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