It's the Pearl of Chicken Dinners

Lonapearl and Gene Korfhage brought friend Loraine Andree to the United Methodist Church creamed chicken dinner in Brownsdale, and marveled at the amount of salads, desserts and main course they got. 

Serving over 245 people this year, it seems the secret's out on the good food served here. It was a typical October night (October 27) as far as weather went, and the creamed chicken could be smelled three blocks away and easily from an open window in a car driving by. The fact that there was a line waiting for them to open made my mouth salivate even more.

Loraine Andree, left, and Lonapearl and Gene Korfhage had already
finished their meal, but they had time to talk about the great event.

"There's just too much to eat!" said Lonapearl. The three proceeded to share their breadth of knowledge on not only many delicious meals in the area, but who has the best lutefisk dinners. "We've been to as many as seven in one year, but there are so many to go to," Lonapearl shared. Loraine agreed. "You could go to these dinners all year round and never get a bad one." In that, so far as I have found, she is right.

They warned me that the Preston's Lutheran church lutefisk dinner the first Sunday of December was one to attend, saying their fruit soup and bread pudding was out of this world. Never had fruit soup, I might have to take them up on that!

Sue Amick coordinates all the volunteers, food, etc. and in addition to that is getting ready for their annual Halloween party for kids. "It's not so bad, everyone does their job and we have a good time," she said, which is validated by the smiles, fun jabs and knowledge of most who attend from the workers behind the counter. As the first people were in line and getting seated, Sue said a prayer over the meal - a first in any dinner I've gone to this year, lending an obvious thankfulness over food and friends.

"This year we almost ran out of food," said Jean Way, a volunteer helping out in desserts. "We were wondering what we were going to do if we did." Jean shared that this is her second year helping out at the dinner, but she and her husband just joined the church officially this year. "We sure liked the people here, so we decided why not (join)?"

Myrna Thompson, Sue's sister, has been involved for many years as well. She's one busy lady going table to table helping customers get seated, cleaning tables, chatting, helping out other volunteers, whatever it takes to pull off the yearly event. United Methodist does have one other large fundraiser in the spring, a Swiss Steak Dinner. If that's half as good as this one, put that one on your calendar!

Aronn Oakland lend a helping hand
for the dinner.

The church is 156 years old, making it one of the oldest in the area. This building is the second one, built in 1978. As most churches in the 19th century, they got their start holding services in sod homes and shanties of parishioners. From there they moved to the school house in the area and the first church was finished in 1891. The ladies aid formed in 1891 and have ever since been a vibrant spark to church life and activities since.

Money raised for the dinners goes to church needs, with a little spread out in other charities.

Current Pastor Sharon Goetzinger and husband, Vern, manned the ticket table. Pastor Sharon is in her second year at the Brownsdale parish. "Everyone involved does such a great job," she said. "It's hard not to want to help out in some way."

A beautiful Lord's Supper mural overlooked the meal room.

Aside from the warmth from the creamed chicken and biscuit it covered, there were so many choice salads your plate couldn't hold them all. Ladies of the church made at least 20 salads, so selecting which one to take made portions smaller or passing on some to take more of another. Then if that wasn't a difficult enough decision, the women made up 15 different pies or bars to choose from. This is the first dinner I have been to where banana creme and coconut creme pies were available - mostly because they need to be refrigerated until served. I had to pass up my favorite banana creme because of the raves I heard from others about the Better than Robert Redford Dessert. Fortunately, I took a piece and kept it until the end. They were right, or the cook was right.

Marcella Rockwell and Judith Pike took care
of bake sale proceeds.

"People always ask me at events where I work or at meals, 'are you going to make that dessert?', so it's hard not to," said Jean Way. She's made the dessert for over 30 years - the new generation probably doesn't even know who Robert Redford is! An added touch at the counter of food was the option of taking a pumpkin flavored muffin, cut in half with a cream spread, decorated festively on top with a pretzel sticking out the top. There was no end to the great food!

Within the first 15 minutes almost all 10 tables of eight were filled, but they had two other smaller rooms ready for backup. As I left, the line was longer and tables filled. And walking to my van my tummy was full and happy, but the temptation to go back in remained as that luscious aroma still filled the air outside.

Jean Way was a friendly face to those trying to
choose ONE dessert!

Recipes of the Day!

Jean Way's "Next Best Thing to Robert Redford Dessert" (and it is!)

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup finely chopped pecans
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 8 oz. Cool Whip thawed
1 large pkg Instant banana pudding
1 8 large pkg. instant chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
1 Hershey bar grated

Mix together flour, butter, pecans for crust; press in 9 x 13 pan, bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Cool.

Mix cream cheese, sugar, 1/2 Cool Whip and spread over cooled crust.

Mix each pudding mix separately, using 1 1/2 cups of the milk in each mixture. Apply each pudding mix in two separately ayers. Spread remaining Cool Whip on top of them.

Sprinkle with the grated Hershey bar. Cool until ready to serve.

Myrna's (Thompson) Raspberry Salad

3 small pkg. raspberry jello
3 cups of hot water
1/2 quart of vanilla ice cream
whole raspberries

Mix the jello with the three cups of hot water until dissolved. Add the vanilla ice cream and mix; add the whole raspberries.  Pour into bowl and cool until ready to serve.

UPCOMING DINNERS/SUPPERS: 
(And there are more where these come from)

Sat. Nov 3 - Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Lyle, Roast Beef dinner, 4-7
     Annual Chili/Soup Supper, Grace United Methodist, Millville, 4:30-7:30
     Scandian Grove Lutheran Church, St. Peter, Lutefisk/Meatball Supper, 11-1, 4-8

Sun. Nov. 4 - Roast Beef Dinner, Kasson Community Church, 11-1
     Hamball Dinner, Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo Lake, 11-1
     All Saints Dinner, Holden Lutheran Church, Kenyon, 3:30-7:30
     Roast Beef dinner, Harmony United Methodist Church, 4:30-7:30
     St. Mary's of Geneva, Soup and Pie Supper, 4:40-7
     First Presbyterian Church, Winnebago, Swiss Steak Dinner, 10:30-1
     Windsor Pork Chop, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Rose Creek, 4:30-7

Tues. Nov. 6 - Turkey Dinner, Vernon Center Grace United Methodist Church, all day

Wed. Nov. 7 - Little Cedar Lutheran Church, Adams, Lutefisk/Meatball Supper, 11-1, 5-
               7:30
     Faith Lutheran Harvest Supper, featuring Scandanavian pastries, 5-7:30, Dodge Center

Sun. Nov. 11  - Emmons Lutheran Church Lutefisk Supper, 11-6:30

 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

O Lutefisk, O Lutefisk

It is that time of the year again when that lovely lye smell radiates from church kitchens, with a variety of other yummy smells. Frolicking through the internet the other day and found out this "Lutefisk Dinner Calendar". This just includes churches, but good Scandanavians know there are restaurants that serve it as well.

These are the dates given. Please utilize your internet skills or lutefisk contacts to verify information given, as times, dates, etc. can change from year to year.

Prices also vary, from $13-$17, plus what is served aside from Lutefisk.

Lutefisk Dinners around the State:

SEPTEMBER
Sept. 29 - Our Savior's Lutheran, Pequot Lakes (Last Saturday in Sept); 3 p.m. til it runs out

OCTOBER
Oct. 3 - Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton (First Wed. in Oct); 4:30-7:30
Oct. 13 - First Lutheran Church, Pine River (Second Sat. in Oct); 3:30 - 7:30
Oct. 13 - Highview Christiana Lutheran Church, Farmington (Second Sat in Oct); 5:30 & 7:15, no tickets at door
Oct. 10 - Vang Lutheran Church, Dennison (Second Wed. in Oct); 11, 12, 1 servings
Oct. 16 - First Lutheran Church, Blooming Prairie (3rd Tues., Oct) 11, 1, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30
Oct. 20 - Grace Lutheran Church, Mankato (3rd Sat. in Oct); several time servings starting at 11
Oct. 20 - Holden Lutheran Church, Kenyon (3rd Sat. in Oct); 1-5
Oct. 21 - Evanger LUtheran Churdh, Sargeant; (Sunday of MEA)
Oct. 25 - St. John's Lutheran Church, Kasson (4th Thurs, Oct) 11, 3, 4
Oct. 25 - Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fridley (4th Thurs, Oct) 4-7
Oct. 26 - Zion Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls (last Fri. Oct) 4:30-7:30
Oct. 27 - Christiana Lutheran Church, Lakeville (last Sat. Oct) 4, 5:30, 7
     Our Savior's Lutheran, Middle River (Last Sat Oct) 3:30 til run out
     Zion Lutheran Church, Hanska (last Sat Oct). 4-8
Oct. 28 - Bethel Lutheran Church, Lester Prairie (last Sun Oct) 12-5
     Oakland Lutheran Church, Albert Lea (last Sund. Oct) 3-7

NOVEMBER
Nov. 1 - Cambridge Lutheran Church (firs Thurs. Nov) 3-7
     Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Lake (first Thurs. Nov) 5 & 7
     Trinity Lutheran Church, Stillwater (First Thurs. Nov) Reservations required, 11-7
Nov. 2 - Bethel Lutheran Church, Porter (first Fri. Nov) 4-8
     East St. Olaf, Byron (first Fri. Nov)4:30-7 reservations required
     House of Hope Lutheran Church, New Hope (First Fri. Nov) 3:30-8
Nov. 3 - Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Hgts (first Sat. Nov) 2-6
     Minnehaha Lutheran Church, Mpls, (First Sat. Nov) 4-6:30 seatings
     North Heights Lutheran Church, Arden Hills (first Sat. Nov) one seating at 4
     Scandian Grove Lutheran Church, St. Peter (First Sat. Nov) 11-1, 4-8
Nov. 4 - First Lutheran Church, Baudette, (first Sun. Nov) 3-7
     Zion Lutheran Church, Buffalo Lake (first Sund. Nov) 4-7

Nov. 7 - First Lutheran Church, Morris (first Wed. Nov) 4-7

     Little Cedar Lutheran Church, Adams (firs Wed. Nov) 11-1:30

     Urland Lutheran Curch Cannon Falls (first Wed. Nov) 11, 1, 4Nov. 8 - First Lutheran Church, Red Wing (Sec. Thurs, Nov)
Nov. 9 - Nov. 13 - Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons, (sec. Tues Nov)11:30- 7 seatings
     Faith Lutheran, Staples (Election Day), 4-8
     Vinje Lutheran Church (Election Day) 3-8
Nov. 10 - Advent Lutheran Church, Maple Grove, (sec. Sat Nov) 4 & 6
     Christ Lutheran Church, Blaine (sec. Sat, Nov) 11-1, 4-7
     St. Johns' Lutheran Church, Lakeville (sec. Sat. Nov) 4-7:30 seatings
     Zoar Lutheran Church, Tofte (Sec. Sat. Nov) 5-7
Nov. 11 - Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, St. Louis Park ( Sec. Sun Nov) call for tickets
Nov. 15 - Our Saviors Lutheran, Barnesville (3rd Thurs Nov) 4-8
     Our Saviors Lutheran, Hibbing (3rd Thursday, Nov) 4-7
Nov. 16 - Immanuel Lutheran, St. Paul (Friday before Thanksgiving) 4-6:15 seatings
Nov. 17 - Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Mpls (3rd Sat. Nov) 3:30-6
     Glendorado Lutheran Church, Princeton (3rd Sat. Nov) 3-7
     Mindekiren Norwegian Memorial Church, Mpls, (3rd Sat Nov) three seatings, call church
     Richfield Lutheran Church, Mpls. (3rd Sat Nov) 4, 6:30
     St. James Lutheran Church, Crystal (3rd Sat. Nov) 4, 5, 6
Nov. 18 - Immanual Lutheran Church, Hendrum (3rd Sund Nov) 11-1:30

DECEMBER
Dec 1 - Lyndale Evanglical Lutheran Church, Maple Plain (first Sat Dec) 2-6
     Minnetonka Lutheran Church, Minnetonka (first Sat Dec) 6 p.m.
     St. Barnabas/Oak Knoll Lutheran Churches, Minnetonka (first Sat Dec) 6-8 check for site
Dec. 2 - Bygland Lutheran Church, Fisher (First Sund Dec) 11:30-2
     Christ Lutheran Church, Preston, (first Sund Dec) 11-5 seatings
     First Lutheran CHurch, Worthington (first Sun Dec) 2:30 & 5:30
Dec. 3 - Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, (first Mon Dec) 4 5:30
Dec. 4 - Bethel Lutheran Church, Little Falls (first Tues Dec) 4:30-8
     Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake (First Tues Dec) 3:30-7:30
     Gethsemane Lutheran Church,Virginia (First Tues Dec) 11-1, 4;30-7
Dec. 5 - First Lutheran Church, Duluth (first Wed Dec) 12-7
     Chatfield Lutheran Church (first Wed Dec) call for times
Dec. 6 - Our Savior's Lutheran Church Cloquet, (first Thurs Dec) 4-7
   Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Kelliher (first Thurs Dec) 4-8
     Trinity Lutheran Church, Monticello, (first Thurs Dec) 4-6:30 seatings
Dec. 7 - Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul (first Fri Dec) 6:30 til gone
     Grace Lutheran Church, Hermantown (first Fri Dec) 4-7
     Hope Lutheran Church, Moose Lake (first Fri Dec) 4:45, 5:30
     Mount Olivet Lutheran Church, Mpls (first Fri Dec) 3-7
     River of Life Lutheran Church, Mpls (first Fri Dec) Noon
Dec. 8 - Christ the King Lutheran Church, New Brighton (Sec Sat Dec) 4 p.m.

JANUARY
Jan. 19 - First Lutheran Church, Columbia Hghts (3rd Sat Jan) 12-6 seatings
Jan. 25 - Calvary Lutheran CHurch, Alexandria (4th Fri Jan) 4 & 6

FEBRUARY
Feb. 3- Dell Lutheran Church, Frost (first Sun Feb) 1-6

MAY 
May 16 - Lands Lutheran Church, Zumbrota (Thurs of Syttende Mai), 4:30 & 6

The Importance of Youth

It's not often nowadays that the caretakers of church social events have youthful faces full of energetic charm, but that was the case in a visit to Meriden's St. Paul Lutheran Church and their annual ice cream social.

This lovely church hides between corn fields in Steele County for now, but in the near future Hwy.14's four-lane highway will drive close by, giving up its privacy and peaceful existence. On Sunday, August 5, over 350 hungry travelers filled the parking lot to eat not only ice cream, but pork burgers, BBQs, potato salad, fruit cups and most ginormous selection of pies to pick from in any church kitchen.

Kent Wilker mans the BBQ grill to a new
record sale of pork patties.

Kristen and Kent Wilker were the first ones on hand for the day, finalizing touches to the menu, tables, decorations, food. In fact, the most ideal summer day in over a month added to the quiet country setting and Kent was busy preparing the huge grill for pork patties from Steve's Meat Market in Ellendale. Little did he know that before the day was out, a quick trip to neighbors to borrow about 100 more patties for the throngs of visitors hoping to satisfy their hunger. It probably had something to do with his secret barbeque recipe utilized from the grill!

"We couldn't believe that we ran out," explained Kristen. "We ran out of everything - but pies, and that was because we had extras come in that morning. We felt so bad when the last of the people showed up hoping for a burger and we couldn't give them one. They were all so understanding and asked, "what do you have" and we said, "pie" and they said, "we'll have that then."

Several years ago the ice cream social brought in about 400 but in subsequent years the numbers dropped to about 250, which is what Kristen and Diane Kath, co-chair's of the event, decided on. "It was bad news, good news, when that happened. Glad we had such a great crowd, but feeling bad we couldn't provide more." The ice cream social has been held for decades.

Macy Meixner was busy making more
fruit cups for the large crowd Sunday.

Kristen credits some 'free' advertising to more numbers. The conventional paid advertising was performed, but she added a flyer to the Owatonna Today Show on the radio, Todd Hale and his Fair Talk column in the Owatonna newspaper and mentions on other radio programs. "I made the ad a little bigger in the (Owatonna) newspaper but I think the other forms were the ticket."

That was one of the jobs Kristen had to perform before she and her husband led the church Luther League youth group to Louisiana for its annual convention. The Meriden group doesn't make that commitment very often, so not only was time involved but finding the money for the trip, which in the end cost about $19,000. The ice cream social proceeds help out the youth group, as do other fundraisers at the church. It was a big undertaking, but the group proudly showed slides from the trip at the social during the meal. "It was so much fun, but it was also very educational," said Kristen. "We decided we couldn't do it every year, so hopefully we can go again in three years. But it takes a lot to pull it off."

Fifteen youth from that group helped at the dinner and along with eight adults, kept the event flowing. At the door, guests are asked to fill out order forms, but the 200 provided ran out an hour into the meal. It was the first time this author has seen order forms, but it's been a staple for St. Paul's ice cream social for many years.

The solitude of the farm

fields was enhanced bythe beauty of the cemeteryacross the road fromthe church.

The church has a to-die for parish education committee that jumps to help out. "It absolutely is amazing how the congregation comes through whenever we ask for help," Kristen glowed. She was worried when she saw only a few pies on Saturday, but by Sunday 38 delicious desserts showed up: blueberry, cherry, apple, french silk, pumpkin, lemon meringue, cheesecake, cherry cheesecake, rhubarb and the one people drive miles to get to - sour cream raisin. "That went quick," laughed Kristen.

Pastor Gary Ruskinko has served the 430 strong congregation since 1995 and proudly rolls up his sleeves to help out, kitchen, grilling - wherever he is needed. "These people also put on a Sweetheart Supper, Soup days during Lent and a Pancake Breakfast, besides what needs that come up," he said. "They aren't afraid to help out." Kristen agreed, "I have one parishioner that comes through often and doesn't want anything in return - I've even tried to return her generosity. You can't believe how invaluable people like that are."


Besides food, there is a raffle for an older quilt, new quilt, baskets full of goodies for people willing to buy a ticket at the door. $240 was raised from generous visitors from that event.

As most church socials go, changes have to be made due to time constraints on volunteers. The potato salad is purchased now, but may be brought back as homemade donations in the future. Kristen and Diane donate the buns and baked beans. The fruit is also donated: this year they made 52 fruit cups and ended up hurriedly had to make up 20 more when food sold quickly.

"One reason I do this is because society has forgotten about so many traditions that are going away," said Kristen. "It doesn't really take that much time to do these things if you get enough people wanting to do it. This little country church chooses to do it."

The hard work of adult parishioners has not gone unnoticed by the younger set. The youth want to get involved with transitions meals in Owatonna as well as serving meals in the Minneapolis area for future service projects.  It's a testament to the energy provided by the Wilkers and the many other volunteers at the church. "Next year we might add a corn feed to this event, we've talked about that."

And Kristen would be the one to make that happen!