Book Update and Syttende Mai 2021

To all followers and anyone awaiting the publication of Driftless, I apologize. I am sure this comes as no surprise to anyone by now, but as it turns out, I had a very poor concept of how long it really takes to prepare a manuscript for publication. How naïve I was to think the book would be available by the Syttende Mai (17th of May) celebration in my hometown, Spring Grove, Minnesota.  The story of Driftless takes place in my hometown and surrounding areas.  

I am so fortunate to have a good friend and author (for who else would invest so much time and energy) that is helping me with the nuts and bolts of publishing. There are still a few steps before final publication but it's getting closer. I have so much to learn. 

Despite the fact that the book, Driftless will not yet be published, I will be attending Syttende Mai (pro. somewhat like "SOOT 'n deh My") next week. It will be Spring Grove's 47th Syttende Mai celebration. It would have been the 48th but there was this nasty world-wide pandemic which interfered with... everything. I will get to see people that I haven't seen in many years. And, it will be the first time I will be in close proximity with more than a handful of humans since before the pandemic took hold in the U.S. fourteen months ago. 

Viking ship carrying Sons of Norway members,
in the Syttende Mai parade. c. 1984

Only recently have I dared to hug a person aside from my spouse. Only recently have I accepted and even initiated an occasional handshake. What a bold move that was! To touch another human being is such a wonderful thing. Let's not ever forget that. 

But on to Syttende Mai. What is the significance of the 17th of May, and why are people celebrating this date in Spring Grove, Minnesota? 

Syttende Mai marks the signing of Norway's constitution and independence from Sweden in 1814. In Norway, it is also called Constitution Day or National Day. It is celebrated in Spring Grove (and has been since 1973) because Spring Grove was the first Norwegian settlement in the state of Minnesota. There are representatives of other ethnic groups that call Spring Grove home now, but still, you would be hard-pressed to find a greater number of Norwegian surnames in any similarly sized town or state. (Maybe you could, but you'd be hard-pressed. Check out North Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin if you must.)

All manner of wonderful things happen during Syttende Mai, so many things that three days are required to celebrate properly. It's a time to reflect upon the Norwegian heritage of the area. It's a time to make and enjoy some of the foods that our Norwegian ancestors were preparing at the time of their emigration to Minnesota. Time to appreciate and celebrate some of the wonderful Norwegian folk arts and some of the Norwegian-American artists and authors that made Minnesota their home. There will be parades, banquets, car shows, theatre performances, birding, musical events, the ubiquitous city-wide garage sales, and lots more.  Check out the websites below for details. 

Occasionally, Norwegian may still be heard spoken during the Syttende Mai celebration, not as frequently as when I was a child, but there are still those that speak it. If nothing else, one might hear the Norwegian National Anthem performed a cappella by any number of random celebrants who learned it in Spring Grove High School. In fact, there's already a plan that when I meet with my classmates from the class of '74, we will do just that. Ah, the fond memories.

Syttende Mai

Norwegian Ridge Birding and Nature Trails

Giants of the Earth Heritage Center

Spring Grove: Minnesota's First Norwegian Settlement