Seconds are

 OK . . .

Somewhere in the depths of my brain was the idea that you just go through the church social line once, so make sure you pile up on the foods as much as you can. And, of course, the plates are always too small . . .

But at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Wells, they encourage you to take seconds - so I apologize to the hefty guy that went up for seconds before hostesses went around and suggested another trip. He was about to get a dirty look, and besides, who doesn't get enough on the first wave?

WELCA volunteers: back row: Gwen Peterson, Darlene Quade, Sue Seedorf, Marlene Kauffmann; front row: Diane Luedtke, Arlene Breitkrutz, Carol Jacobson.

If there awards given out from Church Cuisine of Minnesota, Good Shepherd may have received two Wednesday, July 23, at their Annual Salad Luncheon. They would top the list on friendliest people, as just about every worker came up and wondered who the stranger was that arrived 15 minutes early with a camera and notepad. And a new description was crowned best of show, when "creative stacking" was introduced as way to make room for more food. 

Gwen Peterson busy peddling lemonade.

"I wasn't supposed to chair today, but that's OK, I've done it enough that it runs itself," chuckled Diane Luedtke. The Wells church served over 110 people, filling to the brim in the 50-year-old church basement about halfway through the 1 1/2 hour meal. "We've done this for over 25 years," she added. "It's a good money-maker for us (WELCA members volunteer and coordinate the well-run machine.)"

Another bonus was the garlic toast to top off the salad selection tables, a first at any social for my taste buds. "We used to make them ourselves, and people still think we should, but it's just easier to get them from the grocery bakery." About 50 women donate salads, time and duties to pull off the yearly event. Altogether there were 45 salads, 11 large platters of bars, plenty of coffee and plenty of lemonade - as Gwen Peterson can attest.

"I'm not sure I'm peddling the lemonade very good," Gwen mentioned in her many trips to customer tables. "I'm not getting many people to pour for." It wasn't because of lack of effort or the flavor as my full glass lasted just 10 seconds as it was gulped down midway through the meal - just enough to catch my breath for the second half!

Earlier this year, in April, the church group was ready to have another luncheon. But as we all remember, mid-April brought over 1 1/2 feet of snow to some places in southern Minnesota. "We got together and prepared the Friday night before, thinking we could still have it," said Diane. "Well, I woke up around 6 a.m. and looked out the window and couldn't see two feet in front of me." The event was called off, but two hardy, dedicated souls who didn't get the news braved the weather and brought their salads to the church. "We finally got a hold of them and felt bad they made the trip when no one was there!"


This July feast had little extra food, but what was left was put in containers and taken down to the local senior-assisted facility to share with people there. Appreciative appetites didn't take long to dispose of those tasty dishes!

Diane runs a pretty tight ship, as the person in charge should with church eating events. "It was a hard sell for a few people," she explained. "Some of them don't like that I make them wear aprons at the funeral meals and wash their hands a lot. It took awhile for them to understand you can't bring your hankie, blow your nose and slip it under your watch to use later. I guess you can call me the taskmaster, but that's my job to make sure the meals are healthy ones."


Usually the money goes to Lutheran charities or missions, unless the church has a specific need to address. In the past roof and floor work needed some extra funds and the women's group gladly helped out. Two years ago they held their last meatball dinner to concentrate on salad luncheons, which are a little easier to manage. And a church-wide garage sale would be a welcome return, although that can take some time to pull off as well.

Good Shepherd has 1,100 members in the town of 2,443. At one time the luncheon was held in May, hoping to bring in more teachers, but when that didn't work out, they went for a July date. "I think it's so hot in July that people don't feel like cooking and can have a good meal in air-conditioning," added Diane. "We have a pretty good turnout in July."

The church opened in January 1963, brought together by two town Lutheran churches - one of German descent and one of Norwegian. Over the years 15 pastors have headed the church, with Pastor Kay Fullarton leading the congregation today. As any church, fellowship and sharing meals prompted an update in the kitchen in 1998 and a handicapped elevator in 2000. A library addition a year later. Change can be difficult, but Good Shepherd has taken its diverse congregation and created a sound, God-served church.

As people became more brave to sit at the 'stranger's table', my conversation veered towards my place of residence, Faribault. Happens to be two women at my table have daughters that live there, and I knew both of them. That's why every church social is so unique and special: people who love their church and community working toward a common goal, with hungry visitors from all around willing to get their fill on homemade cooking.

My social wanderings may be random, but never dull or boring. Never had a bad meal, bad conversation nor a bad drive - all because the likes of people at Good Shepherd and each church that undertakes volunteer meals such as these.

Small-town America still reigns in my world! Thanks for a wonderful experience Good Shepherd!

Diane's Hawaiian Chicken Salad

5 cups of cooked, cubed chicken
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 1/4 cups seedless green grapes, cut in 1/2
1 1/4 seedless red grapes, cut in 1/2
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3/4 cup salted cashews
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup green onions chopped

Mix together in bowl. Combine dressing: 3/4 cup mayo, 3/4 cup yogurt, 2/3 tsp. salt. Pour over salad, stir and enjoy!

Four-bean Salad

1 can green beans
1 can yellow wax beans
1 can light kidney beans
1 can garbanzo beans
1 small, diced red onion
3/4 cup chopped green pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
Drain beans and mix altogether.

Dressing - 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper. Mix together and add to salad. Refrigerate overnight.

Sacred luncheon

Donna and Dorothy Harguth get to relax at the luncheon nowadays.

The Harguth cousins by marriage - Donna and Dorothy - remember the days when 60 or so salads were made scratch from various members' homes for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church annual luncheon. They likened it to organized chaos trying to make sure salads stayed cold in the limited refrigeration space, finding a temporary resting spot for all the food plus keeping track whose bowls and spoons belonged to who.

Nowadays, they get to sit and enjoy eating portions of 13 salads if they want, as Deb Perrault and Pat Foley utilize Marya Eustice culinary schooling to feed the throngs of a hungry lunch crowd on Friday, June 8. Due to the state food safety law and the Catholic School's use of the church basement kitchen the Waseca Catholic Daughters group had to get schooled and get the appropriate permit to continue holding their yearly meal. The law, dubbed the "Church Lady Bill", was passed in 2011 and exempts faith-based groups from routine state health inspections at events where food is served to large groups. But it requires at least one volunteer who prepares food at that event to attend training and share what is learned with other church cooks.

An annual fall videoconference is held each year, courtesy of the University of Minnesota Extension and Minnesota Department of Health. It covers foodborne illness, personal hygience and hand-washing, storing and preparing foods safely and other health issues that may come up.

Although all church events must do so, the Waseca bunch took it a step further: they now purchase all the groceries to make 13 salads each year, and then prepare them in the basement kitchen the day before. Most churches still have volunteers bring a dish from home.

Waseca Sacred Heart Church ladies and leader:

 Melissa Gerdtz, Arlys Fell, Jenifer  Dvorak, Geri Kassel, Deb Wobschall, 

Bea O'Brien, Kris Butterfield, Carole Schumacher, Deb Perreult, 

Kit Haag, Caroline Condon, SueHarguth, Father Marty Schaefer.

"Honestly, I think it works better this way," said Deb. "Not that the old way was bad, but we just find it more organized and easier to handle less salads, and just make more of each." Each year they pick new recipes, gathered from their own church cookbook (published a few years ago), guaranteeing great food each year. Like the past, the food never runs out - just enough left over to take home.

This year, they had more people attend than ever, close to 200. The event has been held over 35 years - there's just something about church history ledgers that never keep track of their fundraisers, but each year they run without a hitch and raise valuable money for the congregation projects or charities!

Eileen Muler pays Pat Foley at the door.

When you first see Sacred Heart, it's spectacular block and brick edifice looks intimidating, but it's beauty brings you peace and contentment. It's first church building was built close to today's, back in 1874 facing south - the current one faces east. The parish was officially established in 1869 and in 1886 the Sisters of the Holy Child of Jesus of Philadelphia built a school across the street. Today's current building went up in 1899 for a cost of $20,000.

Although the school once held K-12, today it has preschool through fourth grade. A $1.2 million renovation took a year but was finished in 1999.

This year the luncheon fell on Sacred Heart of Jesus mass, a sacrament of anounting was held. Many left the 11 a.m. service and quickly got in line for lunch right afterwards.

"This was the first year doing this licensed," said Deb. "Pat, Geri (Kassel) and I spent about $300 in groceries, shopping carefully for the best deals to save as much as we can. Yesterday (Thursday) was had 10 women making salads and about 12 today (Friday) helping serve."

Pat has worked with the luncheon the past five years. Adorned with a hilarious t-shirt that says " You don't scare me I work at the School Cafeteria", she works the front table and greets people. "This group of ladies are a lot of fun to work with. I really enjoy working with them." Deb, on the other hand, has worked the luncheon 25 years.

Gloria Pommerenke has attended many a luncheon at Sacred. She and several friends find it a way to meet up, enjoy a meal and help out local causes. "They do a really good job," she said. "It's hard to pick which salad you want!"

Catholic Daughters at Sacred Heart have 176 members, and it's a group you must ask to join. The congregation has about 1,000 families, so only a select few decide that journey is very important in their lives. According to their website, the group is one of the oldest and largest organizations of Catholic women in the Americas. They donate to charities, administer scholarship programs and strive "to be helping hands where there is pain, poverty, sorrow or sickness. The motto is 'unity and charity'. It was formed over 100 years ago and numbers 75,000 members in 45 states.

Aside from this luncheon the local group is toying with the idea of bringing back the fall hotdish luncheon. For now they hand out gummi bears at church to raise money for Habitat for Humanity, have a soup luncheon and bake sale in December. Funds raised to to a variety of charities, local and nationwide.

The Harguth cousins remember telling the women of their group to bring a salad that would feed 10-12 people. "Well, some would bring different size bowls, and would we have enough room, it got to be quite a ordeal," said Donna. "It looks like they made it a lot easier now with the training." I'm sure they are modest in how well they ran the event in yesteryear!

The food still is as good as it's always been!

Yummy Recipes:

Taco Salad
1 head of lettuce, cut up
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 lb. hamburger, browned and cooled
8 oz of cheddar cheese
1 bag of taco chips, crushed
1 bottle of Catalina dressing, mix with 1 cup salsa

A bag of taco seasoning is used in meat. Mix dressing just before eating. Add dressing and taco chips just before eating.

Popcorn Salad
2 cups mayonnaise
1 cup sugar
1 can water chestnuts
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 lb. bacon, fried crisp
Popped popcorn, 2 bags microwave popcorn

Mix all ingredients together except popcorn. Add popcorn just before serving.

Broccoli Salad
5 cups broccoli
10 strips bacon (cooked until crisp)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 cup mayonnaise
2 TBSP sugar
2 TBSP vinegar

Combine in large bowl. Chill 2 hours.

Upcoming Events:

-Tuesday, June 11 - Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie, Strawberry 
   Festival, 4-7
     -Delano United Methodist Church, Delano, Salad Luncheon, 11-1

-Wednesday, June 12  - Faith Lutheran Church, Dodge Center, Salad Luncheon, 11-1
     -Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Salad Luncheon, Fergus Falls, 11-1

-Thursday, June 13 - Farmington Lutheran Church, Farmington, Salad Luncheon, 11-1

-Wednesday, June 19, Salem Lutheran Church, Montevideo, Ice Cream Social

-Thursday, June 20 -  Luverne ARC, Salad Luncheon, 11-1
     -Appleton Methodist Church, Appleton, Ice Cream Social, 3-7

-Friday, June 21, Vista Lutheran Church, rural New Richland, Ice Cream Social, 4:30-
   6:30

-Sunday, July 20 - St. Paul Lutheran Church Salad Luncheon, Green Isle, 10:30-1

Finally the sun - St. Henry's style

A leisurely drive in south central Minnesota on one of the first 'nice' days of 2013 was a treat as St. Henry's Catholic Church held its annual Salad Luncheon amongst the tweeting birds, calm countryside and warming sunshine.

Last year as I attended a salad luncheon in LeCenter a woman asked me if I had been to St. Henry's luncheon and when she found out I hadn't she highly recommended it. Well, that was almost a year ago and the country church already held theirs, so a full 11 months would have to go by to taste their delectable treasures.

An almost record number of people filled the small community room across from the church proper - because of the food and the fact the sun came out to warm up a disappointing spring season. Joan Traxler, chairman of the event, was happy with the turnout, "It went wonderful, such a great crowd. We were very, very pleased - about 150 attended." In case that doesn't sound like a huge number, this rural church on a Wednesday in April usually draws 35 families to Sunday church. "I think the weather did us a huge favor - no snow and sun!"

The little church on the hill celebrated a 150 years of worship in 2009. It's layout includes the church and cemetery on one side of the paved road and the playground, ball field and community room on the other side. Joan chaired this year's event but each new luncheon rotates the vice chair to the top notch next year, so Laurie Schotz will be continuing a tradition held for over 40 years.

As volunteer numbers dwindle, the men have helped pick up the slack, plus dedicated younger members are now stepping forward. Good thing, because great food, atmosphere and friendly smiles should be part of everyone's schedule as often as they can get it!

Back row: Laurie Schotz, Sandy Gernsheid, Cindy Widmer, Gay Surano,
Joan Traxler; front row: Sharon Riebel, Lucy Helfter, Dolores Wieland,
Megan Holychy

"I think we were one of the first parishes in this neck of the woods that started up a luncheon," Joan recalled. "Then others joined in." About 15 volunteers share the work, including Sharon Riebel, who when she spoke to me, caused us both to speculate where we had met before. She was performing her hostess duties and making sure everyone had what they needed when she asked me - we realized three years ago I bought a golden retriever from her Island Golden Farms nearby. My dog Millie would have loved to come, more to meet everyone than the food, but it constantly impresses me how small the world is when you get out and experience it!

Theresa Widmer and Sharon Traxler welcome Elaine
Willette to the luncheon.

The church's altar society has a bake sale and raffle in the fall and the men just hosted their annual Irish Stew in March. Joan shares feelings all church volunteers (and any in general) about planning a yearly event, "the anticipation is the most stressful, when you get going it runs smoothly." That simplifies what takes years of experience in the top spot to coordinate, but nary a church event has disappointed me yet in performance.

St. Henry is a entity located just off Hwy. 112 between LeSueur and LeCenter. One would suppose it was a bigger town in bygone years, but for now the church property functions as top dog. In protocol established years ago, tables flanked by the wall are broken up by a long row of tables combined for the 'regulars'. The community room is a quaint little facility with memories nailed on the wall. A particular one caught my eye and after investigation, found out this posting was the list of families and what they would bring to the annual picnic many years ago.

Yesteryear's festival signup sheet 

It was humorous to see the family listed by the male head, but the women brought the food and performed the manual labor! Items such as 12 quarts of potatoes, one gallon of carrots, 1/2 bushel of tomatoes, two pounds of butter, a pound of coffee, jelly, pickles, six pies were amongst the sign up items to bring for preparation - then a list of duties that needed to be filled. And besides that, most families chipped in $5- $15 each to pull off this shindig.

At the 11 a.m. start almost 45 people were lined up ready to fill their plates full of an assortment of pastas, salads, casseroles, deviled eggs, desserts, lemonade or coffee. It never ceases to amaze me how when I go through the line how difficult it is to pick what to eat (I usually take a little everything) and when I tour the luncheon area for pictures and interviews, the food has quickly changed to more time-tested recipes! Not fair! I want to go through twice -which would mean I would have to double the size of my stomach. I'm thinking that five minutes after everyone sits down a whistle blows and everyone  rotates their plate to the right to try your neighbor's choice of food. If there's any left!

Pickled carrots were a treat as were the chocolate candy kisses sprinkled amongst a vegetable tray. The daisies and mums that decorated the tables teased us into thinking spring was coming soon. Even a box elder bug managed to join the crowd, but I quickly plucked him off a woman in front of me and deposited him into the wide blue yonder. All the food disappeared as it has every year - that's because of Joan's leadership and great volunteer corp.

St. Henry's founding goes back to when Minnesota was a territory. In 1852 a little group of eight families came from Switzerland to the 'big woods' of south-central Minnesota. These people became the first Romancha settlement in America, actually speaking Roman. That group eventually held a meeting years later to build their church and during the remainder of the winter the ring of axes felling and hewing native oak could be hurt. A 18'x28' log chapel was built in 1859. Eventually a bigger church was built two more times. The church flourished with 85 families in its heyday. Thanks to Joan for getting me this information, described in the booklet as proud a parishioner could be. And lo and behold, the church festival attendances drew 700 people in the 1930s & 1940s.  At one time a banner stretched across CR 112 to announce the festival for all to attend.

Yesterday's restrooms

Who knows how long little country church's like St. Henry's will last, with dwindling numbers and rising exoduses to the larger cities. Right now the church shares Father Chris Shofner with St. Mary's in LeCenter, but someone like me who loves traveling through the countryside for that church gem in the valley or on the hill, let's hope dedicated congregations find a way to stay open.

St. Henry's Catholic Church - definitely a jewel amongst jewels!

St. Henry recipes - thanks Joan!

Jayne Gehrke's Calico Party Beans
Fry 1/2 lb. bacon, chopped
1-3 lbs. of ground beef
1 cup diced onions
1 cup celery (optional)
Drain: Add
2 TBSP mustard
1/2 - 1 cup brown sugar
1 TBSP vinegar
1/ cup ketchup
1 can tomato soup or tomato paste
1 can easy of your choice of beans, drain them (baked beans, northern beans, butter beans, kidney beans, chili beans, lima beans, green beans, or wax beans

Combine all in roaster and bake 350 degrees for about an hour. Or in crockpot (longer time).

Lucy Helfter's Chinese Casserole
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1 cup of chopped celery
1/2 cup onion
1/2 green pepper

Brown all the above and put into casserole. Sprinkle in 1/2 cup rice. Add one large can oriental vegetables - drained, one can cream of mushroom soup, 2 cups liquid beef broth, 2 TBSP soy sauce.

Mix altogether and our over meat and rice mixture. Bake two hours at 250 degrees. Just before done sprinkle with chow mein noodles.

Joan Traxler's Wild Rice Beef Salad
3-4 pounds beef roast - crock pot or oven roasted. Save broth. Shred or cube beef and set aside and add to the following:
1 1/2 cups uncooked wild rice. Cook 45-60 minutes and cool.

Add the following:
1 cup celery sliced thin
1 cup green peppers, diced
1 medium onion
2 TBSP sweet pickle relish
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salad dressing
salt and pepper to taste
Add 2-3 cups green grapes and some broth. Toss and blend together.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, May 4 
     *Brownsdale United Methodist Church, BBQ Riblet Luncheon, 9-1 with bake sale and rummage sale
     *St. John's Lutheran Salad Luncheon & Bake Sale, New Germany, 11-1

Hope in a rural setting

Hope in a rural setting


When you walk into a beautiful church like Hope Methodist, located on the northeast fringe of Faribault, the first thing you notice is its rural setting, fenced-in day care area and the colorful rainbow-framed altar inside.


Next thing might be Rose Marraccini and her New York accent.


It's her 10th year heading the Salad Luncheon, held Saturday, July 14 this year. The Staten Island born full-blooded Italian found her way to the Midwest first through school in Madison, Wisconsin, and eventually to Minnesota via college friends. "I loved it here, the moment I arrived," she answered when asked about how she strayed from the eastern seaboard. "When my family visits from out east they can't believe the room out here. Out there, you're pretty much right next to your neighbor, here, there could be miles between them."

Luncheon ladies: front row, LaVoy Shaffer,
Nancy DeCoux,Carol Hanson, Rose Marraccini,
Mary Sanborn; backrow, Connie Tuin, Sue Rassbach, Heather Grambart, Bev Witt.

Although Hope's salad luncheon is what they consider a 'mini-social', held for congregation and community members to keep in touch for the summer, its enticing salad selection was excellent. "You need to have these socials, people lose touch of one another quickly. And these luncheons draw the older generation, because they were the ones that started most of them." Most church socials before and just after the turn of the 20th century began as 'picnics' or gathering times. Remember, people didn't travel much and their church was their social time - and the majority were held on Sundays, considered days of rest then.


This house of worship lays on 10 acres of land, next to the former Andrews Nursery and Uhlir's Orchard. When it was time to rebuild, they could have chosen the corner lot a quarter mile away, but invested in the huge piece of land. Now they have ample room for their daycare, garden plots, parking, restful back area and six or so acres of apple trees.

Hope's beginnings
in 1905.

"We like the 'apple' significance of planting seeds, which as Christians we are asked to do," added Rose.

In a couple months, ripe apples will be plucked from the trees for another fundraiser - selling pies and crisps. It was all pies not a decade ago, but nowadays they found more people asking for crisps. All are made with scratch dough. Through generous donations locally, the 30 or so women who make and sell the pies, join up three days before the selling date. Jobs are divvied out, preparation areas mapped out and umpteen hours later the sale begins. The past couple years they sold 120 pies and 60 crisps. "I'm a follower in that fundraiser," Rose quipped.

Most of this money goes directly to capital projects for the church. The rest of their fundraisers have a variety of charitable venues. The church picks a needy local organization each year. This year its Backpacks for Kids, a fund established to provide school supplies for Faribault children who need help. One year they helped out Operation Nice, which boxes and sends various 'extras' to servicemen overseas. Each year some money is allotted to kids camps and foundations.


Yet another fundraiser is their Ham dinner, which this year might add sweet corn to its menu. The corn feed met its demise when harvest time wouldn't allow a set-on date, so combining it with the Ham Dinner in mid-September might be the compromise.


Hope Methodist's congregation totals 120 members. The smiles that greet you upon the luncheon are are real as they get. Once inside, a gorgeous picture (above) window shows off that huge yard and apple orchard. As its vision states, 'Hope' will give people the resources, grounding and faith-centered guidance needed to be faithful stewards - and as the name implies, "we look forward."


Many salads, but a favorite was:


Seafood Salad  (by Rose Marraccini)


1 pound pasta
50-60 medium cooked shrimp
1 pkg. Louis Rich crab chunks
1 pkg. Louis Rich lobster chunks
1 bunch green onions
2-3 large mushroom
8-12 Colby Jack cheese


Prepare pasta per box directions, rinse in cool water, drain.


Combine pasta, shrimp (remove tails), crab, lobster chunks.


Chop onions, mushrooms and cheese into small pieces. Add to pasta mixture.


Mix in mayonnaise or 1/2-3/4 bottle ranch dressing to taste.


Upcoming Events:

Sacred Heart Salad Luncheon, Hayfield: Tuesday, July 17, 11-1

St. Augustine's Church Salad Luncheon, Austin; Thursday, Jul 19, 11:30-1

St. Mary's Episcopal Church Corn and Pig Roast, Basswood Grove (south of Hastings), August 20, 4-8

Fellowship in Austin

One of many delicious
salads at the meal

Initial luncheon another fellowship opportunity

Lori Amick is the kind of person every organization wants - energetic, hard-working, diligent, humble and organized. So it's no surprise to church members at Christ Church - The Episocopal Church in Austin, Minnesota that Thursday's (July 11) Salad Luncheon came to fruition.


She's the one who ran with the idea.


Although the  church is more popularly known for its fall Sauerkraut/Pork Chop Dinner, it also is one of most active churches as far as community fellowship fundraisers/free meal opportunities. There goal is to have a monthly event serving people of the community.


For 14 years they have done an Easter Dinner, every third Saturday of the month is Free Community Dinner, September hopes to start a "Soul Food" meal, the Mystery Dinner is in November, Wine Tasting happens in December.


All those events happen with a church with about 50 families, but one that is faithful and active in God's message to serve people.


"I just like doing this," the lifelong church member said. "I enjoy being involved and helping people. Our congregation might be small, but they are very active. They step up and help at a moment's notice, otherwise all these events wouldn't be possible."


Lori's buoyant disposition allowed the first ever salad luncheon to draw a little over 100 people for it's first time - but the plans are in the works to see that number at double next year. No doubt that will happen if Lori, and co-chairperson Judy Bjorndal, are at the helm. Both truly loved working out the details and spreading the work - as well as sharing in much of it - for Thursday's meal.


"We do this to be active and to get our name out there as well," said Judy. "Everyone loves salads," added Lori. "It's so much fun to see what salads people bring to these kind of events."


She's right in that regard. As an added touch, each salad was named - some with more 'flavor' than others, but nonetheless descriptive. My favorite was the 'Frog-Eyed Salad" or "Moracan Tuna Salad". Next year they plan on having recipe cards for the salads brought to be purchased for a nominal price - a great idea and one that people won't have to buy an entire cookbook to get!

Kitchen help - Front row: Amanda Amick, Mary Moritz, Lillian Flynn,
Char Plantikow. Back row: Bruce Jordan, Lloyd Amick,
Lori Amick, Judy Bjorndal

Lori brought five salads herself, "I don't cook this much at home" she laughed, but obviously loving the opportunity to serve her fellow man. "Come on, salads aren't that hard to make and everyone can make one, so I thought, let's try it." She made her salads in the church kitchen, mainly because any dirty dish could be cleaned in 90 seconds in the commercial dishwasher on hand. Who wouldn't want one of them in their kitchen?


Twelve women helped out and 17 total salads came in. There were a few tasty leftovers, but at is a lesson learned on how much to fix next time. "Next year I'll work a little harder at advertising," Lori quipped. With it fair season, she's busy as a 4-H leader, along with mom, employee at Mower County Housing Authority (with along with her job is putting out a newsletter) and all sorts of other summer happenings. She brought two pans of pumpkin bars as well. It's also a family affair: husband Lloyd makes the coffee and runs the dishwasher; son Tyler is more involved with the pork chop dinner; daughter Amanda worked the kitchen as well Thursday.


Rev. Catherine Lemons was duly impressed by the luncheon, but also values her co-chairs and their willingness to serve. "I just started here in December and just missed the pork chop dinner, but after seeing these ladies put this together, I can hardly wait til then."


The free weekend meal is open to anyone - the Salvation Army holds one during the week. "We were hoping other churches would join in and offer one as well, but they haven't. The best reason I can give to why I do this is after meeting a man who came to our Easter dinner. He was going through town and heard about the meal. He came up to me and said afterward, that he wouldn't have ate it wasn't for this free meal. Not all who come are necessarily poor, but those that eat alone. No one should eat alone on Easter."


The ham dinner is no slouch. It has ham, au gratin potatoes, corn pudding bake (made by son Tyler), carrots in brown sugar sauce, salads and desserts. It's a hearty meal for attendees.

The first Episcopal Church in Austin
currently sits at the Mower County
Fairgrounds.

The Sauerkraut/Pork Chop dinner will be it's 76th effort this fall. It's a daunting achievement: 900 pounds of sauerkraut, pork chops enough for 600, chicken hot dish for another main entree, mashed ptatoes (used to be peeled and cooked, but now instant), an assortment of pies. "I've worked that one for 20 years and co-chaired now for five years. That one gets more than 30 people helping out." Half of the 900 pounds of sauerkraut are sold by the bag at the event. "We use an electric shredder for most but we still do a fair amount by hand. It takes 30 of us to get it done."


They start in September cutting cabbage and letting it ferment until ready to be prepared for the October event, this year earlier on October 8. "There's an older woman from our church who still wants to help out, despite her arthritic hands," explained Lori. "She pinches the greatest crusts, better than anyone I know. She tried to teach me but I just don't get it - have to start all over. Everyone pitches in as they can, from 16 to 90."

Lillian Flynn chaired the event close to 50 years before giving it up to Lori. Her historical aspect is kept in the 'Green Sauerkraut Bible', a green folder storing past dinner information.


The Episcopal church is nestled in the middle of Austin and with its beautiful limestone exterior and well-kept landscaping makes it very inviting to all. Once inside, it's beauty continues into the small, but quaint faith area, adorned with the most beautiful stained-glass windows. Started in 1862, this building is the second church. The original was moved to the Mower County fairgrounds years ago and is part of the historical aspect the grounds. But it's what's inside the church - the congregation - that has kept its presence alive in Austin.


With the help of the likes of Lori Amick, it will stay alive for many generations to come.



 Here is a great recipe to share of Lori's from the luncheon:


Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Red Cabbage Slaw
1/4 cup Mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 1/2 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. celery salt
1 medium head red cabbage, finely shredded
2 medium carrots, shredded
4 green onions, thinly sliced


Combine mayo, buttermilk, blue cheese, mustard, vinegar and celery salt in large bowl with wire whisk (or combine in food processor and process until smooth). Season, if desired, with salt or pepper. Stir in cabbage, carrots and onions. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.


Future events:
Sacred Heart Salad Luncheon, Hayfield: Tuesday, July 17, 11-1
St. Augustine's Church Salad Luncheon, Austin; Thursday, Jul 19, 11:30-1
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Corn and Pig Roast, Basswood Grove (south of Hastings), August 20, 4-8

Mazeppa's gem

Mazeppa Gem-

A few ladies stayed up late the night before peeling potatoes for the tasty scalloped potatoes - burning the midnight oil as one could say. Others spent time adding finishing touches on the 14 cold salads, two hot dishes and 11 desserts available. To wet your whistle, coffee, milk, lemonade or water was served. Two plates were provided for the hot and cold dishes. No duplications - nice planned! Definitely all diets off today!

St. John's is hidden behind Main Street up a hill a couple blocks on Second Street. For me, it seems fitting to start my blog here because my mom was baptized and raised here, while her parents (my grandparents) attended this church for many years.

As impressive as the food selection was downstairs, an Easter lily 'tree' upstairs lit up the front sanctuary. They were staggered upwards in a shape of a tree and the daunting lily smell rivaled the food downstairs. The church holds about 100. It was appropriate that prior to the luncheon, I quickly hit a garage sale just behind the church and purchased a homemade Noah's Ark basket. From there I quickly selected a pecan pie from the bake sale, so my husband can feel he experienced the day, too!

After spooning up a sample of each salad and pushing aside others for room on my plate, I sat next to a delightful group of women from Lake City, Red Wing and Pine Island. A couple women knew some of my relatives from the area, so I get in genealogy whenever I can. The weather was 65 degrees and the doors to the church were wide open, inviting the town to come on down and share in the day.

My favorite food was a green bean salad that had eggs, onions and celery mixed amongst the sauce. I have a feeling I'm going to come across many great foods that have never crossed my palate. Even my family favorite three bean salad was offered up.

The women of the church have been hosting the luncheon for 10 years. One worker said they had a turkey dinner, with mashed potatoes, etc, but had to discontinue it last fall, "because we just can't get enough people to help out."

Best quip of the day: "I love coming to these meals, not only because they are reasonable and delicious, but I don't have to leave a tip."

Next up: Chicken Pie Dinner in Wykoff: Wednesday, April 25.