Swedish Heritage Center Has Come a Long Way in 2014

As 2014 comes to an close, we stop and think about the past year.  My have we come a long way since June…….the Swedish Heritage Center has a new life line! Words cannot express the many thanks to all who have contributed this past year.  As we look back, sad that the holiday season is past, all the fun exciting activities and events, we are already looking towards the new year.
We are excited to get busy planning for the future.  First on our agenda is of coarse the major renovation of the basement– walls, flooring, electrical and plumbing. It will be a huge undertaking but our dedicated board is ready for the challenge.  Grants and donations are the only way this can be financed so we have a lot of work to do.
Debbie Anderson is really working hard communicating and reinstating our relationship with our sister city Hammenhog, Sweden. Who knows where and what the possibilities will be with this future communication. We are also excited to share our Santa Lucia Festival program with the children from Hammenhog.  We recorded our program and they recorded theirs.  Now we just have to figure out how we can entertain you with this wonderful production of the Swedish children.  It’s a great world, the internet really opens up unlimited possibilities for communication.
It was also fun at Nelson’s Food Pride when all my Swedish customers come from near and far for Swedish foods., so many of them took the time to visit the Swedish Heritage Center.  It was great to have Tom there to always greet them and welcome them to study the museum.  Every visitor has a link from their past with their personal stories of years gone by.  Bev and Lorna visited , anxious to see their Mothers wedding dress on display in the wedding room.  They couldn’t wait to see it.  Blessed memories in our hearts and for others visiting to enjoy.
January will be our membership drive– please consider joining and making a nice donation. We solely operate only on donations from YOU for all our expenses. Electricity and gas add up pretty fast especially during these cold winter months.
Happy New Year to all from all of us and may 2015 be a glorious year for the Swedish Heritage Center.  We are so excited to bring new and different programs from Sweden to share with you here in Oakland and the surrounding area.  The Swedish Heritage Center can be a great economic tool for Oakland. It is surprising how many people visit Oakland for our nitch as the Swedish Capital of Nebraska.  Let’s show all who visit what a great community we have…known for its horses on the light poles.  Happy New Year

The Swedish Heritage Center in Oakland, NE. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.