Folk Duo The Blue & The Blond Begins U.S. Tour

The Midwest might be considered flyover country by some, but when it comes to Nordic music, there's plenty going on. This month is no exception. As summer winds down, folk music enthusiasts can look forward to a visit from the Nordic duo The Blue & The Blond on their first American tour. 

The duo consists of Jutta Rahmel, from Finland, and Vidar Skrede, from Norway, each singing and performing on their respective countries’ national instruments—kantele and hardingfele. 

While I'm looking forward to seeing Rahmel perform for the first time, I've been a fan of Skrede for years, both as a solo performer and as a member of the trio Geitungen. There's every reason to believe this newest partnership will yield equally enchanting results. Check out a few of The Blue & The Blond's tunes on their Bandcamp site. 

While the pair's tour started Aug. 17 at Idun Lodge in Madison, Wisc., there are still plenty of opportunities to see them. Catch them at one of the following venues: 

Aug 21—2nd Annual Door County Nordic Fiddle Fest, Baileys Harbor, Wis.
Aug 23—Ceska Opera House, Haugen, Wis.
Aug 24—Dalton Opera House, Dalton, Minn.

Aug 25—Bethania Lutheran Church Decorah, Iowa
Aug 27—The Contented Cow, Northfield, Minn.
Sep 01—Scanfest at Vasa Park, Hackettstown, New Jersey
Sep 06—Mindekirken, Minneapolis, Minn.

Sep 07—Nordic Music Festival at Lake Minnewashta Regional Park, Excelsior, Minn.

Sep 12—Norway Hall, Duluth, Minn.

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

Good Cause to Scream

July 27, 2013, Norway Cup

This year Norway celebrates the 150th birthday of its most famous painter, Edvard Munch. And throughout the year, Norwegians are marking the event in unique and thought-provoking ways. For example, in tribute to Munch's iconic Scream series, Norwegian artist Lisa Wulff initiated "The Scream from Nature," an environmentally-focused art project to raise awareness about the relationship between humans and the environment.

In 1892 Munch described the experience behind his Scream motif: "I was walking along the road with two friends. The sun was setting. Suddenly the sky turned blood red and I felt a huge unending scream course through nature."

The project connects Munch's century-old Scream with the modern "screams" we hear from nature today. "Droughts, forest fires, floods, earth slides, extreme weather, melting glaciers, rising ocean levels and massive extinctions of animal and plant species are just some of the huge challenges the world faces today," states the project website. The organizers hope to make a connection between our relationship with nature and the consequences our choices have for the planet we live on.

The project interprets Munch’s masterpiece by recreating the iconic expression in large formats and outdoor settings. For example, on July 27 during the opening of the Norway Cup, the country's largest youth soccer tournament, 4,000 youth from all over the World gathered in the shape of the Scream. The result was as large as a football field.

To learn more about the events scheduled to commemorate Munch's birthday, check out "Celebrating a Master" in the August 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.

Make Your Own Norwegian Wedding Cake

In our July cover feature, "Tying the Knot, Nordic Style," we feature a traditional Scandinavian wedding cake, a kransekake. If you don't live near a bakery that makes kransekaker, you can still enjoy the traditional dessert on your big day.

First, you'll need to get your hands on a set of baking rings, available at many Scandinavian gift shops. Next, you'll need a good recipe, such as the one below from Sons of Norway's Recipe Box.

Kransekake can be a bit temperamental, so you'll definitely want to make a practice cake or two. I've heard the cake is moister if you freeze the rings after baking and thaw again before decorating. But don't take my word for it! If you're looking for expert tips, check out the "Fun Lessons in Lefse and Kransekake" DVD, featuring popular Ingebretsen's cooking instructors, available on Ingebretsen's website.

Kransekake (Almond Wreath Cake)

Rings:
2 1/2 cups finely ground blanched almonds
2 1/2 cups finely ground unblanched almonds
4 1/3 cups sifted confectioner's sugar (sift first, then measure)
3 egg whites

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Combine almonds and confectioner's sugar in a large saucepan. Add the unbeaten egg white and mix to a firm dough. Place the pan over low heat and knead until the dough is so hot that it is almost impossible to handle. Grease the ring pans for a 16-18 ring cake. Spoon the dough into a cookie press or pastry tube with a wide round tip. Press the dough into the rings, pressing the ends together to look as seamless as possible. Bake 12-15 minutes, until dry and firm outside, but still slightly soft inside. Cool slightly, then remove from the pans and cool completely.

Icing:
1 scant cup sifted confectioner's sugar
1 egg

Sift the confectioner's sugar and combine with egg white to make a thick icing. Make a small cone of paper and cut off the tip. Pipe on garlands of icing and stack. Decorate with flowers, flags and/or candy.

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

Photo by Jeremy Noble from St. Paul, United States (Kransekage Uploaded by Fæ) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Love and Heart Waffles

Have you had a chance to check out "Tying the Knot, Nordic Style" in the July issue of Viking? In addition to a providing a ton of inspiration for those planning a wedding, we've also got gift-giving ideas for anyone sharing in the loving couple's big day.

When I'm looking for a wedding gift, one of my personal favorites is a heart-shaped waffle iron. The one featured in our gift guide is from the store at Vesterheim Norwegian-American museum, but I see them for sale in Scandinavian gift stores wherever I go. Along with the iron, I like to include a copy of my family's favorite Norwegian waffle recipe, which happens to be from Sons of Norway's Recipe Box!

Try sharing heart waffles with someone you love.

Vafler
6 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup melted butter
3 Tbsp. butter for frying
 
Mix eggs, sugar and cardamom together in a big bowl. Add in flour, baking powder and salt. Mix these ingredients and beat in sour cream and butter until the batter is smooth. Let the batter sit for about 20 minutes before you begin making the waffles. Heat up the iron and brush some of the butter onto the surface. Pour 1/4 cup of the batter in the iron, and cook until the waffle is golden brown. Serve warm, topped with jam, whipped cream or sour cream.

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

Photo courtesy of Flikr user torkemo. 

Sons of Norway Needs Your Help

A special message from Sons of Norway's CEO, Eivind Heiberg:

Dear Sons of Norway Members and Friends,

I am reaching out to you today on a matter of the utmost importance in asking you and your fellow lodge members to help Sons of Norway and the fraternal life insurance community as a whole.

Recently Sons of Norway was alerted to the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal for a “blank slate” tax reform that would potentially remove Sons of Norway’s tax exempt status, as well as that of all other fraternal life insurance organizations. It “operates from an assumption that all special [tax] provisions are out unless there is clear evidence that they: 1) help grow the economy, 2) make the tax code fairer, or 3) effectively promote other important policy objectives.” The leaders of the Finance Committee – Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) – asked their colleagues in the Senate to provide them feedback on which tax preferences should be preserved by July 26.

Sons of Norway, along with the American Fraternal Alliance and its member organizations are taking steps to avoid this change in the tax code because its effect on our industry, all the way down to local lodges, would be catastrophic. Without these tax exemptions, fraternal life insurance organizations would no longer be able to provide members with the benefits they have come to enjoy. But in order to be successful, we need your help.

As part of a grassroots campaign Sons of Norway and the American Fraternal Alliance are asking all employees, agents and members to reach out to their senators and express support for the fraternal system and its tax exemption. To help with this, the Alliance has created an online resource where all you have to do you just fill in your name, address, and society information and instantly a message to your Senators will be created for you. If you believe in Sons of Norway and all the great work it does in your lodge or community, I urge you to click here to take action.

Because of the tight July 26 deadline for Senators to provide their feedback to Senators Baucus and Hatch it’s important for you to take action as soon as possible. If we don’t join together with one unified voice, expressing our displeasure with this proposal, it will not only affect Sons of Norway, but also churches, charities and credit unions. So, please, if you believe in the important role Sons of Norway plays in your community, join me letting our senators know who we are and what we do.

In closing, please take action today and if you know someone who may not have received this email, please forward it on to them so they can join in the effort to support Sons of Norway and the fraternal life insurance community.

Fraternally
Eivind Heiberg
CEO
Sons of Norway

Norway is Paddlers' Paradise

Viking in Lofoten
Photo courtesy ReineAdventure.

Summertime is a great time to get out on the water, and this is especially true in Norway. The country's fjords, rivers and lakes all add up to one immense paradise for paddlers.

When Viking Art Director Jill Adler and I were in Norway recently, we visited the town of Reine in the Lofoten Islands. We had the opportunity to try kayaking—a first for me. I loved it! And it was easier than I expected. Lofoten's sparkling turquoise water and breathtaking views—along with some spectacular weather—made for an unforgettable outing, and we experienced the beauty of the area in a way we never would have on foot.

Lofoten is just one of the great kayaking areas all over Norway. Here are 19 more "paddling pearls," according to ut.no, an outdoor website. (View the original article in Norwegian here.)

1. Helgeland
2. Femundsmarka
3. Setesdalsheiane
4. Øygarden
5. Telemarkskanalen
6. Bulandet/Værlandet
7. Hardangerfjorden
8. Austrheim
9. Vikna
10. Fedje
11. Haldenvassdraget
12. Lysefjorden
13. Barduelva
14. Kristiansand
15. Bugøyfjord
16. Kjørull
17. Hjertøya
18. Hvaler
19. Fjorda

Still not convinced? Don't take my word for it—check out this video of kayaking in Lofoten from ReineAdventures.

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

Sons of Norway ISO: Controller

This just in: Sons of Norway of Minneapolis, MN is seeking a new Controller in our Accounting Department. 

This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and is part of the Senior Management Team. This person will contribute to development and implementation of company plans and strategies. This position is responsible for directing financial activities of Sons of Norway by performing the following duties personally or through a staff of four.

• Accurate and timely financial reporting
• Financial regulatory compliance
• Budget preparation and reporting including analysis of variances
• Ensure accurate transaction processing and accounting oversight
• Review internal controls including identification and correction of any weaknesses
• Direct the annual external audit process
• Payroll and benefit plan administration
• Maintaining adequate business insurance coverage for the organization
• Work closely with the CEO and the Actuary to analyze operations and profitability

Supervisory Responsibilities

Manage four employees including overall direction, coordination and evaluation of their performance. This includes recruiting, training, assigning and directing work, and rewarding and disciplining employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting
• 5+ years of experience in life insurance accounting
• Demonstrated knowledge of statutory annual statement preparation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management, including the Board of Directors

To apply please send your resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to:
Sons of Norway
C/O Controller
1455 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55408

Norway in Montana Youth Camp

One of the things that many Sons of Norway lodges are known for is their youth programming, be it during social meetings or at heritage camps. Recently the Missoulian ran an article about the first Norway in Montana day camp sponsored by the Missoula Sons of Norway lodge. Among other things, campers learned about Norwegian folk dancing from none other than Dan Rude, former international president of Sons of Norway.

Here’s some video of the 13 students learning the Shoemaker dance:



If you think this looks fun, be sure to check with your lodge to see what they offer for youth programming.

Catch the Action at Decorah's Nordic Fest

Skjaldborg reenactors

Vikings, folk-art, theater productions, storytellers, art demonstrations, and more—that's what you'll find when you visit Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum during Decorah’s 47th Annual Nordic Fest. This year's festival, themed “All Trails Lead to Nordic Fest,” runs July 25–27.

Here are just of few of the events Vesterheim will be hosting during the festival weekend:

The museum's “National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition” will be on display through July 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, in the museum’s Main Building. Enjoy an exhibition of knifemaking, rosemaling, weaving and woodworking by contemporary American artists.

Three artists from Norway—weaver Marta Kløve Juuhl, knifemaker Morten Håkonsen, and rosemaler Turid Helle Fatland—will be on hand to demonstrate their work.

An original children’s theater production “East o' the Sun & West o' the Moon”—a collaboration between Vesterheim, Upstart Crow Theatreworks, and Arthaus—is inspired by lives and writings of Asbjørnsen and Moe, who collected and published traditional Norwegian tales and legends during the nineteenth century.

The re-enactment group “Skjaldborg,” returns this year from Elk Horn, Iowa. Visit their Viking camp in the museum’s Open Air Division to see how the Vikings lived and to see one of their full combat demonstrations.

Craft demonstrations

Living heritage demonstrators from Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin will exibit blacksmithing, figure carving, leather work, knifemaking, woodturning, chair-making and more.

Of course Vesterheim's events are just a portion of what Nordic Fest has to offer. You can learn more about activities for the whole family, including dancing, sporting events, food and plenty of entertainment, by calling 1-800-382-FEST, or visiting the Nordic Fest website. Looking for more Nordic fun this summer? Check out the Kalender each month in Viking magazine!
 
Amy Boxrud is editor of Viking magazine. She lives with her family in Northfield, Minn., where she’s a member of Nordmarka 1-585.         

Learn From the Locals in Svalbard

You can learn a lot about a place when you get familiar with the local customs, counsel and lore. For example, in "Gliding Through Norway," in the December 2012 issue of Viking, we included the fjellvettregler, the Norwegian mountain code, for safe hiking and skiing. These nine common-sense rules were developed by the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) and the Norwegian Red Cross in 1967 and have become an essential part of outdoor life in Norway. Rules such as "Leave word of your route,""Learn from the locals," and "Turn back in time" can tell you a bit about the Norwegian psyche, as well as the situations that can arise while in Norway's mountains.

While writing about a recent visit to Svalbard, I came across the Svalbardvettregler—Svalbard's own version of the mountain code. I think it's telling—and not at all surprising—that this Arctic archipelago has developed a set of wilderness guidelines, both for human safely as well as protection of this fragile environment. What might these rules tell us about Svalbard and the people who choose to live there? 

The Svalbard Code

1. Don't litter. Leave no lasting trace of your path.
2. Don't disturb the animals and birds. Remember it's you who is the guest.
3. Don't pick the flowers. Be mindful of biodiversity.
4. Don't damage or remove human artifacts. Sites of human activity prior to 1946 are protected.
5. It's prohibited to seek out, follow or otherwise disturb polar bears. It's a matter of safety for both bears and humans.  
6. Don't leave the settlements without a weapon and experience using it. 
7. Show consideration for others.
8. Notify the Governor before embarking on a long solo trip. Notification is required before traveling throughout large portions of Svalbard.
9. Get to know the laws and rules for interaction and activity in Svalbard.
10. Organized tours are recommended, for both your interest and the environment's.

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

Norway Today

Since the great migration of the late 19th century, the Norwegian-American’s have had a long and storied history of publishing newspapers and magazines that kept the community unified and informed about their home country. Over the past century this has included publications, like the Norwegian-American, Den Norsk Amerikaner, and Viking magazine. These publications, and countless others, were part of a proud tradition and today there’s a new chapter unfolding before us, called Norway Today.

The Norwegian Embassy in the U.S. is now offering free access to Norway Today, its magazine about contemporary Norwegian culture, society, economy and public policy. The magazine, which highlights Norwegian culture in the U.S., is available both as a free app and as a Digimag, which can be read online.
I’ve been reading the Embassy’s publication for a number of years and this is truly their best offering yet. The current issue has a wonderful introduction from HM Queen Sonja, articles on Norwegian architecture, design and literature, as well as an in-depth feature on energy production in Norway.

So, if you’ve already devoured the current issue of Viking magazine I highly recommend you visit the embassy’s website to view this great publication! It is carrying on the great traditions of educational and informative content for the Norwegian-American community.

Chamber Chat With Peter Russell

Russell

Viking Associate Editor Anya Britzius recently talked with Peter Russell, President of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce. The interview appears in our July issue. Want to know more? Here's the full interview.

Viking: What are the goals of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce? 
Peter Russell: The goal is to foster bilateral commercial trades between the United States and Norway. The organization was founded by Norwegian businessmen who settled in the upper Midwest to foster and create relationships between each other and with their suppliers in Norway. Our Midwest chapter covers Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. We have a wide variety of businesses: law firms that focus on international trade, import/export companies, the Sons of Norway and business executives that do mergers and acquisitions.

V: How many members does the NACC have? Who are the members? 
PR: Nationally we have about 650 members and 65-70 in the upper Midwest chapter. We want to grow that fairly aggressively. There’s a lot in New York because that’s where a lot of Norwegian corporate headquarters are located. There’s also a lot in Houston, which is an oil capital here in the United States. A lot of Norwegian oil exploration companies and oil related organizations have their U.S. headquarters there. It’s more than networking relationships with Norwegian businesses. Traditionally, it was Norwegian organizations that join to foster interrelationships between their businesses. They celebrate social occasions together. In some areas, it’s very focused on business. There’s a new national strategy that’s underway. We’re seeking to promote more organizational benefits to our members as a whole.

V: Tell me about your role as the President of  the NACC’s Upper Midwest and your future goals.
PR: I’ve had my current role since the end of January. I served as vice president for three years. My goal now is to start a concerted outreach programs with chambers of commerce in some of the medium to large cities in Norway to advertise Minneapolis as a great business hub, instead of going to New York, Atlanta or Houston. This is fairly new, but we’re working very closely with the Norwegian counsel general in Minneapolis to put together a packet of information that we can send electronically to potential members in Norway that highlights the upper Midwest as a place with a great standard of living, good education and good infrastructure. We’re also highlighting other Scandinavian businesses that have found a national home here. With the new national projects that are going on, I’m confident that we will become an even more dynamic organization with current discussions on trade relationships and being able to grow businesses bilaterally.

V: What are some of the top reasons people join NACC?
PR: They join because they are interested in exploring business opportunities in Norway. And conversely, there are Norwegian chambers that are interested in foreign opportunities in the U.S. We get contacts from trade delegations in parts of Norway that ask for help in setting up a trade delegation here in the U.S. We want to be the gateway of helping Norwegian businesses do commerce here in the upper Midwest.

V: NACC has partnered with the Sons of Norway website NorwayConnects.org. How will this partnership benefit NACC? 
PR: It’s a wonderful thing! It’s a great way for people to become interested in our organization, but also a great way for Norwegian students to learn about all of the educational opportunities and business opportunities here in the U.S., especially where the Sons of Norway has a strong footprint. We’re hoping SON members will join our organization. It’s a great gateway for new membership for us. It makes it easier for Norwegian people to have one portal where they can find information about schools over here, financial aid, immigration issues they may face, visa requirements. Members can post job openings. I think that American business has a lot to gain by hiring Norwegian employees. There are great educational opportunities both here and there.

Destination: Svalbard

Happy huskies

The last stop on Viking's Nord Norge journey was the Svalbard archipelago. This is the point for me when the trip went from just plain amazing to full-blown "pinch me!"

Where and what is Svalbard, you may ask? It's a group of islands that are pretty much at the top of the world—about halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. The region has a colorful history. A whaling base from the 17th century, Svalbard has actually been an Arctic tourism destination and a launching point for further polar expeditions since the late 19th century. The first coal mining began in 1899 and it was a driving force in the area's development throughout the 20th century. At various points in history the Dutch, Norwegians, Brits, French, Russians, Danes and even the Americans have had interests in the area before it formally became part of Norway in the 1920s with the signing of the Svalbard Treaty. (Longyearbyen, the area's administrative center, was named after American John Munro Longyear, president of the Arctic Coal Company.) Today scientific research is an important activity in Svalbard, as is tourism.

Team Viking suits up
for a RIB safari

Our flight to Svalbard took us from Tromsø to Longyearbyen, which is as far north as you can fly on a scheduled public flight. I was half expecting a small, propeller-style plane like we had flown in throughout northern Norway, so I was a bit relieved to board a Boeing 737 for our 90-minute flight across the North Sea. As we began our foggy descent into Longyearbyen and dramatic mountains appeared on both sides of the plane, I was reminded how far we had traveled from the prairies of Minnesota.

Our three-day stay in Svalbard was filled with a steady stream of unforgettable experiences. A highlight of our first day was a dogsledding tour that included harnessing and feeding our new furry friends. The next day we visited the surprisingly robust Svalbard Museum—an important stop for anyone looking for a historical and cultural overview of the region—and spent the evening skimming the icy waters of the Isfjord on a RIB safari (that's rigid inflatable boat). Our final day brought glorious weather for a hike up a nearby mountain, Sarkofagen (the Sarcophagus), and a delicious gourmet meal featuring local ingredients at Longyearbyen's Huset restaurant.

Snacks at the top of Sarkofagen

My advice to anyone traveling to Svalbard? Bring plenty of warm layers and a spirit of adventure. Hook up with the knowledgable local guides and get out and enjoy this incredible Arctic wilderness. Want to learn more? You can read more about Viking's trip to Northern Norway in our January 2014 travel issue!

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

HFAA Celebrates 30 Years

Summer is a great time to learn something new, or to improve on a skill. How about learning to play the Hardanger fiddle, or brushing up on the Telespringar, a favorite local dance from Norway's Telemark region? If you live in the United States or Canada, the good news is that you can do it on this side of the Atlantic, at an upcoming fiddle and dance workshop hosted by the Hardanger Fiddle Association of America (HFAA). The HFAA is assembling a great group of instructors from Norway and the United States to teach the music and dance of Telemark at their annual workshop, held this year July 18–21 at Folklore Village near Dodgeville, Wis. The event is a 30th anniversary celebration for the organization, and you can register until Fri., July 5, by visiting the HFAA website.

In the mean time, enjoy this video of the bruremarsj (bridal march) from Seljord, performed by fiddlers on multiple continents. The video was created to promote the 2011 Landskappleik, hosted in Seljord in Telemark. (This year's celebration in Røros starts tomorrow!) It's a great reminder of the popularity of the Hardanger fiddle around the world. (You may recognize American fiddler Loretta Kelley, current president of the HFAA, playing in front of the United States Capitol.) Enjoy!


Each month in Viking you can read about great events such as this in our Kalender!

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

UPDATE: Headquarters Office to Open 6/25

After being without power for the last few days, due to a major storm system that moved across Minneapolis last Friday, I am pleased to announce that we now have power and the office we reopen tomorrow, 6/25!

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our members, unfortunately these kinds of things are sometimes unavoidable. If you have an issue that needs immediate attention, our staff will be on-hand tomorrow to assist you in any way we can. Just call (800) 945-8851 and our receptionist will be glad to route you to the appropriate staff member.

Thanks to everyone for their patience and understanding while we get back up and running.