❤ Issue Number 19 - 09 SynNor Brevet, Synnøve-Nordkap Page ❤ 1 SynNor Brevet Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1 - 008 October 2019 Issue Number 19 - 09 ————-—————- Front Page News ————-—————- Modern Norway From a poor, newly established country of farmers to one of the largest GDPs and standards of living in the world, our small country of Norway has made great strides in its reputation on an international scale in a very short period of time. In his presentation, Norway House Marketing and Communications Manager and Norwegian instructor and translator Ethan Bjelland will discuss the ways Norway has made waves in international news and media, as well as discussing some of the topics, fads, gossip, and politics stirring in contemporary Norway. We'll discuss serious topics like the most recent elections in Norway and the redistricting of Norwegian counties, and less serious topics, like the Princess' shaman boyfriend and Norway's per capita pizza consumption. Ethan Bjelland has been active in the Norwegian-American community since he was four years old, volunteering as a nisse at Vesterheim in Decorah, Iowa. Today, Ethan manages all communications and marketing for Norway House, teaches Norwegian with the Mindekirken Norwegian Language & Culture Program, and continues to work and build curricula with the Concordia Language Villages' Norwegian preschool and family programs. Join us on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:00 PM at our monthly lodge meeting to learn more about modern Norway and about our guest speaker Ethan Bjelland.
From a poor, newly established country of farmers to one of the largest GDPs and standards of living in the world, our small country of Norway has made great strides in its reputation on an international scale in a very short period of time. In his presentation, Norway House Marketing and Communications Manager and Norwegian instructor and translator Ethan Bjelland will discuss the ways Norway has made waves in international news and media, as well as discussing some of the topics, fads, gossip, and politics stirring in contemporary Norway. We'll discuss serious topics like the most recent elections in Norway and the redistricting of Norwegian counties, and less serious topics, like the Princess' shaman boyfriend and Norway's per capita pizza consumption. Ethan Bjelland has been active in the Norwegian-American community since he was four years old, volunteering as a nisse at Vesterheim in Decorah, Iowa. Today, Ethan manages all communications and marketing for Norway House, teaches Norwegian with the Mindekirken Norwegian Language & Culture Program, and continues to work and build curricula with the Concordia Language Villages' Norwegian preschool and family programs. Join us on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:00 PM at our monthly lodge meeting to learn more about modern Norway and about our guest speaker Ethan Bjelland.
Hilsen alle sammen. Fall has fell! October brings cooler temperatures. Final harvest begins in backyard gardens. Farmers start to pick corn and soybeans. Waterfowl begin their southerly migration. And, Synnøve-Nordkap hosts our annual Torsk and Meatball Dinner, Bake Sale and Silent Auction. This is our second largest fundraising event of the year, and I urge everyone to participate in some way. Attending and enjoying the great food prepared by our volunteer cooks is just the start of how you can participate. Donating items for the silent auction, bidding on items you want and purchasing baked and canned goods provided by other lodge members are all ways you can contribute to the success of this event. Remember, this event is not just for lodge members but is open to the general public. Invite your friends and neighbors to purchase tickets and join us for this tasty meal. October also brings Halloween. Did you know that Halloween has only recently been celebrated in Norway? According to an article I read on The Nordic Page (tnp.no/norway/panorama) Halloween has only become popular in the last 20 years. The article states that Norway was “one of the most resistive nations against it”. Halloween celebrations in Norway are quite different from those in the US. Adult house parties take place on the weekend before October 31st,and home decorations are very simple and not as elaborate as those found in the US. One thing that remains the same is trick-or-treating and “knask eller knep” can be heard as children, accompanied by their parents, visit neighboring homes. (lifeinnorway.net/Halloween) October also brings a few historically significant dates, the most notable being that of the stock market crash of October 29, 1929 which ushered in the start of The Great Depression. My twin sister Charlotte and I also celebrate our birthday on this date. This is not nearly as significant as the crash of the stock market but it was pretty momentous to our parents.Chuck Draheim, Lodge President
Counselor’s Corner - Torsk & Meatball Dinner, Bake Sale, and Silent Auction Fundraiser October is many things to many people: Fall, colored leaves, Halloween, MEA vacation, and … OUR LODGE’S TORSK AND MEATBALL DINNER. That’s the BIG one for me, anyhow. Now, I need your help in several ways. • Reserve your tickets for the dinner on Saturday, October 26th. You can buy them at the meeting on October 8 or call Mary Beth Mutchler on or before Monday, October 21 at 651-484-8872.• Volunteer to help on Prep Day, Friday, Oct. 25 from 9AM to Noon and on Saturday, October 26 starting at 3PM.• Donate items for the Silent Auction. Speak to Ron Stow regarding that.• Contribute items to our Market Place: baked goods, pickles, sauerkraut, jams, jellies, and other items. Speak with Jean Draheim about these items.• Donate a dessert for the Dessert Buffet at the dinner. We “test drove” this new facet of our Torsk & Meatball Dinner last year, and we found that this was a real hit! Here is where I REALLY need lots of help. Last year when this new idea was floated, we asked that people bring a dessert for the Dessert Buffet in addition to contributing to the Market Place. I think I confused people with that. So now I am going to explain what I meant last year. When you donate to the Market Place, people buy those products. From those purchases, the Lodge makes money to give scholarships, support the Junior Lodge, finance lodge programs, and other things we support. When you bring a dessert for the Dessert Buffet, that becomes part of the meal that the diners purchase, but no funds go toward the fundraiser. What I am asking you to do is to make a double dessert: give half to the Dessert Buffet and half to the Market Place. If you have any questions, please let me know. Sharon Amann, 651-631-0399. We want to make this year’s event to be a success. We can only do that with your help.
Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge #1 – 008, Board Meeting, 09/03/2019 The Board met on Tue, September 3, 2019 at 7pm at the Maplewood Library. Members in attendance: Jacquie Carlone, Ron Stow, Jean Draheim, Lynn Hoffmeyer, Chuck Draheim, Lowell Johnson, Dave Mutcher, Susan Stow, Connie Chrissis President Chuck Draheim called the meeting to order.
1. SECRETARY’S REPORT: Approved as printed in the Brevet. 2. TREASURER’S REPORT - JEAN: Approved as presented. 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
a. Junior Lodge – Susan: Rosemaling unit was described, a new dance called Parhalling will be introduced, and paragraphs from Xenophobe’s Guide to the Norwegians, a book with humorous Norwegian stories, will be shared.
b. Foundation: No additional information c. Brevet/Web site – Dave: There will be a meeting (not yet scheduled) to discuss updating and how to access the Genealogy area
on our new website. Fred Matson and Susan Halvorson from the Genealogy group will give input. d. Storage Space – Ron: We still have storage cases from Sandeen’s that are free if anyone would like them. We have room for 1
more in our storage space. The staff at GA doesn’t have room for any of them. GA Church will be requiring rental space be applied for each year going forward. Chuck will contact the church about moving dates for items people still have stored in their homes.
e. Bookcase Challenge – Chuck: Chuck will stain and varnish it. f. District 1 – Ron: Reminding people to consider being delegates to the District convention. g. Social - Board members will provide refreshments for the Sept meeting consisting of Norwegian desserts. h. Cultural Director – Ron: Sept meeting will be a bunad presentation, Oct will be a presentation on modern Norway, and Nov will
be the 99th Battalion presentation. i. FON – Chuck: There is a meeting on Thu, Sept 5 at 630pm at the International Institute to discuss the future of the Festival of
Nations. j. Sports Director – Jacquie: Has written an article which she’s submitting to the Brevet. Will present Sharon Kalmes with her
sports medal at the next meeting. 4. OLD BUSINESS:
a. Due to low response, the manuals for chair duties and responsibilities will be tabled for now and possibly resumed sometime in the future. Susan
b. Participation in Taco Daze this Sat, Sept 7 was reviewed. Chuck asked for volunteers to help with tent setup on Fri afternoon at 4. Ron volunteered but additional help would be welcome.
5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Torsk and Meatball:Suggestion was made that if we want to sample different meatballs, it should be done next summer. b. We now have our own account and a customer service rep from Reinhart Foods for the purchase of the torsk. He’ll bring it to
Stillwater for pickup which will be COD. There will be invoices and no minimums are required. We will need to pay tax on our purchases.
c. Board of Directors membership and voting eligibility tabled for lack of time. Next Board of Directors meeting – Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 7-9 pm at the Maplewood Library, 3025 Southlawn Dr, Maplewood. All members welcome to attend.
Synnove-Nordkap Lodge #1 – 008, Lodge Meeting, 09/10/2019 The Lodge Meeting for Synnove-Nordkap Lodge #1-008 met on Tue, September 10, 2019 at 6:30 pm at Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, 1669 Arcade St, St Paul, MN. Attendance: 53 Visitors and guests include: Lexi Hanson, Marilyn Davison, Laris Bergren, Marilyn Erickson President Chuck Draheim called the meeting to order. The June minutes were accepted as printed in the Brevet. September birthdays and anniversaries were recognized.
1. Ingrid reminded the Lodge to look for updates on the website. Find past newsletter there. A group of Board Members are meeting to increase content and update website links.
2. New Land New Life Exhibit displayed at Taco Daze in Scandia, MN. 3. Hardanger Teacher, Delores Jacobson, embroidered a piece to place inside the newly constructed display frame on the Lodge
bookcase. The hardanger piece will be sold to highest bidder at Julebord. Lynn Hoffmeyer built the display frame. Chuck Draheim will stain and varnish.
4. The Lodge received a letter from SON Headquarters re: Lowell Johnson’s Cultural Skills project, complimenting the “stunning design and presentation” of his wood chip wedding tray, winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd level award pins for his work. Gratulerer Lowell!!
5. Sharon Kalmes won the enamel pin for Gangmerke, walking 495 miles. Happy trails! 6. Ron presented a 50-year Anniversary pin to Audrey Huset who joined our Lodge in 1970. Tusen takk! 7. Sasha read a thank you letter to the Lodge from Scholarship winner, Freya Haugen. 8. Torsk and Meatball Dinner and Bake Sale is scheduled for Saturday, October 26, 2019. Reservations, dinner choices, and payment
accepted now. $20/adults, $10/child 6-10, FREE for children 0-5. PROGRAM: Carol Colburn presented the informative program - Bunads in Norway, in America and for You. Very interesting pictures and history showing how they developed and changed over the years. Drawing Winner: Pat Carlson Meeting adjourned. NEXT LODGE MEETING: Tuesday, October 8, 2019, beginning at 6:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Heidi Slen Walsh
Forty kilometers from the Swedish border, Røros sits high on a plateau in the mountains of north central Norway. Historically, the only inhabitants of this region were the Sami and occasional hunters. According to legend, copper ore was discovered by a Sami hunter during an unsuccessful deer hunt. In the year 1646, Christian IV of Denmark declared Røros an official mining town. The origin of the town’s name comes from the late sixteenth century Røros farm once standing on the same site.
The Røros Copper Works including the town, the mine, a smelter and a winter transport route was granted by Christian IV. This route, a sequence of lakes, rivers and creeks, was used from November to May. The workers
were mostly recruited from Norway, Sweden and Germany. Aside from a work stoppage in mid-summer, when workers were allowed to attend to their farms, mining production went on for twenty-four hours a day. The smelter was the most important element of the mine’s existence. It was here that the copper ore would go through a number of demanding steps to reach an end product ready for export. Daily traffic was intense both to and from the smelter. Copper ore arrived by horse-drawn sledges from Storwartz, Nordgruvefelet and other mining sites. Farmers traveled long distances delivering charcoal and firewood needed for the smelter’s continuous operation. Later in the century Røros found itself in the middle of two wars between Sweden and Denmark. In1679, the community was burned to the ground by invading Swedish troops during the Scanian War. After rebuilding, Røros was again occupied by Swedish troops during the Great Northern War in 1718. The Swedish objective was to capture the mined copper, a much sought after metal for weapons and armor during this period. Ironically, many of the occupying Swedish soldiers came from
Jamtland, a Swedish county close to Røros on the western border with Norway. While occupying Røros, they were welcomed with open arms, by the locals, who had no love for their Danish oppressors. The soldiers felt more like reunited friends and relatives than occupying forces. Following the death of their King, in the cold winter of 1879, the entire Swedish army retreated, losing 3000 soldiers to exposure in their trek east. During the remainder of the 18th century, new discoveries of rich copper ore in the region led to a golden age for the Røros Copper Works. The town employed over 600 miners, and supported 1500 people in related trades. The company was responsible for providing a doctor, school and church for the community. The church, built in 1784, is one of the finest buildings found anywhere in Norway. Unlike most Norwegian churches, this one is placed in the opposite direction, with the alter facing southwest. Alters are built usually facing east towards Jerusalem, in the direction from which Jesus would be coming. In 1871 the coming of the railroad changed the entire mining industry. Everything arrived and left by rail. The cable and bucket system built after 1900, further streamlined production. The smelter, twice burned to the ground and was then rebuilt and was finally closed in 1953. In 1977, after 333 years, the rest of the operation was also closed for good. Today the main industry is tourism. Surrounded by lakes and two national parks, Røros attracts people year round. In summer there are tourists, shoppers or history buffs and during the winter, skiers, dogsledders or adventure seekers.History of the Røros smeltery - Rørosmuseethttps://rorosmuseet.no/en/the-history-of-the-roros-smelteryThe story of the war no one wanted - Destination Røroshttps://www.roros.no/en/the-story-of-the-war-no-one-wantedRøros: The History of a Mining Town - Life in Norwayhttps://www.lifeinnorway.net/roros-mining-history
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2019 at 5:00 PMGustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church
1669 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN 55106
Celebrate with food, fun, and friends at the annual event
Menu: torsk (cod), meatballs, roasted red potatoes with dill, coleslaw,mashed rutabagas/carrots, lefse, dessert table, coffee, tea, and milk** Your RSVP must include your choice of: 1) 1 cod fillet & up to 6 meatballs, 2) 2 cod fillets & no meatballs, or 3) no cod & up to 12
meatballs **Adults $20, Children (6-10) $10, Ages 5 & under FREE
Reserve early for the one and only 5:00 PM dinner service by contacting:Mary Beth Mutchler, 651-484-8872 or [email protected]
Mail non-refundable check payable to: “Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge” to:Mary Beth Mutchler3496 Nancy Place
Shoreview, MN 55126-8005
Pick up tickets at door or enclose stamped self-addressed envelope with check.
Our annual Torsk and Meatball Dinner will be held on Saturday, October 26th, at 5:00 PM
Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church1669 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN 55106
We need volunteers for a successful event!! Please consider how you can help make this a fruitful fundraiser.
❤ Bake: Cookies, pies, bread, jam, or pickles for the bake sale and/or the dessert buffet table
❤ Volunteer: Set-up (October 25), serve, clean-up, work sale tablesVolunteer sign-up and ticket sales will available at our October 8th
lodge meeting.
❤ Donate, Donate, Donate: Books, sweaters, bunads, greeting cards, Scandinavian items, your time & expertise (translate, bake, rake, paint, create!)— Bring your item(s) to Ron Stow at the October lodge meeting or contact Ron at: [email protected] or 612-845-0393.
Play a larger part in the fundraiser by donating items or services. Funds raised at this event are used to fund youth & adult scholarships and
lodge programming. And, you’ll feel good when you donate! Note: Some items may be included in the Marketplace at a set price.
❤Help make this event a success by making your dinner reservation early,
volunteering, and donating a Scandinavian item or service.❤
DINNER RESERVATION REQUIRED BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2019
District 1 News Greetings from your District 1 board representative! The year 2020 will be celebrated as the 125th Anniversary of Sons of Norway. Please check your upcoming Viking magazines for important information about events for the celebration. 2020 is also a convention year. The biennial Sons of Norway International Convention will take place August 16-20 in Hamar, Norway. In order to be an international delegate, a member must first be a delegate to the district convention. Our District 1 Convention will be held at Cragun’s Resort on Gull Lake, near Brainerd, Minnesota from June 4 to 7 2020. Synnove-Nordkap Lodge is granted four delegates to the District 1 Convention. The lodge also needs to have one alternate delegate for each of those four delegates. Shortly after the new year, our lodge board will be seeking eight lodge members to fill these positions to represent our lodge at the 2020 District Convention. These delegates will be active in conducting the business of the convention. Resolutions from the lodges will be considered by the convention body. As lodge members, you are asked to generate ideas of how the Sons of Norway organization can be improved. Your resolutions will be voted on and passed along to the International Convention for consideration. Those resolutions pertaining only to District 1 will be acted on by the District Board of Directors. Please think about proposing such resolutions. Forms will be made available at a later date. Only delegates to the District 1 Convention are eligible to run for District 1 offices. If you are considering doing so, you must attend the convention in June. The District 1 Board consists of 5 officers, 4 directors and 10 zone directors. Expand your knowledge of Sons of Norway and become a district board member. Should you need more information about being a convention delegate or a district board member, feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Ha det bra!Ron Stow, Sports Director District 1 Sons of Norway
News from your Nominating Committee “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Please think about
this age-old adage when your lodge nominating committee asks you to serve the lodge and its members in some capacity. Whether it be as a lodge officer, board director, or in a support position, please consider a positive response when asked. Better yet, volunteer to take a position before the committee asks you directly. The success of Synnove-Nordkap has been a result of many members pitching in to help. Let’s continue this success. The nominating committee will start its assignment in October, with the list of nominees made known in November, voting in December and installation in January. It is up to you, dear members, that this is to be.
Ron Stow, nominating committee chair
Sports News — Lodge Outing Jacqueline Carlone, our lodge Sports Director, invites you to get together with other lodge members for an afternoon of fun!
Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM Spring Café at Como Lakeside Pavilion
1360 Lexington Parkway NorthSaint Paul, MN 55103
• Free parking is available on either side of the pavilion. • Walking path around Como Lake is 1.6 miles. This is
a great way to work toward earning your Sports Medal!
• The pavilion has two levels. There are picnic tables & benches on the main level. Sandwiches & beverages are available for purchase at the Spring Café or bring your own lunch. Then, enjoy the view!
• The upper level is accessible by elevator or stairs and has a large table with 30 chairs. Cards & games are available, or you can bring your own game, sewing project, or book. Contact Jacqueline for questions: 715-377-7578
Norwegian Language Classes • "SON Norwegian Language Lessons”: Tuesday Class, October 8, 6:30-7:00 p.m. at Gustavus Adolphus Church before the meeting in the back corner • "Norsk Nordmenn og Norge" book & "Ny i
Norge" book: Wednesday Class, October 9 & 23, 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
Genealogy Group • The October 5th Genealogy Group Meeting
will be at the Mounds View Library from 10 am to noon. The discussion about how traditional genealogy and DNA fit together will be continued. We will also discuss the genealogy group’s role in the new lodge web page. The library is located at 2576 Mounds View Blvd., Mounds View, MN 55112. An optional lunch at a nearby restaurant will follow the meeting.
• The November 2nd Genealogy Group Meeting will be at Don and Sue Halvorson’s house.
Hardanger Huldras • Hardanger meets Fri. Oct. 11th, 10 - 12. • Note November date change: Wed., Nov.
13th • No Hardanger class in December. • All the meetings are at 103 East Burlington,
Stillwater, MN. • Please bring a very sharp small embroidery
We are seeking new co-chairs for the Norway Café at Festival of Nations. This event is our largest fundraising event of the year and is crucial to
reaching our lodge goals.
Contact President Chuck Draheim if you are interested.
Bookcase Challenge If you are interested in submitting your artwork to be displayed on the lodge bookcase, please contact Lowell Johnson for more information. [email protected]
Sports News — Lodge Outing
You’re invited for an afternoon of fun with other lodge members. See page 7 for more info.
Saturday, October 5, 2019 at 1:00 PM Spring Café at Como Lakeside Pavilion
Junior Lodge Update New programs, new dances & music, new cultural skill lessons and new members! That is a great way
to start the new junior lodge schedule for the 2019-20 year. This year I will make a short introduction to “What makes the Norwegians NORWEGIAN”. Most of the short paragraphs are hilarious. Since the senior lodge had a bunad program in September and the junior lodge had a bunad check at our September 14th meeting, I will read the brief bunad information from the Xenophobe’s Guide to the Norwegians, and show some photos of various bunads. There isn’t a rosemaling cultural skill unit for children, however it is suggested that children would be able to accomplish level one skills. We have Joanne Brown, an experienced rosemaler as our teacher. Joanne has painted on everything imaginable - tote bags, wooden objects, dish towels, jeans jackets and even on a set of grey silk neckties for a wedding. Her designs can be found on Norwegian greeting cards at Ingebretsen’s. She is a retired elementary music teacher, so she knows children. Joanne is also full of fun. Our new dance for October, Parhalling is from Western Norway. It is the introduction to the traditional Halling dance we know that is usually danced only by men and boys where there is a competition to knock off a hat from a stick held by a girl on a chair. The dancer is down on his haunches, does a twirling pivot then jumps up with one foot to hit the hat. The Parhalling can be both boys and girls. No hat is involved in this dance, but plenty of energy and spirit!
Sons of Norway booth at Scandia Taco Daze: (L to R) Killian Stow, Susan Stow,
LaRee Opdahl, Connie Chrissis Audrey Huset received her 50 year membership pin
Dolores Jacobson with her Hardanger
embroidery
Date and Time Event Location
Tuesday, October 1, 7:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting ** All members are welcome **
Ramsey County Library - Maplewood
3025 Southlawn Dr Maplewood, MN 55109
Saturday, October 5, 10-Noon Genealogy Group Meeting Mounds View Library 2576 Mounds View Blvd. Mounds View, MN 55112
Tuesday, October 8, 6:30-7 pm Norwegian Language Class Gustavus Adolphus Church, 1669 Arcade St., St. Paul, MN 55106
Tuesday, October 8, 7:00 pm Monthly Lodge Meeting Gustavus Adolphus Church
Wednesday, October 9, 1-2:30 pm Norwegian Language Book Group SunRay Library, 2105 Wilson Ave., St. Paul, MN 55119
Friday, October 11, 10 - Noon Hardanger Huldras Susan Stow, 103 East Burlington Stillwater, MN 55082
Saturday, October 13, 1 - 2:30 pm Peer Gynt Meeting/Rehearsal St. Paul Church, 609 5th St. S., Stillwater, Mn 55082
Wednesday, October 23, 1-2:30 Norwegian Language Book Group SunRay Library
Saturday, October 26, 5:00 pm Torsk and Meatball Dinner Gustavus Adolphus Church
Synnøve-Nordkap Lodge member Dolores Jacobson was an avid crafter when a friend introduced her to Hardanger embroidery. Hardanger is a form of embroidery usually on cotton fabric using cotton thread of the same color as the fabric, often white or ivory. Using the same color fabric and thread creates a sculpted effect, while the even weave of the fabric used allows for the geometric designs traditionally practiced. Norwegian Hardanger may have made its way, changing throughout its journey, in ancient Asia and Persia. Dolores was hooked on Hardanger when she discovered this new-to-her needlecraft. She devoured every tidbit of information she could find in books and articles and then began to practice the art. That was more than 20 years ago. Today, Dolores continues to practice her craft and also teaches others in the Synnøve-Nordkap’s Hardanger Huldras group. “I don’t consider myself an expert,” Dolores says of her Hardanger work, but she appreciates her friend helping her all those years ago, so she says it’s fun to pass along her knowledge. You can see Dolores’s latest piece of Hardanger displayed on the lodge’s bookcase at the next lodge meeting on Tuesday, October 8. She says this piece took approximately 80 hours to complete. If you are interested in trying your hand at Hardanger embroidery, grab yourself a pair of very sharp scissors and head down to your local library or Ingebretsen’s in Minneapolis for some books or see the “Bulletin Board” for more information about the Hardanger Huldras group. Dolores’s artwork will be available for purchase at the lodge Torsk and Meatball Dinner as part of the silent auction portion of the fundraiser.
