#24 The Danish Pioneer’s Countdown to Christmas 2013: ‘The Knight Before Christmas’ at The Danish Home of Chicago
Christmas is a special time at The Danish Home of Chicago, and The Danish Pioneer Newspaper staff had the honor of being invited to Lillejuleaften (Little Christmas Eve) at The Danish Home on Monday, December 23, 2013. There was also a special visitor greeting guests at the door, namely “The Knight Before Christmas”.
The new Knight, Sir Galahad, at The Danish Home of Chicago. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
More than 120 residents, family and guests enjoyed the festive holiday evening, which began with a church service in the upstairs living room.
Residents and guests filled the living room, and participants in the worship service included pianist Joyce Kissinger, Preacher Pastor Kenneth Stangeland, Danish Gospel Reader Peter Orum and English Gospel Reader April Pasquale.
Participants enjoyed singing Christmas hymns, such as “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World”.
Then, residents, family and friends adjourned to the beautifully-decorated dining room for the Danish holiday dinner.
The festively-decorated dining room. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
Scott Swanson, President/CEO of The Danish Home of Chicago, bid welcome.
Paul Roge, Vice Chairman of The Danish Association, gave the invocation.
Greetings and heartfelt thanks for the past year were given by Jeff Anderson, President of The Danish Association, Shar Roge, President of the Women’s Auxiliary, and Edna McLain, President of The Danish Home Residents’ Council.
The tremendous support of The Danish Home of Chicago and its residents is truly outstanding, and The Danish Home has a remarkable, generous and strong community of new and longtime volunteers, hardworking staff, engaged residents, dedicated board members and caring family & friends.
Guests enjoyed a traditional Danish holiday dinner of pork roast with rind (flæskesteg med svær) and duck along with potatoes & gravy, red cabbage and ris a’ la mande for dessert.
Kransekage for dessert (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer)
One guest, one resident and one staff member all had a chance to get an almond in their dessert and win a mandelgave (a goodie bag filled with a marzipan pig and various chocolates).
The evening ended with time to relax in the gathering room for gløgg, cookies, kransekage, dancing around the Christmas tree and visiting with family and friends.
NEW THIS YEAR was the addition of “The Knight Before Christmas”, a construction and painting project that the Activity Department’s Ed Lim and The Danish Home residents had been working on for two months.
Sir Galahad (Photo courtesy of The Danish Pioneer Newspaper)
The huge “Sir Galahad” created at The Danish Home’s “Newcastle Armory” greeted visitors at the entrance and was a festive sight to see with its detail and fine workmanship.
Be sure to sign up for “The Hope Chest”
Be sure to follow along with another new project that The Danish Home of Chicago, its staff, residents and volunteers are working on. The Danish Home has recently introduced a new blog project, entitled “The Hope Chest”. You can follow along or sign up at http://danishhomeofchicago.org/TheHopeChest/
Merry Christmas and Happy 2014 from The Danish Home of Chicago!
The Danish Home of Chicago is decorated for the holidays. (Photo courtesy of The Danish Home)
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