"Snowshoe" Thompson Screenplay in L.A.

I was recently contacted by screenwriter Aaron Lerner, who is working on a new screenplay based on the life of Norwegian-American John "Snowshoe" Thompson. He's inviting Sons of Norway members in the Los Angeles area to a sneak peek of his project by attending a table reading of the screenplay at 7 pm Sept. 12 at Howard Fine Acting Studio in Los Angeles.

Lerner describes his project: Set during the California gold rush, a Norwegian immigrant accepts a death-defying challenge to transport the U.S. mail across the mountains. He proposes to use homemade wooden skis, something never seen before in the West. Friends and family think he’s crazy. Gamblers and miners make bets he will not return. Undaunted, he carries hundreds of pounds of mail on his back, survives life-threatening ordeals in the mountains, and proves that he can ski across the Sierras.

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited and RSVPs are suggested. For information, contact Lerner at aplerner@mac.com.

Snowshoe Thompson is just one of many Norwegian Americans with a great story. To learn more about Knut Rockne, Ole Rølvaag, Fred Kavli and others, check out the February issue of Viking!

Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.