Sharing Bjorklunden Memories

Sharing Björklunden Memories

by Debbie Sycamore ‘80

During 2025, the 50th anniversary year of Lawrence’s northern campus, we are hoping to tell the stories of meaningful moments that each of us has had at this incredibly special place. Perhaps your moment was an eye-opening seminar or meeting a thought-provoking new friend. Maybe your moment occurred while meditating in the chapel or exploring the many beautiful hiking trails. Just to get you inspired, I’m volunteering to start the sharing process by going back to the spring of 1979. Hope you enjoy reading my story.

It was in the spring of 1979 that I said “yes” to joining the Lawrence summer work crew at Björklunden, acquired by Lawrence four years earlier. The job description failed to mention anything about wielding Stihl 075 chainsaws and spending weekends in a dirndl and clogs giving tours of a stavkirke in the woods. Nor did it mention that we were to march in the Baileys Harbor July 4th parade – in clogs and dirndl no less.  I hailed from NH/Mass. What the heck was a dirndl or a stavkirke?   One of the many benefits of a liberal arts education includes taking leaps of faith and trusting you will figure it out. And so we did. Fellow crew members and I mastered pole saws on those infinite driveway cedars. I still know how to wield and sharpen the teeth of said chainsaw. A frosty cold Leinenkugel or Point Beer takes me back to hanging out in Adirondack chairs along the shores of Lake Michigan after a long day of work. The summer was magical and a study in contrasts that make me smile to this day. Grateful for all of it! For those who might wonder, I said yes to Björklunden in the summer of 1980 too! 

Now it’s your turn to share a memory or two. We would like to publish as many of them as possible in the summer and fall newsletters. Short, long or in between are more than welcome along with any favorite Björklunden photos. Please email to:  teke.oreilly@lawrence.edu