Meet the Editor: Eric Simonson's First Memories of Björklunden

*written by Eric Simonson

My association with Björklunden starts back in 1980 when I was hired as one of the original summer student workers from Lawrence University. Back then, Joseph Hopfensperger, caretaker and visionary for what Björklunden would become, was testing out his idea for summer seminars for adults.

There were six of us employed that summer and our job was to cut cords of wood in the daytime and serve meals to guests at night. It was a magical summer, and it cemented my affection for Lawrence's “northern campus."

Since then, I have returned to Björklunden as an instructor. I was married in the chapel, and I started the Door Kinetic Arts Festival there. Clearly, Björklunden has been a significant part of my life, and I hope it stays that way for years to come.