The Lenten season begins next Wednesday, but local bakeries are already gearing up for "Fat Tuesday," a carnival celebration associated with Mardi Gras. A polish donut, called paczki, is a popular indulgence before Lent.  Alex Stodola from Stodola IGA in Luxemburg says the paczki tradition in the area has grown over the years.

Stodola adds that the calendar lines up perfectly this year for those with a sweet tooth, since Valentine's Day is this Sunday.  He says Valentine displays at the front of the store will switch over to Paczkis for Fat Tuesday right after the weekend.  Paczkis are made from especially rich dough that contains eggs, fats, sugar, yeast, and milk featuring fruit and cream fillings. Fat Tuesday always falls on the 47th day before Easter.