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Scandinavian-American and Rural Humor Books

Books about Farm Life, Small Town Life, the Midwest, and Scandinavian-Americans

       Featuring the Heartwarming Humor of "Those Lutheran Ladies"      Tell a Friend

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Music and Videos


St. Olaf Choir - Christmas in NorwaySt. Olaf Choir - A St. Olaf Christmas in Norway

 In 2005, the renowned St. Olaf Choir recorded A St. Olaf Christmas in Norway with the Nidarosdomens Jentekor and esteemed soloist Randi Stene in Trondheim, Norway. The recording honors Norway's 100 years of independence and celebrates the historic and cutural connections between St. Olaf College and the country of Norway. Available in CD format

CD - 6    $16.98

Can We Have Christmas Now?Can We Have Christmas Now? (CD) Sari & Mari Kaasinen

Sari and Mari Kaasinen are among the best-known singers of folk songs in Finland and are founding members of the group, Värttinä. On this CD, they present 11 of their favorite Finnish Christmas songs--both original and traditional--with arrangements by Timo Alakotila and other great players from the Finnish folk music world. While the lyrics and style are definitely Finnish, the universal spirit of Christmas shines through. As many of these songs remind the sisters of their childhood, a child's sense of wonder and excitement can be felt throughout, as expressed in the title "Can We Have Christmas Now?" Sari completes the album with a special version of "Silent Night" on the Finnish harp, the kantele.

CD - 2 (CD)   $15.00

A Swedish ChristmasA Swedish Christmas (CD) Anne-Charlotte and Ellen Harvey


Anne-Charlotte Harvey and her daughter, Ellen, sing songs for a traditional Santa Lucia festival, as well as favorite songs for dancing around the Christmas Tree. The 20 songs include: Sankta Lucia; Hej, tomtegubbar; Stille natt, Hellige natt; Julpolska--nu har vi ljus; När juldagsmorgon glimmar; and others. Newly available on CD format.

CD - 3     (CD) $17.95


Tusen JulelysTusen Julelys (CD) Oslo Gospel Choir
Princess Märtha Louise, guest soloist

This beautiful CD from the Oslo Gospel Choir includes 12 traditional and contemporary Norwegian Christmas favorites, such as Glade jul, O Helga natt, Det kimer nå til julefest, Nå tennes tusen julelys, Mitt hjerte alltid vanker, En krybbe var vuggen, Delig er jorden, and others. It also features a solo by Princess Märtha Louise on Det lyser I stille grender. Imported from Norway.

CD - 4      (CD) $21.95

CD - 6    $16.98

Vikings: The Book & CD That Work TogetherVikings: The Book and CD That Work Together  by Interfact

Can you write in "runes"? Have you explored a Viking village? Have you ever played Viking games? This Interfact set gives you a chance to do these things and more, and it's a great way to learn. The CD ROM has 15 hours of activities, games and on-screen adventures and runs on both PCs with Windows and Apple Macintosh. The book is loaded with more fascinating information and highlighted with lots of full-color illustrations and photos.
For ages
7-12.
V2 - 02 $14.95


Those Lutheran Ladies: Live at MedoraThose Lutheran Ladies: Live at Medora

Recorded live in 1998 at the Medora Musical which is held each summer in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in Western North Dakota.  Go to 'Those Lutheran Ladies.'

Available on CD

CA2 - 10      $7.95


Growing Up Lutheran CD

Growing Up Lutheran Sound Versions
Read by authors Suzann Nelson & Janet Martin

Authors Nelson & Martin read an abridged version of their bestselling book, Growing Up Lutheran, in their natural Norwegian-American brogues.  Chapters are introduced with excerpts from familiar Lutheran hymns. In other words, there are no hymns from the green hymnal or With One Voice.  Truckers can shoot right across Kansas or Montana when they listen to this, and people in the hospital can shoot right through the day...unless they have had stitches.  In the case of stitches, the authors recommend the book version.  Why get sewn up again? The doctor has better things to do, like finding a cure for hot flashes.

CDs: Three hours, three compact discs, 180 minutes.      Aud-CD     $19.95

DelafieldDelafield (VHS format)
Mark Brodin, producer/director

"Way to make me bawl out loud--all alone--on a Saturday night! When something evokes emotion in this old Norwegian Lutheran body, you know you have something that hits close to the heart. This is an absolutely beautiful, touching documentary." 
                                         An email from Suzann Nelson to the producer of the video.


It is apparent that this video was not made by someone simply assigned a job. . . and it wasn't. Mark Brodin, producer and director, is a former member of the Delafield Evangelical Lutheran Church (and current sound engineer for Church Basement Ladies.)  Brodin's concern and love for the people of the area come through clearly in this wonderful, but sad, story that centers on the parallel between the changing farm economy and the decline of the Delafield Church's population.



Founded in the 1870s by Norwegian immigrant farmers who were seeking to raise crops, families and community, they placed their most loved building in their most loved spot--a church in the middle of a cornfield. For the next 125 years, Delafield provided spiritual and social sustenance and continuity to subsequent generations. That continuity was broken in 1998 when the small congregation decided to disband and give away their beloved building.

Although this story takes place in southwestern Minnesota, it is relevant to rural areas throughout the Midwest, and viewers unfamiliar with this geographic region will recognize the pain and struggle of the dwindling membership as the people face the hard reality of change.

This video, which aired on many public television stations in 2002, would be a great gift for anyone who grew up in rural areas, and a wonderful donation to church libraries.

V2-05 Video $29.99
 


Church Basement Ladies CDChurch Basement Ladies      CD of the Music
Original Cast Recording


Drew Jansen, lyricist and composer, wrote all the music for this new musical comedy based on Nelson and Martin's books. Recorded in August 2005, just prior to the opening of the play, vocals are by the original cast: Greta Grosch, Janet Paone, Dorian Chalmers, Ruthie Baker, and Tim Drake. Keyboards, for this CD, are performed by Drew Jansen who is also musical director of the show.

Songs on this CD include: Closer to Heaven, The Pale Food Polka, Get Down to Business, Song for Willie, My Own Personal Island, Dead Spread, The Cities, This is Most Certainly True, Sing a New Song, Mother of the Bride, and For Good.

$15.95 CD - CBL

Order by using the 'Place an Order' form or you may order by phone (800 494-9124).  For payment and shipping charges, see 'Place an Order.'