2021 Events

Glögg Party (Members only)

Friday, December 17, 7–10 pm

  • Glögg
  • Swedish cocktail meatballs
  • Risengrød / risgrynsgröt / riisipuuro / rice porridge with cinnamon sugar and butter pat
  • Other light refreshments
  • Cookie swap! Bring the overflow from your holiday baking (along with your recipe or note of potential allergens) and get a variety of different cookies in return. For fun, not competition! Try to bring at least 2 dozen cookies of any one variety. And empty tins for your traded cookies!

Party will be indoors, so please only attend if you’re fully vaccinated.

No need to sign up. We’re not going to run out of glögg. 🙂

Event chairs:
Steve and Catherine


Christmas Market illustration

Experience an Old World Scandinavian Christmas Market

Saturday, December 4, 10 am – 3 pm

  • Artisan vendors both inside and outside
  • Nordic gifts and food
  • Handmade crafts
  • Baked goods
  • Entertainment
  • Lunch
  • Free parking
  • Much more

New this year: Scandinavian candy shop!

The “Swedish Lösgodis” box contains the most common, traditional Swedish loose candy packed in a giftbox for you to share and enjoy.

Also available: Marianne (peppermint covered chocolates), Finnish soft licorice, Marabou Schweizernöt (chopped hazelnuts in milk chocolate), Cloetta Guld Nougat and Norwegian Freia Firkløver milk chocolate.


Braided cardamom bread

Braided Cardamom Bread has been a staple at the Scandinavian Club’s Christmas Market every year. This traditional holiday loaf is a delicious, enriched dough topped with pearl sugar. This puffy braided dough is perfect when paired with warm coffee.

Available for pickup at 10 am on Saturday, Dec 4 at the Christmas Market.


Homemade Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, creamy gravy and lingonberry jam. Side of wilted cucumber salad with dill. Slice of Estonian rye bread with butter. Served in convenient take out container.

Available for pickup at 12 noon on Saturday, Dec 4 at the Christmas Market.


Limited number of homemade VEGAN Swedish “meatballs” (seitan, brown rice, beets, traditional seasonings) with VEGAN mashed potatoes, VEGAN mushroom gravy and VEGAN lingonberry jam. Side of VEGAN wilted cucumber salad with dill. Slice of VEGAN rye bread with VEGAN butter. Served in convenient take out container.

Available at 12 noon. $15


Vendors:


Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, November 10, 8 am – 1 pm

Severe Blood Shortage, Donors Urgently Needed

Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients. Please sign up to give now.

To schedule your appointment visit
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
USE SPONSOR CODE: SCANDINAVIAN


Take it easy and speak Swedish

Svenska Dagen

Saturday, November 6, 5 pm

Third annual Svenska Dagen dinner. This year we’ll be inside again.

Traditional menu
Pea soup
Swedish punsch
Oven pancake

Raffle.

Donation jar.

Event chair: Peter

Today, approximately 5% of the current population in Finland are considered to be Swedish-speaking Finns. This history of Swedish-speaking Finns dates back several centuries to when Finland was under Swedish rule and trade was prominent along the Baltic coast.

The day has been celebrated in Finland since 1908 by the Swedish speakers as “Svenska dagen”. The date was chosen in honor of King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, who was killed on November 6 in 1632 at the Battle of Lützen in the Thirty Years’ War.

Read more on Wikipedia.


Red Cross Blood Drive

Tuesday, October 26, 8 am – 1 pm

Severe Blood Shortage, Donors Urgently Needed

Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients. Please sign up to give now.

To schedule your appointment visit
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
USE SPONSOR CODE: SCANDINAVIAN


Mamma Mia musical

FCS presents MAMMA MIA!

October 15–24, multiple performances

Fairfield Center Stage (FCS), an environmental community theater group, will present an outdoor production of the hit musical comedy MAMMA MIA! with an all-local cast during two weekends in October.

Like the ABBA concert last year at the Club, this performance will also be outdoors on back field with socially distanced lawn square seating.

For more info and tickets, visit https://www.fairfieldcenterstage.org/up-next


Friday Happy Hour

Pavilion

Friday, October 22, 6–9 pm

Weather permitting

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion.

  • Food: Bratwurst
  • Beverages
  • Streaming jukebox (Spotify playlist)
  • Mölkky (and other lawn games)
  • Firebowl
  • Donation jar

Event chair: Carl


Octoberfest – Scandinavian beer tasting

Friday, October 8, 6–8 pm

SOLD OUT!

This extra-special event will have beer expert (and cartoonist) Em Sauter conduct a beer tasting with a Nordic touch – one beer from each of the 5 Nordic countries.

Also, get answers to all your beer-related questions, for example:

  • Is beer best stored in a bottle or a can?
  • Did the Vikings drink beer or mead?
  • What is a fruit lambic?
Scandinavian beers

Food: Genuine Swedish Falukorv baked in the oven with cheese
(since drinking on an empty stomach is not recommended)

Palate cleanser: Freshly baked soft pretzel sticks

Music: Oktoberfest playlist from Spotify

Cost: $25 (Designated drivers free)

This event is not open to the general public. Fully vaccinated members and guests only. Limited to 24 participants. Each participant will be served 4 oz pours of 5 different beers, in addition to food.

Please bring your designated driver.

Em Sauter

Em is an Advanced Cicerone and beer judge who also has a Master of Fine Arts degree in cartooning from The Center for Cartoon Studies in Vermont. She has worked in communications at Two Roads Brewing Company and she is an enthusiastic advocate for brew-related adventures.

Check out Em’s clever blog “Pints and Panels”

Afterwards, Em will be signing her book “Beer is for Everyone” which is available for $20 cash.

It’s a great time for America’s beer drinkers. Craft beer is more popular than ever, and more breweries are cropping up every day. But you can’t tell a pilsner from a bock? An IPA from a witte? Confused by whiskey-like barrel aged beers and crisp, fruity saisons? Are you thirsty, but not sure where to start? Start Here. This book will take you through the main elements that make beer what it is, from malt to hops to water, and introduce you to fantastic brews around the country that highlight the diverse styles and ingredients of the beer world.


Norwegian Krumkake Brunch

Sunday, October 3, 11 am – 1:30 pm

Norwegian Krumkake are thin waffle-like cookies made with a one or two-sided, decorative iron griddle, rolled into cone shapes, and traditionally filled with whipped cream. Mixed berries also available as a topping.

Appetizer: Cheese or gravlax on Estonian rye bread.

Coffee.

Live music by The Undercover Band!

Cost: $10 (Preorder in case we sell out)

Event chairs: Mary and Patty


Blood Drive

Red Cross Blood Drive

Wednesday, September 29, 8 am – 1 pm

Severe Blood Shortage, Donors Urgently Needed

Right now, eligible and healthy donors are strongly urged to make an appointment to provide lifesaving blood products to patients. Please sign up to give now.

To schedule your appointment visit
REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG
USE SPONSOR CODE: SCANDINAVIAN


Friday Happy Hour

Friday, September 24, 6–9 pm

Weather permitting

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion.

  • Beverages
  • Streaming jukebox (Spotify playlist)
  • Mölkky (and other lawn games)
  • Firebowl
  • Donation jar

Venetian Night

Friday, August 27, 6–9 pm

Weather permitting

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion.

  • Food: Hamburgers and hot dogs
  • Beverages
  • Streaming jukebox (Spotify playlist)
  • Mölkky (and other lawn games)
  • Firebowl
  • Donation jar

Event chair: Steve Holm-Hansen


Operation Hope Town-Wide Tag Sale

Sunday, August 8, 9 am – 3 pm

This year, rather than locating their annual tag sale at First Church, Operation Hope is asking friends to host tag sales in their own yards and garages around the Town of Fairfield.

The Scandinavian Club is participating and will sell stuff from the attic as well as provide light refreshments and baked goods for sale. The tag sale is at the Club on 1351 South Pine Creek Road.

Operation Hope at 636 Old Post Road has the list of all the tag sale locations.

Read more on Operation Hope’s page.

Download a PDF listing all the tag sale sites around the town of Fairfield this weekend:

https://operationhopect.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/oh-tag-sale-sites-2021.pdf

Or check out a Google map:


Friday Happy Hour: Swedish Pancakes

Friday, August 6, 6–9 pm

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion.

  • Food: Swedish pancakes with jams and whipped cream
  • Beverages
  • Streaming jukebox (Spotify playlist)
  • Mölkky (and other lawn games)
  • Firebowl
  • Donation jar

Friday Happy Hour

Friday, July 23, 5 – 8 pm

Inauguration of the Club’s new grill
A toast to Carl and Steve for procuring this heavy duty flat top griddle grill station!

Casual get-together under the string lights outside the Picnic Pavilion: Hamburgers, hotdogs, all the fixings, beverages, streaming Spotify jukebox, corn hole, mölkky (or other lawn games), donation jar.

Scandinavian chocolates for sale!

  • Marabou
  • Fazer
  • Cloetta Kex Choklad

Weather forecast looks great! 80℉ and a bit of sun!

Welcome!

Peter and Catherine
Event Chairs


Midsummer Celebration

Saturday, June 26, 5 – 9 pm

Outdoor sit-down dinner at community table for 50 people
(Sunset is at 8:30 pm, so dress in layers)
– Live music
– Fire bowls

Menu:
Appetizer: Pickled herring, gravlax, mustard, Estonian rye bread
Entree: Poached salmon with sauce verte, potatoes, cucumber salad, bread
(Alternative to fish will be available, including vegan option.)
Dessert: Strawberry shortcake, cookies
Included beverages: Aquavit, Swedish Punsch, coffee
Other beverages are BYOB, but also available in limited selection, including non-alcoholic ones.

Cost: $30/person for members. $40/person for non-members. Kids free.

Signup is required. Limited to 50 attendees.

SOLD OUT!

Make your own flower crown and wear it:

For those who would like to practice the singing

“Helan går” by Brahe Djäknar & Florakören:

“Punschen kommer” according to Vasa nation at the University of Helsinki:


Wine tasting with Finnish licorice

Friday, May 14, 6–8 pm

This extra-special event will have wine expert Mira Vojinovic conduct a wine tasting with a Nordic twist. Experience how the texture and flavors of 4 different wines interact with soft, black licorice made by the Finnish company Panda. A perfect pairing will bring out the best aspects of both the wine and the candy.

Also, get answers to all your wine-related questions, for example:

  • What are the reasons behind a harmonious combination between food and wine?
  • Is wine pairing subjective to a specific tastes, or are there hard and fast, science-backed rules to be followed?

Small bites food: Apple and brie flatbread, with vegan option
(since drinking on an empty stomach is not recommended)

Members and guests only. Limited to 24 participants. Each participant will receive a bag of Finnish licorice and 3 oz pours of 4 different wines, in addition to appetizer food.

Cost: $25 (Free for designated drivers)

Mira Vojinovic

Mira is an independent wine consultant with 20 years of experience in the food and wine industry. She holds sommelier certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers and the (WSET2) Level 2 Award in wine from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust.

Mira is better known as VinoGal on the web and Facebook


Artisan Fair

Saturday, May 1, 10 am – 4 pm

  • 25 local fine arts and crafts vendors showcasing handcrafted artistic gifts
  • Free admission and parking
  • Outdoors with appropriate social distancing in place
  • Coffee, tea and a wide variety of delicious food items for sale

Vendors

2Latitude – Adirondack furniture
Beadfreeforever – Jewelry
Deb Owen – Clothing/knitting
Donna Albano – Paintings
Emmy Starr Designs – Jewelry
Erin Deluca – Jewelry
Funky Tulip Glassworks – Glass
Gunksman Creations – Wood objects, cutting boards
Heidi Armster – Wool felt bags
Holm-Hansen Woodturning – Wood bowls and urns
Imaginariums By Elissa – Floral terrariums
Ingrid Vit – Organic skin care
Jason Curtis – Glass
Karen West – Planters
KIS Skincare LLC – Hand made soaps and oils
Lee Skalkos – Jewelry
Patty Church – Ceramics
Siw Potter and Anita Husebaek – Scandinavian knitting
Stephenielauren LLC – Dog leashes & collars
Sven Moller – Scandinavian themed clothing
Swedish School of Connecticut – Misc
Teresa Rainieri – Graphic artwork
TheVinylFlamingo – Vinyl wine glasses, trays, signs
Zoia’s Creations – Air plants, macrame plant hangers


Due to a power outage issue at the Pavilion, this event has been cancelled.

Friday Happy Hour: Queen’s Birthday

Friday, April 16, 6–8 pm

Perhaps it’s warm enough for Friday Happy Hour again?

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark will turn 81 on Friday, April 16!

Food: Æbleskiver (or Ebelskiver) are puffy Danish pancake balls and a traditional Danish dessert.
See details if you like: https://houseofnasheats.com/aebleskiver-danish-pancakes/

  • Outdoors by Picnic pavilion
  • Weather permitting
  • Assorted beverages
  • Danish playlist on Spotify
  • Donation jar

Welcome!

Margrethe II is Queen of Denmark and commander-in-chief of the Danish Defence. Born into the House of Glücksburg, a royal house with origins in northern Germany, she is the eldest child of Frederick IX of Denmark and Ingrid of Sweden. She became heir presumptive to her father in 1953, when a constitutional amendment allowed women to inherit the throne. Margrethe succeeded her father upon his death on 14 January 1972. On her accession, she became the first female monarch of Denmark since Margrethe I, ruler of the Scandinavian kingdoms in 1375–1412 during the Kalmar Union. In 1967, she married Henri de Laborde de Monpezat, with whom she had two sons: Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim.


Swedish Waffle Day

Sunday, March 21, 1 – 3 pm
Outside by Picnic Pavilion

“Våffeldagen” (Waffle Day in Swedish) stems from a mispronunciation. The traditional Feast of the Annunciation, or “Vårfrudagen” (Our Lady’s Day) in Swedish sounds an awful lot like “Våffeldagen”, and so over time, this became less about the conception of Jesus, and more about crispy, delightful waffles.

In earlier times most Swedes were poor, living off the land and coping with a very harsh climate. Late March marked the start of the crop growing season and the increased availability of eggs and milk. As eggs symbolized the start of spring, it became popular to use them to make waffles to celebrate.

We’ll have an array of the traditional Swedish waffle irons that make thin, crispy, heart-shaped waffles.

Served with strawberry jam and sweetened whipped cream.
A variety of beverages available.
Suggested donation $5.

Due to current COVID regulations, we still ask everyone to wear a mask. Thank you.

Welcome!


Semlor

Semlor

Sunday, February 14, 1 – 3 pm

It’s the time of year for “semla” (plural “semlor”) again! These traditional Swedish pastries are fluffy brioche buns with a hint of cardamom, filled with whipped cream and almond paste, then dusted with powdered sugar.

Get your “semlor” to go, or enjoy outdoors by the Picnic Pavilion in a relaxed, wintery setting with coffee and other hot beverages. A mix of other baked goods will also be available for purchase. Weather forecast shows high of 36℉ and overcast.

“Semlor” have become a bit of an obsession in Sweden, as they are no longer only served for “Shrove Tuesday” (Swedish “fettisdag”, French “Mardi Gras”) sometimes appearing in bakeries before Christmas and all the way through Lent.

History has it that King Adolf Fredrik of Sweden died after consuming 14 of these creamy buns of goodness in 1771.

Sunday, February 14 marks “Quinquagesima” which is another way of saying 50 days until Easter. Related is “Quadragesima” which refers to the 40-day period of Lent. In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting, as well as giving up certain luxuries in order to replicate the account of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s journey into the desert for 40 days. So, before Lent starts on “Ash Wednesday”, let’s grab the last opportunity to indulge by “semla”.

By coincidence, Sunday, February 14 is also Valentine’s Day, so bring your Valentine!


2020 Events