North Dakota communities have their "tens", luncheons, surprise parties, bridal showers, pot luck dinners, birthday parties, etc., but the big event of the year is the annual church supper, sponsored by a Ladies Aid organization, usually held in the autumn.

It's the time of year when a lot of husbands are saying to their wives: "Let's see, Helen, isn't there a church supper tomorrow night?" Helen says, "There's one at Hannaford," Husband says, "Then it will be your night out. Let's go."

And Helen is only too glad. She has her calendar marked up something like this: October 31, Sutton; November 7, Hannaford; November 12, Union; November 14, Binford, etc.

About two weeks before this event the president of the Ladies Aid organization appoints an arrangements committee, who in turn appoint the sub-committees, who plan all phases of the supper as a general would plan a campaign. (Everything is done in a traditional manner.)

Lutefisk and choice meat for meatballs are ordered through the local stores.

This year, the Ladies Aid Society in charge of this event, chose November 7, and at 9:00 a.m., of that day one might have observed Mrs. Hilda Gilbertson, president of the Aid, and a few of her 40 members, already at work.

The supper was to be held at the Ladies Hall (a three-room building downtown) and here the women labored, scrubbing and cleaning, hanging decorations and draping the windows with gay colored curtains.

At the Alm home six women under the direction of Mrs. Katinka Alm, an expert meat cook, are making Norwegian meatballs, a delight known to all good eaters. They combine selected cuts of beef and pork, ground and well seasoned, all according to a recipe brought from the homeland Norway. It takes thousands of these to really put a supper over, as they say, so the women began cooking early and set aside the delicacy on a warm stove against the dinner hour.

"I didn't know you had to use so much cream in this mixture," said Lizzie Simonson.

"That's what makes them good," replied Mrs. Alm.

Mrs. Hoffman and her committee are making the combination vegetable salad at her home, the ingredients of which have been donated by the members.

The best lefse makers are baking lefse at their homes, that toothsome delicacy which is an integral part of every Norse feast table.

Many people doubt that anyone but a woman of Norse ancestry can successfully make lefse, although the ingredients are simple, being merely a batter composed of flour, water, milk and salt, which is rolled out into a huge sheet and baked carefully on both sides on a stove (range) top. It comes off rather soft and can be handled like a tablecloth and cut into proper sizes.

Mrs. Johnny Haugen and Mrs. Marcus Bakken have "soaked and watered out" the lutefisk so as to get rid of the lye taste. Many wash tubs full of the lutefisk is used at these suppers.

The workers go home to eat their noon lunch but shortly after the noon hour, the main committee return to the hall and as the day wears on more and more of the Aid members arrive, each bringing their contributions of hot foods or cold. The country members bring rich cream and butter besides other foods.

Here are Mrs. Skorheim, Mrs. Olson and Mrs. Simonson, peeling tubs full of potatoes (whole boiled potatoes will be needed for the Lutefisk; mashed potatoes for the meatballs); Mrs. Nels Anderson and Mrs. Otto Olson are cutting the pies. There must be a hundred or more of them. The "supply committee" is filling the plates and Mrs. Kreie is cutting the lefse with shears.

Meantime kettles simmer merrily on an overcrowded range and on an adjoining oil stove as many steaming gallons of coffee will be brewed.

Mrs. Marcus Bakken, the official coffee maker, makes the coffee in large two gallon coffee cans (the same kinds are used during threshing). Coffee, with a little egg and water, is mixed into the boiling water, and in a few minutes the coffee, the popular drink of the community, is ready to be served. Fresh coffee is made from time to time.

"Say, what about having a little coffee before the crowds start coming?" called Mrs. Peterson, as she entered the hall with casseroles of hot escalloped corn.

"I just made a pot full of coffee for you folks," replied Mrs. Bakken, "Come and help yourself." At which there is a rush for cups, and lefse is buttered and sugared.

The tables and shelves in the kitchen are filled with foods for a real "Thanksgiving feast."

In the dining room three long tables (each seating 25 persons) covered with white linen tablecloths, and resplendent with shining silverware and the best china in the neighborhood are in preparation for serving a large prospective crowd. Artificial flowers form the centerpiece. Two tumblers (water glasses) on each table hold paper napkins. The tables are laden with the choicest homemade foods, including white buns, dark (raisen) bread, lefse, dill pickles, beet pickles, cranberries, combination salad, Berliner Kranser, Fattigmand (Poor Man) and Sand Bakkelse, rich country cream and butter.

At 4:30, groups of people, laughing and talking, enter the hall.

"Is the supper soon ready?" asks Asher Anderson, the auctioneer. "I am nearly starved. I've waited for this supper for a whole week."

"That's fine," replied Edna Markuson, a waitress for the evening. "We are glad you are hungry and I promise to feed you."

Here they come, from the farms and from the nearby villages, far and near. Everyone has finished his day's work and will spend a few hours visiting with friends and neighbors while partaking of the best and biggest meal he has ever eaten (for only 40 cents).

"Hi, Charley," calls Lars Lerum to his country neighbor. "Are you starved for some good Norwegian lutefisk, too?" "I sure am," is the answer. "I'd drive miles any day for a meal of Lutefisk."

The whole scene is gay and happy. Waitresses dressed in light summer dresses and light shoes are moving to and from the kitchen, putting on the last finishing touches to the over-laden tables. The members of the kitchen committee, 30 in number, have put on their best cotton or wash-silk dresses and the guests wear their best everyday clothes or their "Sunday" clothes.

"I wonder if there will be a big crowd from Cooperstown tonight. Dr. Almklov and his wife never miss one of our suppers," said 86-year-old Louise Kaas, a retired school teacher, who has taught over 40 years.

"I don't know," said Mrs. Gust Fliflet, "You know there is supper over at Glenfield tonight, too."

Groups of people, having purchased their supper tickets (which are numbered) from Emelia Anderson, the Aid treasurer, as they entered, are seated along the hall, visiting while awaiting the signal for supper.

First come, first served is the motto.

"Did you hear that Mrs. Larson fell and broke her hip yesterday?" asked Mrs. Sola. "Yes, wasn't that terrible? Poor thing! She will be laid up all winter now. We must drive out some day and bring something along for coffee."

Promptly at five o'clock the folks, young and old, who hold numbers 1-75, take seats at the tables and Jennie Furaas collects the tickets. The waitresses bring dishes of potatoes, brown gravy, hot melted butter, Norwegian meatballs, lutefisk (Norwegian codfish), escalloped corn and coffee. The dishes of food are passed from guest to guest, "family>Promptly at five o'clock the folks, young and old, who hold numbers 1-75, take seats at the tables and Jennie Furaas collects the tickets. The waitresses bring dishes of potatoes, brown gravy, hot melted butter, Norwegian meatballs, lutefisk (Norwegian codfish), escalloped corn and coffee. The dishes of food are passed from guest to guest, "family style" and all may have as many helpings as they wish. Lastly, they may choose apple pie with cheese or pumpkin pie with whipped cream for dessert.

The members, who act as waitresses for the evening hurry here and there, urging the guests to take a second or third helping, filling up the nearly empty dishes and pouring coffee again and again.

There are no prayers of grace or accompanying ceremonies, no speeches. Older people usually bow their heads in silent prayer for a minute. As soon as a person has finished his meal, he asks to be excused as he leaves the table and another takes his place and this is continued until all are served.

"Please pass the lefse." "These are the best Norwegian meatballs I have ever eaten. I'll bet Mrs. Alm made them." "Yes, you have to hand it to these ladies. They surely can cook." "I didn't eat a bite for dinner, just waiting for this supper." "I believe a lutefisk supper brings the biggest crowds. Don't you?" "I am so filled up that I don't know if I have room for my pie," were the comments heard.

Seated at the tables are Dr. O. Hoffman, the village dentist; A. C. Brown, the only banker in town; Paul Troseth, the genial hardware man; Larson Brothers, farmers and inventors of tractor lug scrapers; B. M. Lunde, owner of the Big Store; Mr. and Mrs. Eric Gustafson, shoemaker; Mr. and Mrs. Chester Wallum, retired World War veteran; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Haugen, farmers from east of town; H. Swingen, the lumber dealer; Willard Brurud, the butcher and his wife and son; Frank Paulson, the dray man; Bob Martin, the mail driver and village marshal; Bliss Littler, the Great Northern Railway depot agent and his wife; Ole Midstokke, the railroad section foreman; Mr. Loren Law, the band director and his wife; farmers from east and west, north and south of town and their families; I. A. Kampen, former county superintendent of schools and one-time editor of the local paper; C. P. Schmidt, who has been depot agent for the Northern Pacific Railway in the village for over 35 years; Eileen Cole, the beauty shop operator; Otto Olson, the blacksmith and his wife and daughter; Fritiog Matheison, the hotel landlord; George Knauss, the village postmaster and his wife; F. Meyers and C. Jones, the restaurant men; the public school teachers and their families; Asher Anderson, the auctioneer who in early days had to auction off (gratis) the fancy articles made by the Aid members after all had been fed.

"It seems that every man, woman and child from the town and country are present tonight," said George Mills, a farmer north of town.

"No one would want to miss this supper," replied Mrs. Amund Westley. "Many suppers have already been sent out to those that couldn't come. After all, this supper comes only once a year."

"It's all for a good cause. The church won't have to worry about coal bills this winter," said Mrs. Mabel Boe.

Here come folks from Cooperstown, the county seat 12 miles north and they, too, are greeted with much handshaking. There is Dr. Almklov, county chairman of the board of health; County Coroner S. Quam; Nels Lunde, a county commissioner; Nels Thune, the sheriff, with their families; Bert Nelson, county treasurer; and Ole Troseth, register of deeds.

"Look who's here," exclaims Claus Jackson, an ex-sheriff and former Cooperstown resident, "and it isn't an election year either," at which they all good naturedly laugh.

"You haven't eaten all the lutefisk, have you, Claus?" asks Dr. Almklov. "Nearly all," said Mrs. Jackson, "but I knew you'd come so I left one piece for you."

Some folks left immediately upon finishing their meal. Others stayed to chat.

Here comes a crowd from Union (east of town) and Eidfjord (west of town).

"We surely have a crowd tonight," said one of the waitresses, in an undertone.

"That's just what we want," answered Mrs. L. Neveland. "We have plenty of food - enough to feed the whole county."

"Hurry up," said a little boy, "so we can go out to play." "Please pass the melted butter." "I heard the Union Aid is serving fried chicken at their supper next week." "Where do all these people come from?" "Did you ever see so many people?" "That couple is from Dazey and the other are some of their relatives from Minnesota," were the remarks I heard while passing amid the happy crowd.

"Why, there's Attorney A. I. Johnson - way from Fargo. When a man drives a hundred miles to a supper, you know that he knows where to get a good supper," said Mrs. Melvin Helmer. "I heard he is Norwegian vice consul now."

"Is everything donated for a supper like this?" asked a guest from California, who was visiting in a nearby town.

"Of all the foods served," replied Mrs. Hoffman, the Aid treasurer, "only the meat and lutefisk are purchased."

Mingling with the crowd, a kind salutation here and there, is Rev. Lee, pastor of the congregation.

"Oh, really, are the Richardsons too, moving to Oregon? Half of this community are moving west, it seems." said Ingvald Lyngby.

"Yes, we were just saying today that so many of our church members have moved to Anaconda, Montana; Eugene, Oregon; and Fargo, North Dakota, now," said Ole Forseth.

"Well, there isn't much for anyone to do in a small town; so little work to do." said Grandma Fliflet.

"Are you invited to the birthday party on Mrs. Lunde tomorrow?" said Mrs. Ole Midstokke, a new resident. "No," said Mrs. Boe, "but then one doesn't need to be invited here for birthday parties. It seems when we know of someone's birthday, we take along a plate of cookies and a quarter (25) and just go. Everyone is welcome."

"Lars, have you butchered that hog yet?" asked Hilmer Rasmussen. "No;" said Lars Lerum, "I am waiting for colder weather. I will let you know a few days ahead. I have to wait until Mrs. Olson can come and help the Missus (wife) can the meat. You see, we men always have to wait for the ladies," at which there was much friendly laughter.

Eilif Nelson (standing in the entry, where the men smoked) said, "I got a letter from my brother in the northeastern part of the state, near Devils Lake, and his potatoes rotted in the ground this year and his wheat was nearly worthless when at last it quit raining so he could thresh."

"Well you know," said Chris Jensen, a farmer from west of town, "we farmers are the biggest and best gamblers in the world - always believing that the next year or the next will be better. Year after year we put the crop into the ground, not knowing if we will ever get our seed back."

"Yes, that's right," said Eilif, "but then we can raise most of our food; we have plenty of food and that's something."

Over in the corner sat two farmers' wives discussing their work.

"How many turkeys have you to bring in for Turkey Day next week?" said Mrs. Fogderud.

"Oh," said Mrs. Einar Hovi, "I will have around 70 ready for the November market; the rest about 200. I will fatten up and sell before Christmas."

"Are you picking your turkeys this year?"

"No," replied Mrs. Hovi, "not when I can get them picked for 10 a head at Cooperstown. You know I heard Mrs. Retzlaff, living northeast from here, has about 900 turkeys. It is a bigger profit in them than in wheat, it seems."

"What is your job tonight?" called a woman from Union (a rural settlement east of town) to Mrs. Hareland, who came in from the kitchen to greet some new arrivals.

"Oh, I keep the dishes clean," she replied. "The dishes are washed while the supper is served. I am official dish washer this evening. Oh, yes, I have help. There are four of us so we take turns. It's really fun."

"Are they cleaning up the hall tonight?" asked Nora Bjor.

"Oh, no," she said. "We all come back tomorrow and scrub and wash dishes, then have a cup of coffee together and have such a good time talking while working."

A few late guests were finishing their supper. The 50 or more workers with plates laden with hot food, take seats at the tables.

"I am so glad the weather turned out so nice," said the president.

"Yes, weren't we lucky?" said Mrs. Alm.

"These meatballs are delicious, Mrs. Alm. You must give me your recipe," said Emelia Anderson.

"May I buy a few lefse?" asked an American born youngster as he finished his supper.

"Yes, you can have six of them," said the president. "That will be 25."

The American, as well as the Scandinavian children, enjoy this toothsome delicacy.

"Did these suppers originate in Norway?" asked Minnie Anderson, a teacher.

"Oh, no," replied the pastor. "The church supper of today probably traces its origin to the American Thanksgiving feast. It was not known in the Old Country, but here it became instantly popular and it is a good thing. There must be a social side to the church."

"I suppose they started these suppers in order to raise money for the church in early days," said Henry Swingen, the church treasurer.

"No doubt," said Rev. Lee. "Anyway this annual event tends to unify the community, a pleasant duty is performed for the benefit of the church and folks spend an enjoyable evening."

"What is done with this money ($140) that you have raised this evening?" asked Mrs. Pearson, the Minnesota resident.

"The Society (Ladies Aid) gives $100 towards the church budget, puts aside a certain sum in its sinking fund and sends not a little to the Orphans Home at Lake Park, Minnesota. (There is no Lutheran Orphanage in North Dakota.)

"Do you issue invitations to these suppers?" asked the guest from California.

"Oh, no," said the president. "A week before the time of the supper we put a notice in the local newspaper. We state the menu and the price."

"Who plans this menu?" asked Nora Bjor.

"The menu is planned by the main arrangements committee, although the whole Aid (organization) decide upon the kind of meat and the question: lutefisk or no lutefisk," replied the president.

The last dishes, pans and kettles which need "soaking" are left until tomorrow.

The members and the few lingering guests leave the hall with many joking admonitions "not to forget that tomorrow is a clean-up day and sweet dreams until tomorrow, etc.

At nine o'clock the following day (Saturday) one might see groups of women meeting again at the hall to put everything in "spic and span" order. It is a traditional custom for the president and her officers always to be on hand to work.

While talking over the success of their supper, they have coffee and refreshments. If no cookies or lefse was left, some of the members bring a plate of cookies or doughnuts. They can at least have coffee and a "sugar lump."

So ends another annual supper and happy memories of it linger on with everyone feeling he has done "his small bit" for a worthy cause.

Taken from the front Page of Hannaford Enterprise November 1947

ANNUAL LADIES AID SUPPER

The Hannaford Lutheran Ladies Aid will hold their annual church supper in the Ladies Hall, Friday, November 7, 1947. Serving will commence promptly at five o'clock and continue until all are served. Everyone welcome.

Annual Church Suppers in North Dakota

ANNUAL LADIES AID SUPPER

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