[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 126 (Thursday, July 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E797]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  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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