Colwell Fire Steak Fry offers good eats for worthy cause

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Zach Isakson claims the secret recipe garlic bread is the second best in the state — no word on who is first.

That’s just part of the flavorful feast that more than 600 people were able to take part in at the 28th Annual Colwell Fire Department Steak Fry, held Saturday at the United Church of Christ, just off the main drag in Colwell.

A half block down from the church, members of the Colwell Volunteer Fire Department were grilling steaks over an open fire at the city hall building. About 200 carryout orders were being picked up at the community center.

The tiny town of Colwell was a burgeoning metropolis on this rain-soaked Saturday.

Folks from all over the area made it a point to attend the steak supper, which has become a long-standing tradition in Floyd County. A $20 ticket included a 14-ounce ribeye, baked potato and all you can eat homemade sides from the salad bar that contributors from the area brought in.

“All of our stuff comes from Fareway,” said Bill Biwer, a member of Colwell’s Fire Department since 1980 and the second oldest member on the squad.

The unlimited garlic bread that Isakson was helping prepare in the church’s kitchen was one of many food items that were being served by one of 17 members of the Colwell fire squad. That’s in addition to numerous other individuals who help out.

“I’ve been here forever,” said Denny Shollenbarger. “It’s kind of a social event.”

Biwer said 643 tickets were sold for the fundraiser and almost 700 steaks were being grilled. The fry started an hour early this year because of the freezing rain and snow that were forecast later Saturday into Sunday.

“We started early to help people get in and out before things start happening,” said Biwer. “We’re thankful as heck that we have the people that show up to help support us.”

Biwer said the last time the annual steak fry was postponed was because of a major ice storm in 2007.

“Pretty much most of Floyd County was without electricity. We couldn’t hold it,” Biwer said.

“This is a family deal. You come here to get fed really good,” said Biwer. “Everybody is happy.”

All proceeds from the fundraiser go to the Colwell Volunteer Fire Department, which helps aid fire calls in the county alongside the Charles City and Floyd fire units.

“It’s been a good deal for us,” said Rod Katcher, who has three generations of firefighters in his family who have helped out on the Colwell Fire Department.