Trinity Lutheran Church of Wellsville, NY, cut the cabbage
for sauerkraut on Sunday afternoon, as we have done for over a hundred
years. It will be served as a part of
our annual Election Day Dinner, but 2020 is a year like no other, and with it
come changes. COVID-19 restrictions
dictate that dinners will be available only through a curbside pick-up
service. After decades of dedicated
service, our head cook, Bruce Hand, has stepped down. Many thanks go out to the
Hands for their key role in this fundraiser over the years. As with all organizations, we are facing an
evaporating pool of volunteer workers.
Sauerkraut devotees still exist, but our dropping ticket sales indicated
that despite it being a superfood, younger generations are not huge fans. For those who eagerly anticipated to of our
traditional Sauerkraut Supper, as did we all, this is a bit of a wrench. Fresh sauerkraut will still be available for
sale in the morning, first come, first served, 2lbs/$3, on Election day for
those who love it.
Oktoberfeast or
Sauerkraut Supper, it is still an Election Day Dinner by any other name. We
have come up with an exciting meal that is bounteous, yet less labor intensive
- an adaptation to move us into the future.
We are now offering a full, authentic, three-course German meal. Here’s an easy zoom party: line up some
friends, pick up some beer (Martin Luther would recommend his wife’s home brew)
along with your dinner and dig into some German comfort food from the comfort
of your own home. As you've no doubt noticed, food prices have risen dramatically and so the ticket price has jumped to $15. It sounds high, but look at this menu: • appetizers: onion tart and braised brats
• two entrees: pork roast with gravy AND sauerbraten (German beef pot roast)
• sauerkraut - now in a separate container
• red cabbage
• green beans with bacon
• pumpernickel bread
• dessert: choice of apple pie OR Black Forest cake
Consider this as an opportunity to enjoy these German treats, some of which are rarely available in this area. We will be offering 200 tickets for the dinner this year, and they are available at both the church and daycare offices at 470 N. Main Street, Wellsville. If you still have your doubts, try us anyway and cast your vote in a survey to be made available after the supper online. We encourage our diner’s comments, merely asking that you keep any criticism constructive. We will use your feedback to fine tune our fundraiser. Vote, then eat.
Three of the men of Trinity Lutheran tamping down the
kraut: John Vargo (left), Pete Carlin
(right), and Dick Kling (back). Over
1200 pounds of cabbage were shredded, salted, and tamped. The crocks were water-sealed and in six
weeks, we’ll have delicious, healthful sauerkraut for our Election Day dinner,
and available for sale that morning at 2lbs/$3 while supplies last.
