Wednesday, December 11, 2013

A Cookie Walk to Remember

This is not your average cookie walk.

When you're meeting women who bake 11 different cookies of three dozen each like Phyllis Burvis, you know this church group means to make, pardon the pun, serious dough. But it's not just the cookies and candy that draw hundreds to Kasson's United Methodist Church, it's also the wild rice soup, salads, live lefse-making demonstration, crafts, A Visit from Santa for the youngsters and Grandma's attic.


And don't forget the scads of smiling, helpful faces who complete the day, which emphasizes the hard work days before definitely is worth the fulfilled hearts on the day. The little bibbed aprons a few volunteers wore added to the festive atmosphere.


On this close to zero degree Saturday on December 7, the line was long but moved steadily as people were handed their box and plastic glove and given the task in picking from thousands of cookies to take  home for the holidays. It's hard to decide which treat to put in your box and then have to watch others doing the same, thinking "what do they know that I don't about that goodie." 


A great hail goes out to Sandy Gochnauer, head of the church women who have sponsored this Cookie Walk for  35 years. And the numbers of food sold for the church on the glen are daunting:


*70 dozen lefse sold

* 650 rosettes made/sold
*10 batches (almost three gallons a batch) of wild rice soup sold
*literally thousands of cookies sold, with few left over by day's end

"I swear that people come all around to buy their cookies here so they don't have to do their holiday baking," chuckled Sandy. She's probably right. The only thing is the cookies aren't going to last and Christmas get-together being so early in the month! "We raised about $6,700 this year, down a bit from last year, but we didn't have much left in the end." The group utilizes practically the whole main floor space of the church for the event.

Kitchen helpers: Robin Germundson, Jim Gillis, Sandy Gochnauer, 
Linda Zomok, Mary Lohse, Gen Sorenson, Judy Ruport,
Lana Bergus,
Thomda Larsen,Renee Jensen, Steve DuBois,
Alexander Malisheske

There is no hurrying through the lines though. Even though you might come early for best pickings of the cookies, you can sit and have a cup of coffee and much on your 'take' or try a tasty salad or soup while you are talking to friends or relaxing. Or, remember Santa is around the corner waiting to talk to the tykes and offer them a small token or candy cane for their visit.


Despite the fickle Minnesota winters, an event has never been cancelled. On this cold day the wild rice soup tasted especially tantalizing as the crunching snow and fogged breath reminding all that even though the calendar says its still fall, winter has been here for a couple weeks!


Lorraine Spading is one of those dedicated volunteers for the Methodist church in Kasson, but tells of the story of learning how to make the lefse she demonstrates for all who attend, by working the local Lutheran Church (where else?). "I watched them roll lefse for years and learned practically by osmosis," she joked. In her 50 years at her church, she used that experience to perfect her own lefse recipe and is proud to show off to others how the process is done. Her key is using instant potato flakes and mixing the dough in flour just before rolling and frying. It looks simple to passerbys, but still mesmerizes those who love the Norwegian bread - Lutheran, Methodist or whatever your denomination!

Phyllis Burvis and Jennifer
Flynn were one of many who baked and workedthe walk.

Because of her lefse 'degree' Lorraine has been in charge of the station for many, many years, as well as a faithful volunteer in other functions of the church. There are about 175 people on the Kasson UM rolls, but most are active volunteers in many ways.

Warren Seavey, Fritz Spading and Rodney Beckman
 helped out at the cookie walk.

Their other big fundraiser is the Shrove Pancake Supper held before lent. They also proudly host ice cream sundae socials for the community as other free events, including Square Dance demonstrations.


This year, however, Sandy wears a little angel pin in memory of one of their most dedicated volunteers, Maggie Lien, who passed away in February. She was in charge of the cookie walk many times in her service. As the notes laying on the Christmasy tables say, "the cookies bring back fond memories of Grandma in the kitchen and the excitement that fills the air when the family is coming home for Christmas."


It would be easy to say that many angels were hard at work preparing for the cookie walk, as all those who give time to their church. It's in this giving we look back at the year of church socials and thank those who provide such great get-togethers to travel and taste.


"We certainly couldn't do it without our great volunteers and we appreciate all the support of those who attend," said Sandy. "It's a lot of work, but worth it."  Money raised goes toward missions, the youth group,silent helper fund, Daily Bread publications and the general budget.


Thanks to all who I visited this year: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will talk to you again in 2014!


Lorraine Spading's Wild Rice Soup (who else?!)


1 cup cooked wild rice

1/2 cup butter
2 cups diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
Lorraine Spading can be considered 
'Lefse Queen of Kasson' for her
countless years making the holiday
favorite.
6 cups cold water or broth from chicken
1/2 cup shredded crrot
5 1/2 tsp chicken base
2 1/4 cup of Half and Half
1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 kitchen bouquet
1 8 ox pkg mushrooms
12 oz. diced cooked chicken
1 1/2 tsp Nature's seasoning

In large soup kettle melt butter and saute celery, carrot, onions, spices, seasonings til tender.


When vegetables almost done, add mushrooms and saute five minutes more.


Slowly add flour, then the water and continue to stir until thickened.


Add chicken and rice. Heat to 180 degrees,  add Half & Half and heat again to 180 degrees.



Upcoming Walks:

Saturday, Dec. 14 - First Congregational Church, Dodge Center, 9-11:30, Cookie Walk
                             - Immaculate Conception Church, rural Kellogg, 9-11, Cookie Walk


















Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Harvest blessings

The best 'pride' I've seen in a town in a long time.


As the crimson, auburn and golden leaves finish their final journey to cooler ground and farmers hasten their field activity, there are many who believe partaking in good food is part of the harvest season. As my trusty Toyota Sienna sailed down the Shooting Start Scenic Byway, known more popularly as Hwy. 56 in southern Minnesota, it was business as usual in the fields, and topic of many discussions in the church basement.
Probably akin to years gone by when it wasn't uncommon for farmers to share elbow grease and meals for the better good of the neighborhood harvest. On a cool November Sunday, St. Patrick's Catholic Church in LeRoy made sure locals took a break by filling the town with aroma of ham and turkey, and then promptly and efficiently fed over 300.

Joyce Arndorfer (left), patron saint of humility
and pleasantness performs on of her duties on the day.
What strikes me the more church meals I attend, the greetings and appreciation expressed by church volunteers has no bounds - or runs out of ideas on how to express those feelings. "Make sure you make a new friend while you are here," was shared with me as I entered a room of total strangers and surroundings. And if you heed their advice, not only is the food extraordinary, so are each of those people sitting by you sharing bread.


For over 30 years, the church has cooked up a great meal its become a staple in this little hamlet near the Iowa border. And yes, there are many Iowans who make the yearly trek to fill their bellies with warmth and food of thanksgiving.

In the past, their Mulligan's Stew fundraiser topped the charts in money profited, in fact for over 50 years. But dwindling numbers (of good Irish followers maybe?) it was cancelled this year. It didn't harden the hearts of the hard-working volunteers, which number over 40 to pull off this splendid event. With 145 families as members, it doesn't take much to mention where help is needed and the request filled.

At 6 a.m. that Sunday, volunteers were ready to get the turkey to cut up, picked up from Main Street Market in town, warmed and ready to serve. The ham is precooked and warmed and waiting as well. It was hard to decide whether to pour the gravy over the turkey or ham, so I just told them to hit everything but the corn.


Lined them up in the kitchen: Loren Rickerl, Isabella
Morse, Penny Rickerl, Deb Olson, Rose McCarthy,
Ann Drees, Judy Jasper, Tony Arndorfer, A.J. Berke.
Thanks Isabella for posing, and for you years of
dedication!
Although most of us wonder where in the heck 2013 went and how can it be November already, it was tempting food that prepares us for the winter rest in God's country. With the Thanksgiving holiday only three weeks away, the wonderful turkey, stuffing and potatoes slid down marvelously down my throat, only to be met up with the moist ham and corn that went ahead of it. 

The pie selection is only part of the homemade touch on the food. The 15 turkeys cleaned, roasted and cutup cover a two-day period of preparation for the meal. Although store bought, the potatoes and stuffing still had to be prepared, and they were down so flawlessly. "We used to peel all the potatoes, but that got to be too much," said Joyce Arndorfer, a jack-of-all trades at the entry of the basement. It is Shirley Miller and Kathy Mason who co-chair the event for the CCW. "Whoever is hosting the month of activities becomes chair of the event," Joyce added, so apparently everyone gets to share in the leadership!

Not used to waiting to eat at such events, visitors were grouped together to give the kitchen a chance to keep up - and hungry patrons a chance to get their food and be seated. My being there two minutes past the 11 a.m. start had me waiting 15 minutes, but once down in the basement, smiles and guides showed me the ropes - and the table, lined not only with warming roasts, but people stationed at every one! It was impressive as it sped up the line, and actually gave me more food than I usually take, but it somehow all disappeared.

Sitting next to me were friendly farmers and their wives as well as retired attendees. To my immediate right was the most friendly, polite man I've met at these events (which is hard because any man who volunteers has a heart of gold). Darrell Yost lives right across from the church but was one of the first waves to be seated. Further talk finds he is the retired superintendent of schools for LeRoy-Ostrander, amongst other schools in southern Minnesota.

A gentle man with a great sense of humor we struck up conversation about football - his nephew played at Gustavus Adolphus the day before. And his three sons were all athletes locally, so that fed into my interest in sports. Before we knew it, our plates and glassware were cleared and it was evident we needed to make way for more hungry people!

The other two gentleman across from me left way before Darrell and I, but shared in harvest update. "Seems like the field I planted before the rain in May came in at 45 bushels (soybeans), but the ones after came in at 55." Sounds like good news, unless you spy the many fields that couldn't be planted because of the wet spring.

Alongside as you make your way to the buffet, are several gift items to raffle off. For me, it's just another donation, as I never win. But there were some unique items that had tickets sprinkled into the bucket throughout the meal. "We started that four years ago, and it seems to add interest to the meal," added Joyce. All items are donated or made by parishioners.

If there is extra food, it can be bought afterwards for a freewill donation. I generally don't stick around to the end, opting to get their early with the thought process I don't want to not get the food I am supposed to sample.

The last delight on the day was my brief but exciting discussion with local newspaper columnist Eileen Evans. As stated many times over the last 1 1/2 years, it is amazing at who you meet up with from your past or genetic pool. Eileen's son, Dan, bought my newspaper, the "Blooming Prairie Times" in 2005, and still owned the local newspaper where his mom still works. When she found out what I was doing there her excitement couldn't be throttled. Now it seems, with good sense, that Eileen could tell me about the best meals from miles around. That fact did not escape me as I now know where Eileen lives and will call upon her when it's time to find a new church culinary delight. And it seems she is an author, writing "Cy Thompson: The Generous Embezzler", the story of a local man who stole money from a business years ago.


My work done, and my stomach satisfied as well as my need for interaction with great people, I head out, meeting more coming in. It is clear if you haven't attended a church fundraiser meal with the intention of enjoying all it is about, you've missed the point.

In that case, you need to keep updated about my wanderings and learning about those who serve their God, church and community.





Upcoming Yummy Events:

Little Cedar Lutheran Church, Adams - Lutefisk and Meatballs, Nov. 6, 11-7:30

Grace Lutheran Church, Waseca, Harvest Mission Lunch, Nov. 7, 11-2

Annual Hunters Ham Dinner, McGregor, Grace Lutheran Church, 4-7

Hunters Lunch and Bake Sale, Moscow Lutheran Church at Town Hall, Nov. 9  - 11-2

St. Peter's Fall Dinner, Rose Creek, Nov. 10, 4:30-7:30

Emmons Lutheran Church Lutefisk Supper, Nov. 12 4:30-7



Monday, October 7, 2013

A good idea worth sharing


When you are going to steal an idea, steal a good one.

Diane Braun serves up more hot spuds.
When Wayne and Diane Braun attended an Elysian church fundraiser years ago, they discussed the novel idea of a baked potato dinner. Not many of them around, and a somewhat easy undertaking. That was seven years ago, and today, the LeCenter United Methodist Church is serving up spuds with all the fixings in their sixth year, raising money for their church and community and doing the Lord’s work all at the same time.

There are many stalwart volunteers at their church, but its Diane and LeAnn Jones who head of the fund-raising committee, something the previous pastor assigned to them. Noticing their dedication and determination, he knew how important to have strong leaders.

“We have a great team of people at this church,” said Diane. “We all enjoy doing it and seeing the results of our work.” Their results are no secret, as many people in LeCenter have benefitted from their generosity. Maybe a person coming to town doesn’t have much food, not enough money for gas or just down on their luck temporarily. Time in and time out it’s the local United Methodist church passing along a grocery or gas card. “It’s our belief to help out others,” added LeAnn, who recalled helping a family with children get beds and other needs.

And it all begins with a hot potato.

Whether it’s chili or turkey and gravy to start out the piling on procedure, a person can add broccoli, ham, green or black olives, mushrooms, cheese or sour cream - all of them. Scooping for a side dish is encouraged, but when you mash it all up, it warms the tummy something yummy!

Add coleslaw and an assortment of bars or cookies (including gluten-free) and no one goes away dissatisfied. And before or after the meal, three tables of silent auction items await for anyone looking for a good deal and another way to help the community with their donation. Don Hoffman mans the tables and is the answer man there, while Mary Frank minded the till at the front door. So many more volunteers filled take-out orders at a separate station upstairs and jumped into their battle station when it looked like another order needed filling.

Volunteers:, back row: Jenn Jones, LeAnn Jones,
Lynnette Hoffman;front: Sandy Parks, Diane Braun,
Gerry Zimmerman
Meanwhile, Wayne is scooping up the potato and slicing it up for hungry goers, while kitchen helpers attend to food-related duties. In all, the energetic bunch served up 20 takeouts and over 80 taters downstairs - a good turnout indeed, in fact, more than the last two years!

All food is donated and signup sheets passed around weeks before the event. This year the calls to businesses for silent auction items came later than usual but the merchants from LeCenter, St. Peter, New Prague, LeSueur and Montgomery generously came through. It’s the likes of businesses like Evie’s Soups and More and Walt’s Hook, Line and Sinker or the donation of bags of yellow cherry tomatoes that keep the fund-raiser going.

Wayne Braun prepares
potatoes for eating
None of the food goes to waste. The first Monday of each month there is a community dinner at the church, so the women will cut up and fry up the potatoes and put out the fixin’s. Sunday services have coffee and treats so the sweets have a place to go.

The church service averages 30 parishioners each Sunday, but their generous ways touch the community. They are proudly known for their charity, “I think the impact of people in need in the community has been substantial and we try to help all we can,” added LeAnn. Pastor Amy Jo Bur, new in the last year, is proud of the impact her lambs have. “It’s amazing how they serve the church and town.”

Amy Jo hails from Michigan and moved from Georgia last year with her husband. Her diverse background and intellect, including a study under Desmond Tutu (South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop), helps lead the church for the future. No one outhustles the UM women’s group in town!  Oh, there is a garage sale in the spring and the men’s chicken and biscuit dinner early in the year as well, pretty much manned by the same volunteers. But it’s not often a church group has 94 year olds wanting to return to help. “Ruth Frederickson didn’t want to retire at 88 but we kind of told her she’s put in her time, it’s OK to just come and enjoy,” said Diane. “Another lady was 94 last year and we told her she didn’t have to work. But that’s our mission, to serve and that’s what they want to do.”

This year’s money is earmarked for local help, but it may be time to divert funds to an air conditioner in the office and narthex, along with roof help in the future. Whatever it might be, this congregation is ready for the challenge.

“I’m so thankful for my workers,” said LeAnn. “Everyone has a talent and wants to do what they can to help. We are all good friends and we do the fund-raisers together. I’m 75 years old now, and not moving as fast as I used to, but Diane and I were nominated to lead, so that’s what we try to do.”

No Diane, many people try, you and LeAnn succeed!

Yummy Calendar:

Saturday, Oct. 12 - Pine River First Lutheran Church Lutefisk Dinner, 3:30-7:30

Tuesday, Oct. 15 - Blooming Prairie First Lutheran Church Lutefisk Dinner, 4:30-7:30

Friday, Oct. 25, Buffalo's Zion Lutheran Church, Lutefisk Dinner, 4:30-7

Sunday, Oct. 27 - Chili Luncheon at Grace Lutheran Church, Mankato, 10:30-12:30









Thursday, September 19, 2013

Where the buffalo roam . . .

Attending a buffalo roast brought back memories of singing the song, "Home on the Range" as a child, you know, where the buffalo roam and the good 'ol days?


There was only thoughts of lip-smacking buffalo and ham, along with other great fixin's at Medo Lutheran Church, a respite in the countryside south of Pemberton this past Sunday. Close to 200 people have attending this event in each of its 24 years, traveling through the flat, fertile lands of southwestern Minnesota to this tiny oasis. On this September 15th, my husband and I weren't the only ones standing in line awaiting the gates to open to taste a delicacy not often had for meals anymore.

"We were sitting have one of picnics in the park way back, and wondered what could we do different," said Ruby Isebrand, co-chair since the event started - except for the couple years when two other church women thought it good to rotate leaders (that lasted only a couple years). "John Weir and Rev. Gregg Welander said, how about a buffalo roast? Someone had mentioned they heard of it and we thought, no one else does it. So we looked into and here we are."

It's the first and only such dinner this writer has heard of in Minnesota, much less a small church group. Their first buffalo meat was bought from a Pierre, South Dakota business, in the same area as "Dances With Wolves" was filmed in 1990. Today, they secure their meat from Big Woods Bison in Nerstrand, and have it processed through Nerstrand Meats - which is one of the best places in Minnesota to buy all sorts of meat and treats.

While the buffalo comes from the northeast, the ham comes from a grocer to the northwest in Mankato. So a Medo meal visitor gets the choice of buffalo or ham, or in my case, I took both. Along with coleslaw, baked beans, fresh bread or buns for a sandwich (and condiments, but none are needed as it melted in your mouth), mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh tomatoes, huge sliced pickles and a selection of desserts that never ended, seconds were allowed but how you'd be hungry after that plateful is hard to figure out! Add coffee, lemonade filled by two cute munchkins and where could you feel more spoiled at a meal?

Ten-year-old Kiera Knutson and nine-year-old Electra
Knutson worked with a smile during the dinner.
"Melva Schull chaired the first event and we got about 275 people then, but get over 200 now," added Ruby, who glistened about the forehead as she bounded from the kitchen to the hall, making sure the volunteers were doing their jobs plus the hungry throngs were receiving all they needed for a great meal experience. Over 30 church volunteers worked tirelessly and smoothly through the two-hour meal. Pastor Laurie Stoeger was one of the greeters this year, but last year entertained the troops by playing the banjo. "While it was a great idea, we thought that people couldn't listen a whole lot because they were busy eating and visiting," Ruby chuckled. Doesn't matter anyway, as Pastor Laurie said her banjo was in repair right now!

They purchase and then roast about 120 pounds of buffalo, which they also sell to those who want to take some home for tomorrow. Perry Mortensen's family roasts the buffalo. When they first started the meal, it cost $3.85 a pound for buffalo meat, now its up to $9 a pound. About 80 pounds of ham, and more pounds than you'd want to carry of potatoes are processed as well. Chuck and Gert Schubbe mastered potato duty years ago and still smile while they work.

Kitchen Duty
Back row: Chuck Schubbe, Ron Schull, Darryll Schubbe; front row: Melva
Schull, Sonja Swanson, Erikah Kirksey, Vi Gonsolus, Gert Schubbe,
Vera Gonsolus and Ruby Isebrand.
Ruby's been a loyal Medo Lutheran since 1974, when her husband and she bought a farm near Pemberton. Now a hobby farm, they both stay busy enough, but remain just as active in church activities. "We used to have a lutefisk dinner for many years, but it became too much work to make all the food back then." It seems like they found their niche here!

Elnore Lindeland waited by the entrance table for her family before she wrote the check for all to eat. Just about to turn 90 years old the next day, she recalled vividly many dinners she worked - she chaired the lutefisk dinner many years. She had been raised near Owatonna, and a member at Medo since 1946. Her husband's family was one of the charter members of Medo, way back in 1868. As we talked more, we learned of similar people and places we both frequented, as is with every meal I attend. The world is indeed small if you take the time to meet the person next to you!

Elnore went on. "There's only one person older in the congregation, and he's four months older but not in good health." The Lindeland's celebrated their farm's 100 years at the church's 125th anniversary a while back. She is indeed a local treasure.

Medo volunteers pitch in
As the church quickly filled, it was a rare sight to see so many young men taking the time to get a meal. And with the youth filling roles as table clearers, coffee pourers, lemonade chasers, it was clear the buffalo roast was - and has been - a hit, drawing in those not usually seen at most church meals. There were about 17 take-out meals, "more when the guys are in the field" added Ruby.

"It's a long day preparing, serving and cleaning it all up, but it's worth it," she said. It must be, because when you have a congregation of 300, with about 50 weekly steady members, pulling it altogether is a work of art. But the September meal was a very special one indeed.

Recipe from the women of 
Medo Lutheran Church:

 
Apple Bars
 
2 and 1/4 cup flour
1 cup butter
1 1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg yolk + milk to make 1/2 cup
 
1 and 1/2 cup slightly crushed corn flakes
4 cups sliced apples
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
 
2 egg whites, stiffly beaten
 
Cut butter into flour, sugar and salt.  Add liquid (milk & egg yolk).
Roll out 1/2 the dough to fit in a jellyroll pan.  It works best if you roll the
dough out between two well floured sheets of wax paper.  You may need to
work a little flour into the dough when rolling it out.
 
Spread crushed corn flakes over dough.  Mix apple slices, sugar & cinnamon
together and place on dough.  Roll out top crust and place on top.  Spread
the beaten egg whites on top.  Bake at 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.  Drizzle a
thin powdered sugar icing on top while still slightly warm.  These freeze well.

Upcoming Meals:

 Sept, 20 - First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji, Roast Beef Dinner, 4:30-7

Sept. 28 - Pine River United Methodist, Pork Chop Dinner, 4:30-7

Oct. 8 - Vang Lutheran, Dennison, 34th Lutefisk Dinner, 4:30-7

Oct. 15 - First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, Lutefisk Dinner, 4 - 7 serving











Monday, August 19, 2013

Going with the flow

Church ladies just know how to "go with the flow".

Despite a little scare the day before, St. Paul Catholic Church in Zumbrota pulled off its 21st Salad Luncheon, filling the reception hall with over 200 hungry locals on such a beautiful day outside, only church food like this redeemed their souls to go inside.

And it was here, the battle for keeping such luncheons for charitable organizations in the state began - and was won. Fundraising enthusiasts remember three years ago when Cathy Thiel and Pat Irrthum of Wanamingo, loyal members of St. Paul Catholic Church, jumped into action when a state health department inspector told them they could no longer hold the traditional church meal.


St. Paul's Catholic Church in Zumbrota.
Back then both the women - and countless others around the state - felt strongly church dinners should continue. You never know when a new roof, a mission project or charity may need the funds raised by such meals. The dustup over the food came after Goodhue County dropped its enforcement of state health laws and an inspector got tough on them.

Never tick off a church lady: as loving, mild-mannered, dedicated and hardworking as they are, they stand together in defense of their faith - and food. Over 400 signatures spurred the change and the rest is history. Church, sportsmen, fraternal and patriotic groups all over the state continue their fundraising food sales because of a little church with big hearts in Goodhue County.

So when their was a small gas leak from the church's kitchen stove the day before the luncheon, there was no need to worry. Quick action and contacting the proper experts made short order of the mishap and the volunteers quickly returned to fixing their goodies. Deadline was Wednesday, August 14, and they were easily ready for the 11 a.m. start.

The signup in the corner of the basement hall shows just how many people it takes to pull off this church festivity. If you don't sign up to bring food, you can donate money, donate time or help out making the fixin's. Over three days, over 40 different women help out to make this event such a success. And it allows local and national groups, plus church activities, get a little financial help because of their commitment.

Chairman Linda Kazmierczak organized the CCW group and was herself one of the busiest volunteers in the place. Active in this luncheon for four years, she easily rose to the challenge, albeit one that many have done for decades!


Loyal kitchen workers: Louise Gerken, Kathy Thiel,
 Barb Boraas, back row: Monica Capra, Linda Kazmierczk
"Many of the volunteers will tell you they look forward to every August, when this is done," said Linda. "Like any other church worker, your biggest fear is that you run out of food," she added, although it might be a group's biggest compliment. Louise Gerken's biggest fear might be what happened a few years ago - the coffee maker went down. "People don't get their coffee they aren't very happy," she smirked.


Tomorrow's church ladies: Emma Tschann, Rachel
Tschann, Maddie Lawler, Ashli Christopherson,
Carrie Befort all pitched in at the luncheon.

In this case, the food was just enough because of great planning and the coffee as delicious as only church ladies can make. Father Randal Kasel slid in amongst his followers, never missing a second of great conversation with church members. He even handed me a special prayer token and a hearty handshake and welcome. In his second year, he shares his faithful leadership with St. Michael's Catholic Church in Pine Island. And they have such a great website and while perusing their weekly bulletin, found the cutest and best idea in helping youth expand their faith: for the second year they have the "Little Flowers Girls", a class that teaches girls 5-16 about saints, virtues and other skills in a safe an welcoming environment. The girls earn badges while learning the virtues of piety, faith, love of God, obedience - and have fun at the same time. The class ends with a Mary crowning and mother-daughter tea. Kuddos!


After you received your meal ticket, you waited until you were told to take that stub and find a seat - leaving it as reserved. Then you came back and picked what side you wanted to fill your plate from, picking from 12 salads, including a meat/cheese tray, deviled eggs and homemade bread.

And a really clever idea - although I'm a big fan of desserts of all kinds, sometimes you don't do them justice because you are too full, or maybe you don't take that one scrumptious salad choice because you gotta have that piece of German chocolate cake. Well, at St. Pauls, their dessert was a Russell Stover chocolate, which was just enough to top off the meal. What is better than coffee and chocolate at the end of such a meal? And an added bonus not mentioned it had been done at other meals in my previous undertakings: diabetic and no-gluten salads as well.


Timothy Befort filled a plate of
chocolates and was rewarded
with a drink of lemonade for
all his hard work.
Because of lack of room in many cases, not all churches can have two serving lines. But I'm a big fan of it, probably dating back to three starving kids and trying to feed them fast enough not to inconvienence everyone else with they screaming or running under the table. In my case nowadays, I can hardly wait to try out all the great food. As most people realize, it seems like everyone else's salad, even though it might be the same one you make, just tastes better because we don't have to make it!

With Monday and Tuesday preparation days, volunteers bring in the food necessary to make the salads and Tuesday is make-em-up day. Linda, however, said that next year the church will be able to bring salads from home again as the law might become more lenient in its interpretation.

St. Paul's Catholic Church was around half a century before they secured land on South Main Street for their edifice. The cornerstone was laid in 1900 and the church became the seventh one built in Goodhue County at the time.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle from workers, the greatest quote came from 10-year-old Timothy Befort, who proudly helped little old ladies to their seat, grabbed dirty plates, filled coffee pots, etc. during his shift. His hard work sprouted sweat dripping down his face and the question to Linda, "Could I have a drink of lemonade since I'm working so hard?'

A small price to pay for a loyal - and future - parishioner!

Yummy Popcorn Salad
2 cups salad dressing
1/2 cup sugar
1 TBSP vinegar
2 cups chopped celery
2 small jars (8 oz) water chestnuts, sliced
1/2 cup crumbled bacon
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Make 6-10 hours before serving. Add 6 ox. of popped white corn just before serving.

Spinach Salad for the Throngs
40 oz. spinach
4 bags romaine
12 red apples, diced
2 cans salted cashew halves
8 oz. shredded parmesan
8 oz. shredded swiss cheese
32 oz. craisins

Dressing:
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups vinegar
2 2/3 cups canola oil
3 bunches chopped green onions
1 TBSP salt
1 TBSP dry mustard
4 TBSP poppy seeds

Add dressing to mixture of ingredients, refrigerate an hour before serving.

Future food fun

Wed. August 28 - Garden Salad & Hotdish Luncheoon, St. John's Lutheran Church, Annandale, 11-1

Sat. Sept 1 - Aebelskiver Supper, Trinity Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, at BP Servicemen's Club, 4-7

Sat. Sept 28 - Pork Dinner, Pine River United Methodist, 4:30-7

Sat. Oct. 12 - Pine River Lutheran Church, First ever Lutefisk and Meatball Supper, 3:30 -7:30, downtown Pine River