Smoky Valley High hosted the girls' regional tennis tournament Friday and Saturday in Lindsborg.
Fika and Friends
An old-world tradition is still giving friends in Little Sweden a reason to fika.
“My grandparents especially would have cookies and coffee and sometimes cheese and crackers, midafternoon. It’s what fika is: spending time together and having something to eat and something to drink and taking a break in the afternoon.” Connecting people to the rich culture of the area is part of what Lindsborg Community Library Director Suzanna Swenson does through books. A collection of Scandinavian resources, cookbooks and genealogy line the shelves.
What began as a summer reading program with 200 borrowed books in 1960 has grown into a full-service library that houses more than 30,000 books, movies, magazines, interlibrary loan, and free internet. Though fines were originally 2 cents per day, the library now loans items without late charges but does accept donations. Because of the generosity of the community and some municipal funding, the library collection continues to expand, serving a wider variety of ages and interests. A group of volunteers, the Friends of the Lindsborg Library (FoLL), helps promote and fund the library's summer reading program, educational movie licensing, and additional special projects via the annual spring book sale and patron membership.
"Fika has been more of a thing lately in Lindsborg," Swenson said. Judging by the lingering crowds at nearby coffee shops like Blacksmith Roastery, Courtyard Bakery & Kafe, The White Peacock, and various restaurants, the tradition of enjoying fika together stands strong.
Makers Street
Molding clay into pottery isn’t a precise process that’s measured in a lab. “Yeah, I’m real scientific, I just eyeball it and go,” artist Phyll Klema said with a smile as she shared some of the techniques she’s been using to make pottery come to life for 40 years.
Klema was in Lindsborg during the Makers Street event in May and teaches pottery courses during the week in Salina. “I tell my students not to be afraid and to experiment with their craft,” she said. Klema added that being an artisan has always been in her DNA. “I always wanted to be an artist, but my dad told me I would starve.”
Klema now spends her days as a consultant to area businesses while teaching pottery courses four nights a week in the basement of Salina’s Memorial Hall. “I choose to be a functional potter and I’m proud to say I’m a craftsperson.” Those wanting to join Klema’s class at the novice or intermediate level can contact her at 620-791-7843.
During a Makers Street event, author George Frazier shares at Rendezvous Adventure Outfitters about his book The Last Wild Places of Kansas.