Dec 31, 2004 3 min read

BROWNSVILLE – “Jenny Lind’s Christmas,” featuring Emily Lapisardi as the 19th century “Swedish Nightingale,” once again lights up the Thompson House on Saturday, Jan. 15, from 2 p.m. until the “Professorn’s Glogg” and other Sandinavian delights run out. A light Swedish smorgasbord will be served on the third floor, but this year Chef Kieran McVey offers a full course traditional Swedish Christmas dinner in his restaurant on the first floor.

Besides Jenny Lind, other historical and traditional characters, such as P. T. Barnum and the Swedish Father Christmas, Jultomten, and possibly a nisse, or barn elf, will drop by throughout the afternoon.

“For my American friends, it may seem odd to celebrate Christmas in January,” Jenny Lind explained, “but Christmas lasts much longer in Europe than it does in America, and in Sweden the season continues through Jan. 13, St. Canute’s Day.

“Originally we had planned this delightful ‘antidote to darkness,’ as my fellow Scandinavians see such a gathering, for a week earlier, but my manager in this country, Mr. P. T. Barnum, confused the dates, and booked me two places at the same time,” she added.

“I did not realize until I returned from my concerts in Vienna and Munich, so we celebrate now our Brownsville Christmas two days after St. Canute’s Day,” she added.

“But he’s a saint, so he should be understanding,” she continued.

As was her custom at such gatherings held mostly in family homes, Jenny Lind plans to forego her usual set performance and sing songs as the spirit moves her.

She will also encourage the audience to join her in a traditional European Christmas songfest and talent exhibition.

She will accompany herself on the piano and present modest door prizes hung on the Christmas tree along with such distinctive ornaments as straw yule goats, paper angels and stars.

The ballroom will be decorated with candles and oil lamps, Christmas greens, flowers, paper hearts and oranges studded with cloves.

Guests who attend in 19th century attire will be presented with a modest but distinctive gift.

Modern attire, though not rewarded, will be tolerated.

In conjunction with the Jenny Lind Christmas Party, annual awards for outstanding contributions to Geezers’ Literary Book Shop and for 64 Crayons Cultural Center will be announced.

To offset the cost of food, beverages, gifts and entertainment, a fee will be charged for each person who attends the event.

Discounts offered to seniors and students and for paid-up Geezers’ members will be collected by P. T. Barnum.

Reservations for the third-floor Lind party, while not necessary, would be appreciated.

They are, however, a must for the Thompson House dinner, which will be served at 6 p.m.

Cost of the dinner is separate and varies according to menu choices.

Additional festivities will occur throughout the former whiskey baron’s mansion at 815 Water St. in Brownsville, including a special one-day only winter opening of the second floor “Curiosity Shoppes.”

For more information and/or reservations to the third-floor Jenny Lind “Antidote to Winter” late Christmas party, call 724-785-9010 or e-mail Geezersbks@att.net.

To make reservations for Chef MvVey’s full course Swedish Christmas goose dinner, which will be served at the Thompson House restaurant, call 724 785-4744.