JOTTINGS

A publication of the Danish American Archive and Library June to September 2015

WHAT MAKES JOHN RUN? matter what their backgrounds or A remarkable force has been at beliefs. work in the Danish American Archive Upon his retirement and Library (DAAL) for more than a from Dana College in quarter of a century. 1990, John became Teacher, college professor, pastor, the first director of the editor and scholar Dr. John W. Danish Immigrant Nielsen established the DAAL in its Archive, and thus current form in 1990 and infused it began an era of with his energy and a passion for change and progress Danish American history that carries for the archive. through to today. Because of his Among the changes foresight and leadership, the DAAL and improvements has survived almost insurmountable John made during his challenges and come through stronger term as director were: than ever. And at age 90, John Developing a core of continues to contribute his talent and volunteers. With the knowledge to the DAAL. help of Dody “With John’s broad experience and Johnson, a childhood acquaintance within the Danish friend and Dana American, educational and Lutheran College classmate, communities, he is the go-to person John recruited a core for filling in gaps of information we of volunteers, most Dr. John W. Nielsen established the DAAL in its current have in our collections,” says former with roots within form in 1990, and continues to work there. archive president and current board Danish Lutheran equipment needed to properly house member Dr. Timothy A. Jensen. “He congregations or Dana College or the delicate materials that were being has a phenomenal memory for names both. These volunteers came twice a donated at an increasing rate. As a and family connections, and can tell year from all over the country at their result of the increased donations, he you much of the history of almost own expense to help out with the day- was able of put together an annual anyone you ask him about.” to-day sorting, coding, cataloging and operating budget as well as start a John’s involvement with what was translating of the archive materials. planned giving fund. then the Danish Immigrant Archive In addition to these twice-yearly Creating Lur Publications began before he retired as a professor sessions, John found local volunteers John realized there was a wealth of of religion and director of humanities who came in from one to five days a information in the DAAL collections at Dana College. Through a week, thus dramatically increasing that could be shared through the conversation he had in 1983 with the usability of the archive. publication of books. That led to his Sarah Hansen, a descendant of a Creating the Jottings newsletter and his wife Elizabeth’s formation of prominent Danish American family, In order to bring together Danish Lur Publications and the printing of John acquired for the college a Americans everywhere, Dr. Nielsen the first book, Tante Johanne, in collection of letters, documents and created the Jottings newsletter, which 1996. To date, Lur Publications has photos spanning more than 100 years. became a forum for news and events published sixteen books, the majority This exceptional collection from the of interest to . of which John edited. Hansen-Mengers family sparked his Jottings also served to publicize the With the start of the new interest in taking the Danish archive and bring in more materials. millennium, John focused on how to Immigrant Archive beyond a Fundraising make sure the archive stays current basically church- and college- Early on, John recognized the with the times. To that end, he centered institution to one reflecting necessity of raising funds for the acid- suggested a name change from the lives of all Danish Americans, no free boxes and envelopes and other Cont. Page 2 John W. Nielsen (Cont.)

Danish Immigrant It allows us to rearrange our Archive, which was space for maximum efficiency so limiting in nature, to the we can accommodate all the more inclusive Danish materials that continue to be American Archive and donated to us. Library. He encouraged It allows us to dictate our own the formation of a destiny without the need to planning committee to answer to any other organization. investigate the possibility of the archive’s becoming Going forward our goal is to build a corporation independent on the reputation of the DAAL as the from Dana College. foremost repository for Danish However, the college went American materials in North bankrupt and closed in America. July of 2010, before that One of the traditions John established is the 10 a.m. Our dedicated donors have made it could be accomplished. In break for strong Danish coffee and delicious Danish possible for us to operate the three days before the treats. Seated third from right is John’s former independently for the last five years, college closed, he classmate, Dody Johnson. which is almost unheard of in the witnessed the packing up world of archives. With the and moving to temporary storage his A LASTING HOME continued support of these donors beloved archive materials. FOR THE DAAL and the reduced costs of owning this Always a person to face up to building, we will thrive here for July 30, 2015, was a banner day challenges, however, John led the many years to come. However, we in the history of the DAAL! That volunteers through an interim period plan to keep searching for an was the day Executive Director Jill from July to October of meeting institution of higher learning that will Hennick and Archive President weekly at First Lutheran Church in act as a sponsor for us, thus ensuring Gary Madsen signed the paperwork Blair and locating a new home for the an unlimited future for our precious for the DAAL to become the owner DAAL at 1738 Washington Street. materials and books. of the building where we have been Since moving out of Dana College, For now the staff and volunteers of located since October 2010. the DAAL has become an the DAAL are happy to be at home This development was made independent tax-exempt organization in our own building! ■ possible by a wonderful offer from with a board of directors. At age 85, John decided it was time to slow previous building owner and former down a little and resigned as landlord, John Eriksen, Executive Director of the DAAL in to sell us the building at 2011 at which time he was named an extremely Executive Director Emeritus by the reasonable price. board. At age 90, he continues to Owning our own work at the DAAL and to lead by building has several example. advantages for us: The vision and practices that John It eliminates the established are still in place today and need for us to pack dictate the methods used to preserve up and move. the DAAL’s precious holdings. (Those of us who So what makes John run? No one experienced the knows, but whatever it is, those who evacuation from work at the DAAL are grateful for it. Dana College really 1738 Washington Street, Blair, . ■ appreciate this!)

Jill Hennick, Executive Director John W. Nielsen, Executive Director Emeritus 1738 Washington Street, Blair, Nebraska 68008 Telephone: (402) 426-7910 E-mail: [email protected] Hours: 8 am-3 pm, Monday-Friday Page 2 F R O M T H E D A N A R O O M Queen Margrethe II Visits Arriving in Blair, the Dana College entourage stopped briefly at the intersection of 17 th and In 1939, 1976, and 2009, successive Washington, where the generations of 's royal visitors were greeted by a family visited Dana College. This is large number of residents the second of three articles about and where Blair resident those visits. Becky Hanson, Nebraska's

Junior Miss, welcomed In 1976 Denmark's Queen Queen Margrethe with a Margrethe II and Prince Consort bouquet of roses. Henrik toured the U.S. as a salute to Pagel and his planning this country's Bicentennial, and on committee had decided that May 20 they visited Dana College .1 Commencement should be An article announcing their visit in held at Viking Field in the Dana Review , Dana’s alumni order to accommodate an magazine, reported that Queen anticipated large crowd -- Margrethe's Lord Chamberlain had and fortunately, the day told Dana President Earl Mezoff, was sunny and calm. during a trip the Mezoffs made to Queen Margrethe opened Denmark, that she regarded the her address by recalling her pending Dana visit as the highlight parents' visit, saying that of their tour. One reason, the Lord they had “always preserved During a tour of the U.S., Queen Margrethe Chamberlain said, was that she'd warm memories of that heard her parents talk about how gave her only public address at Dana's occasion.” Commencement. much they'd enjoyed their visit in 2 Then, speaking directly to 1939. members of the Class of 1976, she Another reason for her said, “You are the young people of a Memorial Room, after a reception in anticipation, the Lord Chamberlain very large country and of a very the E.C. Hunt Campus Center and said, was that she remembered great nation in which you take great before their departure to Omaha, she hearing heroic tenor Lauritz pride, I know. But each of you, and Prince Henrik visited it and the Melchior, a Dane, sing for her although not all of Danish Danish Heritage Room in the C.A. parents when she was a child, and extraction, has also had the benefit Dana-LIFE Library. she was looking forward to seeing here at Dana College to come into In Omaha that evening they Dana's Lauritz Melchoir Memorial contact with some of the qualities attended a banquet at the Hilton Room. which distinguish a smaller hosted by the Danish Brotherhood, Meanwhile, Phil Pagel, Dana's country.” These qualities, she said, and the next morning, left for director of public relations, was busy include “The intimacy, the Seattle. planning the day's events, which awareness of being dependent on ______included a Commencement address one another and of caring for one 1 by Queen Margrethe. another. Qualities which in a small Their visit is well-documented in Accompanied by Ambassador and country are perhaps more apparent the Archive's Dana Room by two scrapbooks with photographs and Mrs. Otto Borch of the Royal Danish and more readily realized and which clippings from Danish and American Embassy in Washington, D.C., and we in Denmark believe to be ever newspapers. approximately 25 Danish and more needed.” 2In 1939 they were Crown Prince American journalists, as well as After her address President Mezoff Frederik and Crown Princess Ingrid. Secret Service agents, the royal conferred an honorary degree on Frederik became King Frederik IX in couple arrived in Omaha from Queen Margrethe as a doctor of Chicago. Their Nebraska itinerary 1947. Queen Margrethe succeeded letters. He spoke of her many him on his death, on January 14, started with a tour of the Strategic activities and accomplishments as “a Air Command (now StratCom) at 1972. Queen Ingrid died in 2000. wife, mother, scholar, artist, linguist, 3 Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, a 3 The ceremony was filmed and archaeologist. . . .” included in a documentary shown community that's part of And because she had anticipated metropolitan Omaha. Danish television. seeing the Lauritz Melchior Page 3 ARCHIVE REPORT May-August 2015 VOLUNTEERS: 1,646 hours by 45 volunteers from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and Texas. VISITORS: 63 visitors from California, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, South Dakota, Virginia, Wisconsin and Denmark. USERS: 22 users from California, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Denmark.

ACQUISITIONS FINANCIAL REPORT John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) Donna Oberg (Hastings, NE) The following are the donations of materials we Capital Campaign: Larrie Stone (Blair, NE) have received from May through August. The Funds in the Capital Campaign are used to Siggy Christensen Archive could not continue to document the fund the permanent home for DAAL. Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) history of Danish Americans without these Harold Andersen (Omaha, NE) Ethan Hansen wonderful materials including complete family collections, photos, books, periodicals, music and Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) obituaries. Ingrid Christiansen (Brookline, MA) Roy Hanson The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Arvin Hernes (Blair, NE) Materials Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* David Hernes Lois & Larry Bornemeier (Danbury, CT) Roger & Marilyn Hanson (Cedar Falls, IA) Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) Glen Buchanan (Willmar, MN) Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) Roger & Dorothy Olson (Blair, NE) Paul D. Christiansen (Mesa, AZ) Dody Johnson (Iowa City, IA) in memory of Dorthea Jensen Vaughn Christensen (Blair, NE) Oscar Johnson Christie & Frank Gehringer (Omaha, NE) Danish Brotherhood Lodge #84 (Lincoln, NE) Luther & Doris Kloth (Wauwatosa, WI) Earl S. Jensen Danish Federation (Gloucester, ON) Marty & Linda Koefoed (Missouri Valley, IA) Christie & Frank Gehringer (Omaha, NE) Arvid D. Dixon (Circle Pines, MN) Carole Liljedahl (Missouri Valley, IA) Rev. Richard Jensen Christina D. Ferguson (Brighton, CO) David Nielsen (Winfield, KS) Lee Anne & Eugene Lack (Montrose, MN) Norman Freund (Fremont, NE) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Joyce M. Gauch (Medina, MN) Roger & Dorothy Olson (Blair, NE) Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* Heather Hall (Blair, NE) Larry & Palma Plume (Evergreen, CO) Marie Johnson Frederick (Fritz) Hansen (Wichita, KS) Joan Sorensen (Richardson, TX) Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) Sandra & LeRoy Wigdahl (Blair, NE) Charles Jorgensen - Dana class of ’57 Susan Hettinger (Westminster, CO) Memorials: Myrv & Anne Christopherson (Decorah, IA) Arvin Hernes (Blair, NE) Memorials are part of the General Fund Homer Larsen Marge & Jim Iversen (Decorah, IA) John Beck Verlan & Helga Hanson (Blair, NE) Ricardo Jara (Stanford, CA) Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) Ken & Bonnie Jensen (Albert Lea, MN) Meta Brandes (Blair, NE) The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Dody Johnson (Iowa City, IA) Myrvin & Anne Christopherson (Decorah, IA) Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* Marjorie Johnson (Blair, NE) Darrell Dibben (Blair, NE) Rev. C.I. “Jerry” Lund Richard & Delores Jorgensen (Poy Sippi, WI) The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Lee Anne Hansen Lack (Minneapolis, MN) Community Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* Ezra Larsen (Boulder, CO) Roger & JoAnn Hohensee (Blair, NE) Lloyd Neve Nancy B. Larsen (Ashland, OH) Tim & Sharon Jensen (Blair, NE) Virginia Beck (Colorado Springs, CO) Phil & Florence Larsen (Blair, NE) Jack & Opal Jensen (Arlington, NE) Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) Susan & Larry Legore (Algona, IA) Lorraine Jensen (Blair, NE) Meta Brandes (Blair, NE) Ed & Melva Madsen (Princeton, NJ) Richard & Patricia Jorgensen (Blair, NE) Verlan & Helga Hanson (Blair, NE) George Madsen (Omaha, NE) Amy Barlow & Nathan Kramer (Omaha, NE) Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) Aveline C. Marks (Omaha, NE) Joan & Bob Krogh (Blair, NE) Tim & Sharon Jensen (Blair, NE) Nancy Martin (Mounds View, NE) Phil & Florence Larsen (Blair, NE) Joan & Bob Krogh (Lincoln, NE) Museum of Danish America (Elk Horn, IA) Allan & Ruth Nyegaard (Eugene, OR) Gene & Nancy Lindblad (Blair, NE) Nebraska District Brotherhood (Lincoln, NE) Roger & Dorothy Olson (Blair, NE) Andrea Neve (Minneapolis, MN) Muriel Neve (Blair, NE) Michael & Susan Pinquoch (Blair, NE) Muriel Neve (Blair, NE) Carolyn Nielsen (St. Clair Shores, MI) Ruth Rasmussen (Omaha, NE) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) John & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) Bob & Judy Schmoll (Greenville, PA) Joan Sorensen (Richardson, TX) Patti Nielsen (Blair, NE) Larrie Stone (Blair, NE) Larrie Stone (Blair, NE) Ruth & Allen Nyegaard (Eugene, OR) Marilyn Svendgard (Blair, NE) The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Robert Ostergaard (Minneapolis, MN) Richard & Myrna Vercruysse (Blair, NE) Foundation (Minneapolis, MN)* Don & Audrey Pedersen (Pea Ridge, AR) Lydia Beckman Luella Nielsen Hans & Jeanette Pedersen (Haines City, FL) Phil & Florence Larsen (Blair, NE) Andrea Neve (Minneapolis, MN) Carol Petersen (Mesa, AZ) Gene & Nancy Lindblad (Blair, NE) Tom Nielsen Palma & Larry Plume (Evergreen, CO) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) Patricia Nielsen (Blair, NE) Ruth Rasmussen (Omaha, NE) Earl & Deloris Bengtson Dr. Jack & Ruth Petajan Carol J. Schetter (Highlands Ranch, CO) Tim & Sharon Jensen (Blair, NE) Andrea Neve (Minneapolis, MN) Sandy Sonderup (Blair, NE) Paul B. Bondo Vera Petersen Larrie Stone (Blair, NE) Don & Audrey Pedersen (Pea Ridge, AR) Erna Berthelsen (Albert Lea, MN) Martha E. Stone (Boston, MA) Clarice Christensen Junior Marion Rasmussen Patricia Swanson (Omaha, NE) Virginia Beck (Colorado Springs, CO) Robert & Martha Christiansen (Scottsdale, AZ) Naomi Theye (Winona, MN) Patricia Bentsen (Blair, NE) Myrna Tostenson Marion Vierow (Saco, ME) Myrv & Anne Christopherson (Decorah, IA) Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) Sandra & LeRoy Wigdahl (Blair, NE) Arvin Hernes (Blair, NE) Richard & Delores Jorgensen (Poy Sippi, WI) Cathy Williamsen (Blair, NE) Susan & Michael Marsh (Blair, NE) John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen (Blair, NE) (Cont. Page 5) Page 4 Financial Report (Cont.) Ralf & Inga Hoifeldt (Urbandale, IA) John Colwell (Ludlow, IL) *The Green Kitty Cat Fund of InFaith Community Paul & Liz Johnson (Fremont, NE) James Falksen (Ava, MO) Foundation was established in memory of Rev. C. I. Don & Joyce Jorgensen (Ripon, WI) Judith Frantz (Los Angeles, CA) “Jerry” Lund by Maryann Lund and family. Jean Clark Kaldahl (Port Townsend, WA) Shirley Hansen (Edina, MN) Honoraria: Lynda Jeppesen (Oak Park, IL) Alice Hanson (Oregon, WI) Honoraria are part of the General Fund. Edgar Madsen (Princeton, NJ) Alvina Hjortsvang (Council Bluffs, IA) John W. Nielsen’s 90 th Birthday Nancy Martin (Mounds View, MN) Allan Johnson (Mount Pleasant, WI) Phil & Florence Larsen (Blair, NE) NE/CO District Danish Sisterhood (Lincoln, Dody Johnson (Iowa City, IA) Andrea Neve (Minneapolis, MN) NE) Kevin Knitt (Stevens Point, WI) Anne Nielsen & John Hibbing (Lincoln, NE) David Nielsen (Winfield, KS) Jerry & Shirley Lincoln (Lincoln, CA) Robert & Joan Krogh’s 60 th Anniversary W. Clayton Nielsen (Solvang, CA) Sandra Sonderup (Blair, NE) Bernard & Mary Ann Matthies (Omaha, NE) Jan Otter (Omaha, NE) Paul Sorensen (Dekalb, IL) Paul Johnson Agnes Paulsen (Tucson, AZ) Elsa Steffensen (Hoffman Estates, IL) John & Deborah Wood (Oklahoma City, OK) Elmer Petersen (Galesville, WI) Linda Steffensen (Hoffman Estates, IL) General Fund: Jay Planalp (Frederik, MD) Endowment: All donations are placed in the General Fund Sandra Rasmussen (Des Moines, IA) The goal of the endowment fund is to reach such unless otherwise specified. Those who give Margaret Sorensen (Grand Island, NE) a level as to sustain DAAL operations on the through the 50/100 Club are listed in each issue Digitizing: interest. Currently, all earnings are being rolled of Jottings . Used for hardware and software support of over. The endowment includes named funds and Anonymous digitizing collections. a general fund. Cargill Community Enrichment Campaign via Blair Daphne Davidson (New York, NY) DELORIS HANSEN BENGTSON FUND Area Community Foundation (Blair, NE) 2015 Thrivent Choice Gifts: REV. C.I. “JERRY” LUND FUND Borge Christensen (Rochester, MN) Thrivent Choice gifts are part of the REV. ASTER & RUTH NEVE FAMILY FUND Robert & Joan Coffey (Menomonee Falls, WI) General Fund. DAGMAR VASBY FUND Danish Sisterhood PNW District (Shoreline, WA) Harlen Barney (Oregon City, OR) GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND James & Sharon Eastwood (Fridley, MN) Ruth Benson (Burnsville, MN) Dody Johnson (Iowa City, IA) Don & Bev Freberg (Prairie Village, KS) Myrvin Christopherson (Decorah, IA) In memory of Paul “Parson” Larsen Milbern & Kathryn Goetz (Greeley, CO) Joan Coffey (Menomonee Falls, WI) In memory of Lloyd Neve Charles & Emma Hansen (Mt. Prospect, IL) Julie Johnson (Columbus, OH) In honor of Dody Johnson’s 89th Birthday CHILDREN AND CHARITY: IS THERE ROOM FOR BOTH? 50/100 Club: The name of the 50/100 Club was inspired by the As I call supporters to inquire about a possible estate gift idea that if 100 members gave $50 per month, for DAAL, many have said “no” because they have children. most of our operating expenses would be met. If you can relate, I’d like to share a couple thoughts with you. Members sustain the DAAL by giving a minimum The first thought is do some math for two sets of parents of $600 per year (given monthly, quarterly or who have three children. Family A has a net worth of annually according to the donor’s preference). $100,000 and Family B has net worth of $1,000,000. Those at the Founders Level give at least $2,000 per year. An added benefit of being part of the Scenario #1— “Tithing” your estate with 10% going to 50/100 Club is receiving one donation charity acknowledgement for tax purposes in January, Family A: Instead of inheriting $33,333, each child receives Paul Johnson reflecting a yearly total of all donations, rather $30,000 with $10,000 to charity than getting a separate acknowledgement for Family B: Instead of inheriting $333,333, each child receives $300,000 with each financial contribution. These donations are $100,000 to charity part of the General Fund. 50/100 FOUNDER LEVEL Scenario #2 – “Adopting” charity as an additional “child” Luther & Doris Kloth (Wauwatosa, WI) Family A: Instead of inheriting $33,333, each child receives $25,000 with Phil & Florence Larsen (Blair, NE) $25,000 to charity John W & Elizabeth Nielsen Family B: Instead of inheriting $333,333 each child receives $250,000 with 50/100 GENERAL $250,000 to charity John & Ginny Beck (Colorado Springs, CO) Obviously, the math works no matter how many children you have or what your Ruth Randall Benson (Apple Valley, MN) Erna Berthelsen (Albert Lea, MN) net worth is. But before deciding that 100% of your estate should go to children, I Mark & Erika Bondo (Freehold, NJ) invite you to do some calculations to see if there’s room for DAAL and other Becky Bryant (West Des Moines, IA) charities in your estate plans. Borge M. Christensen (Rochester, MN) My second thought is to ask you this question: Who depends on you most Myrv & Anne Christopherson (Decorah, IA) financially… your children or your charities? In many families where at least Norman Freund (Fremont, NE) Neil & Arlene Grover (Staples, MN) one parent lives to normal life expectancy, the children may be at, or approaching, Fritz Hansen (Wichita, KS) retirement. Hopefully by that age, they’re financially independent! Roger & Marilyn Hanson (Cedar Falls, IA) Charities such as DAAL, however, will always be financially dependent on their Michael & Jill Hennick (Blair, NE) donors. I’ve always found it somewhat ironic that in most estate plans, most, if Elaine & Mark Hoyer (Blair, NE) not all, goes to those who usually need it the least! Food for thought? Geraldine Jasan (Northfield, MN) If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to give me a call at 402/201- Tim & Sharon Jensen (Blair, NE) Dody Johnson (Iowa City, IA) 7024. Tusind tak! ■ Julianne Johnson (Columbus, OH)

Paul Johnson is a CFP® professional under contract with DAAL to assist its donors with Chuck & Joyce Jorgensen (Blair, NE) planned giving. (Cont. Page 6) Page 5 50/100 Club (Cont.) AROUND THE ARCHIVE Gene & Nancy Lindblad (Blair, NE) Earl Nelson (Mt Pleasant, WI) A NEW OFFERING Long-time friend to the DAAL and Andrea Neve (Minneapolis, MN) retired Lutheran minister, Norman John Mark & Dawn Nielsen (Blair, NE) FROM LUR! Lisa Nielsen (St Marys, GA) Freund of Fremont, Nebraska, Ruth Nyegaard (Eugene, OR) recently donated more than 1,000 Donald & Audrey Pedersen (Pea Ridge, AR) sermons that he presented during his Karl Petersen & Joan Pearson (Bainbridge career. This is an unusually rich Island, WA) collection spanning approximately Pete & Shirley Petersen (Canyon, TX) 57 years from 1958 to 2015 and James Peterson (Richfield, MN) containing the full text and the Palma & Larry Plume (Evergreen, CO) location where each sermon was Bill & Margaret Rodenburg (Centerville, OH) given. Many sermons deal with the Sandy Sonderup (Blair, NE) Joan Sorensen (Richardson, TX) current events of the time and Elaine Steenblock (Ames, IA) represent a wonderful resource for Doug & Jane Wilson (Farragut, IA) historians. John & Deb Wood (Oklahoma City, OK) The Danish Children Growing Up Sandra Wunder (Omaha, NE) American exhibit goes on display at Legacy Builders: the Denver, Colorado, public library These donors have named DAAL in their es- October 1. This coincides with the tates (* indicates deceased). If you are not on Danish Sisterhood’s national this list but should be, please contact Jill Hen- convention that takes place in nick at 402-426-7910 or Paul Johnson at 402- 201-7024. Denver from October 15—18. Erna Berthelsen Be one of the first to read about the Palma and Larry Plume will be Judy Brehm events resulting from Adolf Hitler’s bid manning a DAAL table at the Myrv & Anne Christopherson for world dominion and especially how convention, and we are encouraging Michael and Jill Hennick they affected Denmark. all attendees to visit the exhibit. Russell P.* and Esther A. Jensen The DAAL was the recipient of a Tim & Sharon Jensen large collection of documents, music Julianne Johnson and Judy Pollack At just $10 plus $4 shipping and handling, this wonderful book is and photographs of the great Danish Ronald D. Johnson* and Bodil Strom Muller heldentenor, Lauritz Melchior. Turn Oscar* & Dody Johnson available at a bargain over the $19.95 Paul & Liz Johnson cover price. to Page 8 to read more about this Lorene Larsen (Nebraska residents add 7% sales tax.) collection. Phil & Florence Larsen If you haven’t visited the DAAL Gene & Nancy Lindblad This can make a unique Christmas gift! website recently, take a look at the Gary & Diane Madsen Just call 402-426-7910 to order or Collections page where newly John W. & Elizabeth Nielsen contact us by e-mail at expanded listings appear. They LeVern* & Marilyn* Nielsen [email protected] include the collection of A.M. W. Clayton Nielsen Andersen, one of the founders of the Larry & Palma Plume UELC, the Danish Brotherhood and Joan Sorensen ■ Sisterhood collections, and the Walker-Johnson collection, a WAR GAMES to picture the course of events in almost wonderful collection from a Denmark on the Eve of the every detail. Her style of writing is multigenerational Danish American Nazi Invasion, April 1940 effortless, making the reading quite easy. family. Reviewed by Hans Kring Why was Denmark totally unprepared As usual the first week of October lector emeritus, cand. mag. for a German attack in the spring of 1940? will be filled with activity at the Not much has been written in English Why did the Danes surrender within hours DAAL: about the German occupation of (an American sports reporter wrote shortly October 3 —The popular Denmark during WWII, but this fine afterwards about a prizefighter that “he lay Kringle Mingle for Dana book certainly contributes to filling in the down like a Dane”)? The short answer to College alumni, 9—11 a.m. gap. It deals with the invasion in 1940, these and similar questions is that the October 4 —DAAL Board of not only the events occurring on the Danish policymakers did nothing because Directors meet. crucial April 9, but also and not least, the they dared do nothing because they could October 5-9—Fall volunteer previous warnings of an imminent do very little. week German aggression and the deliberations If you want a more elaborate answer, you October 6 —Flu shot clinic, among Danish policymakers in this should definitely read the book. As a October 7 —Annual members connection. bonus you get—in the Epilogue—a brief meeting. The main author, the late Lucille survey of the years of occupation until Voting members are those who Wilder, has gone through a wide range of 1945. The resistance movement during the have donated time, money or Danish published sources, permitting her last two years proves that Danes, after all, materials to the DAAL during the were capable of fighting an intruder. ■ last two years. ■ Page 6 Would you like to help? Please cut out this card and send it in with your tax-deductible contribution.

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Thank you for your ongoing support of the Danish American Archive and Library

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ’S REPORT A Time to Focus

With the purchase of our building on July 30 th , a load of uncertainty that had hovered over us for five years was lifted. Now we can focus on how this building can serve us for the foreseeable future and how we, in turn, can serve our constituency. The Board’s decision to buy 1738 Washington Street in Blair showed their commitment to good stewardship of our resources. We have a very reasonable five-year mortgage with no prepayment penalty and our monthly mortgage payments are less than our former lease payments. We now have the opportunity to reorganize the interior of the building to maximize work and storage space. We have already started investigating the cost and feasibility of installing compact shelving units which would house our current materials, allow for growth and provide more work area. Executive Director On July 24 th , History Professor Teresa Houser from Jill Hennick visited the Archive. She expects to send student interns to us. She also teaches a course on historical research and writing and would like to schedule one-day visits at which students would do some “hands-on” exercises as we explain archival work. We are looking forward to crafting such a program and to adding Midland University to the list of institutions that we partner with. During our summer volunteer week, Omaha volunteer Nancy Anderson started scanning Dana yearbooks. Digitizing our collection, finding ways to expand the “digital archive” section of the website and exploring ways to let people volunteer from home are all part of our vision for the future. The biggest change for us as the summer comes to a close is saying good-bye to Assistant to the Executive Director Kate Garrett as she heads back to college. In this, her fifth summer with us, the most valuable addition to her regular accounting duties was the volunteer instruction sheets and forms she created. We are now well on our way towards having a volunteer manual with consistent procedures that we all can follow. The need to digitize materials and summarize our collection so that researchers can find the valuable and interesting items in our collection continues. If you like to organize, to oversee projects, to touch history, or even just to push buttons on a scanner, please consider joining us as a volunteer. ■ Page 7 1738 Washington Street Blair, Nebraska 68008 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

DAAL RECEIVES SIGNIFICANT LAURITZ MELCHIOR COLLECTION

Recordings, books, documents, photos, scrapbooks and diaries comprise part, but not all of a remarkable Lauritz Melchior collection that came to the DAAL in August.

Lauritz Melchior was born in Denmark in 1890, and is generally referred to as opera’s greatest heldentenor (heroic tenor). Starting as a baritone, Melchior’s career really took off after he trained and began performing as a tenor. He performed at opera houses throughout Europe, but is probably best remembered for his more than 500 performances in Wagnerian roles with the Metropolitan Opera Company from 1926 to 1950.

When Melchior died in March of 1973, his son, Ib, donated the entire collection, including artifacts, to Dana College. It was on display in the library there until a few days before the college Library Assistant Michael Hennick begins processing several hundred phonograph records in closed in July of 2010. At that time, representatives of the Museum the Melchior collection. of Danish America (MoDA) brought the collection to the museum in order to rescue it and ensure that it would be preserved. Subsequently Melchior’s son granted permission for the MoDA to retain possession of the collection, and because the DAAL has been designated as the repository for all Danish-related music materials by the other Danish American organizations, the MoDA brought the archival portion of the collection to the DAAL. ■