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Winter Carnival draws crowd

 

Over 1,000 attend lutefisk dinner

By Holly Neumann


It was a busy weekend in the Iola community when the 58th Annual Iola Winter Carnival took place on Feb. 1-3.

From fat tire bike races to ice sculptures, ski jumping and ice fishing, the weekend would not have been complete without the Norwegian Lutefisk Supper that takes place each year.

According to Mike Mazemke, who helps organize the event, 1,021 people attended the dinner.

Among the guests was 105-year-old Rosalie Dahlen, who came from Wautoma to enjoy the dinner with granddaughter Bonnie Krings and daughter Sandra Krings, both from Chicago.

“I heard about the dinner from my grams who has been coming here for several years,” said Bonnie. “I was her ride here today. Everything is so wonderful.”

Sandra agreed.

“I think this event is amazing,” she said. “When my mom wants to get to an event like this, you know it’s pretty important. I know how much she looks forward to it each year.”

Sandra ate some lutefisk, but Bonnie was not willing to give it a try.

“I cannot believe how many people come through those doors just for the lutefisk,” Bonnie said. “It is just not my cup of tea.”

Her grandmother thought she was crazy.

“I love the lutefisk,” said Rosalie. “I come here just so we can have it. There are not too many places we can have it otherwise. I have eaten it all my life.”

She thinks it is great Iola carries on the tradition and celebrates the Norwegian heritage this way.

“I will continue coming here for as long as I can,” she said. “I think eating all that lutefisk is keeping me so young.”

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Iola Winter Carnival Court members were (from left) FRONT: Emily Wolfgram, , Makenna Brown, Queen Sophie Gullixon, Payton Wester and Haley Ullom. Court escorts BACK: Colin Kiper, Alex Sharp, Edward Bonokowske, Caden Prahl and Keygan Singh. Holly Neumann Photo

Mazemke was happy with this year’s event.

“We ran out of cod and it was close on the lutefisk,” he said. “This was a first for us. We usually don’t run out of anything. It was truly a phenomenal day. I think everyone was sick of the cold weather and wanted to get out of the house.”

Mazemke said the dinner was not just about the people who dined, but also about the volunteers who made it happen.

More than 15 hours went into the planning and preparing.

“I cannot say enough about all the volunteers,” Mazemke said. “The volunteers are amazing. Iola Sentry, the school, the custodians, the school cooks for letting us invade their space and, of course. Jim Neidert for his secret recipes. I cannot say enough about all of them.”

Among the volunteers was Betty Kuhr, who is a veteran at the Norwegian Supper, and Erin Bruno, who is new to community and took part for the first time.

“We’re a community. We help each other. That is what community is all about,” said Kuhr. “People come from all over to this, and we are so glad to have them here. We have to do our best.”

“I had no idea what to expect,” said Bruno. “This is absolutely crazy. The town really works together and embraces the Norwegian heritage. I am proud to be a part of this community.”

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