Fest magic

Nancy Lerdall of Simply Antiques (left) presents Gary Kruger with a Naval footlocker that belonged to his grandfather, Commander A. F. Fritchen. Decorah Newspapers photo by Sarah Strandberg.

This 2005 Copyright Decorah Newspapers story by Lissa Greiner, used with permission is a nice example of community spirit and Fest magic: 

The draw of Decorah is strong for some people. For many, it's the scenic Upper Iowa; for others, it's the Fest and time with family. 

For Gary Kruger of Nevada, it was a trip to find his roots - to rediscover the town where his family was from. Little did he know his visit would result in something magical - something he would later refer to like a "Rod Serling experience."

Kruger and friend Jane Carducci of Winona arrived in Decorah on Saturday, July 23 to "bum" around. Kruger is the grandson of the late Dr. Arthur Fritchen, who practiced medicine in Decorah in the 1930's and 40's. He knew that Fritchen has lived in the Ben Bear house at the northwest corner of Mechanic and Broadway, and wanted to see the place for himself. 

In addition to wanting to learn a little bit about the community, Kruger and Carducci decided to investigate some of Decorah's antiques. Kruger is an avid antique radio collector and decided to visit Nancy Lerdall's Simply Antiques shop at the east end of Water Street.

"We were in there looking for old radios, and she had a wall full of them."

Kruger wasn't too interested in anything he saw until he happened upon a "farm set," a radio that ran on a battery, which old-timers would rig up to charge via windmill.

"The interesting things about it is that it was a Dewey Tatro...It was not only the kind and style of radio I like, but it was in perfect condition." 

Kruger said the Dewey Tatro radio was manufactured in Decorah between the years of 1928 and 1945. The factory was located in Woolen Mill Apartment building, behind the Decorah Chamber of Commerce.

Although he was intrigued by the radio, Kruger refrained from buying it, but after a few days, something called him back. 

"I decided I wanted it, so I went down to visit Nancy," he said.

During the transaction, the two engaged in friendly conversation about Kruger's family connection to Decorah. 

"When I told her I was the grandson of Dr. Fritchen, she looked at me and said, 'I have something I want to give you - it belongs to you.'" 

Puzzled by Lerdall's comment, Kruger anxiously awaited her return. When she came back, she handed him a Navy footlocker, labeled 'Commander A.F. Fritchen.' 

Kruger couldn't believe it, "I still can't," he said, recounting the tale.

According to Kruger, his grandfather, a Navy doctor, was in charge of a surgical MASH unit during World War II.

Kruger was emotional as he processed the significance of the gift Lerdall had given him. 

"This trunk was at Pearl Harbor," he said in amazement. 

Preserving history
Strangely enough, Lerdall said she had the trunk in her possession since the early 70's. "I had a house in the historic district of Decorah. After the auction of Doc Fritchen's things, I saw this sitting on the curb for the garbage man to collect," she said.

Lerdall said she's not in the habit of taking other people's things, but she could not stand to think of something like that being thrown away. 

"I thought it had a place in Decorah history, so I took it and it has been in my house ever since," she said.

Lerdall, who makes her living selling antiques, couldn't say for sure why she never put the footlocker up for sale.

"It was upstairs in my guest room. I've always liked the fact it said Commander A.F. Fritchen. I knew he was a Decorah doctor. I just never sold it," she said

Aftershock
Carducci said after the incident, Kruger seemed to be in shock for quite some time. 

"We tried to eat lunch, but he was a little too freaked out," she said.

Kruger said he couldn't believe how events unfolded to lead him to the footlocker. 

"I'm still overwhelmed because it was all so serendipitous," he said, adding "It's been a whole odd day."

In addition to finding the footlocker, Kruger and Carducci had another interesting experience.

"We stopped in front of the courthouse and there were these two beautiful souls sitting on their porch, getting ready for Nordic Fest. We engaged them in conversation and found out Doc Fritchen had delivered two of their children. They obviously knew him. They said he liked to visit and he always talked about the war. They said he was never the same after Pearl Harbor."

From the heart
Kruger said he is grateful to Lerdall for all she did to save the trunk and for giving it back to him. 

"What's so profound for me is that I don't have anything from my grandfather," he said. "It's clear that the trunk was supposed to come back to me. Thankfully, Nancy was on a mission that this was part of Decorah history." 

"They said someone's trash is someone else's treasure, so it's going to back where it belongs, to the family," she said.

"The way I see it, she did two wonderful things. She saved a piece of Decorah history and then she gave it back to my family," said Kruger. 

Carducci said the entire experience in Decorah had been magical.

"And how wonderful that Nancy gave this to him It was a gift she gave from the heart." 

Moments and Memories from the 2005 Nordic Fest

Copyright images from Decorah Newspapers' coverage of the 2005 Nordic Fest 

ten years ago. Used with permission. 

This is the time of year where Decorah and everyone connected to making Nordic Fest happen lets out a sigh of relief for another job well done. In these week's post, we focus on three of literally millions of moments and memories made at Nordic Fest over five decades.

What is your favorite Nordic Fest memory? Share your experiences in the comments section below. 

Musical Volunteers at the First Nordic Fest

Paul Hexom performs at an early Nordic Fest

For nearly 50 years, the various pieces of the Nordic Fest experience have happened due to the continual commitment of Decorah area volunteers who conquer and divide work, with an "all hands on deck" spirit. 

The current Nordic Fest standard of the dozens of entertainers appearing under designated Water Street canopies each year - canopies  that protect both performers and attendees from the sun hasn't always been the case. For many years, Nordic Fest entertainers both roamed Water Street and paused on street corners, gathering an impromptu audience. 

Looking at the example of how roaming entertainment volunteers came together for the first Nordic Fest in 1967 is a nice illustration of both the "all hands on deck" spirit and the quality entertainment focus that has always been a part of Nordic Fest. 

The following information is shared in accordance with the 1960's standard of identifying married women by their husband's first names: 

Mrs. Robert Larson, assisted by Mrs. Adolph Streng, Jr. organized the strolling musicians who volunteered to informally play for Nordic Fest guests. The scheduled musicians before the Fest were (in alphabetical order):

• Hans Aschim, accordion and mouth organ
• Big Canoe Lutheran Church Junior Choir, directed by Mrs. Wilbur Stoen
• Mrs. Ransome Bolson, according
• Decorah Women Singers, directed by Mrs. Eleanor Haines 
• Mrs. Adrian Docken, violin
• Patty Kruger, accordion 
• Luther College Folk Singing Group, Ralph Kundson and Gary Saxviks 
• Martinson Family Singers
• Cheryl Massman, accordion 
• Recorder group of Mrs. Barlett Butler, Mrs. Adolph Streng, Jr. and Mrs. W. John Weilgart 
• Arvi Rebasso, violin
• Mrs. Adolph Steng, Jr., flute
• Kenneth Strinmoen 
• Lou Ann Sutton, accordion 
• Lois Swiggum, violin
• Mr. and Mrs. Joe Ulring, vocalists 
• Women's Trip of Ms. Arthur Branae, Mrs. Kermit Hendrickson and Mrs. Willard Linnevold
• Dennis Young, accordion 

Another Rare Recording: Troll Walk Founder Dr. George Knudson

Hope you enjoyed your time at the 2015 Nordic Fest! 

The Nordic Fest Troll Walks run for many years by a passionate group of local volunteers have been an important source of whimsy and natural context regarding the beauty of the Decorah area. The photo above was taken on a 2001 Nordic Fest Troll Walk. 

The Troll Walks were founded by the late Dr. George Knudson, a Luther College professor and dedicated student of the natural and cultural treasures of the Decorah area. You may read more about Dr. Knudson in two previous blog posts:

• Troll Walks Enchanted
• More Nordic Fest Fun

Although George and his wife Shirley were tragically lost in a plane crash just days before the 1978 Nordic Fest, their legacy of educational fun lives on through every smile at Nordic Fest, of which there are many every year. 

Thanks to the kindness of Dr. John Tjostem, also of Luther College, who helped carry George's legacy through his own incredible Troll Walk dedication, the 37 minute recording above offers a chance to hear the voice of Dr. George Knudson practicing his Troll Walk guide skills in 1972. 

Thank you, John for this treasure to kick off the one year countdown to the 50th Nordic Fest! Thank you, George for the legacy of education and smiles you leave us! 

The Lur and the Salmodikon from the 1968 Nordic Fest

The 49th Nordic Fest gets underway in Decorah this week. Wow! 

In 1968, the Norwegian-American Museum, now known as Vesterheim, added tremendous spirit and culture to planned celebration with its first Norwegian-American Folk Music Festival during Nordic Fest. The Folk Music Festival ran for most of the years of Nordic Fest and brought together musicians and music fans from throughout the United States and Norway. 

The rare recording below, courtesy Vesterheim and used with permission was recorded on July 27, 1968 during the second annual Nordic Fest. 

The less than two minute recording you may listen to below features the following:

• Kom kyra (a cow call) played on the Norwegian lur by Rev. George Ulvilden of Decorah
• Na takker alle Gud (Now Thank We All Our God) as performed by Henry Storhoff of Lanesboro, Minnesota on the one-stringed Norwegian instrument the salmodikon, with the audience singing along 

Enjoy these nearly 50 year old yet timeless sounds as once again, authentic cultural celebration is almost underway at the Nordic Fest in Decorah. 

Happy 49th Fest, and thank you Vesterheim for your permission to use this incredible sound treasure! 

Greetings From Governor Robert D. and Billie Ray

Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray, First Lady Billie Ray, 

Luther College First Lady Helen Farwell, Nordic Fest Board President Sue Miller, and Luther College President Dr. Elwin D. Farwell following the 1981 Nordic Fest grand parade

Governor Robert D. Ray was first elected to his role for Iowa in 1968, just one year after the first Nordic Fest. Volunteers from the Fest's early years credit Governor Ray's regular participation in Nordic Fest with lending critical early statewide credibility to the growing event. He is pictured above on one of many visits to Decorah, this one being the same year that Dr. Elwin D.and Helen Farwell were honored as Nordic Fest grand marshals upon their retirement from Luther College. 

Upon learning of the #nordicfest50 plans, Governor Ray's office was kind enough to issue the following statement: 

How exciting to hear that Decorah will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Nordic Fest in 2016!  Billie and I have fond memories of riding in the Nordic Fest parade when I was governor.  And we especially recall the warmth and hospitality of this special community.

I am so pleased that Decorah continues to honor its Norwegian heritage in such a wonderful manner.  I wish you much success and many more years of celebration!

Best wishes,

 Robert D. Ray

Governor of Iowa, 1969-1983

Governor, everyone connected to Decorah and Nordic Fest joins in wishing you and Mrs. Ray the best, too! 

Do You Remember the Parade and Lutefisk Connection?

Decorah Mayor David T. Nelson, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, State Representative Paul Johnson and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Robert Lounsberry participate in the Nordic Fest Lutefisk Eating Contest. Phone circa early 1980's by Jack Anundsen.

The just-completed U.S. Fourth of July holiday brought the experience brought the experience of elected officials and office candidates in parades to many communities large and small. The Nordic Fest Grand Parade each Saturday morning will inevitably be home to more of the same in just a few weeks. 

Pouring over board meeting minutes for any nonprofit operations may not be the first thing even the most enthusiastic researcher wants to do. The language of such minutes is often clean, lacks critical context and may unintentionally gloss over substance of a meeting in an effort to keep the focus on facts like the outcome of a vote.   

While reviewing available Nordic Fest board meeting minutes certainly had its routine moments, interesting notes were also revealed, especially with regards to a connection between politicians in the parade and the Lutefisk Eating Contest. To revisit Darin Svenson's guest blog on this contest, click here. 

When the Lutefisk Eating Contest started, it was not the public entry event that it is today. Unsure of the response the event would get, organizers kept the contest focused on special Nordic Fest guests. 

Here's where it gets interesting. 

Board meeting minutes note a general acceptance of politicians in parades as a given for any special event, yet a slight distaste for the necessity. There was also a concern about people actually entering the new Lutefisk Eating Contest. For several years, this issue was resolved in a unique way: if an elected official wanted to ride in the Nordic Fest parade, he or she must also enter the Lutefisk Eating contest. This rule may have been responsible for the collection of elected officials pictured above. 

While the political climate 35 years later make it difficult to imagine this rule being successfully enforced, this unique connection between two events remains an interesting part of the rich history of Nordic Fest.