[OldDave]

Banana pudding! You made my mouth water. Growing up in Arkansas that does bring back memories.

My wife grew up Mennonite in Kansas. Now before you image horse and buggy, let me rush to say there are many, many flavors of Mennonites from those that are close to Amish, to those that look and act pretty much like Methodists. My wife comes from the later, which used to be called General Conference.

As others point out most of my experience with potluck was at church. When I because going to church with her I discovered a world of food I've never heard of: zweiback, poppyseed roll, german sausage, verinika, and on and on. It grew on me slowly, but I came to really love it. Her mother had married into Mennonite and was actually a Lutheran herself, but to keep Dad happy, she learned to cook it all and she was an extraordinary cook.

Over the years I always enjoyed these treats. About 15 years ago when our Mennonite church here in Kansas was torn apart by political fighting and displeasure of some with the minister we stopped going for a period of time, then finally went to another Mennonite Church nearby. It was of a different branch, just called The Mennonite Church. On the surface not much different. We liked the church and joined. A few months later they had a potluck. I was really missing all the good food and truly looking forward to it. I got in line with my plate and finally got to the food and was faced with fried chicken, meatloaf, ham, etc. I looked and looked and there was not one single traditional dish. Apparently these things were not a part of this church. I was so disappointed. This single thing probably had a lot to do with me losing interest in religion in the following years. Ah, for want of zweiback.