Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Get Your Member Discount at En To Tre!

I'm betting lots of Sons of Norway members are either still recovering from some awesome District Conventions and getting ready for the upcoming International Convention in August. It's a busy summer, to be sure, but the excitement isn't going to stop there! This fall promises keep the energy level high with our involvement in Norsk Høstfest 2010!

We're already working on some great ideas here at the H.Q. and the one I'm really excited about is that this year all members can get a 15% discount on the Norwegian Buffet at En To Tre, the finest dining experience at Norsk Høstfest!

Let me tell you, the food is amazing and restaurant is like an oasis of calm in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of Norsk Høstfest. I've eaten there a number of times and I've never had a better Norwegian meal! The chef, Willy Hansen is a real culinary genius who truly cares about the dining experience--which is probably why he can often be found mingling with diners during the meal, making sure they are having an exquisite time!

Combine the awesome experience with the discount and I guarantee you will have one of the most memorable Norsk Høstfest experiences imaginable!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Hilsen fra Skogfjorden

I’m writing from Skogfjorden, Concordia College’s Norwegian Language Village, near Bemidji, Minnesota. I enjoyed working as a counselor at Skofjorden throughout my college years, and it’s been a huge treat to return for a stint as an alumi staff member the past two summers. It’s particularly satisfying to be here with my son and daughter, ages 9 and 11, and to watch them enjoy many of the same experiences that I did as a child at the language village.

The program enjoys a high return rate year after year and the staff encourages youth to participate for ten summers, or gå for ti! In the summer of 2009, 10 participants earned their 10-year awards, thanks, no doubt, to generous support in the form of Sons of Norway scholarships to many Skogfjorden families.

So what’s happening at Skogfjorden this summer? Plenty! In 2010, special emphasis will be devoted to three topics: music, peace studies and folkehøgskoler (folk high schools). Students who spend four weeks at Skogfjorden, earning a year of high school language credit, will be studying the themes of oil and energy. Finally, the staff will give special emphasis to the life and work of Bjørnsterne Bjørnsen, who also is celebrated throughout Norway this year. Of course, at the heart of all the programming is the Norwegian language immersion experience.

Check out this fun video of Skogfjorden staff member Hans Erik with two day-camp participants.


Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Today we're gonna party like it's nitten nittini!

I know Norwegian language is always a favorite subject so how about a quick chart about Norwegian numbers?

Don't mind if I do!

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Greetings from the District 1 Convention!

As most Sons of Norway members know, we're in the middle of convention season. Well, just past the middle, actually--five down, two happening this weekend and one next week.

It's an exciting time for Sons of Norway because this is when members come together to participate in the governance of our beloved organization. At each district convention decisions are made that will potentially affect thousands of members within the district, or tens of thousands if the decision is passed on to the International Convention in August. What I'm trying to say is that this is a REALLY BIG DEAL for us!

That's why I'm so excited, because I have been invited to the District 1 convention to work with delegates and give a breakout session on lodge websites and using the web to promote your lodge. I always have a great time at District conventions, so I'm really looking forward to it. This is an important step in the charting the course for Sons of Norway and I'm grateful to be a witness to it.

Speaking of which, if you're interested in learning more about what this all is leading up to, check out the Sons of Norway International Convention website at www.sonsofnorway2010.com.

That's all for now--hope to see you later today in Rochester!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Andreas Viestad

If you haven't had a chance to read the Q & A with Adreas Viestad in the June Viking magazine, I highly recommend it. Not only is he supremely knowledgeable on all manner of food topics, I'm told he's a heck of a nice guy.

I've gotten a couple questions from folks looking for more info on Andreas. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot of room in the Q & A for biographical info, because we really wanted to devote as much space to his answers as possible, but I've found another blog post over at transparent.com that helps a bit. Enjoy!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Attack of the Marlboro Man

As reported in the June Viking magazine, Norway's Ministry of Finance excluded 17 tobacco companies from its Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG), deeming the companies unethical. In addition, Norway also banned the displaying of tobacco products in stores. This obviously was the straw that broke the Camel's back.

Get it? See what I did there? Oh never mind.

Well, these turns of events have sparked something even larger than the U.S. Tobacco cases of the late 90's. Apparently Phillip Morris, maker of the popular Marlboro cigarette, is fighting back.

By suing Norway.

According to this article, Phillip Morris contends that the ban is unfair to consumers because they can’t see all of the available products, it restricts competition and contravenes Article 11 of the EEA agreement by limiting free movement of goods within the area.

As en ex-smoker I have mixed feelings about this whole situation, which I'll gladly keep to myself, however I am curious to see what the result it.

Any readers have a thought on the matter or want to speak out for either side? It's what the comment link is for!

Friday, June 11, 2010

More Laus for the Masses!

You may remember a while back when I posted about my love for halling/laus dancing. Personally I find it to be incredibly fluid and a real treat. Well Nichole N. sent me a link to a clip from Norway's version of So You Think You Can Dance where a gentleman in full bunad performs the laus. Thanks, Nichole!


Friday, June 4, 2010

Celebrate St. Hansaften

It's that time again! Amy B. has a great post about Midsummer/St. Hansaften!

Midsummer is soon here. I know this—even without the aid of a calendar—because it’s hard to get enough sleep these days. The sun sets later each evening, and my room-darkening shades and Sleepytime tea just aren’t enough to trick my body into getting tired when I should. Do I sound like I’m grumbling? I don’t mean to. I love this time of year, when, despite our schedules, to-do lists and best intentions, we are humbled by the forces of nature. I’m reminded of a favorite song, “Vi Skal Ikkje Sove,” by Auslaug Lygre and Geirr Tveitt:

Vi skal ikkje sova bort sumarnatta,
ho er for ljos til det.

Då skal vi vandra isaman ute,

under dei lauvtunge tre.

We won’t sleep away the summer night,
it’s too light for that.
We’ll wander instead together
under the trees, heavy with leaves.

Midsummer, or St. Hansaften as it is called in Norway, is celebrated on the evening of June 23, with bonfires late into the night. There’s an old custom for a girl to pick seven types of flowers and sleep with them under her pillow, in order to dream of her future husband. Many celebrations include eating rømmegrøt and toasting the summer night with friends.

In North America, many Sons of Norway lodges and communities host midsummer celebrations. Check Sons of Norway event listings or your local community calendars to find a celebration new you. Or plan your own midsummer gathering with family or friends using the recipes in our “Celebrate Summer” feature, found in the June issue of Viking. Skål!

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minnesota, where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585. Amy is a Nordic folk music enthusiast, and when she’s not working or parenting, she can often be found making music with friends.





Bonfire photo by Doug Bratland

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

International Director Awarded King's Medal of Merit

This just in: Long-time Sons of Norway member and District 8 International Director Ernst Granly has been awarded the silver Kongens fortjenstmedalje for his years of community service and efforts in promoting Norwegian culture.

At a special ceremony in Oslo last Thursday, County Governor Hans J. Røsjorde presented Ernst with the medal and a personal citation and greeting signed by King Harald V. As tradition dictates, Ernst and his wife will also go to the Royal Palace in Olso to thank the King in person for the great honor.

We at Sons of Norway are all very proud of Ernst and his accomplishments. In a recommendation that was sent last year from Sons of Norway CEO, Eivind Heiberg, said "I have had the distinguished pleasure of getting to know Ernst as he has taken on various leadership roles in Sons of Norway. Ernst has a level of energy and enthusiasm that is second to none when it comes to strengthening ties between Norway and the United States. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of Sons of Norway and has always been engaging and positive when given the chance to promote our international organization."













Sons of Norway International Director Ernst Granly is shown here being decorated with The King’s Medal, by The King’s representative County Governor Hans J. Røsjorde.















Ernst Granly (Center) celebrating after the medal ceremony with the Mayor of Eidsvoll Terje Teslo, County Governor Hans J. Røsjorde, District President Ole Hillestad, and Mayor of Ullensaker Harald Espelund.