Almost 20 years after her family dealt with the tragic loss of a son and brother, Gladys Bliss and family continues to turn a time of grief into a time of giving.

The annual Christmas Day dinner at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin invites those who have no place to go, or are lonely, to come to the table overflowing with good food and good company.

The Bliss family, for the 19th time, rolls up its sleeves and serves turkey and ham and all the trimmings, “and a dessert table that looks quite nice,” said Bliss with a chuckle.

The dinner was born in tragedy, when Bliss’ only son, Peter Klein, died in a dirt bike accident in 1998.

“I was talking to my daughters about how difficult the holiday would be that year,” said Bliss.

One of the daughters, she added, suggested a dinner for those who might be in turmoil themselves, or just needed a good meal.

“So we did, having no idea how major it would come to be,” Bliss said. About 85 were served the first year at the Mower County Senior Citizen Center. The dinner moved to St. Olaf a few years after the first, due to the number the event drew. Last year, 326 were served.

Everyone in the family helps, Bliss said. Today, grandchildren who were just toddlers when the first dinner was held are now active participants.

“It’s the only Christmas Day they know,” Bliss said of the meal.

Christmas Day Dinner

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Day

Where: Fellowship Hall, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, 301 First St. NW.

Cost: Free

Registration: Encouraged but not required. Register at St. Olaf or call 507-437-1700 to register and sign up.

 

Also for your holiday enjoyment:

Thursday

•Holiday Bake Sale, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Mower County Senior Center.

Leave the baking to the Senior Center: Holiday treats will be ready to take home while you support the many activities provided by the Senior Center. For more information, call 507-433-2370.

•Mower County Historical Society presents “The Uncivil and Contentious History of American Presidential Elections,” 2 to 3 p.m., Mower County Senior Center. This year’s election campaign wasn’t the only one with unrest in our history – learn about other contentious elections. Presented by John Haymond, Executive Director of the Mower County Historical Society. For more information, call 507-437-6082 or 507-433-2370.

Friday and Saturday

•Members Holiday Show, Austin ArtWorks Center, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Take time off from the holiday bustle and enjoy the member artwork of Austin Area Commission for the Arts; free and open to the public.