MASON CITY – The First Annual Potato Festival was held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Mason City, with part of the proceeds going to the Trinity House of Hope.
Ronald Rachut, a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Mason City, came up with the idea of a Potato Festival and took it to the church board. The St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rock Township in rural Grafton was asked to get involved and they approached Joey Van Zomeren, Manager of the Trinity House of Hope. “She thought it was a great idea,” said Rachut.
“We are trying to save the shelter by having extra fundraisers,” said Joey. “Our rent has went up and it just takes a lot to keep the place running. It’s a great place, we’d hate to have to relocate.”
The Cerro Gordo County Board of Supervisors turned down a funding request Van Zomeren asked for during its budget process. The board also denied a funding request the previous year.
Deb Wolf was giving a demonstration on how to make Lefse. A Norwegian dessert made out of potatoes. “A friend of mine, who is a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church told me one day that they were looking for someone to make lefse and I said “I can, there’s nothing to it,” said Wolf, with a smile. Anybody that knows anything about lefse, knows that isn’t quite true.
Lee Olson, a member of the church, had been prepping potatoes for all the food that was cooked for the event. “I think I got potatoes growing out of ears, I’ve been working with them for the past few days, getting ready.”
The potato is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. Potato cultivars are available in many shapes, sizes and colors. The edible part of the potato plant is the underground swollen stem known as a tuber. the leaves, stems, flowers and fruits of the potato plant contain poisonous compounds and should not be eaten.
The Russet Potato is best for baking and French fries, the Reds are best for soups and stews and needing red color of skin. The Whites are an All-purpose potato, as are the Yellow, but with a natural buttery look.
The Fundraiser served potato pancakes, potato sausage, ham and potatoes, potato dumplings, potato ravioli and green beans. There were also potato candies, lefse, potato chocolate cookies and microwaved potato chips.
Entertainment for the children included crafts and games, in the many down-stair rooms, designed to teach. One of the more favorite rooms was the theatre themed room, which had a big scene TV and seating like a real theatre.
For the adults, Leo Meitner & Family played some Old Tyme Musik. There were speakers from Sukup and Joey talked about the Trinity House of Hope.
The day ended with drawings for door prizes.
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