Sons of Norway Bernt Balchen Lodge President’s Message Is it Spring yet? After might be haggis for us Dale and Susan Soby. this cold and snowy to try! Alternates are: Cindy winter, an early Spring McDowell and Ingrid April will be our Nor- would be welcome – but Braastad. You will be wegian Fish Dinner not very likely! So we well represented at and wonderful ideas VIKING HALL 349-1613 will just think nice the convention and are in the mill to www.sofnalaska.com thoughts in the mean- can expect an interest- make that an evening time. Our Flyer Editor, ing report from the that you won’t want to Cynthia, is going to delegates when they March|April miss. Everyone seems Africa soon to enjoy return. so busy these days but warmer weather and taking time to attend If there are any new 2012 lots of interesting sights an event can really be retirees out there, to see so we will not mars|april worth the effort. please join us for have another Flyer un- Kaffeslabberas on the til May. John is going The District 2 Con- third Thursday of each on the trip too. vention will be in Ta- month. We serve soup coma, WA, May 23-26. and open-faced sand- We have woodcarving Bernt Balchen Lodge wiches, dessert and coming up in March and was eligible for five beverages from 11:30- a Cultural & Heritage delegates who were 1:30, which provides Event, which will in- elected at the Febru- time for good conver- clude some of our previ- ary business meeting. ous International Food sation. They are: Anna Deck- Fest. I’ve even heard a er, Tom Falskow, Fraternally, whisper that there John Olnes, Anita Mickey

Program for Sons of Norway Business Meeting Thursday, March 8th - 7:00 pm

Inside this issue: Hard Times and My Money: Asset Protection in the Current Political Climate By Gary Milton Cultural & Heritage Event 2 Sons of Norway Financial Counselor Super Bowl Raffle Winners 2 Come to the Bernt Balchen Lodge Business Meeting on March 8, 2012, and learn Sunshine Report 3 about your financial present and future, something you care about. Gary Milton, Sons of Norway Financial Benefits Counselor for Alaska, will give a talk entitled Woodcarving Seminar 3 "Hard Times and My Money: Asset Protection in the Current Political Climate." Fra Biblioteket 4 Hear the talk, you do not have to stay for the Business meeting! Viking Hall News 4 a little in... 5 Kaffeslabberas Ski for Light 2012 5 Coming up the following Thursdays Norwegian Fish Dinner 6 March 15th & April 19th Kids Camp 2012 6 11:30 -1:30 @ Viking Hall

Scholarships 6 The best place in town for lunch! Cultural Corner 7 Come and enjoy the wonderful soups and sandwiches at a very Language Classes 7 reasonable price. Please call ahead to Viking Hall @ 349-1613, Rosemaling Classes 7 but we always welcome drop-ins. MARCH|APRIL 2012 THE FLYER PAGE 2

Please join us at Viking Hall for NORWEGIAN CULTURAL and HERITAGE EVENT Saturday, March 24th 3pm to 7pm

Sons of Norway will host another Norwegian Cultural and Heritage Event at Viking Hall on Saturday, March 24, 2012, starting at 3pm. The purpose is to expose members and potential members to different aspects of Norwegian traditional culture and heritage.

Due to popular demand we will have a repeat of the training in the proper drinking of aquavit and the use of the Norwegian-style cheese cutter. We will have a number of other heritage demonstrations as well including an introduc- tion to the Icelandic Sagas.

The program is informal and free. Just show up at Viking Hall located at 8141 Briarwood Street (a block north of Sicily’s Pizza off Dimond Blvd.)

SUPER BOWL RAFFLE 2012 Here are the 2012 winners!

Thanks to all of you who supported our Drawn Won Scholarship Fund by purchasing raffle #1 $200 David Lee tickets! #7 $ 50 Shirley Moe

The enthusiastic crowd attending the Sons of #13 $100 Laurie Zimmer Norway Super Bowl Party enjoyed great enter- #45 $50 Anna Decker tainment and wonderful food. Wayne Johnson’s #66 $25 Mary Hansen Lapskaus stew was once again a hit. Special #75 $50 Wally & Beverly Smith #90 $100 Anna Decker thanks to Jane Moe for keeping tabs on the #105 $25 Boyd Berg money, notifying winners and complying with #121 $50 Pete Hjellen official gaming requirements. #150 $200 David Lee We congratulate all winners and especially the #165 $25 Marti Barnard big winner Sheila Harris. Our thanks to those #180 $25 Robert Weimer who helped make this event happen—Jane #195 $100 Marit Kristiansen Moe, Sandra Hanson, John & Cynthia Olnes, #210 $50 John Hall Wayne Johnson, Ted Birkedal, David Michael- #225 $25 Bob Lohr son, Steinar Hansen, Lisa Sealy, Marti Bar- #240 $100 Shirley Moe nard, Merlin Hamre, Chris Nelson, Ed Larsen #250 $25 John Olnes and Marit Kristiansen. Once again a special #270 $50 Lynn Ann Eng #299 $250 Lynn Ann Eng thanks to Sandra Hanson for her efforts selling #300 $1000 Sheila Harris tickets. MARCH|APRIL 2012 THE FLYER PAGE 3

Sunshine Report Woodcarving Seminar

Greetings are sent to the fol- The Last Frontier Woodcarvers are offering lowing members celebrating another day of woodcarving Saturday, March 10, a birthday in March or April 9am-4pm at Viking Hall, for all those who would who are at least 75 years like to try their hand at this skill. There will be 10 classes young. offered from which you pick the one that would suit you the best. "Happy Birthday" “Gratulerer med dagen!” Cost is $20 per person which includes the wood, tools

Prudence J. Brown to use, carving instructions, choice of project and a great lunch. A parent must attend with any child partici- George Etsell pating. Loretta Hodson Dwight Hovland Sr. The class projects will be available to see at Artistry in Wood in the Northway Mall from February 22- Sigmund Restad March 4. This would be a great time to register for Wayne Rockne one of the classes. Woodcarvers, woodturners, woodwork- Haakon Sande ers and woodscrollers will be demonstrating throughout the Aud Severson Artistry in Wood event for everyone to watch and learn. Gordon Severson Just stopping by the Northway Mall to see the fantastic exhibit will be well worth your time. Frederick Steinhauser Robert Stinson For more information and to sign up for a fun day of carving contact Cindy McDowell at 696-0725 or 862-1143. Robert Strother

If you know someone who needs a little sunshine, please call Cindy McDowell 696-0725 NATIONWIDE CASTING SEARCH FOR AMERICANS (cell—862-1143) or email at [email protected]. WITH SWEDISH ROOTS www.greatswedishadventure.com For more information—contract LA office casting producer Sofia Eng at ph: (310)500-8350 or email: [email protected]

New Members!

Michael R. Anderson Meter Television are searching for Americans with Swedish ancestry for a reality TV- show. After the major success of Great Swedish Adventure-Allt för Sverige (The Swedish Chris Nelson title of the show) season 1 we are now casting for season 2.

Robert G. Peterson The Producers of the Swedish version of “American Idol” and “Minute To Win It” are coming to the U.S. to find fun, outgoing Americans with Swedish ancestry to participate in their new television Patricia R. Pine series “Allt för Sverige.”

Donna M. Rydeen Brian the Winner season 1: Before I used the hear the stories, now I lived the stories…

Americans will travel to Sweden and participate in an exciting television series. Chosen participants will compete in extreme cultural challenges to discover their rich and fascinating roots while trying to win the grand prize; MEETING THEIR SWEDISH RELATIVES.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to discover a new land and culture and have a chance to win a Lutefisk for Sale—$9 per lb. spectacular prize.

Frozen - 4 & 5 Pound Packages “Allt för Sverige” will be shot and broadcast in Sweden and potentially other countries as well. This is an incredible “once in Lefse for Sale—$20 a lifetime” opportunity for someone to discover their ances- Package of 1-dozen try and experience their rich and fascinating Swedish cultural heritage. PAGE 4 THE FLYER MARCH|APRIL 2012

Fra biblioteket Inspector Erlender Sveinsson vestigation soon uncovers some the prejudices and inequalities returns in a new novel from of the tensions that simmer of Icelandic society, this novel Icelandic author Arnaldur below the surface of an other- has great clarity, emotional Indridason called Arctic Chill wise liberal and multicultural depth, and resonance.” Check (Vetrarborgin.) Confronting society. Arctic Chill provides out this new pick from the one of modern Scandinavian a vivid portrait of Iceland’s lodge library and you will not society’s growing issues, the little-known culture wars in a be disappointed. Reykjavik police are called to well constructed and fast-paced a block of apartments when a police procedural. Kate Owen Tom Falskow body of a young Asian boy is from the UK’s Daily Telegraph Lodge Librarian found in the garden. The in- has this to say, “ Delving into

Viking Hall News Rental bookings for had installed the new roof Volunteers are always needed weddings and parties for 2012 drains made the necessary to close for rentals. Contact are looking good. Our current repairs along with help from the Viking Hall office staff if debt-free status allows us to Wayne Johnson, Anita Persson you can help with this im- again work on building up the and John Olnes. With these portant effort. Thanks to Ted maintenance and improve- repairs the heating system is Birkedal, Anita Persson and ment fund for future needs. much more efficient and many John and Cynthia Olnes for have commented that the heat recent closings. A few maintenance issues seems more even throughout have already come up in 2012. If you would like to commemo- the building. Inspection of the heat ventila- rate an event in your life and tion and ducting system found Our next maintenance issue “cast it in stone” we would be that repairs were necessary. involved a leak coming from one very happy to take your order Leaks were found in the heat of the new roof drains. The for a brick to be placed at the ducts running through the plumber from Mantech inspect- base of the flagpoles. Each roof trusses. In addition, an ed his work and found the prob- brick is $100 with the proceeds inspection of the heat regis- lem was coming from the roof. going toward the Maintenance ters found that many were Rain Proof Roofing was called and Improvement fund. partially blocked due to failed and the roofers where able to John Olnes fire dampers. Mantech make the necessary repairs Viking Hall President Mechanical was contacted under the warranty period. and the same plumber that

The trip, which will be awarded in To enter this year’s Norwegian NORWEGIAN January of 2013, will include airfare, Experience Recruitment Contest all meals, exclusive travel opportunities you have to do is recruit one new, EXPERIENCE | 2012 and upscale accommodations! Just dues-paying member and make sure Once again Sons of Norway is part- imagine taking a 10 day land-tour of your name is listed in the “Referred nering with Borton Overseas to offer Norway enjoying some of the most By” field. It’s as easy as that! Entries one lucky recruiter and their guest beautiful scenery that Scandinavia has are taken from members recruited an amazing travel experience in to offer! The best part is that the win- between January 1st and December Norway! All year, every Sons of ner gets to choose their own adventure! 31st, 2012. Also, remember that you Norway member who recruits a new, Whether you prefer an active trip full can enter as many times as you re- dues-paying member will be entered of sight-seeing and touring, or a more cruit throughout the year, which into the 2012 Norwegian Experience laid-back vacation, it’s up to you! increases your chances of winning! Recruitment Contest. MARCH|APRIL 2012 THE FLYER PAGE 5 a little in English... litt på norsk... Easter Holiday – Typical Norwegian Påskeferie - typisk norsk!

There are not many countries like Norway, especially Det er ikke mange land som er som Norge, when it comes to Easter holiday! heller ikke når det gjelder påskeferien!

Easter holiday is largely a distinctly Norwegian phenom- Påskeferie er i stor grad et særnorsk fenomén siden enon because Norway is one of the few countries in the Norge er ett av de få land i verden som holder sammen- world that has a continuous holiday weekend from hengende helg fra og med skjærtorsdag til og med 2. Maundy Thursday to the second Easter Sunday in påskedag i påsken. Selve kjernehelgen gir altså de aller Easter. The weekend gives the vast majority a minimum fleste minimum fem sammenhengende fridager eller of five consecutive free-days of Easter holiday. påskeferie.

At the same time generous holiday hours and flexible Samtidig fører generøse fridags-, flexi- og avspasering- time off at work and in school during the Easter season sordninger i arbeidslivet og i skolen til at påskehøytid allows many to take ten consecutive days off – from for mange blir det samme som ti sammenhengende “Palm Saturday,” the Saturday before Palm Sunday, fridager – fra og med "palmelørdag", det vil si lørdagen through the holy week to the second day of Easter. før palmesøndag, gjennom hele den stille uke til og med 2. påskedag. Through cliché representations in the media and the public sphere impressions are created and reinforced Gjennom klisjépregede fremstillinger i media og i de annually that ski, sun, snow, oranges, Kvikk Lunsj and offentlige rom skapes og forsterkes årlig et inntrykk av Easter crime novels by the fireplace is the typical Easter at ski, sol, snø, appelsiner, Kvikk Lunsj og påskekrim i for the majority of Norwegians. In reality, the Easter peiskroken er en del av påsken for folk flest. I virke- holiday for the vast majority is first and foremost about ligheten er påskeferie for den store majoriteten først og leisure and mellow days at home – maybe spending time fremst fritid og rolige dager på hjemmebane - kanskje with family or friends. med noe samvær med slekt og venner.

The tan skin tone one gets after long days outdoors, sun- Den brune hudfargen en får etter lange utedager og bathing in the thin high altitude mountain air and in soling i tynn høyfjellsluft og snørike omgivelser, kalles snowy environments is called “Easter brown.” The in- gjerne "påskebrun", mens den økte biltrafikken til og creased car traffic to and from the mountains is more or fra fjellet først og sist i ferien kalles "påsketrafikk". less called “Easter traffic.” “Easter snow” is used to refer "Påskeføre" brukes vanligvis om skiføret i påska, da to the ski conditions over Easter, when the snow is often snøen ofte er gammel, grov og kornete, våt om dagen og old, rough and grainy, wet during the day and icy at skarp om kvelden. night. **Taken from Radio Ålesund 7. April 2009 by Egil Farstad(http:// www.radioaalesund.no/modules/module_123/proxy.asp?C=42&I=3214&D=2)

Ski for Light 2012 Congratulations are in order for lodge members Heather Hall and John Olnes who both attend- ed the annual Ski for Light (SFL) International event held in February at the Soldier Hollow cross-country ski area near Provo, Utah. Ski for Light is an all-volunteer, non-profit or- ganization founded in 1975. The goal of SFL is to teach visu- Thursday, March 1st Thursday, April 5th ally– and mobility-impaired adults how to cross-country ski. Board Meeting Board Meeting Heather Hall was selected for the 2012 Ski for Light Ridder- 7 pm 7 pm renn Team. Two guides and two skiers were selected to represent SFL at the Norwegian Ridderrennet event taking Thursday, March 8th Thursday, April 12th place March 18-25, 2012, in Beitostolen, Norway. Heather’s Potluck/Program Program expertise is in guiding mobility-impaired skiers and she 6:30 pm 6:30 pm currently serves on the SFL Board of Directors. Many of you may remember John Olnes was selected for the Ridderrenn New Member Business Meeting Team in 2006 and is a past SFL board member. Welcome/ 7:30 pm John Olnes received the 2012 Bjarne Eikevik President's Business Meeting award. The traveling Bjarne Eikevik President's award is a 7:30 pm pewter drinking horn given to SFL by the Norwegians in 1985 to give to a deserving person for their hard work and dedica- tion in working for and improving Ski for Light. John’s name Board Meetings & Business Meetings Open to All will be engraved on the horn alongside previous honorees. Gratulerer John og Heather! PAGE 6 THE FLYER MARCH|APRIL 2012

Bernt Balchen Lodge Scholarships The 2012 Scholarship applications for both the Higher Application deadlines are once again April 15. Education Scholarship and the Heritage Scholarship Scholarship recipients will be chosen by April 30th are available at the Sons of Norway Lodge or by email and announced at the 17th of May Celebration. at [email protected]. If you have questions concerning application require- The Higher Education Scholarship is for persons en- ments and procedures, please contact Wallace Smith, tering a school of learning beyond high school level. Chair of the Scholarship Committee, at 346-3659 or The Heritage Scholarship is for persons desiring to by email at [email protected]. learn the language and heritage subjects offered in these programs. Sons of Norway International & District 2 Scholarships

Several scholarships are offered by the Sons of Norway Foundation and District 2. Go to www.sofn.com and www.sonsofnorway2.com to get a full description for each scholarship and application details.

HEY, KIDS!

COME TO CAMP! Sons of Norway

That’s right! We are going to offer a Kids Camp at Viking Hall this summer. It will NORWEGIAN be July 16-20, 10 am-3 pm and will be for elementary ages. FISH DINNER

We are going to have great fun th and there will be wonderful Saturday, April 14 opportunities to learn some new skills from our heritage and 5:30 pm culture.

Mark the dates on your calendar and watch Mark your calendar for the upcoming for camp registration in the next few Norwegian Fish Dinner to be held in months. April. Organizers are putting together a tasty menu so this is an event you We can also use some more volunteers: a don’t want to miss! few members to prepare lunch for the camp- ers, members to help with crafts and other A reminder postcard will be sent in activities and some middle school students early April with menu details and as helpers. Give me a call 563-8006 or dinner prices. email me at [email protected] or leave your name and phone number at Viking Hall Lodge Curling Team and we will contact you. Come out and cheer our Lodge curling team on! Mickey Andrew The team will be curling on the following Fridays at 6:30pm—March 16 & March 23. Camp Committee Chair

The Anchorage Curling Club venue is located at 711 E. Loop Road on Government Hill. PAGE 7 THE FLYER MARCH|APRIL 2012

Cultural Corner—Egil the Viking Have you ever wondered what Vikings were really began to lighten and he returned to like, to have a close-up view of what they said and active life. Egil lived to the ripe old did? You can get that experience if you read the Ice- age of 80 years. landic saga called Egil’s Saga. The saga was most Egil’s “Lament for My Sons” (Sonatorekk)” is consid- likely written around 1230 A.D. by the great Iceland- ered his greatest masterpiece and it gives good insight ic historian and political leader Snorri Sturluson. into the humanity that lies behind his Viking exterior. Egil’s father, Skalagrim, came to Iceland from Nor- Here is a stanza from among the many in that beauti- way in the days of King Harald (872 A.D-933 A.D.) ful and moving poem.

Egil was born to Skalagrim and his wife, Bera, in A storm-bowed maple 910 A.D. When he grows up he joins the Viking life I sorrow for my son and has adventures and battles in Norway, England, My boy, who has bent Sweden, Holland, and northern Germany. He is a His body to earth dangerous man who relishes a good fight. In one Unhappy he encounter of single combat he neatly takes off the leg Whose kin is hewn down of a Berserk warrior with one swing of his sword. In And must bear away the bones another escapade he manages to win the anger of From the bed King Erik Bloodaxe of Norway and is chased in his Viking ship by the King’s men who are cleverly ma- Egil continued to compose poetry well into his old age. neuvered into grounding their heavier ship on a He recited this one just before his death.

shallow rock between two islands. Time passes tediously

Yet Egil is more than a warrior. He is a complex and I tarry here alone thoughtful man. He is also one of the greatest poets An old senile elder of the Viking age. Once, after being captured by With no king to aid me King Erik in York, England, Egil saved his neck by I walk on two widows composing the clever and famous “Head Ransom” Once true women poem. Erik Bloodaxe found the poem so amusing Now frosted and feeble Needing the old flame that he spared Egil from losing his head.

Egil retired from the Viking life at around 50 years The Icelandic sagas were written in vernacular Ice- of age and spent the rest of his long life at his Ice- landic and the prose is lively, lean and to the point. landic farm enjoying family life and local politics. So, do not be afraid to pick up Egil’s Saga and read it He loved his two sons and his daughter very much on your own in English, or any saga for that matter. and was devastated when he lost the last of his The best translation I have come across for Egil’s Saga grown sons to the sea. Depressed by his sons’ un- is Hermann Pálsson’s and Paul Edwards version. It is available in the Penguin Classics series. timely deaths he took to his bed chamber in in deep mourning. His daughter consoled Egil in his grief Happy Reading

and convinced him to compose a poem dedicated to Terje “Ted” Birkedal, Cultural Director his sons. Once he created this poem his dark mood

Norwegian Language & Culture Classes Rosemaling Classes

The word rosemaling is used to describe a form of Beginning: Sunday 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM decorative flower painting that originated in Norway Advanced: Sunday 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the 1700s. Rosemaling classes with Anna Decker meet twice a month on Tuesdays. Below are class If you are interested in taking one of the classes dates for March and April.

please contact Ted Birkedal, Cultural March 13th & 27th, 7-9 pm Director, at (907) 351-6095 or via email at April 10th & 24th, 7-9 pm

[email protected]. Classes are open to all experience levels and new individuals are always welcome to attend. Contact Anna at 694-2051 for more information. Non Profit Organization Sons of Norway US Postage 8141 Briarwood St. PAID Anchorage, AK 99518 Anchorage, Alaska PERMIT 505 907-349-1613

March Events 1 Thursday 7 pm Board Meeting, all welcome 8 Thursday 6:30 pm Potluck/Program

7:30 pm New Member Welcome/Business Meeting FOOD BANK DONATIONS

10 Saturday 9am-4pm Woodcarving, pg 3 Our lodge continues to donate canned goods, 13 Tuesday 7-9 pm Rosemaling with Anna Decker non-perishable foods and money to the local food bank. 15 Thursday 11:30-1:30 Kaffeslabberas, pg. 1 Please bring your food or monetary 24 Saturday 3-7 pm Cultural & Heritage Event, pg. 2 donation in to Viking Hall. 27 Tuesday 7-9 pm Rosemaling with Anna Decker April Events 5 Thursday 7 pm Board Meeting, all welcome 10 Tuesday 7-9 pm Rosemaling with Anna Decker 12 Thursday 6:30 / 7:30 pm Program / Business Meeting 14 Saturday 5:30 pm Norwegian Fish Dinner, pg. 6 19 Thursday 11:30-1:30 Kaffeslabberas, pg. 1 24 Tuesday 7-9 pm Rosemaling with Anna Decker Weekly Events Sundays 5:30-6:30 pm Beginning Norwegian Language and Culture 7-8 pm Advanced Norwegian Language and Culture All events take place at Viking Hall, 8141 Briarwood St., unless otherwise noted. Please send articles or event information for the next newsletter by the 15th to [email protected] or call Cynthia at 562-2794 with questions