Spring 2011 edition of the SLC Newsletter

the Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
Volume IX, Number 1
Spring 2011
The Kaffestuga at the Scandinavian Living Center
I
n 2001, Gittan Lehman started what has become an
institution at the Center, the Kaffestuga, which is
the Swedish word for café, but literally translated
means “coffee room.” Owning a small bakery had
been a dream of Gittan’s since she was a girl growing
up in Sweden. The Crown Bakery, a Swedish bakery
in Worcester, was the natural choice to become the
main supplier of baked goods to the Kaffestuga since
its opening. In 2005, baked goods from the Danish
Pastry House in Watertown were added to the menu.
Open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. while the
Scandinavian Library is also open, the Kaffestuga is
visited by many happy customers. The residents at the
Scandinavian Living Center enjoy the comings and
goings of these Saturday customers and being able to
purchase fresh pastry for their weekend visitors.
Traditional Scandinavian open-faced shrimp and
salmon sandwiches, Swedish waffles and delicious
baked goods make up the menu. And, of course,
there is a great cup of fresh coffee to go with
everything! Initially, the Kaffestuga was a one-woman
operation, with Gittan making the waffle batter and
all the sandwiches, working mostly alone in the
Kaffestuga. Rachel Escola was an early volunteer
with administrative tasks, and occasionally Gittan’s
friends helped when the Café was open. In 2003, more
volunteers were recruited and the sandwiches and
waffle batter were now prepared by the kitchen staff
of the Center. It is still Gittan’s Swedish recipe for
waffles and the kitchen staff has perfected the shrimp
and salmon sandwiches so that they are as authentic
as anything you can buy in Scandinavia. In fact, some
faithful customers claim that the sandwiches are even
better than those found in Scandinavia because of the
generous amount of seafood!
The first Saturday of the month the Danish School
teaches language classes at the Center, making it
the busiest Saturday of the month. The Danes buy
their lunch, specialty breads and pastries, served by
two Danish volunteers, Marianne Hessner and Inger
Nielsen. The children and their parents can practice
their Danish while ordering and paying.
The volunteers helping in the Kaffestuga are Scott
Wyatt, Shawna Leveque, Greta Carlson, Ann-Marie
Blomquist, Brigitte Korsnes, Linda Christianson,
Joan Holst, Marianne Hessner, Inger Nielsen and
Gittan Lehman who also still oversees the ordering
for the Kaffestuga and the volunteer schedule. For
many years, Marilyn and Karl Seaburg volunteered
together and until his recent passing, Karl made
sure that the Kaffestuga had the right kind of waffle
irons--the kind that makes heart-shaped waffles.
It is indeed fitting that heart-shaped waffles are
served in the Kaffestuga. Thanks to Gittan’s
heartwarming initiative and leadership, volunteers
and customers alike can enjoy “original and tasty
stuff.” The Center is always a welcoming place
for everyone and on Saturdays that welcome is
underscored with the special smells of baked pastries
and freshly brewed coffee.
–Inger Raahauge Nielsen
SCSGB Director of Development
2 0 6 Wa l t h a m S t re e t t We s t N e w t o n , M A 0 2 4 6 5 t 6 1 7 . 5 2 7 . 6 5 6 6
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Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
pastry with the residents and staff. This monthly
ritual has been going on for more than two decades.
The success of the Saturday Kaffestuga can
be attributed to the volunteer commitment of
Gittan Lehman. What started out as an idea in
2001 has evolved into an experience only made
possible because of many volunteers. It is
Gittan’s willingness to organize and coordinate
the volunteers that has made this a success and
a wonderful way to connect the generations
throughout our community.
Some of the residents living at the Scandinavian
Living Center volunteer for another non-profit
organization, Newton at Home (NAH, www.
newtonathome.org), which recently moved their
office to the Center. With a smile on their faces,
representatives from NAH told me that SLC
residents as young as 91 and as wise as 103 years
old are interacting with other neighbors in Newton
by offering kind words or assistance through a
good neighbor telephone check-in program.
Message from the
Executive Director
“One only has to look at the achievements
of our Board of Directors during the past
century to realize the impact a group of
volunteers can have on a community.”
T
he old expression, “you can pick your
friends but you cannot pick your family”
has been used for many years to support or
defend a point of view.
One only has to look at the achievements of our
Board of Directors during the past century to
realize the impact a group of volunteers can have
on a community. In fact, volunteers who are voted
onto the Board have always taken an oath (a unique
practice) to do the right thing by making sure we
sustain a high level of caring, cultural enrichment
and community connection.
I often think of this expression as I interact with
the Center’s many volunteers. These men and
women have committed themselves to making
the Scandinavian Living Center a very special
and unique place. I am acutely aware that all our
volunteers could choose to affiliate with other
organizations, but have chosen to fulfill their
passions with us.
There are many volunteer opportunities here at the
Center. When you walk into the Center and are
greeted at the reception desk, you may not realize
it, but in most cases, you are sharing a smile with a
volunteer who is giving time and energy to create a
warm first impression.
The old expression I mentioned before can
be replaced with a new expression that goes
something like this: “You can become a great
family when you pick the right friends and
organization.” The Scandinavian Living Center
has become a great family for many people, and for
this we will always be grateful.
–Joseph Carella
Editors: Gardi Hauck, Inger Raahauge Nielsen
and Lisa Haidar.
Photographs by Inger
Raahauge Nielsen and William Elias (the
Lehmans’ 8-year-old grandchild). Design by
Lisa Haidar.
The Swedish Women’s Educational Association
(SWEA) is a wonderful organization that visits the
Center every month to share coffee and homemade
page Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
F
Resident Profile
rank Stefansson was born and raised in
Reykjavik, Iceland. His father was Icelandic
and his mother, Swedish, and he has one
sister named Leila. Frank attended parochial
school for the primary through intermediate grades
and then graduated from public high school where
he studied Danish, English, German, French and
Swedish.
After one year of college in Iceland, he had hoped
to further his education in Sweden. Although
a Swedish college had accepted him, he was
unable to transfer. Instead, he learned about the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, applied and
was accepted. At the age of twenty, Frank came
to the United States to attend MIT, and planned to
major in aeronautical engineering. He belonged
to a MIT flying club where he flew small planes.
Later, he discovered that he preferred mechanical
engineering, so he switched his major and earned
his B.S. in three years. Although adept at reading
and writing English, Frank was initially considered
“the quiet one” as he had difficulty speaking
English. Over one summer, Frank and several
other students, attended the Wellesley Institute for
Foreign Students to improve their English.
Frank Stefansson
After graduation from MIT, Frank returned
to Iceland for two and a half years. Iceland
differs from the United States in that the winter
temperatures are warmer than in New England.
Water comes from geo-thermal springs. During
the winter months, there are only about four to
five hours of daylight, but in the summer, there is
light almost around the clock. Despite the short
growing season, a variety of crops are grown,
including potatoes and carrots, as well as many
wild flowers. Iceland is self-sufficient in the
production of meat, dairy products and eggs. Also,
many people raise sheep, horses and cattle.
While in Iceland, Frank married his wife, Anna and
in 1953, they moved to the United States and had
three children: Rosa, Hilmar and Frank, Jr. They
eventually settled in Walpole where Frank lived
for fifty-two years. He worked at the Bird-Johnson
Company as chief engineer, and his nickname was
“007” because he was the seventh employee hired
by the company.
Frank is well-traveled and he has visited several
countries, including Sweden, France, Germany,
Thailand and Singapore. Now he enjoys reading
books and playing bridge and chess. In Iceland he
related that chess is almost considered a national
sport.
Frank’s father was also a man of many interests.
Initially, he studied cabinet making in Denmark,
but because cabinet making was not profitable at
that time, he became a diver who repaired boats
underwater. His father also worked on a rescue
team, an extremely dangerous job since ships
and boats did not have today’s sophisticated
equipment. When his father retired, he took up
oil painting and woodworking. Frank has some of
his father’s paintings of Iceland in his apartment
along with some charming hand-carved wooden
horses he made.
Frank has lived at the Scandinavian Living
Center for about six months. He enjoys the warm
and pleasant atmosphere here and the personal
attention he receives from the helpful staff.
–Marilyn Seaburg
SCSGB Board Member
page –Alie Mahar
Activities Assistant
Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
through scholarships and various projects with a
Swedish connection. It has over 8,000 members in
76 local areas, in 34 countries, on six continents.
SWEA
O
n the third Wednesday morning of each
month, residents look forward to a special
treat offered at the Scandinavian Living
Center. That is when the ladies of SWEA (Boston
Chapter) appear with their delicious home-baked
desserts – cookies, pies, tarts and cakes – and serve
them in the Kaffestuga. Anyone who has even the
slightest sweet tooth cannot walk by the counter
without sampling a piece or two, or even a whole
plate, of goodies. It is a wonderful social hour
during which the SWEA members, who are truly
interested in the lives of those who live here, sit
and talk with everyone. They have been visiting
for over two decades, starting back in the former
Swedish Home. Fortunately for everyone, this
special tradition continues to this day under the able
direction of Guje Roos. The Scandinavian Living
Center recently held a luncheon to thank all of the
volunteers and to present each one with a special gift
for their many years of dedication and service.
SWEA, Swedish Women’s Educational Association,
is a global non-profit organization for Swedishspeaking women here and abroad who gather to
enjoy their Swedish language, background and
culture. Its mission is to preserve the Swedish
language and to support and share Swedish culture
and traditions. SWEA also provides a network of
personal and professional contacts for its members
throughout the world. SWEA supports education
page The Boston Chapter was founded in 1985. Each
year, they offer scholarships totaling $6,000 to
one or two deserving female undergraduate or
graduate students at a New England college or
university who wish to pursue studies or a work/
study program in Sweden for at least one semester.
Special research projects in Sweden relating to
Swedish culture and society are also encouraged.
Applicants are not required to speak Swedish to
be considered. The annual luncheon at which the
scholarship recipients are announced is held at the
Living Center each May.
Since 1988, SWEA Boston has awarded 28
scholarships for studies in Sweden. These
scholarships are made possible through donations
and the annual fundraiser, Swedish Yuletide, which
celebrates the holiday season with true Swedish
traditions. The fair is held each December at the
Cyclorama in Boston.
“Tusen Tak” (a thousand thanks) to the women
of SWEA who enrich the Scandinavian Living
Center.
–Carol Chudnofsky
SLC Marketing Director
The SWEA ladies visit with the residents
Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
T
Marty Lehman
Watercolors 2006-2011
he Scandinavian Charitable Society is proud
to have an accomplished artist as a member
of the board. Marty Lehman exhibited his
watercolors in the Nordic Hall during the month
of April and over 100 people attended the opening
reception.
Watercolors in the Nordic Hall
Gittan and Marty Lehman at the opening reception
page Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
T
Staff Profile
he Center is fortunate to have Stacey
Christie on staff as our Activities Director
for the past nine years. Just check out the
calendar of activities to see that the Scandinavian
Living Center is an enriching and fun-filled place to
live.
Stacey tries her best to keep residents active
throughout the day. From musical programs to
group stretch, cultural events, lectures, board, card
and Wii computer games, yoga, movies, current
events, book groups, birthday celebrations and
outside trips, Stacey is always in search of activities
that people will participate in and enjoy.
She has seen many residents change over time from
shy and reserved individuals to social butterflies,
always looking for the next thing to do and
encouraging others to join them. It is not unusual
to see people going from one activity to the next,
making them feel more energetic and content with
their lives. Most of the activities at the Center are
open to the community as well, which is part of our
mission.
Stacey grew up in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and
still lives there with her husband, Billy (her high
school sweetheart) and their 8-year old dog, Greta.
She always knew that she wanted to work with
older adults because of the close relationship she
had with her grandparents, particularly with her
grandfather who taught her many important things
and instilled in her a deep respect and admiration
for seniors. At the age of 15, she volunteered
with her grandmother at the Chelmsford Senior
Center where they helped with activities in the
Social Day Program. She volunteered as a hospital
candy striper in a transitional care unit, mostly
visiting older adults to cheer them up, and provided
transportion to them as well.
She graduated from Assumption College in
Worcester, Massachusetts with a B.A. in Sociology
and a concentration in Gerontology – at that time,
a new program offered by the school. During her
college years, she had several jobs related to older
adults. She worked in a nursing home kitchen as a
Stacey Christie, Director of Activities
dietary aide as well as in the Social Day Program
sponsored by the city of Worcester, helping with
activities at six of their off-site locations.
Her college internship involved research related
to R.S.V.P. (Retired Senior Volunteer Program),
where she investigated whether people’s former
professions made them want to continue in that
field on a volunteer basis, i.e., a former teacher
choosing to volunteer to work with children or as
a tutor. Stacey found that, in most cases, they did
volunteer in the same field.
After graduation, Stacey worked as a part-time
Program Director for Chelmsford’s Social Day
Program followed by eight years as an Activities
Assistant at Brookhaven at Lexington Nursing
and Rehabilitation. She came to the Scandinavian
Living Center in 2002 because it was a wonderful
opportunity to direct the activities’ department of a
top-notch organization.
She enjoys working at the SLC because she is
able to interact with residents on a day-to-day
basis and help them maintain their independence,
develop their interests and keep them mentally and
physically active. Her goals are to get people out
of their apartments, achieve an active lifestyle and
embrace their differences, which seem to be more
manageable in a small community like ours. She
finds that the residents are well connected to each
other.
Once each month, Stacey runs a Resident Council
meeting for residents where they can voice
page Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
different issues and concerns and address any
problems that come up. It is also an opportunity
for her to discuss upcoming events and any changes
that may be occurring. In addition, Stacey attends
many off-site seminars to keep up with the latest
information in senior living.
Nothing makes Stacey happier than seeing a
“seasoned” resident lead a new resident to an
activity, helping them integrate into the SLC
community. She is always open to new ideas and
hopes that those who live here make the most of all
the opportunities the Center has to offer.
Children’s Program
Astrid Lindgren and other
Nordic Children’s Authors
June 12, 2011
2:15 - 4 p.m.
All elementary school children
–Carol Chudnofsky
SLC Director of Marketing
are invited to come and play
old-fashioned games, make crafts
and learn about Nordic children’s
authors. Free treats, participation
certificates and book prizes.
The program is free and
everyone is welcome.
Norwegian violinist Ricardo Odriozola and
pianist Einar Røttingen from the Grieg Institute
gave a concert to a full house in February
Nils Lundin has entertained at the Scandinavian Living Center
for 5 decades. Suzanne Frederick and Sally Wadman sang with
the residents on a Tuesday in April
page This program is made possible by a grant from
the Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation
Scandinavian Living Center Newsletter
Gift Appeal
q I/We are pleased to make a donation in the amount of $_____.
q I/We are pleased to make a pledge to pay $_____ monthly for a year. Please add credit card information below.
I/We wish to support: q General Fund q Johansen Resident Subsidy Fund q Cultural Programs q Nordic Cultural Fund for Children
Payment Information
Please make checks payable to “The Scandinavian Charitable Society,” use a credit card, or make your
donation online at www.scandinaviancharitable.org. Your gift is tax deductible.
q Visa q MasterCard Credit Card #__ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ - __ __ __ __
Name as it appears on credit card: __________________________________Exp. Date: ____/__
month/year
Name:____________________________________________________________________________
Address:__________________________________________________________________________
City:_____________________________________ST:_____________Zip:_____________________
Telephone: ________________________________Email: _________________________________
q Check here if this is a new address.
Clip and send to the Scandinavian Charitable Society of Greater Boston at the address below.
Questions? Please call Inger Nielsen at 617.527.6566.
The Scandinavian Living Center
206 Waltham Street
West Newton, MA 02465
Visit the Kaffestuga
for original and tasty stuff!
FPO
ADDRESS
SERVICE
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