Newsletter 6 - Saskatoon Norwegian

Midnattsol
(The Midnight Sun)
Newsletter
Saskatoon Norwegian
Cultural Society Inc.
Box 703,
Saskatoon,
SK S7K 3L7
2012
1
LEFSE BEE
2
President
Vacant
Vice President
Vacant
Secretary
Vacant
Treasurer
Andrea Cameron
NorSkole Director
Omar Aschim
Social Director
Vacant
Assistant social Director
Carol Bumford
Newsletter
Heidi Sheehan
Kathrine Marshall
Chris Lambert
Cultural Director
Margaret Kleiv
Membership
Alice Olson
Want to be a part of the Board of Directors?
We are in need of:
 President
 Secretary
 Vice President
 Social Director
Please consider spending a few hours a month to bolster and maintain
our great Norwegian Cultural Society. Please call Dennis @ 382-8728
Some upcoming dates to put on your
calendars:
March 26


Norskole Closing Ceremony
Aden Bowman High School Cafeteria at 7pm
April 19, 20 and 21
 Lefse Bee
At Zion Lutheran Church
323 – 4th Avenue South
May 17
 Syttende Mai
At Western Development Museum
Joint event with Sons of Norway
Aug 6-10
 Bybruen Lodge Norwegian Cultural Camp
Contact Bjørn Tokle at 373-9803
August 16-18
 Folkfest
At St. Joseph’s School
http://www.saskatoonfolkfest.ca/home
3
MEMORIES written by Sylvia Leland
Life is full of many different emotions and reactions throughout our
years. While visiting our family in Norway, my dad asked us kids one day if we
would be interested in going to a ski competition at a near-by ski slope. That
sounded like it would be fun, as he said it was a “Gubbe“ run (older men), and
we may know the names of some of the participants. About half-way through
the competition, after us kids had gone for a piece of “Kringle“ at a Kiosk, we
looked up the slope. Down the mountain swooped a middle-aged man, his bare
head gleaming in the sun, his pant-legs (not the traditional ski garb of knickers
and woolen knee socks) flapping in the wind as he rushed gallantly over the slope
without the aid of ski poles, and landed in front of us with a smile bigger than the
length of his skis -----------IT WAS OUR DAD -------Our faces displayed total shock and disbelief, but soon changed to looks of warm pride, as we threw our arms
around him, amid loud cheers from the crowd. My dad had not been on skis for over 3 decades, but had often
told us that even, though he grew up very poor after his dad died , he had always had a pair of old “ hand-medown “ skis to swoop down the mountain slopes as a young boy…….Our hero for sure !!!!!
When I think of different reactions in life, I remember the day when my brother was introducing his cousin to
a group of people as we just roared with laughter. He said, “I would like you to meet my sviskenbarn (prune
child)……Somehow the word (søskenbarn) had left his memory…….
I will never forget the night in June, when my family and lots of friends, trudged up the mountain behind
Grandma’s house to a mountain lake called “Gard Vann“ where a huge bonfire had been made. We sat along
the shore in the moonlight as many of the friends brought out their guitars, accordions, and violins and began
to play and sing - what a beautiful night to celebrate the longest night of the year, “St. HANS “ night. !!!! As the
lake reflected the flames of the campfire and the moon up above – we all felt the warmth of friendship and
the quiet peace of a small Norwegian community in the majestic mountains in the country of Norway.
Midsummer Fire, Nikolai Astrup (1880-1928)
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Dearest and Special Friends of
Irene Seierstad
Are invited to her
90th Birthday Celebration!
Come & Go Tea
at her Residence at 214 Davies Road - Saskatoon
Sunday, April 1st.
from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Please RSVP to 382-8728 (leave a message)
Gifts Graciously Declined
5
Syttende Mai Feiring!
This year the 17th May celebrations will be held at Western Development Museum.
Prices: Adult $25.00 (Meal) Dessert only $15.
Children $10 Meal / (Subsidized) Dessert only $5.
NB! Children from the language school who are dancing will not pay for their supper.
Ticket also includes entertainment and Admission to the Western Development Museum.
Cash Bar.
5:30 Cocktails
6:00 BBQ Supper
Followed by Entertainment, Norwegian
Folkdancing, Greetings
7:30 Parade through the museum
(HURRA FOR SYTTENDE MAI!)
8:00 Coffee & Desserts!
FLAG RAISING AT CITY HALL IN MORNING
Share your Memories
We invite your contributions be they memories, thoughts, pictures or wishes.
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Thank you!
6
DANCE WORKSHOP
With Lee Otterholt
On March 4th & 5th, our Saskatoon Norwegian School had the great honour and privilege to host a
Norwegian dance workshop featuring dance instructor, Lee Otterholt! Lee choreographed the opening
ceremonies of the Lillehammer Olympics, thus we had first class instruction and he did not disappoint! 
The workshop was well received as we had a full house with Norskole kids, other membership, and from
the community at large, and even two other moms and myself. The age varied from 5yrs to 80+ as with
levels of dance from no experience to instructors. Everyone seemed to have great fun. People brought
treats and such for the breaks. On Monday the instruction continued and the adult language school came
over on their break to check it out and it didn’t take too much twisting of the arm to keep them 
During these sessions it was more than dance instruction. Lee taught some history regarding some of the
dances and songs which made them more meaningful. He also taught us the Norwegian “Happy Birthday”
and we even practiced it on the Adult Language teacher, Omar A. who had just celebrated his birthday a
couple days before. I say “practiced it” as it has dance steps which include hops, spins etc. Check out the
following YOU-TUBE link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVp1KtN5kHs&feature=related OR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOW45XodiuE&feature=related
Our Monday session sadly ended and we said “Ha det bra” (Good-bye, take care of yourself). We hope to
have Lee back as he has a fun and relaxed teaching style, but it was a workout for some of us as well.
Please send the editors your thoughts of this event and if you would like to see Lee back, I know I do! Hey
Lee, what do you say??? 
Also, if you’re interested in joining an educational dance tour with Lee and visit Norway, Austria,
Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania or Eastern Turkey, see below for some options!
7
Great turnout for the dance workshop!
8
Saskatoon Heritage Fair
Feb 5th, by Omar
These pictures were taken at our display at the Saskatoon Heritage Fair at the Western Development
Museum on February 5, 2012. Various displays lined both sides of Main Street and an adjoining room
near the antique automobiles. I heard that over 2200 people had visited, but I don't know just what the
final tally was. While our display featured crafts, it focussed on our language courses. Beside the display,
we had the Bridal Procession banner. It got a lot of attention and brought many to pause at our language
course material and crafts where Mary Westendorp, Carol Olson and Alice Olson charmed them.
We currently have a display at the City Folkfest Office on Avenue D and 23rd Street. We will also have a
display at Centre Mall during July 12 to August 8, and then again at Folkfest in August.
Carol Olson with guests
Alice and Carol
Salesman
"Ole and Lena were visited by a door to door salesman, Lowell Thompson. He tried to convince them if
they bought the big freezer he was selling, they would save enough on food bills to pay for the freezer. Ole
responded that they were paying for the house on what they were saving on rent. And they were saving
on movie tickets with the price of cable TV." Finally, Ole said, "And we're saving on laundry with the
new washer and dryer. So, I guess ve have to say, ve can't afford to save any more right now."
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Norwegian Store
It is almost time to start ordering things for our store for Folkfest! If you can think of items that you
would like to see and purchase, please send Kathrine Marshall an email with your wishes and she will try
her hardest to bring in your favorite items. And remember that this year, our Folkfest theme is ‘Norway
Today’. If you have an idea for a great seller in our store, Kathrine will take it into consideration.
She also needs volunteers for the Folkfest weekend, to help set up and also be behind the counter.
Demonstrate that Saskatchewan excellence for volunteering!
[email protected]
FOLKFEST INFO
Norwegian Pavilion
Executive Director, Terri Rau
Saskatoon Folkfest Inc.
127B Avenue D North
Saskatoon, SK S7L 1M5
Saskatoon Folkfest Website:
Pavilion Manager: Arlene Jorgensen
Venue: St. Joseph’s School
Address: 115 Nelson Road
Theme: Norway Today!
http://www.saskatoonfolkfest.ca/home
Phone: 931-0100
Cell: 260-7933
Fax: 665-3421
Folkfest '12 - One World!
August 16, 17, 18, 2012
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Teacher Exchange at the U of S this month
by Katherina Luneng
Norskole parent and fan
I also had another honour this month, meeting Petter Pettersen who was on a teacher exchange at the
university through the North-2-North program. He is a grad student and instructor at Nordland
University in Bodo, Nordland. I have family there and hope to visit in the near future. Petter, being an
instructor there did a presentation of his University for international English-instruction programs.
I only learned of this that morning or I would have let it be known in last newsletter but another Norskole
parent was able to attend with me. This was very interesting and perfect timing as this is one of a few
Norwegian universities I have been considering.
My daughter, Katherine, and I brought him to the airport Friday afternoon as he was going to explore
more of western Canada before heading back home. But before he left, Kat and he talked of her interests
in hope that his daughter and her may develop a friendship. He was told he would likely meet people of
Norwegian heritage and was excited when he did, three of us by that moment and to hear of our
Norskole.
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Kid’s Korner
Ja, vi elsker
Ja, vi elsker dette landet,
som det stiger frem,
furet, værbitt over vannet,
med de tusen hjem.
Elsker, elsker det og tenker
På vår far og mor
Og den saganatt som senker
drømmer på vår jord
.
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BYBRUEN LODGE 4 – 576
.
SONS OF NORWAY
4th ANNUAL SUMMER
NORWEGIAN CULTURAL CAMP
Mon. Aug. 6th to Fri. Aug. 10th 2012 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m
Grace Westminister United Church
505 – 10th Street East, Saskatoon
Open to all persons over 6 years
INSTRUCTION FOR CHILDREN
Dance, cooking, needlework, artwork, woodwork, organized recreation,
nature study
INSTRUCTION FOR ADULTS
Needlework, genealogy, cooking, theme-oriented activities
Theme for week: Jul (Christmas)
COST: $50.00 per person, includes materials, nutrition breaks, noon lunches.
Registration must be made by June 25th 2012.
Mail to:
Bjørn Tokle
1006 – 302 – 6th Ave. N.
Saskatoon, SK S7K 4A8
Phone: 306-373-9803 for information
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Brunost - Brown Cheese
By Omar Aschim
When milk is curdled, it separates into curds and whey. The curds are used for conventional
cheese making. The watery, slightly cream-colored whey contains protein. When the water is
evaporated from it, the brown protein portion becomes more concentrated and darker in color, until
eventually quite solid and dark brown. I am aware of two brown Norwegian whey cheeses, primost
and gjetost. Primost is just the whey of 100% cows’ milk evaporated to the consistency of fudge. It may
have some cream mixed in with it.
Primost used to be available in our grocery stores, but I have not seen any for decades.
On the other hand, gjetost is readily available. The gjetost commonly available here is the Ski Queen
brand made by Tine, the huge Norwegian dairy producer Co-op. Gjetost is made from evaporated goat’s
milk whey but commonly includes some cows’ milk whey. In Norway one can also buy ekte gjetost
meaning genuine gjetost made from 100% goat milk whey. It has a slightly stronger taste.
We have made ekte gjetost a few times. We started with 10 liters of 100% goat milk whey which I
obtained free from a local goat milk cheese factory. We poured it into three kettles on the kitchen range
to provide lots of surface area for evaporation and kept it at 80ºC which is good for evaporation without
scalding the whey. During the first two hours we strained out curds which had separated and also
skimmed off the foam.
After five hours one kettle was sufficient to hold the evaporating whey. After seven hours we mixed the
curds and skimming’s back into the whey. After nine hours it was about the consistency of pudding but
was not smooth, so we put it into a blender for about half a minute. It was then reheated to 80ºC and
evaporated on a double boiler for another hour. Using the double boiler at this stage prevented scalding.
Then it was taken off the heat and cooled by placing the pan onto ice water. Now, after ten hours, the
consistency and color was like thick peanut butter. There was no need to evaporate further.
From the 10 liters of whey we ended up with 700 mL of genuine (ekte) gjetost. After the novelty of
making it wore off, it has not bothered me to pay $15 for a 500 gram package of Tine’s gjetost!
Last spring when we were in California, I bought some gjetost made in the Mid-west. It didn’t taste like
any gjetost I had ever tasted. Instead, it tasted much like Norwegian gammalost which is too pungent for
most people. Gammalost is made from the curds of sour cows’ milk and almost all is made at Tine’s
factory in Vik on the Sognefjord. Vik has a gammalost festival every spring. My father liked gammalost,
but when a piece fell on the floor, the cat tried to cover it up!
Those have been my experiences with brown whey cheeses.
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Norwegian for Children
The children’s Norwegian class offers youth an opportunity to gain an understanding of the
language and build their knowledge of written and oral Norwegian. It culminates with the
goal of transforming their knowledge into conversational abilities.
This is achieved through fundamental lessons, exploration of folk stories, songs that
become “ear worms”, and interactive games.
This year the children shared the following thoughts as to why they enjoy participating in
the weekly Norwegian language class:
“I like the food” – M. age 15
“I’m learning about my heritage, and can now understand my grandparents!” – C. age 12
“It’s a good way to start my week” – C. age 11
“Norwegian is my favourite language” – E. age 10
“I like sharing the language with my friends” – M. age 12
Consider spreading the word about the Norwegian language classes, be they adult or
children. Tell your family and friends. Norwegian heritage is not required to join!
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Norwegian for Adults
This picture below is our Tuesday evening Conversational Class at Aden Bowman Collegiate, with two
missing from the picture. Instructor Sylvi Johansen is front centre. We enjoy the spontaneous, delightful
humour she encourages in these classes and she is relatively easy for us to understand. This class is for
those both from the Monday Beginner Class working to improve their fluency, and others who want to
keep in touch with the language.
The next picture is of the Beginner class that meets on Monday evenings at Aden Bowman Collegiate. This
was taken at the end of Term 1. A few have not returned for Term 2 because of winter vacationing, or
scheduling issues with other activities. This class enables a student to read and write basic Norwegian,
and with a little extra effort to start developing fluency. Students are strongly recommended to repeat
this class a couple times because the studies cover a lot of ground with review and repetition being very
helpful for language study. Students in the Monday class may also attend the Tuesday Conversational
class at no extra cost.
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Pannekaker (crepes)





3 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
Directions
1. Combine the eggs and milk in the container of a blender. Add the flour, salt and sugar,
and blend until smooth. Let stand in Fridge for about ½ hour to thicken
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat, and coat with cooking spray or butter. Scoop about
1/4 cup of batter into the skillet, and tilt the pan to coat the bottom. Cook until the top
looks dry, about 30 seconds. Carefully slide a spatula under the pancake and flip. Cook
for a few seconds on the other side, just until browned. Remove to a plate, and repeat
with remaining batter.
Try with just adding sugar or add your favorite jam!
Enjoy!
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No Longer a member of the Saskatoon Norwegian Cultural Society?
Please join us and help us keep the SNCS alive
Saskatoon Norwegian Cultural Society
Membership Registration
September 1, 2011 – August 31, 2012
Box 703 Saskatoon, SK S7K 3L7
Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________________________ Postal Code: ________________________________________________
Phone #: _________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________
Single Membership________________ $20/year
Cash______________________
Family Membership _______________ $30/year
Cheque___________ CHQ # _____________
*__________________________________________ (Dependent)
*________________________________________ (Dependent)
*__________________________________________ (Dependent)
*________________________________________ (Dependent)
*_________________________________________(Dependent)
*________________________________________ (Dependent)
Volunteer Interests
SNCS Director______Phoning Committee______Norskole ______
Cultural Classes ______Social Committee ______Folkfest ______
Other_______________________________________________________