September 10, 2014 Believe it or not, this is the name of a book by Patrick Kingsley. It was actually his first book although he was a writer for The Guardian for several years before that. This book was resting on the living room coffee table. I thumbed through it while Mormor was getting a…
DetailsEvery month I receive my copy of The Danish Pioneer and faithfully read about the many wonderful events, organizations and people that are all things Danish in this decades old publication that is published in print and online. My Mormor told me that this publication will receive the Essence Award at the annual Danish Home Benefit…
DetailsAugust 27, 2014 I am so excited to tell you that I am going to the 35th Annual Scandinavian Day Festival on September 7 in Vasa Park. And, you will be able to sign up for chance to win $100 if you subscribe to the Hope Chest on or before that date. Nice! Just sign up…
DetailsAugust 21, 2014 Last week I told you about my journey to Elk Horn, Iowa to learn about the Danish heritage that my Mormor often talks about. She chose to live at The Danish Home of Chicago because it not only keeps the Danish traditions alive, but also she says they are truly celebrated everyday. …
DetailsAugust 15, 2014 Finding the treasures in The Hope Chest and talking to my Mormor who lives at The Danish Home about the Danish culture has intrigued me, as you know. I had the chance to visit Elk Horn Iowa, where, with its sister community, Kimballton, live one of the largest concentration of Danes in…
DetailsAugust 9, 2014 In last week’s post I discussed some intriguing information that was discovered about the Thorsen home (still standing!) here in Chicago. While I was learning more about the home though I also realized so much more about Chicago history, and I just had to share. Chicago had the fastest population…
DetailsAugust 1, 2014 “Enhver er sin egen lykkes smed.” – Danish proverb Translation: “Everyone has his own fortune.” English equivalent: The world is your oyster. The city of Chicago has changed drastically over the past 150 years. When the Thorsen family arrived in Chicago from Copenhagen in 1869 there were less than…
DetailsJuly 25, 2014 Four years after Emma Thorsen and her family departed Copenhagen for Chicago – eventually becoming one of the founders of The Danish Home of Chicago in 1891- another young woman living in Orup, Denmark (50 miles SW of Copenhagen) was preparing her family for a similar move, and a comparable influence…
DetailsJuly 18, 2014 Each time I visit Mormor at The Danish Home of Chicago I am treated to the beauty of the North Side of Chicago. As I drive through all of the historic neighborhoods to get to Norwood Park, past the old flats, Greystones and bungalows, I am reminded of what a wonderful…
DetailsJuly 10, 2014 “Where words fail, music speaks.” Hans Christian Andersen It’s no surprise that music plays an incredibly important role in human culture today, but did you know that music has been in existence for an estimated 50,000 years?! Spanning every known culture around the globe, the art of music has…
Details