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

Biscuit lady

It's all in the biscuits -

At 84, Connie Bicknese of Wykoff is proud to be known as the biscuit lady.

Her mother's biscuit recipe has been eaten by thousands since the Wykoff United Methodist Church women have held the Chicken Pie Dinner each April since 1959. She even uses the same bowl her mother did all those years ago when she makes the biscuits.

"My mother perfected that recipe with a friend of hers, Vera," said Connie. The secret ingredient is non-rendered lard, something not found in many places nowadays. Today, Connie has her daughter, Marilyn Erdman, and daughter-in-law Dianne Bicknese helping out at the meal, held this year on Wednesday, April 25 at the Wykoff Community Center. The weather cooperated and brought over 200 people this year, greeted by chickens and roosters of all sorts adorning the stairs, outside landing and tables inside.

Jettison back five decades ago when the Methodist men and women would go out to a local farm, herd up and load chickens in crates and bring them into town, where Mrs. Miller would cut their heads off and the rest would scald, pluck, bag and freeze the birds for the dinner, which was held within a couple weeks of the chore. "Back then it would take two days to get the birds and food ready for the dinner," said Connie. "The younger women of the church thought that was too much work, but the older women didn't want to change it. A few years of doing it the hard way gave way to buying the chickens." Last year was the first time the group bought the meat and gravy for the event, with workers getting older and scarce. "This year's (chicken and gravy) were very good," she said. I would agree!

About six women cook up all the food - only Connie makes the biscuits. Many people have confused the dinner to chicken and biscuits, but she explained the process. "We put the (unmade) biscuits on top of the chicken and gravy and bake them for about an hour. Had some ministers and people we've had to explain to them it's not chicken and gravy over biscuits - they're cooked together. Along with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, buttered buns, cranberry sauce and your choice of cake, the $8 meal fills up the hungriest of those attending.

Connie Bicknese, Ruth Link, Irene Jacobson and
 Dianne Bicknese, serving up Chicken Pie Dinner.

Money raised goes for church functions - wherever the need. "It started out as just our women's group but now the men are involved, helping us out," she added.  Something additional, there is take-out service for the meal as well. Last year they served close to 50 people this way.

She took home just a gallon bag of chicken/gravy mixture this year, meaning the women got the planning down pat. "It depends on the weather, too, how many people come," she added.

Connie was born and raised in the Wykoff area and along with her husband, Bill, live in town now. On the trip down from Faribault, farmers were taking to the field - getting ready for another spring planting season. Just east of Spring Valley is Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery, as well as a huge white barn that looked suited to fill up with antiques. Just before turning into Wykoff from Hwy. 16 to Hwy. 80 was a biggest concrete Holstein bull I've ever seen on the Boettcher family dairy farm. It was another successful drive - about 1 1/2 hours from Faribault - through Minnesota farm country.

At my table, were five delightful women from Spring Valley and Lanesboro, taking in their annual chicken pie dinner. There never were more accommodating and friendly people to sit by, as they reminisced with me about previous dinners, other local church functions in the area and their favorite stories of the day.

Connie was more than glad to share her tales of the Chicken Pie Dinner over the years, and thankful she's been a part of it. "I'm not sure how much longer I'll be doing it, I am the oldest right now."

And not missing a beat.

Connie shared her biscuit recipe, but be warned, it's for huge crowds, so you may want to quarter it down:

8 cups of flour
1/2 cup lard (home rendered lard)
12 tsp baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 gallon of milk

"This makes 5 bowls, three times," said Connie. "Just stir in the milk to the same consistency and thickness, don't want it too runny but if I do, I just add a little more flour."

Thanks Connie and Wykoff United Methodist Church for the great meal and fellowship!

Upcoming Functions:

• May 2 - Kasson - Presbyterian Church, Spring Luncheon, 11-1 (101 6th Avenue NW)
• May 3 - LeCenter, St. Paul Lutheran Church - Salad/Hot Dish Luncheon, 11-1 507-357-2212
• May 18 - Zumbrota, Lands Lutheran Church Lutefisk/Meatball Dinner, 4-7 (Hwy. 60 just west of Zumbrota)