It's the beans at the fish fry

A mural downtown shows the town's pride.

What would a Friday night fish fry be without baked beans? And you haven't had any better baked beans than Father Randal Kasel's baked beans at Church of St. Michael in Pine Island.

For secret's sake, let's just say his concoction of vegetarian beans, molasses, onions, bacon (yes, bacon during lent) had many tongues wagging on how good they were. In it's third year, the Men's Club of the Church have put on a very successful all-you-can-eat fish fry, making enough money for a fryer, commercial dishwasher and eyes on a resurfaced parking lot out back for the future.

Father Randal Kasel started up the
Men's Club and fish fry three years ago.

It's the first all-men meal I've gone to in the two years attending church dinners, and the food, service and smiles are no different. OK, they had a couple wives make some desserts, otherwise the rest of the work they performed themselves. It takes about 50 men in two shifts the night of the fry, which is served every Friday night during lent except Good Friday. Over 250 people have filled the church community room each night, with it's big open windows lighting up the cold spring sky while the warm, aromatic food inside keeps all happy and full.

"There wasn't a men's club when I got here and I knew we had enough faithful, hardworking gentlemen to form one, so we did," explained Father Kasel, who not only visited extensively with guests, but helped serve and clean up - not a familiar sight in many church dinners. Apparently all they needed was a leader and with the priest's guidance, they put together a top-ranked church fish fry.

Kevin Kann, Willie Rauen and Dave Boser served up
the delicious food.

Along with the fantastic baked beans were fried cod, seasoned red potatoes, coleslaw, bread, dessert and choice of drink. And the potatoes were an added surprise with their tastiness. It would seem that at least in this church, the men were holding out on their cooking skills until church!

It takes about 750 pieces of fish for each Friday serving, along with 100 pounds of potatoes cut and cooked in olive oil and seasoning. The coleslaw is also made from scratch, starting that very day with food preparation. Not much food is left over, especially since they added a second food station for those just wanting seconds. It makes the first line go faster and keeps the second trip away from the original traffic.

Deacon Newell McGee, John Archer, Brian Murray,
Vince Fangman and Tom Heise were part of the
kitchen help on the night.

Gary Rehling has been a longtime St. Michael parishioner, who has enjoyed the addition of the men's club. He worked where he was needed on the night. THe Men's Club meets once a month unless a special project comes up, and have gotten to know only their minister better, but people they have known but maybe not socialized with much in the past. 

Vince Fangman is one of the leaders of the fish fry, and also praises Father Kasel's leadership. "We definitely are much more organized as a group and get more out of our meetings. I have really enjoyed it and learned a lot."

Church of St. Michael and Church of St. Paul in Zumbrota are a shared partnership with Father Kasel. I first met Father at St. Paul's salad luncheon last summer and was impressed by his positive, loving attitude. It's not often a minister makes sure he talks to as many people in attendance at church dinners, making them feel at home. It's easy to believe his parishioners have learned much from his faithful and friendly disposition.

Located in the south central part of Pine Island, the church is close to its original building - which was also built in the center in 1878. But it almost was build near the present cemetery, but after much discussion the charter members decided it would benefit more to be built in the town proper. On July 4, 1878 the cornerstone was laid, and in 1969 a groundbreaking ceremony opened the current church on Fifth Street. The old church was demolished in November 1970. And in 2004 they celebrated their 125th anniversary.

The church congregation has remained constant in numbers with 270 households. It's beautiful limestone exterior and the foundation placement on a hill, makes it a special edifice in the town of 3,600 people.

"We have really enjoyed our chance to contribute to the church with this fundraiser, as well an opportunity to meet people we don't know as well," said Vince. "All those involved had done a great job."



Upcoming dinners:

*April 4, St. Paul's Lutheran Church Salad Luncheon, Plato, 11-1

*April 6, Meatball Dinner, Peterson Highland Prairie Lutheran Church, 11-1

*April 9 - Hector United Methodist Church,  Soup/Salad Lunch, 11-1