighth-grade student Aimee Piccini serves a spaghetti dinner to Dennis and Mary Ellen Deutsch, of Catasauqua. In addition to spaghetti, the all-you-can-eat dinner included meatballs, salad, garlic bread, a beverage and dessert.

he 5:30 p.m. diners have the parish hall almost filled to capacity.

Third-grade student Jacob Moyer (left) and his brother, fourth-grade student Gabriel Moyer, complete their dinner with pieces of cake for dessert.

Pasta chefs Jack Pasalides (left) and his father-in-law, Mike Edelman, make the pasta for the 300-plus diners expected to be served during the evening. Edelman has been volunteering at the dinner for approximately the last 20 years and now has his son-in-law in training.