Leiflette. December Right: Conrad Brattebo, of Nordic Lodge, ready to meet & greet visitors at the Viking Cabin near Castlegar

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1 SONS of NORWAY DISTRICT 7 in BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA Leiflette December 2018 Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow! Right: Conrad Brattebo, of Nordic Lodge, ready to meet & greet visitors at the Viking Cabin near Castlegar Some of Varden s Lefse crew: Nerissa Beeby, Jayden Britt, Riley & Cian Beeby. Viking Lodge members enjoying the Celebratory Dinner for Ron Stubbings election as International SofN President Merry Christmas! and coming soon to all of us - þe brand New Year of 2019! District 7 Board gather for their first fall meeting with President, Bruce Strang, in the chair in B.C. The Scenic Seventh 1.

2 District Officers VICE PRESIDENT & PUBLICITY DIRECTOR Jim Tore Breivik 6194 Parkwood Drive Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6C (h) SECRETARY Melvin Klassen 1464 Stroud Rd. Victoria, B.C. V8T 2K TREASURER Christine Sullivan 8880 Old Cariboo Highway Prince George, BC, V2N 5X6 Ph CULTURAL DIRECTOR Susan Strang 3450 Oxford Street Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1N YOUTH AND RECREATION DIRECTOR Tania Jacobsen 813 Eildon Street Port Moody, B.C. V3H 1B Editor s Note 2. PRESIDENT, Bruce Strang 3450 Oxford Street Vancouver, B.C. V5K 1N strangb@telus.net GENERAL DIRECTOR Sharon Coles Martin Drive, Surrey, B.C. V4A 6C telemark@telus.net> INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR Erik Brochmann Ptarmigan Drive, Mission, B.C erik.brochmann@shaw.ca DISTRICT ZONE DIRECTORS Melvin Klassen Zone 1 Director Nordlys, Eidsvold 53, North Star 63, Vestlandet 97 Sharon Coles Zone 2 Director Sleipner 8, Varden 19, Viking 81, Golden Ears 137, Trollheimen 157 Christine Sullivan Zone 3 Director Vinland 28, Rondane 71, Dawson Creek 79 Storland 140, Skjonne Dal 142 Susan Strang Zone 4 Director Nordic 76, Hardanger 109, Heimdal 141 Ethel Elder sent me this picture. Very cute! Have a happy Christmas everyone! Remember - no Leiflette in January so next deadline is January 10th, 2019 Unni Hadden, Editor King George Blvd., Surrey, B.C. V3W 5Y4 uhadden@telus.net Ph President s Message Greetings to all District 7 members: I had the honor of attending the District President's Council (DPC) meeting in Minneapolis this month. The night I arrived the temperature dropped below freezing and they got this fall's first Bruce Strang snowfall. Welcome to Minnesota! As the SON HQ is now located in a temporary facility while the old location is under construction, it made the freeway drive from the hotel to our meeting site an interesting one in first snowfall conditions. The main advantage of the DPC meeting is to address common solutions to issues that all Districts face, regardless of country of origin. However, since there were so many new District Presidents, there was also a most useful one day orientation session where we got to meet the HQ department heads who made presentations covering their prime responsibilities, and answered any questions we had. One of the most impressive presentations was by the SON insurance side of the business, and it was eye-opening for me to see the creativity of their product range, and how finely market tuned their products are. In the USA they are industry leaders, not followers, and this presentation served as a great reminder of SON's origins as an insurance company to cover some of the farming risks of the Norwegian community in the early days of immigration to America. The success of the insurance side of the business is highly significant to the fraternal side because they make a very substantial financial contribution to our operations that would otherwise have to be covered by member dues. Lastly, the Christmas season is just around the corner. It is opportune to remember the substance of the SON invocation for closing a lodge meeting, that "peace and harmony prevail in our lodge", and at this time of the year, by inference, in our extended family and community. And to that I can only add that may you experience the utmost joy of the season. Fraternally, Bruce Strang. The Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada accept tax deductible donations from Sons of Norway members and others living in Canada. Please check out our new web site: for more information including donation and application forms for scholarships, bursaries and grants. Please make cheques out to: SONS OF NORWAY FOUNDATION IN CANADA and mail to C/O Ptarmigan Drive, Mission, B.C. V2V 5R5

3 Lodge Updates Varden Lodge #19New Westminster, B.C. We are now entering the Christmas Season and we hope every one has a safe, healthy and wonderful time at all events planned and family gatherings. Varden is having a Children's Christmas Party on December 16th in Normanna's Auditorium at 2 p.m. Everyone is invited with or without children. If you are bringing a child please bring a gift for Santa to give to him/her. There will be some fun things planned as well as "singing around the Christmas Tree' and refreshments. We look forward to having a good time. Above: The Varden Lefse crew & below is Karen Schilbach with her son, 18 month old Connor, who seems to be enjoying his first lefse lesson. The Christmas Event at Normanna will be held on Saturday December 1st. Doors will open There will be Norwegian Baking as well as other, Silent and Live Auctions, a Raffle and many gift items for sale. Lunch will be available with coffee and tea. Varden has members in this Auxiliary and we are hoping for a very successful event. Funds raised by this Auxiliary are designated to help improve the at 11 a.m. well being Erik Brochmann congratulates Ron Stubbings on achieving a platinum award for donations to the Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada. VARDEN LODGE #19 Fund Raising Norwegian Meat Ball Dinner FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 AT 6:00 PM at the SCANDINAVIAN CENTRE What a great way to start the New Year with a heart meal of Norwegian Meatballs (the Best Meatballs in the World), and the opportunity to support the Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada! Tickets are $25 each ($10 for children 5 to 12 years) and available from Bruce and Susan Strang, strangb@telus.net ph:

4 well being of the residents at Normanna Vivian Bates, Publicity Eidsvold Lodge # 53 Victoria, B.C. Vinteren er på vei! Or, for those of us who don t speak Norwegian, Winter is on its way! Did you know that there are dozens of religious, secular, and cultural events celebrated from mid-october through to early January? Some are held on a single day. Others are week-long or even month-long events. That s a whole lot of celebrating! Whether you re of the multitude that follows a 4. Haley Mosdell, (Varden Lodge Queen) with her greataunt Vivian Bates & her grandmother, Helen Mosdell at the Celebration for Ron. Ron Stubbings at left, with his Congratulatory Cake. Christian-based faith, or you practice another of the world s great religions, or you cleave to Pagan beliefs, or you are a Humanist or even an atheist, the darkening days of Autumn and Winter probably bring you together with family and friends. If there s a single thread shared by these festivities, it s probably that groups of people come together. Very few see people acting out their devotions in solitude. Communities join together to fend off the dark days and nights of Winter. After all, we re social creatures! Sharing special meals and giving gifts are often other features of these occasions. At Eidsvold Lodge, our members come together several times during the last two months of the year, just as members of other lodges do. On Remembrance Day, our president and vice-president join hundreds of people at the Cenotaph on the grounds of the Legislature. They remember those who served in the two World Wars and countless other battles and skirmishes over the past century. They lay a wreath bearing a message from Eidsvold Lodge members. Families meet at gravesites to share memories of loved ones who have passed on. These are solemn occasions. But one week later, there s quite a different feeling at Eidsvold Lodge. We welcome the community into our home to share in our annual Scandinavian Craft Fair. Baking, artisinal crafts, decorations, clothing, and seasonal cards: you name it; it s there for people to browse through and to buy. As well, a busy crew of volunteers put together appetizing open-faced sandwiches for visitors. It s a noisy, happy time. And the following weekend, Eidsvold Lodge celebrates its Lutefisk Dinner. We have two sittings; that s how popular this event is! Members, some of whom we rarely get to see, make sure that they have their tickets for this dinner. And again, volunteers are in the kitchen, helping to put together a meal that will delight the diners. A couple of days later, our Jenteklubben puts on its annual luncheon of chicken pot pies, salads, and dessert for those who can meet during the daylight hours. These are noisy, chatty times in the hall. Then, things quiet down a little at Eidsvold Lodge. We hold a Jultrefest early in December, and this year it will feature something special. That s because we ve invited our fellow Scandinavian groups to join us and to share their December celebrations with us. Yes, there ll be music and crafts and food to share and also Santa Claus -- but mostly, there will be people. This year, I hope that you, too, take delight in meeting with those who are special to you. Whether you meet in groups of two or two-hundred, savour those moments. We at Eidsvold Lodge wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and the most joyful of New Years. See you in 2019! Carolyn Ingbritson, Publicity On a wet November day, Eidsvold's Walking Club met and hiked through the trails surrounding Colquitz Creek. Here they are on one of the more interesting fords crossing the creek.

5 North Star Lodge #63 Nanaimo, B.C. Our Jul Fest dinner is coming on Dec. 2. The party is being held at the South side Ricky s at the Days Inn. Along with a beautiful dinner buffet, we will be having a silent auction and an abundance of door prizes. Usually, we have many splendid Norwegian items on the auction block! We have not forgotten our local Food Bank. During the evening, a member will be carrying a donation box around to all the tables. We have found that the Loaves & Fishes can turn a $1.00 donation into $5.89 worth of food. Giving can t be any easier than that! This year, our table decorations will be made by seven of our members. Each of these members will bring a table centerpiece of their own creation (hopefully with a Norwegian twist). After the party, they take their creation home with them and use it for the Christmas season. Each Christmas, we end our evening with a carol sing song. We sing both Norwegian and English Christmas carols. I promise to include pictures of our Jul Fest in the next issue. At our November 1st meeting, several of us made a special Christmas hanging. We thought this hanging could hang outside our front doors to welcome all who come. We used basic materials, materials on the beach and in the forest! We brought driftwood and pine cones; staples of Vancouver Island! One member brought a piece of wood shaped like a Viking ship! The picture tells the story of our GOD JUL hanging! On November 18th, we are preparing Lutefisk! Tickets have been selling quickly! This event is taking place in the club house of our president s strata. Along with the lutefisk, we are serving potatoes, vegetables, meatballs Norwegian Family Christmas Party 12th December (Wednesday), 6:30 p.m. Program start: Kids Craft Area from 6 p.m. Must reserve in advance by Dec 7th with Sonja or sonjabusch@hotmail.com Remember to advise # adults, # children with their names, ages & if boy or girl. Cost: Children $8 each; Adults: Members $12 or Non-member $15, (Pay at the door) includes Children's craft activity, gift & goodie bags, Christmas goodies, coffee/juice & Norwegian-style Rice pudding & performance by the Scandinavian Choir Sponsored by Norwegian House Society Gabriel Gabrielsen, Rosie Barlak, Sonja Cole, Linda Harvey & Leif Dahl creating Christmas ornaments (for those few who do not eat lutefisk!???), lefse and cake. A gastronomical evening of fun! Pictures to come in the next issue. Every December, our Lodge supports a local school by providing money for a turkey dinner. All of the young people look forward to this delight! A couple of our members help serve the dinner. This is a much appreciated outreach program for those who need a good meal. Everyone at North Star Lodge would like to wish our Sons of Norway friends a GOD JUL OG GODT NYTT ÅR! Linda Harvey, Social/Cultural Director Ski for Light Canada As you probably know, Sons of Norway lodges in Canada have made February (every year) the Ski for Light Month. The coming year s (2019) event will take place from February 4th to 9th 2019 in Kananaskis, Alberta. Ski for Light has always been a Sons of Norway Out-Reach Program and as such we are counting on your ongoing support. I will be mailing out Pledge Sheets to the Presidents of District 7th Lodges in the New Year, and I hope that as many of you as possible will be ableand willing to participate in this very worthwhile cause. Like last year, I would like to suggest a Walk-a-Thon or maybe a Ski-a-Thon.. I feel, as always, it is very important for all of us to continue to promote the awareness of Sons of Norway and all the nice things its many members do for our communities, wherever we live. A tax-receipt will be issued upon request. Fraternally, Curt E. Jensen, Director Ski for Light Canada Inc. 5.

6 Group picture of the exchange between University of Northern B.C. in Prince George & Nord University of Bødo, Norway. Rolf & Rita Austad, left. receive 50 year Membership Badges & below, to John Martinsen, 65 years, from Joan Lemky, Membership Secretary Rondane Lodge # 71 Prince George, B.C. After that cold period in beginning of October, the fall has been really nice and sometimes warm, here in Prince George. During our October General meeting, we had our annual Silent Auction sale, with the proceeds going to the Canadian Sons of Norway Foundation. This year we had lots of nice items, and made more than usual: $210.50, plus what was in the pink piggy banks. Membership Secretary, Joan Lemky, had the pleasure to hand out four Membership badges lately: John Martinsen, 65 years, Rita and Rolf Austad, both 50 years, and Roger Wheate, 10 years. Congratulations and a big THANK YOU, for helping our lodge Gerry Pettersen won one of Rondane s door prizes continue and prosper. We were happy to hear that Roy dedreu, who has been gravely ill, now is on the mend, and is hoping to attend our November meeting. The following Thursday, October 25, Erik Sullivan again hosted video night. The film was about the Birkebeiners, The Last King. They carried the baby-king, Haakon Haakonson, while skiing across the mountains in deep snow, to save him from people 6. Right, Roger Wheate receives a 10 year pin from Joan

7 who wanted to kill him, in order to put another man on the throne. It was all mostly Norwegian actors, and the skiers were awesome. So was the filming. A big improvement over the Norwegian films made years ago when we grew up in Norway. The Last King can be found on Netflix. After the film we all enjoyed coffee & various cakes and snacks. It is a nice way for members to get together. Fifteen ladies came to the Women`s Auxiliary meeting on November 1, at the home of new member, Valerie Ward. This time the members all brought an interesting, preferably old item for a Show and Tell. And there were some things most of us had never seen before. One was a gadget with several different size holes in it. It was a grading tool for eggs, to sort out the different sizes. Another was a wooden mold for making nice squares from home made farm butter. Also many other items too numerous to mention. Next Meeting will be Election of Officers on November 15. The annual Women`s Auxiliary Christmas party will be held at the home of Unna Skuggedal on December 6, starting at 7 pm. The Family Christmas party will be held on Sunday, December 16 at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, starting at 1:30 pm. For further information on these parties, call me, Elsa Aase, at (250) On Saturday, January 26, 2019, we will have our annual LUTE- FISK AND MEATBALL DIN- NER, again at the home of Egil Lindquist. For more information on this, please call Karin Smale at (250) We in Rondane #07-71, send to all other members in District #7, our best wishes for a peaceful Christmas, and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Hilsen, Elsa Aase, Publicity Director & President, Kary, (left), granddaughter of Nordic Lodge #76 Member Conrad Brattebo, (middle) & President Ida Price (right), stand in front of the Castlegar, British Columbia Cenotaph November 11, 2018 following the Remembrance Day service. Nordic Lodge #76 Lodge Members, Sandra Gundersen & Mickey Mott, at Ben Thor-Larsen s recent 90th Birthday Nordic Lodge # 76 Castlegar, B.C. Winter has finally arrived in the West Kootenay with snow on our mountain ridges in every direction. Sons of Norway Nordic Lodge #76 Members are making plans to visit the Viking Centre near Castlegar, British Columbia. Lodge Member, Conrad Brattebo, has been working on the centre in preparation for the many visitors that come each winter season. A Christmas gathering is planned at the Viking Center on November 24th at 12 noon. Members are asked to bring something to share and a warm thermos as a ski/snowshoe is planned, depending on the snowpack. Lodge Members learned that former Lodge Member, Richie Mann, had been honoured in recent weeks by a Canadian fiddler who composed a song in his honour. Several Lodge Members attended the performance of well-known Cal Vollrath, who played the violin in Trail, British Columbia, in late October. Accompanied by his wife, who danced traditional Metis jigs, the accomplished violinist was backed up by a very talented pianist, who also played the accordion and guitar. Lodge member, Conrad Brattebo, brought two pewter plates that he shared amongst Members and related their significance and meaning to plates in Norwegian households, typically hung on the walls of their home. Nordic President, Ida Price, lay a wreath at the Castlegar Cenotaph on Sunday, November 11, 2018 to honour soldiers from the region who died while serving, while Lodge Members from the region are planning on attending Remembrance Day services in their local communities. A Christmas party is in the works for the next meeting on December 4, Lodge Members are asked to bring an up-cycled gift from home, with a koselig theme, along with Christmas goodies to share. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2018 at the BCGEU Building in Castlegar, British Columbia beginning at 7:30 p.m. Members are encouraged to bring a guest. Ingeborg Leavell, Publicity Viking Lodge #81 Surrey, B.C. This November 11, Remembrance Day gathering marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, which started in 1914 and ended on Nov. 11, 1918, Armistice Day. We all can bow our heads at 11:00 AM and stay silent for 2 minutes to honour those who were lost in that war. This can be a sad time. We shall not break faith with those who die. Chris Frostad will lay a wreath for Viking Lodge at the gathering in Whalley, for Surrey. On November 1st, there was a Welcome-to-Norway craft-fair and sale at the Scandinavian Centre. This was a great success. A not to be missed event. There were 7.

8 Our excellent pianist, Myrna Latval, always ready to entertain us. many booths, some selling food items and others selling handcrafted items. On December 2nd, the Icelandic Community will be having a Bake-and-Craft sale from 10:00 AM to 1:00 pm at the Scandinavian Centre. December 12th is the Norwegian Family Christmas Party held at 6:30 PM. Reserve in advance, by Dec. 7th with Sonja Busch at On Dec.14th, the Scandinavian Centre Senior s Lunch will be held at noon. Tickets are $ Contact Laura Olufsen at On Dec. 6th, the Viking Lodge is holding a Christmas Dinner at Newlands Golf Club in Langley. This will be a fantastic Buffet style dinner at 11:00 AM. Tickets are $30.00, but well worth it. There are a few seats still available, so hurry and get yours because they may not last. On Jan. 6th, the Installation of Officers will be hosted by Sleipner Lodge at the Scandinavian Centre. on Jan 6th, at 12:00 The Christmas Holidays have started already. It is a bad time to become sick. We do have a few members to send good wishes for a speedy recovery. Agnar Gjesdal is in the Hospital. We wish him well. Jyette Kaland is now home from the Hospital and has a strong will to recover. George Fossum is recovering at home from a very serious operation on his leg. We all wish these wonderful Viking Lodge members a return to good health. Amen!! Ken Berge, Publicity Hardenger Lodge #109 Kelowna, B.C. Food, music and conversation made our annual Norwegianstyle harvest dinner a pleasant event. This was the fifth year we have held this event with 60 members and guests attending. Local musician, David Sproule entertained us with background music during dinner followed by some sing-a-long tunes. We all enjoyed the food: meatballs and gravy, port loin roast, garden vegetables and apple crisp. Member, Jean Christensen set up a silent auction table of sweaters, pewter and other Scandinavian-themed items that she had collected. The proceeds from this will be given to the Foundation. It has been a few years since our lodge has held a Seterskveld supper so this year we plan to revive this traditional meal. We will serve sliced ham and cheese, flatbrod and rommegrot. We will also have a presentation about the Sons of Norway Foundation in Canada given by our foundation director, Darlene Osterlin. Our Christmas luncheon will again be held at Guisachan House on December Day Alaska Inside Passage round trip Vancouver - Vancouver, M/S Volendam, May22, 2019 Bev Akerlund, Publicity Deposit $ per person 100% refundable until February 22, 2019, Based on Double Occupancy, based on availability at time of booking, NOT INCLUDED, Travel Insurance, transfers (if necessary), and Gratuities Contact Imagine Cruise & Travel: Annemari, annemari@imaginecruisetravel.com Inga, inga@imaginecruisetravel.com 8. New SON International President, Ron Stubbings & fans celebrating with a traditional Norwegian dance at the Scandinavian Centre. Sons of Norway Viking Lodge # 81 & SONS Canadian Foundation Fundraiser Next Deadline January 10, 2019! Have a wonderful Christmas! Inside Stateroom $ Per Person Port Charges $ Taxes & Fees $ Total $ Outside Ocean view $ Per person Total $ Balcony $ Per Person Total $3, The next deadline for Leiflette is January 10th for February 2019 issue