Jan 13 - 15, 2010: Final Preparations
Lots of work this week as we head for opening. Jens, Gorm, Pia, and Magna spent a large part of the week at Medicine Lake, adding finishing touches like a fence, a small forest (it is, after all, a lake in the woods), and interior details. Magda came out to do pictures for the scavenger hunt and got some nametag printing done. On Thursday, we took a trip down to Stillwater to hang out with Reidun, the Finnish weekend coordinator. Meanwhile, Hannah took a trip up to Bemidji for Norwegian Family Fun Weekend. We're all pretty excited about opening with Swedish this weekend! |
January 11 - 12, 2010: Operation Geitost
With the shanty now out on the lake, there were some final touches to add. One particularly important one: the goat. How were we going to get it up on the roof? Here's how we did it: two people on the roof, two people on ladders, one supporting the weight below. The people on the roof hoisted it up with ropes, while those below pushed and supported the weight. From there, we measured distance between legs (applied math again), and drilled holes in which to insert the leg supports. Sounds easy enough, but remember - it's a 100 lb goat with metal poles sticking out the bottom, on a roof, in the middle of winter, in the dark. You work it out. But, boy - is it cute. We like this goat a lot. Meanwhile, at Askeladden, the drop-off class at Barnehage (the Norwegian pre-k program), kids were busy at work. During free-play, some built their own shanty structures. Later, they created self portraits (based off artwork by Vivian Borey) to hang in the shanty during Norwegian weekend. Since their curricular theme is "Friendly Faces," they are currently learning how to describe themselves & friends, and participating in activities that emphasize teamwork and collaboration. What great timing for this project! |
January 9 - 10, 2010: Scandinavia on Ice!
We were busy this weekend! On Saturday, we rented a trailer and started the process of moving the shanty out of the garage. It was quite a spectacle and required some specialized knot-tying and leveraging, but (after much nail biting and shoving), we managed to push it up onto the trailer. We hauled the shanty to Hannah's driveway, where we could work on the roof without blocking the alleyway. From there, we broke into small groups of two and three to get tasks accomplished. We hammered and nailed and sawed long through the day and into part of the night, deciding to delay our lake passage until the following day. On Sunday, we were at it again, bright and (pretty) early. The roof, door, windows, paneling, roof insulation, carpeting, and ice holes were installed and we were ready to go! Jens (superstar) drove across town and onto the lake at about 8:30 pm, where we worked together to pitch the structure forward and off. It was eerily beautiful, nestled into this temporary village of ice shanties and we were all awed and exhilarated by the task we had just completed. Couldn't stop smiling and hugging and backslapping - what a great team! |
January 7, 2010: Momentum Building
No building at the shanty today. The stuff that makes up the meat of our usual life - work, class, childcare, and meetings - still exists and flourishes. Nevertheless, we managed to get some things done during our in-between times. Hannah painted the door and windows (beautiful colors, don't you think?) so that they are ready for installation. Magna got the binders mounted so that it can not only stand upright, but also swivels. Jens and Magna braved slow traffic all the way to Hamel, where they rented a 2,000 lb. trailer and admired other rental equipment.We're moving forward! From Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard: There is nothing with which every man is so afraid as getting to know h0w enormously much he is capable of doing and becoming. Discuss. |
January 5 - 6, 2010: Momentum Builds
There is a lot of activity underway this week as we push to finish the siding, insulation, and interior paneling. We're close, but still have some work to do! We're also figuring out our transportation plan and checking out trailer rentals. Luckily, Jens has a commercial driver's license and a love of powerful vehicles! We have our darkhouse license and are working to schedule volunteers for the art shanty weekends! Meanwhile, we keep plugging away and looking forward to opening weekend! |
January 2-3, 2010: Coming Together!
Things are coming together! Geitost (the julebukk) took another road-trip to visit talented artist Molly Yergens, who is painting the goat's exterior. Gorgeous half-log siding (generously donated by Magnus) is quickly ascending the wall frames, thanks to Klara Margit, Magna, Margot, Jens, and Mark. Bjorn and Hannah started masterminding the hang-and-swing of the door and windows (generously donated by Hannah). Magda and Magnus began orchestrating the collection of trees and program supplies. And, we just received word that we'll be getting some additional financial assistance from The Very Small Arts Fund. From the bustle of all this activity (the placement of a nail, the press of a drill, the stroke of a brush, the click of an email being sent), we see a stately Scandinavian Immigrant House/Ice Shanty emerging. Next week, we'll be attaching the roof and trucking the shanty out to Medicine Lake. To borrow the words of Swedish actress Greta Garbo, "Is there anything better than to be longing for something, when you know it is within reach?” |
Dec 23- 26, 2009: Introducing the Julebukk and the Binders!
Over winter break, Hannah took the goat frame (actually a sawed-off deer frame) on the road with her. With the help of some pretty amazing sculptors, she transformed the frame into our very own julebukk named Geitost! Once painted, Geitost will be bolted to the top of our shanty, free to feast on the green green grass growing above our heads. If you're a student of Norse mythology, you'll remember that Thor's chariot was pulled by goats. The goat now has special significance at Christmas time. Read more about it here! Meanwhile, in Minneapolis, construction of the binders was underway. Made from two lengths of 10 foot PVC pipe, this giant is not the only one of its kind. You can find a giant binders in Sandvika, Norway, one in Kipling, Saskatchewan, and one at the Norwegian Language Village (Skogfjorden) in Bemidji, MN. The binders has special significance in Norway as a symbol of resistance against Nazi occupation during WWII. |
Dec 19 - 20, 2009: On to the roof!
Now that the walls have been framed, it was on to the roof this past weekend. Scissor trusses, we discovered, require applied mathematics and the ability to measure angles. Luckily, we have a mathematician on the team. We also picked up a generous donation from Magnus: a gorgeous load of half-log siding! Tack så mycket! Opening day is coming soon & we're trying to get the word out. Invite your friends and family to come join us! |
Dec 12 - 13, 2009 Building Continues!
The shanty now has four walls! We puttered with amazing efficiency over the weekend and had some industrious helpers to boot. Now that the basic structure is in place, we're starting to be able to really visualize how the space will be used. As the thermostat starts to drop, we are adding layers of clothing to keep us cozy while we work. A pot of hot coffee and some chocolate squares (courtesy of Hannah) provide additional motivation. |
Dec 2 - 6, 2009: Building Starts!
We start the week out with runs to various re-use centers and lumber yards. Thanks to the fortuitous loan of a pick-up truck from Margaret Hansen, we have the requisite materials for starting to frame the structure! Frode kindly donated space for us to work in his garage and Bjorn took the trip down to St. Paul to get the project off to a great start! |
Nov 15, 2009: Meeting in Alexandria
Hannah, Bjorn, and Magna met at the Perkins in Alexandria. We had to stop and take a picture of the Viking first, then worked on making a miniature model of the ice shanty. The serving staff at Perkins was surprisingly okay with us pulling out a miniature saw, glue, and wood scraps, although they stopped seating people in our section. Although the Runestone museum was, unfortunately, closed on Sunday (as was the Scandinavian gift shop), we were able to make a run to Menards, where we priced insulation and siding. |
Nov 14, 2009: Clean-up at The Soap Factory
Spent the morning at The Soap Factory, moving out some of the shanties from previous years. Lots of plywood and 2 x 4s! Interesting to see the various design elements close-up, and to work with artists from the other shanty projects. This is a talented, hard-working group of people! |