NANTICOKE, Pa. — It was a messy morning that called for a cleanup on the streets of Nanticoke. But the overnight snow wasn't going to stop people from coming to Sanitary Bakery on East Ridge Street, no matter the amount.
"There was eight inches of snow up there, and thankfully my son-in-law got some of it this morning," said Bernard Witkawski of Glen Lyon.
"Doesn't stop me, type of job I have. You know, I just got done shoveling and came here for a little snack going to go on my merry way now," said Michael Nice of Nanticoke.
"I came for the fastnacht and the paczki before they go and you have to fast after that," explained Theodore Wiaterowski of Nanticoke.
Some have a long-standing relationship with this traditional pastry.
"I like both the prune and the raspberries, so I took a little of each," said Wiaterowski.
Others are new to its coveted goodness.
"I grew up down in South Carolina and we never knew about paczki," said Victoria Kingeter, who began working at the bakery in October.
Something many had in common was that their purchases on Fat Tuesday were for sharing—some with coworkers and health care workers.
"Yeah, well, we'll see. If I don't eat them on the way there," said Nice.
"Got to get it up there to the Geisinger Heart Hospital," said Witkawski.
"I am taking a dozen of each to the bank who I deal with, then I will share with my cousins," said Wiaterowski. "Maybe I'll get a discount on my loan or something."
Customers say something this good shouldn't be kept a secret.