Stevne Memories from the 2000's

Members of the Hadeland Lag met in Wahpeton ND with other members of the Seven Lags for genealogy, Norwegian and American entertainment, good food and lots of visiting. Musical entertainmnet on Friday afternoon was given by the Uff Da Brudders from Britton SD. The Friday evening program featured a style show presentation by Dorothy Durkee of Morris, MN featuring men and women's clothing dating from the Civil War times to recent times. Models were members of the seven lags. Musical entertainment was presented by Paul Wilson and Mary Abendroth of Brainerd MN; later participants danced to the music of Tilford Kroshus and his band from Wahpeton. Saturday evening following the banquet the cultural program included "Sing for Joy' a women's group from Benson MN and The Troll Boys from Aurskog, Norway.

As reported in the August 2000 Brua

Lag members began arriving at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City on Thursday, July 12, to register for the stevne and to do genealogical research. The Opening Ceremony was held that evening in the gymnasium and included the parade of flags, welcome speeches and music by the Leikkaring Dancers from Borgund Lodge in Rapid City and the Skålmusikk group from Brainerd, Minnesota.

Friday, July 13, those attending the stevne chose to remain on campus to do genealogical research, attend forums arranged by the stevne committee or take part in a Black Hills Day Tour which ended up at Mount Rushmore for the Lighting Ceremony.

Saturday morning the Hadeland Lag had its business meeting followed by lunch at the Surbeck Center and a trip to Deadwood to see Mt. Moriah Cemetery where Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok are buried. The day was made a little more exciting by a hailstorm just as we arrived in Deadwood. Then it was back to Rapid City where we got ready to attend the banquet which began at 5:00 and was preceded by a bunad parade. After enjoying a wonderful meal, we all left the banquet room to enjoy an hour of coffee and pastries outdoors. The format of the banquet room was then changed into an auditorium and we went back at 8:00 to enjoy listening to Skålmusikk Group and then to Chuck Suchy, a folksinger, farmer, songwriter and storyteller from Mandan, North Dakota.

Sunday morning church services were held at Chapel in the Hills in the Stave Church, a fitting close to the stevne.

As reported in the August 2001 Brua by Evonne Anderson