Vasa's mouth-waterin' treats

A cookie tree greets guests to the walk.

Amidst the rolling hills of Goodhue County loftily sits Vasa Lutheran Church, atop a hill close to Welch Village. When it comes to Cookie Walks, the WELCA group puts on one tasty gathering.

For four days prior to the Saturday, December 8 event, several women of the congregation come in and stir, sift, knead, roll, bake and decorate hundreds of cookies. The idea started six years ago from the then pastor's wife, and it has become not only a popular event, but a wonderful social event for the members and community.

"Every year we've had this, it has snowed," chuckled Vivian Strusz, probably the engine behind the local cookie machine. "But they come anyway, and by 10:30 (it starts at 8 a.m.) most of the cookies are gone." That's a lot of cookies swiped up in 2 1/2 hours!

It's easy to see why as not only are there traditional favorites of sugar, date, peanut blossoms, nut cookies, there are Scandinavian treats, with many platters of Swedish treats -the church's ancestry. Although about 10 volunteers come in to back there are many more heating up their ovens to donate a favorite cookie for the fundraiser. Hundreds of cookies batches are made, : we don't count how many because of the different sizes," said Vivian. She's had a hand in making most of them as an assembly line of women show up to conjure up the delectable morsels. Vivian buys the groceries before and during the cookie making process to make sure the work can be completed on time.

"We pretty much use the same recipes every year, but we get together (WELCA) and go over recipes to see if we want some added each year." Six years ago cookies went for $5.25 a pound but now are up to $6.75 a pound, which is very reasonable since many cookies walks go for $7 a pound.

All hands on deck:

Front row: Eileen Anderson, Linda Thompson, Vivian 

Strusz, Norlene Josephson, Rose Peterson, 

Carolyn Lundstrom; back row: Duane Lindstrom, Evans 

Josephson, Duane Thompson.

Over 100 people come to the event, held in the community building of the church - just below the 156-year old congregation. From humble roots settlers worshiped in a pioneer's cabin to start with, upgraded to a log school house in 1856, enlarged to another structure six years later only to have the magnificent holy structure replace all of them in 1869. Now 475 members strong, it's religious followers started up an orphan's home in the late 1890s, it built a pavilion and chapel over the years for a variety of functions that still go on today. While Vasa is not as solid Swedish as it use to be, the heritage in honored with such traditions as Dpot i Grytan meal close to Christmas.

Kristi Tipton fills her box with goodies.

Carolyn Lindstrom described the yummy meal to a "Dip in the Kettle" or "Taste of Christmas", a tradtional meal which includes a variety of foods from Norway, Germany and Mexico as well. She was the one wearing the sweatshirt she bought in Branson, Missouri not too long ago that reads: ""Broken cookies have no calories". My feelings exactly!

The annual cookie walk not only feeds the throngs that drive from as far east as Red Wing of as far west as Cannon Falls to satisfy their sweet tooth, but they also have a cookie pack for shut-ins and the elderly later this month. That tradition has gone on for almost 40 years.

Theresa Josephson (left) manned the scale.

The fundraiser has allowed the local WELCA to purchase a new furnace, add outlets, update kitchen equipment, donate to missions and send parishioners to Bolivia for mission work. They also have put on a rummage sale for 17 years. "We get together and decide where the money will be sent once we see how much is made," said Vivian.

With most of the work done prior to the Saturday of the event, the women are making final touches to the event, which includes a spot to sit down and eat a few cookies with coffee and gab for a spell. The cookie line formed prior to the 8 a.m. start up and many grabbed more than one container to purchase. Aside from cookies, Scandinavian treats as lefse, krumkake, rosettes and specialty candies filled tables.

The Lutheran Community Center is where the congregation gathers for classes, meetings, etc. and the museum is open most days May through October. Built in 1987 it holds much historical information from a very proud heritage. Dr. Eric Norelius led the first services as well as founded the Vasa Children's Home. There were other notable men of state and national fame from Vasa: Col. Hans Mattson, a founder and Civil War veteran and two-time Minnesota Secretary of State and U.S. Consul to Indian who also wrote several books; Swan Turnblad, publisher and builder of the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis; John Lind, congressman and late governor of MInnesota; Dr. N.L.T. Nelson, a nationally known botanist; and John Anderson and T.G. Pearson, members of the legislator. These are the most famous, but many more came forth to serve in a variety of ways at state and national levels.

Picking up a monthly newsletter proves the religious involvement of parishioners. It appears to be a vibrant, loving community for worshippers.

Aside from its history, its baking is second to none. Their 150th anniversary cookbook literally sold thousands, with a few left over - they generously gave me one to peruse, use and share a Scandinavian treat with all.

Chkoladekager (Danish Chocolate Cookies)
2 sq. unsweetened
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1 c. packed light brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
Vanilla frosting
3 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 b. sweet milk or buttermilk
Melt chocolate with butter. Add brown sugar and beaten egg. Sift flour, salt and baking soda together and add alternately with milk to first mixture. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees) for about 12 minutes. When cool, spread with vanilla frosting. TO make, mix confectioner's sugar and enough cream to make of spreading consistency. Flavor with vanilla. Chocolate shot can be sprinkled on top. Yield: about 50

This mural is part of the work on the stage area
 by B.J. Norman of the Vasa Lutheran Church. Eventually the
talented artist will paint in the penciled area.

Peppar Kakor (Ginger cookies)
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 T. corn syrup
2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
3 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. ginger
3 tsp. cloves
Juice & grated rind of 1 orange
3 1/4 c. flour
Cream butter ad sugar. Add to syrup and egg. Add sifted dry ingredients: mix well. Chil. Turn onto lightly floured board and cut into shapes. Bake at 400 degrees until lightly brown.
FOLK TALE: Place cookie in palm of hand, make a wish and press to break. If it breaks into 3 pieces your wish will come true.

Thanks for a lovely time Vasa WELCA!

              Merry Christmas to all my followers!