Norseland Community Preservation Association Annual Meeting

The Second Meeting of the Norseland Community Preservation Association was held March 20 at the Norseland Lutheran Church. Thirty four of the forty paid members were present.

Garfield Eckberg, a board member of the group, updated the members on the progress of the Friends of District 6 effort. The committee is working with Nicollet County Attorney Mike Riley and have filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State to incorporate as a non-profit corporation and they have filed for non-profit status with the Internal Revenue Service. They will help them as they solicit funds for preservation of the school house.

The 2011 Harvest Fest will be held on September 11 at the Scandian Grove Church Park. A report of the Highway Beautification project was given. The wildflowers got off to a good start last summer and with a couple of volunteers to weed them, they should be healthy this year.

The Nicollet County Historical Society is still interested in scanning historic farm photos. Bring yours in and have them scanned for history.

The following board members were reelected: Juana Arias, Garfield Eckberg, Patti Kelly, and Dean Pettis.

A program on the 150th Anniversary of the United States-Dakota War which will be in 2012 was presented by Ben Leonard of the Nicollet County Historical Society and Elizabeth Baer of the Gustavus Adolphus English Department. end

Norseland Preservation Association elects board

Photo front row:
Margie Eckberg-Norseland 150; Judy Hanson-Norseland 150; Evie Swenson-Norseland 150; Duane Gran-NPA
Back row:
Garfield Eckberg-NPA; Willis Anthony-NPA; Juana Arias-Chair, NPA; Dean Pettis-NPA; Kevin Johnson-NPA; Myrna Schoeb-Norseland 150


Juana Ellerbroek of Norseland was elected president of the first board of directors of the Norseland Preservation Association (NPA). The organizational meeting of the new non-profit, whose mission is to preserve and promote community and its history, was held March 22. Approximately 35 people attended this meeting. Others elected were: vice president, Garfield Eckberg; secretary, Patty Kelly; treasurer, Dean Pettis; and directors Duane Gran, Kevin Johnson, and Willis Anthony. Bylaws for the organization were adopted.

David Grabitzke, Head of Outreach Services for the Minnesota Historical Society told the group that there are 445 city/county/area historical associations in the state of Minnesota. "None of these groups is dedicated to preserving rural landscapes," he said. Grabitzke also commented that "rural landscapes are fast disappearing and there is a great need for their preservation." Grabitzke said that the local organization could qualify for funding through private grants and also through the certified local government grant; state capital grants and aid, (bonding money); and the state grants in aid program (allocations from the state's general fund). Grabitzke also said, "the organizations that do the best are ones that have a good local buy-in."

The new board of directors will discuss sponsoring a summer event in Norseland. end

LET'S GET ORGANIZED!

An organizational meeting of the Norseland Preservation Association (NPA) will be held Sunday evening, March 22 at 7 pm at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church. Everyone is welcome and urged to come.

What will happen at this meeting?
*Reflection/update of the June 21, 2008 event
*Ideas for a community event or project for 2009
*Remarks from David Grabitske, Head of Outreach Services, Minnesota Historical Society
*Explanation of Norseland Preservation Association (a 501c3 corporation)
Presentation/changes, then adoption of bylaws
Election of board of directors (seven to be elected)
*Decision on moving forward

The NPA is established to preserve community values that center on faith, heritage, and an ethic developed by people who believed in the future. The preservation association is a vehicle to promote and encourage the history that our children will write and to preserve and restore historic sites in the community. Come and join your neighbors for conversation and light refreshments.

Working together, we can help Norseland stay the strong, viable community we love.
Questions: call Judy Hanson at 246-5388. end

Parade Calendars Are a Big Hit

Over 400 of the Norseland Sesquicentennial Parade calendars have been sold. Its not too late to get one and once you see the calendar, you will surely want it. The following photos are in the calendar.
Cover - Aerial view of Norseland Lutheran Church in foreground and parade making its way on Highway 22.
January - Ground view of parade grand marshalls, Linda Swenson and Dottie Anthony with Jerry Johnson driving them in restored buggy originally purchased at Burke Store.
February - St. Peter High School band marching past the store. Also float depicting the first post office in New Sweden
March - unit with pastors and former pastors plus wives
April - aerial view of Scandian Grove with parade passing by
May - aerial view of Norseland Store, also units from Carl Johnson Window Company and unit depicting first blacksmith shop in Norseland
June - Norseland 4-H
July - aerial view of United Farmer's Co-op in Norseland (You can see Sand Lake in the background.)
August - New Sweden 4-H unit
September - Norseland Lutheran Youth Association and Anderson Seed unit
October - Annexstad Dairy float
November - aerial picture of Anthony Feed Service
December - unit depicting the Andrew Webster family - early pioneers
January 2010 - two aerial photos of the parade
end

Norseland is Growing

Congratulations to Jesse and Juana Ellerbroek on the birth of a daughter Solvej June Moriah Arias. The little miss was born on November 20 in Norseland and weighed 8 pounds and 4.8 ounces. Solvej has a sister Etta to admire her. end

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE 150TH CELEBRATION

QUICK FACTS ABOUT NORSELAND CELEBRATION

-Thank you gift of $6,000 was presented to Nicollet County Historical Society
-American Linden Trees presented to both churches
-500 Parade calendars were printed and are for sale at Norseland Lutheran, Scandian Grove Lutheran, Anthony Feed Service, United Farmer’s Coop, Traverse des Sioux Garden Center, Nicollet County Historical Society.
Design - Black Lantern Studios
Aerial photos - John Cross
Other photos - Dick Kinkeade, Ruth Klossner, Rick Malecek, Bruce Swenson, Jesse Ellerbroek
Helicopter service - Teryjon Aviation
Printed by Corporate Graphics
- 884 T-Shirts sold
- 742 books sold
- 250 medallions sold
- 950 pork chop suppers served
- 100 plus units in parade
- 950 plus people signed guest book (27 states represented)
- over 400 people visited the Quist Blacksmith shop as well as the Tostenson Brothers Farm
end

PARADE DVD

A DVD of the Sesquicentennial parade, which was produced by St. Peter Public Access is available for purchase. The cost is $10. Please send check, made payable to Norseland 150 to Judy Hanson, 39384 403rd Ave., St. Peter, Mn. 56082. end