Lucia

Lucia is celebrated tomorrow in New Sweden, Maine at the elementary school at 6:30 as  has been the tradition for many years.

Around the world many versions of Lucia will take place.

In Helsinki, Finland the elected Lucia will descend the steep steps and ride in a beautiful carriage through the city streets in a parade.

In British Columbia, Canada students of the Scandinavian and Nordic Cultural Association present their version.

A youtube clip from Sweden in 2002 shares the young girls singing Santa Lucia.

In Mora, Sweden the Saint Lucia procession arrives at the old church in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Even New Zealand celebrates Lucia!

Christmas Fair in Sweden

It seems not so far distant. There’s snow. There’s Christmas music. There are home made foods for sale at the Christmas fair. It is Stockholm and we have a Stockholm too.
So even though there are many miles that separate the Old Town of Stockholm, Sweden and the little village of Stockholm, Maine, there are ties that bind. Enjoy the photos of the Christmas Fair in the Old Town of Stockholm.

Swedes in American Cities

“In the census of 1900 the number of Swedish born citizens in Chicago exceeded the population of Gothenburg. In other words, Chicago was the second city of Sweden!”

Swedes in American Cities has a link for History where there are several short essays including one on city life in the USA.

The Stockholm Story

Here’s a promising website, The Stockholm Story-Our Cultural Heritage on the Web.

If you are familiar with the Maine Memory Net project, then this appears to be its counterpart, only its in Sweden. Here in Maine, various historical societies,  schools, and libraries have collaborated to make archival materials come to life on the web. Narratives have been written to accompany photographs from historical collections. New Sweden and Stockholm here in Aroostook County (along with other County towns and cities) have placed a large collection of their holdings online through the Maine Memory Net, a project of the Maine Historical Society.

So if you are interested in seeing what our Swedish counterparts have to share with us on the other side of the Atlantic, check it out. Click on the little British flag for the English translation. Thanks to Erik Alm in Sweden for sharing.

Stokdijk Farm & Greenhouse Open House

Here is another brand new family event for New Sweden’s Midsommar 2010! Support local agriculture!

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Visit Stokdijk Farm & Greenhouse Open House, 478 Rista Road, New Sweden, Maine. The farm overlooks one of the most beautiful scenic views of the area. Stokdijks are offering a variety of annuals, hanging baskets, and vegetables in the Spring and a wide range of produce through the Summer and Fall.  Ask how you can get 10% off with their Community Supported Agriculture program. The open house is one day only, Friday June 18, 2010 from 8 am until 3 pm. Bring the family and enjoy this free event while supporting our local farmers.  FMI: Kimberly Stokdijk, 207-896-5757, email: info@stokdijkfarm.com.

Check out the Stokdijk website.

See the full Midsommar calendar.

Sled Dog Kennel Tours

Here’s a great opportunity to visit a sled dog kennel during the 2010 Midsommar Festival!

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Heywood Kennel, 141 South Main Street, Stockholm, Maine is inviting visitors to tour their facility on Friday and Saturday, June 18 and 19, 2010 at 1 pm. Learn the history of Dog Sledding in Sweden. See a professional racing kennel set up. Lindy and Kevin will answer all questions about their racing and dog sled rides. The tour is free and open to the public. Bring the kids and enjoy a great family event. FMI: Lindy Howe, 207-896-3038, email: heywoodkennel@yahoo.com

Check out Heywood Kennel’s website.

See the full Midsommar schedule.

Swedish Genealogy Class

Lynn Johnson will be teaching a 2 hour class in basic and intermediate Swedish Genealogical Research on Friday June 18, 2010 at 3:30. Reservations are requested but not required. Topics to be covered will include: Finding your Family in Sweden, Researching the Swedish records, Common mistakes that may be keeping you from finding your family, and many more. The class is a fundraiser for New Sweden Historical Society and is part of New Sweden’s Midsommar Festival. Class is $12 to NSHS.  FMI: email Lynn: newswedengenealogy@gmail.com

See the full Midsommar schedule

Watch “Tater Raisin’ Folk” on MPBN Tv

“Tater Raisin’ Folk” will appear on MPBN TV Nov. 16 Monday at 10 pm and again on Nov. 21 Saturday at 11 pm. It tells the story of potato farming in Aroostook County today.

Also, read about it in the Portland’s Maine Sunday Telegram.

Maine PBS TV Screening “The Coming Of The Swedes”

Maine PBS is once again screening “The Coming Of The Swedes,” a film made by Brenda Nasberg Jepson and her students at Caribou Tech Center. It goes out on Saturday, the 26th of September at 11am. It tells the story of how Maine’s Swedish Colony, where we live, was settled and how it has evolved to this day. Hope friends in Maine have the chance to tune in!

Midsommar in Sweden 2009

Read about this year’s Midsommar festivities in a small village in Sweden here.  The “Swede Life” is written by an “American Mom and Midwife from Florida Living in Sweden.” Lots of great photos and even video of raising the pole!