AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 1

The Norseland Parade Calendar will be available November 1. It will be sold at the Scandian Grove Lutheran Church Lutefisk Dinner. If you can't attend the dinner, the calendar will be available at both Scandian Grove and Norseland Lutheran Church, at the Anthony Feed Service, at Traverse des Sioux Garden Center in St. Peter, and the Nicollet County Historical Society. The cost is $10.00.

The calendar features 13 months with many aerial and ground level photos of the parade. It will make a great Christmas gift. See a sample photo posted here.

NORSELAND PARADE CALENDAR

The Norseland Preservation Association, (also known as the Norseland Community 150 Committee) is printing a calendar for 2009. The calendar will feature many aerial photos of the parade. You will see Norseland in a completely new light. These photos show the accuracy of the phrase "Norseland: Where the Big Woods Meets the Prairie". The calendar will have pictures of both churches, the Norseland Store, Anthony Feed Service, United Farmers Co-op and many of the floats and units showing them at ground level.

The calendars will be available by November 1. Watch the local papers for an ad and or/announcement. It is expected that they will be on sale at both churches and the businesses in Norseland. They will make great Christmas gifts. end

REFLECTING AND VISIONING

The committee is almost speechless in regard to the success of our celebration. We are extremely greatful to all of you who came and shared our excitement of 150 years in existence. Of course, it would not have been possible without the cooperation of hundreds of people. This was "community building" at its best. We are all better people and Norseland is a better place because of the coming together of many people. We were all united and working toward a common cause. It was simply WONDERFUL!!!

Now, the committee needs to clear up some final expenses and plan for the future. There are lots of exciting projects that can be part of this future. First of all, the "Norseland Preservation Association" is in place and will be used as a vehicle to create and support future projects. PLEASE JOIN US!

You do not have to live in the Norseland area to be a part of Norseland. We can use all kinds of ideas, help, support from anyone who has an interest in preserving Norseland. The first step is to create by-laws for our (non-profit)association. This will be done in early fall. PLEASE JOIN US!

Some ideas have surfaced for initial projects. We have many wonderful aerial photos of the parade. One suggestion is to print a calendar. Another idea is to preserve oral histories by using video and interviewing some of our area folks. There are a lot of stories that did not make our history book and oral histories are special - a different way of preserving history. (By the way, we have less than 100 copies of our book left for sale. Contact the Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter if you want to order one.)

Another project could be the preservation of District 6 school building. It is one of the few left in Nicollet County. PLEASE JOIN US!

Contact us by using the google mail box. It is norseland150@gmail.com Send us an e-mail and tell us how you would like to help or give us your ideas and we will respond. end

Reflecting and Visioning

The committee is almost speechless in regard to the success of our celebration. We are extremely greatful to all of you who came and shared our excitement

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

Your first stop should be at the VISITOR CENTER located at the Anthony Feed Service Building in Norseland. Here you can get maps, buy the book, get your postcard stamped, purchase other memorbilia and see the Borgeson movies(circa 1940's)of area farms.

PARKING: There are several areas to park. Watch for signs. You will need to drive to District 6 and the Tostenson and Quist farms. If you park on the east end of town, you might want to drive to the west end of town for the evening activities. There will be a shuttle bus.

TOURS of Historic Sites 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Jens Annexstad Blacksmith Shop on the Allen Quist farm, closed it’s doors in 1950 and is waiting for 21st Century visitors to take a walk back in time to view the smithy’s domain.
Visit a typical farm of the early 1900s. The Tostenson Brothers Sesquicentennial farm, located in New Sweden Township near Norseland will welcome visitors that day.

NORSELAND STORE -The historic Norseland Store will be open. Come in and view the authentic pressed tin ceiling, early cash register, light fixtures and more.
The District 6 schoolhouse and the Norseland Boy Scout Camp will be open for visits.
The Scandian Grove Lutheran Church and the Norseland Lutheran Church will also have historic displays.

Relax in the Shade – The Black Lantern Restaurant (circa 1930’s) was located on the lawn of the present Ellerbroek home in Norseland. A food vendor will be available on the site.

PARADE through Norseland – 4 p.m. Seventy plus units will parade from church to church. Bring your lawn chairs. The Minnesota “Over 60” Band – Following the parade the band will present a concert at the Scandian Grove Church Park. This is the 55th season for the band.

PORK CHOP SUPPER at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church Park (CHILDREN'S MENU AVAILABLE) – 5-8 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs.

GOVERNOR'S Proclamation – 6 p.m. (Read by Liet. Governor Carol Molnau)

TALENT in the Park – 7 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs.
END

HOW DO I GET THE BOOK?

The word is out that our book, "Norseland: Where the Big Woods Meets the Prairie" is ready for sale. Many of you have pre-purchased the book and are in the process of picking them up. Thank you for your interest. For those of you who cannot make it to our event on June 21, you can order the book. Please sent $30 for the book plus $5 for postage and handling to:
Norseland 150
37658 410th Street
St. Peter, Minnesota 56082

Make checks payable to Norseland 150. Locally, the book is available at the gift shop of the Nicollet County Historical Society located in St. Peter. You can buy them there or pick them up. After June 21, the remaining books will be on sale there. end

I LOVE A PARADE!

When you come to Norseland to see the parade, bring some lawn chairs. Also plan on bringing the lawn chairs to the park for the evening events. Provided seating will be limited.

Speaking of the parade, we have more than 70 units signed up for the parade. Some of the more unique units will include: a buggy that was originally purchased at the Norseland Store when John Burke (original owner of the store) was the proprietor. This buggy was purchased as a wedding gift and descendents of the bride and groom, the Charles Johnson family have restored the buggy and it will be carrying our grand marshalls, Linda Swenson and Dottie Anthony.

You will also see a float with many present and former pastors and their wives in the parade. Have you ever seen a pea combine in a parade? Come to Norseland and find out what they look like close up.

Families came to the area in a covered wagon. You will see one in the parade. It will be pulled by horses, rather than oxen, but it will also be having a milk cow tagging along behind.

Like old tractors? You will see them in our parade. But Arnold's Implement in Mankato will also be displaying one of the latest models also. Hope to see you there. end

HOW DO I GET TO NORSELAND?

Norseland is located in the heart of Nicollet County. It is 12 miles west of St. Peter on State Hwy. 22 or 15 miles southeast of Gaylord on State Hwy. 22.

Norseland Top Ten

Here are the Top Ten Reasons Norseland is a unique farming community.

Number Ten
The Norseland Community will soon be the home of a branch of the University of Minnesota Veterinary School.
Number Nine
Norseland is the home of ten people who have served the state in statewide elective offices. (101 years served in office)
Number Eight
Norseland is the home of former Minnesota Holstein Assn. President Christian Olsen and former National Shorthorn Society President, Fred Hanson Sr.
Number Seven
Norseland is the home of two former Presidents of the Mn. Corn Growers Assn. (Willis Anthony and Grant Annexstad).
Number Six
Norseland is the home of former Minnesota Pork Producer President, Martin Annexstad Jr.
Number Five
Norseland is the home of the Anthony Feed Service, Hormel's number two feed service in sales.
Number Four
Norseland is the home of former Minnesota Farm Bureau President, Merlyn Lokensgard. (served 12 years)
Number Three
There are 15 farms in the Norseland area that have been in the same family for 100 or more years.
Number Two
There are nine farms in the Norseland area that have been in the same family for 150 or more years.
The Number One Reason why Norseland is unique is that despite the successes previously listed, Norseland area farmers still eat Lutefisk on Christmas Eve and are so bold as to brag about it! end

THE MINNESOTA "OVER 60" BAND WILL ENTERTAIN

THE MINNESOTA ‘OVER 60’BAND

The band is in its 55th year performing for such varied audiences as county fairs, community celebrations and over 30 parades each summer. The band has its own pickup and a bandwagon. The band will be in our parade.

Members come from a large area of southern Minnesota from Clarkfield on the west, Clara City on the north, Albert Lea on the south, Minneapolis on the northeast. and Madelia on the southwest. Members come to Gaylord to practice seven weeks in April.

Their repertoire includes marches, waltzes, concertos, polkas, and novelties. Recently the band has performed in Branson, Missouri; at Hostfest in Minot, North Dakota; Winnipeg, Canada and the Minnesota State Fair. Their concert in Norseland will be immediately following the parade. Enjoy the music in the shade of the Scandian Grove Church Park on June 21, 2008. end

NORSELAND PICTORIAL POSTMARK

PICTORIAL POSTMARK
The Postal Service™ offers pictorial postmarks to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. To celebrate Norseland’s Sesquicentennial, a pictorial postmark dated June 21, 2008 will be offered.

People attending the event on June 21 may obtain the postmark at the temporary post office ™ station, which will be set up from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Welcome Center (Anthony’s Feed Service) in Norseland. Stamped commemorative post cards will be sold for $1 or you may bring your own envelope(s) or postcard(s) to receive the pictorial postmark. All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-Class Mailâ postage. The pictorial postmark will also be available in the park during the evening. On Sunday, June 22, the postmark will be available in the narthex of Scandian Grove Lutheran Church.

The postmark, with the date of June 21, 2008, will also be available by mail order request. Customers should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others, insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes (to keep them flat) and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope. All requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days (which is July 21,2008) following the requested pictorial postmark date. Mail to: PICTORIAL POSTMARKS
SESQUICENTENNIAL STATION
317 MAIN ST.
COURTLAND, MN. 56021-9998

Customers may also request stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for postmark, as long as they supply a self-addressed, stamped, larger envelope with adequate postage. After applying for the pictorial postmark, the Postal Service returns the items under addressed protective cover. Marci Norell, Courtland, Minnesota Postmaster will be processing the requests. For more information call 507-359-2541. end

Norseland: Where the Big Woods Meets the Prairie

The history book is at the printer. The photo you see on the right side of the page shows a replica of the cover of our book. The committee is offering the book for sale at $30 per book. Advance purchase of the book can be made by sending your check for $30 made out to Norseland 150. Send checks to Norseland 150, 37658 410th Street, St. Peter, Minnesota 56082. If you cannot pick your book up in Norseland during the celebration; please add $5 per book for shipping and handling.

The book will be a hard cover volume of 416 pages including 445 photos. Over 100 area people have written their stories of the Norseland/New Sweden area and there are 325 articles in the book. This book will truly be an heirloom for you and your families. end

Sesquicentennial Billboard

A billboard has been displayed on State Highway 22 between St. Peter and Mankato to commemorate the June 21-22 Norseland Community Sesquicentennial Celebration. The billboard was placed early in 2008 by Bill Soderlund of St. Peter, a friend of the Norseland/New Sweden Communities. It displays an illustration done by Justin Clifton. The illustration became a collaboration between these communities, Bill Soderlund, and Justin Clifton. It was created to symbolize and highlight the heritage, the coming forth into a new land, the building, and settling of these two long standing communities, who this year celebrate 150 years of existence together under God. Along with this illustration, the billboard also highlights Norseland and New Sweden by name, along with flags of Sweden, and of Norway. end

Schedule of Events - June 21, 2008

Tours of Historic Sites-10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Norseland Lutheran Church and Cemetery; Scandian Grove Lutheran Church and Cemeteries; Methodist Cemetery; Norseland General Store; Jens Annexstad Blacksmith Shop on Allen Quist farm; Tostenston Brother’s Sesquicentennial Farm, Norseland Boy Scout Camp, District 6 School House

Pictorial Cancellation of Postcards-all day

Parade-4 p.m.

Pork Chop Supper-5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Reading of Governor’s Proclamation- 6:00 p.m.
by Liet. Governor Carol Molnau

Sharing of Talent-following the Proclamation

SEE YOU THERE!

Reaping Rewards

The early settlers made a wise decision to establish farms in the Norseland area. Our history book centers on the many families that settled and stayed here for many years and many generations. Some settlers did not stay. They moved to other areas. The August 23, 1873 issue of the St. Peter Tribune reports that Lewis Swenson sold his farm of 160 acres for $3,150 or $19.69 per acre. The farm was described as having 60 acres of timber and 50 acres of prairie under cultivation. There was a house and granary on the premises and it was located at the crossing of the St. Peter and New Auburn roads.
The 1855 Andrew Thorson letter indicated that timber land was selling for $16.00 an acre and prairie land for $1.25. This increase in land value, 1475% for the prairie ground, was extraordinary. These pioneers could reap substantial rewards for working hard and taking monumental risks.end