Jun 24

Written by: ngreditor
6/24/2008 6:12 PM 

Norwegian Days Dinner a real success

Submitted by Becky Dunlap and Lynette Fowlkes

“I don’t know, I’ve never had creamed cod before …” We heard that hesitant comment more than once. But by the end of the meal most were exclaiming how wonderful it was.

Newman Grove has been celebrating Norwegian Days since the 1970’s. However this year was the first for the Norwegian Days Dinner.

Julie’s Catering of Albion catered the meal. The menu was a fresh fruit cup, lefse, mashed potatoes with creamed cod, corn and for dessert, sweet rice with raisins. For those who didn’t want to try the creamed cod, she had salmon or breaded haddock. (In the editor’s opinion, they missed something if they didn’t take the cod!)

For myself, I wanted to tell Julie personally how delicious everything was. She is the sister of Sherri Flood, Mrs. Bob Flood of Newman Grove.

The evening was not just the meal. John Worre served as emcee and storyteller. He is well known as the local authority on “Ole and Lena”. The laughter at times was so intense that napkins came out to wipe the tears away.

Featured singer was (on right) Nancy Guertin and pianist Kathy Renner.

A real treat was the musical styling of Nancy (Sanchelli) Guertin of St. Paul, MN. She is the sister of Kathy (Sanchelli) Renner who lived in Newman Grove at one time.

Nancy sang three different songs to rousing applause from the crowd. Then an ad hoc group consisting of John & Patti Worre, Nancy Guertin and Kathy Renner sang an a capella version of “Jesus Loves Me”.

The Senior Center was filled with those enjoying the meal. A total of 74 tickets were sold for the event.

The room was tastefully decorated in Norwegian decor and also had Norwegian music playing in the background.

The crowd consisted of many local and out of area people. Some were ‘true’ Norwegians (fullblooded), some were part Norwegian and some didn’t even have a smidge of Norwegian in them – but as by a button worn by Dennis Fowlkes said, he was “Norwegian by-proxy”.

Door prizes were given by Newman Grove and Lindsay businesses: Bank of Lindsay, Bank of Newman Grove, Gerhart Insurance Agency, Sheila’s Shear Design, Jodi’s Hair Classics and Jeff Peetz Attorney at Law.

Winners were Beverly Benson, Alden Nygren, Paul Cederlind, Julie Cederlind, Marlyne Guthard, Dick Fowlkes, Pat Carpenter all of Newman Grove and Heaven Martin of Denver, CO (she is the greatgranddaughter of Burt and Dorothy Belgum of Newman Grove).

Tentative dates for Norwegian Days 2009 are Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21.

Becky Dunlap and Lynette Fowlkes were co-chairmen of this event.