Our 100th Trinity Lutheran Church celebration began with a fish boil Saturday evening, June 19, at the Movalson garage. An eight-foot midsummer pole, constructed by David Movalson, greeted guests as they arrived. Charlie Movalson, Andy Movalson, Eric Movalson, and Zach Movalson all had a hand in the decorating. Dave Movalson, Jr. was the official photographer, preserving memories of the event for posterity. Sixty-four Trinity members and their families, along with visiting pastors and guests, partook of a specialty of Ernie Gustafson and Tom Gustafson, boiled whitefish with potatoes, carrots, and onions, topped with drawn butter. Dessert was homemade pie baked by the ladies of the church. Bishop Emeritus Dale and Jo Skogman of Gladstone, Pastor Philemon and Joan Anderson of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Pastor Herb and Linda Kitzman of Hubbard Lake, Interim Pastor Lisa Stenmark of California, and Pastor Ted and Joan Johansson of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, were honored guests. A good time was had by all. Our pastors were hosted by Sharon Smith of the Brevort Motel and Sharon and Joe Chalmers at the condominium.

Former Trinity pastor Philemon Anderson (left) and his wife Joan, check Ernie Gustafson’s (right) fish boil. In Aland, midsummer is celebrated by raising the midsummer pole, feasting, and dancing during the longest day of the year. In Brevort, we do much the same. We gather at the church shortly after noon and start tying leaves to string on the midsummer pole already adorned with the crowns, boats, propeller, rooster, and a figure representing humanity on the very top, God’s highest creation. The pole is raised, then we enjoy a potluck dinner with Swedish meatballs prepared under the careful attention of Pega Kennedy and the Lutheran women of Trinity. There was potato sausage, smoked fish, hot dishes, salads, and desserts. It’s the normal fare at a midsummer potluck in Brevort.

After dinner the pole was raised and the linch pin pounded by many of the fifth and sixth generations of the original settlers.

Pastor Tom Skrenes addressed the gathering, as did Pastor Philemon Anderson, Pastor Jon Magnuson, interim Pastor Lisa Stenmark, and Pastor Jeremy Winter. Many fond memories were shared, some via letters from those who could not attend. Dolores Riege told of the times she and Dave Riege spent at Trinity in Brevort that were some of the happiest of their life together. Pastor Leonard Johnson recalled chasing the Movalson’s pony down US-2 on Memorial Day. The pony had discharged the Johnsons’ daughter rather suddenly and headed for the wide open spaces. Other letters were read with wonderful rememberances of Trinity and the congregation.

The centennial quilt was raffled off and Pastor Tari Stage-Harvey was the lucky winner. The beautiful quilt was pieced by Nancy Smith and quilted by hand by Sharon Smith.

Kurt Dewhurst and Marsha MacDowell from Michigan State University were on hand to present the 2010 Michigan Heritage Award to the Swedish-American community of Brevort. All Swedish-Americans gathered at the pavilion. Dave Movalson, representing the group, accepted the award from Marsha MacDowell. Dave thanked Michigan State University Museum for the honor. The community is greatly appreciative of the recognition. Marsha then took the award back, as they will present it again at the Folk Festival at the university in August. A delegation from Brevort will be on hand for the presentation ceremony.

Dave Movalson, Jr. contacted the Consule General of Sweden in Detroit to inform him of our celebration. Lennart Johansson said he was sorry he could not make the trip but did send greetings on behalf of the government of Sweden, congratulating us on our 100th anniversary. He wrote that it is “formidable and impressive” that we have kept this church alive after all these years. “You should be very proud,” he wrote. We are.

Pega Kennedy was the festival chairperson and has had the plan in her mind for two years. Anyplace you looked Sunday you would see something Pega and her husband, John, had implemented. Smaller midsummer poles decorated the tables, as well as Swedish flags. The tables were covered with the colors, blue, yellow, and red of the Aland flag. Colorful flowerpots filled with red, blue, and yellow flowers were set about on the tables. We had commemorative Tshirts printed with the midsummer pole and Trinity Church. We sold out immediately but will order more if we get orders. To order, call me at (906) 292-5581 or Pega Kennedy at (906) 292- 5633.

Tracy Movalson was dressed in the dress typical of the province, Sund, in the Aland Island, where her great-grandfather, Axel Movalson, was born and grew up. Gary Calvin of Cedarville was also dressed in his Swedish attire.

Folk dancers of Marquette were on hand to close the program with Scandinavian dances from Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. A great number of people of Trinity, friends, relatives, and neighbors all worked very hard to make this anniversary come to fruition. The list of jobs was long and they all got done. It was a great day, a long day, I thought as I walked along Fisherman’s Drive, and it was still light at close to 10 p.m. It’s wonderful to live in Brevort, where the robins start singing at 4:30 a.m.