Directions: |
Directions:It all began so innocently back in around 1967 or 1968.
During the summer months,Diane and Lynette Wenstad were working at a small medical facility called San Haven, just outside Dunseith, North Dakota. Typically shy country girls, they were reluctant to mingle with other employees during their lunch break. They would go down to the store and purchase their food and then go back to their room and eat there. Being ever so frugal, they were careful not to spend too much on food. One of the mainstays happened to be canned Vienna Sausage. You can imagine that after many meals of these sausages that they would soon tire of the same menu day in and day out!
In later years, Diane and Lynette would reminisce about their job at "The San". Of course, they would joke about those "hateful" Vienna Sausages and how they would never be able to eat them again!
Fast-forward to 1988. Lynette, who was now living in Northfield, Minnesota, went up to visit Diane who resided in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. Of course good old times were re-visited and they giggled and laughed about their innocent and shy past at "The San". The ever-so-hateful Vienna Sausages were not to be left out of the conversation.
It isn't clear exactly how or when Diane actually found and purchased a can of Vienna Sausages, but somehow, Lynette ended up with a can of Vienna Sausages in her luggage which she discovered upon her arrival at home.
Well, this wasn't about to go away easily! The next time Diane visited Lynette, the can of Vienna Sausages ended up in her luggage, only to be discovered upon her arrival at home. As you can well imagine, the can of Vienna Sausages made it back and forth across the border every visit! There were some challenging moments as neither Dianne or Lynette trusted each other with that can of sausages! They would be suspicious at the end of each visit, they would do a quick check of their suitcase or purse to make sure that can of sausages was not hidden somewhere. Even the kids were used as "mules" to get that can back to the last person who had somehow managed to hand it off. The original can of Vienna Sausages went back and forth between Diane and Lynette for 18 years!
In the spring of 2006, Diane and I (Reg), Arliss and Lynette decided to meet at Mahnomen, Minnesota. Lynette was in possession of the infamous can of sausages. It happened to be Diane's birthday that weekend. Keep in mind that after 18 years of this can going back and forth across the border, just about every devious means of passing it on had been exhausted. Except one!
Lynette had figured out the ultimate way to finally get even. Lynette, Arliss, Diane and I met for breakfast before heading home. We all ordered our meals and soon afterward, the waitress approached our table with a large covered silver plate. She placed it in front of Diane, explaining to her that it was a "special" order. Although Diane was not accustomed to celebrating her birthday with any special occasions, she politely acknowledged the gesture.
What was about to transpire next was probably the highlight of the Vienna Sausage caper! Diane removed the covered platter and there they were! Vienna Sausages stuck upright in a stack of pancakes, resembling birthday candles on a cake! I don't think that any of us will ever forget the look on Diane's face! The saying "if looks could kill" definitely fulfilled its meaning that day! Diane had been beat at her own game which she had started so many years ago. The original can of Vienna Sausages had finally met their fate!
Some of you may have noticed the comment Lynette made about how much Diane likes the Vienna Sausage recipe.
Now you know the rest of the story!
Submitted by Reg Wiebe, (hoping I won't have to eat my words!) |
This recipe for The Vienna Sausage Saga is from