George volunteered for SAHSWI for many years and served on the board of directors from 2008 to 2021. Being an Engineer and a Quality professional he engineered and built the May Pole used at the annual Midsommar Celebration at Heidelberg Park in Glendale.
George supervising the assembly of the May Pole at 2018 Midsommar celebration
George treasured his Swedish ancestry and worked diligently in preserving Swedish traditions for present and future generations. He was very active in the preservation of the site of the Friman family who were the first Swedish settlers and property owners in Wisconsin. He also guided the investments to continue maintenance of the Historical Marker in Genoa City honoring the Friman family.”
The final Fika meeting of the year is scheduled October 17, 2026 at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of the Milwaukee Zoo. First the annual Business meeting will be conducted including election of board members and presentation of Annual reports by officers and committee leaders. Immediately following the Annual Meeting member Birgit Moxon will present the Program: “A tale of two Islands“
After the presentation enjoy traditional Fika the Swedish way. If you can, bring a dish to share. Do you have a favorite Swedish recipe you want to share? If so, bring it and we can add it to the website SwedishFood Heritage page.
Update on Volunteering
SAHSWI is a non-profit all volunteer organization dependent on member volunteering to lead and participate in programs and events. There are two open positions in continued operations of the organization: Hospitality Committee Leader and Membership Committee member.
Hospitality Committee Leader for 2027
Fika is a traditional Swedish activity, taking a break mid-morning and mid-afternoon with family and/or friends, sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee and some sweets. This tradition is a key element in our Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin in all our Fika meetings and most celebrations and events. For this to work, we need a volunteer to coordinate and lead this important part of our activities. So, for 2027 we are looking for the Hospitality Committee leader. This position has been held by Janet Taylor for several years, and she has been doing a terrific job, but now she deserves a break. This will involve 4 fika meetings, in January, March, May, and October for Fika meetings held at Martin Luther Lutheran Church,9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of Milwaukee Zoo. At the meetings there are usually several people that will help and members and guests at the meetings will bring pastry and other food. As the Committee leader you can organize it based on your own ideas.
If you have any questions, please contact Janet (e-mail: jbtaylor765@gmail.com) in. The Schedule for 2027 will be released by mid October 2026.
Membership Committee member
The Membership Committee objective is to maintain and grow membership. This includes tasks such as contacting potential new members, welcoming new members, and several administrative tasks managing membership including updating membership application forms, managing membership renewal process, maintaining organization brochures, etc.
For more Membership Committee information please contact Bev Wenzel (e-mail: wenz113@outlook.com)
There are two major events left this year which still have volunteer opportunities: Holiday Folk Fair International and St Lucia Celebration.
2026 Holiday Folk Fair International Cultural Booth Attendant
SAHSWI is participating, together with Vasa Order Linde Lodge no 492, representing Sweden in the 2026 Holiday Folk Fair International. The fair is held Nov 20 through 22 at the State Fair park. We are participating in the NordicCouncil Cultural Exhibit booth. The Nordic Council is coordinating the event for the Nordic Countries Denmark, Norway Finland and Sweden. The theme this year is “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dance”.
To best represent Sweden in this multi-cultural event we need help from our members. We will have a booth set up with exhibit items, this year focusing on Traditional Dance, however the display can include other typical Swedish items as well. Please find below a picture of the Swedish display from previous year.
2023, 2024, and 2025 Swedish booth
The booth should be attended by a minimum of 2 people for 3 to 4 hours for each shift. There are a total of 8 shifts over 3 days, so we need a minimum of 16 volunteers. By volunteering at one of the shifts, you represent Sweden. There are chairs at each table so you can sit or stand as you wish. We will have information available about Sweden and about the theme Traditional Dance. People will come over to the booth sometimes asking questions, which normally are very basic, or you can start a conversation when you see them looking at the display. If this is your first time volunteering at the Folk Fair we can assure you it is quite interesting and fun. One activity, especially for children, is stamping passports, they can see which and how many countries they have stamps for in their passports. The volunteer ticket may be used for Folk Fair entry all three days and parking costs will be reimbursed by SAHSWI.
If you are interested in volunteering attending one of the shifts please contact by e-mail Jan Ehrengren jehrengren@outlook.com.
Volunteers needed Volunteer signup status
Friday November 20
9 am to 1 pm
Liza Ekstrand, John Engel, Jan Ehrengren
1 pm to 5pm
5 pm to 9 pm
Saturday November 21
10 am to 1 pm
Cookie Anderson
1 pm to 4 pm
4 pm to 9 pm
Sunday November 22
10 am to 2 pm
2 pm to 6 pm
Lisa Ekstrand, John Engel, Jan Ehrengren
2026 Lucia Celebration Program participants
St. Lucia is celebrated in Sweden on Dec 13 every year. Early on the morning of December 13, a young woman appears, dressed in white and wearing a crown of blazing candles. She is attended by a group of young boys and girls, and brings light into the dark winter at homes, hospitals, schools, and offices, serving steaming coffee with ginger biscuits and saffron bread. The young woman is portraying St. Lucia and this is Luciadagen, Santa Lucia Day, a particularly Swedish festival that has spread throughout Scandinavia.
2026 Lucia celebration will be at Fox Point Lutheran Church, 7510 N Santa Monica Blvd, Fox Point, WI on December 13, 2026,at2-4 PM. The celebration will be similar to 2025 Lucia which is described in the link below.
If you know of anyone, child or young adult, that want to participate in the Lucia program, please contact Program Director Stina Lemery, dannbergs@gmail.com. Please find below a message from Stina.
The Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin, Inc. a non-profit volunteer organization, invites you to become a member and share your time and talents as a volunteer. Our Society is dedicated to promoting a greater knowledge and appreciation of the role persons of Swedish descent have played in the growth and development of Wisconsin, while also keeping Swedish traditions and culture alive for future generations.
Volunteers are essential to this work. Whether you enjoy welcoming guests, helping with Fika gatherings, supporting cultural programs, assisting with genealogy resources, preserving stories and photographs, preparing refreshments, writing articles, organizing records, or lending a hand at special events, there is a place for you to contribute, and you do not need to be Swedish or speak Swedish to participate.
By volunteering, you will meet new friends, learn more about Swedish American history, support programs that are open to the public, and help ensure that this heritage continues to be shared with children, families, researchers, and community members across the state.
If you are interested and not already a member, please contact Jan Ehrengren (e-mail: jehrengren@outlook.com). Visit the website Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin to find out more about the organization. We would be happy to talk with you about current needs and help match your interests with a volunteer opportunity.
Thank you for considering this invitation. Together, we can honor the past, celebrate Swedish-American traditions, and strengthen the community that carries them forward.
Below you will find more specific volunteer needs coming up in the near future.
Hospitality Committee Leader for 2027
Fika is a traditional Swedish activity, taking a break mid-morning and mid-afternoon with family and/or friends, sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee and some sweets. This tradition is a key element in our Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin in all our Fika meetings and most celebrations and events. For this to work, we need a volunteer to coordinate and lead this important part of our activities. So, for 2027 we are looking for the Hospitality Committee leader. This position has been held by Janet Taylor for several years, and she has been doing a terrific job, but now she deserves a break. This will involve 4 fika meetings, in January, March, May, and October for Fika meetings held at Martin Luther Lutheran Church,9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of Milwaukee Zoo. At the meetings there are usually several people that will help and members and guests at the meetings will bring pastry and other food. As the Committee leader you can organize it based on your own ideas.
If you have any questions, please contact Janet (e-mail: jbtaylor765@gmail.com) in. The Schedule for 2027 will be released by mid October 2026.
Membership Committee member
The Membership Committee objective is to maintain and grow membership. This includes tasks such as contacting potential new members, welcoming new members, and several administrative tasks managing membership including updating membership application forms, managing membership renewal process, maintaining organization brochures, etc.
For more Membership Committee information please contact Bev Wenzel (e-mail: wenz113@outlook.com)
2026 Holiday Folk Fair International Cultural Booth Attendant
SAHSWI is participating, together with Vasa Order Linde Lodge no 492, representing Sweden in the 2026 Holiday Folk Fair International. The fair is held Nov 20 through 22 at the State Fair park. We are participating in the NordicCouncil Cultural Exhibit booth. The Nordic Council is coordinating the event for the Nordic Countries Denmark, Norway Finland and Sweden. The theme this year is “Celebrate the Culture of Traditional Dance”.
To best represent Sweden in this multi-cultural event we need help from our members. We will have a booth set up with exhibit items, this year focusing on Traditional Dance, however the display can include other typical Swedish items as well. Please find below a picture of the Swedish display from previous year.
2023, 2024, and 2025 Swedish booth
The booth should be attended by a minimum of 2 people for 3 to 4 hours for each shift. There are a total of 8 shifts over 3 days, so we need a minimum of 16 volunteers. By volunteering at one of the shifts, you represent Sweden. There are chairs at each table so you can sit or stand as you wish. We will have information available about Sweden and about the theme Traditional Dance. People will come over to the booth sometimes asking questions, which normally are very basic, or you can start a conversation when you see them looking at the display. If this is your first time volunteering at the Folk Fair we can assure you it is quite interesting and fun. One activity, especially for children, is stamping passports, they can see which and how many countries they have stamps for in their passports. The volunteer ticket may be used for Folk Fair entry all three days and parking costs will be reimbursed by SAHSWI.
If you are interested in volunteering attending one of the shifts please contact by e-mail Jan Ehrengren jehrengren@outlook.com.
The May Fika meetingat Martin Luther Lutheran Church, featured Award–winning Author Martha Bergland and her Husband Jim Uhrinak presentation about their visit to Bishop Hill.
Today, Bishop Hill is recognized for its historical significance, with several structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can explore the village’s rich history through museums, galleries, and cultural events that celebrate its Swedish roots. Bishop Hill remains a vibrant community that honors its past while continuing to thrive as a living historical site. Please see below link to the presentation handout:
Member Karen Snowberg, Cultural leader in Vasa Order Linde Lodge no. 492 informed about the Vasa Order of America National Archives. The Archives Board selected Bishop Hill, Illinois as the site for the building in the early 1970s. Many factors contributed to the selection: a Swedish community, geographically centered in the United States, low crime rate, and easily reached from all directions. The rural setting offers more stability than the urban migratory mode of life. Bishop Hill is a National and Illinois State Historic Site.
Recently SAHSWI received an e-mail from Jamie Prost who offered to donate an old book written in Swedish. The book released in 1907 was about King Oscar II, who was King of Sweden from 1872 until his death in 1907. He was also King of Norway from 1872 to 1905. It is the final publication of his biography, issued after his death on Dec 8, 1907.
King Oscar II was very popular among the Swedish immigrants to America. In the introduction of the biography it was mentioned he was the most respected ruler of any country or state at the time. The Swedish Americans were proud of their home country king as he was celebrated as the most gifted monarch in Europe. King Oscar thought important to be trusted to keep Sweden an independent free state.
Nordstjernan (The Swedish North Star) is the only classic Swedish newspaper in the U.S. with readers in every state. One year subscription is $67 for 16 printed issues delivered to your home. The issues include a unique mix of trivia, traditions, news summaries and opinion pieces and easy-to-read columns that have become their landmark.
A new recipe has been added to our Food Heritage Dessert and Bakery page. Barbara Sue McLaughlin provided a recipe from her Grandmother. “
My grandmother was a Swedish cook in Minneapolis. The first time she made this cookie for me was in1950. I was four, and she asked me what I thought. I said “Delicious” and that is how they got their name!”
On October 18, 2025, at a SAHSWI Fika meeting Karen Snowberg presented her story about Emma, her grandmother, who in 1882 left Sweden to settle in Minnesota. This story is about Emma’s life in Sweden and in America and is based on significant research by Karen and her extended family both in Sweden and USA.
Introduction by Karen Snowberg
“Emma’s Story” – a story of one girl’s journey from Sweden to Minnesota and the new life she experienced there.
“Emma’s Story” is about my mormor, my mother’s mother, who came to this country from Öland in 1882 at the age of 16. I wrote this story to help my nieces and nephews and future generations of our family to understand more about their family heritage. It is a product of combining genealogical research, Swedish history, family documents, and word-of-mouth interviews.
Our family – Snowberg in the USA and Snöberg in Sweden – is fortunate that one of our Swedish relatives decided his retirement hobby would be genealogy. He spent years in the 1960’s exploring church records to trace the Snöberg family line. In the 1980’s Anders Snöberg passed the torch to my brother, Richard Snowberg, in this country. He challenged Rich to locate all of the American Snowberg’s descended from the original Anders Snöberg. The results were of great interest to me, but I wanted to know more about the people our ancestors were. The only grandparent still living when I was born was Emma Sofia Snöberg Johnson, so I decided to learn what I could about her life.
Having a great interest in history I was able to research what life would have been like for a young girl born to a poor family in a “company” town in southern Öland. I also did research into what influenced so many people to leave the area and emigrate to the USA. (In the great emigration from Sweden to America, a larger percentage of its population left the island of Öland than from any other area of Sweden.) Conversations with my mother shortly before she passed away helped me find out more about Emma as a person.
Mormor would never talk about her family in Sweden or her hard life there, and it was only through her sister’s letters (discovered still being kept by our Swedish relatives) that Mormor’s story has been fleshed out at last…over 50 years after she passed away. We had a family reunion in Degerhamn in 2005, and an entire day was spent with a second cousin of ours who is both a family and town historian. He told us the history of our family as well as what life was like in 19th century Degerhamn. After that weekend, we finally understood the sad misunderstanding that caused Mormor to feel alienated from her native land.
“Emma’s Story” is based on letters, conversations, memories, pictures, and knowledge of the period. In effect, it’s what I imagine my grandmother may have been thinking as she looked back on her life”. Karen Snowberg
Midsommar 2026 was celebrated Sunday, June 21, 2026, 11 AM – 2 PM at Heidelberg Park by Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale. Members and visitors could enjoy making the flower crowns, decorating the Maypole, participate in the procession raising the pole, then dancing around it. However, the Midsommer celebration was different this year.
The Midsommar Pole
During setup and assembly of the pole, part of it cracked and the bottom part had to be removed, which resulted in a very short Maypole. This was both good and bad since there had been safety concern previously, handling the quite heavy and tall Maypole. Less to decorate, easier to raise, and we could still enjoy to dance around it, and it served good for a photo op. .
The Flower Crowns
Making and then wearing a flower crown is one of the most favorite activities during Midsommar celebration. SAHSWI member Karin Konrad prepared and was leading this activity.
Swedish Folk Music and Scandinavian Folk Dance
The timing of the Midsommar celebration was different from previous years. There were two events sharing the park this year. Heidelberg Park was the venue for both Midsommar and Fathers Day celebration with a large German Brass Band playing. So to avoid interference the Midsommer celebration was rescheduled to start 2 hour earlier with our Folk music and Folk Dance could be enjoyed before the start of the German music.
Everybody enjoyed the popular violin and guitar group Goda Vänner playing traditional Swedish Folk music, and the Lykkeringen dancers performing Scandinavian Folk Dances
The Food
A few days before start of the Midsommar celebrations we got the news the Chef scheduled to prepare the Swedish food was sick and in the hospital, so it was no way the Swedish meatball dish could be served. Thanks to Carol Gustafson’s quick actions the meatballs were back on the menu and consumed by grateful celebration attendants, actually they sold out early. Carol also teamed up with Karin Konrad and baked cake and offered a piece of Midsommartårta to all Midsommar attendants.
Kubb and Activities for the Children
Children could enjoy Sac Raises, Tug a War, and Corn Hole game, and Face painting and Crafts. As is tradition at Midsommar some participants played a game of Kubb set-up and supported by SAHSWI Vice President John Elliott.
Swedish-American History and Genealogy
Much of the activies of the Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin relates to History of Swedish immigration to Wisconsin, two stations were set up to learn about these topics. Martha Bergland and her husband Jim Uhrinak were managing the History station focusing this year on information about Bishop Hill, which was a Swedish colony established by Erik Janson and his followers, the religious sekt Jansonists in 1846.
John Engel, SAHSWI Board member and the leader of the Swedish Genealogy Research Group, managed the Genealogy station and answered questions and discussed ways to research family heritage.
John Engel in discussion with Susan Worden and Martha Bergland. SAHSWI Member and Photographer Bob Stetson enjoying Swedish Meatballs
Tack så mycket, Tusen tack.
Although last minute changes to Midsommar 2026 it turned out to be a great celebration. We thank all volunteers that made it happen, including the following and others.
Emceeing and making all announcements. Tim Redman.
Welcome desk: Susan and Del Worden, Tracy Redman, Preparation by Bev Wenzel
Midsommar Pole assembly and decoration: Erik Ehrengren, Liza Ekstrand, Tim Redman, Rudy and Karin Konrad
Leading dance around the Midsommar Pole: Amanda Balistreri
Flowercrowns: Karin Konrad, Cookie Anderson and grandchild.
Swedish Folk music, Goda Vänner:Carol Gustafson, Mary Stetson, Eva Christensen and Parry Horn
Scandinavian Folk Dance: Lykkeringen Dancers: Lizabeth Bjork, Seija Freiberg, Chris Hansen, Doug and Joelle Freiberg, Kari Toth Steve Burghardt, Ann LeBaron, Philip Reikdahl, Robert and Caroline Sanders.
Childrens games, crafts and face painting: Camden Ehrengren, Danielle Jackson, Kris Laufer, and Elisabeth Elliott.
Scandinavian and American Flags: Rolf and Liza Ekstrand
Photographers: Bob Stetson, Lisa Kaltenberg (videos)
To ensure we can enjoy the Scandinavian Music and Folk Dance the time for the event will be moved up 2 hours. The Midsommar celebration will start at 11 am and end at 2 pm on Sunday June 21, 2026.The reason for the change is that Bavarian Bierhaus is also having a Fathers Day Celebration at Heidelberg Park, with a large German band, Alte Kameraden playing from 1 PM to 4 PM. So, by changing the time we can avoid interference of different music playing at the same time.
The activities will be the same, only the timing a little different from what was originally planned. Please find the program below
Bring your own lawn chairs, and join us for a FREE event of fun at our Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration. If you can, bring additional flowers and greens for decorating the Majstång.
Come celebrateMidsommar the Swedish way Sunday, June 21, 2026 from 1 – 4 p.m. Heidelberg Park by at Bavarian Bierhaus,700 West Lexington Blvd., Glendale
Help decorate the Majstång (Midsommar pole) with greens and flowers.
Join in the procession to raise the decorated pole, and then dance aroundit.
Make a flower crown to wear.
Enjoy traditional Swedish folk music and Scandinaviann folk dances.
Learn the game of Kubb, known as “Viking chess.
Special activities and crafts for children.
Learn about early Swedish settlement in Wisconsin and our Swedish Genealogy Research Group
Bring your own lawn chairs, and join us for a FREE afternoon of fun at our Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration. If you can, bring additional flowers and greens for decorating the Majstång.
Bierhaus staff will provide a variety of food, including Swedish items,for purchase in the Park. Note: No food may be brought into the Park.
For further information: Visit us at www.sahswi.org oremail us at swedishamericanhistoricalwisc@gmail.com
Fika meeting on May 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee.
If you have not been to Bishop Hill, the May Fika Meeting is a chance to learn about this historical community from the Award-winning Author Martha Bergland and her Husband Jim Uhrinak
Today, Bishop Hill is recognized for its historical significance, with several structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can explore the village’s rich history through museums, galleries, and cultural events that celebrate its Swedish roots. Bishop Hill remains a vibrant community that honors its past while continuing to thrive as a living historical site.
Swedish Trivia
In our March Fika meeting we started a Swedish Trivia program to refresh our knowledge of topics related to our common interests. The theme for this set of questions is “Early Swedish Immigration”, and at this time there are 5 questions;
Come to the next Fika meeting on May 16, 2026 at 1:30 PM at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 9235 West Bluemound Road, Milwaukee located just east of Milwaukee Zoo. The program will center around Bishop Hill. Martha Bergland and her husband Jim will talk about why to go to Bishop Hill and what’s to see when you’re there.
History of Bishop Hill. Erik Jansson, leader of the Janssonist religious sect in Sweden left Sweden in 1846 guiding his dedicated followers to America where he established the Swedish Colony of Bishop Hill in Illinois. For several decades, letters home to Sweden extolling the fertile agricultural land in the Midwest stimulated migration for more than 1000 of his followers. Bishop Hill Colony population increased and flourished as it grew, but the colorful and dramatic history of the colony ended in 1861. With the site presently preserved as Bishop Hill Historic District, the story of the colony of Bishop Hill is an intriguing history of a group of Swedish American immigrants to the Midwest.
A few days ago, a special e-mail arrived at SAHSWI inbox. It was from John and Holly Ellenson, from Shell Lake, Wisconsin. It is copied below:
“Fika has long been a meaningful part of our lives—rooted in family, heritage, and the simple act of slowing down to share coffee and conversation. Inspired by that tradition, we created Fika Spice: a Scandinavian-inspired blend of nine spices designed to enhance coffee and simple recipes in seconds, without syrups or artificial ingredients.
Nine delicious spices, crafted into a perfectly balanced blend of naturally occurring antioxidant compounds—designed to make enjoying them daily simple, effortless, and repeatable.”
We thought this was interesting, so we decided to share the website below
If you are interested in learning Swedish you can sign up for virtual classes at Swenson Swedish Immigration Center at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. They provide classes on different levels. Find out more through this link:
