Lindsborg Posten: What to Do

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December 2023

The Polar Express Experience

December 2

All aboard the Polar Express!

Gather your family for a Polar Express Experience! Put on those holiday PJs and settle in for an evening of fun at the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center! Make this event part of your Christmas in Lindsborg holiday fun! The event includes character appearances, holiday photo-op, hot cocoa, cookies, a souvenir ticket and more!

One ticket holder for Lindsborg’s Polar Express Experience will win a Lionel “Polar Express” HO-gauge electric train set with: track, engine, coal car and two passenger cars; Bluetooth remote, and conductor and train sounds.

The train to be presented is similar to one that runs in the window of Small World Gallery. Photographer Jim Richardson and the gallery donated the train set in honor of Lindsborg’s first Polar Express Experience movie night for families. The event is co-sponsored by Lindsborg Recreation and Broadway RFD.

The event begins at 6:00pm. Registration is required. Reserve your spots by going to Lindsborg Recreation Department website.

$15 per person with a $2 sibling discount for each following registration. For more information on this and all the holiday events in Lindsborg, go to Visit Lindsborg!

The J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center is located at 102 N. Main Street.

Snowflake Parade

December 2

Join in the fun of this wild and wacky parade! Plan to be part of the fun--all snowflakes, Christmas bells, snowmen, reindeer, tomtes and ugly sweater-wearers welcome!

Parade line up begins at 10:30am at Bethany Lutheran Church. Bethany Lutheran Church is located at 320 N. Main Street.

Parade route, down Main Street, begins at 11:00am. Bring your chair and a hot beverage to make the most of the morning. Be prepared to get jolly while watching the whimsy!

Following the parade, visit Santa at First Bank Kansas and enjoy cookies with Mrs. Claus at the library until 1:00pm. First Bank Kansas is located at 118 N. Main Street.

Afterwards, there will be free "take and make" ornaments for children at participating businesses (while supplies last).

Beth Stockdell, Artist-in-Residence

Red Barn Studio Museum

December 1-7

The Raymer Society welcomes returning artist Beth Stockdell of Fayetteville, Arkansas, into the studio December 1-7. Stockdell, a seasoned harpist and lifelong artist, has explored a wide range of mediums from photography to 3D-stained glass sculptures, bookmaking, to Zentangle drawing methods. "Although my chosen medium has morphed over the years--all of these disciplines have layered a unique perspective into my art practice," Stockdell says.

During her week-long residency, Stockdell is considering two projects: one focusing on found materials to honor Lester Raymer's upcycling traditions, and a second project of two books focusing on the languages of flowers and gems. The books will be composed of Zentangle drawing methods and pop-up elements. View more of Beth's work on her website.

Stop at the Red Barn Studio Museum on Saturday, December 2, during the Christmas Artist Studio Open House to see Beth Stockdell and her creative processes. For more information on Stockdell's work and inspiration, go to Visit Lindsborg!

The Red Barn Studio Museum's residency program is sponsored in part by the Kansas Creative Arts Industry Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. The Red Barn Studio Museum is located at 212 S. Main Street and is open Tuesday through Friday, 10:00am-5:00pm and Saturday and Sunday, 1:00-5:00pm, and by appointment. Please call 785-227-2217 to schedule an appointment.

Artists' Studio Open House

December 2

Every year, on the first Saturday of December, Lindsborg artists open their studios to visitors, offering them a glimpse into their creative processes and works. This year, on December 2, 10:00am-5:00pm, visitors can explore galleries and workspaces in the Lindsborg and Marquette area while immersing themselves in art, music, and engaging conversations.

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet artists working in various mediums, ranging from ceramics to copper enamel, bookmaking to stained glass, and quilts to gouache painting.

The Christmas Artists' Studio Open House will feature over 20 participating artists and more than 10 galleries and studios. This annual event provides a unique and special opportunity to discover and collect Christmas gifts for everyone. The Open House brochure can be obtained at the Red Barn Studio Museum and other participating venues on December 2nd.

To find the most recent information on Lindsborg's Christmas Artists' Studio Open House visit Red Barn Studio Museum's website.

Kevin Ayesh, Pianist

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

December 3

South Carolina pianist and Wichita native Kevin Ayesh will be performing selections by Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff, along with pieces appropriate for the holiday season at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery on Sunday, December 3, at 2:00pm. Special music includes J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Robert Starer's Three Israeli Sketches, and selections from Franz Liszt's Christmas Tree Suite. The concert will be followed by a reception.

Kevin Ayesh has presented concerts and master classes throughout the United States – performing in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, as well as Canada, England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. As a North Carolina visiting artist for four years, he appeared before thousands across that state, performing as many as 50 recitals in a season.

Ayesh is the recipient of many prizes, including the Naftzger Piano Award, Baltimore Music Club Award, and Winner of both the JCC Baltimore Piano Competition and the Maryland State Music Teachers' Elizabeth R. Davis Memorial Piano Competition. He has adjudicated Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) auditions for the state conventions of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, and has been a featured clinician at both the Georgia and South Carolina Music Educators Association state conventions.

Recently retired after 29 years as head of the music department and Artistic Director of the Concert Series at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock, North Carolina, Ayesh currently teaches applied piano at Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina. A native of Wichita, Kansas, he received his Bachelor of Music degree with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin; his master’s and doctorate degrees are from the University of Maryland.

The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is located at 401 N. First Street. There is no charge for the concert, however, donations are appreciated. For further information, please call the Gallery at 785-227-2220 or email sandzengallery@gmail.com.

Shin-hee Chin, Artist-in-Residence

Red Barn Studio Museum

December 8-January 27

Shin-hee Chin returns to the Red Barn Studio Museum from December 8-January 27. The spacious south studio will be her creative ground, enabling her to work on numerous pieces all at once.

“I want to explore the abstract and non-figurative aspect of art quilt: alongside the current focus on humanity, I plan to explore text and image, language and identity, landscape and environment,” says Shin-hee.

Shin-hee creates works rich in texture, color and depth. By incorporating fiber, thread and stitching, she provides a unique interpretation, converting the conventionally feminine craft of needlework into a medium for art making. With her strategic use of stitching, random weave and stitching, wrapping and binding with recycled quilts, she converts the conventionally feminine activity of needle works into a medium for art making and a source of voice and power for women.

Visitors can expect to see Shin-hee’s concepts and musical inspirations unraveling vividly into visual artworks, illuminated by a vibrant spectrum of colors. She aspires to meld abstract and representational images harmoniously, portraying the deep connections between art, music, and spirituality. If you're unable to experience her artistry unfolding in person, visit Chin's website. For more information into Chin's focus and process, go to Visit Lindsborg.

Hand-Crafted Holiday Gift Market

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

November 3-December 24

The Hand-Crafted Holiday Market showcases the work of over 20 talented artists from the Smoky Valley region. It features a diverse range of items, including paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, quilts, Swedish-inspired folk art, woodcarvings, mixed-media pieces, and more. This market offers a unique opportunity to find affordable, hand-crafted items for both gifting and collecting.

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center, a volunteer-run organization located at 114 1/2 S. Main Street, has extended weekday hours throughout the holiday season:

Wednesday-Friday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center is supported by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Raymer Society.

Christmas Crafts and Cocktails

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

Join Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center in the Workroom for 4 holiday-themed workshops on Thursdays from 6:00-8:00pm this season! Each workshop will offer a special cocktail and craft for you to create. Don't forget to invite a friend or two and mark your calendars!

Check out the details and register HERE!

November 30: Holiday Cards with Marsha Howe
December 7: Felted Ornament with Sue Peterson & Deanne Haverfield
December 14: Papier Mache Tomte with Haley Wesley
December 21: Winter Solstice Celebration with Lesa Larson & Marsha Howe

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center is supported by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Raymer Society. Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center is open Friday-Sunday, 1:00-5:00 pm and is located at 114 1/2 S. Main Street. For weekday appointments, please schedule by calling SVAFC at (785)-227-7034.

Saint Lucia Festival

December 9

The Lindsborg Saint Lucia Festival is a beautiful and important celebration during the holiday season. Lindsborg’s traditional festival will be celebrated on Saturday, December 9. The Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers will host the festival event by providing Swedish folk dancing performances downtown beginning at 10:15am and on the Bethany Lutheran Church lawn at 3:00pm. A church service honoring Saint Lucia will also take place there at 3:00pm. There will be many other activities going on throughout the downtown area as well.

Jordan Elseth was drawn from the eligible senior girls to serve as the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers’ Saint Lucia. Elseth and Star Boy Jordan Bodenhamer, as well as other senior members, will be downtown serving refreshments throughout the day. The organization will also be hosting a Swedish bake sale in the Courtyard Gallery from 10:00am-2:00pm with all proceeds being donated, in the true Saint Lucia custom of giving to others.

Click here for a link to the festival schedule.

Be a part of one of the most beautiful of holiday traditions.

For more information on Saint Lucia and her importance to Sweden, click on Visit Lindsborg!

Additional Saint Lucia Festival Activities

December 9

Adding to the Saint Lucia Festival, Christmas in Lindsborg kicks off with a Pancake Feed at the Evangelical Covenant Church from 8:30am-10:30am, ensuring that attendees start their day with delicious warmth and cheer. Location is 102 S. Washington, close to the downtown events.

The Lindsborg Community Library is joining in the festivities with a scavenger hunt and craft activities featuring beloved Scandinavian holiday characters such as the Tomte, Saint Lucia, and Star Boy from 10:00am -1:00pm. Lindsborg Community Library is located at 111 S. Main Street.

Participants can also immerse themselves in creative expression at the Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center, where they can craft their very own Lucia-inspired paper candles from 10:00am to 3:00pm. The craft offerings allow everyone to get into the holiday spirit and create cherished mementos to take home. Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center is located at 114 1/2 S. Main Street.

Participating Downtown businesses will host Christmas storytelling stops from 10:00am-2:00pm, providing an enchanting opportunity for families to gather and share in the joy of the season.

One of the highlights of Christmas in Lindsborg Saint Lucia Festival is the traditional Swedish apple tree, created by Jack Turner. Attendees can join in the tradition by placing paper apples adorned with messages of gratitude onto the tree. This heartwarming activity not only embodies the spirit of Lucia but also raises funds for the Lindsborg Dala Pantry, supporting those in need during the holiday season.

Mark your calendars and join for a day of festive fun, goodwill, and togetherness.

Heritage Christmas

Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum

December 9

Come to the Lindsborg Old Mill & Swedish Heritage Museum 5:30–8:00pm on Saturday, December 9 for Heritage Christmas!

The evening features:

live music in the Swedish Pavilion (see schedule below)
kids sugar cookie decoration
kids crafts
visit from Santa for the kids
A Shepherd's Story of Christmas
tours of the 1898 Smoky Valley Roller Mills
bake sale refreshments

New this year will be the Mayor's Christmas Kaffe 6:00-7:00pm in the Train Depot!

Live music in the Swedish Pavilion will include:

5:30pm Smoky Valley High School Madrigals
6:00pm Men in Harmony
6:30pm Formal Flutes
7:00pm Mennonite Choir
7:30pm Smoky Valley Men's Choir

The museum and gift shop will also be open. Admission during the holiday event will be by donation.

The Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum celebrates and preserves the pioneering spirit of the Smoky Valley by educating, entertaining, and building community across generations so that history comes to life. With special emphasis on the period from 1870 to 1910, the museum includes two buildings on the National Registry of Historical Places and extensive archives and artifact collections. The museum seeks to honor the rich story of Lindsborg and its people.

Learn more about the museum on their website.

Junior Artists' Open Studios

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center

Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center's Workroom will feature 2 Junior Artists’ Open Studios during the month of December.

Stop by after the Snowflake Parade on December 2 from 11:30am - 2:30pm for a free come-and-go Junior Artists’ Open Studio and make a Christmas tree decoration or ornament from paper cones, tissue paper, and pom-poms. Bring the whole family and enjoy some creative time this holiday season. If you can’t stay, a take-and-make option will be available for families on the go!
Join the Smoky Valley Arts & Folklife Center during the Lindsborg Swedish Folk Dancers St. Lucia Fest on December 9, from 10:00am to 3:00pm, for a free come-and-go Junior Artists’ Open Studio where you can create a craft inspired by the light of Saint Lucia.

Legend has it that during a terrible famine in Sweden, on the longest, darkest, and coldest day of winter, a brilliantly lit ship appeared across the dark water. Onboard was Lucia, dressed in all white with a crown of light on her head. St. Lucia brought food for the hungry, and thanks to her crown of light, she was able to light the way while serving the people of Sweden.

Using construction paper and tinsel pipe cleaners, you can make a paper candle to remind us that this is the season of light and giving.

Holiday Gift Show and Additional Exhibitions!

Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery

Big Watusi by Zak Barnes

The Holiday Gift Show at the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery continue through January 7 along with three additional exhibitions. They feature paintings by Zak Barnes of Lawrence and John McClanahan of Dallas, Texas; a small showing of colored pencil works by Norman Shogren (1927-2023); and the annual Holiday Gift Show.

The Gallery's popular Holiday Gift Show contains the work of over 30 invited artists and includes paintings, prints, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, Swedish-inspired folk art, woodcarvings, mixed media pieces, and more.

For artist and exhibition information, please click on this Visit Lindsborg link.

The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery is located at 401 N. First Street. Hours are 10:00am-5:00pm Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00-5:00pm on Sunday. Admission is free, with donations appreciated. Docent tours for groups are available by two-week advance appointment. For more information about Birger Sandzén, the Gallery, and these exhibitions visit the website or phone 785-227-2220.

Afternoon Queens Tea with Betty Ford Performance

J.O Sundstrom Conference Center

December 17

A special performance along with an Afternoon Queens Tea will be held on December 17. First Lady, Betty Ford (performed by Historical Echoes performer, Donna Becker), will be the guest of honor. Becker will tell Ford's compelling story as she relays the struggle with breast cancer and alcohol addiction while living in the public eye.

A Queens Tea includes a variety of sandwiches, scones with lemon curd, tea, and multiple desserts.

The Historical Echoes performance and tea will be held at the J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center at 2:30pm. Reservations are required and needed by December 3. Cost is $65 per person. Contact Irene Nielsen by leaving a message at 785-493-5246 or email irenesteas@gmail.com.

The J.O. Sundstrom Conference Center is located at 102 N. Main Street.

Musical Opportunities

Bethany College Music Department

Each semester, the Bethany College Music Department offers a variety of musical performances featuring talented student musicians and esteemed faculty. Bethany takes great pride in presenting a diverse calendar of fine art events for Lindsborg and the surrounding communities, offering opportunities to celebrate music, art, and culture.

December 5, 2:30pm: Music department recital will be held in the Pearson Chapel on the Bethany College Campus
December 7, 7:00pm: Bethany College Symphonic Band will present a concert in Presser Hall Auditorium featuring the Buhler High School Band
December 10, 4:00pm: The Word Was Made Flesh, a Christmas collaboration between the Bethany College Choirs, Handbells, and Campus Ministry will take place at Bethany Lutheran Church located at 320 N. Main Street

"This season, we enter the Christmas story with our deepest longings and greatest joys. IN the fullness of our humanity, we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. God is with us and we encounter again the mystery of God who draws near," says Mark Lucas, Associate Professor of Music at Bethany College. And the Word became flesh and lived among us...full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

Art Exhibitions

Mingenback Art Center

Don't miss the final exhibitions for the semester at Bethany College's Mingenback Art Center!

December 4-8: Katie Buchanan Senior Exhibition: Creation in the Eyes of the Created
December 11-15: Antonia Wagoner Senior Exhibition

Mingenback Art Center is located on the campus of Bethany College, 335 E. Swensson Street. Hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm. Call 785-227-3380 for more information.

Exciting Match Challenge!

Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum

Photo Credit: Shelly Conne

A $50K match challenge means perfect time for a new or renewed membership at Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum!

Anyone who purchases a 2024 Lindsborg Museum membership through 5:00pm December 31 will also secure a bonus to the museum worth three times the amount of the membership. It’s a perfect way to make donation dollars stretch farther this holiday season.

Museum Executive Director, Lenora Lynam, explains the significance of this opportunity, “Museum members are one of our most important sources of funding in the annual budget. This challenge gift and its focus on memberships is the perfect way to grow our museum family and financial foundation."

To become a member today, visit the Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum's website. Call 785-227-3595 for additional membership information. or in person at the museum at 120 E. Mill Street during museum hours of 9:00am-5:00pm. Monday - Saturday.

Julotta and Annandag Jul

Bethany Lutheran Church

A traditional Swedish custom, Julotta is a beautiful early Christmas morning church service. Churches are lit with candles and awash with music.

Julotta in Swedish means Christmas morn, lotta is the time which is slightly before dawn. At 5:30 a.m., a brass quartet begins the call to service from the steeple of the Bethany Lutheran Church. The service begins at 6:00am on December 25.

Annandag Jul, literally meaning "another day of Christmas,” is an official part of the Christmas holiday in Sweden. Annandag Jul marks the middle days between the beginning of the Christmas season and New Year’s. Bethany Church will celebrate Annandag Jul on December 26 at 10:00am.

Bethany Lutheran Church is located at 320 N. Main Street.

Saint Lucia Cookie Walk and More!

Messiah Lutheran Church

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church invites all to participate in the annual Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 9 at 9:00am-1:00pm. Delicious cookies and treats are available to purchase at $9.00/pound.

December 17, O Holy Light: A Cantata for Christmas will be performed at the church with a reception following. A freewill offering will be taken for the choir.

Christmas services at Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church:

December 24: Christmas Eve Worship, 5:30pm Family Worship, 10:00pm Candlelight Worship
December 31: Christmas Carols & Hymns, 10:00am with fellowship and goodies to follow

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 402 N. First Street.

More Christmas Events in Lindsborg!

December 16: Cookies with Mrs. Claus at First Bank Kansas, 12:00pm-2:00pm, 118 N. Main Street
December 16: Freeze Your Brass Off
December 25: Julotta including a live nativity at Evangelical Covenant Church, 6:00am, 102 S. Washington Street
December 25: Julotta Service at First Baptist Church, 7:00am, 1111 E. Swensson St.

Click here for updated information!

Lindsborg Five-Star Stays

Visiting family?

Maybe a relaxing weekend retreat needed?

Wonderful Lindsborg lodging options found here!

Check our the following resources for the latest information:

Visit Lindsborg

Christmas in Lindsborg Facebook Page

Visit Lindsborg Facebook Page

Find a current calendar of events here.

Download your copy of the Lindsborg Visitors Guide here, or contact the CVB office at cvbdir@lindsborgcity.org or 888.227.2227 to ask for a guide to be mailed to you or a friend.

888-227-2227

cvbdir@lindsborgcity.org

www.VisitLindsborg.com

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