September 7             Odd Lovoll—

Norwegian-American  Newspapers in America

 This new book is a comprehensive look at Norwegian-language newspapers and their editors and publishers.  These newspapers helped guide Norwegian immigrants in their path to becoming Norwegian-Americans. 

 Author Prof. Odd Lovoll includes histories, controversies, debates and lives of immigrant communities as described in the publications.

 Lovoll’s book is published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

September 14           Jim Reilly — A Recital of Nordic Music

Mindekirken's Director of Music Emeritus Jim Reilly will perform

piano pieces from all five Nordic countries, along with brief spoken commentary. Music by Johan Helmich Roman (Sweden), Niels Gade (Denmark), Halfdan Kjerulf (Norway), Sveinbjörn Sveinbjörnson (Iceland), Jean Sibelius (Finland), and, of course, Edvard Grieg (Norway).

Sept. 21  Mary Jo Thorsheim-

One-half Norwegian and One-half Swedish

Dr. Mary Jo Thorsheim will show selected examples of popular and famous Norway Art, commenting on them and telling stories about familiar artists such as Hans Dahl, Tidemand and Gude. Paintings from the period when most of our ancestors immigrated give us information about the costumes, customs and landscape of the time.

 Then, turning to the Swedish focus, she will highlight the multiple connections with Sweden that have been revealed in the history of a building in the neighborhood of Mindekirken.

 Thorsheim has written and published the history of a Minneapolis landmark, the 2615 Park Avenue cooperative apartment that was built about the same time as Mindekirken (see www.2615parkbio.com). 

In doing research for the book, she discovered numerous fascinating connections with Swedish leaders in Minneapolis. From the immigrant builders who came from Dalsland Sweden and courageously moved forward with developing a luxurious building at the beginning of the Great Depression--to Swedish leaders today.

 Following an opportunity to ask questions, there will be a drawing for two prizes: a print from Norway Art, and a copy of the book about the history of 2615 Park, "Biography of a Building".

Sept. 28  Marjorie Schaffer—Public Health Nurses meet in Oslo

 Dr. Marjorie Schaffer is currently a professor at Bethel University where she has taught nursing courses for 25 years.  In 2005 she travelled to Oslo, Norway for a Fulbright Award and recently returned in 2009 and 2010 as a Fulbright Specialist. 

Dr. Schaffer will speak about her research in Norway on ethical problems encountered by Norwegian elders as well as share stories from her recently published book, "Being Present:  A Nurse's Resource for End-of-Life Communication.