ORD FRA PRESIDENTEN PORT OF CALL – STAVANGER Nancy L. Dunn, Cultural Director Since summer is already here, I thought I would share just a bit and talk about something that is near and dear For the June meeting , we want the membership to to my heart. Camping traditions have been around for a relax and enjoy a beautiful piece about Stavanger, long time and have been growing in popularity, as more Norway's biggest "little town." Located on the south- families seek ways to connect and bring meaning to their western coast, Stavanger offers all that Norway is famous lives. Camping traditions offer memories that will be for – rugged coastline, fjords, farms, colorful houses, and passed on from one generation to the next, and offer your Viking history. Narrow cobblestone streets wind their way family the opportunity to build on something beyond just through the center of town. Just minutes from the city is camping. Here is another way for you to grow together as the beautiful Lysefjord and the famous Pulpit Rock. a family. Have everyone volunteer to cook one meal and If you have never been to Stanvanger, this is your organize one activity, such as fishing. A fun thing to do chance to experience it. would be to have your food and activities center on something Norwegian. Set up camp like a Norwegian Viking might have done. Tell Norwegian ghost stories and sing Norwegian songs. Traditions serve to ground us, bringing us closer to our heritage. Another event that is a way to share your heritage is to go to the Scandinavian Festival in Estes Park in June. There will be traditional dancing and crafts, not to mention tons of food. An even better way to learn and share your heritage is to participate in helping our lodge run our food booth. Two things that most Norwegians love to do is to visit and to eat good food. This is a perfect example of learning more by doing. I would like to stress that by helping, I do not mean running the whole event. I Mange takk to Marilynn am asking everyone to help, even just a little bit, like for providing the program idea and the DVD! baking Norwegian cookies, helping set up or take down, or working a shift. No contribution is STEIN FJELL CONTACTS too small or unappreciated. In the process you will get to meet many President: Roxanne Storlie – 970.412.5713 new friends and even get to know [email protected] the members in your own lodge Vice President: Rod Skaflen – 970.484.5459 better. [email protected] Editors: Marianne, William Nesse – 970.330.7183 Roxanne Storlie [email protected] 2

KALENDER MEETING REMINDERS FROM RAS *Official Norwegian Flag-Flying Day + Norwegian Public Holiday Ras Erdal, Stein Fjell Host Coordinator

JUNI Please note that the next lodge meeting date is th 2: Fjelldalen 17 Anniversary Celebration, 3 p.m., lodge Thursday, June 7th. We will have a program on Stavanger, meeting and potluck, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Norway and a Salad Supper. 2400 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver Our Refreshment Hosts are Maria Reichel (chair), Joni Heiden, Ruth and Clayton Nelson, and Nissa Yestness. th 6-10: 6 District Lodge Meeting, Mesa AZ (www.sofn6.com) Looking forward all the way to September, the Refreshment Hosts for the September 6th lodge meeting 7: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m., Salad Supper. Sign-up for work are Susan and Gary Zook (chairs), Grace Noteboom, Kristi shift – Scandinavian Festival. Stavanger DVD. Quinlan, Jane and Alan Strand, and Jane Yestness. *Unionsoppløsningen (Dissolution of Union) with Vær så god Sweden, 1905

13: Gratulerer, Vestafjell Lodge, on your 22nd anniversary! GRATULERER MED DAGEN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 17: Father’s Day, USA JUNI 20: Summer Solstice 01 Matthew Strand 20 Kerwin Rakness 03 Christine Moe 27 James Miller 23: NEW – Trollheim Lodge meeting now 2-4 p.m., 4th Sat.– 08 Kjell Gjelde-Bennett 27 Grace Noteboom for June, September, October, November 08 Jodi Sprague 28 Joann Harris 23-24: Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, 9:30 - 5:00 10 Bill Berg 29 Bonnie Heberlein Saturday, 9:30 - 4:00 Sunday, Bond Park, Estes Park 23-Juli 1: Utvandrerfestivalen (Emigrant Festival), Kvines- JULI dal, Norway – our sister lodge (utvandrerfestival.no) 01 Jon-Eirik Holm-Johansen 09 Kaja Nan Gjelde-Bennett 01 Mickey Schmidt 09 Richard Linsenmann JULI 01 Nissa Yestness 09 Kelsey Wright 6-8: July 4that Camp Norge (www.campnorge.com) 02 Dennis Lorentzson 11 Jane Yestness 08 Casey Heinz 28 Ryan Parkos 4: Independence Day, USA 08 Marilynn Loustalet *HM Dronning (Queen) Sonja’s Fødselsdag (Birthday) AUGUST 8-21: Camp Troll Fjell, Camp Norge (Februar Posten) 04 Kris Bakich 20 Kira Wright 08 Marit Gjelde-Bennett 28 Gary Zook 20: *HKH Kronprins Haakon Magnus’ Fødselsdag 16 Barbara Nolin 30 Russell Nielsen

29: 29- Aug. 4: Norway Cup 2012, Oslo (norwaycup.no) SAVE THE DATE *Olsok (St. Olaf’s Wake), king and patron saint Sept. 1-3: No. Calif. Kretsstevne, Camp Norge. Info: AUGUST Lillie/Marvin Hanson 707.279.0974 / [email protected] 4: Storfjell Annual Picnic/Boat Party, 12:30, Grand Lake. Sept. 6: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m., Harvest Potluck Supper 21st Heritage Celebration (Fjelldalen), Limon Sept. 16: Fjellheim Anniversary Celebration Info.: limonmuseum.com or call 719.775.8605 Sept. 20: Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Marian and Ras Erdal’s Sept. 22: Trollheim Walleye Fish Fry 12: Vestafjell Viking Day and Picnic, Viking presentation, food/drinks provided, Hawthorne Park, Grand Junction Sept. 28-30: So. Calif. Kretsstevne, Vista CA; Reserve hotel by August 28, register by Sept. 15. Info. – contact editors 15: Posten Submission Deadline – NOTE EARLIER DATE Oktober 20: Stein Fjell Lutefisk Dinner, Faith Evangelical Church, 2707 N. Wilson, Loveland 19: *HKH Kronprinsesse Mette-Marit’s Fødselsdag ? J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? Names, Phone Numbers, and Addresses must not be 23-25: SON International Convention, Fargo ND redistributed, or used for commercial purposes. 3

DITT OG DATT (THIS ‘N’ THAT) SOLSKINN (SUNSHINE) Marian Erdal i Stein Fjell expresses its sincere condolences to Kady and Ally Parkos for the passing of their grandmother, We wish Inger F. comfort as she recovers Mildred Boren, on May 7th at age 84. from a broken bone in her back. A card from i We all wish Nissa the BEST as she defends her you would brighten her day! Doctoral thesis on June 29th. Stein Fjell will be very Jeanne is recuperating from a total knee proud to have another Doctor in the house!! replacement, which occurred on May 1st. i Stein Fjell friends say Congratulations to Makenzie, It was nice having the Clitheros with us at our the Best Troll in the Norwegian Language class, on her Syttende Mai celebration – Betty is without her “boot” at graduation from high school. last, and Joe came while still recovering from a bad fall. i Richard L.’s Paradise Chili – “Sweet Heat” took First Place, Amateur, at the Spirit Chili Cook-off! REGARDING CULTURAL SKILLS i L-R: Midge, Neva, Rick, and Nancy received pins and Ras Erdal, Cultural Skills Director certificates for 2011 new member recruitment. Our Hardanger embroidery group is stitching away and some beautiful projects are being made. Remember: Hardanger builds character . . . and builds an interesting vocabulary. Anyone who wishes to join us is welcome . . . but please call Midge or me for logistical purposes. As most of you know, there are many other cultural skills, and they don’t require you to be a part of a class. Marianne i Heather Walls, at right, re- completed the Literature ceived the 2012 Stein Fjell unit and was awarded Community Scholarship Level 1, 2, and 3 bars at our May lodge meeting. award from Keith, scholar- International is listening! In the new versions of the ship coordinator. Cooking and Hardanger units, report forms can now be i The second-year Norwegian completed using editable PDFs. Of course, Stein Fjell takes class presented De Tre some credit for this, due to Jodi and Marianne “strongly” Bukkene Bruse. L-R below: encouraging this feature on their report form comments. Charles Knutson, Makenzie, Karen E., Nancy, Ras. YOUR FINANCIAL JOURNEY LaRue Hanson, Financial Benefits Counselor

It’s not just about the money. Have you had “the talk” with your kids yet? Boomers want their parents to lead the discussion on legacy and inheritance. Elders (parents) don’t feel at ease talking about these awkward subjects with their kids. Enter your financial benefits counselor, who will ask the necessary questions in a way that makes everyone comfortable, while helping you and your family to i Bill N. and Marianne have an effective and satisfying plan, received bronze sustainable over time. Call me today Gangmerke pins and let’s get the talk started. from Jon-Eirik, sports director, at [email protected] - 719.599.8546(w) - 719.237.7314(c) our May meeting. 2523 Shalimar Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80915-1030 4

MATILDA “TILLIE” COYLE SCHOPBACH Highway 287 Travel Club. She helped to organize the IN MEMORIAM Longmont Business Women’s Breakfast and served as a Boulder County Election Judge for many, many years. Stein Fjell Charter and Her family was always of utmost importance to Tillie. Golden Member Tillie Schopbach, From her years spent as a Cub Scout Den Mother for son 103, passed away on May 2nd. She Les to attending decades of church, school, and sporting served the lodge on the refresh- events for her son, grandchildren, and great-grandchil- ment committee, and represen- dren. She was very proud of her Norwegian heritage. ted Longmont on the Sunshine While her body began to get frail and weak, her mind and Committee for four years. spirit stayed clear and sharp to the very end. Her great- Tillie was born on the pio- grandson Scotland said, “She held an angelic presence in neer Throndson family farmstead so many people’s lives and will be remembered by us all west of Longmont to George and as a strong and beautiful person.” Dorothy (Throndson) Anderson Tillie is survived by son Les and daughter-in-law Sandy on January 25, 1909. She grew up on a farm near “Sawdey Coyle of Loveland/Longmont, grandchildren Eric Coyle Hill” south of Longmont, attending Pleasant View Ridge, (Cyn) and Jenean Wetterstrom (Kerby), great-grandchil- Gooding School, and Erie High School. Her family moved dren Rebecca Liebing (Matt), Scotland Coyle, McCartney to Sidney, MT and she graduated from high school in Coyle, Navy Coyle, Forrest Wetterstrom, Sydney Wetter- neighboring Fairview, ND. Graduating from nursing school strom, and Annika Wetterstrom, and her sister, Gladys in Williston, ND as a Registered Nurse in 1931, she worked Tippner of Mesa, AZ. for a short time at Methodist Hospital in Sidney, MT. She also is survived by Paul’s family: step-son John Tillie married Lester Coyle on April 16, 1932 at Bethle- Schopbach (Jean), AZ; grandchildren Tami Green (Rob), hem Lutheran Church, Longmont. She never returned to Windsor, CO; John Paul Schopbach (Marci), Louisville, CO; nursing, but joined Les in running their bakery business, Gary Schopbach (Tammy), Queens Creek, AZ; Rebecca Les’ Pastry (410 Main St). Their only son, Lester Hudson Schopbach, Phoenix, AZ; great-grandchildren Melissa Von Coyle, Jr. was born in 1939. Tillie and Les retired in 1968 Goertz (Paul), Harrisburg, PA; Kristie Botts (Josh), Irving, and enjoyed that time of life together until Les passed TX; Andrew Schopbach, Windsor, CO; Taylor Schopbach away on September 24, 1974. and Maddy Schopbach, both of Louisville, CO; and three great-great-grandchildren On January 1, 1979 Tillie married Paul R. Schopbach, a th long-time neighbor and friend. She was a great support to Funeral services were held May 9 at Bethlehem Paul, the owner and operator of the Corner Pantry Mar- Lutheran Church, with interment at Longmont Mountain ket, originally located at 9th Ave and Main St. This grocery View Cemetery. Send memorial contributions to Bethle- had a long standing tradition of excellence and was known hem Lutheran Church, the Longmont United Hospital Aux- for stocking unique specialty items. Through their 20 years iliary, or Boy Scouts of America in care of Ahlberg Funeral of marriage they shared work, travel, and community Chapel, 326 Terry Street, Longmont CO 80501. É É É É É É É É É É É É É É volunteering. Paul passed away on December 19, 1999. In 2002 Tillie moved into the Tanglewood Condomin- CARD SENT TO STEIN FJELL LODGE: iums where she lived independently until the last three years, when she lived with son Les and his wife Sandy at Members and Friends of Stein Fjell Lodge, Sons of Norway their home near Carter Lake. There she particularly en- The family of Tillie Coyle Schopbach joyed watching the daily wildlife and the activity on the thanks you for your kind expression of sympathy. lake. Tillie thought riding on Les’ ATV around the neigh- borhood was pretty exciting fun. She resumed her croch- Tillie was always so proud of being a “Son” of eting skills to keep her fingers nimble. A huge Rockies fan, Norway! You were all a special part of her thoughts and she would don her Rockies jersey to watch them play on memories. The single red rose was a tribute to the lasting TV, and in 2010 attended a game at Coors Field. connection she has had with her Norwegian heritage and Baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran her fellow Norwegians. Church, she was a member there all her life and very A special Thank You to Ras and Marian Erdal for their active in the life of the church, especially in Women’s time and attention to Tillie on several occasions. Circle and singing in the choir. Tillie was a charter member of the Longmont United Hospital Auxiliary, and belonged Best regards, to the Knife and Fork Club of Boulder as well as the Les and Sandy Coyle 5

HIPP, HIPP, HURRA! SYTTENDE MAI!

TUSEN TAKK EVERYONE who contributed to another enjoyable Stein Fjell Syttende Mai celebration!

Annette Freeland of Oklahoma, a 21-year member, Jon-Eirik reminding us of the th joined us! She was in Loveland 17 of May’s history for a few days, visiting with her good friend Mary Gabris.

Rick and Sandy Bilstad, excellent, Madeline Cox fishing, with entertaining storytellers – this one was Mike Parkos making sure the “Boots and His Brothers” by Eric A. Kimmel L-R: Richard L. and Terry, big one doesn’t get away grill masters

We paused for a group photo, after the parade led by our new Grand Marshal Terry, center. Then it was back to eating, visiting, being entertained, rolling lefse and creating krumkakke (these briefly, before we lost power), playing games, and just enjoying the spectacular weather! 6

French force, led by King Charles the Fat, that the siege IN was broken. The defenders were understandably upset Bill Nesse when Charles declined to fight the Vikings. Rather, Charles offered them 700 pounds of silver and his blessing to The Viking era extended from around 780 to 1070 continue up the Seine to ravage Burgundy, which was in AD. Ireland, Scotland, and England were among the revolt. Charles was later deposed for this and other similar earliest lands to experience Viking raids, but Vikings acts of doubtful valor and was replaced as king by Count visited all of western Europe and into the Mediterranean Odo, the leader of the Paris defense. Regardless, the Sea through-out the 9th Vikings got their silver from Odo when they finally left century. One of the earliest France in 889. documented raids in A very important event in both Viking and French France was in 841 when history was the arrival in France of a Viking named , th Asgeir ventured up the probably in the first years of the 10 century. Some Seine to , and sacked sources have suggested that he participated in the siege of and burned the town. Paris in 885-86, but good evidence to support this Additional raids into France assertion is lacking. occurred in 842. In 845 Where Rollo Vikings raided further up came from is a the Seine and attacked matter of some Paris. In an act that estab- debate and both the lished the pattern of con- Norwegians and flict between the French Danes claim him. and Vikings, the king, Charles the Bald, paid the Vikings The Orkneyinga 7000 pounds of silver to pack up and leave without Saga and Snorri burning the city, which they did. Sturluson’s In following years, raids continued in western France, Heimskringla, including two attacks on Paris in the 860s. Generally, the written two raiders arrived in the spring, looted and collected tribute centuries after the wherever they went, and then returned to their homes in fact, both identify England, Scotland, Ireland, Norway, and Denmark in the Rollo as Hrolf, a fall. The most notable of these raids occurred in 885, Norwegian and son of Ragnvald “the when Vikings, led by Sigfried, planned to push far up the Rollo’s statue in Falaise Seine to plunder central and eastern France. However, wise,” Jarl of North they were blocked at and South Möre and of Raumsdal in Norway. He was Paris, which they known as Göngu-Hrolf (Hrolf the Walker) because he was placed under siege. reportedly so big that no horse could carry him. Hrolf was After several months expelled from Norway by King Harald Fairhair and fled, of intermittent first to Scotland and ultimately to France. The Danish conflict, the alternative is presented by a Frenchman called Dudo of defenders offered Saint-Quentin, who, writing between 1015 and 1030, Sigfried a small reports that Rollo was a Danish nobleman who lost favor amount of silver to with the Danish king and fled to France. Neither account leave, which he did, can be considered trustworthy. The academic debate th having become became quite nasty in the early 20 century and spilled frustrated with the into the popular press. The year 1911 was the 1000-year campaign. However, anniversary of the founding of and Norway had part of his force recently obtained its full independence, so it became a remained and matter of national pride. The historical record is notably continued the siege. sparse but tends to favor a Norwegian origin. It was not until In any event, prior to the Viking outbreak in 910, October 886 with the Rollo had evidently grown to prominence and was able to arrival of a large The siege of Paris 885-886 command a considerable force of fellow Vikings. In 911 he 7 led a mostly Danish army that besieged Chartres. Chartres Normandy. Rollo died between 927 and 933 and is now had been razed in 958 in an earlier Viking raid, but had buried in Rouen . In the years following his been rebuilt with a stout defensive wall. The siege appar- ently started in April or May. By July a relief army had been raised and marched on Chartres. In the ensuing battle on July 20, 911, Rollo and his army of Vikings were defeated and fled down the Eure river in their boats. Rollo subsequently entered into negotiations with King Charles III (“The Simple”). In the treaty of Saint- Clair-sur-Epte, Rollo received a grant of land that included Rouen near the mouth of the Seine in exchange for a pledge of fealty to Charles and an agreement to protect Charles from other Viking attacks. Rollo and his men also Rollo’s grave in Rouen Cathedral were baptized as Christians and Rollo took the Christian name Robert. While baptized, there is considerable death, Scandinavian traditions and language were evidence that Rollo continued to honor the Norse gods, gradually supplanted by those of France, but the Norse because the Christian church all but ceased to exist in his influence is still preserved in place names and in the local territories. Just before his death he ordered the sacrifice Norman dialect. of a hundred Christians to propitiate the Viking gods. The spirit of conquest and Granting a tract of land to Rollo appeared to cost plunder inherited from the Charles relatively little. While the area was already Vikings was not entirely extin- effectively under the control of the Vikings, past guished in the Normans, for experience indicated that Charles could expect to get it Rollo’s great-great-great-grand- back with relative ease. In the meantime, Charles did gain son invaded England in 1066. an ally and some level of protection from Viking raids. The We know Rollo’s descendant as Vikings, however, managed to retain control of the land. . (Sept. In the long run, the farms and settlements they estab- 2011 Posten). lished were far more valuable than any booty that could In a curious accident of have been obtained from periodic raids. history, William and his descen- William the Conqueror Rollo and his descendants gradually expanded their dants were both Kings of Eng- original holdings, which eventually encompassed all of land and also vassals owing allegiance to the King of what is now called Normandy and the Channel Islands. In France. This caused no end of trouble over the years until the process, Normandy gained its name , which roughly 1204, when King Philip II of France confiscated the Duchy translates to “Norse man’s land.” Normandy was a duchy, of Normandy, leaving only the Channel Islands under and Rollo and his heirs acquired the title of Duke of English King John II’s control. This last remaining bit of the duchy remains tied to England and allows Queen Elizabeth of England to also be known as the Duke of Normandy. The Loyal Toast in the Channel Islands is “The Queen, Our Duke.” Rollo is her 27th great-grandfather.

Sources: Douglas, D.C., 1942, Rollo of Normandy, English Historical Review; Jones, G., 1984, History of the Vikings, Oxford University Press; Fitzhugh, W., and Ward, E., 2000, Vikings, the North Atlantic Saga: Smithsonian Books; fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/CONTENTS.htm, Wikipedia, sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/prov/rollo000.htm; home.eckerd.edu/~oberhot/chartres.htm, richardjohnbr.blogspot.com/2008/03/normans-in-normandy- rollo-what-we-know.html É É É É É É É É É É É É É É The Viking longship on the masthead is from the Bayeux Tapestry (created in the 1070s) and is shown approaching a beach, probably in the Somme Estuary. JUNI, JULI, AUGUST 2012