Yule Greeting Warmed The Soul At Least

After The Big Day

By LANE FILLER lfiller@leader.net
 Sunday, December 28, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 3A 





Every holiday has its food, from Valentine's Day candy to Thanksgiving
turkey, from Christmas fish or ham to Hanukkah latkes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For many on New Year's Eve, seafood is the must-have item. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Does it symbolize wealth, as in ``I hope we're rich enough to eat lobster
next year.'' Does it symbolize leisure, as in ``I hope we get to spend a lot
of time at the beach next year.'' Does it symbolize diet resolutions, as in
``This is the beginning of my high-protein/low-carb life.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The answer is not clear, but what is clear is the public's unparalleled
craving for seafood on Dec. 31. Local stores increase their stock, add
employees, and in many cases, create seafood sales areas outside their doors. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Gerrity's Supermarket in Hanover Township features a wide variety of fresh
fish for a few days before Christmas and broad array of seafood for a few days
before New Year's. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Saturday evening, the outdoor area was manned by Jason Swoboda, bundled
against the chill. He said the big sellers were the large bags of shrimp and
the lobster tails, available in three sizes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The shrimp are really a great deal, and the king crab legs, but the 50
count bags of littleneck clams are also a great price and people love those.''
Swoboda said. ``We'll get really busy Wednesday and Thursday; that's when
things will really start moving.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 At Wegmans, clams, oysters and mussels sit in their own ice bins just
beyond the normal fish and seafood area. Also on tap are a variety of crab
types, shrimp sizes from mini to massive, scallops, and behind the counter,
live lobsters. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``The lobsters are really big around this time; one guy just came in and
bought 12 of them,'' said attendant Merle Baker. ``Also, shrimp and the crab
are selling real well.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 His favorite? Sea scallops wrapped in bacon. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition to a wide selection, Wegmans will fry or steam your seafood for
you at no extra cost and attendants can help with preparation advice and
recipes. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As for the seafood shy, Wegmans meat man Chris Shutlock said the big
sellers are standing rib roasts and filet mignon for New Year's Eve
celebrants, and for New Year's day, pork ribs and loins. ``I think it's
supposed to be good luck,'' Shutlock said, ``and we're selling a lot of it.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 cutline: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES LEADER STAFF PHOTO/DON CAREY &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Merle Baker of Wegmans holds up a 5-pound lobster, one of many he and his
colleagues will sell in the next few days. New Year's Eve is a big night for
seafood, and local grocers are gearing up to meet demand. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Stores Reeling In The Seafood Lovers Treats From The Deep Abound As Local People Get Ready For Their New Year's Feasts.