IAN CO AD MM Page 8 Report - News Volume XVI, Issue 1 AN U -C N Danish HouseI Society H T S Y I C

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Burnaby, B.C. V5B 4P9 T Phone: 604-294-2777 Website: www.scandinaviancentre.org/denmark EXECUTIVE: Scandinavian Community B.C. Centre President Ed Kuhlman Newsletter & SCCS Board 604 942-8499 kuhlman @shaw.ca Vice-President Johan Madsen Membership & Scholarships 604 526-5001 [email protected] Volume XVI, Issue 1 Spring 2015 Secretary Ebba Grey Kro Aften Reservations 604 990-3550 [email protected] Treasurer Margit Hansson Danish Language Classes 604 574-8833 [email protected] President’s Report DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE: February 2015 NOTICE OF Director Dave Buchmann Cultural Events & SCCS Board 604 760-7705 [email protected] Another year has past and soon we will be meeting at ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Director Stan Chester Volunteer Organizer 604 921-9880 [email protected] the AGM scheduled for Monday, March 16th. The Director Paul Christensen Cultural Events 604 944-9686 [email protected] Scandinavian Centre AGM will follow one month later Director Keith Colby 604 614-5446 [email protected] on April 16th and before we know it we will be seeing TAKE NOTICE: Director Gunnar Jensen 604 291-7439 each other at this year’s Midsummer Festival. Director Inge Lyth Nielsen 604 524-3004 [email protected] Reviewing the year 2014, I can honestly say that it was a year of ups Director Peter Praegel SCCS Board 604 520-7078 [email protected] and downs. The ups consisted of the continued success of the regular The 19th Annual General Meeting of the Director Else Rollke 604 620-1632 [email protected] DHS Events, with Kro Aften as popular as ever, Midsummer doing well, Danish House Society will be held at the a record crowd at the Annual Family BBQ, an excellent Fundraising Scandinavian Community Centre, Newsletter Editor: Ed Kuhlman Dinner & Auction, and to top it all off, 65 kids and about 175 adults 6540 Thomas Street, Burnaby, B.C. packing the Centre for the “Christmas by the Fireside” in December. Please forward your ads and reports to [email protected]. Membership is holding its own and starting to grow again with 7 new On: Deadlines for submissions of quarterly ads are February 1, May 15, August 15, and November 15. If you wish to place an ad members signing up at the February Kro Aften. in the newsletter, payment requested is in the form of a donation to the annual DHS Auction or a cash donation to DHS. If you Monday 16th of March 2015 would like your newsletter by e-mail instead of print, please let us know ...... Thank You. So what were the downs? The loss of the DHS’s third President, at 19:30, to: Niels Andersen late in the year. Niels was an individual who almost every DHS member knew and liked and he was the person who convinced me to come to a Kro Aften and to become a member, 1. Consider the reports of the Directors something I will always be grateful to Niels for, because I have to the members. Please Remember to Pay found being a DHS member fun, enjoyable, and rewarding. I will 2. Consider the Financial Statements for certainly miss Niels and I wish I could have been at the Celebration the year ended 31st of December 2014. your 2015 Dues and Renew your of his Life at the Centre in December, but my day job required my 3. Resolutions. presence out of town on a business trip. DHS Membership 4. Elect Directors for the coming year. The other down was being informed that longtime DHS board 5. Transact such other business as may Encourage your kids & grandkids to join! member Margit Hansson has decided not to run for re-election as our Treasurer and will step down from the board after 15 years of properly come before the meeting. dedicated, truly excellent service. On behalf of all DHS members, I thank you for all that you have done for the DHS over the many Dated the 2nd of February 2015 Visit the Scandinavian Centre Website! years that you have served on the board. By order of the Board of Directors That is it for the downs and in 2015 I know that the board elected of the Danish House Society. at the AGM will strive to build on the success of the various events that were held last year and in years past. In May, the DHS will Ebba Grey, Secretary The taste of Bornholm... host the Federation of Danish Associations 34th Danish Canadian The taste of a fairy tale! Conference, May 21st to May 24th, at the Inn at the Quay in New Westminster. The Conference will wrap up with a luncheon at the REMINDER: If you have not yet renewed Bornholmer Aquavit Centre on Sunday, May 24th. For further details please refer to your membership for 2015 please take a moment BCLDB #455675 page 6 of this newsletter. to do so prior to the AGM. With the warm weather hopefully just around the corner, we can Bornholmer Tradition Copies of the Agenda, Financial Statements, and the all look forward to the Midsummer Festival which the Houses are Minutes of AGM 17th March 2014 can be obtained BCLDB #646299 Special order now busy planning, so if you have suggestions on how we can prior to the AGM by contacting the Secretary, Ebba improve our Danish village please let us know. In the mean time, Grey 604-990-3550. [email protected] enjoy the spring and always be safe in whatever you do and where your travels may take you. Ed Kuhlman, DHS President

Next “Kroaften” Club Nights - March 6th & April 3rd, 2015 A quarterly newsletter from Danish House Page 2 Report - News Volume XVI, Issue 1 Volume XVI, Issue 1 Report - News Page 7 Calendar of Events: “What’s on at the Centre” MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT Nordic Art & Photography February 2015 Show & Sale A special thanks to all of you who paid your 2015 membership dues Saturday & Sunday; 11 am to 4 pm February 28 & March 1 - 11:00am - 4:00pm (SCCS) promptly. An “Overdue Notice” is enclosed with this newsletter for Nordic Art & Photography Show & Sale those who have overlooked paying their 2015 dues. Only members February 28 & March 1st “KRO AFTEN” ! BRING YOUR FRIENDS at the Scandinavian Centre, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby March 2015 in good standing are exempted from the $2 per person Kro Aften This fun-filled Danish House Event is held the first Friday of March 6 - 6:30pm (DHS) surcharge. By paying now, you can avoid paying the surcharge! every month, except August and December. “Kro Aften” Club Night Enjoy more than 100 two-dimensional & three-dimensional The Danish House is pleased to welcome as new members: Enjoy a fine selection of open-faced sandwiches [3/$14 or 1/$5], March 11 - 6:00pm (SCCS) work including paintings, artisan crafts, art photography & Dylan Denault dessert and coffee or tea. Wash it down with snaps and Carlsberg Scandinavian Business Club Dinner Meeting Chilliwack fabric art by more than 20 artists & photographers of Bernie & Lesley Flessa beer on tap. Meet at about 6ish to get your meal tickets and table March 13 - 12:00 Noon (SCCS) Surrey Nordic descent or whose work has Nordic themes Eric Hallstein & Marie-Claude Cote number - smørrebrød is served at 7 p.m. Scandinavian Seniors Lunch 55+ Delta Mona & Claude Hendriksen Featured Photographer: Christine Ostenstad March 16 - 7:30pm (DHS) Delta Lies Jeppesen BY RESERVATION ONLY Danish House Society Annual general Meeting Port Coquitlam Free admission; Free parking Jesper Rahlff & Elisabeth Carstensen Vancouver Put your order in by Tuesday, the week of the Kro Aften Friday. April 2015 Rick Sharman West Vancouver see artist entry forms online at This very popular event fills up quickly so be sure to book early! April 3 - 6:30pm (DHS) www.scandinaviancentre.org Hartmut & Elizabeth Suelzer West Vancouver TO RESERVE “Kro Aften” Club Night The bad news is that, DHS President Ed Kuhlman, was too pressed within the Events Bulletin for deadlines, fees, etc. April 8 - 6:00pm (SCCS) for time to set up the Member Ties computer program for processing To rsvp Opening Reception 11:30 am Feb. 28th, or Send Ebba an e-mail at [email protected] and receive the menu a Scandinavian Business Club Dinner Meeting our 2015 memberships. The good news is that DHS member, Gerry for artist info:contact Sonja at week in advance. Order must be e-mailed to Ebba the Monday April 10 - 12:00 Noon (SCCS) before the Kro Aften. Phone Ebba at 604-990-3550 Wittenberg, has volunteered his experience in computerized [email protected] Scandinavian Seniors Lunch 55+ membership processing to help us make the update from the 1987 April 11& 12 - 11:00am - 4:00pm (SCCS) system currently being utilized on a SOS computer with a 9 pin ph. 604-522-4567 Nordic Spirit 2015 - 30 years of Nordic Culture printer. We are working to implement the new system later in 2015. presented by the Scandinavian Cultural Society with support Please note that non-members will be charged a $2.00 April 16 - 7:00pm (SCCS) from the BC Gaming Commission per person surcharge to attend. Scandinavian Community Centre Society AGM Respectfully submitted by, May 2015 Johan Madsen, Chairman May 1 - 6:30pm (DHS) Membership Committee “Kro Aften Club Night DANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES May 3 - 10:00am - 3:00pm (SCCS) Scandinavian Centre Plant Sale We currently do not have language classes. May 8 - 12:00 Noon (SCCS) Instructors wanted for classes for Young People, Adults and Children. Scandinavian Seniors Lunch 55+ Calling volunteers of all ages! May 9 - 9:00am - 3:00pm (SCCS) Feel free to speak to any of our board members or contact: Scandinavian Centre Work Party Spring Workparty Margit Hansson: 604-574-8833 or [email protected] Saturday NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING May 9th DANISH HOUSE SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: TAKE NOTICE: The Annual General Meeting of the 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Scandinavian Community Centre Society will be held at Thank you for your interest in joining and supporting DHS. Please make your cheques payable to: the Scandinavian Community Centre, 6540 Thomas Street, “Danish House Society, 6540 Thomas St., Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 Burnaby, BC, on Thursday, 16th of April 2015 at 19:00 to: Name(s):______1) Consider the reports of the Directors. Street:______2) Consider the Financial Statement for the year ended Come out & help keep 31st of December 2014. your Centre beautiful City:______Province:______Postal Code:______3) Resolutions. Phone:______Fax:______Email:______4) Elect Directors for the coming year. Bring pails and rags, 5) Transact such other business as may properly come I prefer to receive my newsletter by: Email Post before the meeting. work inside or outside. Rain or shine. Agenda for the Annual General Meeting will be posted at Breakfast is served at 8:30 a.m. Membership Dues: $25.00 Individual Membership Due enclosed the Scandinavian Centre 30 days before the Meeting. Lunch at 12:30 $40.00 Family Membership Due enclosed Please let the office know if you are coming, $100.00 Corporate/Organization Membership Due enclosed Dated the 12th of February 2015. By order of the Board of and if you are joining us for breakfast and/or lunch Directors of the Scandinavian Community Centre Society. $300.00 Lifetime (individual) Membership Due enclosed Norm Eyford, President. [email protected] TOTAL ENCLOSED: $______Page 6 Report - News Volume XVI, Issue 1 Volume XVI, Issue 1 Report - News Page 3

2015 DANISH CANADIAN CONFERENCE ATTENTION! STUDENTS AND DANISH HOUSE SCHOLARSHIPS The Danish House Society is the host this year of the annual national Danish Canadian Conference which will be held at the Inn SCHOLARS at The Quay in New Westminster, from May 21st to May 24th. The theme of the Conference is “Keeping Traditions Alive”. Speakers at the Conference will include the MLA for New Westminster, Judy Darcy, whose parents were immigrants from ; Kjeld Christensen who will do a presentation on the past history of Dania and the future of the brand new Dania Home; Pastor Birgitte Saltorp, who will speak about Danish women getting the right to vote in 1915, one hundred years ago: and Mr. Eric Damer of the Burnaby Village Heritage Museum who will speak about oral histories and the part they can play in recording the To qualify for any of the up to ten $ 1,200.00 Scholarships offered by the Danish House Society you must meet the following ongoing evolution of traditions, as well as the process of organizing and preserving oral histories for future generations. The criteria: Saturday evening banquet will feature a three course plated dinner and traditional entertainment segments by the Tivoli Singers a) Be of Danish heritage and/or a family member of a past or present member (names please for verification) of the Danish and by the Scandinavian Dancers, all followed by dancing to the Silver Stars band. As well, the Scandinavian Cultural Society House Society or the Danish Canadian Community Centre of BC. will display their fabulous Nordic Spirit Heritage Images collection of photos of Early Danish Immigrants to B.C., at the hotel. b) Be a resident of working towards a degree or diploma in an accredited post-secondary institution. Evidence of registration in such institution is required along with a transcript of latest marks and studies. The Conference, which is open to everyone, is an c) Be of good character and provide written references from a high school or college administrator, and at least two current opportunity to meet Danes from across Canada; to references including an employer, if applicable. network; to exchange ideas and experiences; and to socialize and have fun. Application should be made by a hand-written letter giving your reasons for requesting the scholarship and describing your personal interests, hobbies, goals, dreams and volunteer experience. Participation as a volunteer in Danish House Society The Conference concludes on Sunday, May 24th activities should be noted. The DHS Scholarships will be awarded in June 2015. with breakfast at the Danish Luthern Church in Burnaby, followed by Church Service, and then a To be considered for the 2015 Danish House Scholarships, your application and relevant information (including your phone traditional Danish Lunch at the Scandinavian Centre. number, postal and e-mail addresses) must be submitted by March 31, 2015 to: For a registration package, conference program, or more information or if you are interested in Danish House Society - Scholarship attending the Conference please contact DHS 6540 Thomas Street President, Ed Kuhlman at 604 -942-8499 or e-mail Burnaby, BC V5B 4P9 [email protected]. The highest ranked assessment of the 2015 DHS Scholarship applications will also receive the $500 Vedel Madsen Award of Excellence, and a Lifetime Membership in the Danish House Society. Registration Deadline: April 24, 2015 Please note that each applicant is limited to receiving no more than three Danish House Society Scholarships.

For further information please contact any of the DHS Scholarship Committee Members:

NIELS ANDERSEN - 3rd DHS PRESIDENT (2000-2002) Stan Chester (604 921-9880) Late in 2014, the DHS lost one of its Past Presidents, Niels Andersen. Niels was a larger than Johan Madsen (604 526-5001) life individual who was a friend to everyone at the centre and he played a huge part in the early Ella Wolder (604 530-5083) days of the Danish House serving as its President in 2000, 2001 and 2002. Johan Madsen, Chairman DHS Scholarship Committee. In April 1999 Niels Andersen became the first member of the DHS to become President of the Scandinavian Community Centre. Niels initiated the Midsummer Festival raffle which included 2 SAS airline tickets to Scandinavia and other prizes donated by the 4 houses. The first raffle lottery raised $19,000 in income which went towards paying the annual property taxes. Niels had the most difficult year of any DHS nominated president of the Scandinavian Centre. Friend of DHS: THANK YOU! On May 31, 1998 the DHS was unable to make its payment of $120,000 to the other Houses, Niels Andersen I wish to thank everyone who helped to make my husband, and defaulted on debt owing of $420,000 from its purchase of a quarter interest in the Niels Andersen’s Celebration of Life held at the Scandinavian Scandinavian Community Centre (SCC). Niels drive and likeable personality helped the DHS Although it’ s difficult today to Community Centre on Monday, Dec. 8, a truly memorable maintain its dignity after the default. Without Niels support at the SCC Board over the next year see beyond the sorrow, may event. In particular, I wish to thank Pastor Birgitte Saltorp this could well have been the end of the Danish House Society. Fortunately Niels was able to looking back in memory help for leading the Celebration, and to Janet Mowatt who played have DHS director Johan Madsen’s “rent with purchase option” suggestion accepted by the bring comfort to us tomorrow. Niels’ favourite Chopin music. I also want to thank everyone other three Houses. It is with sadness in our hearts who actively participated in making this a memorable day. In March 2000 Niels became President of the DHS. Now the problem was to raise enough that we say goodbye to our friend. What a wonderful send-off for Niels. money to exercise the DHS purchase option before 2007. Niels agreed that expanded membership was likely the best way to raise these funds. With Niels full support membership was Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through Many encouraging notes and donations were received in his increased from 67 to 230 by March 2003, when his presidential term ended. These new members memory for which I am very grateful. largely provided the funds required to exercise the DHS purchase option on the Scandinavian and shines down upon us to let us know theyare happy. Centre by the end of 2003. Without Niels dynamic leadership, the DHS might just have been a Our sincerest condolences go out to the Vera Andersen blurb in history rather than the amazing success it is today. family of our lost friend! Page 4 Report - News Volume XVI, Issue 1 Volume XVI, Issue 1 Report - News Page 5

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT A “NOTE” FROM DANIA

This year, 2015 is our 6th year of awarding scholarships funded equally by the Danish House Society and the Danish Canadian Greetings! I’ve been asked to write a little note to inform you about what’s been happening at Dania’s “Campus of Care” lately. Community Centre (DCCC). The scholarship amount has been increased from $1,000 to $1,200 in 2015. Up to 10 scholarships As you may have heard, Dania has a new building. Or perhaps have seen it while driving past Dania on Norland Avenue. will be awarded at the June 5th Kro Aften. Deadline for applications is March 31st. Criteria on how to apply for 2015 It is certainly the biggest event in our recent history. Building an entirely new building takes a lot of time and effort, and the scholarships is detailed on page 3 of this newsletter. planning for this stretches back a long time. Many Board members and Leadership people worked very hard to make this building An additional $500 “Vedel Madsen Award of Excellence”, funded by the Madsen family, will be awarded to the highest ranked a reality, and of course many donors helped make it possible. 2015 applicant. The award is in memory of their celebrated ancestor, Anders Sorensen Vedel, who was born in Veilje in 1542. He The ground breaking ceremony was held in October of 2013, with the roof raising was appointed Denmark’s Official Historiographer by King Frederik II in 1584, and provided facilities (including a large print shop) ceremony being held in April, 2014. In Danish this final rafter raising ceremony is at the Ribe Cathedral. He was tasked with compiling a 22 volume new history of Denmark. Vedel had earlier translated Gesta called a “Rejsegilde”, and a flag and wreath are raised to the rafters. The new Dania Danorum (History of the Danes) by Saxo Grammaticus (1150 - 1220) from Latin into Danish. His 1591 folk-song book based on Home will consist of six interior neighbourhoods on two floors, for a grand total of 100 Danish Ballads became famous as the underpinning of a Danish Language tradition. just over one hundred rooms. The building is slated to receive its first residents this Margit Hansson, our DHS treasurer, researched Income Tax regulations relating to the payment of scholarship monies by a Spring! Registered Canadian Charity such as the Danish House Society. We are now aware that the DHS $600 portion of the scholarship Currently we are basking in the glory of a successful Fundraising campaign that raised award must be paid to the educational institution instead of the student. The DCCC is not a registered charity. Accordingly over $100,000 and got us a new bus, for our seniors. We will share this vehicle with their $600 portion of the scholarship award can be paid separately to the recipient at the June 6th Kro Aften. The DHS portion our very close partners, Normanna, (the Norwegian home). It is configurable and holds (plus the $500 Vedel Madsen Award of Excellence) will be sent to the student, in the name of the institution, once proof of 18 passengers plus one wheelchair or 6 passengers and 5 wheelchairs. But best of all, registration is submitted. we are no longer restricted by having to use a rented Handy Dart. Dave Buchmann, an original member of the Scholarship Committee, has stepped down from the Committee since his other activity Our fundraising hasn’t stopped, of course, and it has been wonderful to have the support over the years of the broader Danish as chairman of the Scandinavian Centre Building Committee has left him very pressed for time. Annette Lauridsen has replaced community, as well as many others. Our current priority is to acquire quality (adjustable) hospital style beds and mattresses, Dave on the committee for 2015. Our thanks to Dave for his valued inputs over the past 5 years. Alternates for the Scholarship something very important for the comfort and well being of our residents, present and future. We are also fundraising for a Committee are Michelle Madsen and Sandra Alexander. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact any therapeutic garden for the residents that reflects the Danish cultural background of Dania. of the Scholarship Committee members at the numbers listed in the scholarship ad on page 3 of this newsletter. At our AGM in the spring, we added three new Directors, and will add one or two more this year. Finally, we are proud to announce that we passed (with flying colours) Accreditation Canada’s evaluation for health care service providers. We are Respectfully submitted by, extremely pleased with our continued success in doing what we do. Johan Madsen Chairman, DHS Scholarship Committee

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Dania Board, Torsten Kehler DANISH NAMES IN THE NEWS

Bloomberg News (www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-09) reports that “Speculation Agianst Danish Euro Peg Proving Relentless” . Fiscally responsible Denmark, like Switzerland, has found itself on the wrong side of the currency war, with the European Central Bank actively devaluing the euro against which the Danish Krone is pegged. Just like the Swiss did last year, the Danes are promising to maintain the peg and stressing out over the cost of doing so. Now the speculators smell blood! DONATIONS TO THE DANISH HOUSE SOCIETY Nordea Bank AB says Denmark will need to deliver another 25 basis-point cut to fight back demand for kroner, bringing the benchmark deposit rate to minus 1%. Danish central bank Governor Lars Rohde told speculators that he won’t let the krone’s peg November. December 2014, & January 2015 to the euro collapse, and that the central bank will do whatever it takes to avoid it after delivering a fourth rate drop in less than three weeks. In practical terms, this means a deposit of 1,000 kroner today might be reduced to 990 kroner a year from now. Names of Donors: Last January’s Kro Aften was treated to a Parisian coffee shop song by a visiting Kirsten Gronfeldt. We last saw Kirsten at the General Donations: June 2010 Kro Aften when she was one of the first recipients of a DHS scholarship. Since then Kirsten received her Bachelor of Kirsten Rasmussen; Hanne Madsen & Gunnar Rasmussen; B.N. Madsen; Martha & Misty Jorgensen; Orla & Yvonne Holm; Music in Opera Performance from UBC and a Masters Degree in Voice & Pedagogy from the Royal Danish Academy of Music in Fleming Christensen; Helle L. Bertelsen & F. Hendersen; Birthe Auld; Borge & Solvejg Nielsen; Hank & Eila Lewis; Copenhagen. Kirsten currently lives in Aarhus and attends the Soloist class at Det Jyske Musikkonservatorium. Fritz & Gwen Dahl; Henny Hummelshoj; Paul & Esther Rasmussen; Poul V. Hansen; Ernst O. & Linda D. Jensen; Betty Mortensen; Henry & Anna Eckholdt; Bent Ostergaard; Gert & Ebba Schovsbo. DHS Board member Inge Lyth Nielsen very much appreciated assistance from 2014 DHS Scholarship recipient Christine Henderson at December’s Christmas by the Fireside”. According to Inge, the event was so successful that there were more people In Memory: than chairs, and she felt Christine’s volunteer efforts deserved a special mention. Christine began her biology studies at Simon Fraser Ruth G. Nielsen: In Memory of Knud Peter Nielsen; Ida & Robert Taylor: In Memory of Niels Andersen; University last fall. She would like to become a doctor, but also leans towards a career in environmental studies. Nan Martin: In Memory of Kjeld Honborg; Birte & Ove Lyth: In Memory of Asta & Gunnar Christensen; Eve Lyth: In Memory of Gunnar Lyth; Dylan Denault: In Memory of Flora Petersen. Respectfully submitted by, Scholarship Fund: Johan Madsen Jens Tonnesen; Eivind Luffe; Anne Hallstein; Birte & Ove L yth; Fritz & Gwen Dahl. DHS Vice-President Respectfully submitted, Total Donations: $ 3,203.00 Margit Hansson, Treasurer Scandinavian Centre Workparty - Saturday, May 9th, 9am to 3pm !