www.olympiasonsofnorway.org Hovedstad Posten Volume 44, Issue 9 December 2017 New start time for the winter 6:30 PM Board Meetings Third Tuesday of the Month at 5:30 Subway Cleveland Ave & North St All members are invited Regular Meetings September May 4th Monday each month at 7:00 PM Columbian Hall 6794 Martin Way E Olympia, WA 98516 Need directions? Have a question about an upcoming meeting or event? Contact Linda Fialkowski 459-3982 norwaydreamer@comcast.net Next Meeting Jan. 22, 2018 6:30 PM Kjære venner, Fra Presidenten Our summer was long and warm and blended into one of the most beautiful and colorful autumns that I can remember. I trust you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving this year. What a great opportunity to spend time with family members and friends and, of course, to eat too much Now we turn our thoughts to the Christmas holiday and all the holiday preparations. This is such a festive time of year bursting with more bazaars and Julefests than we can possibly attend. But it must be our duty to try. We had a wonderful Julefest at St Mark Lutheran Church last week. So much good food and fun. The Alleluia! Handbell Ensemble entertained us with their bell chimes and then invited the audience to join them in playing Christmas Carols. Who knew we had so much talent in our Lodge! Then we had the gingerbread house making contest. You will see the winning Gingerbread House elsewhere in this newsletter. For me, the highlight of the day was the Lodge s gift to me. My very own King Harald medal. It was such a surprise and I am so honored that the Lodge gifted me with the medal. I will wear it with honor and pride forever. Mange tusen takk! As 2017 draws to a close we can reflect back on the past year, which seems to have just flown by. We proudly sponsored our 11 th Annual Norway Day; celebrated the Norwegian Constitution Day with our Syttende Mai dinner featuring guest speaker PLU Associate Professor, Claudia Bergeson; the Summer picnic at the Solberg home; our 48th Anniversary Viking dinner and another Julefest 2017. Sadly, we said Farewell to several of our long time members. They are missed, but we are grateful for the time we had with them and for their contributions to our Lodge. I personally want to say a special Tusen takk to all of the board and committee members for their hard work and dedicated efforts on behalf of Hovedstad Lodge, and to all our members for their support of the Lodge. As we move forward into the New Year we have many new and fun programs and events to look forward to. Så ønsker jeg dere alle en riktig God Jul og et Godt Nyttår! Joanne
Hovedstad Lodge 2017 Executive Officers President, Joanne Gray 360-923-1242 president@olympiasonsofnorway.org Vice President, Bill Hegge 360-489-2726 Secretary, Nancy Hill 360-280-4461 arhynn@gmail.com Treasurer, Judy Byles 360-352-4725 bylesfj@comcast.net Counselor, Linda Fialkowski 360-459-3982 norwaydreamer@comcast.net Program Directors Social Director, Jytta Wagoner 360-456-0925 Cultural Director, David Olsen 360 456-8578 writedavido@live.com Youth /Sports Director, Elaine/Bob Dunn 360-584-6668 bobpdunn@msn.com ehilberg_dunn@hotmail.com Support Directors Marshals Ron MacDonald & John Gray Trustees Dan Konopatzke 3 Yr 360-491-6048 Terra Hegge 2 Yr 360-350-8383 Anne Vatshell, 1 Yr 360-943-9032 Hostess Coordinators Terra Hegge 360-350-8383 Greeters Lori Gibson 360 273-7700 Nancy Huddleston 360-458-2361 Editor Linda Fialkowski 360-459-3982 norwaydreamer@comcast.net Lodge Sons of Norway Hovedstad Lodge Meeting November 27, 2017 The meeting was called to order at 6:45 p.m. The roll call was taken. There were 32 members present, 8 of which were officers. The guests were Marcia Kjesbu and Deb Collins. There were two corrections to be made to the October minutes. MSP* The evening program was a performance by two of Deb Collins Hardanger fiddle students, Josephine, 8 years old and Henning 10 years old. The meeting was reconvened at 7:50 p.m. Reports: Vice President We have one new member, Linda Hansen. Secretary Please get your 2017 activity reports in. Treasurer A report was made on the checking account. The proposed 2018 budget was reviewed. An addition of $25.00 was added to the hall rent budget to cover the setting up and taking down of the tables and chairs. At the November board meeting it was voted that an increase to $2500.00 would be made to the Convention amount in the budget for the following policy: The Lodge will pay for the registration for up to three delegates. It will also pay for half a room and reimburse mileage at 50 cents a mile. Carpooling is encouraged. If air is required airfare and parking is included. MSP* the new policy was approved. A motion by Bob was made to approve the 2018 budget, MSP* Trustees A report was given on the Edward Jones account. Social not present Cultural The book exchange went well, donations of the remaining books were made to the veteran s hospital and to the cultural library. Youth no report Sports no report Editor/Counselor We need a few more hosts and hostesses. Old Business: Danish Sisterhood had bazaar at PLU, Joanne sold items and donated 50% of sales to the lodge. There are some of the items available here for sale on the back table, and items will also be available at Julefest. New Business: Linda Hansen was initiated as a new member. Russ Hansen received his Golden Membership Certificate Election of Officers: President Joanne Gray Vice President Bill Hegge Secretary Nancy Hill Treasurer Judy Byles Cultural not filled Social not filled 3-year Trustee Corrine Tobeck 2-year Trustee Dan Konopatzke 1-year Trustee Terra Hegge Sports Bob Dunn Youth Elaine Dunn Marshalls John Gray, Ron MacDonald Counselor/Editor Linda Fialkowski Greeters Julie & Chuck Newby Hostess Coordinator Terra Hegge Julefest will be December 9, 2017 at St Mark from 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Bell ringers will be there to perform. Llight finger foods and cookies. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Respectfully submitted, *MSP= Moved, Seconded, Passed Nancy Hill, Secretary
Dear Member, On January 1, 2018, Sons of Norway is converting to a simplified dues structure. The new plan includes a Family Membership, something that has been requested for years. This new membership category requires that all members in a household share the same renewal date. For this first year as we transition to the new dues structure, we will be using the renewal date of the household resident that is the latest in the year. (For instance, if one member has an April renewal date and the other has a September date, both renewals will occur in September) The new membership card that you receive should reflect the latest renewal date in 2018 for members of your household. If you have any questions, please email us at 2018dues@sofn.com. We value your membership in Sons of Norway. 2018 Dues Update- From Your Financial Benefits Counselor- What can you do about the growing pile of unwanted mail in your mailbox and unwelcome telemarketers on your phone?. Tell companies you do business with to remove your name from customer lists they rent or sell to others Opt-out info is on marketing lists and websites.. Call the credit reporting agencies system at 1-888-567-8688 to reduce the number of unsolicited credit and insurance offers you get.. The Federal government s Do Not Call Registry allows you to restrict telemarketing calls permanently by registering your phone number a www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Cell phone numbers can also be added to the Do Not Call Registry. If you receive calls after your number has been in the registry for three months, you can file a complaint using the same web page and phone number. Political organizations, charities, and telephone surveyors, as well as organizations with which you have a relationship are still allowed to call.. Spam text messages are annoying and illegal. Common scams use text message spam to lure you into revealing personal info in exchange for a free gift like a gift card. In order to collect your gift, the message instructs you to reply with your bank account or card that gets charged for the shipping and then you never receive the gift. Never click on the links provided in these messages or give out your personal info.. Be suspicious of phone calls, texts, or emails that claim to be from the government which may use government agency names, or fake ones that sound real. They may say you owe money to the I.R.S. Contact the agency involved directly at www.usa.gov/directory/federal/index.shtml. If you suspect a scam, report it to the FTC 1-877-382-4357 and the state consumer protection office 1-800-551-4636 For protection of your family legacy and financial matters, call your Financial Benefits counselor. Call your Financial Benefits Counselor Marti Brown to review your existing policies and to discuss your insurance needs. (253) 227-4586 Cell (253) 588-0204 office
Norwegian Christmas Traditions -The Christmas Goat The Norwegian Christmas tradition involving the julebukk, or Christmas goat, stretches at least back to the Middle Ages, and perhaps even further. In the highly superstitious culture of Middle Ages Norway, julebukken was said to be the most frightening of the demonic spirits of Åsgårdsreien that would fly over Norwegian homes around Christmas time wreaking havoc upon families not keeping all the various taboos of the season. Groups of villagers would join together donning costumes of the members of Åsgårdsreien and go from house to house causing mischief. Villagers would often offer Christmas goodies to the characters to appease their wrath. The modern version of this tradition in Norway is somewhat tamer. To go julebukk now refers to Norwegian children dressing up in costumes and going door to door singing Christmas songs in return for goodies. Does that sound anything like a certain popular American holiday? Many Norwegian-Americans have even tried adding a little Norwegian twist to their Christmas caroling to make it a little more reminiscent of going julebukk President Joanne congratulating our newest Golden Member, Russ Hansen. Teacher and Hardanger fiddle player, Deb Collins with students Henning and Josephine at our November meeting.
Julefest 2017 Ellen Kjesbu Norm & Pat Nelson Terra Hegge Linda Fialkowski Bob & Elaine Dunn Keith Bare, Joanne Gray John Gray & Kyrie Betty Lott & Family Joanne, Linda & Judy Byles
Mark Your Calendar Dec 25 GOD JUL! Jan 1 GODT NYTT ÅR! Jan 14 2, 4 or 6 PM Lutefisk Dinner at Grays Harbor Lodge in Aberdeen call Dixie 360-533-2827 for reservations Jan 16 5:30 PM Board Meeting Tumwater Subway Jan 17 1-3 Genealogy workshop SCC @ PLU Jan 20 5 PM Crab Feed at Norden Lodge in Tacoma $25 Last ticket sales Dec 27th Call Joyce for reservations 253-922-2426 Jan 25 Reg Meeting and Initiation of Officers Feb 6 Sami National Day Hostess Coordinator Terra Hegge 360.350.8383 Hovedstad Posten Editor Linda Fialkowski 8108 Afflerbaugh Ct SE Olympia, WA 98503