Geneva HS grad traces her heritage on Norwegian reality show

Kelsey Jaffer knew a fair amount about her Pakistani roots, but wanted to grasp much more about her Norwegian blood and the heritage on her mom's side of the family.

But the 2012 graduate of Geneva High School had no idea she'd be on a popular reality TV show in Norway to embark on that search.

Jaffer is back in Chicago teaching and acting after spending two months in Norway for filming of the 12-episode ninth season of “Alt For Norge.”

It's a show in which 12 Americans of Norwegian descent travel around the country to learn about their heritage. But this is TV entertainment, so the show has a “challenge” twist to it.

“We are competing in ‘Amazing Race'-style challenges in order to stay in Norway,” Jaffer said. “The winner of the show receives $50,000 and, more importantly, a reunion with the long-lost Norwegian relatives still living in Norway.”

Jaffer didn't mention any type of financial windfall, so I'm guessing maybe she didn't land the top prize. But that's still up in air, as the show is scheduled to end this week.

“I'm half Pakistani, and I've grown up very exposed to my Pakistani heritage, but not so much my Norwegian heritage,” Jaffer said.

During her senior year at Millikin University in 2016, Jaffer completed a study about Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. That only made her more curious about her heritage.

The opportunity came when her cousin was told about the show by her hairdresser and encouraged to apply for it — but could not because of her newborn. She told Jaffer about it, and she tried for a spot on the show.

“By some miracle, I ended up being selected,” she said.

The show is not like most of the “corny and drama-filled American reality TV shows,” Jaffer said. Rather, it provides a fair portrayal of the contestants and is focused on adventure, culture and family heritage.

It's been required viewing at the Jaffer home in Geneva on Wednesday nights, when it is available through the computer.

And that works for Kelsey's proud mom, Kathy Jaffer.

“I was thrilled beyond belief when I heard Kelsey was chosen for the show,” Kathy Jaffer said. “I knew that she would be learning more about my family and ancestors as well, and also visit the beautiful country my family is from.”

Friends and relatives enjoy watching the show, but not only because they know one of the participants.

“It's a fun show, and we get to see parts of Norway that we probably won't ever get to see in real life,” Kathy said.

Remember these names:

Fred Anderson. Paul Wayne Baker. LeRoy Dorris. Gerald W. Esser. Paul Heffner. James R. Spriet. Charles Sullivan. Elmer F. Yurs.

What do these fellows have in common?

Their names are engraved on the World War II plaque at the Kane County Government Center memorial, which displays plaques honoring those who served in the many conflicts in which American soldiers fought for our freedoms.

Those are just a few of hundreds of names engraved at this impressive outdoor site, and we should be thinking about all of these men and women with even more focus as we celebrate Veterans Day.

Terrific store remodel:

Some readers who shop at Meijer in St. Charles on a regular basis may take what I am about to say with a grain of salt. After all, I go to Meijer only occasionally.

But I consider the remodeled store off the charts in terms of its bright, clean look and the numerous products and sections of the store on display.

In the same manner I was touting my first visit to Woodman's in North Aurora recently as an overwhelming experience because of sheer size and selection, Meijer sort of falls into that same category.

But Meijer just has a far different feel to it as a place where you can buy nice clothes in addition to everything else you need in and around your house.

I'm not positive, but those who shop there on a regular basis may be a bit miffed at having to find their way around again — and also maybe seeing a bunch of new stuff they don't particularly care about.

For what it's worth, I think this store is terrific. Plus, the Apple Pay on my iPhone worked right away, without any kind of glitch. So I give extra points for something like that.

In name of progress:

The shells of the townhomes that Oak Creek Capital Partners is building at First and Stevens streets in Geneva are in place, so before we know it, these sites will be ready for their buyers.

The project continues to change the look and feel of the real estate landscape in that portion of Geneva, with a lot of new building unfolding near Wheeler Park and the Fox River.

It does make you wonder what's in store for the homes that still dot Stevens Street near the project, as well as some of the warehouses closer to the River Park region and some of the Shodeen properties nearby.

It started with a Shodeen condominium project and has become an area that most certainly will continue to see a facelift in the coming years.

Hopefully, families that live in older homes all along First or Stevens streets will benefit as developers buy up properties.

In the past couple of years, residents in those areas have generally welcomed new development. But they've also encouraged Geneva city officials to proceed cautiously on projects being proposed in the region.

dheun@sbcglobal.net