Mayor Joins Gløgg Party

We were thrilled to have Mayor Bowser join the party, pictured with hosts Linda Brooks and Ross Schipper and BCA President Eric Langenbacher. photos by Alex Frederick.

By Linda Brooks and Kishan Putta

On February 5, longtime Burleith residents Linda Brooks and Ross Schipper once again opened their home to the neighborhood as they hosted the sixth annual Burleith Winter Gløgg Party. This party is their yearly gift to the community. More than 75 residents and other guests came out on a balmy afternoon to celebrate winter with gløgg, Scandinavia's variant of mulled wine. (Click here for more party photos.)

There are a wide variety of gløgg recipes. The one Linda and Ross use was handed down from Ross's Norwegian grandmother. His gløgg consists of hot red wine with spices, raisins, caramelized sugar, and a healthy addition of whiskey.

The word “gløgg” comes from the Old Norse glöth, which means “glow.” This glowing description is attributed to the sugar that is mixed in the gløgg and describes what your face does after just one potent drink! Gløgg parties are common winter activities among Scandinavians, where they often gather at home to drink gløgg with good friends when it is icy cold and dark outside.

The arrival of Mayor Muriel Bowser was a party highlight. She became the first DC Mayor to attend one of these not-to-be missed events. Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans introduced Mayor Bowser, who encouraged the attendees to join her in speaking out about what she called Congressional meddling in District affairs, saying to cheers, “Tell Congress the best thing they can do for DC is to leave us alone!”

Linda and Ross hope that even more Burleith residents will attend next year's party, but for now they are ready for spring to come.