Staff Report
The Vikings of Solvang turned out in full force on March 27 to provide their annual Danish dinner at the Buellton Senior Center.
The meal started with a spinach salad and hot rolls, followed by the main dish of Frikadeller (Danish meatballs), red cabbage, pickled cucumbers, shoestring onions and mashed potatoes with gravy. The meal ended with an incredible multi-layered chocolate cake.
After the meal, the large crew of Vikings took a bow for their cooking and their generosity to the center.
In addition to serving dinner, they donated all of the money for a 2016 seven-passenger Dodge Caravan that has been in constant use since its recent arrival, taking seniors to medical appointments throughout the valley and beyond.
Viking Ron Long explained that the primary focus of the group is to help with medical needs in Santa Barbara County. Begun in 1974, the group has 174 members, 105 of whom are actively participating.
At the end of dinner, Bent Olsen led the group in a lively rendition of “Hans Skal Leve,” a Danish birthday song meaning, “Live Well and Live Long,” which ends with a hearty “Skal!”
Executive Director Pam Gnekow and Assistant Director/Chef Jim Nichols awarded raffle prizes, senior center staffers Merrill Clayton and Gracie Love helped the Vikings serve and clean up, and board member Bernice Small welcomed everyone as they arrived.
