Tubfrim Winner Announced

January was a lucky month for Vegas Viking Lodge 6-152 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The lodge was the winner of the Tubfrim drawing to give away a ticket to Norway, worth up to $1,000. Their postcard was drawn from among 1,229 other cards. With one card for every pound sent to Norway that means that Sons of Norway sent at least 1,229 pounds of stamps to Tubfrim in 2013. Gene Brandvold, Sons of Norway’s Tubfrim chairperson, conducted the drawing.

What is Tubfrim?
Tubfrim was established in 1928 by Postmaster Ditlef Frantzen in Nesbyen, Norway. The aim was to collect and sell used stamps and use the proceeds to aid in the eradication of tuberculosis among Norwegian children. Since tuberculosis is no longer the threat to health that it once was, today children and youth with disabilities and special needs receive the proceeds from the resale of the stamps. Sons of Norway has been involved with the organization since 1986 and is its major contributor of stamps from a group outside of Norway.

Win a Ticket to Norway
While helping children is a great motivation for Sons of Norway members to participate, there is a special incentive to say “thank you”. For every pound of stamps collected, the member or lodge can enter a drawing, held in mid-January every year, to win a round trip ticket to Norway, worth up to $1,000.

Have questions? Need additional information?
Contact Gene Brandvold, Tubfrim chairperson, at genegbrandvold@aol.com or 952-831-4361.

"Vikings" Season 2

Photo: Jonathan Hession/HISTORY

Copyright 2014

The History Channel’s hit drama series “Vikings” is back! Season 2 premieres this week on Thursday, February 27, 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Set in a world ruled by raiders and explorers, the series follows the adventures of fearless warrior Ragnar (Travis Fimmel) and his band of Vikings brothers as he rises to become King of the Viking tribes.

As The History Channel’s first scripted series, “Vikings” gained a loyal fan base in 2013 and became the No. 1 cable series of the year.

Here’s a peek at the Season 2 teaser of “Vikings.”

Are you a fan of the show? Share your thoughts!

Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Escape to Tromsø!

Image: Innovation Norway,
visitnorway.com

Looking for a winter escape? CNN named Tromsø, Norway, one of the 10 best cities in the world for a winter vacation.

Known as the capital of the Arctic, Tromsø is a stunning city that’s surrounded by mountains, fjords and islands. The city’s winter scene is bustling. Expect lots of snow this time of year—perfect for skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing and dogsledding.

If you’re visiting in December, January, February or March, Tromsø is a great place to see the Northern Lights.

If you’re into museums, check out the Polar Museum and Tromsø Museum. Stay at the Clarion Post Bryggen and grab a bite at Arcantandria and Aunegården.

Ready to book your trip? Visit Norway and Visit Tromsø are two great planning resources.

Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking magazine. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

Best Bridge

©Dag Jenssen

Located just north of Sand, Norway, Høse Bridge was recently named Best Bridge by Travel + Leisure magazine’s design awards. The pedestrian bridge connects the town to a wooden area that residents can access for recreation. Designed by Norwegian firm Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Høse Bridge is constructed from two steel lattice beams and mesh and sold panels of Corten steel.

©Dag Jenssen

In the middle of the walkway, a steel grate on the floor allows pedestrians to look down at the cascading Suldalslågen River beneath the bridge. There’s even a concrete pavilion on the south side of the river that can be used as a picnic site.

Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.

February 6: Sami National Day

Photo: lapplandfoto.se

I’ve been reading about the Sami in Norway this week as part of my research for a feature in an upcoming issue of Viking. By coincidence, it’s the same week that Sami throughout Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia celebrate Sami National Day.

Of the estimated 70,000 Sami in the four countries, more than half live in northern Norway. Nomadic people who can trace their history in northern Scandinavia back 10,000 years, Sami are the northernmost indigenous people in Europe. Among other things in their rich cultural heritage, they are known for their ancient livelihood of herding reindeer, still a source of jobs and income today, and for the folk crafts (duodji), dress (kolt) and music (joik) of their culture.

The Sami flag, designed in 1986 in the vibrant colors of traditional Sami dress, is flying throughout Scandinavia today to commemorate the first joint Sami Congress, held in Trondheim on this date in 1917. Watch for our feature on the Sami in an upcoming issue of Viking magazine.

Ann Pedersen is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in St. Paul, Minn.

All Eyes on the Olympics!

In the February issue of Viking, we talked with hockey player Henrik Ødegaard. The 25-year-old Norway native lives in the United States and plays defense for the Central Hockey League’s Missouri Mavericks.

We’re excited to announce that Ødegaard will compete at The Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, this month as a member of the Norwegian Olympic hockey team! Check out this video where he talks prepping for the Olympics.

Here, Ødegaard talked to us about the athletes he admires.

Viking: What athletes do you admire?
Ødegaard: In Norway, soccer and cross-country skiing are big sports. I like the world’s best soccer player, Francesco Meschi from Argentina. Norwegian cross-country skier Petter Northug is really famous where I am from.

For more on Norwegian athletes to watch at this year’s Olympic Games, see our cover story in the February issue of Viking.         

Are you excited for the Olympics? What are your favorite sports to watch?  

Anya Britzius is associate managing editor of Viking. She lives in Minneapolis, Minn., and enjoys baking, reading and keeping up on modern Norwegian trends.