It’s where kids will stand to watch parades, husbands will wait for wives to finish shopping and conversations between visitors and locals will link the past to present. When completed, a number of new metal benches from Dauer Welding and Machine will grace the downtown walks and other locations around Lindsborg with a place to rest and feel welcomed.

After listening to conversations that centered on a need for benches to return to the landscape in Little Sweden, Liz Lahodny, Debbie Jacobson and Kimi Haigh joined forces and approached local business owner Kelly Dauer with a few pictures and the idea. “He developed the concept and the design,” Lahodny said. Four styles will be fashioned as orders come in: a backless bench, a bench with a back, a serpentine model, and a design encircling a shade tree. Businesses and individuals can also choose a plaque to display with the new seating.

The sleek benches being created by the team at Dauer are beautiful, yet rugged enough to survive Kansas extreme weather conditions too. From snow, rain, blazing heat … and even ice cream cones, these benches will stand the test of time and should remain here for LBK’s 200th anniversary and beyond.