The air in the social hall at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ was thick with the scent of chocolate, and Judy Whitman was up to her elbows in it.
One gloved hand dripped with the melted brown goo as she lifted another peanut butter egg from the puddle on the table before her.
When a stream of chocolate ran down her forearm, Whitman of St. Lawrence didn’t seem to notice.
“I get into my work,” she said, laughing.
Around her, the familiar whir of mixers and the murmur of conversation on Thursday signaled the start of another six-week candy-making season, a tradition now nearing the 75th year for the church in Exeter Township.
About 50 volunteers, some church members and others friends and family, showed up for the first session the day after Ash Wednesday.
Many have been helping for decades.
But not everyone took naturally to the art of candy egg making.
Coconut eggs are covered in chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Jill Frey of Exeter Township remembers volunteering years ago when her mother-in-law, Mae Frey, was still in charge.
“She tried to show me how to roll eggs, and she gave up on me and walked away,” Jill Frey said, laughing.
Frey’s egg shapes did not meet her mother-in-law’s high standards. But she was given a second chance about seven years ago when she was recruited by Linda Brensinger, who succeeded Mae Frey’s 54-year run as chairwoman in 2015.
Given the job of coating, Jill Frey was instructed to watch and learn from Whitman.
The Frey family’s roots in the project run deep. Jill’s husband, George Frey, and his sister, Jean Frey, grew up watching their mother, Mae, direct the candy-making crews.
Today, the siblings, both in their 70s, form part of the mixing crew.
They and other volunteers blend the coconut and peanut butter mixtures, Jean Frey explained. Then softball-sized globs of the mixtures are taken to the formers, who roll them into egg shapes.
Peanut butter Easter eggs cool before being coated in chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ in Exeter Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
The formed candy is allowed to cure before being coated with melted chocolate. After the coating sets, the candy is packaged for sale.
But before any of that can happen, there is the coconut.
In late January, her brother and the coconut crew drilled holes in the stony shells, Jean Frey said. They drained and retained the coconut milk before splitting the shells with hatchets.
The fresh coconut was peeled, washed, shredded and frozen until needed. Ground and shredded coconut are blended with the reserved liquid and powdered sugar to make the filling.
“That is what makes our coconut eggs so good,” Jean Frey said.
About 750 pounds of sugar, an equal amount of chocolate, nearly 300 coconuts and almost 200 pounds of peanut butter are used each year.
Pam Clark, right, and Joanne Bollendorf, both of Exeter Township, box chocolate-covered Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Each batch yields roughly 14 pounds of coconut eggs and up to 18 pounds of peanut butter eggs, with about 200 pounds of candy produced in a day, said Brensinger, 83, of Penn Township.
Crews of 40 to 50 volunteers typically work eight to 10 hours on Thursdays up until Holy Week, she said.
The candy sale is the church’s largest fundraiser, Brensinger said, and covers many of the congregation’s expenses.
The Rev. John Dawson, pastor of the church for 24 years, said he is grateful for the many volunteers who make the effort possible.
The pastor and his wife, Donna, said they enjoy helping to make the candy each year.
“It’s just great to see everybody here,” he said.
Many of the volunteers come out for the social aspect of the project, said Lori Bordner of Exeter Township.
A long-time volunteer, Bordner said there is a letdown when they finish.
“I am always sad when the last day comes,” she said.
Eileen Linn, left, of Dallas, Texas, visited with her mother, Ruth Lenart of Exeter Township, and stayed specifically to help with the chocolate-covered Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
While most volunteers live within a few miles of the church, Eileen Linn and her husband, Craig, came all the way from Dallas, Texas, to help Eileen’s 92-year-old mother, Ruth Lenart of Exeter Township.
Lenart has been part of the church since she was confirmed at age 13, her daughter said.
Years ago, she even penned a song about the candy project.
Sung to the tune of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm,” it expresses the lighthearted atmosphere of the work parties, Brensinger said.
“With a peanut butter here and a chocolate there; here a coconut, there a coconut; everywhere a tray, tray, tray,” she sang. “Schwarzwald UCC has fun. We all sing with joy.”
Some lyrics may be updated with new names from time to time, Brensinger said, but the spirit remains unchanged.
Candy orders will be taken until March 18. Orders must be received by Wednesdays at noon for Thursday pickup. To order, call the church office at 610-779-0850.
Gerry Hartman of Mt. Penn, left, and Jill Frey of Exeter Township make chocolate covered coconut Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Peanut butter Easter eggs cool before being coated in chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ in Exeter Township. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Brenda Essig of Oley, left, and Annette Brensinger of Bernville, coat peanut butter eggs with chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Pam Clark, right, and Joanne Bollendorf, both of Exeter Township, box chocolate-covered Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Eileen Linn, left, of Dallas, Texas, visited with her mother, Ruth Lenart of Exeter Township, and stayed specifically to help with the chocolate-covered Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Coconut eggs are covered in chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
Coconut and peanut butter Easter eggs are coated in chocolate at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)
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Gerry Hartman of Mt. Penn, left, and Jill Frey of Exeter Township make chocolate covered coconut Easter eggs at Schwarzwald United Church of Christ on Thursday, Feb. 19. 2026. (BILL UHRICH/READING EAGLE)