Nerstrand Meats Celebrated 125 Years

Saturday after broadcasting the exciting game between Carleton and Concordia at Laird Stadium in Northfield I headed to Nerstrand for some more excitement.

Clyde and Mary Heggedahl threw a birthday bash for their business that was great fun.

The business has been in the Heggedahl family at the same location since 1890.

I enjoyed visiting with many of our listeners who are loyal customers of Nerstrand Meats and Catering.

Some I had not seen since the old Nerstrand Bologna Days. Remember that?

I remember calling the bite by bite of the bologna eating contest on KDHL for the last number of years of the event. I can't really remember how many I called. But it was great fun and a challenge to make interesting on the radio.

The food, as always, was incredibly delicious. I enjoyed smoked ham, a dinner roll, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, a fruity mix like my mom used to make and the coleslaw was very good.

Of course there was cake for dessert because, after all, this was a birthday bash.

The Heggedahls charged nothing for this spread but did request people give a donation to the Nerstrand Fire Department. The bash was held at the fire hall.

How is that for a lesson in being a good neighbor?

125 years is a very long time.

The U.S. Census for 1890 shows New York City was the largest with a population of 1,515,301. Renting agricultural land in Minnesota averaged $2.93 an acre. A half-gallon of milk cost an average of 13 cents and the average income for a family of four was $380 for the year.

But Clyde and Mary understand people are still coming to their meat locker because they get a good product at a reasonable price.

That has not changed since 1890.

Thanks for the great food and fellowship, Mary and Clyde.