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