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In early May, 2021, Sally Barott, Shafer, met with the Lindström Park Board to ask them to support a new idea she had for Karl Oskar Days. The idea --- fly the Swedish Flag during Karl Oskar Days on the large flag pole at the Lindström Lakeview Motel.  Owner of the motel, Richard Berget, gave permission and the plans moved forward.  Another good reason to fly the flag --- it is the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Visit from the King and Queen of Sweden in 1996 for the Swedish Immigration Jubilee year. The Royal Visit started at the Moberg Statue in Chisago City and then to Lindström and Nya Duvemåla, Karl Oskar House location on Glader Blvd. (FYI, Sally has written a letter to Their Majesties telling them about the large Swedish Flag honoring their visit, which will be flown July 7-11 for Karl Oskar Days, and every year after, just at Karl Oskar Days.) Then stored at Lindström City Hall.

The next phase was to fund raise  for the flag and get Swedish contacts in place to help make it all happen.  Sally raised the funds through a number of donors she contacted.  A total of $1,040.00 was raised.  Friends, Helmer Olafsson from Växjö, Sweden and Ewa and Anders Rydåker from Väddö, Sweden stepped up to go to the premiere flag company Engelbrektson & Co. Flaggfabrik AB, in Stockholm, Sweden to order the flag, pay for it in Swedish Krowns, and have it shipped here via UPS. The flag arrived at Lindström City Hall on June 9th safe and sound. Tack så mycket Helmer, Ewa and Anders, we couldn't have done it without you! They have been reimbursed for their flag and UPS costs from the funds raised.  The extra funds from the donations were given to Pauline Hinsch, coordinator of the Karl Oskar Days, City of Lindström for 2021 events that need funding.

On Friday, June 25th we organized the people who donated to the flag purchase and other City Officials for this picture. The people in this photo are: (no particular order), Rusty Johnson, Boy Scout Troop #159 Leader, Miranda Olson, City of Lindström, Pam Noreen Deimel, Jackie Stenson, Kevin Stenson, Mayor of Lindström, Laurie Burington, Lindström City Council, Arild and Betty Hagberg, Pauline Hinsch, Chloe Zupko, Miss Karl Oskar Days Ambassador, Bill Straub, Boy Scout Troop #159 Leader, Richard D. Berget, Sr., owner of the Lakeview Motel and flag pole, Betty Bourasa, Carol and Norm Runeberg, Jill Behnke, Mayor of Center City, Linda Merkel, Lindström City Council, Carol Dahlquist and Sally Barott. Special thanks to Matt Silver and the Chisago County Press for taking this photo, and running it in the Press.  
 
It's a large flag. It is 26 ft. x 15 ft.  It will be raised on Tuesday evening, July 6th at 7:00 pm at the Lakeview Motel flag pole by the local Boy Scout Troop #159 and their leaders, and some former Scouts who were at the King and Queen's visit to the Glader Cemetery in 1996. They helped the King place a wreath on the graves of the Gladers. The County Press will also be there to take another photo of the flag flying for Karl Oskar Days and the Boy Scouts. If you would like to be there, please be aware of Hwy. 8 traffic and/or walk there safely to view.  Take a video too and give it to the County Historical Society for historical reasons.  By the way, make sure you stop in at the County Historical Society, main street Lindström for the display of the King and Queen of Sweden's  Visit, and the Vilhelm Moberg display, and the Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (former ABBA members) display/visit here in the fall of 1996 during the Swedish Immigration Jubilee celebration. They brought their musical, "Kristina, från Duvemåla" to the Chisago Lakes High School October 13th, 1996 with the four original stars. The displays will be there July 8, 9, 10 from 10 am to 4 pm.  Pick up a County Society newsletter that features the pictures too. Some good treats too.

A special "Tack så Mycket" to all of the flag donations from these people: Richard D. Berget, Sr., Sally Barott, Friends of the Karl Oskar House, Bill Straub (Boy Scout Troop #159), Carol Dahlquist, Steve and Chris Dahlberg, Bill and Barb Young, Betty Bourasa, Debby Barott Peterson, Patrick Barott Wiler, Brittany Barott Wiler, Carol and Norm Runeberg, Nancy and Vince Schoon, Norma Magnuson, Cyndy and Bob Pessagno, Lucy and Mal Maloney, and Helen at Engelbrektson & Co. Flaggfabrik AB, you all made it happen!

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