President's Message

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Dear Friends and Members of WAHS,

Syttende Mai for WAHS was back and full steam ahead! The lefse was made by Clinton and Beverly Bagstad; Borgen's cooked the pølse; and, the lefse house was set up! We saw so many great people who returned to Syttende Mai on May 14 & 15! It was great to see so many return customers!

The Thoreson House Museum was open with the new displays we have been working on during the pandemic.  Norwegian heritage, Syttende Mai, ski jumping, tobacco, and local businesses were all new featured displays. 2017 American Ski Jumping Hall of Famer Rande Lunde was at the museum all day to share his experiences as a judge at the 2002 Salt Lake Olympics and at the Oslo Holmenkollen! We had so many great comments about the new displays!

The 2022 Grandmother of the Year was chosen and was a BIG surprise for everyone! Holly Phillips and the nominating student, Dominic Tucker, were formally introduced in the Westby Felleskap on Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 am.  They were interviewed by Syttende Mai filmmaker Ken Manning just before they walked in the Kiddie Parade. They also appeared in the Big Parade on Sunday, May 15. Big smiles all around told us they were having fun!

Also, be sure to put July 30 on your calendar! Sweet Rides & Sweet Pies will be bigger than ever and plans are underway for a fantastic event. The weather has already guaranteed us it will cooperate so mark your calendar to see all the great vehicles that will be on display and, of course,  eat a delicious piece of pie!

Blaine Hedberg

WAHS President

Photo on top right:  Lefse/pølse is back!

Photo on bottom right:  2017 American Ski Jumping Hall of Fame Inductee Randy Lunde