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December 12, 2014 Leave a comment
The Santa Lucia Festival was held at the Swedish Heritage Center. Many songs were danced to by the OC fourth graders. All photos taken by Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat County Hub.
The fourth grade class from OC performed the Santa Lucia Festival for the public’s enjoyment at the Swedish Heritage Center. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
December 11, 2014 Leave a comment
The OC fourth grade class held a Santa Lucia Festival at the Swedish Heritage Center. Mia Linder sang a solo and the fourth grade class danced for all the audience to see. It was a wonderful performance. All photo credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
December 8, 2014 Leave a comment
Show time is here!!!! It’s going to be a busy week at the Swedish Heritage Center. Thanks to everyone who came out to support the Oakland Chamber Commerce spaghetti feed and the Women’s Club Tour of homes on Sunday. Thanks to the Women’s Club for including us in your tour this year. It was fun to see the peoples reaction to our museum. Beautiful, unbelievable and breathtaking were just a few of the comments made. Please take the time to visit us soon this Christmas season.
Start marking your calendars for this weeks events. Thursday, December 11th at 9:00 am we will be entertained by the Oakland-Craig 4th graders as they preform the traditional Santa Lucia festival. It is so great to pass on our Swedish heritage with our children– Swedish or not– traditions are good to learn as a child. These kids have worked hard on their dancing, so please plan to attend and support them.
That evening December 11th , 4:30 till 9:00 we will hosting a wonderful Swedish Hor D’ourve Wine and Cheese Christmas Party. Just a few items on our delicious Hor D”ourve table will include Swedish Potato Sausage, Swedish meatballs in cream sauce, homemade Headcheese, Pickled tongue and heart, Liver pate, open face sandwiches, deviled eggs, many gourmet cheeses, herring dip, pumpkin cheesecake, pecan cheesecake,artichoke dip, and more. Come enjoy a night of good food, good friends, and good cheer. Try our new featured “Dala Horse cocktail”…you can’t find this cocktail just anywhere. You’ll be surprised how beautiful the atmosphere is during these events.
Sunday December 14th at 5:00 p m we will be graced by the Burt County Brass preforming their Christmas concert. What a great way to get into the Christmas season. Following we will be serving a traditional Swedish Meal… Swedish Potato Sausage, Swedish meatballs, scallop potatoes, green beans with almonds, coleslaw, ostakaka with lingonberries, and Swedish rye bread. You can also complete your meal with another “Dala Horse cocktail” or have a cup of warm Glogg..Karl Lundquist will also be reading Christmas Poems and elementary children will be singing.
Please mark your calendars to attend and support the endless hours of preparation for your enjoyment. Thanks for all your support and we hope to have a great 2015 ahead of us.
December 3, 2014 Leave a comment
The holiday season is in full swing at the Swedish Heritage Center. Oakland is fortunate to have Tom Wallerstedt return to Oakland as the curator. For many years, since former curator Elsie Sebberson passed away, visitors could only visit the center by contacting an individual with a key. Not any longer. Tom’s arrival has changed everything.
Not only did Tom take on the role of curator, he also has done a great deal of work preparing the center for visitors and the holiday season. “When I first arrived at the Swedish Heritage Center, I realized there was much to do,” Tom stated. He took on the responsibility, cleaning every inch of the center, painting walls, rearranging the displays and many other tasks, making the center shine! Tom realizes how important the Swedish Heritage Center is to the community of Oakland, as Swedish is Oakland’s identity. “I had the pleasure of meeting people from Sweden, who visited the center recently. They had wanted to visit Swedish places upon coming to Nebraska and discovered the center. We had a wonderful visit,” Tom said.
The Swedish history of Oakland is something every visitor will surely enjoy, as there are generations of items for every eye to see. A dress hangs in the center that an Oaklander was wearing, anticipating her departure on the Titanic. She later decided not to go, which was a smart choice as history tells us. To find out who wore the dress, stop in at the Swedish Heritage Center.
Also, take time to enjoy Tom’s handiwork, he has quite a creative knack. Before coming home to Oakland, he had a shop of his own in Omaha which proudly displayed his creations, such as the ornaments he creates from corn husks into roses, which are on the Christmas tree at the Swedish Heritage Center, along with the Swedish Dala horses Tom has painted. Many years ago, Tom’s crafty talents were the subject of an article in LTD magazine, featuring his many crafts he hand makes. Tom also has the rose corn his ornaments for sale at the center. They are quite time consuming to make, taking him up to three days to finish. To purchase the ornaments, please contact Tom at the center.
Be sure to attend the Swedish Heritage Center’s many Christmas celebrations:
Thurs., Dec. 11th is the Santa Lucia Festival at 9:00 a.m. The 4th and 5th grade students from Oakland-Craig School perform this Swedish dance every year. The instructor is Teresa Rogers. Everyone is invited to attend. From 4:30-9:00 p.m. is the Swedish “SKAL” hors d’oeuvres, wine and cheese open house. Purchase tickets at Nelson’s Food Pride or at the door.
Sun., Dec. 14th will feature the Burt County Brass performing a Christmas concert beginning at 5:00 p.m. Karl Lundquist will also be reading Christmas poems along with singing by Mia Linder. A traditional Swedish meal will follow the concert. Donations will be accepted for the concert with funds going to the Swedish Heritage Center.
Everyone is encouraged to attend the events at the Swedish Heritage Center and celebrate the Christmas season. You are sure to be beyond pleased.
Tom Wallerstedt just decorating the Christmas Tree at the Swedish Heritage Center with his handmade corn husk rose ornaments. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Some of the Swedish dresses at the Heritage Center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Many wedding dresses are on display at the Swedish Heritage Center in Oakland. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
A beautiful historical Swedish dress at the center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Tom shows the husks he uses to make the gorgeous corn husk rose ornaments he decorates the Christmas tree with. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
The end result,corn husk roses, that take Tom a great deal of time and effort to make. But, he doesn’t mind as he is quite creative. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
December 2, 2014 Leave a comment
The holiday season is upon us and the Swedish Heritage Center is ready to entertain you.
Sunday December 7th starts the activities. After church attend the spaghetti dinner at the VFW building in Oakland. The hours are 11:00 til 1:00 a free will donation will be taken and it is sponsored by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce. Then enjoy the afternoon at the annual Womens Club Tour of Homes. The hours are 12:00 til 4:00 and the tickets are $10.00. Buy your tickets at the Swedish Heritage Center and enjoy all the splendor of Christmas. We hope you can spend some time in the Center but if not today, come back when you have more time.
Next for the day is the Tri City Community Theater production of” When Christmas Left Rattler Canyon” Don’t miss this last showing at 6:00 pm. It will be held at the Oakland City Auditorium.
Admission is canned foods going to the Oakland Food Bank, so please give generously.
Thursday December 11th at 9:00 is the performance of the Oakland – Craig 4th and 5th graders dancing to the Santa Lucia Festival. Other entertainment including singing by elementary students will also be preformed. The public, parents, and grandparents are invited to attend and enjoy this wonderful production. Thanks to Teresa Rogers for bringing this lovely event back to the Swedish Heritage Center.
Thursday December 11th is really busy…we are also having our Swedish “SKAL” Hors D’oeuvres and wine and Cheese Christmas Open House. The hours are 4:30p m till 9:00pm, 
tickets are available at Nelson’s Food Pride or at the door. Stop by on your way home from work or make it a fun night out with family and friends. A lovely arrangement of delicious Hors D’oeuvres will be prepared. Wine, specialty beer and our new “Dala Horse” signature drink will be served. Tickets include Hors D’oeuvres and 1 drink ticket, A cash bar will be available. Come see the beautiful Swedish Heritage Center and enjoy the sights of the Christmas season. Tickets are $15.00
Sunday December 14th, the Burt County Brass will be preforming their Christmas concert at 5:00 pm. Karl Lundquist will be reading Christmas poems and Mia Linder will be singing. Come and sing along old time Christmas songs. Swedish style. Following the concert we are hosting a traditional Swedish Meal……Swedish Potato Sausage, Swedish meatball, scallop potatoes, green beans with almonds, Swedish rye bread and delicious Ostakaka with lingonberries. The cost is $10.00 and a cash bar will be available. Donations will be taken for the concert and funds for the Heritage Center.
November 29, 2014 Leave a comment
By Julie Johnson, Contributor
Thanksgiving is upon us. We at the Swedish Heritage Center have so much to be thankful for in the past year. First of all, it was great to have a beautiful garden and green yard this summer. Thanks to our FOOF grant it was easy to accomplish such a beautiful garden with the help of our sprinkler system. Thanks FOOF for your support.
Then came September and God sent us Tom Wallerstedt. Like an angel from heaven, we now have a full time curator. Not only a curator but someone who just loves the Heritage center and its mission. Tom, his siblings, Barbara and Patty have rearranged, redesigned and relocated about every article in the place. Thanks also to our new great board for all their work and imput to our new beginning. We have been working hard and now its showtime.
December is a busy month. Please mark your calendars for our upcoming events.
Our first event is Sunday December 7th. We will be selling the Oakland Women’s Club Tour of Homes tickets. The hours are 12:00 till 3:00. Come early to enjoy the Swedish Heritage Center’s Christmas splendor. If not on Sunday– come back when you have more time to study all the lovely articles on display from years past.
Thursday, December 11th will be double busy ,with a full day of activities. The 4th graders will be preforming their Santa Lucia Festival. There will be also some musical selections by other grade school students. There will be 2 preformances at 9:00 which will be open to the public, parents, and grandparents. This is one production that you won’t want to miss.
Thursday evening at 4:30 till 9:00 we are hosting a Swedish H’ourdorves, Wine and Cheese Christmas Party. Support the Swedish Heritage Center. The cost is $15.00 for H’ourdorves and one drink ticket. A cash bar will be available featuring our new Dala Horse Signature drink. Enjoy a festive night our for cocktails with your sweetie and enjoy the Christmas season.
Sunday, December 14th enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas. The Burt County Brass will preforming at 5:00 p.m. Following the concert, we will be serving a traditional Swedish Christmas meal. Swedish potato sausage, meatballs, scalloped potatoes, green beans with almonds, Swedish rye bread and Ostakaka for dessert. Tickets are $10.00 for the meal. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets are on sale at Nelson’s Food Pride for both events.
During this holiday season please give the Swedish Heritage Center your attendance, support and also monetary. Remember, we have no source of income except your donations. We would love to have you host your family reunions, Christmas parties, card parties or any other get togethers at the heritage center. Give a call to reserve the museum at 402-685-5652.
Christmas tree at the Swedish Heritage Center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
An extra thanks to all who have contributed this past couple months . You know who you are, the cookie bakers, cleaners, gardners, pew repairers, advertising,and overall support. We thank you!!
November 12, 2014 Leave a comment
Tom Wallerstedt, curator at the Swedish Heritage Center, has been busy decorating the center for Christmas. The tree has been completed, decorated with Swedish Dala horses and ornaments Tom makes himself from corn husks. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
November 10, 2014 Leave a comment
Richard Gehrman, author of Cow Creek, autographs one of his books for Catherine McMurtry at the Swedish Heritage Center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
The Logan Valley Quilters had a beautiful display of quilts they have made at the Swedish Heritage Center. All photos credit of Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Thank you so much to the Logan Valley Quilters for their gorgeous display of all your quilts on Sunday at the Swedish Heritage Center. A nice steady crowd enjoyed the huge assortment of quilts. They certainly added so much beauty to the Center.
Thanks to Richard, author of “Cow Creek” for also attending with his book signing. Sam, Cindy and Jane Nelson really enjoyed being part of the day. It was so fun to reminisce with them the past at First Covenant Church. They couldn’t believe how beautiful the Center has become.
Please continue to support our events and activities– remember we solely operate only on donations, so we are working hard to create funds. We also want to share our beautiful building with all of YOU. Any reunions, parties, or fun get-together, we’d love to have you use our facility.
With the holidays fast approaching, we are all excited to get busy decorating for Christmas. If you thought the Center was beautiful—just wait!!! It will be breathtaking with all the Christmas splendor.
Just give us a call to visit or rent the Center for your Christmas gathering. 402-685-5652 Remember we can also provide a Swedish flair meal or dessert for your party too.
If you need a special unique gift, we have that too. Tom has beautiful hand painted Dala horses -2 sizes available. He also has gorgeous handmade cornhusk roses. Each rose if uniquely made and he can add color if you’d like or just enjoy the natural look. Tom is at the Center everyday doing his crafts so just stop by and say hi. If the open flag is out—come on in at look at his crafts. We also have a nice inventory of Swedish gifts. So start planning for a special Christmas gift from the Swedish Heritage Center.
November 6, 2014 Leave a comment
Oakland’s Swedish Heritage Center. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.
Sunday November 9th, the Swedish Heritage Center would like to invite you to attend the Logan Valley Quilters quilt show. Come enjoy all the fruits of labor of these lovely homemade quilts. The hours are 12:00-3:00 p.m.
We are also pleased to welcome Richard Gehrman, who is the author of the book Cow Creek. Richard is the nephew of the late Fergie Nelson of Oakland. Fergie’s children, Jane and Sam, will also be present. In 1888’s emigrant-populated city of Oakland, Nebraska, live Emil and Able, two teenage boys who devour dime store Western novels and dream of adventures on cattle ranches and Indian territories. Looking to make these dreams a reality, they set out into the wild country to work on Cow Creek Ranch. Injury soon forces Able to limp home, but Emil continues, with a fortitude that no amount of wild animals or bad weather can dissuade. But, what Emil finds is a ranch grasping at straws to stay alive amid rapidly changing times as well as the surprising cruelties of Indian reservation life. At every turn, reality hammers his dreams and Christian upbringing. Find out how this young man responds and what he learns along the wild, western way.
Richard Gehrman, a Nebraska native and avid hunter, is an author who began writing Cow Creek after his uncle, Fergie Nelson, challenged him to do so. Enjoy refreshments, coffee, cider and Swedish cookies to warm up on a cool afternoon.
Please also plan to support Oakland’s VFW as they will have their beef Bar-B-Que sandwich dinner from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Vets building in Oakland.
Sue’s Flower Shoppe will also be having her 20th anniversary open house. The holidays are fast approaching, so what a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Remember, the Swedish Heritage Center is available for your holiday parties or reunions. Just give us a call to book your event, 402-685-5652.
Next week we will announce all the future events at the Center so stay tuned for dates and times.
Kat Country Hub 
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