The

POSTEN President’s Column October 2014

Inside This Issue

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Meeting Dates

The Movie "Kristin Lavransdatter" Membership Matters; Birthdates Song for Leif

Nominating Committee's "Emergency Alert" Desert Fjord Information

Scandinavian Christmas Bazaar/Fair Flyers

by Ed Bergo, President

Celebrating Leif Erikson Day Our meeting on October 12th will include a short video about Leif and his discovery of North America. Leif explored the area that he called Vinland, because of the “grapes” he saw growing there. (However, grapes are grown further south from that part of Newfoundland!) This was approximately in year 1003, almost five centuries before Christopher Columbus discovered North America. The date, October 9, 1925, was chosen by U.S. Congress and the President because it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the landing of Restauration on its voyage from Stavanger to New York, landing on October 9, 1825. That trip marked the beginning of organized immigration from Scandinavia to the United States.

Business Minutes; Other SofN Lodges; District 6; Zone 7

Desert Fjord Lodge 6-133 P.O. Box 1716 Scottsdale, AZ 85252-1716 Voice Mail: 480-422-4334

Who was Leif Erikson? His father, Erik the Red, was banished from Norway and migrated to Iceland and eventually Greenland. Leif Erikson was born in Iceland.

As a young man, he went to Norway to work for King Olaf I. During his stay in Norway, he was converted to Christianity. He returned to Greenland in about year 1001 and bought a boat to sail west to what is now L’Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland. Leif established a base camp in L’Anse aux Meadows. The current thinking is that he learned about the lands west of Greenland from Barni Herjolfsson who had spotted Baffin Island on one of his earlier expeditions. Herjolfsson never landed in the lands to the west, just observed them from his ship. Desert Fjord’s Anniversary On November 9th, we will celebrate our lodge’s 30th anniversary. Desert Fjord was the first lodge established in Arizona in 1984. The list of charter members includes some familiar names to be noted in next month's Posten.

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Heritage and Culture Meeting October 12th, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge, 2531 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, Arizona

The Program will include a short video about Leif Erikson and his discovery of North America Reservations are needed by: October 9th - RSVP to Phyllis Bergo, 2589 E. Erie Ct. Gilbert, AZ 85295, 480-812-9762 or 602-762-3840 [email protected]

Menu: Potato soup and chili; green salad and broccoli salad; indian bread and cornbread; cheese; coffee and juice; cookies and cream puffs; (catered by Sweet Tomatoes Restaurant) Cost: $8.00 - adults $4.00 - children under 16 $22.00 - family plan

Come in your Viking Costumes! Several people wore Viking costumes at the September meeting which was very enjoyable for all to see. We hope that even more Viking costumes will be worn in October.

A prize will be given at the October meeting for best costume.

How to Make a Viking Costume Homemade Viking Costume Ideas: see details on Page 8.

Did you know that the Sons of Norway Foundation awards scholarships and grants to promote Norwegian heritage and culture and provides assistance to our members, lodges and their communities? Our lodge has a monthly fundraiser at our Heritage and Culture Meetings. We do this by placing piggy banks on each table. You will hear more about this fundraiser in future months. -Dick Westby

Business Meeting: October 4th, at 1:00 p.m., following the morning Genealogy Meeting, at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale

Kristin Lavransdatter A 1995 Norwegian film directed by Liv Ullmann From the book by Sigrid Undset Come and see this wonderful story of Norwegian history. The showing will be on Saturday October 4th at the Granite Reef Senior Center, starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. Ask at the front desk for the Sons of Norway meeting room. Bring your own snacks and drinks and a little extra to share with your friends. (See more details on Page 3.)

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Norwegian Genealogists, Kristin Lavransdatter! With your genealogy skills, you already know that the person is Kristin, the daughter of Lavrans! Your knowledge of patronymics pays off! We are going to deviate a bit from our normal Family History studies and see a movie. This movie will contribute to your knowledge and understanding of Norwegian history and culture. The movie, directed by Norwegian actress, Liv Ullman, is from the first book of the trilogy by the same name, written by Sigrid Undset. Undset won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928 for this book. The movie was the Norwegian entry to the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film in 1996. It is said that more than ¾ of the Norwegian people have seen the movie and/or read the books. It was filmed in Norway. So you will see scenes in famous places like the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim as well as the countryside and fjords. Liv kept the movie details very close to the book. It provides us a strong feeling for the mores of society, responsibilities to family and society, what was expected of you in the middle ages. Perhaps some or all of us still carry a bit of that in our DNA. When I took my wife to see this movie years ago, she said to me as we were exiting the theater, “Now I know why you are like you are.” I didn’t know what she meant then…. And maybe not now? The movie was released in 1995 and was available only as a VCR tape. It was never mastered on to DVD format. Somehow we have a DVD copy. The movie is more than two hours long. There may be pieces of the original missing from the DVD and the recording is a bit dark. It is in Norwegian with English subtitles which are clear and easy to read. Come and see this wonderful story of Norwegian history. You may want to read the rest of the trilogy after seeing the movie. The showing will be on Saturday, October 4th at the Granite Reef Senior Center, starting promptly at 10:00 a.m. Ask at the front desk for the Sons of Norway meeting room. Bring your own snacks and drinks and a little extra to share with your friends.

Mission Statement To promote and to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway; to celebrate our relationship with other Nordic Countries; and to provide quality insurance and financial products for our members.

Fraternally, Ross Berg Dear Phyllis, Would you please express to the Sons of Norway my appreciation for their wonderful hospitality. I had such a good time. Doug's talk was very interesting and informative. The "Viking " food was delicious. I really enjoyed the fruit soup. I was very impressed with the appreciation your member s have for honoring and preserving Norwegian culture. Best Regards, Carol Rascon (Irish Cultural Center)

Doug Lintner giving his presentation at the September 14 th meeting on Viking Influence in Celtic Lands.

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MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

by Floyd Downs, Membership Secretary A member of our lodge becomes a Golden Member of Sons of Norway under two conditions: (1) he/she must be 65 years old, and (2) he/she must have been a member of SofN for 30 years, though not necessarily continuously. Recently I received notice that we had gained five new Golden Members and this prompted me to provide this review for your information. Currently, Desert Fjord has twelve Golden Members, listed herewith, along with the number of years a SofN member in parentheses. The newest five, having joined SofN on the founding of our lodge September 22, 1984, are identified with an asterisk. Muriel Bakken (43) *Howard Barikmo (30) Ella Brovitz (37) Reidun Daeffler (43) *Kathleen Gabrielson (30) Knut Haldorsen (44) *Charlott Holton (30) *Lynn Kolstad (30) Berit Miltun (30) Janet Peterson (32) Mary Steinnes (32) *Paul Wold (30) Some of the above have joined Desert Fjord Lodge rather recently, having brought their long SofN membership with them. Additionally we have one Life Member, Reidar Gabrielson, who has been a SofN member for 71 years! That deserves an extra special ovation from us all!

O C T O B E R

Two members of our lodge are due to turn Golden in December: Marjorie Mafi (30) Shirley Ouren (30) Others on the “Soon-to-be” list are: Shirley Kalin (29) Allan Solheim (26) Robert Tungland II (29) Dick Westby (27) And too young to qualify: Heather Kalin (30) Gordon Troan (29) That makes twenty-one “honorees” in total. Congratulations to them all! Gaining new, younger members is so very important to the continued existence of our lodge, especially since our present membership is significantly aging so that finding new leadership to perform essential tasks of organizational responsibilities has become very difficult. We hope that you will keep spreading news of the significance of Desert Fjord to all those of Scandinavian heritage and that you extend the invitation to join our festivities. Finally, you are once again reminded of our Membership Retention Fund that can assist members currently under financial stress to meet their SofN dues extensions. All such requests or referrals are strictly private and anonymous as are the names of those who volunteer funds to support the MRF. I can be contacted in person during a Desert Fjord meeting, by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 480-816-3875.

B I R T H D A Y S

Marcia S. Keuhl Myrtle L. Knutson Mary Jane Gordon Martin L. Johnson Brenda A. Witsoe Mike Opoien Kristin Lynn Hanson John H. Anderson Barbara B. Richey Lois L. Finstad Joanne Nelson Mary Carolyn Soine Hennessy Spargo

2nd 2nd 3rd 3rd 3rd 11th 12th 13th 19th 22nd 26th 26th 28th

GRATULERER MED DAGEN

Happy Birthday! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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To honor Leif Erikson and celebrate our Nordic-American heritage, the Congress, by joint resolution (Public Law 88-566) approved on September 2, 1964, has authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 9th of each year as "Leif Erikson Day." Song for Leif by Karin Bardarson A babe is born on a rugged shore, placed at the feet of his father His fate unsure as the wind howled and the gods watched over Iceland, Iceland! They called him Leif and his little heart beat with a powerful fury And he grew up strong and he grew up straight to take the Viking journey From Iceland, Iceland! And some love the pastures green Some love the sands of the desert But a Viking loves the salty sea And the lure of adventure It was said out to the West a distant land was floating So Leif the Lucky took the bet and vowed to go exploring For Iceland, Iceland! Load the ships, hoist the sails, praise Thor and Odin Set your backs, begin to pull, we’re bound to go exploring A new land, a new land! And some love the pastures green Some love the sands of the desert But a Viking loves the salty sea And the lure of adventure And the ship moved like a serpent through the sea As the crew pressed on courageously The stuff of legends would be made About our hero Leif Birds sit on a fruited vine, salmon swim the waters A new land is discovered by Viking sons and daughters A new land, a new land! And some love the pastures green Some love the sands of the desert But a Viking loves the salty sea And the lure of adventure

Casting Opportunity for Alt For Norge O’Connor Casting Company is casting nationwide for Season 6 of “The Great Norway Adventure” (Aka “Alt For Norge) - an adventurous and fun-spirited reality TV show where you travel to Norway to compete in cultural and adventurous challenges trying to win a meeting with relatives you don’t know exist and a cash prize of $50,000.00. ELIGIBILTY: Must be of Norwegian descent (even just a little Norwegian blood in your veins counts), have never traveled to Norway, be a U.S. Citizen and at least 18 years old by Feb. 16, 2015. Application and Video submission Deadline is December 3rd, 2014. Click here for more information and to apply: http://oconnorcasting.tv/norway/ or contact Ed Bergo at [email protected] or Roger Espeland at [email protected]

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WE NEED YOU TO HELP OPERATE DESERT FJORD LODGE! PLEASE VOLUNTEER! THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ALERT FROM THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE!!!

Membership in any organization includes the responsibility for helping to fill leadership roles. If you want Desert Fjord Lodge to continue to operate and to hold monthly meetings then we must have full participation by our members. Currently we have vacancies in positions for the 2015-2016 term for President, Secretary, and the Heritage and Cultural Programs Committee. We offer guidance and mentoring assistance, but we need some volunteers. If you can help, call Ross Berg (480-767-3359) or e-mail ([email protected])

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2014 Desert Fjord Officers President Vice-President

Ed Bergo Dirk Walter

Historian Librarians

Secretary

Lynn Eide

Marshals

Treasurer

Astrid Hanson

Membership Secretary Counselor Social Directors

Floyd Downs

Publicity Dir. Pub. Relations, Outreach, and Photographer Greeters

Ross Berg Posten Editor Berit Miltun and Nellie Lokken Reservations

Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, Judi Anderson and Gil Witsoe Knut Haldorsen and Peter Flanders Janis Johnson

Floyd Downs and Ross Berg Julie Westby Phyllis Bergo

Cultural Directors

Phyllis Bergo (acting), Jana Schools and Ed Bergo (acting) Peterson, Beth Vander Schaaf Scholarships Dick Westby and Marci Johnson Auditors Dirk Walter and Floyd Downs Sports Tyler Soine Boutique Ali Berg-Anderson Sunshine Dawn Walter Foundation Dick Westby Tubfrim Lois Ripley and Lois Saakas Database and Ref. Roger Espeland Trustee (1yr) Knut Haldorsen; (2yr) Floyd Manual Downs; (3yr) Ross Berg Distribution Tyler Soine Webmaster Roger Espeland Desert Fjord Lodge 6-133 P.O. Box 1716, Scottsdale, AZ 85252-1716 Voice Mail: 480-422-4334; Website: http://www.desertfjord.org/index.html Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Desert-Fjord-Lodge-6-133-Sons-of Norway/563052183744742 Heritage and Culture Meeting 2 Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Scottsdale Masonic Lodge, 2531 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85252 480-946-1072 (use only during meeting time) nd

Business Meeting October 4th, at 1:00 p.m. following the morning Genealogy Meeting, at Granite Reef Senior Center, 1700 N. Granite Reef Road, Scottsdale, AZ Desert Fjord Posten Submissions: Send to: [email protected]

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The Limited Edition 2014 Sons of Norway Commemorative Christmas Ornament. This year's ornament beautifully displays Agder style of rosemaling. Each ornament shows off the beauty of Norwegian heritage with a handcreated design by Shirley Evenstad, a Vesterheim Gold Medal winner, and is sure to be a welcome addition to your tree this Christmas. All you have to do is call 800-945-8851. Members can order ornaments for $14.99 + S&H

How to Make a Viking Costume Homemade Viking Costume Ideas (Continued from Page 2); please “control+click” on these links: http://www.squidoo.com/how-tomake-homemade-vikingcostumes-for-halloween or http://www.virtue.to/articles/in_d epth_garb.html

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Sons of Norway – Desert Fjord Lodge 6-133 Business Meeting at Granite Reef Senior Center –September 6, 2014 1. 2. 3.

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Meeting called to order by Dirk Walters at 1:00 PM. In attendance: Roger Espeland, Floyd Downs, Elizabeth Lenci-Downs, Ross Berg, Astrid Hanson, Janis Johnson, and Lynn Eide. Quorum (4+): Yes May 2014 meeting minutes were read. Janis made a motion to accept minutes as read. Ross seconded the motion. Treasurer’s Report – Astrid Hanson a. Discussion held regarding purchase of 10 new ceramic “piggies” to which SON logos could be affixed. b. Ross made a motion to purchase and replace plastic “piggies” with ceramic “piggies.” Floyd seconded the motion. Review of September 14th Heritage and Cultural Meeting. a. Reviewed preliminary meeting agenda. b. Cultural Director’s Report –Doug Vintner will discuss Viking influence on Celtic lands. th c. SUNDAY September 14 , 2:00 PM  Social Director’s Report – Not presented. Committee Reports a. Membership – Lodge membership activity report: 147 active members (includes juvenile members with active insurance). 6 new affiliate members (Justin Taylor, Robert Killion, Leif Strom, Karen Crofton, Barbara Lawrie, and Susan McClinton) have been added to the lodge. 5 golden members will be honored at next social meeting. Golden member is defined as being a member for 25 years. Discussed presenting welcome packets to new members and assigning them to mentors within the organization. b. Library – Elizabeth reported that the library inventory has been computerized. It was noted that members seem to prefer historical works. 1923 census book needs to be rebound. Inquiry will be made to see if can be rebound and at what cost. c. Sunshine – No report. d. Cultural/Sports awards – No report e. Genealogy  Ross reported that several new members have been introduced to Sons of Norway through genealogy classes.  Next month a Face Bbook demonstration for genealogical purposes in both America and Norway will be presented at monthly meeting. f. Publicity – Calendar of events is updated monthly by Janis. g. Posten – Kudos to Julie Westby for recognition of Posten at Palm Springs convention. h. Calling committee – No report. i. Answer machine is updated monthly by Ed Bergo to reflect current lodge activities. Old Business a. Velkommen card dinner promotion will resume again in September. Overhead at monthly social meeting will be utilized to make members aware of promotion. Report will generate at year-end to assess effectiveness of program. b. Flyers will be made and left on dinner tables at monthly social meetings to promote Box Tops for Education. Discussed having an article in monthly Posten as well as having a container at each monthly social meeting to collect the box tops. c. Lynn emailed officers and committee chairs individual support hour worksheets and fraternal event worksheets for their use in compiling year-end records. She will contact Minneapolis to see if forms can be modified so that name of member, name and address of lodge could be inserted. New Business a. Nomination Committee has been created to include Ross Berg and Floyd Downs. b. Nomination committee will present slate of officers at October social meeting. c. Members will vote on slate of officers at November social meeting. Respectfully submitted by Lynn Eide, Desert Fjord Secretary, 9/25/2014 Other Sons of Norway Lodges in Arizona

Nordic Pines 6-167 - 3rd Sunday, Family Resource Ctr., Flagstaff Overtro Fjell 6-153 - 3rd Saturday, at 11:00 a.m., Fountain East Clubhouse, 303 S. Recker Rd., Mesa Sola 6-168 - 3rd. Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 2215 S. 8th Ave., Yuma Sol Byer 6-134 - 3rd. Saturday, at 12:00 noon, Elk’s Lodge, 10760 Union Hills Dr., Phoenix Zone Seven Director: Benny Jo Hinchey Zone Seven is made up of lodges in the following states: Arizona: Scottsdale #133, Desert Fjord; Sun City #134, Sol Byer; Mesa #153, Overtro Fjell; Flagstaff #167, Nordic Pines; and Yuma #168, Sola

Utah: Salt Lake City #83, Leif Erikson

Lodges in Other States Go to: www.sofn.org/lodgeDirectory Most post their monthly newsletter on their lodge website. Other Contacts Norwegian Consulate: George Olander, 602-543-6256 Financial Benefits: Sherrill Bartley, 602-291-1111, Zachary Beemer 480-840-4447 District Six President: Mary Beth Ingvoldstad District Six is made up of the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Hawaii http://www.sofn6.com/

Watch for more information about "Box Tops for Education" in the next Posten.

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FROM Desert Fjord Lodge, Sons of Norway P.O. Box 1716, Scottsdale AZ 85252-1716

STAMP

TO

Please return to sender If not deliverable.

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Tubfrim - Tubfrim is a Norwegian program that collects and sells cancelled postage stamps to raise funds to aid individuals who are handicapped. Just bring to any of our regular meetings; put your name on the bag or box so your name gets put into the drawing.

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