Cookie event planned at Cross Lutheran

• PHOTO: Lefse turning stick

Two of the original lefse makers, Bernice Peterson and Donna Ruetz. They are shown “passing the baton” (lefse turning stick) to Linda Simpson – a member of the next generation (and wife of the pastor).

Talk about it

It’s almost time for cookies at Cross Lutheran Church in Roberts.

The annual Cookie Fair at Cross Lutheran Church in Roberts is Sunday, Dec. 4.

Fancy Christmas cookies, candies and jellies, homemade lefse, breads, rommegrot, krumkake, hand crafted items and more will be on sale from 9 a.m. until noon.

The Cross Cookie Fair began after an article appeared in a December, 1990 edition of Midwest Living magazine. That article featured a similar fair at a Methodist church in Minocqua. It sounded like fun, and the women of Minocqua were so happy to share their success and their ideas that the women of Cross were immediately off and running with their own version of the cookie extravaganza. The first leaders in Roberts were Karen Cowles and Kathy Miller. This year’s effort is headed up by Rachel Welch, a newer member of Cross Lutheran whose first experience at the congregation was with the Cookie Fair, when she agreed to bake some pecan pies.

Pictured are two of the original lefse makers, Bernice Peterson and Donna Ruetz. They are shown “passing the baton” (lefse turning stick) to Linda Simpson – a member of the next generation (and wife of the pastor). For two years Peterson and Ruetz produced 100 dozen lefse rounds for the fair. Younger women (and at least one man) are beginning to realize how high that set the bar for lefse production, but they are determined to continue the tradition. Lefse making will be on display on the day of the fair itself for those who are interested in how it’s done. You may even enjoy one hot off the griddle as well as tastes of delicious rommegrot and of course, a lunch is served all morning!

The handmade gifts will surprise regular Cookie Fair goers as it will have many more items this year. Children’s hats and mittens, table runners, Christmas tree skirts, quilted items, potholders, embroidered dish towels, hanging towels and much more have been created for the Christmas shoppers. Some items would make great “teacher gifts” at $5.

The Cookie Fair at Cross Lutheran is the main fundraising effort of the women of the church. Proceeds from the day are used to support local charitable efforts and some needs within the congregation. When weather on the day of the fair is pleasant, shoppers come from as far away as Minneapolis.

Tags: church news, communities, wisconsin, roberts