Due to spatial constraints in the Daily Grind, we didn't have the space to publish our regular update there, so this article will only appear here. For those looking for the article published in the Daily Grind, look for the "Troll Edition" on the News and Updates page. 

March was another busy month for the windmill and for Elk Horn. News that the Museum of Danish America is receiving a Thomas Dambo troll has generated much excitement as work is slated to begin next week on constructing it. Meanwhile at the windmill, a few of our own projects have made significant progress. 

First and foremost, we wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the Scan Design Foundation, who are supporting the overhaul of danishwindmill.com with a $10,000 grant. More will be shared on the website changes next month, but there is much to be excited for. The consolidation of the .com and .org websites has been a daunting challenge for some time now, but we're confident we have found the best solution. And contrary to previous announcements, the new website will remain danishwindmill.com and all .org traffic will be redirected there. Once the new website is live, possibly by June, this website that you are currently reading this on will be shut down. But don't worry, we will continue this blog on the new site and migrate existing articles over there for reference as well. 

Speaking of grants, we have been awarded $4,989 by the Shelby County Community Foundation towards replacing the roof on our new Education & Preservation Center. With the current roof now over 30 years old and deemed uninsurable, it was important that we addressed it as soon as possible, especially as we hope to power the entire building with solar panels in the near future. Work on the roof will begin shortly, but unfortunately, the grant only covers about half of the estimated cost, so we will be looking to fundraise another $5,000 to help keep us close to our operations budget for the year. 

Otherwise, work on the Center is progressing nicely. The classroom portion has been redone with fresh paint and a new floor as of last week. Mike Howard, Johanne Lyager, Sarah Sayres, and Gene Thomsen all volunteered their time to assist with the transformation. Next up we will be focusing on dust collection and finalizing electrical lines in the woodshop. New light fixtures are needed in the classroom, and then we can look into furnishing the space with work tables and chairs, and a presentation tech suite. 

Finally, work on the millstones has progressed significantly. The stones are almost finished and will be shipped to Mollebygger Petersen's warehouse in Denmark. They will remain stored there until we are able to fundraise to have them shipped to Elk Horn and eventually installed. 

The Danish postkasse has shipped. Thanks to the assistance of Brenda Nelson and Tony Hough, we were able to purchase one during the auction in January. It will be prominently displayed in the entryway along with our new community bulletin board for advertising local events and promotions. We can't wait to see it and get it displayed. 

Other exhibit changes are underway as well to make room for an upcoming exhibit on electrical generation inside the windmill. The famous LEGO windmill made by Steven Howard has been relocated into the video room, and other pieces on the ground floor of the windmill have been relocated to make space for the next exhibit which will feature the mill's history as a wind turbine alongside a modern Siemens model. We will also have a vintage-looking factory lights to indicate when the sails are running. One in the windmill and one in the entryway. 

On an administrative note, the windmill will be shifting back to Summer Business Hours starting today, March 30. We will be closing at 5PM during the week and open 10 - 4PM on Sundays. We are considering extending these hours further during the Summer if we get lots of Troll Traffic. 

Finally, Tivoli Fest is just around the corner. This year, we're re-extending the festival to Sunday with some special morning activities sponsored by the windmill for our 50th anniversary. From 8 - 11AM, there will be a breakfast buffet at the Hygge Inn catered by Master Grillers, pricing to be determined. Also starting at 8AM, we will have a "Tour de Tivoli" bike-ride starting at the hotel, heading west to Prairie Rose State Park, north to Hwy 44, east to Kimballton, and south back into Elk Horn. Registered participants will receive a FREE 50th anniversary t-shirt and a food voucher. More details coming soon. 

Following the morning activities, Elk Horn Lutheran Church will be hosting their Sunday service outside the windmill at our Morning Star Tiny Chapel at 11:15. Then at midday, there will be an encore Viking performance. The windmill will be open with free admission the rest of the day and Norse Horse Tavern will be serving breakfast and lunch options until 2PM. 

Updates about these events including how to register for the bike ride will be coming soon. Proceeds from the bike ride and breakfast will go towards the purchase of our millstones.