A bit of
nostalgia mixed with unseasonable rain last weekend as Solvang celebrated
Danish Days, “Solvang: Can You Remember When”. But no amount of ominous clouds
or fat raindrops could keep the revelers away from the festivities. Friday, the
weekend’s events opened with a torchlight parade, followed by the opening
ceremonies, where the 2007 Danish Maid, Kristine Hanberg,
was officially presented.
Saturday,
Solvang Park was packed with craft and food booths, and folks crowded
Copenhagen Drive for the traditional Aebleskiver
breakfast; there an assembly line of traditionally dressed men and women rolled
and turned thousands of the delicious Danish pastries served with raspberry jam
and powdered sugar. Later the Elverhøj Museum hosted
a Danish weaving demonstration, and on Sunday the children had their own
parade.
Of course, it
wouldn’t be Danish Days without Hans Christian Andersen, played this year by Randel McGee. The Solvang Village Folk Dancers could be
spotted here, there and everywhere twirling and parading two-by-two to
traditional music. The Solvang Village Band and Solvang Village Singers also
performed, and the historical reënactment group,
Raven of Odin, made an appearance as the rough-and-tumble Solvang Vikings.
For
more information visit www.solvangusa.com or call (805) 686-9386.
Animal Rescue Team, Inc.
Raises Funds at the Maverick Saloon
Rocky, the
brindle pit-bull that has recently made the news due to his harrowing rescue
from an allegedly abusive Solvang home, was center
stage on Sunday September 23rd as Ambassador for Dogs at the Animal Rescue Team
Inc. fund raiser for abused and neglected animals. Thanks to Julia Di Sieno, founder of Animal Rescue Team Inc., Rocky has become
a cause celebre for animal rights and abuse awareness
on the central coast. Di Sieno runs a rehabilitation
program for all types of animals and takes in countless injured or abused
animals every year.
An estimated
300-400 people crowded the Maverick Saloon for the fund raiser, where guests
enjoyed a silent auction, Big Tom’s Backyard B-B-Q and music by Wil Ridge and Guy and by and the band, Close to You.
Beate Wolfe and her rescued Jack Russell
Terrier, Bodie, were on hand to support the cause.
According to
Di Sieno, all proceeds from Sunday’s fund raiser will
go towards the purchase of a much-needed, retired county Animal Control
vehicle, which Di Sieno plans to use for animal
rescues and roadside pickups of injured animals. “We are still in need of
donations to make this happen.” Di Sieno said.
Animal Rescue
Team, Inc. 3861 Stadium Drive, Solvang, CA 93463
inforequest@animalrescueteam.net, 805-896-1859.