april 2019 brevet - wordpress.com · 2019. 4. 4. · april 2019 issue number 19 - 04...

 

❤ Issue Number 19 - 04 SynNor Brevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Page ! ❤1

SynNor Brevet Synnøve-Nordkap

Lodge #1 - 008

April 2019 Issue Number 19 - 04

————-—————- Front Page News ————-—————-

April is Membership Month Please join us on April 9, at 6:30 for our annual Membership Dinner. Magnolia’s Restaurant will cater this event. The menu will consist of pork loin w/dressing & applesauce, tossed salad, fruit plate, broccoli, sauerkraut, dessert and beverage. Cost is $11.00 per person. We will have a slideshow highlighting Norway and a video of the many activities offered to members by our lodge. Two popular activities are our Genealogy Group, which can help you find your roots, and our Junior Lodge, with many fun activities and crafts, along with Norwegian dances. The Junior Lodge is a great opportunity for kids 7-18 years old to connect with their heritage. Members who joined SON in a year ending in 9 or 4 will be awarded their membership anniversary pin at our April meeting, too!

Solvei Larsen, a vocalist from Norway, and her husband Finn Henrik will perform two or three songs at the event. Solvei has ties to Synnove-Nordkap having been a lodge member before returning to Norway many years ago.

It is a great time to bring a friend, neighbor, or family member to see what Sons of Norway and our Lodge has to offer them. And remember, if you bring a prospective member, both your dinners are free. We hope to see you on April 9. Reservations for all attendees is required.

For reservations contact Mary Beth Mutchler at [email protected] or at 651-484-8872 by Friday, April 5th.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

———————— Fra Presidenten —————————— 


I do believe that spring has arrived! Temperatures are hovering in the 40’s & 50’s, and our snow is rapidly disappearing. Overall, we did not have a terrible winter but from mid-January to mid-March it was truly brutal, the likes of which we have not seen in twenty years.

April 9th is our annual membership and recruitment dinner. The cost is $11.00 per member unless you bring a prospective new member, in which case your dinner and the prospective member’s dinners are free. How good a deal is that? Contact MaryBeth Mutchler by April 5th to make your reservation(s).

Our next big event is Festival of Nations. This is our largest fundraising event, and it allows us to present a little bit of Norwegian culture to thousands of people. Please contact Pat Carlson and sign up to help at cooking day on April 29th or work a shift (or two) at the Norway café. Better yet, sign up to help out at both cooking day and work at the café.

In the last few weeks I, along with several others, have had the opportunity to bring a little joy and peace of mind into the lives of two of our lodge members. One of these members commented on how she felt guilty about having me and another member drop what we were doing and come to help her out. I explained that no guilt was necessary and how helping and taking care of each other was one of the founding precepts of Sons of Norway. We were raised to believe that this is what people do for each other in times of need.

I remember, as a child, my father dropping everything and dashing off to help a neighbor get their cows back into the pasture or to help fight a grass fire on someone else’s farm. This was just the way things were done “back in the day”, this is how Jean and I were raised and we have greatly benefited from the kindness of others helping us get through some tough times over the last few years.

Last, but not least, Jean and I wish you a happy and joyous Easter season.

Chuck

————————— Secretary’s Report ————————— 


Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1 – 008, Board Meeting, March 5, 2019 The Board for Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1-008 met on Tue, March 5 19, 2019 @ 7 PM at the Ramsey County Library – Maplewood at 3025 Southlawn Dr, Maplewood, MN.

Members in attendance: Sharon Amann, Dianne Anderson, Ingrid Bjorum, Connie Chrissus, Chuck Draheim, Jean Draheim, Lowell Johnson, Ron Stow, Susan Stow and Heidi Slen Walsh.

Introduction of Guests: Dave Mutchler, Mary Beth Mutchler

President Chuck Draheim, called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

1. SECRETARY’S REPORT - HEIDI: Feb 2019 Board and Lodge Meeting Minutes approved as submitted.

2. TREASURER’S REPORT - JEAN: Approved as presented.

3. COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Festival of Nations – Pat: May 2-5, 2019. Sampled 2 lingonberry drinks.

b. Scholarships – Sasha: Haugen family excited about scholarships. No post-secondary/Nordic Experience scholarship applications received.

Will push to get out the word.

c. Programs – Sasha: John Moe, host of podcast on MPR “Hilarious World of Depression” set to speak at March Lodge Meeting. May – Syttende

Mai with Peer Gynt Dancers, hot dogs and ice cream. Encourage members to wear Bunad. Sep or Oct – Bunad fashion show. Nov – 99th Battalion presentation. Dec – Julebord.

d. Junior Lodge – Susan: Tusen takk performance at St. Paul Lutheran on Sun, Mar 3rd went well. Focus on Northern Lights. Favorable time to observe is Mar 21st, between 5pm and 2 am, weather permitting. Norwegian entry in Eurovision Song Contest, Spirit in the Sky, contains some Sami language lyrics.

e. Foundation – Susan: Nothing to report.

f. Brevet/Web site – Ingrid: 15th of mo – reminder to submit, 20th of mo – deadline to submit, 25th of month – draft for approval to Board, 27th of

month – revisions in. Website to be functional by April 10th.

g. Sunshine – Mary Beth: Sent card to Lynn, 99th birthday card to Marge Pedersen, and card to Meredith Berg.

h. District 1 – Ron: International Convention – Furnes, Norway, Aug 16-Aug 21, 2020. 4/6/2019 - Officer training. Motion for Lodge to pay $15 per

person fee. Motion/Sharon 2nd/Ron. Motion passed. District Board Meeting – 4/12-4/13: All welcome to observe.

i. Bookcase Challenge – Lowell: Lynn healing from hand surgery.

j. Membership – Lowell: Membership reports forwarded to Connie – no new members.

k. Social – Dianne: Nothing to report.

4. OLD BUSINESS

a. Sustainability - Lowell: Will meet with Pastor at GA to discuss.

b. Storage Space - Lowell: Storage space in demand. Will present options at next meeting.

c. Membership Dinner – Mary Beth: Pork loin, sauerkraut, salad, broccoli, stuffing, roll/butter, applesauce. Sheet cakes from Costco. Will use

church dishes and SON placemats. Lowell working on promotional slide show. Membership anniversary pins to be presented.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a. Responsibility Books: Discussion about officers and Committee Chairs learning more about current position responsibilities and each creating a book to help delineate responsibilities for current and future leaders

6. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ITEMS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

a. Due to work responsibilities, Lowell will need back-up on some Lodge Meeting nights. Dave will help in Mar.

b. Need to recruit more and younger members.

c. Ron – Minot News ran a photo of New Land New Life exhibit.

Next Board of Directors meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th, 2019, 7-9 pm, with committee meetings from 6:30-7, in the Board Room, Ramsey County Library, Maplewood branch.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Heidi Slen Walsh

Synnove-Nordkap Lodge #1 – 008, Lodge Meeting, 03/12/19

• The Lodge Meeting for Synnove-Nordkap Lodge #1-008 met on Tue, March 12, 2019 at 7 pm at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St, St

Paul, MN.

• There were 53 in attendance. Visitors and guests included Larry and Sue Atneoson, Jen Marke, and Jean Knaack.

• President Chuck Draheim called the meeting to order.

• Feb/March birthdays: Ron Stow, Mary Beth Mutchler, Russell Bailey, Curt Hogenson, Doug Peterson, and Connie Chrissis.

• Feb/March anniversaries: Ron and Susan Stow and Jacquie Carlone.

• The January minutes were accepted as printed in the Brevet.

• Pat Carlson has sign-up sheets tonight for volunteering at the Festival of Nations May 2 – 5, working at the booth and for baking day, April 29, at GA church.

• Sasha Aslanian spoke about scholarships, mentioning deadline is March 15 for applications for post-secondary training and education and Nordic

Experience. Applications are available at the Sons of Norway website. Our lodge awarded Josie and Freya Haugen scholarships to attend Skofjorden language camp this year.

• Ron Stow awarded the Cultural Skills pin in Genealogy to John Nordale for his work on searching his family history.

• Chuck introduced our new financial consultant, Dave Okeson, who introduced himself and his previous experience.

• Trudi Johnson-Richards won the drawing.

• Mary Beth Mutchler is taking reservations for the Membership Dinner. Cost is $11 per person, and it is a roast pork dinner catered by Magnolia’s.

(continued on page 5)

———————- Scandinavian Culture ——————— 


The Forest Finns by Don Halvorson

At the end of the 16th Century and the early part of the 17th Century, thousands of Finnish farmers began to leave the dense forests of central Finland and moved into the forests of western Sweden and eastern Norway. They came from the area known as Savolaks and the neighboring provinces of Tavastland and Karelia, where for centuries, they had carried out their traditional practice of slash and burn agriculture. After they settled into Sweden’s province of Varmland, they eventually moved into the Norwegian forests between the Swedish border and the Glomma River. In time they would be known as the Forest Finns.

These immigrants came to their new homes through a direct invitation from the reigning Swedish king, Carl IX. It wasn’t the first time that they had migrated to somewhere new at the request of a Swedish king. Beginning with Gustav Vasa (r.1523-60) and Eric XIV (r. 1560-68) they were resettled twice to areas along the border between Swedish Finland and Russia, a buffer against the empire’s eastern neighbors, challenging Sweden’s sovereignty there. These isolated settlements confronted the Sami, the original inhabitants of the region, and suffered greatly during the many Russo-Swedish wars. King Carl’s reasons were political, hoping to secure his own popularity with these new under populated and heavily forested provinces.

Once settled, they began the huge task of clearing the surrounding forest, burning the trees, and planting their special strand of rye grain in the ashes. This style of farming was a laborious undertaking, taking four years to harvest, but eventually yielding a large crop, Once harvested, the farmers would move on to the next forested area and beginning the process all over again.

During the middle of the 17th Century, many heavily taxed Norwegian locals near these settlements began to covey their resentment of the newcomers. In 1648, King Frederick III of Denmark issued a decree forcing the Finns to pay the same taxes their neighbors paid, or leave their homes. The 17th Century also saw the development of a new industry in Norway, the mining of copper and iron. The conventional

method of extracting metal from rock, involved in part, the building of a large charcoal fire. This process used up an enormous amount of firewood, and soon private owners were forced to sell their logs to the nearest mine. Because there were no mines near Finnskogene, the forests there were left alone for some time. But in the next century, outside merchants, seeing the enormous profits existing there, began collaborating with the king to sell off large tracts of Finns’ forestland to private citizens. Selling off the land forced the Finnish settlers into tenant faming under their new owners. In 17th century Sweden, during the reign of Queen Christina, the proclamation of 1646 stated that the houses of all Finnish subjects in her realm that refused to learn Swedish, would be destroyed and burned. Those caught reading Finnish books could be imprisoned

By the 18th century, most Forest Finns had become assimilated into mainstream society in both Sweden and Denmark-Norway. In their daily life however, they still kept to themselves, secretly holding on to their traditions and Savolaks language until the beginning of the 20th Century. Included in these traditions were their folklore and mythology, which fostered a surviving belief in shamanism, magic and folk healing. Today they are one of Norway’s five officially accepted minorities.

ForestFinns WikiEveripediahttps://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/

Forest_Finns Spirit Boat: Overview: Finnish Shamanism

spiritboat.blogspot.com/p/overview-finnish-shamanism.html

https://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/Forest_Finns/http://spiritboat.blogspot.com/p/overview-finnish-shamanism.htmlhttps://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/Forest_Finns/http://spiritboat.blogspot.com/p/overview-finnish-shamanism.html

————————- Goings-on ———————— 


Benefits and Finance I am excited about the opportunity to represent the Sons of Norway Financial Benefits area. I am the new FBC as of Jan 1, 2019. I have been in the Life Insurance business for over 40 years and have represented primarily two companies over this time period. I am from the Detroit Lakes area originally and graduated from Twin Valley High School in Twin Valley, Minnesota. I have a BS degree from Moorhead State College in Moorhead, MN. I have worked primarily in the banking and insurance markets, to provide insurance and investment options to their customer base. I look forward to assisting Sons of Norway members with benefit reviews and to assist in any way that is needed. Sons of Norway provides a great portfolio of products to its membership. The products are very straight forward and cost competitive. I am proud to represent this great organization. Please contact me with questions.

Dave Okeson FBC

[email protected]

651-260-7399

Counselor’s Corner Shhhhhhhhh…don’t make any loud noises or quick moves, but I think Sping may possibly look at the calendar and decide to stay. But, let’s be very cautious, OK?

I know it is redundant, but February and March have been brutal! Since we are Scandinavians, we count heavily on things leveling and evening themselves out. My logic suggests that our actual spring and summer will absolutely have to be the best in recorded history. However, time will have to bear this supposition correct or incorrect…

As we look ahead to summer, The Board is seeking suggestions for a day trip destination or a local fun activity for our Lodge to do together. In the past we have gone to Vesterheim, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Hjeimkomst, Norsk Wood Works, Orienteering, and a downtown St. Paul walk, to name a few of past experiences. The main idea is to get Lodge members to participate together in an event so we can get to know one another better. Fellowship is the name of the game, right?

*****Warning****** Joke to follow…

A survey crew knocked on Ole and Lena’s front door.

Crew: Mr. and Mrs. Olson, we have been surveying the line between Minnesota and Iowa, we have determined that your farm is really in Iowa, not Minnesota.

Ole: By golly den, dat is good news! I vas ust telling Lena dat I couldn’t spend a nudder vinter in Minnesoda…

I think I know how Ole feels, and I think you do too.

Blessings,

Sharon

(Lodge Meeting Minutes, continued from page 3) • Lynn Hoffmeier had surgery on his hand today. Keep him in your thoughts.

• Meeting adjourned at 730pm.

• Sasha introduced tonight’s guest, John Moe, host of the podcast “The Hilarious World of Depression.” John’s parents were from Norway and

immigrated here in 1960. He was born after their arrival in the US.

• Delivered in the host/guest interviewer style with Sasha asking questions, John told us about his life and how events led him to his choice of radio as a

career. He spoke of his visits to Norway, the family connection he still has there, and the ways Norwegians have coped with depression. Traumatic events in Norway had followed his family here. Through his own experience with depression, a family history, and with people he’s interviewed, he became aware of how deeply the subject has affected many people and would like to remove the word “stigma” in connection with it.

• NEXT LODGE MEETING will be our Membership Dinner on Tue, April 9 at 630pm at Gustavus Adolphus church.

Respectfully submitted, Connie Chrissis

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

————-—————- Bulletin Board ————-—————-  


Norwegian Language Classes • Tuesday Class, April 9, No class • "Norsk Nordmenn og Norge" book & "Ny i

Norge" book Wednesday Classes, April 10 & 24, 1:00-2:30 p.m. at SunRay Library, 2105 Wilson Ave., St. Paul, MN 55119

• WELCOME to new members! • Please contact Class Facilitator Sheryl Hove at

[email protected] or 651-738-4908 for information

Genealogy Group The Genealogy Group will meet on Saturday, April 6 from 10 am to noon at the White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd Street, White Bear Lake. At the March meeting we began helping a new group member locate relatives in Norway. Bring your family information that you have and we can help you get started researching. An optional lunch at a nearby restaurant will follow the meeting.

The Genealogy Group will NOT be meeting in May so that group members are able help at our Norway Café at the Festival of Nations.

For Information: Chuck Draheim, President 651-433-2008 or

[email protected] Lowell Johnson, Vice President, [email protected]

Ingrid Bjorum, Brevet Editor, [email protected]

Cross-cultural Events

Hardanger Group • Next meeting: Friday, April 26 • If you are interested in joining this fabulous

group, please contact Susan Stow for more information: [email protected] or 651-439-7255

Sunshine News We wish a speedy recovery to Len Carlson who will have hip replacement surgery on April 10th.

At the March lodge meeting, member Sasha Aslanian interviews member John Moe about his

Norwegian heritage and his podcast The Hilarious World of Depression.

Member John Nordale receives his cultural skills

pin from wife Joanne Nordale for his work on

genealogy.

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

—————-——- Junior Lodge ——-—————-  


“Nothing comes of a “would” was our Sami proverb for the March meeting. The Sami word geahkat means intending and planing to do something, but never really taking the next step and actually doing it. In Junior Lodge, we want to be active and follow through with our plans.

As part of our examination into the Sami way of life in Norway we looked into the Northern lights. The further north you travel, the more likely you are to catch a glimpse of the aurora. Above the Arctic Circle (66°33’N) is the best place to see the aurora, which is why northern Norway and Svalbard are some of the best places for observation right in the reindeer migration area.

The winter season in the Arctic lasts from late Sept. to late March / early April. During this time, the Arctic sky is dark enough for the Northern Lights to be visible in the right conditions. The aurora is at its most active on March 21st and September 23rd between 5:00 pm and 2:00 am. They may only show for a few minutes. A good display may last for 15-30 minutes at a time. To see the Northern lights, the sky needs to be dark and clear of any clouds.

In Minnesota - best viewing spots have been Grand Marias, Duluth, northwestern Mn., St. Cloud and in the country in southern Mn.

Dovetailing into our Sami studies, we saw the Youtube video of the Norwegian song entered in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest called

Spirit in the Sky, that features scenes of northern Sami territory in Norway. Part of the lyrics are in the Sami language. It is a haunting melody that will definitely remain in your thoughts.

Junior lodge members are recording their sports medal points each month. Nola Hovland and Josie Haugen were awarded their silver Idrettsmerke pins.

Our three Kaias: Dancers L to R: Kaia Velo, Kaia Larsen, mother Kaia Hillegass of dancer

Netta

Peer Gynt dancers at Festival of Nations audition

Date and Time Event Location

Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 pm Monthly Board of Directors Meeting

**All members are welcome**

Ramsey County Library - Maplewood

3025 Southlawn Dr Maplewood, MN 55109

Saturday, April 6, 10-Noon Genealogy Group Meeting White Bear Lake Library 2150 2nd Street

White Bear Lake, MN 55110

Tuesday, April 9 Norwegian Language Class No Class

Tuesday, April 9, 6:30 pm Monthly Lodge Meeting Membership Event

Gustavus Adolphus Church 1669 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN

55106

Wednesday, April 10, 1-2:30 pm Norwegian Language Book Group Sun Ray Library 2105 Wilson Ave., St. Paul 55109

Wednesday, April 24, 1-2:30 pm Norwegian Language Book Group Sun Ray Library

Friday, April 26 Hardanger Embroidery Group Ronald and Susan Stow 103 East Burlington

Stillwater, MN 55082

Tuesday, May 14, 6:30 pm Monthly Lodge Meeting Syttende Mai Celebration

Gustavus Adolphus Church


SynNor Brevet3496 Nancy PlaceShoreview, MN 55126-8005

The mission of the 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.

Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1-008: District 1 Lodge of theYear in 2013, Family Lodge of the Year in 2006, 2008, 2013, 2016, 2017

Visit Synnøve-Nordkap online: http://synnove1.com/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/synnor/albums

https://peergyntdancers.wordpress.com/about/ https://www.facebook.com/SynnoveNordkap/
http://synnove1.com/https://www.flickr.com/photos/synnor/albumshttps://peergyntdancers.wordpress.com/about/http://synnove1.com/https://www.flickr.com/photos/synnor/albumshttps://peergyntdancers.wordpress.com/about/

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