January 2014 VegasViking Newsletter - Vegas Viking Lodge 6

January 2014 Januar
VegasVikingNews
Sons of Norway Lodge 6-152 • Las Vegas, Nevada
Since May 16, 1992, promoting Norwegian heritage through
special events – traditional and contemporary Scandinavian programs –
plus scholarships for deserving Norwegian-Americans
Noen Ord fra Presidenten
KALENDER . . .
Happy New Year ☼ Godt nytt år
JAN. 9, Thursday—Wear Your
Norwegian Sweater Membership
Meeting—Christ Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall, 111 North Torrey
Pines Dr.:
☼ 6 p.m.—Sports medal walk
☼ 6:30 p.m.—Dinner—Ham by
the lodge +bring any dish
beginning with A, B or C.
Takk for maten!
☼ Program: Initiation of officers
& board. Lutefisk fun & Lutefish
dinner volunteer plans.
Jan. 16—Feb. Newsletter deadline
JAN. 16-19—Norway’s Silver
Medal Olympics Curling Team,
led by Thomas Ulsrud ⬆(memorable
for their unorthodox pants) at The
Orleans Arena.
JAN. 25, Saturday—LUTEFISK
DINNER—3 & 6 p.m. seatings, Elk’s
Lodge, Boulder City. Advance
tickets flier on page 7. Volunteers’
information on page 5.
FEB. 9, Sunday—Scandinavian
Heritage Day at LV Wranglers
Hockey, 2:05 p.m. The Orleans
Arena. Show pride! See flier inside
FEB. 6, Thursday— Membership
Meeting
MARCH 1, Saturday—Norwegian
violinist Vilde Frang with the St.
Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Smith
Center for the Performing Arts.
Vegas Viking Joins Hometown Heroes
United in Block Party for Disadvantaged
Erik Pappa, wearing a reindeer skin from Northern Norway, and Lollo Sievert,
joined others in Viking-style garb with the lodge’s Viking ship Ormen Korte for a
holiday parade and block party in the Sierra Oeste neighborhood.
A new collaborative effort aimed at helping underprivileged
children kicked off with a holiday parade and block party for the
families of Sierra Oeste near Lake Mead and Jones boulevards – and
our lodge played a central role.
Member Christian Schoyen was a prime mover in creating the
event with officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department’s Northwest Area Command (NWAC) and other local
groups.
The event got underway for us when we pulled our Viking ship
onto the playground at Wong Elementary School, where lodge
members dressed as Vikings enthralled hundreds of students awaiting
our arrival. Students and their teachers filed by our ship as we Vikings
interacted with the kids, and parents and teachers took pictures.
Then our ship, numerous police vehicles, a city fire truck, mounted
police officers, paramedics and Santa took part in a parade over to
Sierra Oeste – with Metro officers halting traffic as we progressed
through city streets.
When our ship arrived, we were greeted by scores more children
and their parents, and at least one television station carried our arrival
live (three television news crews covered the event, as did the ReviewJournal). We then disembarked from the ship and interacted with the
families and posed for pictures. A lot of children boarded the ship to
inspect it. There was food and gifts for the kids. The creation of a Big
Brother program serving the area was announced.
(continued next page)
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MEMBERSHIP
Welcome New Members
Another bonanza month for
membership. Jenn Wolf not only came
to our November meeting and
entertained us with the hardanger
fiddle, she transferred from Lodge 6162, Fjelldalen in Colorado and
brought her husband, John, and four
children: Ian, 12, Sean 9, Thad 6, and
Annalise, 4. She also volunteered to be
our Youth Director and take over as
Newsletter Editor. A big Vegas Viking
welcome to you and yours. Look
forward to getting to know you all a lot
better.
A long-time friend of Vegas Viking,
Signe Roden, has transferred to our
lodge from her lodge in California.
Look forward to seeing her and her
family at the Christmas Party.
A bonus from the bazaar was
three new members. Kathy Rothermel
encouraged Helen Mortenson to join
and she did. Kathy has known Helen a
long time and says she will be a real
asset. Helen’s sister Ingrid, was a
Charter Member of Vegas Viking back
in 1992 and passed away a few years
ago.
Bob Sturgeon found a couple
interested in becoming members at
the bazaar. Cato Terje Sandberg and
his wife Jacklyn also joined Vegas
Viking.
Five-Year Milestone
Carl-Uno Manros will celebrate
five years as a Vegas Viking on January
28, 2014. Congratulations. –Gwen
Knighton, Membership Secretary
SUNSHINE
Christmas greetings have been
sent to members who have had
recent health concerns. We trust
you will all be in thought and
prayer for Kris and Ivan
Goplen. Ivan is having some very
serious health concerns at this
time.
If you know of someone who
could use a little extra cheer please
email [email protected] or give me
a call, 645-666 or email. Thanks.—
Suzan Sibert, Sunshine
CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT: Jerry Morse, Bob Sturgeon, Chuck Grove and
Christian Schoyen prepared the Viking ship for another expedition while Erik
Pappa used the Internet to call for Vegas Vikings to join the special expedition
with Hometown Heroes United in the Sierra Oeste neighborhood on Dec. 19.
VV & Hometown Heroes United . . .
(continued from page 1)
The children were invited to participate in our Leif Erikson
drawing competition and some gift cards were awarded with Las
Vegas Councilman Ricki Barlow participating (we’ll have a complete
rundown on the competition in next month’s issue).
The Vikings included Christian, Chuck Grove, Bob Sturgeon, Bob
and Lollo Sievert, Rick Senzig and myself. Jerry Morse pulled the ship.
Andy Agan and Rick Besmanoff also were there providing support
with the latter taking pictures (can’t wait to see them!). All were
involved in setting up and tearing down, as well.
Christian’s group, Hometown Heroes, has joined with our lodge
and the other participating entities to form Hometown Heroes United
to improve living conditions and reduce crime in Sierra Oeste.
“Our goal is to work closely with the community to ensure
everyone is safe at all times and that all children be given the
opportunity for a bright, prosperous future,” said Metro Capt.
Christopher Tomaino of the NWAC. “We hope that our initiative and
efforts in Sierra Oeste will ignite a street-by-street movement to
improve other struggling neighborhoods.
“When combining our efforts in the community, there are no
obstacles we cannot overcome,” said Christian Schoyen, project
director of Hometown Heroes United.
“The Sierra Oeste project is made possible due to the collaborative
efforts of community leaders and organizations that partnered up
because they believe in our city and the importance of helping these
children, who, through no fault of their own, live in poverty.”
The event was hugely successful and provided great community
exposure for our lodge.—Erik
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Vegas Viking’s New
Leaders Start Jan. 9
At Jan. 9’s Membership
Meeting, the Lodge’s new slate
of leaders will be installed in a
brief Sons of Norway ceremony.
Vegas Viking’s new President
is Charter Member Robert L.
“Bob” Sturgeon, whose
Norwegian roots include
bootleggers in the American
South’s Hill Billy country. He
also is a past lodge president.
Stepping up as Vice President
is Andy Agan, Jr. A native
Hawaiian, spent two
assignments with the U.S. Air
Force in Oslo (1963-67 and
1973-78) at NATO Allied Forces
Northern Europe Headquarters
plus on U.S. State Department
assignments with the Embassy
in Helsinki Finland (1989-1993)
and three-month temporary
duty assignments each in Oslo,
Stockholm and Copenhagen.
As outgoing President Erik
Pappa becomes Counselor plus
he continues as Publicity
Director. Other new officers are
Karen Holien, Cultural Director;
Jennifer Wolf, Youth Director
and Newsletter Editor; Jannifer
Sprague, Greeter; and Rick
Bezmanoff, Sports and
Recreation Director and
Newsletter Assistant.
Continuing in their positions are
Kathy Rothermel, Secretary;
Warren Halvorson, Treasurer;
Gwen Knighton, Membership
Secretary; Lollo Sievert,
WebMistress and Trustee;
Maureen Anderson, Social
Director; Elaine Halvorson, Social
Assistant, and Arlon Sibert, Camp
Norge Representative.
Besides Sturgeon, other Charter
Members in lodgeleadership are
Sievert, Knighton, and Sibert.
Vegas Vikings Scream on Munch’s 150th Birthday
Dec. 12 marked 150 years since the birth of Norwegian artist
Edvard Munch, famous for his painting The Scream. To mark the
occasion, Erik Pappa rallied Vegas Viking members and friends
to post a picture or video of themselves as they are screaming
for fun on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. including the Sons
of Norway’s international blog.
The Las Vegas Sun’s Reporter Erin Ryan tells the story here:
http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/as-we-seeit/2013/dec/18/local-norwegians-edvard-munch-150thbirthday/#/0
↑THE SCREAM, Robert Sturgeon, Henny Morse and Christian Schoyen
CLOCKWISE, from upper left:
Terrence Baillargeon,
Katherine with Erik Pappa,
Julian with Julie Seidlinger,
Kathy Rothermel with her
son-in-law, and Alice
Salvesen
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Gratulerer med dagen!
January Birthdays
06
09
10
10
15
16
21
25
30
Charles Finnila
Heidi Kasama
Mary Ellen Jespersen
Helen Mortenson
May Edmondson
Jannifer Sprgue
Jytte Basye
Mike Hagen
Anna Gjerde
We just received two large
donations from two Sons of
Norway Lodges one in Seattle,
Washington and one in Atlanta,
Georgia. We are busy clipping
and sorting. At the writing of
this, our total for the year is at
252 pounds. Thanks to Jeanette
and Chuck Grove and to May
Edmondson for helping at this
busy time of year. Thanks to all
who have donated stamps during
the year!—Suzan Sibert,
Tubfrim Committee
Nordic or Viking Relics to Sell?
A Brooke TV casting director
contacted Vegas Viking, via
Webmistress Lollo Sievert, to reach
any member who may be
interested in participating in an
upcoming TV show in Las Vegas.
This information does not
constitute an endorsement by
Vegas Viking Lodge of the Sons of
Norway.
This proposed documentary-style
show is seeking a collector of Viking
artifacts for a n upcoming segment.
The TV show is looking for people who
are trying to sell unique Viking or
Nordic relics. If you are interested,
please respond with your name, phone
number, a description of your item,
photographs of it and how much you
are looking to sell it for to the
producers today at
[email protected].
Officers & Procedures
Congratulations to the new officers and thank you to those who
are continuing in their offices. It is important that you know the duties
and responsibilities of your office. You can find a Guide for Leadership
for your office by going to http://www.sofn.com/ and clicking on
Member Login. If it is your first time, of course, you’ll have to establish
a password. Then go to Management, below that will be Guides for
Leadership and you can select the one you are interested in. If
downloading is a problem, let me know and I can order a copy from
Sons of Norway. Installation of officers will take place at the January
meeting, so hope to see you all there.
Some background: Sons of Norway was formed in Minneapolis MN
in January 1895, mainly as an insurance program for immigrants from
Norway. Over the years it has been very structured, with lots of
protocol. These rules have lessened some but lodges are still bound by
the official Charter, Constitutions and Procedures. It is very clear and
all encompassing. I always have a copy of the Constitution with me if
anyone would like to take a look at it. Our lodge also has by-laws that
deal with our particular lodge.
I would like to quote one part in particular: "Chapter 11, Officers
and Directors, Elections and Terms of Office - 4.11.1 - Eligibility. Only
voting members, who have been members of Sons of Norway for at
least three months, are eligible for an office, or as a delegate to District
or International Convention." The chapter further spells out all rules
with regard to lodge officers. Did you know this? "4.11.20. Failure to
Attend Meetings: If any Officer is absent from three consecutive
regular monthly meetings of the Lodge without valid excuse . . . Lodge
may declare such office vacant . . ."
The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and to preserve
the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate our relationship
with other Nordic Countries, and provide quality insurance and
financial products to our members. Let’s not lose track of that.
–Gwen Knighton, Counselor
LEFT: Dec. 5’s meeting celebrated the 80th anniversary of Prohibition’s
end with Norwegian liquor—moonshine, beer and aquavit--and hearing
stories of Norwegian bootleggers from their descendants. Wikipedia says
that Scandinavian Lutherans were supportive of Prohibition (as opposed
to, say, German Lutherans, who were generally opposed). From the stories
we heard tonight, there seemed to be a fair number of Scandinavians
siding with the German-Americans! With stories to tell were, from left,
Bob Sturgeon, Joleen Claessens and Maureen Anderson with Erik Pappa,
the enforcer. RIGHT: Chill& Soup winners: Chuck Grove (chili), top prize;
Maureen Anderson (soup), runner up. Jan Sprague, right, won the raffle.
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LEFT: Hot Waffles: Batter by Bob Surgeon, left; baking by Ivar Kristensen.
RIGHT: Guests select information in Vegas Viking lodge and Scandinavian.
Bazaar Takk & Lutefisk Volunteer Call
SCANDINAVIAN BAZAAR STARS
(above): Member’s home-baked
sweets, Coleen Wilson-Pappa’s
children’s crafts and varied wares
like these displayed by Henny
Morse.
We just received two large
donations from two Sons of
Norway Lodges one in Seattle,
Washington and one in Atlanta,
Georgia. We are busy clipping
and sorting. At the writing of this,
our total for the year is at 252
pounds. Thanks to Jeanette and
Chuck Grove and to May
Edmondson for helping at this
busy time of year. Thanks to all
who have donated stamps during
the year! Suzan Sibert, Tubfrim
Committee
Thank you to all who helped at the bazaar and, especially, all of
you who brought home baked goods and donated items to Granny’s
Attic. We couldn’t do it without everyone pitching in.
At the Jan. 9 meeting I will be looking for workers for the
lutefisk dinner and of course more of your wonderful baked goods.
You will also find a flier on page 7 of this newsletter.
The last part of the year and the first part of the next year turn
out to be the busiest time for Vegas Vikings. We finish the bazaar,
enjoy our Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and then plunge
right into lutefisk time.
As you know, these are our basic fund raisers for the year. It is a
fact: only $7.00 of your annual dues are returned by Sons of Norway
to the lodge. So, we have to find other ways to raise funds.
There are administration expenses, cost of the newsletter, storage
rental, rental of the meeting room and many other things. The lodge
also subsidizes the picnic and the Christmas party and has the
upkeep of our Viking Ship, too. And of course our big expenditure
each year is our scholarships, which not only help the community,
but help us maintain our non-profit status.
So, thank you all for your understanding and for giving so much
of your time to help us keep on keeping on!
One more thing. The lutefisk raffle is a great fund raiser each
year. Do any of you have connections to get gift certificates at a
restaurant or other establishment? How about a gift certificate for
Christmas that you can’t use (or a present you can’t use)? Anything
is welcome.—Gwen Knighton, Bazaar/Lutefisk Co-Chair
Jan. 25 Lutefisk Dinner Needs Your Help
This is a reminder to all that we will need volunteers for our
lutefisk dinner on Jan. 25th which is the last Saturday of the month. We
need 30 workers at each seating so please plan on helping out for at
least one seating. We usually start the food preparation and set up at
10 a.m. and serve our first meal at 3 p.m. and the second meal at 6 p.m.
If everyone helps with the clean up like last year we will be finished by
9 p.m.
This is our biggest money maker for the lodge and helps pay for
our expenses and sometimes there is a little for the scholarship fund.
Gwen and I will have a sign up sheet at the meeting on Jan. 9 so
sign up and help make the Jan. 25, 2014 Lutefisk Dinner a success.
Takk for hjelpen.—Hilsen . . . Bob
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FUN!!!
Jul songs around the tree. A good one to practice for 2014, suggested by LinVeronica Samuelsen Light: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31X7IzpVvA
Jul Fest chairman Bob Sturgeon (in the red shirt in top photo) oversees
the festivities helped by member-volunteers including Jenn Wolf, violinist;
Andy Agan, magician, who actually levitated; Mrs. Claus and Santa (Alice
Salvesen and Roy Sather), lots of folks dancing and singing around the
tree, and gifts.
‘Takk for hjelpen’ –Thanks for Julfest Help
The weather did not stop over 80 people from attending our
Christmas party on December 7 and it did not stop Santa from
showing up with a bag full of presents for the children. Thanks to
everyone that brought food and thanks to those that helped set up,
serve and clean up. Maureen Anderson did an excellent job with all of
the table settings. Karen Holien ran the kitchen and, along with her
helpers, kept the food on the table. ErikPappa brought the tree and
Andy did his magic show. With members like this, and their helpers,
the party had to be a success. Henny Morse brought Christmas CD
music and Jenn played Christmas music on her violin. To everyone that
helped I can only say “takk for hjelpen” and I hope you will help out
next year.—Hilsen . . . Bob
Hot Apple Grog with
Blackcurrant,
Honey and Cinnamon
(Serves 5) adapted from
www.newscancook.com




1 quart (1 liter) apple juice
¼ lb. (100 g) blackcurrants
1 cinnamon stick
2 tbsp. honey
Boil all ingredients. Sieve and
serve.
Norway to Dominate the Podium in 2014 Olympics
Infostrada, the Olympic medal prediction service, recently updated
their Virtual Medal Table. Topping the 2014 forecasts with a medal
count of 37 medals each are Norway and Germany, a feat—if
successful—that would tie the record set in 2010 by the United States.
Men’s and women’s biathlon and cross-country skiing events are
expected to yield the bulk of Norway’s medals while ski jumping and
alpine, freestyle and speed skating round out the remaining medal
count. Visit http://vmt.infostradasports.com/ to check out the latest
predictions on the Virtual Medal Table and see where each of your favorite
Norwegian athletes like Aksel Lund Svindal, Tora Berger and Emil Hegle
Svendsen are predicted to place on the podium.
Vegas Viking Lodge
President, Bob Sturgeon 454-9100
Vice President, Andy Agan 2420602
Counselor, Erik Pappa 395-7917
Secretary, Kathy Rothermel 4617092
Treasurer, Warren Halvorson 5666788
Sports & Recreation Director,
Arlon Sibert 645-6666
Foundation Director, TBA
Youth Director, Jennifer Wolf 2652128; [email protected]
Trustee, Lollo Sievert 645-7457
Greeters, Jannifer Sprague 876-0022
Publicity Director, Erik Pappa 3957917
Marshal, Ivan Goplen 639-2277
Historian, TBA
Librarian, Marilyn Dille 878-8501
OFFICERS
COMMITTEES
Cultural Director, Karen Holien
240-3324
Membership Secretary, Gwen
Knighton 869-5775
[email protected]
Assistant Membership Secretary,
Alice Salvesen 361-3969
Webmistress, Lollo Sievert 6457457
[email protected]
Social Director, Maureen Anderson
361-9844
Assistant Social Director, Elaine
Halvorson 566-6788
Volunteer Coordinator: Linda
Turner 580-3336
Audit: Robert Sievert 645-7457
Telephone:
Jeanette Grove 645-8141;
Suzan Sibert 645-6666;
Donna Swartz 873-6488
Tubfrim:
May Edmondson 656-6192, chair;
Arlon & Suzan Sibert 645-6666
[email protected]; Lollo Sievert
645-7457
2014
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Name Tags & Sunshine: Suzan
Sibert 645-6666
[email protected]
Camp Norge Ambassador: Arlon
Sibert 645-6666
Scholarship Committee:
Suzan Sibert 645-6666 & Linda
Kristensen 254-2134, co-chairs;
Mike Hagen 463-7166; John Holien
240-3324; Heida Kasama 308-7208;
Alice Salvesen 361-3969
Newsletter:
Outgoing Editor, Linda Kristensen
254-2134; [email protected]
Incoming Editor, Jennifer Wolf 2652128; [email protected]
Incoming Newsletter Assistant,
Richard Besmanoff 772-7726
Financial Benefits Counselor
John LaGrange
Sons of Norway
834-4720; 900-4261
[email protected]
Sons of Norway, Vegas Viking Lodge 6-152
Jenn Wolf, Editor
7533 Evening Falls Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89131
JANUARY 2014 JANUAR
DATED MATERIAL
VV News Color Edition–on the Web or by Email:
http://www.vegasviking.com/pdf/VegasVikingsJan2014.pdf
Postal mail: BLACK ink only
Address change: Gwen Knighton, 869-5775
VEGAS VIKING ON THE WEB:
Webpage: www.vegasviking.com/
Email: [email protected]
Lollo Sievert 645-7457
Social Networks:
http://www.facebook.com –SEARCH FOR VEGAS VIKING
http:/www.twitter.com/vegasvikinggang
Next issue deadline: THURSDAY, JAN. 16:
[email protected]
Many thanks for the help. Tusen takk!
SAVE STAMPS FOR TUBFRIM
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
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