Upon the hill an aroma of welcome

The quaintness of Presbyterian Church of Oronoco is apparent when one drives into the once-small hamlet, now growing leaps and bounds due to expansion of the city of Rochester. The church on the highest point of town is a beauty and therein lies dedicated parisioners striving to keep their little church alive.

One hundred and fifty years ago settlers gathered to hold a June Presbyterian service for the first time. Four straight days later, it was decided to start the Oronoco Presbyterian Church and land purchased started a journey that today, still is strong and willing. In fact, the most remodeling work done inside the church brought back the simple magnificence of the first days of the church, replacing as closely as possible woodwork of the early days. There may be a newer handicapped ramp in the back, but from the front the view of the church is stunning, as it hides behind beautiful oak and maple trees.

For the past 10 years Joanne Schenck and Eileen Simon dutifully fixed food, prepared the room and chased down volunteers to cook and help out luncheon day. The formula of having three days of luncheons spread out in the coldest of Minnesota months, seems to have worked and is a major fundrasier for the church. Each third Wednesday of January, February and Mark the luncheons either brag casseroles, BBQ or soup, along with salads, desserts, drinks/hot coffee. And oh yes, warm smiles from cold people traveling to satisfy their hunger. Even as people waited their turn to pick from the handsome, tasty foods they were asked to utilize the hand sanitizers due to the current outbreak of flu cases across the state.

Ellen Simon and Joanne Schenk
supply the culinary elbow
grease.

Even the Bridges of Zumbrota, 12 miles down the road, made their reservation for six - allowing assisted living women make the trip via Zumbrota Health Services. The bus driver even salivated at the warm hot dishes sitting on the serving tables. Maybe it was the chicken/mushroom casserole, lasagna or the goulash that made the warmly dressed people patiently wait, but for me it was hamburger hot dish and warm corn (real corn) bread that made me smile. That, and the homemade buttered bread. And the chocolate cake. OK, all the food made a lot of people happy - and delightfully full!

Joanne left her station and visited shortly, sharing money raised to local missions mostly, but others outside the state aren't unusual. They strategically plan their luncheon around other senior citizen dinners in the area. And it serves mostly those older than 60, but it is open to all willing to make the trip. Like the young-at-heart Pine Island man who answered his friend's inquire at how he was doing, "I'm still kickin', but not very high."

Women from Bridges of Zumbrota had the best seat in the house as they
await to eat.

"We just started the luncheons to help support those projects we supported," said Joanne. For a congregation that barely reaches 60, their perseverance to survive allows them to raise at least $1,100 a year to those areas they handpick to support. And they rely on Larry Glasenapp and Dick Ostrom for help as well.

It used to be a chicken dinner that was the major fundraiser, started up by fellow parishioners Luella Rueber and Eunice Markham, but as the years trickled by so did volunteers. And the time necessary to cook in the basement of the church just wasn't feasible anymore. When the kitchen was moved upstairs, they took a look at the future of the 'foodraiser' and decided to attract about 70 people a time for three months. It was easier to get people to make less food and take less time to setup. And for a decade, they are happy with the arrangement. It may still be the same 12 people that cook, but as they age, it is easier to keep them volunteering. Another active congregation member, Joyce Rucker, was also instrumental in implementing money-making food ventures.

Articles of Incorporation from 1869.

A trip around the church shows their pride. Beautiful stained-glass windows bought through parishioner donations, and simple altar preparations. Inside the front door are two treasures that most churches cannot share: the original articles of incorporation for the church, handwritten and proudly framed on the wall; and a guest book over 50 years old, still waiting for visitor's autographs at where they are from. Not many churches know they have had people from North Hollywood, Baton Route, Louisiana, Cleveland, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Thailand; Pitman, New Jersey; Cave Coral, Florida; Morrow, Georgia; Port Perry, Ontario; Belize City, Belize; Denver, Colorado - and many points in between.

Guests from the last 50 years
signed in

No this special little gem on the hill relies on all its members to stay open and they gladfully and dutifully listen. On this day, the hill is alove with the smell of hotdish heaven!

Pastor Lisa Johnson, just two months out of the seminary, sits down to a meal and admits she is amazed, so far, at the vitality of her church members. "It has been wonderful to see how much they love their church," she offered. "For someone as new as me, it has been a wonderful first experience." The Presbyterian Church of Oronoco  shares ecumenical partnership with the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Zumbrota.

A beautiful stained glass porthole
looks out from the church itself.

The free-willing offering for the meal invites guests to give what they can. Another indication at the purpose for the luncheon: feed the hungry and poor first, the others can make up for them - which they do. Some sample a little of everything (me!), others zero in on favorites. The fresh fruit medley and pickled vegetable mix was tantalizing, many couldn't escape the bars and cookies - with lemon bars, layered delights and such it was hard for any New Year resolution of losing weight to stay active! And the paper plates were heavy with the casseroles steaming on top, layered in some cases.

Recipe of the Day!

Crunchy Corn Medley (from the kitchen of Ellen Simon)

2 C. frozen peas, thawed

1 can (15 ¼ oz) whole kernel corn, drained

1 can (15 ¼ oz) white or shoe peg corn, drained

1 can (8 oz) water chestnuts, drained & chopped

1 jar (4 oz) diced pimientos, drained

8 green onions, thinly sliced

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 medium green pepper, chopped

½ C. vinegar

½ C. sugar

¼ C. vegetable oil

1 tsp. Salt

¼ tsp. Pepper

In large bowl combine first 8 ingredients. In a small bowl combine vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and pepper. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Pour over corn mixture, mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Stir before serving.

Upcoming Events:

*Presbyterian Church of Oronoco: Feb. 20 - Soup, salads, desserts, 11:30-1 p.m.
                                                  March 20 - BBQ, salads, desserts, 11:30-1 p.m.
*St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Royalton, Jan. 23 - Soup Supper
*St. William's Salad Luncheon, Feb. 17, Vogrin Hall, 4:30-7

LeCenter lunchin'

Lunchin' in Le Center


Between the 11 dozen deviled eggs Ellen Erkel whipped up and the 12 dozen cookies Doris Tiede baked, there were scads more volunteers participating at the salad/hot dish luncheon at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church in LeCenter this past Thursday, May 3.

Ellen Erkel and Cheyl Bulver
co-chair the spring event

Another delicious and stupendous event was pulled off, finishing off the 26th year of the spring event. "We didn't have as many as we have in the past, it's been down at all the area luncheons we've found out," said Doris. "Maybe it's the economy, I don't know." Those diners on hand enjoyed 35 different salads or hot dishes on a cool, rainy day. Over 280 people indulged either at the church basement or ordered take out - one of the larger delivery services in the area, taking out 80 this year but as many as 150 in the past.


There are five men from the congregation that delivered the meals locally, enthusiastically waiting for a list of customers to deliver to. "We make sure the meals are good by sampling en route," chuckled one of the drivers. All in all, their efforts are one reason why the faithful followers of LeCenter's 127 year-old church has run not only this successful event, but their fall Election Day Supper in the fall - which has been going on over 70 years. The fall event has over 500 takeouts and serves 1,000.


Ellen has been co-chair with Cheryl Bulver for the past few years. "I was an educator, retired and traveled a bit, and then started helping out here," Ellen said of the luncheon, now her sixth year. They put in seven hours Wednesday morning preparing the main turkey hot dish and preparing the basement for the dinner, and more time prior to the event. The tables lighten up the atmosphere with their peony centerpieces and lavender tablecloths. Other women of the congregation  filtered in to help not only at the church but in their own kitchen preparing food. "We don't have circles anymore, so the women just volunteer to help out," added Doris. A few women call women of the congregation soliciting their tasty salad or dessert recipes. Close to 25 people volunteer the day of the event, allowing it to run without a hitch.

While one part of the kitchen was busy for the basement diners, the adjoining room had eight people scooping up takeout orders. "I've been doing this most of my life," chortled Courtney Kukucka, Doris' granddaughter. "I just grew up helping out and still enjoy it." She's part of the take-out crew.


Doris' strong German heritage and cooking skills provides a huge cooker full of German potato salad. At 75, she is proud of the church women's commitment to raising money for the variety of church activities the money goes toward. "I'll be doing it until my health forces me not too, but for now, I enjoy getting together and seeing people. We (her husband and her) used to know just about everyone in town years ago, but now, new people and our less involvement with kids, you just don't get to know that many outside church. And I think lots of congregations are slowly losing members, young people just aren't going to church as much." Although other area churches decided to increase their prices to $7 for adults, St. Paul's kept their's at $6 this year. That could change if numbers continue to slowly decline.


Like most church social events, the money could go to building repairs, Bible camp stipends for youth, mission work. As most budgets, it takes a lot longer to raise the money than spend it!


It's a calculated guessing game at how many will attend each year, but the co-chairs plan on about 300. Any leftovers are dished up into containers and taken to the local retirement facility to be used as they wish. There usually isn't that many. Even Pastor David Aakers ate with the crowd and then dug in washing dishes in the kitchen.

Take-out dinners comprise of
about 40 percent of the meals
served on the day.

By 11:40 a.m. there were 72 people seated with a line forming. It may have been stormy outside, but inside there were throngs of smiling, satisfied diners inside. Among them was a group of four sister-in-laws who sat with me, shared laughter and stories and told they make this an event each year. The four widows filled their tummies then were setting out to play some hand and foot (a card game). Over toward the front table was a local law enforcement officer, taking lunch hour amongst the patrons.

St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church
is 127 years young.

"It's something we do for the church and each other," Doris said. Ellen added, "I've learned a lot and met new people doing this. Hopefully, it will continue for many years to come."


Doris' German Potato Salad (made for a crowd)
10 lbs. potatoes, peeled and cooked enough to slice up
2-3 lbs. bacon (keep grease)
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
1 cup white vinegar
1/3 cup onion
1/3 cup bacon grease
                                                        1/3 cup corn starch


Cook bacon and onions in grease until tender. Add water, vinegar, sugar and thicken with corn starch. Pour dressing over sliced potatoes and bake for about an hour at 350 degrees.


Thanks Doris for the recipe (one she got from her sister).


Upcoming Events:
May 12, Ev. United Methodist Church, Waterville, Spring Luncheon/Bake Sale (11-1)
May 18, Lands Lutheran Church, Zumbrota - Lutefisk/Meatball Supper (4-7)
June 12, Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie - Strawberry Festival (4-7)
June 24, Moland Church, rural Kenyon - Strawberry Festival (11-5)