Danish Day

The long-awaited day, June 1, came with the threat of thunderstorms. It was the annual event of Minnesota's Danish American Center's, Danish Day.

Located on West Mississippi River
Boulevard since 2006, the DAC grew
out of a local Danish fellowship.

But it takes much more than the threat of a thunderstorm to stop a Dane from celebrating their heritage. It ended up merely sprinkling and didn't dampen the enthusiasm or enjoyment of the 350 people of all ages who attended the day's activities.

Danish Day of the modern variety goes back to 1959, although similar previous events date to  the 19th century. A year in the planning, Danish Day is one of the highlights of the year at the DAC.

Spread out on the Center's lush, green grounds were tents for gathering, enjoying kransekagge, aebliskiver, almond pastries and good, stout Danish coffee; milling around to see the works of nine vendors: Scandinavian yarns, wood carving, gifts, clothing and various crafts; and enjoying a typical Smorrebrod luncheon.

Danish smorrebrod
(open faced sandwiches)

A special exhibit honoring the work of Danish philosopher and theologian, Soren Kierkegaard, was displayed in the Center, and a brief ceremony was held to officially open the Caroline Olsen Danish American Archive. According to long time members, there would be no archive without the extensive work of the late Caroline Olsen, who left us with history monographs, artwork, an authentic regional costume collection and transcribed interviews with older Danes in the community. She was among the founders of the Danish American Fellowship, from which the DAC grew.

Danish Day is also the time to name the "Dane of the Year." The award for 2014 actually went to two well-deserving Danes, instrumental in establishing and maintaining the library and the archives: Helen Stub and Ann Bundgaard.

Danes of the Year:
Helen Stub and Ann Bundgaard

Children were kept busy with arts and crafts activities, making Danish flags and jeweled crowns. That is, when they weren't busy bouncing and climbing!

Fun times for children (of all ages!)

Folk singer, "Spider" John Koerner entertained
the crowd with his harmonica and guitar.
The Carlsberg beer and acquavit only added to the merriment of the day.

 Don't miss next Danish Day if you're in the Twin Cities or Minnesota area. Mark your calendar for June 7, 2015.
 

Hilsen fra the Minnesota Danes!

Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras Day!

According to Wipedia, Mardi gras is French for Fat Tuesday,  referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday.

We had our own carnivale right here at The Resort in Mesa, Arizona.

Who knew?

Residents staked out their spots early to watch the festive Mardi Gras parade, and lawn chairs could be seen lining the streets of Clubhouse Boulevard. 

The parade was set to snake up the north side of the boulevard and then around and down the south side. We sat on the south side and we could hear the parade approach around the corner, heading our way.

The excitement grew.

And then, there they came. Led, naturally, by the American flag. All stood up, removed their caps and saluted, as protocol for any decent, upstanding parade. The Canadian flag was also proudly carried as there are many snowbirds here from Canada.

The flag procession down South Clubhouse Boulevard.

The flag procession was followed by not one, not two, not three but five golf carts. All bedecked with mask cutouts, beads, crepe paper and balloons. 

The decorations weren't what made this cart special, 
but the women's faces were painted and their costumes were wonderful.  

And, of course, what would any parade be without candy being thrown out onto the street? We collected at least five Starburst candies, a few Tootsie Rolls and a necklace or two. Such a haul we made.

In costume, throwing candy and honking, were our favorite clowns,
Betty (left) and Thelma (right).

Thelma is our neighbor across the street and is the most fun-loving person around. Always game for a parade or a party. There are usually several golf carts gathered around her home, sometimes late into the evening, and we know there are laughs and good times going on inside.

One of these days, we'll crash the party and see for ourselves....

In the meantime, a good time was had today right here at The Resort, with our very own Carnivale.

And as Mardi Gras tradition dictates, we'll be having pancakes for supper.

Midsommer Fest

It is dark in Sweden much of the year, and their summers are short.

But the middle of June brings the summer soltice: the longest day, when the sun shines through the night. I was there once during this time, and it is indeed light all night long.

It is also cause for celebrating in almost every Swedish town.  

Midsummer Day, a celebration of summer and the season of fertility, was originally celebrated on June 24 to commemorate John the Baptist. In 1953, it was moved to the nearest Saturday.

And so, in a town settled by Swedish immigrants, and in true Swedish tradition, Midsommardagen was celebrated last Saturday in Lindstrom, Minnesota.


Dancing around the maypole

It starts early in the morning with the building of the maypole by some trusty, hard workers, who must first gather freshly-cut branches to wrap around the large pole. These are carefully woven around and across the pole. 

Flowers must be gathered and assembled in and around the branches to decorate the pole. Wreaths are also made of fresh flowers and branches.

After colorful ribbons are tied on, the Swedish flag is placed on top. 

It is then raised by several strong hands and placed in a well-dug hole in the ground.

In our town, we are fortunate to have a long-standing Swedish Club, and a dedicated instructor for teaching young people traditional Swedish dance. They performed for the crowd, dancing around the beautiful maypole, as is done in Sweden, and then inviting the rest of us to join them.

Food, of course, is the other feature of the festival. Swedish sausage, riced potatoes, herring, crackers, and many delectable dishes and desserts are served. Everybody brings something to share. It always amazes me that no two dishes are alike. Such a wonderful variety!

They say it always rains or at least drizzles for a while in Sweden on Midsummer Day. And sure enough, it sprinkled enough for umbrellas to be raised as folks began to gather together. But the sun came out and the skies cleared for the remainder of the evening.

Varma Midsommar Hälsningar!  (or Happy Midsommer Day)

Fun at the festival

"Grandma, this is a fun day!"

When two little 4-year old girls say that in unison, you know it's a hit.

We were having this fun day at the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival. Held in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul, it is sponsored by Ordway Center for Performing Arts.
The day is all about children (and learning, but that's a secret).

Together with performing artists from around the world, cultural music and dance events, international cuisine, demonstrations and hands-on crafts, children become aware of the world around, and beyond, them.
 


 The two girls enjoyed a live Ordway musical performance by Dala, a wonderful, young singing duo from Canada.

They not only entertained children and adults alike with their beautiful music, but they invited the children to come to the stage floor to dance and twirl.

They started the performance by emphasizing "this isn't a shush show." Clapping, singing along, and snapping fingers were all encouraged.

Many craft tents offered children the opportunity to use paper, glue, sparkles, beads, pom-poms, wooden sticks, and markers to use their imaginations and create to their hearts' desire. Paper hats, rockets, flowers, and even buttons the children drew themselves were seen, with the children proudly wearing or carrying their objets d'art. 

Two granddaughters (mine) working on their projects.

The outside of the nearby Lawson Building served as the dance floor for Project Bandeloop from California. A 20-minute, amazing performance involved the two dancers being suspended by wire rope from the roof of the building and dancing in mid-air, pushing themselves off with their feet from the side of the multi-story brick building.

Latin American culture was interpreted in dance. Performed by a local St. Paul group, their colorful costumes and lively dances were energizing and interesting to watch.

An exhibition of children's artwork from schools and community organizations across Minnesota was displayed throughout storefronts and skyways in downtown St. Paul. You could see these signs on every sidewalk surrounding the festival.

Crafts, face painting, outdoor performances, exhibits like the butterfly garden, take-aways for children, the parade...it is all free.  No admission charge. No tickets to buy. No rides. No carnival atmosphere. No charge for face painting.

International and local food is available for purchase, but picnicking is encouraged, and seating is provided for all, right in front of the Flint Hills World Stage...where performances are, of course, free.

 

It is Ordway Center's gracious gift to Minnesota, and a generous gift to our community. 

I know two 4-year old girls and their Grandma are very grateful. My son and daughter-in-law agree as together we joined in the celebration of children around the world.

I can certainly see why my little girls considered it a "fun day." 

And I'd be hard-pressed to say who enjoyed it more.