The Little Mermaid Jul Aug Sept 2016
Transcription
The Little Mermaid Jul Aug Sept 2016
A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION The Dawn of the Viking Age Part 6: ICELAND Summarized by Laurie Hardman, based on Hudson Publications Event Bookazines 2013, “Vikings: Their Myths and Legends.” For Part 5 of this article see Issue # 2015/2016 Volume 4 of The Little Mermaid. “It takes a sturdy people to colonize a land of geysers, glaciers, and volcanoesbut at that time Balk and Hallvard betook themselves from the lands west over the sea, and went out to Iceland, for from thence came tales of land good to choose” -from “Grettir’s Saga” Iceland was the largest uninhabited land ever populated in history. Driven from Norway by political upheaval, warrior kings and their families migrated to Iceland to start anew. Their fascinating sagas weave fact with fiction, creating a unique history for this Viking people. land much. The place where they arrived at is now called Reidar Fell, in the East Firths. So said Saemund, deep in lore, the Priest”. –from “Landnamabok” Others certainly must have drifted to the large island over the years – and a Swedish sailor even named an inlet for himself. But the first Viking to deliberately sail to Iceland was Floki Vilgeroarson, also known as Hrafna-Floki (RavenFloki). Floki over-wintered at Baroastrond, and when he spotted drift ice in the fjords, he gave the island its current name, Iceland. Floki took three ravens with him to sea. When he set free the first, it flew aft over the stem; the second flew up into the air and back to the ship again; but the third flew forth straightway over the stem, in the direction in which they found the Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 land. They hove in from the east at the horn, and then they coasted the land by the south. But as they sailed west round Reykjanes, and the first opened out to them, so that they saw Snaefellness, Faxi observed “this must a great land which we have discovered, and here are mighty rivers.” -from “Landnamabok” The first settler in Iceland was a Norwegian Viking chieftain, Ingolfur (Ingolf) Arnarson. According to the saga, he threw carved pillars overboard as he neared land, vowing to settle wherever they came ashore. He sailed along the coast until the pillars were found in the southwestern peninsula, Reykjanesskagi. He settled there with his family around 870, in the place he named Reykjavik (Smoke Cove or Bay of Smoke) due to steam rising from hot springs in the area. Continued on page 3 According to “Landnamabok” (The Book of Settlements), Iceland was first discovered by Naddod, a Viking who had settled in the Faroe Islands. Sailing from Norway to the Faroe Islands, Naddod lost his way and drifted to the east coast of Iceland. He named the country Snowland. “So it has been said that once men set out from Norway bound for the Faroe Islands; and some say that it was Naddod the Viking; but they drifted west into the main and found there a great land. They went upland, in the East Firths, to the top of a high mountain, and looked round about, far and wide, to see if they could observe smokes, or any inkling of the land being settled, but they could not observe anything of the kind. They went afterwards, about autumn, to the Faroe Islands, and as they sailed from the land, much snow fell upon the mountains, and therefore they called the land Snaeland = Snowland. They praised the In this issue 1...….The Dawn of the Viking Age 2…….President’s Corner 3..…...News at NWDA 4.……Danes Coming to America 5…….2016 Danish American Cultural Retreat 6…….The Drifting Sands of Liseleje Beach 7, 8….NWDA Membership Form 9…….Seattle/Portland Calendars 10…...Washington Hall: A Danish Landmark 11…...Donations and Sponsors The Northwest Danish Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching community life experience through cultural exchange and social outreach. Northwest Danish Association PAGE 2 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 President’s Corner Northwest Danish Association Association Board Good News Edith E. Christensen, EdD Officers Edith E. Christensen, EdD, President Gary Korsgaard, Vice-President Sonja Kromann, Secretary Kenneth Kromann, Treasurer Larry West, Oregon Rep. Board of Directors Karla Craig Nils Jensen Erik Laursen Allan Olsen Britt Pfaff-Dunton Carla Schultz-Parks Claus Windelev Photo: NWDA Treasurer Ken Kromann and NWDA President Edith Christensen signing a new agreement with Bank of the West. As I reported last month, we have been working on refinancing of the mortgage on the Meridian Office Building in Seattle. I am happy to report that the arrangements have been completed and we have a new mortgage which is smaller and with much lower interest. After much searching and work on getting the best possible deal we have settled it. What does this mean for the NWDA? We now have lower payments after so much pinching of pennies to make payroll, pay our bills, and continue our programs, pushing our volunteers for more time, we can anticipate a stronger future. We added Line Larsen a year ago in anticipation of needing more help in the office. This past six months with the anticipated better financing, and a much better time for the Association, we have begun some new activities. The Nordic Lecture series was begun this year. It grew in attendance as each new one was prepared and presented. You won’t want to miss these as we are planning to continue them after next January again. It gives you the opportunity to hear some of the fantastic programs and speakers we generally have reserved only for the Danish American Cultural Retreat in Oregon, which many of you have missed. Watch for the new series coming up in early 2017. Also we have begun another new program, the Fredagscafe on the first Friday of each month. This has become more popular with some new people who come to practice speaking Danish, encouraging the expansion of NWDA programs and participation. Some people have suggested two other new programs; a playgroup for young children once or twice a week, and a crafts/knitting/crochet class. We need to know if you are interested before we can begin these programs. Please call and let us know if these or others interest you and we can begin gathering names of people who would like to participate in these kinds of programs. Reserve September 24, 2016, for the annual membership meeting and dinner, where you will learn more about changes, plans, and programs. Mark your calendar now! MAKE A DONATION TO NWDA—Gift is Tax Deductible for the year donation is received! Yes, I want to make a donation to the Northwest Danish Association as my Gift to continuing the programs and benefits offered. I am giving now:_____$1,000 ______$500 ______$250 ______$100 ______$50 $______other Monthly planned giving $_______ ($20 minimum/month) (arrange on DONATE NOW on our website) ____My check is enclosed. ____Charge my credit card: For Programs $___________ For the General Fund $________ ___Visa ___Master Card Card Number ____________________________________________Exp. Date ____________ Name (please print)____________________________________ Signature ______________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Northwest Danish Association is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the State of Washington (91-0565541) Mail to Northwest Danish Association, 1833 N. 105 th St. Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98133-8973 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 News at NWDA and More Welcome to our new community member! Scandinavian Specialties Located in Ballard, Scandinavian Specialties provides Seattle with a local supply of Nordic goods. Visit the store and café at 6719 15th Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117 The Dawn of the Viking Age Continued from Page 1 Ingolf was the most renowned of all the settlers of Iceland; for he came here to an uninhabited land, and was the first to set up an abode upon it, and the others who settled there afterwards did so induced by his example. Ingolf married Hallveig…, ...the daughter of Frodi, the sister of Lopt the aged. Their son was Thorstein, who set up the Thing at Kjalarness, before the Althing was established.” -from “Landnamabok” Ingolf was followed by many more Vikings, who settled all the inhabitable areas of the island with their families and slaves. Some Irish and Scots slaves and servants were also original settlers, along with “Hiberno-Norse” – the Irish Vikings. The traditional explanation for the Viking diaspora from Norway is that people were fleeing the rule of the Norwegian king Haraldur Harfagri (Harald the FairHair), who was unifying Norway under his crown. Some feel that the original settlers may have been petty kinds and jarls driven out by Haraldur so that he need not fear competition for the crown. Or, it may be that Norway was overcrowded. But regardless of the reason, according to the ancient texts, the Vikings fully settled the arable areas of Iceland within 60 years. Harald the FairHair “This oath I make, first and swear before the God who made me and rules over all things, that never more will I cut my hair or comb it, till I have gotten to me all Norway and the tithe thereof, and dues, and will rule there over or else I will die rather.”-King Harald the FairHair PAGE 3 Northwest Danish Association New Membership Year NWDA members receive even more discounts on all our events and activities, occasional special offers from partners in our Scandinavian community, and more. If you haven’t renewed your membership, send in the membership form on page 7 of this issue. We also have membership opportunities for organizations and businesses. You can see the levels and benefits on our website at: www.northwestdanish.org/membership/ The first King of Norway, Harald, reigned from about 872 to 930. Most of what is known about his life and his reign comes to us from the sagas – which were written down only several centuries after his death. One legend tells that Harald proposed marriage to Gyda, the daughter of Eirik, king of Hordaland, but she scorned him as a petty king. He then vowed to become sole king over all the land, a feat that took 10 years. During this time, he became known as Tanglehair, as his vow involved not combing or cutting his hair until his country was united. PAGE 4 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Danes Coming to America Oct., Sept. Nov., 2016 Dec. Issue 2013 #2016/2017 Issue #2012/13 Volume Jul. Aug. Volume 1 2 By Edith E. Christensen, EdD speare’s Hamlet, a play about the legendary Danish prince, was another exciting place to visit. We bought our first set of Lego bricks and brought them home to show our family. There was Grundtvig’s church, and the Viking Ship Museum, and Tivoli. It was easy to understand the language until we were in Vest Jylland, the dialect was so different from what I was used to. Photo from Rebildfest Source: The Royal Library, Denmark This 4th of July, I am reminded of the July 4th when Frank and I were at Rebild Bakker in Denmark for this American Holiday. It was a nice day among the heather in the hills. As two young Americans, it seemed odd that we were celebrating our holiday in Denmark. The king and queen of Denmark walked right past us on the walkway to the seating areas. I don’t remember much of the program, but there were speakers and presentations. The land where our parents, grandparents, and ancestors came from was beautiful and seemed so familiar as I had only spoken Danish in our home until I was in school. We celebrated Danish traditions and holidays in the local farm church, as the area where I lived was settled by Danish immigrants who took care of the land and animals, and kept the language at home and in the community. We were charmed by the places we saw that we had only heard or read about. We stayed with Frank’s mother in Copenhagen on Bredgade just across the street from The Marble Church. It was a great jumping off place for touring Denmark. Krønberg Castle, the setting of Shake- When looking at the U.S., it is surprising how much Denmark and Danes have made a mark here. Did you know that King Christian IV, the king of Denmark, had commissioned Jens Munk to find the Northwest Passage to the Orient in 1619? With two ships and 65 men, he sailed past Greenland, through Hudson Strait into Hudson Bay. Not finding a water route west, the expedition spent the winter further south. However, most of them died of illness and from the severe weather. By June only three survived and they went back home to Denmark. About 100 years later, another Dane, Vitus Jonassen Bering, who sailed under the Russian flag, determined the Asian and North American continents were separated by water. He discovered Alaska and several Aleutian Islands. The sea was later named the Bering Sea. Northwest Danish Association Chapel? It is there as a reminder of a Dane, Charles Zanco, who emigrated to Texas in 1834 where he became involved in the war and died defending the Alamo. And then there was Peter Lassen, born in Denmark in 1800. When he was 30, he settled in Missouri, but joined a group going west. First to Oregon then down the coast to California, hoping to establish a colony. However, he was killed, perhaps by Native Americans, but was honored by having places named after him. An inactive volcano in northern California, Mt. Lassen, is named after him, as are a national park and a California county. Soon after, a great migration of Danes began, with 350,000 additional Danes coming to the United States between 1820 and 1980 with about 252,000 of them arriving between 1850 and 1930. This was about 10% of the Danish population. But wait, that is just the beginning of my story. So much more about Denmark and Danes in the U.S. is unknown even by most Danish/Americans. Watch for more in the next issue. Even some of the Virgin Islands were settled by Danes in 1666, and the island of St. John came under control of Denmark in 1717. In 1733 France sold St. Croix to Denmark. In 1917 Denmark sold the islands to the United States. Even the Bronx is named for a Dane. In 1639 Jonas Bronck and Jochem Pietersen Kuyter settled in New York City in Harlem. Bronck purchased 500 acres from the natives there. He was the son of a Danish pastor, and lived in a large stone house where he had his many books shipped from Europe. This became the cultural center of the new city. Did you know that the Danish flag stands in one corner of the Alamo Photos: The Danish flag raised for NWDA’s 37th annual Danish American Cultural Retreat in Oregon. A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Oct., Nov., Jul. Aug. Dec.Sept. 2013 2016 Issue Issue #2012/13 #2016/2017 Volume Volume 2 1 The 2016 Danish American Cultural Retreat On Friday June 24th, for the 37th year in a row, Northwest Danish Association (NWDA) kicked off the Danish American Cultural Retreat (DACR) in Oregon with an afternoon opening ceremony complete with the Danish national anthem. The Danish flag was raised to signal the commencement of another cultural conference and weekend getaway on the beautiful grounds at the Menucha Retreat and Conference Center (pictured above). The chef for the weekend served Danish inspired meals, where the first meal of the retreat was ‘tarteletter’. The first conference speaker, Pastor Birgitte Saltorp from the Danish Lutheran Church in Vancouver B.C., took the audience back to the 1800s in Denmark and the Golden Age. A giant “Luksus Kringle” from Larsen’s Bakery was served during the coffee break and Nora Martinez played the piano for guests who wanted to sing a few Danish tunes. Claus Windelev then took the stage to enlighten guests on the unique works of “Skagensmalerne” or the Skagen Painters, who embraced distinct styles inspired by the special light, air, and seas at Skagen, the northernmost tip of Denmark. The beautiful and expansive grounds at Menucha have so much to offer that guests were invited on a nature walk to take in the breathtaking panoramic views and the unique gardens scattered between the trees. The final speaker of the day was Astrid KaalundJørgensen, from Roskilde, Denmark currently working as an intern at the Museum of Danish America in Iowa. Astrid talked about the Danish penal code and the history behind it, while she recapped a successful documentary she had worked on for DR (Danmark’s Radio). The first day of the conference offered insight into Denmark’s unique history from a variety of intriguing perspectives. Building a bonfire to celebrate Sankt Hans was on the program for the evening, but due to the weather, turning on the fire pit had to suffice. Nevertheless, Danish hygge took form as sticks were gathered, snobrød was prepared, and everyone gathered around the fire. To finish off a full day of activities, guests met in the “Kro” for snacks and drinks, including Carlsberg and wine. The movie “Flammen og Citronen” was shown, engulfing some guests for late night entertainment. Photo: Sofia with her well-cooked sno-brød Attendees woke up to a generous break- By Line Larsen PAGE 5 Northwest Danish Association fast spread complete with fruit, yogurt, oatmeal, eggs, bacon, and much more to fuel another full day at DACR. The program for the day included a second presentation by Birgitte Saltorp, followed by Dr. Scott Burns on the geology of Iceland as well as his personal experiences in the country. Georg Pedersen then entertained the audience with fascinating stories from his life at sea that he compiled in a book called “My 48 Years at Sea: From Deck Boy in Denmark to Captain in America”. Falck employee, Peter Jorna, surprised everyone with the appearance of a Falck ambulance outside the hall, which he let guests get a close look at after his talk on Falck’s global expansion into the U.S. Photo: The Falck ambulance guests were invited to take a close look at. The field trip for the day was to the beautiful Bridal Veil Waterfalls tucked into the forest on a hillside. The Saturday night dinner satisfied guests with a delicious pork roast, rødkål, and brunede kartofler. Local pianist, Jim Templeton, provided the evening entertainment, delighting everyone with tunes from John Lennon to traditional songs from Denmark. Guests then gathered in the Kro in the evening for a night cap. Sunday morning greeted DACR attendees with sunshine and warm weather. After another vast breakfast spread, the program for the day started with Henry Geijsbeek’s impressive display and presentation on the Royal Danish Air Force. Astrid from the Museum of Danish America then took the stage again to talk about a current exhibit she helped create, with a spotlight on Danish-American athletes. Edith Christensen, president of NWDA, and Sonja Kromann, event organizer for DACR, invited guests to … Article continued on page 6... PAGE 6 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 The Drifting Sands of Liseleje Beach By Jan Bruun Petersen thatched fishermen's houses can also be seen. The former ice house is still there (built in 1901 to help with fish exports by rail to Germany). Many of the shops are only open during the summer. To the east of the parking lot, there is a large tree plantation planted 150 years ago to combat drifting sand. Photo: Jan Bruun-Petersen with a Liseleje lifeguard shack. The large white panels on the shack fold down to uncover the windows and to serve as blackboards for messages to the public. Last year, I wrote an article about Gilleleje. So the popular beach, I am going to describe this time, also has roots as a fishing village. This is the town of Liseleje. A proper harbor was never built, so fishing stopped about fifty years ago. The beach has soft sand, a big parking lot, and is child-friendly. I saw shrimp and crab near the shore when I was there. Like Gilleleje it is part of the North Zealand peninsula, but close to Hundested. Lisesleje has cafés including an ice cream café. There are many summer houses there. Some of the original The town is named after Anna Elisabeth Classen. Her mother was Anna Maria de Köster (who was born in my birthplace of Frankfurt am Main, Germany). Lise was a nickname for Elisabeth, thus the name Liseleje. Her first husband was Reinhard Iselin (a Swiss baron). They had two daughters together. When she became widowed, she married Johan Frederik Classen (a Norwegian-born general and industrialist). J. F. Classen had a munitions factory in nearby Frederiksværk. He had asked four fishermen families to create Liseleje in 1784, so it would be easier for his factory workers to obtain good provisions. To persuade the families, they did not have to pay taxes. Northwest Danish Association later married Gérard Pierre Antoine de Bosc de la Calmette (Portuguese-born Danish nobleman that was governor of the island of Møn). Anna Catharine's nickname was Lisa. Her husband used his artistic skills in landscaping and architecture to contribute to Danish Romanticism by creating Liselund (named after his wife) on the island of Møn. Liselund is a landscaped park with several fascinating buildings including a little manor house or castle. I look forward to visiting Liselund for one of my future articles. Danish American Cultural Retreat 2016 Continued from Page 5 There were three generations of Annas, because one of the two daughters was Anna Catharine Elisabeth Iselin. She Wednesday, August 31st 2016 EAT PIZZA SUPPORT NWDA Dine-In, Carry Out or Delivery! Patxi’s will donate 10% of the entire day’s sales to Northwest Danish Association! Patxi’s Pizza 5323 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107 Hours: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm (Happy Hour: 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm) To order call 206-946-1512 or order online at patxispizza.com Photo: Bridal Veil Falls … share their comments and ideas for DACR and the future of the conference. After lunch and citron fromage for dessert, everyone gathered around the flag pole to lower the Danish flag and sing the national anthem for the closing ceremony. Guests left the retreat this year with a breadth of new knowledge about topics related to Denmark, and headed home refreshed from a weekend away in the midst of stunning nature and breathtaking views at the annual DACR. For more pictures from this year’s retreat, visit: www.northwestdanish.org/dacr/ Northwest Danish Association www.northwestdanish.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (206) 523-3263 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 Page 7 NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM Check one: New Membership Renew Membership Name: Spouse/Partner: Current Address: City: State: ZIP Code: Phone: Email(s) (required): Check here if you do NOT want to receive e-bulletins with updates on events, programs, and activities Check here if you do NOT want to be listed in the membership directory available to members only (1) ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES (CHECK ONE) Membership year is July 1 to June 30. Dues renewal date is JULY 1 each year. If joining as new member after January 1, dues are one half of annual dues listed here. Membership benefits include: voting privileges at annual meeting (one vote per member category), special membership prices for NWDA programs and events, event space rental and more. See www.northwestdanish.org/membership Adult Individual - $50 Annual Membership Couple or Family (up to 2 adults living in one household with minor children )- $75 Annual Membership Senior Individual (65+) - $35 Annual Membership Senior Couple (both 65+) - $60 Annual Membership Student Individual (enclose copy of student ID) - $35 Annual Membership For organization and business memberships please see the organization membership form on our website or contact us FAMILY MEMBERSHIP: DEPENDENT CHILDREN (18 & UNDER) IF MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES DESIRED Name/ Age: Name/ Age: Name/ Age: Name/ Age: (2) TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION (CHECK BOXES THAT APPLY) NWDA is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, TAX-ID 91-0565541 Please consider making a donation, membership dues cover less than 30% of the expenses from our program offerings and events. The classifications are cumulative for the year and change if your donations increase during the fiscal year. Royal Dane - $50 Noble Dane - $100 Bold Dane - $250 Great Dane - $500 Grand Dane - $1000 Other - $___________ My employer will match my contribution to NWDA. Enclosed is my matching gift form. I would like to make a recurring donation (minimum $10) of _________ per month. TOTAL AND PAYMENT: (1) Membership Dues $ (2) Donation $ For printed copies of The Little Mermaid, please enclose $15 to cover postage & handling $ TOTAL $ Check enclosed payable to Northwest Danish Association PAYING BY CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT CARD? VISA MASTERCARD Credit Card # Signature: Name printed: Expiration Date: Date signed: RETURN COMPLETED FORM (BOTH SIDES) WITH PAYMENT TO: NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION 1833 N 105th Street, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98133 We also have membership options for organizations and businesses! For more information about all our membership options and for a full list of benefits at each level, visit www.northwestdanish.org/membership/ PAGE 8 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 Northwest Danish Association www.northwestdanish.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (206) 523-3263 Northwest Danish Association Volunteer Form Northwest Danish Association is a non-profit organization that depends on volunteers. If you are able, it is important that you volunteer in at least one of the following areas. Volunteer hours are recorded in the office. If you cannot volunteer, please consider making a donation to help your organization. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNTIES AND AREAS OF INTEREST I will donate my time this year to help with the following (check all that apply): Fundraising Events Event planning Event set-up and clean-up Event cooking or food preparation Writing: Articles (in English) for our quarterly publication “The Little Mermaid”, letters, other communication Administration (filing, stuffing envelopes, labeling, or making phone calls) Designing posters, postcards, flyers, etc. Website development Library cataloging and maintenance Building maintenance (or part of the ‘Work Party’ committee) Light carpentry, painting, repair, or grounds work Call me for occasional help or support as needed Specific programs: ElderCare Committee Making home phone calls to elders Onsdagsklubben luncheon preparation Auction Committee Planning, cataloging, clerical, set-up, clean-up, publicity Programs for Children Activities include games, crafts, stories, and songs Special events such as Fastelavn and Julestue Summer camps: Himmelbjerget Danish Camp, Dane Camp for Little Vikings Specific volunteer positions available: Volunteer coordinators Program leaders for a playgroup for young children If you have any specialized skills, please let us know! I have experience in the following areas: _______________________________________________________________________________ TIMES I AM AVAILABLE (CHECK ALL THAT APPLY): Weekdays: Morning Afternoon Evening Weekends Occasional THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SUPPORTING THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION. Your help is what allows us to accomplish our mission and our goals! A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 PAGE 9 July 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Northwest Danish Association 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 DBIA/DSS (P) 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 August 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Dane Camp (S) 2 Dane Camp (S) 3 Dane Camp (S) 4 Dane Camp (S) 5 Dane Camp (S) 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Portland Danish Picnic (P) 14 Seattle Danish Picnic (S) 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Patxi’s Pizza fundraiser (S) Danish Camps Reunion (S) September 2016 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 Fredagscafe (S) 3 4 5 6 Work Party (S) 7 DBIA/DSS (S) 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21Onsdagsklubben 22 (S) NWDA Planning Meeting (P) Bogklub (P) 23 24 Annual Meeting (S) 25 26 27 28 30 29 (P)= Portland Events, (S) = Seattle Events For more information on these events, programs, and activities, please visit our website: www.northwestdanish.org. Join our e-bulletin via our website for notification of any changes. You can now find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram! PAGE 10 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 I1 Vol- Washington Hall: A Danish Landmark in Seattle On June 1st this year, Washington Hall reopened its doors after a 7-year renovation period set in motion by Historic Seattle, who purchased the building in 2009. The $10 million dollar project was funded by 4Culture as well as city, county and state agencies, individual donors, corporations, and local foundations. Washington Hall has fittingly been called “a hall for all”, as it was a meeting place for diverse groups and musicians in Seattle. It was also one of the first places in Seattle where African American artists were welcome to perform. Well-known artists have played at Washington Hall, as recounted by Historic Seattle: "Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Mark Morris, Pat Graney, Bill T. Jones, David Byrne, Afrika Bambaataa, Fugazi, Elvis Costello, Massive Monkees, Macklemore, THEESatisfaction, and countless art, architecture and Seattle history lovers have walked these halls". In the 70s and 80s the Hall was a popular venue for punk rock shows like the Dead Kennedy’s and Black Flag. Cultural and ethnic groups also frequented the Hall throughout the years, such as the Filipino Youth Club, Jewish groups, Chinese society, and others. A Danish Beginning Washington Hall was a cultural hub from its origin, with the Danish Brotherhood Lodge #29 as the original owner. The Hall was built in 1908 to serve the need for a boarding house and a meeting place for Seattle’s Danish immigrant population and their social and cultural activities. Plans for the building began in 1907 after the property was acquired at the corner of 14th and Fir, when members expressed their desire for a new space in a good loca- tion. Three lots of land were purchased at the cost of $10,000. Excitement in the Danish community stirred and the plans for a simple building at around $7,500 were quickly replaced with bigger and more expensive ideas coming in at up to $27,000 with drawings based on the work of Seattle architect, Victor Vorhees. Shares at $10 each were sold to total $13,000 by the end of the year. The Danish Sisterhood also pitched in to fundraise. A bid from building contractor, Hans Pederson, at $22,225 was accepted on November 16th, 1907. Funds continued to come in little by little. T.P. Nielsen was one of the main actors in supporting the process. In January 1908 construction began, followed by a Danish ‘Rejsegilde’ (roof raising party) on March 13th. The Danish Brotherhood Lodge 29’s 20th anniversary celebration was postponed to be combined with the opening of the new building. May 16th 1908 marked the first grand dinner party in Washington Hall. Washington Hall featured a kitchen, office, reading room, bar, dining room, living room, and fourteen bedrooms that housed the young Danish immigrants. As Otto Brask recalls, the men would eat their dinners together at the dining room table, where meals were prepared by Ingeborg Kisbye, the manager of Washington Hall at the time Otto lived there. The bachelors living in the Hall throughout the years were mostly young Danish men who were new to the city, working as carpenters, milkmen, truck drivers, and laborers. Harmonien One of the main features of the building was the performance hall, which highlighted theatrical plays by Dramatic Club Harmonien, a group that became an offi- By Line Larsen Northwest Danish Association cial club in 1911 and created amateur plays in Danish. The hall was filled for their first performance of “En Søndag på Amager” (“A Sunday on Amager”), a wellknown Danish comedy. This performance became a popular showcase of the group, and was featured again on the 25th, 50th, and 75th anniversaries of Harmonien. The group’s motto was “At glæde andre er livets største glæde” (“Giving joy to others is life’s greatest joy”). Income from Harmonien’s performances went to charitable causes such as the Northwest Danish Home for the Elderly, the Danish Church, the Brother- and Sisterhood Aid Societies and in support of American troops overseas during WWII. Moving On In 1968, the Danish Brotherhood decided to sell the Hall, because of the changes in Seattle and namely the Central District. Parking became an issue and the costs of keeping up the building were increasing. In April 1973 the Hall was finally sold to the Sons of Haiti Lodge. The Danish Brotherhood continues to be a strong organization, now meeting at “Harmony Hall” also known as the “Seattle Danish Center” at the Northwest Danish Association near Northgate. Washington Hall has been a significant landmark in the lives of many Danish immigrants who used the building as not only a springboard to their lives in America but also as a valuable connection to Denmark and their Danish culture. With its doors open once again, the Hall will continue to serve as a melting pot for diverse groups in the Seattle community. Sources: Brask, Otto. Article by Otto Brask from 2008 derived from the early history of Washington Hall from Journals of the Danish Brotherhood Lodge 29 Seattle. Brask, Otto. Speech by Otto Brask January 25 2010. Demay, Daniel. “Historic Washington Hall Reopens After Final Renovations.” Seattle Pi. June 3 2016. Web. June 20 2016. Historic Seattle. ”Washington Hall.” Web. June 20 2016. <Washingtonhall.com> A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 July 2015 - June 2016 Donations: Thank you! Grand Dane ($1000 and up) Frank & Edith Christensen Dannevirke Eastside Circle Mark & Vanessa Levine Erik Muller & Susan Trapnell Bert Nielsen Great Dane ($500-$999) Henning & Greta Buus Fidelity Charitable Mile High United Way Vagn Noeddelund Anne Lise Pedersen Georg & Nina Pedersen Inger Seiffert Bold Dane ($250-$499) Tove & Odd Askilsrud Otto & Minna Brask Birte & Jim Falconer Hellan Goodhope Kari Kelly Sonja Kromann Audrey Haugaard Larson Frances & John Mickelsen Reimert & Betty Ravenholt Annie & Jan Syberg Thomas Woodbury Larry West Noble Dane ($100-$249) Danish Brotherhood Lodge #33 Dianne & Paul Anderson Jette Bunch Anna & Louis Christensen Anna Lou Falck Paul & Kirsten Fischler Hans & Jean Hoffmann Gene & Ruth Jensen Nils & Kathleen Jensen Greta Larsen Ivan & Janne Liblik Larsen Joe Matsen Egon & Laina Molbak George Nelson Ingrid Salmon & Ib Odderson Britt Pfaff- & Chris -Dunton Lola Pitzner Lynn Rasmussen Carl Remming Elaine & John Richards Ellen & Ib Rossen Barbara Smith Anker & Ruth Sorensen Gloria Steberl Carol West Birgitte Williams Claus Windelev Royal Dane ($50-$99) Soomie Ahn Carri Andersen & Lisa Shulman Madeleine Bowerman Joan Cavin Diane Chapman Karla Craig Birte Geijsbeek Teeda Gengo Linda Huizar Gert & Lyla Jacobsen Ellen Jordal Deb Jorgensen-Hall Kai Hansen Neil Kilgren Robert & Judith Kiteley Inge Lamberg Line Liblik Larsen Leah Larson Rei Claus & Linda Mercer Dean Pedersen Preben & Somkul Pedersen Helsa Petersen & Kim Kreidler Erik Pfaff Hans Rasmussen Alden Rose Daniel Rubens Carla Schultz-Parks Bo Shultz-Andersen Linda Springer Karna Town Owen Winter Danes (up to $49) Jorgen Bader Lee & Norma Barney Flemming Behrend Christian Brodersen Bonnie & Don Fisher Chris & Irene Hansen Ken & Rachel Jacobsen Lynn Ogle William Pelke Devin Petersen In Memory of Bert Nielsen Frank Christensen In Honor of Egon Molbak’s 90th Flemming & Lexie Sorensen In Honor of the 50th Anniversary of Annie and Jan Syberg Helga Markussen PAGE 11 Northwest Danish Association Himmelbjerget Assured Life Association Lori Barber Aase Besson Diana & Egon Bodtker Otto Brask Jette Bunch Danish Brotherhood Lodge #29 Danish Brotherhood Lodge #33 Danish Brotherhood Lodge #167 DBIA PNW District Lodges Danish Sisterhood Lodge #19 Danish Sisterhood PNW District Danish Sisterhood Unity Lodge David & Rhonda Frick-Wright Ernst & Linda Jensen Gene & Ruth Jensen Ellen Jordal Joan Konstad Sonja Kromann Birthe & Paul Martin John Martinson Lotte Meyer Ingrid Salmon & Ib Odderson Inger Olsen Paul & Beatrice Reiss Bo Schultz-Andersen Jette Steuch Erik Voldbaek Thomas Woodbury Eldercare Tracy & Erik Askilsrud Catherine Askilsrud Dannevirke Janet Huff Ernst & Linda Jensen South-End Circle Bazaar Fund-A-Need Scholarship Donations Jette Bunch Frank & Edith Christensen Paul & Kirsten Fischler Birte Geijsbeek Uffe & Lorraine Hellum Gary Korsgaard Ken & Annie Kromann Sonja Kromann Erik Muller & Susan Trapnell Peggy Newson Matthew & Jessica Postma Jeanette Postma Charlotte Rasmussen Lynn Rasmussen Ingrid Salmon Flemming & Lexie Sorensen Barbara Smith Pamela Steberl PAGE 12 A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1 Save the Date Northwest Danish Association Northwest Danish Association Seattle Office 1833 N. 105th Street, Suite 101 Seattle, WA 98133 p) 206.523.3263 f) 206.729.6997 e) [email protected] Portland Meeting Space in Bethany Lutheran Church 4330 NE 37th Ave Portland, OR 97211 Portland Contact: Bodil Muller p) 503-547-0161 SEATTLE ACTIVITIES www.northwestdanish.org www.nwdanishcamp.com Please note label problems and make corrections next to the label. Mail to the Northwest Danish Association in Seattle. My name is misspelled. My address is incorrect. I received more than one copy. I do not wish to receive Association mailings. Work Party — First Tuesday, Seattle DBIA & DSS Seattle — First Wednesday of each month Fredagscafe– First Friday, Seattle Onsdagsklubben — Third Wednesday, Seattle Oregon Committee — 10 am Third Wednesday Oregon Bogklub — 12 noon Third Wednesday Watch our e-bulletins each week for specific times and dates of programs! Note: Some programs do not run in the summer. A PUBLICATION OF THE NORTHWEST DANISH ASSOCIATION Northwest Danish Association 1833 North 105th Street, Suite 101 Seattle, Washington 98133-8973 www.northwestdanish.org [email protected] ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL — PLEASE DO NOT DELAY August 1-5: Dane Camp August 14: Danish Picnic August 31: Patxi’s Pizza Fundraiser August 31: Danish Camps Reunion September 2: Fredagscafe September 6: Work Party September 21: Onsdagsklubben September 24: Annual Meeting PORTLAND ACTIVITIES August 13: Danish Picnic Sept 21: NWDA Planning Committee Sept 21: Danish Bogklub Check the NWDA website & weekly e-bulletin regularly for more details & to be informed of any changes! Jul. Aug. Sept. 2016 Issue #2016/2017 Volume 1