“Up-Nort in 1870—Life in a Wisconsin Lumber Camp” 

Speaker: Sterling Strathe

Sit back and enjoy the days when pine was king, life was hard, and men became legendary.  Lumberjack Louie is the Big Push (foreman) in camp.  Louie is hiring jacks for the fall, so here’s your chance to see if you’re tough enough.  Louie will introduce you to all the jobs in camp and show you what everyday life is all about as you work with immigrants from all over Northern Europe.  Perhaps you’ll be back Up-Nort this fall!

About Sterling Strathe

Sterling Strathe has directed a forestry education program for Wisconsin schools over the past 7 years.  Sterling has an interest in historical characters and is the master of what’s known as first person interpretation.  Dressed in costume and using pictures, tools, and jargon of the time, Sterling brings history to life, making learning interactive and fun.  Besides Lumberjack Louie, Sterling brings to life Lonesome Charlie Reynolds-- Buffalo Hunter Extraordinaire. 

Sterling grew up on a farm near the town of Hubbard, in central Iowa.  Hubbard is  an all German town,  next door to several all Norwegian towns including Radcliffe and Story City.  Sterling grew up immersed in constant Norwegian jokes.  Not really knowing what a Norwegian was, Sterling grew up looking for Ole and Lena.  He looks forward to meeting a real Ole and Lena at the conference.   

"Aslak og Engebret"

David Fischer and David Olson

You'll be delighted to meet Aslak og Engebret, a male version of the Lutheran basement ladies. They tell jokes and sing songs, sometimes with audience participation.

About the players

Both Davids are interested in their Norwegian roots.  David Olson is proud to be a "Landing" and has been to Norway four times.  During these visits he has found many relatives in Land and other parts of Norway. His Landing ancestors Christopher Anderson (1852-1940) and Laura Ulimoen "Ankalterud" Anderson (1855-1917) emigrated from Ronningen, Nordsinni Parish, in 1876 and came  Fillmore CO. MN near Fountain.   In 1887 they moved to the Town of Northfield - Jackson CO., WI in Timber Creek coulee north of York.  Here there were several other "landings."   Thomley, Stuve, Lier, Eimon (from Oymoen), Larson (from Ankalterud), Erickson (from Rusten) and not too far away Goplins (from Lille Goplen).  Andersons are buried at the Northfield Cemetery in Jackson Co. near I-94 freeway.   Christopher was a good friend to H.A.M. Steen of Northfield....long time president of Landings Lag who is also buried at the Northfield Lutheran Cemetery. David also has roots in Telemark, Ringebu Gudbrandsdal, Aurskog in Akershus, Grue in Solor, Gran in Hadeland, and Toten.

David Fischer is mostly Norsk (at least 3/4; Fischer is German). His Norwegian connections are with Ringsaker near Lake Mjoesa, Rommundstad, and Rindal, in More og Romsdal. 

Both Davids grew up on small Wisconsin dairy farms in the Osseo, WI area.  They met while singing in a local mens' choir 30 years ago, and for several years were part of a male quartet.