SHENANDOAH - Thanks to Gov. Tom Corbett, Pennsylvania will officially celebrate the third annual National Pierogy Day.
Corbett sent a letter to Ateeco Inc., maker of Mrs. T's Pierogies, to join with all state residents to celebrate the day Saturday. On that day 59 years ago, Ted Twardzik Sr., son of Mary Twardzik, the real "Mrs. T," made his first commercial sale of pierogies to Capitol Market, launching the Mrs. T's brand name and Ateeco Inc.
The announcement was made Wednesday at a flag-raising ceremony in the rear parking lot of the Mrs. T's plant, with employees gathering for the short program.
The ceremony at the plant was a prelude to Friday's public ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Shenandoah Borough Hall.
"We have the good fortune of still being a family-owned and operated company of close to 250 employees," said Ateeco Sales and Marketing Director Gary Lauerman.
Company President Thomas Twardzik spoke briefly to the employees, saying that while his parents could not attend the gathering, they are proud of everyone for continuing the Mrs. T's heritage.
"My dad loves to see gatherings of associates of Mrs. T's because he is so very, very proud of everything you continue to do," Twardzik said. Twardzik, his brother, Ted Twardzik Jr., Public Relations Director Wayne Holben and Lauerman raised the National Pierogy Day flag.
The company makes 11.4 million pierogies a week, a half-billion pierogies a year, making the company the largest frozen pierogie producer in the United States. The Mrs. T's product line includes 15 varieties.