Though it was iffy, the weather cooperated for both the opening festivities on Thursday evening and the race and parade the following morning.  Fortunately, we were indoors (AC!) and didn't have to suffer the heat and humidity.

What is it about Iowan's...so free with their hugs?  We reaped the affection and complements from previous year's readers, anxious to pick up a copy of Stolen Genes-Stolen Children.  Along with the complements (thank you!) we heard the usual number of stories.  A big thank you to the organizers who make this event happen every year.

In particular, Patricia, originally from England, related her own tragic childhood experience.  The heavy bombing of London by the Luftwaffe forced her parents to farm her out, along with many other of London's youth, to an orphanage in the north.  When it came time to pick her up when things became safer, the orphanage matron convinced her mother that she didn't want to go home and preferred the orphanage.  Likewise, Patricia was told her mother didn't want her any more.  She didn't find her (blood) mother until much later in life, just before her mother died.  The same was true for her father.  We encouraged Patricia to take this story public, both to American and British television and in her own book.



Alicia and Katrina, tried playing my fiddle.  Alicia seemed a natural, but Katrina...a budding photographer, decided she still preferred her guitar.

After nearly being rained out at Norway Days the weekend before, Stockholm's Arts Festival carried the same weather forecast.  Luckily, however, there were only sprinkles late the the day as the event shut down.  This is one of the best festivals on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi.



The buses bring the visitors down from the parking lots in droves:



And they're quickly met by a couple of strangely-dressed ladies handing out programs:



When she wasn't looking over my shoulder as I signed books, my energetic neighbor joined others in admiring this century  old cottonwood tree:



Before we left I bought enough rhubarb from Martha for two pies:

All of these social networking devices/forums require a good deal of my time, sometimes more than I can dedicate.

That's why it has been a while since I've posted anything on the blogcast.  Many readers are either going to the Readers Forum (http://www.smultron-pub.com/Forum/phpBB2/index.php) or FaceBook, although I can't acknowledge every "friend" who asks, there.


(Seems awfully intense, doesn't he...maybe it's stage fright)

Danish Days, Midsommar at ASI, Svenskarnas Dag and Norway Day, all in Minneapolis were, as usual, invigorating.  I missed Scandia's Midsommar this year due to contracting Lymes and only learned about it the evening of that event.  I did make the other festivals, however and want to say thanks for all your comments (and purchases).  So good to see old friends and make some new ones, too.

If you have never attended the weekend folk festival at Nisswa Minnesota, Nisswastämma, you're missing some pretty nice music and dance.  Five state area and some internationals visit every year to perform over two days, beginning Friday evening with a great concert in a local church.

There is music, dance, children's events, food and just fun all day long in the village park, followed by a great smorgasbörd, followed by a dance until midnight.

I don't do the books here but will take you for a spin around the dance floor if you show up.

Here's my friend Valorie expressing one of her multiple talents.

Earlier this week as a total surprise, I was invited to give a presentation about Swedish genealogy at the Eau Claire Public Library and offer guidelines to some members of the GRSEC, a local genealogy group.

I am first and foremost not a genealogy expert, or even close, but years ago through friendships in Sweden I happen to fall into the acquaintance of several persons who are.

Thus, my "roots" were handed to me in a thick brown envelope. The friendships that followed led to further interest in my Swedish ancestors and the (Swedish) customs, long-abandoned by my ancestors upon emigrating to Nord Amerika to excape oppression from the Swedish Lutheran Church and to find a better life.

Through the research that followed, my genealogy skills quickly developed. I hope I was able to offer some assistance in the couple of hours Ispent together with this group of Swedish Americans in Eau Claire.

Copies of old church book pages, emigrant lists and Swedish words presented the greatest obstacles to the researchers. What a fun group and somehave really excelled in their family research.



This eventled to another invitation to present to the entire genealogy group at theirmonthly meeting on 10 April. Held at the Chippewa Valley Museum(http://www.cvmuseum.com), this time I have the option to speak about my otherside, my father's links to Olde England.

Jerry

I recently received one of those "forwards" which can sometimes beannoying. But today (5 October, 2009), it was different. A friend sentme a forward about a woman, Irena Sendler, a true WWII heroine. Someonealso mentioned her name while I was book signing at Höstfest.  Read about her heroism (http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/sendler.asp) after you read about the lady who stopped by to buy another book (below).

Ithought it rather coincidental that someone should come by with anotherstory; It is not unlike many of the stories people tell me about theirfamilies' wartime past. This weekend atthe Nordic festival (80,000+attendance), an elderly woman stopped by the bookstore where I wassigning books. She waited patiently for another elderly couple to leavebefore she approached the table. She looked familiar...short,stooped...older.... I see and talk to so manypeople and though she had a very strong accent, I didn't remember herstopping the previous year.

She had purchased My Enemy's Childlast year and now wanted to look at the new novel, she said. As I handed itto her, she mentioned she'd enjoyed the earlier book, then opened thecover and stepped aside to let another couple come forward. I noticedas I chatted with them about their son, who is in Afghanistan, that shewas reading the prologue. After a bit she came forward and asked me tosign her book before taking to the cashier. I did, while the othercouple waited. She mention to them that she wished them luck with theirson's duty and as I handed her back the book, she hesitated and thensaid:

I'm am a Polish Jew. In 1939 my family was living in whatis now part of Northern Germany. When the Russians and Nazis still hada non-aggression pact and were consuming Poland from the easter andwestern fronts, the Russians beat the Nazis to our little town. Theywere some sort of forward infantry group without any discipline, norwere there officers accompanying them. The men of our village,including my father, were all shot immediately. That was so they couldsafely begin raping all the women, including my mother and me.

Iwas thirteen, and I began counting as they took their turns. Aftersixty-two there were only two men remaining, standing in line besideme. When sixty three was taking his turn, I suddenly heard a shot, veryclose to my head, so that it made my ears ring. The man slumped on mespilling brains and bleeding. I quickly pushed him off and then watchedas two Russian officers dragged the remaining soldier over to a treeand hanged him right there, as an example for the soldiers.

Shenodded to me and then the astounded couple before hobbling away withher book. Now, I don't even remember her name when I signed, but I'llnever forget her story.

I was also told this weekend, though Ihaven't verified it, that the currently mandatory Holocaust StudiesPrograms in the English (UK) schools is being considered for removal asit has been found offensive to some in the immigrant community.According to some current immigrant's beliefs, the Holocaust never happened.

Ihave made a habit of writing my State Schools Superintendent, at least twice a year asking that mandatory Holocaust Studies beadded to the state curriculum. Minnesota has it their's and severalother states, too: http://www.holocausttaskforce.org/educa ... eport.html.

Like the often secret retention of infant DNA by some state's social service programs, perhaps we must also urge our legislators to consider this question seriously.

It is nearly eleven hours drive to Minot for us and half a ton of books.  Couple that with four eleven hour days and it still adds up to a very good time.

    There was nearly non-stop signing, unpacking books, stacking and talking to folks in the lulls in between.  I received a couple of free coffees as I was their best customer by far.

    Having great authors around me to snatch a quick word with made the time in between pass quickly.  On the last day of the festival, Saturday, Lauraine Snelling brought in a couple of young musicians.  She asked me if I would jamb with them, but there just wasn't time, though I did manage an occasional tune in between visitors.

    As usual, returning customers stopped to purchase the newest book (Stolen Genes-Stolen Children) or to discuss their feelings and appreciation for the other novels, My Enemy's Child and the Vallkulla Books.

    One woman in particular related a confession of her unfortunate childhood in Poland, during WW-II.  Read it about elsewhere in the blog and on the Smultron Publications Readers Forum (http://www.smultron-pub.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=203).

Here are some photos of friends and participants at Höstfest.  I hope you enjoy them.

This even was much closer to home for us, being in St. Paul MN.  Small bookstore owners and employees attend to meet publishers and authors.  We learned a good deal about these type of bookstore and their owners.

What a beautiful day for another outdoor Spelmansstämma in Scandia's old Nordic farmstead.
One of the reasons I thoroughly enjoy this event is that I get to perform AND talk to new and old acquaintances over the book table.


While I was playing fiddle with the ASI Spelmanslag, Cousin Ray was minding the table (blue tent-yellow sign).

We were so busy that Lynne and I didn't get our customary dance.  Well, there's always next year.
Scandia's Gammelgården Museum is truly a worthy institution and well worth supporting.  They bring so many opportunities to visitors and members, like the upcoming "Traditions in the Trunk" a Swedish Folk Dress, Quilts and Art Exhibit, Style Show and Luncheon.

I notice my old friend Margaretha Hedblom, former director of culture for Malung Kommin (Dalarna) will be on the program.  The event starts Friday, October 2.

I've never seen so many pies in one place as at this event.  The coffee, however, would cause any self-respecting Scandinavian to make a wry face (I know I did).


Here's a photo of some of the youngsters who were working hard to cut pies for serving.

And here's a photo of a couple of uncrowned queens of pie day.  They weren't sitting together for the photo but we did some magic to save space.  The lady on the left just resigned from being a really high roller...perhaps we should say upper crust, at Pie Day.  I guess you know why I never write comedy (Kip P., where are you when I need you?).

Book Signing/Selling...yes!  Very good and lots of stories from the many Scandinavians in this part of Minnesota.

<< MORE >>