Lines from Lynne – from the March 2023 Kul News
First of all, thanks for opening and reading this Kul News! It is a great preview of our plans for Gammelgården in this – our 51st year. Reaching this milestone is thanks to all of you for your support and encouragement.This winter, we have been open with a schedule of activities, classes, and gatherings. It started with the February 4th Scandia Vinterfest and partnering with the Scandia Heritage Alliance (SHA) hosting hundreds of folks with outside displays, games (Kubb), raptors from the Wildlife Science Center, and crafts in the classroom. We heard a chorus of comments from folks who were first-timers to Gammelgården and Scandia, and their plans to return again. Check out the calendar for the March activities and shopping in the Scandia Butik.With more programming for this 51st year, we also need more volunteers. We have a place for YOU! The photo above celebrates some of our dedicated volunteers who were honored at our annual meeting in January. Each of these ladies has donated volunteer hours for years using their special gifts and talents to present Gammelgården as a welcoming, interesting place. Left to right from Director Lynne Blomstrand Moratzka are Sharon Remund (member, greeter, and inventory taker), Stephanie Pereboom (member, tour guide, techie guru, storyteller), and Malinda Smith (member, tour guide lead/organizer, greeter).Our opening weekend, May 5th-7th, will be our 51st Birthday Party weekend. Saturday, May 6th will be a family fun day, with free admission to all of the buildings, demonstrations, games, and crafts from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Then it will be time for the 51st Birthday Party Picnic including picnic foods, music, and old-fashioned games, and ending with birthday cake and ice cream! Reservations will be required for the Birthday Party Picnic.To prepare Gammelgården for this year and the next decades we will be refreshing our flower and vegetable gardens by partnering with the Washington County Master Gardeners. We also are working on new signage for all our buildings…complete with QR codes!To be able to continue this museum for another 51 years (which means our buildings will be in their third century!) and going forward is exciting for the Gammelgården Board, Advokats, volunteers, and staff. We look forward to sharing Gammelgården Museum with you, your family and friends, and the public, and to being true to our mission to preserve, present, and promote Swedish immigrant heritage.See you at Gammelgården!
