The Nordic Heritage Center

We had a great turnout for our presentation on the Nordic Heritage Center, a proposal to establish an institution for the Nordic countries in Utah and the Mountain West where the past can be honored, the present explored, and the future anticipated. Chanel Myers also demonstrated how to make lefse and share tips from her experiences making this quintessential Norwegian staple.

Special guests for the evening included:

• Niels Valentiner, honorary consul of Denmark in Utah

• Cecelia Hahn, honorary consul of Sweden in Utah

• Paul Hirst, honorary consul of Finland in Utah

• Lars Johansen, honorary consul of Norway in Utah

• Vivianne DeYoung, president of the Swedish Heritage Society

• John Storheim, president of Sons of Norway, Leif Erikson Lodge 6-83

• McKay Anderson, president-elect of the Icelandic Association of Utah

• Stacy Russon, president of the Vikings of Utah Historical Association

• Kendall Kjerstad, financial advisor, Sons of Norway Insurance

• Gwen Trefts and Tom Oesleby, Salt Lake Scandinavian Music and Dance

• Steve and Catharina Affleck, Syttende Mai Committee

We are grateful to all who attended, to all who shared their ideas for the center, and to all who brought amazing food from Norway, Iceland, Denmark, and Sweden. It was a great mix of people from across the Nordic countries and established new relationships and new opportunities to collaborate.

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Chanel Myers shares tips from her experience making lefse.

Chanel Myers

L to R: Lars Johansen; Cecelia Hahn; Niels Valentiner; Paul Hirst.

Presentation by Stewart Shelline