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President:
Elaine McGrath,
252 Wellington Rd. South,
Garden City, NY 11530
(516) 565-2091
WE REMEMBER YOU WELL
FAREWELL HARRY HEDIN 7/21/1928 - 2/16/2011 |
We could sure use your help! SwedenDay has kept the traditions of our heritage alive for 70+ years But our Committee members could use a few new ideas and suggestions how we can grow our event. Would you help us?? Click and send an email message to Elaine.
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Interested In Joining Our Committee ??
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Become part of the exciting group that has perpetuated our Swedish Heritage through Sweden Day for 70+ Years? Click here to Email your interest
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Honoring Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1
2011 Organization Of The Year
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has a nice article on Sweden Day 2009 in their June 17th issue.
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Celebrating a Swedish Midsummer in the "Bronx"
Saturday, June 18th, 2011
Bronx, New York
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Photos courtesy www.OnSightPhotos.com
PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010
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| Sweden Day Flyer
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Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1
The comprehensive story about Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 can be found on their pages at www.Skandjam.com. The following is a brief version of their history.
Helga Hoving, a Swedish immigrant who knew that the American born children would lose much of their Swedish heritage if something wasn't done to keep it alive, made a motion at St. Erik's Lodge that a “Barnens Dag” (Children’s Day) should be on the program for the upcoming Vasa Bazaar. The members unanimously endorsed this motion and mothers were asked to send their children to Helga Hoving’s home on December 10th, 1921 to prepare for the performance by learning dances and Swedish songs. Helga Hoving was at one time a celebrated actress and singer at the Royal Swedish Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm and she immediately started training the children to sing Swedish songs. On Saturday, January 22, 1922, the day of the bazaar, a group of thirty children in Swedish folk costumes, singing in Swedish, made their first public appearance. This was how the Vasa Order’s Barnklubb #1 was established.
After the club's 1933 trip to Sweden, Helga and Johannes Hoving retired and moved back to Sweden and Tant Elsa Rix took over the reigns for over 15 years until her illness and death. Tant Henny Anderson was chosen as the new leader and it was during this time that the name was changed to Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 in tribute to that dynamic leader. It was also around this time that members who had passed childhood age, enrolled as members in the “senior club”. Thus, the Vasa Folk Dancers of New York was formed.
There have been many leaders, assistant leaders and business managers who have given their time, talents and expertise to Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 so that the children and their children to come would be able to share in their Swedish heritage. Eskil and Tekla Wernblad, Harry Hedin, Doris Poroma Buday, Elaine Poroma Gyllenhammer, Betty Hermanson, Ingegerd Ericson, Edna Lindquist, Ruth Nelson, Lynn Nelson-Toro, Karin Norrman, Ellen Kritzer, Connie Thorsen, Ada Hedin Chirafisi, Elaine Lindquist McGrath, Stina Jonsson Lawyer and the current Leader Elizabeth Dahlström Schumacher along with her assistants; Kathryn Brown, Deirdre McGrath and Kerry McGrath.
And who played for all the performances and events in Sweden and across America, as well as for the many practice sessions? Eric Olof Ericson played for us the longest (20 plus years), never accepted pay and was completely dedicated to Barnklubben Elsa Rix. He faithfully attended all of our practice sessions and carried his accordion and violin to every performance. Eric Olof, along with his brother Einar (on guitar), welcomed in the Christmas season when they played at our Lucia pageants. We were also fortunate to have other talented individuals who played for the club through the years: JoAnn Åkeson, Lillian Anderson, Artie Carlson, Anita Swanson Dreizler, Elaine Poroma Gyllenhammer, Lucille Jacobsen, Ruth Johnson, Dorothy Kvalden, Elaine Lindquist McGrath, Carol Ohlsson Larson, Gladys Nelson, Richard Peterson and Justina Russo. Others, such as: Walter Eriksson, Eric Johansson, Wayne Soderlund, Johnnie Soderlund, Jeanne Eriksson Widman Andersen, Chad Widman and Randy Widman have played for Barnklubben Elsa Rix at various performances.
While Helga Hoving was the first music director, many mothers and fathers also helped with the singing through the years. Yvonne Ericson Dryden was another long-term music director along with her mother Ingegerd Ericson. Dr. Nina Hallesson Prasso serves as the club’s current music director and was instrumental in training the Elsa Rix children for their Lucia recording. Not only does she have a beautiful voice, she is also a music teacher who lends her talents to helping the children sing in near-perfect Swedish, on key. Over the years we have also been blessed with several other mothers who speak and sing Swedish. Their translations have made the children understand what they are singing about and has added a new insight to the meaning of Lucia.
We couldn’t finish before we mentioned the wonderful parents groups we have had over the years. The parents transported children, equipment, musicians, leaders, gowns, folk costumes, Lucia paraphernalia; you name it, all over. They supplied refreshments, support, financing, discipline, applause, encouragement, and anything that was asked of them. Without the strong support of the parents, Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 wouldn’t be what it is today.
We are still proudly displaying our Swedish heritage. Our members range in ages from toddlers to teens and they still: learn Swedish folk dances and songs, present Lucia pageants and the traditions and culture of their ancestors. Elsa Rix #1 meets at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church at 54 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead, New York 11552. For information, contact Elizabeth Dahlstrom Schumacher at ElsaRix1@AOL.com
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2010 Photo Courtesy OnSightPhotos