SynNor Brevet. September 2007 Number 7:8

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1 SynNor Brevet Published monthly by Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge # or T here September 2007 Number 7:8 Voice Messages: Join us at our September 11 meeting for "A Scandinavian Smorgasbord of Music and Humor" with Tim Dahl. Tim is a singer/entertainer with vast and eclectic experience. He has appeared on various stages throughout the Midwest including Chanhassen, the Plymouth Music series, the Lyric theater, Dudley Riggs, the Prarie Home Companion Show, and industrial shows with IKEA, Dain Rauscher, and Primarius LTD. In addition to his musical comedy experience, he has a great fondness for Scandinavian immigrant songs and humor that have opened many opportunities throughout Minneapolis / St. Paul as well as Scandinavian groups throughout the country and abroad. Tim brings a special blend of musical artistry and humor that is designed to please a wide variety of audiences.

2 Scandinavian Culture and News Who Discovered North America? Was it really Leif Ericsson who discovered North America? The Icelandic sagas report that Biarni Heriulfson, a Scandinavian trader who sailed the north Atlantic seas quite often, was sailing to Greenland when he got lost and ended up reaching land south and west of Greenland. He was not very impressed with what he found, but he reported the incident after he headed back and finally reached Greenland. Leif Ericsson heard the report and sailed west with a crew until he reached the same land, which he later called Vinland. Now we do know that there was a Viking village near L Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland which was occupied about five hundred years before Columbus. However, the village was likely not occupied very long in spite of the leadership and bravery of Leif s sister, Freydis, who was in favor of colonizing Vinland. Freydis stood up against the hardship including the violent opposition of local natives, but the Viking men would not support her in her stand. Who really discovered North America? Was it Biarni, Leif or Freydis? Information taken from: Unsolved Mysteries of American History By Paul Aron. MJF Books, 1997 There s Music in the Air Edvard Grieg found inspiration to his music in nature and all the odd sounds in it. Grieg collected sounds of the Norwegian nature and he made extensive use of tone pictures that recreated and reworked impressions of Norway s natural landscape. Birdsong, waterfalls, rain and mountains are all elements found in his compositions and give listeners a genuine experience of nature. Famous Norwegian pianist, Leif Ove Andsnes has taken the nature in Grieg s music to another level. A heavy duty grand piano weighing 1,000 lbs was flown into Rossnos Mountain at the west coast of Norway. The peak soars 1800 meters above sea level and the piano was placed just two meters from the cliff s edge. There, Andsnes brought back Grieg s music to the scene where his music really belongs. Andsnes is convinced that the composer would have like the spectacular act. He was a nature s man, he said. From: Norway.com The Favorite: Jarlsberg It s yellow, it s smooth, it s bubbly, and it s leading the market in the U. S. It is Norway s Jarlsberg cheese. The saga of the Jarlsberg cheese starts in the 1830 s when a group of Swiss milk farmers and master cheese-makers went to Norway to teach villagers the art of cheese-making. Their wise teachings resulted in a mild, nutty cheese with large, shiny holes. After a few years in 1832, however, production ceased, leaving the villagers with little else than the good memories. However, tales of the mild, tasty cheese from the Jarlsberg county (known as Vestfold today) survived. In fact, they survived for more than a century until one day in 1956, when a team from the Agricultural University of Norway at Ås decided to undertake the task of bringing it back. Dairy farming student Per Sakshaug wrote his thesis on the history of the cheese from Vestfold, which caught the imagination of his professor, Ole Martin Ystgaard. Combining the production of Emmenthaler and Gouda and modern technology with old Norwegian cheese-making traditions, they successfully created a semi-hard, mediumfat cheese with holes. The new cheese was named Jarlsberg after the county where production had once started. From there, Jarlsberg has become one of the most traditional and sought-after Norwegian food items, enjoyed by cheese-lovers all around the world. The export of Jarlsberg from Norway started cautiously in 1961, but has since risen to be the flagship export of Norwegian dairy company, Tine. Tine now exports 12,500 tons of the golden delicacy every year, 60% of total exports from the company. Seven thousand tons go to the U. S. Jarlsberg has even become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon in the U. S., and has been featured in the Sopranos, on Jeopardy and also in the high-class Hollywood movie, The Devil Wears Prada. The consumption of Jarlsberg here in the U. S. has been growing steadily every year, so every year has been a record year, and the trend is expected to continue. From: norway.org. For those of you with PC s, there is a very nice link to pictures and music of Norway at simply_beautiful_norway/. Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge normally meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM At First Lutheran Church 463 Maria Avenue (at 8th Street East, 2 Blocks North of Metro State University) Saint Paul, Minnesota Voice messages: (See back cover for officers) Web Page: < or < Sons of Norway International: < SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 2

3 Lodge News Fra presidenten DearMembers, After a restful summer, I hope you are all ready for our Fall lodge events. Our Torsk and Meatball Dinner in October is our second largest fund raiser of the year, and does require extra help from our members. We will have sign-up sheets at our September meeting, and tickets will go on sale at that time too. Please support this event, as we all benefit from the proceeds. I look forward to seeing you in September!! It will be a very entertaining evening. Bring your friends! Ha det bra! Mary Beth Lodge Heritage Recipes Needed We need your help to preserve our wonderful heritage recipes that Lodge members have made memorable over the years. These recipes should be available for future Lodge members who may not have had the privilege of tasting THE REAL THING!!! If you have special recipes for us to retain for future generation, please them to David Mutchler: dmutchler@comcast.net. If you do not have , just write them out and give them to me a meeting. We thank you in advance for helping the Lodge with this really important heritage project. It is our intention to post them on our web site, as well as to make paper copies available to members. Sharon Amann Cultural Skills Director 2008 Norwegian Calendars for Sale! Our lodge has been contacted by Paulstad Classic Calendars to see if we wish to sell Norwegian Calendars for They would sell for $12.50, the same price as in retail shops, and would serve as a small fundraiser for the lodge. We will have a sample available at the September and October meetings, where we will be taking orders. We all need a 2008 calendar. These will make great stocking stuffers at Christmas and they will be an easy fundraiser. Please order one!! SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 3

4 Lodge News Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge Board Meeting Minutes Board Meeting Minutes, August 7, 2007 Attendees: Mary Beth and David Mutchler, Sharon Amann, Sue Halvorson, Clayton Lance, LaRee and Loren Opdahl, Karen Vinnes. Old Business The Mid Summer picnic was recapped and suggestions were made to improve next year s picnic. The radio band that marched in the Slice of Shoreview Parade was a success and plans were discussed for participation in next year s parade. The band was well received, but we need to package it better and provide transportation and water for the participants. Dave will look into borrowing the Viking Age Club ship and Rod will write a MAP grant to help finance this project. Sharon has filled out the cooking cultural skills forms. The By-Laws Committee has not met yet. New Business Plans for the September lodge meeting were finalized. A meeting for the Torsk and Meatball Dinner will be held at Mutchler s on August 21 at 7 pm. Sports events for the upcoming year will include orienteering, a pool tournament, cross country skiing (weather permitting) and a kubb tournament. Plans were made to obtain copies of the Norway.com magazine for distribution to lodge members. The board has begun the candidate nomination process for next year s officers. Sharon suggested that we make a collection of lodge heritage recipes and member s signature recipes. Submitted by Sue Halvorsen, Assistant Secretary The next board of directors meeting will be held at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, September 4 at the Roseville Library, Hamline and County Road B. Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge Lodge Meeting Minutes There was no lodge meeting since our last newsletter. The photo above shows the second of two groups of members and guests who enjoyed the Mirror of Nature: Nordic Landscape Painting art show at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. In all, we sponsored 40 people in docent-led tours of this remarkable show of Nordic paintings, many of which had never left their homelands. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 4

5 Calendar of Coming Events Tuesday Sept 4 Saturday September 8 Tuesday September 11 Sunday September 30 Next meeting Tuesday Oct. 2 Synnøve-Nordkap Board Meeting Roseville Library Corner of Co. Rd. B at Hamline In the meeting room to the left of entrance.junior Lodge Peer Gynt Dancers Group practice begins the 2nd Saturday At Our Savior s Lutheran Church 1616 W. Olive in Stillwater New members are welcomed! Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge & Social Event Welcome Back Fall Meeting Program: A Scandinavian Smorgasbord of Music and Humor with Tim Dahl Desserts and Ice Cream Scandinavian Music with Kay Sandeen At St Mark s Lutheran Church, No. St. Paul (See write-up at right for more details.) Synnøve-Nordkap Board Meeting Roseville Library 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM 7:00 PM 3 PM 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM Editor s note: Kay Sandeen is a member of our lodge. "Nordiska Vdnner 5", a program of Scandinavian music, will be presented by "Nordic Friends" Linda Aronson-- Soprano, Kay Sandeen--Contralto, Shirley Decker--Violin, Tim Strand-- Tenor, Piano, and Bob Murphy--Piano and Organ. The concert will take place on Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 3 PM at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 2499 N. Helen St., North St. Paul. The program will include classical, folk and sacred music, featuring the music of Edvard Grieg, and will be followed by a Scandinavian Tea. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray expenses. St. Mark's Lutheran Church is handicapped accessible and air-conditioned. For directions or further information call Kay at Tuesday October 9 Tuesday, October 9 thru Saturday 13 Saturday October 27 Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge & Social Event Program: Antique Road Show With Mary Jo Thorsheim, Norway Art Owner/manager 30th Annual Norsk Høstfest America s Largest Scandinavian Festival State Fair Grounds - Minot, North Dakota Offering food booths, entertainment, Scandinavian artisans with arts and crafts For info: call: (701) or check Synnøve-Nordkap Annual Torsk and Meatball Dinner - Reservations required! Plan ahead - mark your calendars. Look for the sign-up sheets to help. See reverse side of page for more info. 7:00 PM daily Seatings 4:30 & 6:00 Annual Fall Lutefisk Dinner October 6-2:30-6:00PM Norwegian Glee Club sponsors Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd 4801 France Ave. So. Edina, MN Call Gary Rust (952) for info Norwegian Fall Breakfast October 6-7:30-11:00 AM Sponsored by Vennelag #513 Mount Horeb Community Center Mount Horeb, Wisconsin Call: (608) for info Or check Synnøve-Nordkap Norwegian Language Classes: Fall classes begin 1. Norwegian in Five Minutes a Month series - class 6:30-7:00 PM on Tuesday before Lodge meetings in September, October, November. (None in December) If meal is scheduled, meet 6:00-6:30 PM. 2. Norsk, Nordmenn og Norge class on Thursday, 6:30-8:00 PM Sun-Ray Library, 2105 Wilson Ave. near McKnight & Ruth Streets. Meet twice a month - Sept. 20 & 27, Oct. 18 & 25, Nov.15 & 29, Dec. 13 For information, contact class co-facilitators: Sheryl Hove or Crystal Bloecher New participants are invited to join the classes. Sunday - October 7 - October 14 Leiv Eriksson International Festival Begins with Pan-Nordic church service at 11:00 AM complete with flag procession and readings in all 5 Nordic languages. Greeting from Kong Harald given by Consul General Rolf Willy Hansen Held at: Mindekirken, the Norwegian Memorial Church, 924 E. 21st St., Minneapolis More information to follow SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 5

6 TORSK & MEATBALL DINNER FUNDRAISER SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2007 Synnøve-Nordkap Sons of Norway Lodge First Lutheran Church, Norelius Hall 463 Maria Avenue at 8 th Street East St. Paul, Minnesota (map at website) ADVANCED RESERVATIONS ONLY DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2007 After October 22, you may call to ask about available seating. Seating at: 4:30 PM. or 6:00 PM Reservations: Leave message: (1) Seating time preferred (4:30 or 6:00) (2) Number of tickets (incl. Children) (3) Name of person making reservation (4) Telephone number (5) Mail check (see below) Cost: $15.50 Adults $6.50 Child 6-10 Free Child 0-5 Non-refundable check payable to: Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge Mail check to: Mary Beth Mutchler 3496 Nancy Place Shoreview, MN Pick up tickets at door or enclose stamped self-addressed envelope with check. The meal consists of Icelandic cod, meatballs, roasted red potatoes with dill, mashed rutabagas/ carrots, coleslaw, lingonberries, lefse, rice pudding, cookies, coffee, tea, or milk. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 6

7 With Our Members Our congratulations to lodge member Ryan McGuire of Boy Scout Troop 219 on attaining the rank of Eagle Scout on April 17, Ryan was honored at a Eagle Scout Court of Honor on August 19. Beginning his path in 2000, Ryan made a stronger commitment to the rank of Eagle Scout in He attended Summer Camp every year not only at Tomahawk, but also in Illinois with his cousin s troop. For his service project, Ryan designed and built a prayer gazebo/garden for Luther Memorial Church. This project offers members of Luther Memorial and members of the community a space to take a quiet moment to meditate and pray. Several other scouts, family members, and friends offered their service to the project. Ryan is the grandson of lodge member Erna McGuire. The photographs below are from the Slice of Shoreview parade on July 28, in which our Norwegian Radio Band had its debut. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 7

8 The Local Scene Mindekirken Struck by Lightning News Flash: Our beloved Mindekirken, the Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church near Franklin and Chicago in Minneapolis, was struck by lightning during the severe storm on Monday, August 13. The landmark tall steeple was apparently struck and damaged, as large limestone blocks, pieces of slate the size of dinner plates and copper were found in the parking lot and near the front entrance of the church. The 78 year old structure has withstood time and many storms, and finding replacement stone, slate and copper to match after all these years of weathering will be difficult. The Sunday service was held in the basement for fear some of the large pieces still on the roof might crash through. Fortunately, the rest of the building and the beautiful stained glass windows are intact. As reported on KARE 11 news - Karen Vinnes Solørlag of America Bygdelag Schedule Bygdelags are organizations comprised of descendents of emigrants from Norway. Every Lag seeks to preserve the traditions of its origin in Norway. Opsdalslag, September 8-9,2007 at Scandia Lutheran Church in Centerville, SD. Solor Lag, September 12-15, 2007 at The Plaza Hotel & Suites, Eau Claire, WI Nordfjord, September 16, 2007 at Green Lake Bible Camp, Spicer, MN. Romerikslag, September 20-22, 2007 at Stoney Creek Inn, 3060 S Kinney Coulee Rd, Onalaska, WI. NEWS RELEASE The 2007 Solørlag Stevne will be held at the Plaza Inn and Suites in Eau Claire, Wisconsin on September Solørlag has a rich treasury of genealogical materials from many different sources from the Hedmark area. We also have individuals with expertise who are able to assist those who are doing research. Other activities include educational and cultural sessions, craft presentations, a bus tour in the area, two banquets and entertainment, and many opportunities for enjoying fellowship, coffee and goodies. Our director of membership is Joanne Sorbel, 7601 Duluth St., Golden Valley, MN ; (DJSORBEL@aol.com) Solørlag President is Homer Saetre, Sylvanus Trail, Battle Lake, MN ; (hsaetre@prtel.com) Solørlag website is: for more information and stevne registration forms. Registration will begin late summer. A cordial invitation is extended to all. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 8

9 The Corner Library This and That by Trudi Johnson-Richards How was the Sons of Norway organized? Minneapolis was very active in Norwegian society life for 35 years when Sons of Norway stepped into the arena. The northern part of Minneapolis was largely settled by Tronders, people from the Trondheim District in Norway, especially from the community of Selbu, a region near Lake Selbu (Selbusjoen). Of the 18 founders, 15 were Tronders and of these six were born in Selbu. The first emigration to America from Selbu took place in Large lumber mills were started in the north end of Minneapolis. It is of particular interest that the very first house built by a Norwegian in the north end of the city was that erected by Ole Draxten, father of Bersvend O. Draxten, the first supreme president of Sons of Norway, on Second Street and 20 th Avenue North, now Broadway. Not only Selbygs, but also Stjordalings, Orkdalings and people from other parts of Trondelag as well as from the City of Trondheim,located in North Minneapolis. The Sons of Norway was born because of necessity. One bank after another had toppled. Business failures were common occurrences. Stores were vacant for blocks. Nonemployment was a part of life. Relief was practically unknown. Norwegians may not have been profound students of literature or ardent lovers of art, but they keenly sensed the value of these things and fully understood that if there were to be any cultural life, it would have to be that their old fatherland could offer them. Friends assembled for an informatl meeting on Sunday, January 6, 1895 in upstairs rooms at 2029 Washington Avenue North. James Peterson presided. Bersvend O. Draxten was chosen as secretary. James Peterson, Ole A. Russeth, Knute Rasmussen, Bersvend O. Draxton and E. O. Rognaas were elected as a committee to draw up a constitution. Five names were proposed for the society: Norske Brodre, Bjornstjerne Bjornson, Norge, Tordenskjold and Bikuben. A vote was taken and the name of the great Norwegian poet was chosen. A motion was passed that all deliberations of the society should be carried on in the Norwegian language. Another motion adopted barred nonmembers from attending any meeting of the society. At the next meeting, January 16, 1895, the name was changed and the first set of permanent officers elected. This date has gone into the history as denoting the beginning of Sons of Norway. The name of the Norwegian poet, which had been adopted at the meeting of January 9, occurred to some as somewhat cumbersome. The combination bj, was so unpronounceable to the untutored tongue. A motion to reconsider the name was adopted. Two new names were suggested: Brodre of Norge and Sonner of Norge. The latter was given a majority vote (14-2) and finally adopted unanimously. From: History of Sons of Norway by Carl G. O. Hansen, December 1, SAVE USED POSTAGE STAMPS FOR TUBFRIM Ole and Lena were out walking and Lena clutched her heart and fell to the sidewalk. Ole got out his cell phone and called The operator said "Where are you?" Ole answered, "We were walking and Lena is on the sidewalk on Eucalyptus Street." The operator asked, "How do you spell that?" The phone seemed to go dead. The operator kept shouting for Ole. She could hear him panting. He finally came back on the line and said, "I dragged her over to Oak Street, that's O-A-K." Here are a few of the winners from the Washington post Mensa Invitational, which once again asked readers to take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and then supplying a new definition: (omissions censored!) 1. Cashtration (n.): The act of buying (or building) a house, which renders the subject financially impotent for an indefinite period of time. 3. Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you realize that it was your money to start with. 4. Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly. 7. Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high. 8. Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn t get it. 10. Hipatitus: Terminal coolness. 11. Osteopornosis: A degenerative disease. (This one got extra credit.) 12. Glibido: All talk and no action. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 9

10 Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1-008 Sons of Norway 3496 Nancy Place Shoreview, Minnesota Time sensitive material; please deliver promptly! Non-Profit Org U.S. POSTAGE PAID St. Paul, MN Permit No OFFICERS & Committee Chairs PRESIDENT Mary Beth Mutchler VICE PRESIDENT / MEMBERSHIP LaRee Opdahl SECRETARY Bev Dougherty CO-SECRETARY Sue Halvorson MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Trudi Johnson-Richards TREASURER Clayton Lance SOCIAL DIRECTOR Sharon Kalmes CULTURAL DIRECTOR Sharon Amann COUNSELOR Ruth Gibson TRUSTEES Joanne Ronning Taffy Storck Meredith Berg MARSHALL Curt Hogenson ASSISTANT MARSHALL Kathy Kaluza SPORTS DIRECTOR Rod Hale HISTORIAN Lenore Jesness MUSICIAN Donarae Peterson GREETERS Jack and Bev Dougherty NEWSLETTER EDITORS Dave Mutchler dmutchler@comcast.net Karen Vinnes vinne001@tc.umn.edu /PUBLICITY: Leif Erickson lericks@pressenter.com NEWSLETTER MAILER: Beryl Boe SUNSHINE Judy Cullen LIBRARIAN Trudi Johnson-Richards GENEALOGY Cathie Reasoner NORSK CLASSES Sheryl Hove / Crystal Bloecher WEBMASTER Dave Mutchler dmutchler@comcast.net FOUNDATION / SCHOLARSHIP Leif Erickson JUNIOR LODGE / PEER GYNT DANCERS Susan Stow AUDITORS Bob Smith / Ed Gilbertson / Linda Holmstrom TARGET GROUP Eivind Heiberg (763) (All area codes are 651 unless otherwise specified). SYNNØVE-NORDKAP SONS OF NORWAY LODGE #1-008 First Lutheran Church 463 Maria Ave. St. Paul, MN Upcoming Activities Tim Dahl humor/singing - Tues. 9/11 Norwegian Antique Road Show - Tues. 10/9 Torsk & Meatball dinner - Sat. 10/ More Info Inside The Mission of Synnøve-Nordkap is to promote, preserve and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries while growing soundly as a fraternal benefit society and offering maximum benefits to its members. Visitors and new members are always welcomed. SynNorBrevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge, Issue , Page 10