The Grand Mound Rochester Citizen's Group is sponsoring the Annual Swede Day Midsommer Queen Pageant and Coronation on Saturday, May 21st at Swede Hall located at 18543 Albany Stree SW., Rochester. This year, we have four Rochester High School Juniors participating, Ms. Sarah Johnson; Ms. Laura Moyer; Ms. Margaret Doelman, Ms. Cathy Elkins. The Pageant starts at 6:30 PM with the traditional Strwberry Shortcake and finalizing with the Crowning of the 2005 Swede Day Queen. Information: Call and leave name and phone number at 360-273-7974, or email swedehall@aol.com. Thank you, Henry Edinger, Trustee N E W S L E T T E R The Grand Mound Rochester Citizen's group and Cahmber of Commerce are sponsoring the 2005 Swede Day Midsommer Festival on Saturday, June 18th This year, we are celebrating the Sesquicentennial of Fort henness. The Scandinavian Celebration will be mixed with the History of Washington State with a Museum Displays at Swede Hall, and three tours to several of the historical sites of Grand Mound Rochester area. The day will start at swede Hall located at 18543 Albany Street SW with Security State bank, Thoerbeck's, And Thurston County parks Fun Run at 8:00 AM. The Centralia Kiwanis will be serving a Pancake Breakfast at Swede hall at 8:00 AM. Many food and craft vendors will be surrounding Swede Hall. The Annual Lion's Club /Sterling Bank Parade will start at 11:00 AM at the Rochester Junior High School on US Highway 12, proceed west to Albany street and conclude at Swede hall. This year's Marshals, Cliff and Sharon Miller will lead the procession. The centralia City Historical Society Trolly will shuttle Fesival Goers between the Parade Staging area, and Swede Hall before and after the parade. Scandinavian Dancers will join the Nordic Exposure at the front of Swede hall for the annual Lucky Eagle Casino MASJSTING Dancing. The Entertainment continues as they dance into the main hall for more Scandinavian Folk Dancing followed by Yvonne Ruege and the Independence Valley Players. Master Cheryl French with her Kim's (tm) TaeKwon Do will do karate demonstrations. The Northwest dancers perform followed by more Scandinavian Dancing. Hinkle Homes/Laidlaw Educations Services will have Fort Henness Tours at 12:30 - 1:30 - 2:30 starting at Swede Hall. The tour includes documents informing about the History of the Area starting with Township Road to the Fort Henness site. They will tour the Historical Pioneer cemetery, The Miller-Brewer House, First Woman Voter Plaque, Oregon Trail Monument, Sunshine Hall, Grand Mound memorial, 1884 Samuel James, and order or Ruinberg (Swede) Hall. For more information please contact GRRCG at 360-273-7974 msg, andmleave name and phone number, or email swedhall@aol.com. The Grand Mound Rochester Citizens' Group sponsors Dances at Swede Hall located at 18543 Albany Street S.W. the First and Third Sunday of every Month from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Music by the Band of Gold. $ 5.00 Donation at the Door. Refreshments are Available. The GMRCG has regular meeting every Second and Fourth Tuesday of every Month at 7:30 PM at Swede Hall. Everyone is welcome to attend. The GMRCG is always looking for Volunteers that would like to help with the Monthly Dances, Swede Day Midsommar in June, Lucia Queen of Light Celebration in December and the annual Thanksgiving Weekend Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair & Rummage Sale in November. Swede Hall is located at 18543 Albany Street SW in Rochester. Phone is 360.273.7974, fax 360.273.7082 & e-mail swedehall@aol.com. To view photos of our Swede Day Queen and Court during the Swede Day Midsommar Coronation and Pageant and the Lucia Celebration go to http://sky-pics.com/swedehall/html/index.html. Swede Day Midsommar Court can be contacted by e-mail swededaycourt@hotmail.com. The Swede Day Midsommar Queen Laura Hutchinson will be the Lucia in the Annual Lucia Queen of Light Celebration to be held on Saturday 13 December 2003. Her attendants Megan Browder, Samantha Nichols and Saundra Schaefer will join her in the traditional Scandinavian Pageant along with children from Grand Mound Rochester dressed in the Star Boy and Ginger Bread Costumes. The Children decorate the Festival Tree at 4:00 PM and the Julbord starts at 5:00PM. Cost for Adults $7.00 Children 6-12 $4.00 and Child under 6 free. Traditional Scandinavian Foods followed by the Rice Pudding with Lingonberries. The Pageant starts at 6:00 PM and is free to the Public. Information contact 360.273.7974. The GMRCG Community Birthday Calendar is now taking names and birthdates for the 2004 Calendar. This year is the 65th Birthday of Swede Hall and will have a photo of the complex along with the local Merchants Advertisements. Contact the GMRCG before the 15th September 2003. Calendars are $ 5.00 each payable with the order. Information contact 360.273.7974 The GMRCG is looking for vendors that would like to participate in the annual Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair and Rummage Sale to be held on Friday and Saturday the 28th and 29th November 2003. For more information please contact us at 360.273.7974 or e-mail swededaycourt@hotmail.com. We really appreciate your having this web site for the Community of Rochester. Thank you, Henry Edinger Trustee GMRCG The Grand Mound Rochester Citizens' Group have received permission from the WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY for the new printing of the book "A LITTLE HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE VALLEY, WASHINGTON" by Anna Ditch and Hilma England. The project was spear headed by Maurene Smith and persons interested in obtaining a copy of the history of the Valley that runs from Rochester along the Chehalis River can phone 360.273.7974 and leave a message for her or e-mail the Group at swedehall@aol.com. The book has over 49 pages of photos and articles regarding the families and logging companies that settled the Valley. Church and School groups photos fill the pages. The cost is only $ 10.00. One may check out the book at the Timberland Library.. 979.782 DITCH 1976 ... Henry Edinger . GMRCG Trustee