The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAMLINE CHURCH DINING HALL
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HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the congregation of Hamline Church on the momentous occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Hamline Church Dining Hall at the Minnesota State Fair. The dining hall is the oldest continuous food concession at what we like to call
``The Great Minnesota Get-Together.''
Back in 1897, a small group of women from the Hamline Methodist Episcopal Church Ladies Aid Society decided to try selling cold drinks and sandwiches at the fair to raise money for the church. This humble fundraising effort quickly grew into a dining hall with a full menu that is a staple of the Minnesota State Fair. Unlike those early days, the Hamline Church Dining Hall at 1667 Dan Patch Avenue is now owned by the church and boasts modem conveniences of plumbing and electricity, which are appreciated by patrons and volunteers alike.
Over the' years, there have been a few other changes. In 1935, for a dinner of meat or ham loaf, boiled potatoes, coleslaw, beet pickles; pie, ice cream and a beverage, plus free second helpings, a patron at the Hamline Dining Hall paid only 35 cents. This value and the homegrown hospitality helped the hall survive the Great Depression when many others closed down. World War II food rationing forced more flexibility and adaptation. As the menu has grown and changed over the many years, a perennial favorite is ham loaf topped with honey-mustard sauce. In 2012 they partnered with local small business Izzy's Ice Cream and began selling ice cream and other take-away items, including their very own flavor of Church Elderberry Ice Cream. An adaptation of their traditional Swedish meatballs to Cranberry Wild Rice Meatballs served with lingonberry sauce earned them a spot on the highly acclaimed New Foods list for the fair in 2017.
With more than 300 food vendors at the Minnesota State Fair, the Hamline Church Dining Hall remains popular for its high-quality food and generous hospitality. During each of the past 125 years, the Dining Hall has been largely volunteer-run, 25 of whom have been specially recognized by the fair for 50 years of service. Their hospitality extends well beyond fairgoers--a portion of each year's proceeds goes to provide meals for organizations like The Sheridan Story, Emma Norton Services and Feed My Starving Children.
Madam Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the congregation and many incredible volunteers of the Hamline Church Dining Hall as they celebrate 125 years of serving up delicious homecooked meals and generous hospitality to hungry Minnesota State Fairgoers.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 126(1), Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 126(2)
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