Dear Friends,

What a wonderful change from a year ago, this year we had beautiful weather for our Midsummer Celebration and the participation at our annual event reflected the weather. With close to 1000 people in attendance and some truly fantastic performers, this daylong event worked out really well. I've always been amazed at the quality of talent that we are able to provide a venue for, some of these individuals will undoubtedly move on to the lofty heights as the best in their field in a few years and we'll remember that we witnessed their talent early on, and all for just a few bucks entrance fee.

Our "Mistress of Ceremonies" Jeanette Baker led our traditional Flag Parade to initiate our day. This, followed by a welcome speech by President Joe Zarnitz, eased us into one great performance after another. Scandinavian traditions such as our 'Raising the Maypole' and our Barnensdag Program with folkdancing by Childrens Club Skansen and Vasastjärnan Junior Folkdancers set the tone for the rest of the day. Performers, featuring such renowned artists as Elly Erickson, Ulla Suokko, Carlos Revollar, Brent Buswell, and our wandering storyteller Rolf Stang, as well as many other musicians, bands, and performers filled in the afternoon finally terminating with our raffle drawing and our traditional bonfire.

During the day we had many vendors displaying traditional items crafted in Scandinavia and many other items as well as a wide variety of tasty foods and treats. We, the members and friends of SAHS, owe much to these and our other supporters and donors. Please keep them in mind when we need to purchase the kinds of gifts and items that they furnish.

Our thanks to our many volunteers, to VASA who has been a partner in every way, to NorBu Lodge who has been generous with their facility and people, to the Finlandia Foundation National for their generosity, to SWEA, to Icelandair, Finlandia Cheese, World Yacht of New York, to the Third District Sons of Norway, to the workhorse local musicians who always jump in and help us out including Bert Stromholm, Eric Johansson, Jeanette Baker, Roy Johnson, Walter Eriksson Jr., and of course to the officers and workers of SAHS who fill in so many blank spots. THANK YOU ALL!

Joe Zarnitz, President
Scandinavian American Heritage Society.