Story originally printed in the Westby Times or online at www.westbytimes.com
Published - Thursday, May 15, 2008
Norwegian baking demonstrations a traditional part of Syttende Mai
When Westby began thinking about observing the 17th of May again in the year of 1969, one of the first ideas was doing Norwegian food demonstrations.
Lefse baking was an early thought. Who could celebrate without having lefse? It was decided to demonstrate to the public just how lefse is made and how it would taste. So began lefse baking and we are still doing it 40 years later.
The first five years were lefse only but it has been expanded to other Norwegian foods. There was lefse for baking and lefse for tasting, lefse for judging and lefse for selling.
Bakers brought electric lefse grills, baking boards, lefse turning sticks, butter, extra flour, salt, knives, trays, spatula, asbestos to put under the grill, batter, tablecloths, extension cords, recipes, paper toweling and rolling pins. If one did not have a grooved lefse rolling pin, one went to Dr. Bland’s office and got tube bandages to cover their plain flat rolling pin. If no one brought a board to roll the lefse on, they borrowed one from Christine Bagstad who lived upstairs.
The baking demonstrations were done in the big windows of Borgen’s Restaurant from 1969-2001. The first years, baking was on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday. Then it was changed to Saturday and after the parade on Sunday. Now baking is done only all day Saturday. It is hard to get enough volunteers for two days.
For the judging contest women would pay 25¢ to enter a package of three lefse. Then it would be judged and prizes awarded on Saturday. Then the lefse would be auctioned off either by Gary Olerud or Ed Pedretti. Lefse was sold for a package of three lefse from $1 to $5.50. Marion Nuttestad was the top bidder. Some judges were Mrs. J.P. Vigdahl, Dora Agar, Mrs. J.E. Lienlokken, Mrs. Roy Bakken, Mrs. Irvin Moilien, Mrs. Art Halvorson, Mrs. Kenneth Olstad, Mrs. Egil Haugen, Mrs. Lester Schatzke, Howard Nestingen, Tom Knutson and Mrs. Hilmer Peterson. There were usually three new judges every year and they were given lefse and a free meal for their help.
During the baking demonstrations, lefse was buttered and samples were passed out for tasting. The bakers were given small rosemaled rolling pins for participating.
In 1971, 25 people entered lefse for judging. Winners were: First-Mrs. Harvey Gernander, who was given a trophy and $15; second-place winner was Mrs. John Blihovde, who received a trophy and $8; third-place winner was Mrs. Virgil Mathison who was given a trophy and $7.
In 1972, there were 10 entries and the first-place winner was Mrs. John Blihovde, who won a trophy and $7; second place was Mrs. Marvin Hagen, who received a trophy and $5; and third place was mrs. Blaine Dunnum who received $1.
In 1974, the lefse baking contest ended. People began demonstrating how to make flatbrød, strull and rosettes, as well as lefse and this has continued, baking other Norwegian pastries and fattigman. Each baker bakes for one-half hour and then passes around samples of each kind of baking.
There were no baking demonstrations in 1973, 1987 and 1996 for some unknown reason and no contests.
The lefse baking demonstrations made such an impression on people that in 1969, Westby Norseman Youth Club had a float in the Sunday parade. Kevin Sorenson, Kent Sorenson and Red Anderson and two one-time substitutes, Colette Skundberg and Al Engstrom, were dressed in long pioneer-style dresses and bonnets peeling potatoes, rolling lefse and baking the lefse on an old-style stove. The were such a big hit that they participated in seven parades and went as far as La Crosse and St. Paul Winter Carnival. They received two first prizes and even the Presidents Award at the La Crosse Octoberfest. They did a repeat performance in 1970.
In 2002, the baking demonstrations were moved to the Heritage Tent where we will also be baking in 2008. This year baking will be Saturday only. Lefse will be demonstrated by Renee and Avid Moilien, kumkake by Mae and Tammy Jacobson, strull by Betty Homstad, rosettes by Evelyn Williams, fattigman by Carmen and Myrna Moe and Lillian Leum will bake flatbrød a couple of times. It is encouraging to know that some people are willing to bake every year. In that was we can help keep our Norwegian heritage alive.
Some of the committee members have been Mrs. Carla Olson, Mona Samuelson, Alma Hoilien, Betty Homstad, Eunice Sorenson, Helen Running, Doris Johnson, Valborg Melby, Thora Lunde, Margaret Knutson, Elaine Steenberg, Florence Holen and Lillian Leum since 1970.
Other early lefse bakers to demonstrate were Mona Samuelson, Carla Olson, Valborg Melby, Betty Homstad, Thora Lunde, Ovedia Dunnum, Marie Hagen, Christine Bagstad, Mrs. Art Bagstad, Mrs. John Blihovde, Mrs. LeRoy Dunnum, Mrs. John Graupe, Florence Holen, Margaret Olstad, Margaret Amundson, Caroline Swiggum, Lilah Meyer, Mary Strangstalien, Verna Berg, Doris Johnson, Opal Volden, Audrey Nelson and Phyllis Eklov.
Flatbrød bakers were Mrs. Blaine Dunnum, Mrs. Christine Bagstad, Gladys Stendal and Lillian Leum.
Rosette bakers were Erma Engh, Donna Sebion, Hazel Rudie, Rena Theige, Lorraine Johnson, Lorraine Stendahl, Evelyn Williams, Caroline Swiggum, Gertie Midtlien, Lorraine Everson, Leona Rundhaugen and Sylvia Larson.
Strull: Betty Homstad, Mrs. Gluford Appleman, Valborg Melby, Margaret Knutson, Goldie Eklov, Mary Strangstalien, Esther Bakke, Hildur Holte, Carla Olson, Marjorie Haugen, Hazel Hanson and Dee Goss.
Kumkake bakers were Eunice Sorenson, Mae and Tammy Jacobson.
Fattigman bakers were Bella Rundhaugen, Valborg Melby, Gladys Stendahl, Verna Hanson, Myrna Moe, Carmen Moe and Gladys Stendal.
Smultering (do-nuts): Clara Mehlum and Betty Homstad.
Norwegian baking demonstrations continue for 40 years. Well done, all you volunteers.
All stories copyright 2006 Westby Times and other attributed sources.