With Easter comes spring, renewal, and new beginnings. I did a little investigating to learn more about Easter and our traditions. This was sparked by a Facebook post made by Lois Berseth Hedlund discussing the Easter Egg. She got me to thinking, why do we do the things that we do? Where did these traditions come from? And, this is what I found out, the early Christians adopted Easter from a pagan festival celebrating Eostre. Eostre is the goddess of spring and fertility. The goddess consorted with a hare, which may have been how we came to have the Easter Bunny. Rabbits happen to be an ancient symbol for fertility and new life, two ideas strongly associated with spring and Easter. Now, the Easter Egg may have become popular because for centuries the church banned eggs during lent, thus becoming a special treat to eat again on Easter. Decorating eggs is one of the oldest of Easter customs. This lavish tradition actually originated in Russia. Soon royalty and the upper-crust were giving each other jeweled eggs as gifts, such as the famous Fabergé eggs. Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus, from which Jesus resurrected. In addition, one ancient tradition was the staining of Easter eggs with the color red in memory of the blood of Christ, shed as at that time of his crucifixion. Since ancient times the egg symbolizes birth, rebirth, and new life. They symbolize life in its different stages of development, encompassing the magic and mystery of creation. It is time for us to think of our Lodge as an egg. We need to renew and begin new things, breathe in new air in order to grow and become even stronger than we are. Mary Andersen mentions in her article on the next page of supporting other lodges, becoming more involved within our lodge as well as our community. Strengthen our contacts and support systems, but most importantly we need to be open and welcoming to new people interested in our Lodge. And who wouldn t be interested as we are nothing less than fantastic! Fraternally yours, Kimberly Breiland, President save the dates of lodge Brooklyn future meetings and events tea Party Sunday, April 23, 2017 1:00 PM Gjøa Sporting Club, Brooklyn viking fest 2017 Saturday, May 20, 2017 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM Owl s Head/Bliss Park, Brooklyn syttende mai Parade Sunday, May 21, 2017 1:30 PM 80th Street & 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn BBq summer kick-off Sunday, June 4, 2017 1:00 PM Gjøa Sporting Club, Brooklyn we hope to see you
Page 2 fra Presidenten, mary B. andersen april 2017 An article on Linkedin caught my eye a few weeks ago. It encouraged people to spend time thinking about what you wanted. This appealed to me as I am a thinker. I started thinking about Sons of Norway and in particular District Three and my goals as your President (communication, collaboration, community). And the result of my thinking is that despite challenges we have faced and will continue to face, I am feeling good about good ol District Three! Hmppppppph, you may be saying, what water cooler is she drinking from? Here is what I thought about. Since my first term as President beginning in 2014, I have seen: Increased communication. We are talking to each other more, whether it be through social media or attending each other s lodge functions. Increased support we have had quite a few lodge anniversaries and it is so great to see people from different lodges joining in the celebration. At Fredriksten s 105th Anniversary celebration, there were nine different lodges in attendance and two of them were from Florida. Our Florida lodges welcome the northern snow birds each winter. We are thinking out of the box Scandinavian Heritage had an information table at a polar bear exhibit; Hampton Roads will be setting up an information table at a Home Improvement show where attendance is typically in the thousands. For the past two years we have had a table at ScanFest in Northern NJ where the attendance is in the thousands. Blafjell participates annually in a parade of nations. Many members are working hard at getting the word out about Sons of Norway. Land of the Vikings is open for business and old customers have come back and new customers are appearing. We are in the community read a lodge and you can see that there has been participation in some kind of community related event, whether it is a food kitchen or a walk for a particular cause. So, what am I envisioning for the future as we move forward to the end of my term in June 2018: Lodge consolidation which is not a bad thing. It is better to have a strong lodge with a larger core of engaged members than a few smaller lodges with members who are no longer able to be engaged as they once were or just plain burnt out and need a break. Support mechanisms we are slowly building support mechanisms for lodges with declining membership or disengaged members. There is no magic bullet, no one size fits all solution. We will address each lodge situation individually as it presents itself and I am hopeful we will come to meaningful resolutions. Communications continued communications. But remember, communications is a two way street. Please join the conversation when asked or start a new conversation. Member engagement our 3D walking contest has gotten many members up and about. I see it as a catalyst for increased involvement. Think out of the box to engage your members. Publicity we have to work on this one. We have to tell the world what we do and that doesn t come easy for us but we are working on it! Despite the challenges we face, I know we will survive. Why? Because I have met so many of you and you are great and you are resilient. We are strong in spirit and steadfast, a winning combination! God Påske! Mary
Page 3 lodge Brooklyn meetings and others tea Party Sunday, April 23, 2017 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM Gjøa Sporting Club, Brooklyn $10 Lodge Brooklyn members, $15 all others Open face sandwiches Raffles and 50/50 BBq summer kick-off Sunday, June 4, 2017 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM Gjøa Sporting Club, Brooklyn $10 Lodge Brooklyn members, $15 all others Hot dogs and hamburgers Raffles and 50/50 80 th anniversary Norden Lodge 3-407 Sunday, April 30, 2017 12:00 PM until 4:00 PM Marconi Manor Ballroom $55 per person; dinner and entertainment RSVP: Karen Olsen-Helmold; 516-935-0751 lov golf tournament Weekend of May 5-7, 2017 The John Karlsen Memorial Land of the Vikings Tournament Fee: $70 per Golfer email Bev or Rick for info: vikingland@tds.net Call Bev or Rick for info: 570-461-3500
Page 4 happenings near us viking fest 2017 Saturday, May 20, 2017 10 AM until 5 PM Owl s Head / Bliss Park Hosted by Scandinavian East Coast Museum Enactments, entertainment, games, food, and vendors syttende mai Parade Journeying Through 65 Years Sunday, May 21, 2017 1:30 PM Steps off at 80th Street and Third Avenue what you need to know for the syttende mai Parade Journeying Through 65 Years Sunday, May 21, 2017 Steps off at 1:30 PM This year the Sons of Norway will be Group III and lining up on 85th Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues, please meet us on 85th Street and 3rd Avenue at 1:15 PM so we can organize. Please wear a bunad if you have or red, white, and/or blue. The order of march will be: International Officers Third District Officers Followed by: 1st Troll Lodge 2nd Bernt Balchen Lodge 3rd Nor-Bu Lodge 4th Nansen Lodge 5th Norumbega Lodge 6th Loyal Lodge 7th Henrik Ibsen Lodge 8th Faerder Lodge 9th Brooklyn Lodge 10th Norden Lodge 11th Hudson Valley Lodge Please be aware that there will be two Parade Marshalls assigned to 85th Street to assist in the lineup. For identification they will be wearing green sashes. HIP HIP HURRAH!!!!
Page 5 happenings near us Zone one scholarship Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:00 PM Reception; 2:00 PM Show The Star Playhouse; Commack, NY $20 per person For an extra $40 per person, enjoy dinner For more info: karinryan1@yahoo.com antique car show Vendor Fair and Scandinavian Festival at LOV Friday, August 11, 2017 Anyone wishing to help that weekend or participate as a vendor please contact Karen Olsen-Helmold at 516-935-0751 or kolsen2@verizon.net lobster lov fest Saturday, August 26, 2017 1:30 PM until 7:00 PM Land of the Vikings, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania Lobster, lobster, lobster, and some steak! Games by Bob Carlson, Music by Ellen Lindstrom RSVP; 570-461-3500 OR Vikingland@tds.com 50 th anniversary Troll Lodge Saturday, September 23, 2017 6:00 PM until 11:00 PM Ethan Allen Hotel, Danbury, Connecticut $75 per person; cocktails, dinner, and dancing RSVP: Karen Williams; 914-736-0784
Page 6 meet our members and friends Kimberly Breiland, Barbara Berntsen, and Gyda Arber Riise Hetherington Bob Carlsen Sylvia Reich, Lois Berseth Hedlund and Carl Hedlund Sylvia Kristiansen, Eleanor Jensen, and Askel Andresen Stephen Helmold Karen Olsen Helmold Arne Larsen, Alisa Spicer, Janet Faaland, Ray and Alice Spicer Bob Carlsen, Carol, and Janet Faaland Stephen Sabaugh Heidi Breiland and Stanley Carlsen
Page 7 Boosters Your donation is a voluntary act which helps pay for the publication and distribution of our Lodge. Make your check payable to Lodge Brooklyn and mail to: Kimberly Breiland, 73 Circuit Rd., Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 or turn in to one of the Executive Committee members at a meeting. We appreciate all your support! Member Amount Date Alice Svege $10 February 2017 Peter Johansen $30 February 2017 gratulerer med dagen Hannah McLoughlin January 22 Robert McKeever, CLU Financial Benefits Counselor www.sonsofnorway.com Phone: (800) 561-1492 Cell: (631) 672-5340 Fax: (631) 863-2204 email: Bob@rmclu.com Karin Holldorf February 11 Freddy Olsen March 4 Ingrid Ommundsen March 5 Jorulf Tranoy March 5 Nicholas JK Bahne March 14 Ragnhild Wallstedt March 20 Kjellaug Tangen April 2 Hailey Louise Papa April 9 Kimberly Breiland April 14 Oddbjorg Olsen April 16 Elsie Willumsen April 21 Tonnes Tonnessen April 29 Sigrun Larsen May 5 Corinne Alexis Hall May 8 the nordic tee $28.00 (of which $10 goes to Lodge Brooklyn) Show off your heritage and support our Lodge! Our very own artist, Corinne Hall, has created these awesome T-shirts. She is an entrepreneur and owns Love Nico. You can purchase this Tee by simply visiting: love-nico.com. Daniel Johnson May 12 Janet Faaland May 18 Amanda McAvena May 29 David Thorsen June 20 Beverly Malmbeck June 25 Olivia Rasmussen June 26
Page 8 lodge Brooklyn, est. 1923 It is our Lodge s intent to help preserve the traditions and history of the Norwegian and American Norwegian culture. Our Lodge sits in a unique place, near the bridge that connects these two countries. Many of those who came from Norway in the 1900s landed in Brooklyn, and several of these families stayed for generations raising their children, and then their American-born grandchildren. Woven into our history are both sides of the story. Where we come from, and what it was like for our relatives to live in full communities together in America. Lodge Brooklyn has a reputation amongst other Lodges of the Sons of Norway as being one of the most fun, down to earth, and lighthearted groups within the organization. We always have a good time as we gather and share past memories and create new ones in a fun, warm, and welcoming environment. stuffed eggs officers President: Kimberly Breiland Vice President: Beverly Malmbeck Secretary: Social Director: Solveig Simonsen McLoughlin Treasurer: Elaine Breiland Financial Secretary: Kimberly Breiland Editor: Lisa Reinke Publicity Director: Gyda Arber Music/Cultural Director: Corinne Hall who s who Editor-in-Chief: Kimberly Breiland Photographer: Gyda Arber to contribute or receive Contact: Kimberly Breiland via Phone: 917-523-3266 via e-mail: kimberly@lodgebrooklyn.org via Snail Mail: 73 Circuit Rd. Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 Ingredients 4 Hard-cooked eggs 1.5 Tbsp chopped ham, anchovy fillets, or smoked salmon 1 Tsp butter 1 Tbsp grated cheese Peel the eggs and halve lengthwise Carefully remove yolks and blend with remaining ingredients Stuff the egg whites with the mixture Garnish to your liking Become a member Contact: Kimberly Breiland via Phone: 917-523-3266 via e-mail: Kimberly@LodgeBrooklyn.org via Snail Mail: 73 Circuit Rd. Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 LodgeBrooklyn3243 Sons of Norway Lodge Brooklyn 3-243 73 Circuit Road, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987 Tel: 1-917-523-3266 Email: Kimberly@LodgeBrooklyn.org