The Salina Journal from Salina, Kansas • Page 32

Some are By Linda Mowery LINDSBORd As if by magic, people began to jam Main street. Security tightened as policemen from Wichita, Junction City and other Kansas cities pushed visitors back on the sidewalks. Necks cranked, cameras were readied; excitement was in the His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden was approaching in a motorcade! Dream come true For many of the 2700 residents of i Little Sweden, USA, it was a dream come true. The months of careful planning and waiting had come to an end. Saturday was an historic day for Lindsborg, and many visitors from other Kansas communities had come to share in the celebration.

Gertrude Valerius had left Wichita at 8 am by chartered bus. By 10 o'clock she was in Lindsborg and by 11. she could be found sitting on the curb along Main street, hoping for a glimpse of the handsome young monarch. Long day It was to be a long day for Rhoda Houston, a member, of the Junction City police reserve unit. She had been patroling Main street since 8:30 am and wasn't scheduled to leave her post until 4:30 pm.

Lindsborg residents also added to the street atmosphere. Mrs. Edward Hopkins and Mrs. Richard Korbe were selling baked goods. Proceeds were to help sponsor another trip to Sweden for the Lindsborg Swedish Dancers.

The first invitation to the king was sent along with the dancers in 1973, while they were on a tour of Sweden. The king's motorcade originally was scheduled to pass along Main Street at 12:40. He didn't arrive until 2:30. as the king zips past During that time the crowd had become anxious. Spectators checked their watches frequently.

Comments such as "Maybe he decided not to come" were the rule, not the exception. Oliver Hagg, Salina RFD 3, was one of the few persons who didn't seem to be unset over the delay. "It's interesting to see what's going on down here," he said, as another bus load of policemen arrived at the corner of E. Lincoln and S. Main.

"I'm not upset over the wait. I'm a farmer and we wait for rain, we wait for sunshine, so I don't get anxious waiting." Mr. and Mrs. Orville Thurmah, who arrived Friday evening from Wichita, had brought lawn chairs and were waiting in comfort for the king's appearance. Like so many others, their main concern was with the dark clouds that had been hoovering over Lindsborg all day.

Finally, the big moment arrived. The word passed along the street. The king and his entourage were 3 miles outside the city. A helicopter flew overhead; motorcycle policemen ap- peared, then the cars came moving rapidly. Almost before anyone knew what had happened the street was empty again.

The king had come and gone and few persons had even had a glimpse of him, let along been able to snap a photograph. Many reacted with astonishment, others with disappointment. Mrs. Maurice Briney, Beloit, had come to see the king and hear Bethany college's "Heritage Program" in Presser hall. She thought the motorcade should have slowed down so more persons could have seen His Majesty.

Carl Nelson, who, with his wife, had driven 190 miles from Independence, also was disappointed. "It's too bad the king couldn't have extended his stay," he said. "These people were so excited. I think it wasn't very good of him to zip through town like that. I would liked to have gotten a picture of him." King was royally late His Majesty the King of Sweden was royally late Saturday too, late for many Salinans.

A crowd numbering only in the hun- dreds was on hand at the Salina airport to greet the monarch, less than a tenth of those who flocked to the airport when they believed the king would arrive at 12:02 pm. Salina Police Captain Jim Huff estimated 5000 to 7000 persons were on the scene shortly.after noon. But when Carl XVI Gustaf stepped off his chartered 3-engine jet liner in Salina at 1:55 pm, the sun suddenly broke through grey skies (really, it did) and the crowd, though reduced, waved and An enthusiastic body of greeters assembled between the big Beech building and the Highway Patrol division headquarters late Saturday morning, pushing against rope barricades and clogging the parking lot. When word spread; at the airport that the king would be several hours late," the crowd began to' thin. The greeters dwindled to a handful between 1 and but.it was estimated 500 were back on hand when the monarch arrived.

Many had gone for then returned. "Look very fast" "I'm sorry about the disappointment," Saiina Mayor Robert Caldwell told the waiting audience. "You're going to have a short visit with the king as he passes by, so you're going to have to look very fast." The delay of nearly 2 hours led to cancellation of all airport ceremonies, caused events at Lindsborg to be shortened or eliminated and kept the king from hearing all but the final 10 minutes of a special concert held in his honor. "Our delay was caused by bad" weather and I'm sorry for having kept you all waiting," Carl Gustaf told a 1 crowd of about 5000 at Swedish Pavil- I ion rededication ceremonies later at Lindsborg. I More complicated story But Swedish journalists covering the monarches U.S.

tour and travelling on the royal plane told a more complicated story: The king was late getting to the airport, at Denver, from Vail, because a Spring snowstorm had slowed travel over the road. An airline decision was made'to add more fuel to the airplane as a safety precaution because of adverse weather conditions. The fuel truck then broke down, leaking and spilling fuel. Finally, it took 40 minutes to remove from the plane ice which had accumulated during the storm. At the airport, the king was greeted by Gov.

Robert Bennett, other politi- By Kit Gunri cians and local dignitaries. He stopped for a few seconds before the St. John's Military school band, which played as he stepped from the plane, and nodded to the musicians. Historic route He immediately climbed into a black limousine and sped off by motorcade via the Burma Road to Lindsborg. John Pearson, Bethany college public relations director, said the route was picked because it was the route Swedish immigrants took to the Lindsborg area in the 1800s.

The mo- safety from possible attack (because it was an route) was also believed involved in the choice of road. The king and his entourage arrived at the Lindsborg Swedish Pavilion at 2:33 pm. The public area in front'of the pavilion had been filled since 11 am and remained crowded during the 3Vz-hour wait for the monarch. The Swedish Folk Dancers and the Lindsborg 'high school band entertained the crowd- during the wait. Even a brief rain shower-didn't unduly dampen the spirits of those 'in attendance.

As it became evident that the king was late, organizers several times mistakenly announced he would arrive in "a few more minutes." Eventually, an accurate arrival estimate was made and members of the crowd took advantage of the delay to buy lunch from numerous vendors nearby. Ingemar Lindemarker, press at- tache for the tour, told The Salina Journal that the' king had caught' a cold. (Lindemarker also said that some years ago, as a reporter, he had visited Salina and written a story about the area to inform Swedes about life in a typical American town. He said- former Salina Journal editor Whitley Austin had been a great aid in writing the story.) After the pavilion, ceremony, the king stopped briefly for a previously- unannounced visit to the residents of Bethany Home. The public and press were excluded.

A confusing period then followed shortly after 3 pm when 3 events were condensed.into one in order to save time. Condensed were a private luncheon for several dozen notables (originally scheduled for 2 pm), a reception and presentation of gifts (both to have taken place after 1:40 pm). A press conference, which would have involved Swedish officials but not the king, was cancelled. A brisk walk At about 3:35 the king and his party briskly walked from Pihlblad Union to Presser hall, where he heard the tail- end of a Swedish heritage program which began at 3 pm, the regularly- scheduled time, because of commitments to a radio broadcasters who carried the concert. Greetings from Gov.

Bennett and Bethany President Arvin Hahn, which were to have preceded the concert, followed instead. The motorcade left Lindsborg after the concert and zipped to Salina over I-35W, which' was heavily guarded. The royal party. then left the Salina airport for Rockford, 111., where events similar to the Lindsborg welcome were planned later Saturday, Many journalists Dozens of journalists, perhaps 70 or 80 individuals, were on hand to cover the royal visit. A camera crew from the ABC Television network turned up, as did local television crews from Kansas City, Topeka and Wichita.

TV Guide, for some reason, sent reporters and so did the Associated Press and United Press International. Newspapers represented included those in Kansas City and Topeka plus Rockford, 111., and Mexico City, Mexico. (The Mexico City journalist admitted she was in the area visiting her daughter and would not, otherwise, have been here to see the king.) Policemen and deputies representing many agencies, plus federal Secret Service agents, were everywiitre during the king's visit but the were generally courteous and unobtrusive. Contributing to the generally relaxed atmosphere was the behavior of the crowds, who were, well-mannered and more or less orderly. Lawmen made a show of force, including a helicopter from Wichita and orange-vested sharpshooters on rooftops but in reality "security" precautions were relatively mild.

For example, the Secret Service at first wanted "pool" coverage, by a few selected reporters of the presentation of gifts to the king. When told by Pearson that a pool couldn't be set up in so short a time, they relented and allowed all reporters and photographers to enter the presentation room. (By this time, however, the presentation was over.) Lindsborg worthy of the king The wedding stamp The Swedish post office will issue commemorative stamp June 19 to mark the wedding of King Carl XVI gustaf and Silvia Sommerlath of Heidelberg, Germany. Engraving was by royal court engraver Czeslaw Slania from a photo by Lennart Nilsson. BY JIM SUBER LINDSBORG More than 1000 of Lindsborg's 2700 residents -and that includes some 700 students and faculty at Bethany college were instrumental in bringing off Saturday's Bicentennial coup, the visit by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf.

From the many volunteers who spent months preparing the Old Mill park buildings, including the' pavilion, the railroad depot, the old school, the Smoky Valley Roller Mills, to the cute 4th graders who danced nimbly in Swedish costume before His Majesty, the effort was a community effort. It was obvious that Lindsborg persons, many of whom wore several hats, had put heart and soul into the April 17 event. Many termed it the biggest moment in the city's history. -Lindsborg's venture included almost everyone and every organization. The affair of Saturday cannot be measured in dollars, although part of the expense was defrayed by a $6000 Bicentennial grant and sale of tickets to the special concert.

The taxpayers, through the city council, probably will pay some of the expenses. When it became apparent the king would be late this was learned before a-reason was given there was much anxiety among some of those who've toiled so long. She kept the faith To her credit, Mrs. Annamae Ahlstedt, mistress of ceremonies at the pavilion rededication, kept her faith and ad-libbed the pre-ceremony program which was extended almost 2 hours. The dancers the Swedish Folk Dancers, the Adult Dancers and the 4th graders took turns the band entertaining.

The long cordon of Alexander Hamilton Cannoniers, dressed in Colonial uniforms, proved themselves worthy of being the nation's oldest military outfit. The group, stationed at Ft. Riley, was founded in 1776. The members never flinched, standing at parade rest more than 3 hours. Everywhere, in the 2-hour crisis, people remained polite.

Some, though, turned inward. One woman, who had served cookies and coffee for hours to the media members, shook her head and said "Things always go wrong." Another worker, has been busy restoring the interior of the pavilion, said if the king missed Lindsborg, the community would be "really hurt." Many speculated he slept-in following a party the night before at Vail. Others shrugged and went home or back to their campers or re-stationed themselves along the motorcade route. Their seats were soon taken by others. At one point, the crowd left the pavilion court yard for nearby toilet and food facilities which had been erected by civic organizations and local clubs.

Children forgot about royalty and tumbled red-bloodedly about in the spacious park grounds. It only sprinkled once, and a sea of umbrellas sprang up as if the crowd were saying: "We are here to see the king. Not rain or wind will stop us." John Pearson, director of Bethany colege public relations and liaison between the local press and Swedish press and entourage, had planned long and meticulously. And he suffered when the affair -had to be trimmed and hurried. Yet, Pearson, the strain of the 20-hour days and the work still at hand showing on his face, kept the Curtsy for the king Member of Lindsborg's Swedish King Carl Gustaf (in Dancers drops, curtsy before glasses).

(Journal Photo) dark Without a word, he makes an media abreast of the last-second changes. His secretary, Mrs. Estr-ed Schwantes, had described Pearson earlier in the week: "No one can be as busy as John and still survive. He goes day and night and weekends all the time. He's available anytime 1 to anybody; 'that's the thing about John." lesser folk than Pearson and the scores of others in the Smoky Valley, would have wilted from the pressure of the delay.

But Lindsborg proved itself worthy of the king and he doubtlessly knew it. Old Time Fiddlers pull crowds UNION GROVE, N.C. (UPI) A record crowd of more than 120.000 people packed J. Pierce Van Hoy's farm Saturday for the 52nd annual Old Time Fiddlers Convention with numerous cases of sunburn the only reported problem. "We think we done (sic) went over 120.000 and there'll be a few more," predicted Iredell County deputy Bill Stamey.

He said, the crowd might grow by 10,000. Stuart, postman Buddy Pendleton, 40, was favored to take the title of World Champion Fiddler for the fourth year in a row. About 200 bluegrass bands and many solo performers entertained the crowds under a tent covering an acre and a half, joined by singers, doggers and buck dancers. The massive crowd, charged $15 admission for the full three days, was expected to begin breaking up early Sunday. The timing, while not planned, was perfect.

The Bethany College Oratorio society, under the direction of Elmer" Copley, had just ended its "Heritage Program" with a resounding "Amen" when His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, ascended the stage. Spectators, who had just given a standing ovation to the performers, leaped to their feet. This was the moment for which most of them had been waiting. Greetings were extended to the king from Kansas Gov. Robert Bennett and Dr.

Arvin Hahn, Bethany college president. Then came the response from King Carl. Except there was a change in plans. The king was unable to talk because of a severe cold. The honorable Wilhelm Wachtmeister, ambassador from Sweden to the United States, would deliver the address.

He began by apologizing for the king's not being able to talk. "The doctor advised him to save his voice," Wachtmeisler told the audience in Presser hall. "Even a king has to obey his doctor." It was one of the more humorous moments in an otherwise strenuous day. After Wachtmeister finished his prepared speech, His Majesty rose to make 4 presentations. Lindquist honored Dr.

Emery Lindquist, Kansas-Swedish historian and former president of Bethany and Wichita State colleges, was made a commander of the Royal Order of the North Star. He already was a knight in the Order. Knighthood honors in the Order were bestowed upon Dr. Hahn. Gov.

Bennett received a special Swedish-American Bicentennial medal from the Consul-General of Sweden. The final gift presented by His Majesty went to the' Bethany library. It was a copy of "Swedish Heritage In by Alan Kastrup. Presser hall erupted with applause. The king had made quite an impression without saying a word.

Plenty of color of Lindsborg LINDSBORG Although the sun didn't shine except, briefly, there was no absence of color splashes here Saturday. Many of the thousands who turned out to see the king were dressed in gaily-designed Swedish costumes dotted with reds, yellows and blues. Small children waved miniature Swedish flags which have a yellow cross on a blue background. Trees were green and flowers lilacs and tulips were in full bloom. There was even an occasional patch of blue sky.

A strong wind unfurled every flag, among which were Bicentennial, Kansas, early American and the Swedish and American. Preparations went right up to last minute Kevin Siek and Steve Dinneen, em- ployes of the Bethany college student union, were among dozens whose work in preparation for the king's visit went up to the last minute. Siek and Dinneen, who is also a student, were "perched high on ladders as late as 11:30 am, scrubbing the union's wide and tall plate glass front window, through which the king might glance just hours later. The window gleamed later, but the king probably took little note because his entourage fast-stepped its way through the delay-shortened campus schedule. "Quite an honor" LINDSBORG Most persons at Lindsborg Saturday had never seen a king or queen in the flesh.

Young and old, rich and poor, traveled and provincial, shared for a few hours something in common. They wanted to see the king. Typical of the mix were Duane Johnson, Lindsborg farmer, and' Brad Herndon, a Ransom, lad in his early teens. -The 2 were manning the Jaycees' food booth downtown. Brad was filling in for his uncle.

Bob Lindholm, Lindsborg, and Duane was putting in his volunteer time. Neither had seen royalty before, and both would wait for the motorcade from their vantage point on Main street. "This is quite an honor to have someone like that come to this sized city," Johnson said. Purse snatcher kills LOS ANGELES (UPI A purse snatching led to the death of a 75- year-old woman, police said Friday. An assailant knocked Mary Earle of Long Beach to the sidewalk, grabbed her purse, stole her money, and fled.

She suffered a heart attack and died..