A Gift for a Colleague 50 Years Ago

50 years ago, Gary Svenson wrapped up his first years of service on  the Nordic Fest board. After that 6th Nordic Fest in 1972, his Nordic Fest board colleagues presented him with a beautiful original rosemaled piece by renowned Norwegian folk artist and Norwegian folk art historian Nils Ellingsgard.

Gary remembered taking a rare break during Nordic Fest work to take in Mr. Ellingsard's demonstration at Vesterheim during the 1972 Nordic Fest. His board colleagues took note.

Feel free to click on each picture for a larger view. Although some markings have faded after five decades, Gary delighted in his Nordic Fest work and often reviewed the back signatures from July 30, 1972, which include:

• Dr. Marion Nelson
• Betty Seegmiller
• Joyce Wallman 
• Betty Hacker(son) - longtime Nordic Dancer director 
• Dennis Roseland 
• Roger Kittelsby 
• Paul Hexom 
• Grant Woldum 
• Phyllis Leseth 

Now 55 years after Gary and his fellow Jaycees joined with Dr. Marion Nelson and Phyllis Leseth of Vesterheim to create Nordic Fest, the legacy of beautiful community service via the Nordic Fest board remains strong.

Have you made your plans to attend the 2022 Nordic Fest yet?