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!

Bear Creek: gem of a meal, church

Every meal time is unique and it's those of yesteryear that we remember the best. When we grew up on the dairy farm near Rochester, every supper all of us grabbed our seat, passed around the cookin's and slarfed down our food before the rest grabbed it from our plate. But the food was always the best.

Such is the most recent trip to Bear Creek Lutheran Church's Meatball Supper in rural Grand Meadow. Amidst the corn fields, red barns and rolling hills sits a gem of a country church, full of tradition that each parishioner is proud to talk about. 

And a meal to brag about.

Serving up meatballs is exclusive in itself, with not many church socials centered around what would seem an easy fixing. But its recipe is a guarded secret and not shared, which made the meal even more enjoyable! On this Wednesday evening, September 5, over 220 people gathered to share in a familiar sit-down pass the potatoes meal.

Emma Grafe is one busy eight-year-old at
the meatball supper.

Usually attending church meals means a buffet style of serving the food. Not here at Bear Creek. Once you buy your ticket, you're promptly guided to a table set for eight and before you know it, food appears in front of you, ready to be passed around to newly met friends. Freshly prepared meatballs and gravy, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, buttered buns - and a wonderful added touch from country gardens - sliced tomatoes encircle your plate.  That was the bonus on this summer meal - tomatoes from parishioner gardens. Ahhhh, the memories of mom's garden produce on my plate! Milk, coffee or lemonade was filled for each of us, and the all-you-can eat was on. Don't forget to leave room for apple, pumpkin, triple berry or cherry pie - that would be sacrilegious!

LaVae Ringen was head of the kitchen this year.

"Last year we got to the bottom of the potatoes and wondered, 'oh boy, I hope we have enough!'" said Glen Warn, who has worked at all the 30+ meatball dinners. "It's hard to know, we plan for about 260." Glen was busy with Ann Hanson, cashier, greeting guests on the beautiful sunny summer evening, in a sweet, unassuming atmosphere. Visitors were encouraged to stuff the 'ballot' box for a chance to win a beautiful handmade quilt - or they could buy one that was on display, made by members of the congregation. Other than that, they were guided - not that they couldn't smell the way - downstairs to their seat.

Ann Hanson was an inviting
 host at the Bear Creek function.

The family-first congregation and WELCA sponsor the dinner. In the spring, a ham dinner is served over Memorial Day weekend, which allows visitors from all over dropping by the cemetery to add a great meal to their pallet. That dinner has been going on for close to 60 years: a lutefisk dinner at Bear Creek went for 40 years before ending some time ago. On this night, there happened to be another meatball dinner down by the Iowa border at a Spring Grove church called Black Hammer, but this was the place to be for hungry, dedicated meatball lovers!

LaVae Ringen runs the kitchen crew and with tradition on her side, the group flawlessly served up bowls full of delectable foods. She makes six pumpkin pies for the meal, but the others are bought through a local bakery. "We just don't have enough people with the time to make as much pies as we would like," she said. But the meatballs are handmade the Tuesday before, with the Pastor Shirley Redmond on hand to help. It takes about four hours to make 80 pounds of meatballs into circular gourmet - the day before it's time to peel the over 100 pounds of spuds, as well as prepare the coleslaw, tomatoes, corn and buns. LaVae's husband has six generations of family who have attended Bear Creek, and it's that spirit of tradition and loyalty that serves the close-knit congregation now and in the past.

"Tradition is very important to us," LaVae said. Said well, considering she has been helping out at this supper since the beginning as well. Money raised goes to many outside charities or causes, including American Bible Society, Rachel's Hope and world hunger. Aside from the Memorial Day dinner, every year on Dec. 23 the church has its annual Christmas celebration. They pack with standing room only the little church, which probably holds less than 100 people, with a children's program, worship service and social time afterwards. And for all the little kids in attendance, they get the traditional bag of peanuts and candy that has been handed out for over 100 years during this service.

Everyone, including adults, also gets an apple. It indicates the simplicity and lack of commercialism that existed in the 19th century, but also shows the importance of church, family and friends.

This was the first year since the meatball supper started that Beverly Hanson hasn't participated. She was instrumental in starting the supper, but this year family came first. She and her late husband, Loren, enjoyed working at the church socials.

One woman that arrived ready to eat laughed to a friend, "the scale isn't going to like me in the morning." Or as Glen said earlier in the evening, "the older we get the less we need to eat, and then here we are (ready to eat all our fill)."

The inside was just as beautiful as the outside of the
rural Grand Meadow church.

As the church moves on after 156 years, it's easy to see why it stands tall amongst the ripening corn and soybeans in southeastern Minnesota. The dry weather may have been on most people's minds and in their conversations on this night, but after a belly full of good food, all went home content. 

Although a grand display of friendliness, comraderie and love of church was at the forefront, it was clear those qualities were the foundations set many years ago - and will continue continue for many years to come.

UPCOMING DINNERS:

*Saturday, September 15 - Trinity Lutheran, Blue Earth, Salad/Sandwich Luncheon, 8-1

*Sunday, September 16 - Trinity Lutheran, Elmore, Annual Pie and Ice Cream Society with pork sandwiches, salad, beans; 22:30-6:30

     -St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Mazeppa, 11-1:30, Ham and Turkey Dinner
     -St. Francis Xavier Annual Chicken DInner, Lake Park, 11-1
     -St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Hawley, Turkey and the Trimmings/desserts, 11-1
     -St. Adrian Catholic Church, Adrian, Annual Fall Dinner, 4-7

*Wednesday, September 19, Dodge Center United Methodist Church, pork chop dinner; 4:30-7:30
     -Chicken Pie Dinner, Hector's UM Church, 4:30-6:30
     -United Methodist Church, Detroit Lakes, Meatball Supper, 4:30-7

*Sunday, September 23 - St. John the Baptist de la Salle, Dodge Center, 21st annual Turkey/Ham Dinner, 11-1

*Wednesday, October 10 - Vineyard United Methodist Church,Hutchinson, Complete Turkey Dinner, 4:30-7

Lutefisk at Lands

Lovin' Lands Lutheran Lutefisk 

Did you know that a  genuine uffda is using lefse as a napkin?


Overhearing Norwegians joke (about their heritage) and choke (down the lutefisk) is not only a learning experience, but a tasty one as well.

Do you love your lutefisk?

Lands Lutheran Church of Zumbrota, located one-half mile west of the Hwy. 52/Hwy. 60 junction, held it's 12th Lutefisk/Meatballs Dinner on Friday, May 18. Despite the hot, windy weather outside, close to 400 people gathered during the three-hour feast in hopes of satisfying their Norwegian tastebuds until the next Scandanavian spread comes around.


This was the first time Lucille Root of Rochester has made it to Lands' dinner: She made five southern Minnesota lutefisk dinners last year and wanted to try out this one. She's one of those 'other' heritages (she's German and Bohemian) who married into the ritual. That premise seems common at lutefisk get-togethers and most outsiders develop the same love for the lye fish as those born in their blood. Let's just say it's the second time I've had the Norwegian treat and the taste will never be a top '10' food item on my plate, but that doesn't mean everything else didn't slide down with great liking. The gathering in the church basement thought it was the best they've had in a while - for me, it was better than the last time I had it so there is truth that lutefisk tastes different depending on who prepares it and where it's bought.


Lands Lutheran Church set the Norwegian dinner tradition in conjunction with Syttende Mai, the Norwegian independence day. In 1814 the Norwegian constitution was signed, giving the country independence from Denmark after a 500-year union. Syttende Mai (Seventeenth of May) grew into many colorful, family-oriented celebrations not only in Norway, but followed immigrants to America and Canada. 


Since 2000, Deb Johnson, Betty Bailey and Darlene Johnson have spearheaded the celebration dinner at the church. After being held two years at the school in Wanamingo, the event went to the Trinity Church there then to Lands. Lois Bjorngaard and Sharon Bjorngaard of Wanamingo were instrumental in its beginnings, but passed the baton once it traveled at Lands.

Judy Hoffeck, Bonnie Greseth, Wanda Hofstad, Deb Johnson
and Audrey Viseth tackle the lutefisk responsibilities in
the kitchen.

To serve the expected crowd of about 400, the women have special local sources they go to with the grocery list. And it's not your average family of five food list. Their list includes 250 pounds of lutefisk, 125 pounds of meat for meatballs, 125 pounds of rutabagas, 50 pounds of butter and 500 rounds of lefse. The grocery supplies come from the likes of Zumbrota, Wanamingo, Pine Island and Rushford. As many lutefisk dinners of today, the lutefisk and lefse are prepared mostly in the store. But the other delicacies are made on site or homemade.


Once the food arrives, preparation begins on the Wednesday before, peeling the rutabagas and potatoes. Rommegrot, a Norwegian porridge dessert, is made from scratch as are Norwegian treats sandbakkels, rosettes, krumkaka. It's Bonnie Greseth's job to make the lutefisk, which used to be boiled using cheesecloth in the kettles for straining, but  pasta kettles with the inserts are used for draining now.

Brandi and Danielle Blakstad are the
younger generation volunteering for the
Lands Lutheran church dinner.

"My lutefisk is eaten like a Norwegian burrito," laughed Lucille. "I lay out the lefse, add lutefiskin the middle, add mashed potatoes and butter, roll it up then eat it." While melted butter was in creamers on the table, I was informed that Swedish lutefisk dinners often have a cream to cover the fish. There certainly is no wrong way in eating lutefisk - my way was the first thing on the plate and as fast as possible! I'm not the only one, Lands Lutheran Pastor David Krinke announced a couple weeks ago at Sunday service that the annual Lefse and Meatball Dinner was in a couple weeks - avoiding lutefisk ton his tongue as long as possible, but eating lots of the other tasty offerings.  "I eat enough lutefisk to get credit," he chuckled while talking to parishioners at my table.


For those new to lutefisk, it translates from "lyefish", referring to the early process of soaking where a lye solution made of birch ashes was used in the luting process, utilizing dry cod or stockfish. Today, lutefisk means family, fellowship and good times.

Mary Brummund is set to
 serve Norwegian desserts.

For sisters Danielle, 15, and Brandi Blakstad, 12, they enjoy helping out at the dinner, assisting where they can, whether it be an elderly diner who needs help carrying their plate, refilling coffee and food platters. ""I just decided I wanted to help out," said Brandi. "I enjoy talking to the people and doing what I can." Although she and her family aren't big lutefisk eaters, volunteering is just as important.


Money made from the dinner help in a variety of church projects, whether it be youth, capital projects or facility upgrades.


It was a Norwegian gathering pulled off splendidly, filling tummies to the brim and filling the basement with fellowship. First ones in were senior citizens from Pine Haven Nursing Home is Pine Island. It didn't hurt that the air-conditioning was on, as temperatures outside were close to 94 degrees with 25 mph winds.


"I enjoy visiting other churches that have these lutefisk dinners, " said Lucille. "This is such a beautiful church," she said while waiting with me in the pew with 40 or so other people. "You don't get to see what a church looks like just driving by."


Did you know:


*Madison, Minnesota is the 'Lutefisk Capital of the World'?


*Olsen Fish Company in Minneapolis has a lutefisk hotline in case you need to help or directions on how to cook the fish?


*Don't cook lutefisk in aluminum pots/pans - it will darken the kettle.

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday, June 12 - Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, 71st Strawberry Festival, 4-7

Sunday, June 24 - Moland Lutheran Church, Moland, Strawberry Festival - 11-5