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

 Dessert first - heck yeah!

All I'm sayin' is I liked the idea of getting your dessert first at the Hegre Lutheran Church Meatball Supper.

Lyla Patterson has her great granddaughters
Isabelle and Julia helping her out.

A beautiful countryside drive from anywhere to this quiet respite was just part of the experience. Not only did I meet long-lost friends, but got to revisit a place that really got me started in writing about church cuisine. The church is located just off Hwy. 56 six miles south of Kenyon or halfway between there and West Concord. Until this spring, they have had several years of not only meatball dinners, but a scrumptious salad luncheon in April.

Because of hectic schedules and the possibility the church may combine with a West Concord church, the salad luncheon fell by the wayside. But this meatball dinner brings in over 300 people, tasting the incredible food, and experiencing fall decorated tables. Mother Nature helped out as well, with perfect temperatures in the 70s and a touch of color showing in the trees.

Lyla Patterson, in all her 86 years, still enjoys scooping out whip cream onto whatever of the pies you choose when you jump to the front of the line: pumpkin, cherry, blueberry, peach, low sugar apple and regular apple, all homemade and looking and tasting like they were straight from the oven. "I've been going to this church all my life and remember helping out at church dinners since I was seven," she said, with a hearty smile. It's that infectious smile and knowledge of many of the visitors that makes such a homey atmosphere. Her two great-granddaughters, Isabelle and Julia are just part of the five generations of her family still helping out at the church, making it indeed a family affair.

The meatballs were joined on my plate by mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, coleslaw, buttered buns and coffee, milk or ice water. It was all you can eat, but one plateful was enough for most people!

Prior to entering the church, I came across Pastor Richard Hegal and his wife, Norma. That was a delightful start to the occasion. Although officially retired, Pastor Hegal has been helping out the Lutheran diocese for the past four years. He hails from Blooming Prairie, where he was minister for over 20 years. His wife, Norma, was my office manager at the Blooming Prairie Times in the mid 1990s, so it was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with them.

Right after he ate, Pastor Hegal took for the kitchen, where he eagerly dug in to helping serve, wash dishes - whatever it took. It was obvious the volunteers enjoyed his leadership and great demeanor.

Hungry visitors trickled in for the first half hour, but as the night went on the line got longer. The concern was the early harvest might hurt numbers, but that didn't hamper the gracious workers. They gladly filled 50 takeout orders for those who chose to take the meal home.

"It's been hard for some of these churches to keep their dinners going because of state restrictions," said Norma, who is no stranger to such goings-on. Blooming Prairie has one of the biggest lutefisk dinners in the area, coming up in a week. "They all do such good jobs and enjoy doing it, it's too bad the state had to stick their nose in it."

For those of you not aware, it was right here in Goodhue County that two Wanamingo ladies took the 'hotdish' rule to task. This is from the Zumbrota News-Record newspaper:

"Kathy Theel and Pat Irrthum decided that enough is enough when they saw traditional church dinners in Goodhue County under attack. These dinner ware a big revenue source and are very popular with local people. In some instances, churches like Vang Lutheran have busloads of people from the Twin Cities attending their annual lutefisk supper, and this brings in much needed revenue.

     Theel said, “The tradition of church dinners in rural areas is as important as Ufda,Ole and Sven, and everything else associated with Minnesota. It is important that we keep that tradition. Economically churches need that revenue.”

     The problem began when Goodhue County decided to discontinue its food inspection program for financial reasons and the State of Minnesota took over.

Theel said, “The first indication of a problem occurred at St. Paul’s Catholic Church dinner on March 16, 2010.

At that time, the state inspector proclaimed that the dinner had to be shut down. Upon hearing much objection, she agreed to allow the dinner to be held, but said there could be no more. And if there was, there could be up to a $10,000 fine per each event violation.

     Theel and Irrthum said her proclamation put the “fear of God” into the church’s pastor, and many of the church council members who met and declared there would definitely not be any more church dinners.

     Soon after, other area church members got scared and refused to advertise their church dinners for fear they too would be shut down if the inspector learned about their event.

Theel and Irrthum decided that Goodhue County’s tradition of holding church dinners wasn’t going to fall to the wayside without a fight. They wanted clarification of what the law said, as there were many rumors concerning the issue, and no one knew exactly what was being prohibited and why. One rumor was that churches needed to buy a $90 permit, which allowed them to hold three functions each year. (They later found out this wasn’t true). So they called a meeting with Wanamingo’s city administrator and the health department.

     Three health officials arrived and were shocked when they saw more than 100 people in attendance at the meeting.

     Theel and Pat Irrthum learned there that church dinners fall under the food stand law, and the problem comes when churches serve food that is cooked or baked in non-compliant church kitchens or off-site in homes and then invite the public to attend.

     In November 2010 they got the signatures of over 400 people asking that the state legislature exempt Goodhue County churches (on owned or leased property) from the food stand law. State Representative Steve Drazkowski agreed to sponsor the bill and Senator John Howe agreed to “run with it on the senate side.”

     On Tuesday, April 26, Theel and Irrthum went to a meeting at the Minnesota House of Representatives along with Wanamingo Mayor Ron Berg and City Administrator Mike Boulton. At that time, the plan was to also get the boy scouts and girl scouts exempted from the bill. Later, because of complications, they gave up on pursuing that goal.

     At the meeting, Representative Patty Fritz of Faribault told the Minnesota Health Department representatives to apologize to the women, or she would hold up the proceedings until they did so. Colleen Paulus, the head of the State Department of Health, did apologize, but both Theel and Irrthum said it did not appear to be sincere.

     On Thursday, April 28, the women testified with Senator Howe in front of the Minnesota Senate. They learned from    the senators that the intent had not been for church dinners to be part of the “hotdish rule.” The senators said they were aware the wording had initially been a problem, but believed it had been taken care of.

Senator Dave Senjem said, “We should secede from the United States if we have to eliminate church dinners. I can’t live without them and it shows (weight-wise)!” Another senator said he didn’t want all the little old ladies from Goodhue County calling and bothering them.

     Irrthum reminded him that those little old ladies make up a good part of his constituency, and if the senators wanted the women’s votes, they had better resolve the issue.

The new bill was unofficially dubbed the “Church Basement Ladies Bill.” In the senate it is Bill 477 and in the House, Bill 637.

     Theel said, “Pat and I, Senator Howe, and the Health Department people ironed out a lot of the language and everyone felt fairly comfortable that it will past the Senate.”

However, she noted that at 12:30 p.m. the day before, they had both received phone calls from Paulus stating that there was going to be another meeting about the issue in a half-hour. Paulus said they were aware the women wouldn’t be able to make it to the Capitol in time, but they shouldn’t worry because they knew the intentions of the Health Department were good and nothing big would be changed.

     Theel said, “We don’t know what they changed in the wording of the bill.” Irrthum added, “If they changed too much, we’ll be back.”

Theel explained, “It (the bill) will be thrown in with the omnibus bill. We won’t know if it passes until the legislature adjourns.”

The women said jokingly, “If it passes, we will celebrate. We’ll call all the area churches and they can feed us!”

That in a nutshell, helped all state church dinners stay open - that and having someone educated on the church staff at sanitation practices required by the state.

Long live the meatballs in Hegre - and all such Minnesota dinners!

UPCOMING DINNERS:

OCTOBER 6 -SOUP & PIE LUNCHEON, SANBORN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 10:30-1

OCTOBER 7 - FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF KARLSTAD FALL SUPPER, 4-7

OCTOBER 14 - ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH OF CROWN TURKEY DINNER, ST. FRANCIS; 11:30-2

OCTOBER 17 - FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BAKED POTATO SUPPER, PIPESTONE, 5-7

OCTOBER 28 - FISHCAKE DINNER, KNIFE RIVER LUTHERAN CHURCH 4-7

THERE ARE SO MANY DINNERS THESE DAYS - THESE LISTINGS ARE JUST A FEW THAT CAUGHT MY EYE. IF YOU KNOW OF OTHERS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!