June 2009 Hilsen fra Presidenten Paul Olson: We had a very

June 2009
June Lodge Meeting: Saturday June 13, 2009 Spring Lake Park, North Mankato, MN
Shelter Number 1 Program: “Midsummer Picnic” May Serving Chairs: Linda & Stan
Stelter and Tom & Sheri Sheimo
Hilsen fra Presidenten Paul Olson: We had a very entertaining meeting on May 9th. Our
Serving Committee provided a wonderful meal with a great selection of desserts. Mange tusen
takk to Chairpersons Linda & Chuck Eisenbeis, Nordeen & MaryLou Haldorson, Dee &
Roger Saman and to their committee members Arne Bentdahl, Jim & June Borseth, Yevonne
Flatgard, Charyl Korpal, Darcy Larvick, Mike Lokensgard, Dave Godin & Randi Mark, Dale &
Gale Mikkalson, Hal & Marsha Natvig, June & Ernie Nelson, George & Ruth Orvick, Sigvald
Svendsen, Jane & Howard Swenson & Margaret Walsvick. Several of these committee members
were unable to be there but did contribute food or made a donation – thank you. An excellent
program was presented by Ruth Sylte about “Bunads” and how the various regions of Norway
developed their own ‘dialects’ which extended to not only the design & color of bunads, but also
dancing, language & folk traditions. She modeled three beautiful bunad examples for all to see.
Mark Harstad, Vice President and Chairperson of the Membership Committee, presented
“Recruitment Awards” to Sharon Hanson, Joel Brude and Mark DeGarmeaux.
CONGRATULATIONS!! The Luren Singers provided an extraordinary afternoon of
entertainment on Saturday, May 30th. Thank you to all who helped make it such a successful day.
The Serving Committee deserves special recognition for the wonderful meal that was enjoyed by
nearly 200 people. Our next meeting will be June 13th , 5:30 p.m. at Spring Lake Park (North
Mankato). This is our annual Midsommers Eve picnic. Plates, silverware & lemonade will be
provided. Please remember that we do not meet during the months of July & August – we will
resume again on Saturday, Sept. 12th – 5:30 pm in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church dining hall.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.
Midsommar’s Eve Picnic- The Elvesvingen Lodge will hold its annual picnic on Saturday
Jun 13th at 5:30pm until dark at Spring Lake Park in North Mankato. All members attending are
asked to bring a dish to pass. Kubb game will also be available. Once the sun sets, we will have a
“mini” bonfire. Ingredients for making SMOREs will be available too. Don’t forget, we live in
Minnesota where the unofficial state bird is the mosquito…bring some bug spray and a chair to sit
on!
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June 2009
Map to Midsommer Picnic at Spring Lake Park in North Mankato
June 13th Midsommer picnic on the corner of Lake St. and Webster
Ave in Shelter 1 at 5:30pm
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June 2009
Walpurgis Night and St. Hansaften
Walpurgis Night is the night of May 1st, and is named in honor of the German saint
Walpurgis (approx. 710-779 AD) who was a Christian missionary to the kingdom of
the Franks. Even though the name comes from Christianity, many believe that the
celebration is connected to pre-Christian times and heathen beliefs. The night
belongs to young people, with bonfires and singing. Walpurgis Night is celebrated
throughout Scandinavia and many places in Germany. While celebrating Walpurgis Night is more common in
Sweden than in Norway, St. Hans’ Eve is popular in both countries. The name St. Hans comes from the
biblical John the Baptist who was born June 24th. For the most part we call it St. Hans Eve, but
“midsummer’s eve” is used as well. The parties often get quite wild, and so midsummer’s eve is always held
on a weekend. The tradition of setting a bonfire, especially along the coast, was originally a heathen practice.
A long time ago it was typical to believe that the flames would keep the witches away. According to folk
belief witches were especially active on midsummer’s eve. They might be out to collect ingredients for their
witchcraft activities, or they were on their way to witch meetings at Troms Church or The Brocken, which is
the highest peak of the Harz mountain range.
May 2009 Lodge Meeting
Ruth Sylte presenting her Bunads
Ruth dancing in a Bunad
Recruitment Awards to
Mark DeGarmeaux, Joel Brude, Sharon Hanson
Ruth explaining the difference in Bunads
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June 2009
Ruth asks “What is this”
(a wedding headdress)
Another beautiful Bunad
Norsk Høstfest 2009
Norsk Høstfest 2009 will be held Sept. 29 – Oct. 2 in Minot, ND. If you are interested in attending, and would
like to travel via deluxe motorcoach, please contact Wendinger Travel in New Ulm for more information. You
may get in touch with them by phone (toll free at 888-363-9104) or e-mail: [email protected].
Woven Heart Baskets
After our picnic, those who are interested may learn how to weave heart baskets,
using construction paper. In Norway, these are used to decorate Christmas trees or to
hold treats. In their homes, they provide a constructive activity to keep young hands
busy the final days and hours before Christmas. They also may be used on Valentine’s
Day, or made of different colors for Easter, or other holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, etc..
Bratwagon a Success! Many Elvesvingen Lodge Members volunteered at the
Cub Foods bratwagon. We had a great time and managed to raise about $600.
We were fortunate to have good weather for this time of the year. From
Linda Stelter, chairperson, thanks to all those who helped: Leslie Ausen,
Ilene Blume, Delores Buege, Ann Carlberg, Mark DeGarmeaux,
Dale & Donna Else, Jerry Hansen, Pat Jensen, Jerry Kalheim, Lois Kitzmann,
Dale & Gail Mikkalson, Audrey Morken, Kris Norland, Paul & Phyllis Olson,
Lois Otto, Roger & Dee Saman, Sig Svendsen, Owen & Dorothy Viker,
Doug Wallen and Phil Wold. A special thanks to Arlo Hovick for opening and
closing everyday and to everyone who supported us.
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June 2009
A Day with the Luren Singers
May 30, 2009
The Concert
Pre-Concert
Warming up
Dr. Judisch and Marcos Grano de Oro
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June 2009
Wonderful Concert
Dr. Judisch singing at intermission
Grace
Singing a Thank You to the Servers
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June 2009
After Concert Lunch
Making the Open Face an art
“Great Job”
A Special thank-you to those who worked in the food preparation for the Luren Singers. Jane and Allen
Torgerson, Helen and Jerry Hansen, Janice and Duane Ahlness, Dee and Roger Saman, Marsha and Hal
Natvig, Harlan Vee, Delores Buege, Lois Kitzmann, Pat Jensen, Jan Flowers, Kris Norland, Jean Schimmele,
Karen Abbott and Curt Eidhammer,Pam Borchert, Carolyn Hovick and Phyllis Olson. And, a thank you to all
those who brought salads and bars.
Norwegian in 5 Minutes a Month
Want to impress your relatives? Need to learn a few phrases for that trip coming up? Got some old
letters you’d like to translate? Whatever your goals, Sons of Norway can help you get started learning
the Norwegian language. Our website, www.sonsofnorway.com. has two great language programs for
members. The first one, “Norwegian in 5 Minutes a Month,” consists of 37 lessons of simple phrases, written
in Norwegian with English translations and pronounced by native speakers. They are all aimed at the beginner
level, but they will give you a sense of what the language sounds like and how it works. The second, newer
program is called “Norwegian for Reading Comprehension.” As the title indicates, this program focuses on
reading for general understanding, rather than speaking or writing. Norwegian for Reading Comprehension
shows you how the Norwegian language works and teaches you a strategy for breaking down. Since there’s
so much variation in the Norwegian language, this program includes instruction on the two different forms of
the written language as well as tips about reading older texts. To try either of these programs, just sign into the
“Members Login” section of www.sonsofnorway.com. If you’re interested in studying Norwegian at a
local university, check out this list from the less commonly taught Languages project at
www.carla.umn.edu/lctl/db/. For more information and help about learning the language generally, check out
Norskklassen, a free online community and resource bank by going to http://norskklassen.ce-service.biz/.
Sons of Norway Finance Corner
Contact Ralph Carpenter 507-451-3450
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June 2009
SONS OF NORWAY
Elvesvingen Lodge 1-582
P.O. Box 1091
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
US POSTAGE PAID
PERMIT NO 36
MANKATO MN 56001
Mankato, MN 56002
«F_Name» «L_Name»
«Address»
«City», «St» «Zip»
SONS OF NORWAY ELVESVINGEN LODGE 1-582 CALENDAR
June 2009
Jun 13 - “Midsommer’s Eve” Picnic Location: Spring Lake Park, North Mankato, MN 5:30pm
Sept. 12 – Lodge meetings resume at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Basement– 5:30 pm.
Check out the Information Table at our monthly meetings - pick up information on area events, travel, or
SON financial products; sign up for lodge events/volunteer opportunities; view a copy of recent lodge
minutes/treasurer's report; check out the SON magazine for children under 15; purchase gift items offered
by the District One Sons of Norway fundraising committee; or simply ask questions.
Visit us on the web - www.sonsofnorwaymankato.org or www.sonsofnorway.com
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