Norwegian a Savory Waffle Appetizer Perfect for the Holidays American Story on Page 12 Volume 127, #32 • December 2, 2016 Est
the Inside this issue: Norwegian A savory waffle appetizer perfect for the holidays american story on page 12 Volume 127, #32 • December 2, 2016 Est. May 17, 1889 • Formerly Norwegian American Weekly, Western Viking & Nordisk Tidende $3 USD
What’s inside? Is it time to do away with the Electoral « Livet går videre Nyheter / News 2-3 og æ følge etter. » Business 4-5 College? Thoughts from a former elector – Halvdan Sivertsen Opinion 6-7 Sports 8-9 Scott Larsen Research & Science 10 New Westminster, B.C. Fiction 11 Many readers of The Norwegian American and vote for the next president and vice president. Taste of Norway 12-13 are thinking about ribbe, as well as the much I laughed in my research about the Electoral Norway near you 14-15 maligned lutefisk, and fattigmann (cookies made College when I came across this line from one with cream and brandy, rolled and deep fried) of my favorite books on the presidency. It said: Travel 16-17 this season. But there is something that has to “Individuals who serve as electors ... are usually Norwegian Heritage 18-19 be done on Dec. 19: elect a president and vice persons who have contributed heavily to party Norsk Språk 20-21 president of the United States. coffers (read: money) or who have served the Arts & Entertainment 22-23 While we thought the long, tortuous presi- party with distinction.” dential campaign and election was over on Nov. Well, I don’t know about “serving with dis- 8, think again. tinction” but I sure didn’t “contribute heavily” $1 = NOK 8.577 On Dec. 19, six days before many of us gath- to the political party’s coffers in being elected as updated 11/28/2016 er around the Christmas tree, 538 electors from all In comparison 50 states and the District of Columbia will meet See > electors page 6 10/28/2016 8.2684 05/28/2016 8.3379 11/28/2015 8.7032 An item from Scott Larsen’s presidential collection: a 1944 era poster from the State of Washington. Photo: Scott Larsen 2 • December 2, 2016 Nyheter fra Norge theNorwegianamerican Nyheter 80.000 turister til Trolltunga i år Vinmonopolet åpner ni nye butikker Styret i Vinmonopolet har vedtatt å åpne Turismen til Trolltunga i ni nye butikker neste år. De fleste kommer 2016 er formidable hun- i østlandsområdet, men også i Nordland, Nord-Trøndelag og Hordaland kommer dre ganger så mange det nye butikker. — Vi ønsker å åpne som i 2010 en god blanding av små, mellomstore og store butikker neste år. Tre kommer Ingvild Fjelltveit i distriktskommuner, og vil ytterligere NRK bedre tilgjengeligheten til Vinmonopolet i distriktene. Vi prioriterer også folkerike — Det har vært en formidabel vekst, steder med mye handel, men som bare sier Olaf Bratland i Statens Naturoppsyn. mangler et Vinmonopol, sier adminis- Han har siden 2013 registrert fot trerende direktør Hilde Britt Mellbye i en turistene som bestiger Trolltunga i perioden pressemelding. Butikkene vil bli plassert juni-august, på oppdrag fra Fylkesmannen i på Hunstad eller Mørkved i Bodø i Nord- Hordaland. land, i Frosta i Nord-Trøndelag og i Sund i Odda kommune beregner det endelige Hordaland. I Buskerud vil det komme nye besøkstallet per år ved å legge sammen disse pol på Vik i Hole og i Drammen, mens tallene med beregninger for den delen av året i Akershus vil det komme tre nye butik- naturoppsynet ikke teller. Foto: Asle Hella / NRK ker i henholdsvis på Råholt i Eidsvoll, Kommunen anslår at det i 2010 var 800 Denne dagen var det cirka én time ventetid for å komme ut på «tunga» for å få tatt selfie-bildet. på Skedsmokorset i Skedsmo kommune personer som besteg Trolltunga. Seks år se- og på Metro-senteret i Lørenskog. Også nere var antallet 80.000. Oslo vil bli tilgodesett med et nytt utsalg. Tallene til Statens Naturopsyn tar ikke kerheten til turistene og for å ta vare på besøkende i løpet av 2016. Vinmonopolet ønsker å åpne disse butik- høyde for turister som går opp utenfor se landskapet, sier rådgiver Rolf Bøen i Odda. — Besøket har vært litt lavere enn for- kene i 2017, forutsatt at de finner egnede song. Det reelle tallet befinner seg dermed Han forteller at kommunen blant annet ventet. Det skyldes nok i stor grad dårlig lokaler i den enkelte kommune. I tre av en plass mellom 80.000 og 90.000 i år, ifølge har sikret stier og bygget nødbuer som skal vær, for vi merker at mens antallet utenlands kommunene, Frosta, Sund og Hole, er oppsynet og kommunen. brukes dersom været slår om. turister, som allerede har bestilt en reise, har det ikke Vinmonopol fra før. Ved utgan- Eksplosjonen av turister til Trolltunga, — Når vi får besøk fra hele verden, er holdt seg stabilt. Men det har kommet færre gen av 2017 vil Vinmonopolet ha totalt har også bydd på utfordringer. Hele 40 gang- det mange som er litt Severin Suveren og nordmenn, sier Bøen. 333 butikker, inkludert de nye butikkene. er har redningsmannskaper i Odda rykket ut som ikke hører på de lokale. De er rett og Neste år tror han besøkstallet vil passere Med dette vil 91 prosent av befolkningen til oppdrag ved Trolltunga i år. slett er for dårlig forberedt, sier Bøen. 100.000. bo i kommuner med eget Vinmonopol, — Det har vært en stor utfordring å Kommunen sa etter en formidabel mens 96,5 prosent av befolkningen vil bo håndtere turisteksplosjonen og å få på plass økning i antall turister i sommer at de for- English Synopsis: Tourism to Trolltunga has in- creased from 800 in 2010 to 80,000 in 2016. nærmere enn 30 kilometer fra nærmeste tiltak har vært helt nødvendig, både for sik- ventet at de kunne passere hundre tusen Vinmonopol, viser oversikten fra Vin monopolet. (Aftenposten) Widerøe starter nordlysflyvninger Færre store Joners Listhaug-kritikk Nordlysturismen når nye høyder når Widerøe starter flyvninger over sky- julebord Kristoffer Joners kraft- dekket. Denne vinteren skal flyselskapet ige oppgjør med Sylvi tilby timelange flyvninger over skydekket Noen kutter ut førjuls- for turister som kommer til Tromsø for å Listhaug på Facebook oppleve naturfenomenet. Widerøe stiller festen, og det er blitt van- var i regi av Noas og et fly og mannskap til disposisjon for tur ligere med egenandel operatører som så skal tilby nordlysflyv et reklamebyrå ninger til turister. — Sightseeingturene Stella Bugge vil vare litt over én time. Spesielt på VG Jørn Pettersen & Magnus Newth dager med overskyet vær kan dette være VG et attraktivt tilbud for langveisfarende, Flere firmaer som er hardt rammet av sier direktør Terje Skram i Widerøe til oljeprisfallet har droppet julebordet. Tidlig 22. november hadde NOAS NRK. Ideen om nordlysflyvninger kom Hverken Statoil, Aker Solutions eller (Norsk Organisasjon for Asylsøkere) fått inn fra kabinansatte i Widerøe. — Flyvnin- oljeserviceselskapet Schlumberger arrang- 2,6 millioner kroner som følge av innlegget gene starter og ender i Tromsø. Dette skal erer julebord lenger. til Kristoffer Joner som er skuespiller og foregå i perioden januar til mars, sier di- I år er det kroken på døren for slike lokalpolitiker for Ap. rektøren. Utenlandske gjestedøgn i Nord- arrangement i det statskontrollerte olje Han går i sitt første Facebook-innlegg Foto: Terje Bringedal / VG Norge om vinteren er firedoblet i løpet av selskapet som rundt nyttår regner med å ha til frontalangrep på innvandrings- og inte- Kristoffer Joners innlegg på Facebook resulterte 10 år, og det er først og fremst nordlyset i underkant av 21.000 ansatte. greringsminister Sylvi Listhaug. Bakgrun- i 2,6 millioner kroner til NOAS. turistene vil oppleve. — For oss er det — Fra i år har vi kuttet ut julebord og nen for innlegget er et innlegg Listhaug selv veldig spennende å teste ut dette konsep- oppfordrer til en julelunsj som arrangeres av publiserte på Facebook tidligere i November. tet. For å være helt ærlig så er vi litt usikre arbeidsgiver, sier Morten Eek, pressekontakt I innlegget refererer Listhaug til en Magrit Austenå synes ikke det er problem- på markedsgrunnlaget. Men hvis flyene i Statoil. Årsaken er at man ønsker å kutte avisartikkel i «The New York Times» som atisk at det er NOAS og reklamebyrået An- fylles opp, skal vi satse enda mer på dette kostnader og vise nøkternhet. omtaler Norges asylpolitikk som en av orak som står bak. og fly fra flere steder, sier Skram. Dette — Den generelle trenden i hele Norge verdens strengeste etter utsendelsen av — Vi har snakket en stund med Anorak viser at Widerøe tar interessen for nord- er at de store julebordene er på vei ned, man Mousavi-brødrene. om å gjøre en gratis kampanje for oss, men lyset på alvor, sier administrerende direk- inviterer ikke alle ansatte i bedriften til et I Listhaugs innlegg oppfordrer hun alle vi diskuterte egentlig noe annet. Imidler- tør i Nordnorsk Reiseliv, Trond Øverås. svært julebord, sier Nils Henrik Geitle, ad- de som er enige med henne til å like og dele tid kjenner én i byrået Joner, og de hadde — Det er en spenstig produktutvikling. ministrerende direktør for De Historiske Ho- innlegget. snakket om at de ville gjøre noe sånt. Jeg tror dette kompletterer nordlystil tel og spisesteder. «Sylvi får mene hva hun vil, men at vår Målet for kampanjen, Listhaug, reagerte budet, for det er en type produkt som ikke — Vi ser også at flere og flere må betale innvandrings- og integreringsminister, uan- umiddelbart på nyheten om at et reklame finnes i dag, sier han. Han ser ikke bort en andel selv, og det tror jeg mange aksep- sett hvem han eller hun er, oppfører seg på byrå sto bak kampanjen. ifra at det er marked for dette, fordi nord terer. Innen statlige foretak er det helt vanlig en så respektløs måte, er på ingen måte greit. — Jeg har stor forståelse hvis noen føler lysgjestene har et vidt spenn av ønsker. at folk må ut med egenandel når de skal ut og At en som representerer landet vårt fryder seg lurt: Dette er fremstilt som en reaksjon — Vi ser at nordlysproduktene har ut- spise, sier han. seg over medmenneskers tragedie, er for viklet seg veldig fra man startet opp, og En annen sektor som er preget av mørke kastelig. At hun i tillegg bruker en “LIK og Se > joner, side 21 det er relativt stor variasjon i innhold og skyer, er mediebransjen. DEL”-taktikk for å spre disse holdningene ut form, sier Øverås. til flest mulig folk, vil ikke jeg være bekjent English Synopsis: Kristoffer Joner’s Facebook post (Sveinung Åsali & Ida Louise Rostad, English Synopsis: Many Norwegian companies, med. Og er dessuten ganske kvalmende» encouraging people to donate to the Norwegian Orga- NRK) especially those affected by falling oil prices, have skriver Joner i innlegget. nization for Asylum Seekers in Sylvi Listhaug’s name dropped the traditional large julebord this year. Men Generalsekretær i NOAS, Ann- was organized with NOAS and an advertising agency. theNorwegianamerican News December 2, 2016 • 3 World champ cheese Viking King’s This week in brief Norway moves up English-speaking ranks Kraftkar, a cheese church found Norwegians are the fourth best non-native English speakers in the world, according made by Tingvollost, Archaeologists find to a new study released in November. The English Proficiency Index (EPI) takes the top prize in remains they believe from global language training company a field of 3,021 entries Education First (EF) put Norway behind to be the resting only the Netherlands, Denmark, and Swe- place of Saint Olav II den for non-native English proficiency. Although the fourth-place position M. Michael Brady was the same as last year’s ranking, Nor- Asker, Norway Charlotte Bryan & Michael Sandelson wegians once again improved their scores The Foreigner in an index they topped as recently as 2011. On Wednesday, November 16, a Norwe- Norway was one of only seven countries to Klemenskirken in Sør-Trøndelag Coun- gian blue cheese, Kraftkar, made by Tingvoll receive the “very high” proficiency rank. ty’s Trondheim originates from the Middle ost, sold by gourmet shops and counters Norway’s overall score of 68.5 out of Ages. It is believed to have been built in across Norway and served in Scandinavian a possible 100 was an improvement over around 1015. restaurants, was named World Champion in last year’s ranking and put Norwegians Olaf Tryggvason (King Olav I of Nor- the 29th annual World Cheese Awards, held just behind one group of friendly rivals, the way), whose reign was between 995 and in San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain. Swedes, and ahead of another, the Finns. 1000 A.D., constructed it after Trondheim The story behind that happening is both Photo: Tingvollost Photo Singapore also earned the “very was founded in 997, historians have said. old and new. It’s old because Tingvollost is Tingvollost Chairman Gunnar Waagan receiving high” distinction as the first Asian coun- What the archaeologists have now located in Tingvoll township at the Saghaug World Champion award. try to do so. Still, Europeans had the best found in a courtyard between Søndre gate Gård (Saghaug Farm), in operation since the English skills “by a wide margin” with and Krambugata in the town’s center appears early 14th century. The name Kraftkar (hulk the Nordics leading the way, EF said. to be the church’s foundations. of a fellow) is taken from the local legend ing began there in 2003, after the Norwe- Among the study’s other findings “I’m as certain as possible about this of farm hand Tore Nordbø, who was said gian Ministry of Agriculture changed the were that women have better English skills [discovery],” Anna Petersen, project man- to possess supernatural powers and was so relevant regulations to allow local dairy than men in almost all countries, including ager at the Norwegian Institute for Cul- broad shouldered that he had to walk side- farmers to make cheese from the milk from Norway, where women scored a full three tural Heritage Research (NIKU), told Ad- ways through doorways. their own herds of dairy cattle. The change, points higher than their male counterparts. resseavisen. It’s new because Tingvoll township is implemented by Agriculture Minister Lars Perhaps not surprisingly, the 18-25 age In 1030 A.D., King Olav II was slain at on the west coast of what is now Møre og Sponheim, an agricultural economist by edu- group also performed best worldwide. Romsdal County, as the crow flies 34 miles At the bottom of the 72-country See > Olav ii, page 10 northeast of the city of Molde. Cheesemak- See > cheese, page 19 study were Laos, Libya, and Iraq. (Justin Cremer / The Local) “Selective reduction” abortions “Most beautiful banknotes” debut available to foreign women in Norway Norway’s health authorities have ruled Norway’s central that foreign women pregnant with twins should be allowed to abort one fetus in bank unveiled the Norwegian hospitals, even if it is healthy. The ruling, made by Norway’s Min- nation’s gorgeous istry of Health, is expected to open the way for women from neighboring Swe- new banknotes den and Denmark, where the procedure of “selective reduction” is not permitted in the same way. According to NRK, several The Local women from other Nordic countries had already contacted Norwegian hospitals Norway’s central bank unveiled the na- about having the procedure. tion’s new banknotes on November 22, and Norway’s Department of Justice ruled it doesn’t take a super keen observer to see in February that selective reduction proce- what is different about them. For the very dures should be treated no differently un- first time in the nation’s history, Norway’s der Norwegian law than any other abortion banknotes will not be adorned with portraits. and should therefore be legal until the end Instead, the bills pay homage to Norway’s of the 12th week of pregnancy. tight bonds with the sea. “We don’t as the Directorate have The 50 kroner note features a lighthouse Photo: Norges Bank anything to say about the ethics,” To- modeled after the Utvær lighthouse in Sol- The new 100 kroner bills feature the Gokstad Viking ship. runn Janbu from Norway’s Directorate of und that is the nation’s westernmost point. Health told The Local. The 100 kroner note displays Norway’s The decision went against the advice largest preserved Viking ship, the Gokstad, pixilated images designed with patterns that The notes all feature state-of-the-art se- of many doctors, who fear that the pro- while the 200 kroner bill shows a large cod follow the Beaufort wind scale. curity features, including a ring in the lower cedure carries risks for the health of both backed by herring and a fishing net. In debuting the notes for the very first left corner that “floats” and displays the cur- the mother and the remaining fetus. “We The 500 kroner note symbolizes pros- time, Norges Bank touted that “they have al- rency when the note is tilted, a running an- have not found any medical benefit from perity with an image of the rescue vessel RS ready been called ‘the world’s most beautiful chor chain down the right side that appears to this,” Dr. Birgitte Heiberg Kahrs, a spe- 14 Stavanger and the 1,000 kroner note is banknotes.’” move, and a watermark displaying the head cialist in fetal medicine at St. Olav’s Hos- a rolling wave meant to convey “the sea as “The combination of the retrospec- of an Atlantic puffin. pital in Oslo. “On the contrary, it exposes a counterforce that hones us, and a driving tive, iconic obverse motif and the reverse’s “As the central bank, Norges Bank bears the second child in the womb to danger.” force that carries us forward.” modern, abstract cubic pattern is completely the responsibility for ensuring that the secu- “Our recommendation was that this The reverse of all of the new notes con- novel in international banknote design,” the should only be allowed for twins if one fe- tinue the maritime theme and feature heavily bank wrote in a statement. See banknotes, page 10 > tus showed developmental abnormalities, and that it should be done between weeks This week’s news from Norway is brought to you through partnerships with: 12 and 14 to reduce the abortion risk.” Multifetal pregnancies are becoming increasingly common as a result of IVF treatments, although selective reduction is more commonly carried out when there are three or more fetuses. www.thelocal.no & theforeigner.no (The Local) 4 • December 2, 2016 Business theNorwegianamerican Business News & Notes Norway’s new banknotes way’s new banknotes” at Vippetangen in Redefining innovation In recent years, a number of Norway’s Oslo, November 22-27. The interface be- neighboring countries have issued new and tween security and design was the focus of more secure banknotes. Fortunately, only a the exhibition, which also provided a rare glimpse into the complexity of banknotes. through recycling very small proportion of banknotes in Nor- way are counterfeit. However, if Norway’s (Norges Bank) banknotes lag behind in terms of security, What two brothers started in a small shed the country runs the risk of developing a Norwegian named Europe’s best low counterfeiting problem. cost airline at industry awards in Norway has grown to become Tomra, a “As the central bank, Norges Bank On November 14, Norwegian was awarded world leader in material recovery bears the responsibility for ensuring that the the title of “Best Low Cost Airline—Eu- security level of Norwegian banknotes is rope” for a fourth consecutive year by lead- sufficiently high at all times. Norges Bank ing industry website www.airlineratings. has therefore produced a new banknote se- com. ries that is more secure than ever before,” Airlineratings.com attracts over 14 says Governor Øystein Olsen. million visitors from 232 countries, with For the first time in history, Norwegian the website announcing its Airline Excel- banknotes will not feature portraits. Instead, lence Awards each year to celebrate and the new notes all reflect a common theme: promote excellence in the airline industry. the sea. A traditional, iconic design is fea- In selecting Norwegian as Europe’s tured on the front of the new notes, with a Best Low Cost Airline for a fourth con- different maritime motif for each denomina- secutive year, the website’s editorial team tion, based on proposals from Metric Design praised Norwegian for its innovation of and Terje Tønnessen. The modern, pixelated bringing affordable and safe travel to mil- patterns on the back of the notes are built up lions of passengers across Europe and be- around a grid system based on the Beaufort yond. wind force scale, developed from Snøhetta’s AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief proposal. Geoffrey Thomas said: “Norwegian has Norges Bank aims to put the new re-written the low cost book and delivers 100-krone and 200-krone notes into circu- outstanding value to its passengers. You lation on May 30, 2017. The other denomi- know your airline is a winner when other nations will be launched in 2018 and 2019. airlines try and block your innovation and However, the general public was given a low fares.” sneak preview at the exhibition “Meet Nor- (Norwegian) Photo courtesy of Tomra One of the company’s reverse vending machines. Exchange Rates Oslo Børs: Week at a Glance (Nov. 28, 2016) Winners Losers Rasmus Falck Oslo, Norway Norsk Kr. 8.5770 Name NOK Change Name NOK Change Dansk Kr. 7.0308 Havila Shipping 1.40 47.37% GC Rieber Shipping 11.70 -10.00% Farstad Shipping 3.79 13.13% Avocet Mining 5.92 -9.62% The largest reverse vending machine they went into the full container recycling Svensk Kr. 9.2319 Oceanteam 1.12 12.00% Petrolia 3.76 -8.07% producer in the world is Norwegian-based value chain, including collection, pick-up, Islandsk Kr. 113.09 Storm Real Estate 4.75 8.70% NTS 25.40 -7.64% Tomra—the company has over 70,000 of the processing, material trading, recycling, and Incus Investor 1.30 8.33% BW Offshore Limited 0.37 -7.50% Canadian $ 1.3408 machines installed. Last year Tomra made production of new containers. For some Euro 0.9450 For detailed information about the Oslo Børs, visit www.dn.no. all-time high revenue of NOK 4.7 billion. years they had annual growth of close to 50 After several acquisitions, the company has percent. The most significant factor behind also become world-market leaders with a 60 this growth was their growing presence in percent market share in material recovery the U.S. By 1999 sales in the U.S. accounted from collection solutions and a 40 to 65 per- for more than half of total revenue. A new cent share in sorting solutions. milestone was reached with the launch of a Tomra was founded as an innovation new model of their return machine, which for the return of empty beverage containers was a leap forward in technology, incorpo- more than forty years ago. When a local gro- rating a number of innovations such as a new IT’S YOUR FUTURE cer wanted a machine that could quickly and container recognition system, horizontal easily take back empty bottles, brothers Pet- container in-feed, a built-in modem, and an PLAN FOR IT ter and Tore Planke created a solution to the advanced graphics display. Your hopes and dreams are too important to leave to chance. problem in a small shed in Asker. By the turn of the century, Tomra had We’ll help you follow a financial path that leads to your goals. The company was officially founded developed into a truly international corpora- While we’re at it, we’ll help make sure you’re prepared in 1972; by the end of the year, they had in- tion, with over 1,700 employees working in for the unexpected, because your family— stalled 29 machines. By the next year, the 34 different countries. In 2000 the company and your future—are counting on you. company had entered into several distribu- saw that it would need to develop a more Call your local Thrivent Financial tion agreements in Europe and the United comprehensive business platform in order to representative or visit States. Throughout the next four years, reve- meet its growth targets. The most notable de- Thrivent.com/planforit today. nue increased tenfold. And after that, growth velopments came through a number of stra- really began to take off. tegic acquisitions. After Tomra’s stock listing in 1985, op- A spirit of entrepreneurship, a passion timism ruled and the company positioned for innovation, and a focus on finding solu- itself for growth in the U.S. But macro- tions guide the company to this day. Tomra economic conditions wanted otherwise. has continuously redefined what it means to The Soviet Union dumped millions of tons be innovative. The Innovation Magazine just This is a solicitation for insurance. A Thrivent Financial representative may contact you. Insurance products of aluminum on the world market, lead- named Tomra as one of the 25 most innova- issued or offered by Thrivent Financial, the marketing name for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Appleton, WI. ing to a dramatic drop in the price. As the tive companies in Norway! Not all products are available in all states. Thrivent Financial representatives are licensed insurance agents/producers of Thrivent. For additional important information, visit Thrivent.com/disclosures. prices plummeted by over 60 percent in four months, there were little incentives left to Appleton, Wisconsin • Minneapolis, Minnesota • Thrivent.com • 800-847-4836 • Rasmus Falck is a strong recycle aluminum cans in non-deposit mar- 29282J N10-16 innovation and entrepre- kets. The substantial financial losses suffered neurship advocate. The au- by the company forced Tomra to abandon thor of “What do the best LEWIS O. TITLAND Quality Accounting & Tax Services for: most of its U.S. activities. The company then do better” and “The board Certified Public Accountant concentrated on its strong European position of directors as a resource Small businesses to maintain its leading edge in product de- (206)789-5433 in SME,” he received his Individuals velopment. masters degree from the 221 1st Ave. W. Ste. 400 Specialized Assistance In the 1990s, Tomra acquired a materi- Seattle, WA 98119 University of Wisconsin-Madison. He currently al-handling company. With this acquisition, lives in Oslo, Norway. theNorwegianamerican Business December 2, 2016 • 5 Startup Guide tackles Norway: Oslo joins Startup Everywhere’s title list Oslo probably isn’t the first city to come to mind in terms of healthy startup scenes, Mark Fletcher at least from an outsider’s point of view, but Nordic Startup Bits expect that worldview to have some major changes in the near future. Among the many happenings during the “Oslo is a vibrant world capital with a Oslo Innovation Week in October, Startup reputation for being wealthy and self-sustain- Guide Oslo was officially released at a launch ing. Working on this guide really showed me party hosted by MESH. Startup Everywhere how the focus of the city’s most alert, ambi- has previously published startup guides for tious people is helping to expand Norway’s cities like Copenhagen, Stockholm, Berlin, worldview and the reach of Norwegian re- and many others with second editions in the sources. Given the recent decline of oil prices planning stage. Now it is Oslo’s time to shine. in particular, it’s been important for Norway Audrey Camp, a co-author of the guide to reconsider its future place in the world. who moved to Norway in 2011, has seen a Innovation is the touchstone. As I moved in rapid expansion in the Oslo startup ecosys- this world for the six weeks it took to write tem. The research phase of putting the book the book, I felt like things were really hop- together was an exciting time as she made ping. Coinciding with Oslo Innovation Week, her way around town talking to the movers we launched Startup Guide Oslo, Oslo House and the shakers. of Innovation officially opened its doors, and “Each of those people blew me away Photo courtesy of Nordic Startup Bits the pointnineniners—an all-female business with their focus and drive. Each possessed From left to right: Kriszti Toth (MESH Norway Co-Founder), co-author Audrey Camp, Sissel Hansen angel network—launched their initiative. Yet that special glimmer of character that I have (Startup Everywhere Founder), and Thomas Nymark Horsted (Startup Everywhere Co-Founder). this is also just the beginning,” said Camp. begun to see as a common element in truly innovative people.” To learn more about the Startup Guide, visit She was particularly impressed with working spaces cooperate with one another, What was Camp’s favorite section to startupeverywhere.com/index.php/product/ their passion for sharing the word. which I think is key to the success of the en- work on? oslo. “Every person I spoke to, whether he or tire ecosystem.” “My favorite part of the book is the she was representing a startup, a co-working The book is divided into chapters that chapter of interviews with successful (and This article was originally published on Nor- space, or a program to support startups, was cover topics including co-working spaces, sometimes serial) entrepreneurs who kicked dic Startup Bits at www.nordicstartupbits. open, enthusiastic, and optimistic. One thing hot up-and-coming startups, and incubator off their major operations in Norway,” she com/2016/10/26/startup-guide-oslo-launch- I loved hearing was how the different co- programs. replied. es-bang-oslo-innovation-week. Kom inn for en omvisning og lunsj Subscribe today! Call (206) 784-4617 or email [email protected] Norsk Julegudstjeneste
.. et flott sted å bo! Norwegian Language Advent
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Wednesday, December 7, 6:30-8:00 PM Ness Family Chapel @ Pacific Lutheran University thank you for reading our paper! tusen takk www.plu.edu/scancenter 253-535-7349 6 • December 2, 2016 Opinion theNorwegianamerican
An opinion column about current issues in Norway and the United States On the EDGE Join the conversation! Is it time to do away with the Electoral College?
the Electoral College resulted in a tie, oddly, between two members of the same < electors political party: 69 each for Aaron Burr From page 1 (of noted dueling fame who shot and killed Federalist Alexander Hamilton) a Democratic elector in 1980 and 1984. and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson’s oppo- Sadly, while I was elected as an elec- nent was Federalist John Adams. tor from Washington State’s Fifth Con- Even in 1800, behind-the-scenes gressional District in 1980 and 1984, my planning (The beginning of “smoke- state did not vote Democratic. Which filled” politicking?) by Democratic-Re- meant I did not get to travel to Olympia publicans planned for one of the electors to vote, because the state voted for Ron- to abstain from casting his second vote ald Reagan. So the Republican electors for Aaron Burr. This would have led to traveled to Olympia to cast their votes. Jefferson receiving one electoral vote That being said, it is interesting to see more than Burr, making Jefferson presi- all the social media comments about “get- dent with Burr becoming vice president. ting to the electors” before Dec. 19—one The plan failed. Each elector who even posted all of the names of the Demo- voted for Jefferson also voted for Burr, cratic and Republican 2016 electors with resulting in a tied electoral vote. The the hope of “persuading” some to not fol- Constitution laid out that if a tie occurred low the majority vote of their state. the decision would be left up to the House Among all this, many are casting a of Representatives. critical eye at the Electoral College, but However, even this wasn’t easy. could we do away with it? After 35 votes beginning on Feb. 11, There are some who feel the smaller 1801, in which neither Jefferson nor Burr states would be “ignored or trampled” by obtained a majority, Jefferson was finally the bigger states if we did. However, this elected on the 36th ballot. doesn’t seem to be the case: while most As a presidential historian, I could of Trump’s support comes from smaller go on and on about past candidates who states he still managed to rack up 62.2 Photo: Scott Larsen won the popular vote but lost in the Elec- million votes to Clinton’s 64.2 million. Scott’s presidential button collection, started when he was a teenager. The oldest one is a 1916 Wood- toral College. However, here is the rub for many row Wilson button (not shown) that reads: “War in Europe, Peace in America, God bless Wilson.” It would be an uphill climb to change who believe in democratically electing the Constitution: two-thirds of the Con- a president: Salon.com reports that as of gress must pass legislation before it is Nov. 23, Clinton has garnered a two mil- before. Like in 2000 when Al Gore captured 1800s, there were no political parties. Elec- sent to the state legislatures. Then, three- lion vote lead over Trump, and counting. 540,520 more votes than the eventual win- tors were independent and could vote as they fourths or 30 states would need to ratify it. The reason for this discrepancy is that ner, George W. Bush. In the Electoral Col- liked. The man who received the most votes Yet tradition isn’t enough to keep the in a state like California, Clinton racked lege, it was Bush with 271—one more than became president while the runner-up be- Electoral College. It’s time we seriously up a super majority of 61.7 percent to needed to win—to Gore’s 266 in one of the came vice president. think about democratically electing our Trump’s 33.4 percent. In smaller popula- closest electoral votes. That worked when there was unanimity president and vice president. tion states, Trump garnered even greater The Electoral College was created by of philosophy around government, as there majorities: 70.6 percent to 22.9 percent the Founding Fathers when they drew up was with Federalists George Washington and Scott Larsen is a Roos- win over Clinton in West Virginia or 69 the U.S. Constitution in 1787. They decided John Adams. But by the 1800 election, poli- evelt historian who de- percent to 22.6 percent win in Wyoming. electors should decide who should lead the ticians split into two factions: Federalists, livers talks about FDR One meme circulating on the inter- executive branch of the federal government, who believed in a strong, central government and Crown Princess net says it takes 705,454 Californians to not the voting public (propertied white male and backed incumbent President Adams; and Martha in the Pacific equal one electoral vote while it only takes voters). Instead, an elite body of men based Democratic-Republicans who backed Vice Northwest. If your group 194,717 Wyomingites to equal one vote. of the same number of senators and represen- President Thomas Jefferson. is interested in hav- A split between the popular and tatives a state sent to Congress would decide. The fourth presidential election of 1800 ing Scott speak, email Electoral College votes has happened Back in the late 1700s and just into the was actually decided by Congress because [email protected].
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Letters to the Editor theNorwegianamerican Published since May 17, 1889 Do you have something to say? 17713 15th Ave NE, #205, Shoreline, WA 98155 Tel: (206) 784-4617 • Email: [email protected] Write to us at The Norwegian American, Letter to the Editor, 17713 15th Ave NE, #205, Shoreline, WA 98155, or email us at [email protected], subject line Publisher Ragnar Meyer-Knutsen Letter to the Editor. Letters may be edited for style, clarity, or length. Editor-in-chief Emily C. Skaftun [email protected] Assistant Editor / Nyheter, Business, Queen of the day Sports, Travel Molly Jones [email protected] Dear Editor, Opinion Editor We celebrated the 90th Birthday of our Linn Chloe Hagstrøm [email protected] dear member and friend, Ester Thorkild- Taste of Norway Editor sen, at our October meeting. We placed her Daytona Strong [email protected] “Queen of the Day” crown on her head and Advertising sang Happy Birthday to her, and then en- Ryan Pearson [email protected] joyed her birthday cake! We wish you many Subscriptions more good years, Ester! You are an inspira- [email protected] tion to all of us! Ester wrote the following: “I am so Contributors thankful to the Bernt Balchen Lodge mem- Larrie Wanberg Grand Forks, N.D. bers for the very nice birthday party you Julia Andersen New York, N,Y. Tove Andersson Oslo, Norway gave me, and a special thank you to the ones Patricia Barry Hopewell Junction, N.Y. who put it all together. It was worth being Melinda Bargreen Everett, Wash. around for 90 years to be the honored guest Terje Birkedal Anchorage, Alaska M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway that day! Thank you all.” David Burke Skoppum, Norway Carla Danziger McLean, Va. / Albany, Calif. Sincerely, Daughters of Norway Members Various Gary G. Erickson Sunburg, Minn. Millie Diefenbach Rasmus Falck Oslo, Norway Bernt Balchen Lodge #3-566 Christy Olsen Field Seattle, Wash. Sunny Gandara Beacon, N.Y. Heidi Håvan Grosch Sparbu, Norway Rosalie Grangaard Grosch Arden Hills, Minn. Kari Heistad Edina, Minn. Victoria Hofmo Brooklyn, N.Y. Leslee Lane Hoyum Rockford, Minn. Name that mountain! Dear readers, Roy Jorgensen Hopewell Junction, N.Y Ready for a real-life game of Where in Ilan Kelman Agder, Norway Dear Editor, Norway? Michael Kleiner Philadelphia, Penn. Scott Larsen New Westminster, B.C. Thank you for the continued great news- Does anyone know what mountain that Thor A. Larsen Fishkill, N.Y. paper. is? There is no prize for this one, unless Sun- Lexi Seattle, Wash. Leif & Sunnie Accordion Duo are us- nie decides to offer one. Just the satisfaction Solveig M. Lee Seattle, Wash. Richard Londgren Thousand Oaks, Calif. ing this photo (above) that I took in northern that you really know your Norwegian geog- Cathrine Løvaas Bergen, Norway Norway for our first CD case (Nordic Folk raphy—and of knowing that you’ve helped a Donald V. Mehus New York, N.Y. Music). fellow Norski. Christine Foster Meloni Washington, D.C. David Moe Sun City, Calif. Could someone please identify the If you do know, write me at naw@na- Maria Stordahl Nelson Seattle, Wash. snowy white peak in the center background? weekly.com and I will forward your answers David Nikel Trondheim, Norway Thank you! along! Ken Nordan Batavia, Ill. Barbara K. Rostad Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho John Erik Stacy Seattle, Wash. Sun thoughts, Sincerely, Rolf Kristian Stang New York, N.Y. Sunnie Empie Editor Judith Gabriel Vinje Los Angeles, Calif. Dianna Walla Tromsø, Norway Linda Warren Washington, D.C. Jo Christian Weldingh Oslo, Norway
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Want to see your birthday in The Norwegian American? Email [email protected] or call (206) 784-4617. Must be submitted one month in advance. NB: Has someone on our birthday list passed away? Please notify us! 8 • December 2, 2016 Sports theNorwegianamerican Rosenborg wins Tippeligaen 2016 By far the winningest team in the bunch, Trondheim tops the elite league for the 24th time
Jo Christian Weldingh Oslo, Norway
Rosenborg became league champions af- ter beating archrivals Molde 3-1 at Aker sta- dium on Sept. 24 with five games remaining in the season. Never before has a league title been won with so many games left to play. Rosenborg and the whole city of Trond- heim were ready to celebrate before the game at the home stadium of their archrivals. With a draw, the league title would be theirs for the second season in a row. Rosenborg has won the league with four games left to play on three occasions: 1996, 2003, and 2009. Molde manager and Manchester United legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, said before the game that his team would do anything in their power to avoid a Rosenborg-celebra- tion at Aker stadium. “We will not concede points tonight. We will not let Rosenborg celebrate their league championship in Molde. We will ruin their party and give them a warning about what is to come next season,” he said. Molde won the league in 2014 but has been a huge disap- pointment to their fans this season, finishing in fifth place. Rosenborg didn’t have a single chance in the first half. The hosts dominated the game and had several chances to score. Photo: Knut Inge Røstad / RBK.no When Bergmann Sigurdson scored with a Rosenborg celebrates after topping Tippeligaen for the 24th time. clinical finish after 30 minutes, it was not undeserved. In the second half, Rosenborg was back goal after 89 minutes. with a decisive “Yes.” In reality, Rosenborg’s league title was to their true self and even more dominant “Mike Jensen has been Tippeligaen’s Coach Kåre Ingebrigtsen gets most never threatened this year. After losing the than Molde was in the first. After 50 min- best player this year,” several members of of the credit for Rosenborg’s success the first game of the season, the team from utes, team captain Mike Jensen scored with the press stated after the game. “It feels fan- last couple of seasons, and many experts Trondheim started winning and never looked a beautiful finish after a cross by defender tastic; it’s hard to describe,” Jensen said after have compared him to Nils Arne Eggen, back. At one point they were more than 20 Jonas Svensson. Molde did not play as well the final whistle. “Everyone in the team has the legendary coach who won 13 consecu- points ahead of runner-up Brann. This is as they did in the first half, and Rosenborg been focused on this and to finally stand here tive league titles from 1992 to 2004. When Rosenborg’s 24th time winning Tippeligaen, seemed to gain confidence throughout the as champions is an incredible feeling.” asked how he feels about winning his second which is a record. game. After 62 minutes the turnaround was Solskjær had to eat his words. Rosen- league title, Ingebrigtsen answered with a complete when substitute Pål Andre Helland borg won the league on archrival Molde’s quote from his old coach and idol: “Any idiot Jo Christian Weldingh grew up in Lilleham- passed to striker Christian Gytkjær: Tippe- home grounds after all. “Disappointing,” can do it once, but doing it twice is much mer, Norway, but is currently living in Oslo. ligaen’s top goal scorer did what he does best Solskjær said after the game. When asked if harder,” he said. “It’s not just about players He has a BA in Archaeology from The Univer- and headed the ball into the net. Mike Jensen Molde will be able to compete with Rosen- and coaches, it’s about a whole club that has sity of Oslo and a BA in Business Administra- finished off the night when he scored the last borg for the title next season, he answered been doing things right for a long time.” tion from BI Norwegian Business School.
a story of finding home It’s Christmas time at Vowing to make herself lucky, Kari travels alone by ship and train from the mountains of Norway to the flat plains of 1880s Dakota to shape a new life. Featuring Stanwood’s original lefse! Whidbey Island: Moonraker Books; Stan Boresen music – Christmas aprons – Krumkake South Whidbey Commons; irons – Scandinavian table runners – Lefse grills The Kingfisher St. Nick and Father Christmas figures – Danish Come visit us! Ballard: Nordic Heritage Museum; candleholders – Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Viking Village Scandinavian Specialties German, and Finnish tiles – Cookbooks Stanwood, WA Edmonds: Edmonds Bookshop (360) 629-3006 and much more! Monday- Saturday Pacific Lutheran University: Do all your holiday shopping with us! 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Garfield Book Company Sunday Minneapolis: Ingebretsen’s www.uffdashoppe.com 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Scandinavian Foods & Gifts Ask in your local bookstore or order from Amazon. www.gloriakoll.com thank you for reading our paper! tusen takk theNorwegianamerican Sports December 2, 2016 • 9 Norway’s snowboarding prodigy: Sports News & Notes Curling: Norwegian finale loss in tresina, Switzerland. The Team LeasePlan Teen Marcus Kleveland European Championship skier was 8.5 seconds ahead of Bastien Thomas Ulsrud and his men lost 5-6 to Poirrier and 15.8 seconds ahead of Morten Sweden in the European Championship fi- Eide Pedersen. The winning time was 19 nal in Glasgow on Nov. 26. Sweden led 3-1 minutes and 42 seconds. earns World Cup win (NRK) halfway through. After eight of ten ends, it stood 3-3. Sweden went up to a 5-3 lead in the ninth end, but Norway equalized in Cross-Country Skiing: Bjørgen wins in the final. With the last stone, Nillas Edin comeback secured the victory for Sweden. On Nov. 27, Marit Bjørgen won the 10-ki- (NRK) lometer in Ruka, just eleven months after she became a mother. This was Bjørgen’s Football: Ødegaard scores in Spain first World Cup victory in a distance race since the birth of her son. Martin Ødegaard (17) scored the 1-1 goal (NRK) for Real Madrid Castilla when they lost 1-2 against San Sebastián Reyes in the Segunda Cross-Country Skiing: Iversen and División B on Nov. 27. (NRK) Sundby on the podium Finnish Iivo Niskanen won the 15-kilome- Telemark Skiing: Two Norwegians on ter in Ruka, Finland, on Nov. 27, but Emil the podium Iversen in second place and Martin Johns rud Sundby in third ensured a good day for Mathilde Olsen Ilebrekke and Thea Smed- the Norwegians. heim Lunde ensured a good Norwegian day (NRK) in the Telemark Skiing World Cup with sec- ond and third place in the sprint on Nov. 26. Alpine Skiing: Fourth place for Løseth On the men’s side, Trym Nygaard Loken Nina Løseth took fourth place in the slalom was the best Norwegian in fourth place. race in Killington on Nov. 27, 1.34 sec- (NRK) onds behind the winner, Mikaelea Shiffrin. Løseth was also number four after the first Cross-Country Skiing: Eliassen wins round. Maren Skjøld was number 21. Petter Eliassen won the prologue that start- (NRK) Photo: Fredrikherheim / Wikimedia Commons ed the long-distance skiing season in Pon- Marcus Kleveland is landing tricks that only a handful of athletes have ever done. Funeral Home Molly Jones SOlie and Crematory The Norwegian American Honoring • Caring • Serving
It was at the age of three on the moun- ris of Canada—by 9.5 and 15 points, respec- 3301 Colby Ave. Everett, WA 98201 (425) 252-5159 tains in his home of Dombås that Marcus tively. Kleveland first tried snowboarding. Within “This is one of the biggest wins I have the decade, the Norwegian would go on to ever had. It’s been really great today. Win- land his first double corks at 11 and become ning in front of this crowd is just awesome,” the youngest rider ever to land a triple cork he said to fis-ski.com. “It was a really good 1440 at 13. time although I had quite some hard times At this point, it was clear that Kleve- during training to land all those tricks. To put land was something of a prodigy. Inspired by it down in the finals is amazing.” his fellow Norwegian snowboarder Torstein This competition was the first stop on Sealift Inc. Horgmo—who has won six X Games med- the FIS Super Series, which is part of the als—Kleveland kept progressing, landing qualification process for the PyeongChang increasingly difficult tricks. 2018 Winter Olympics—where Big Air will • Ship Owners • On Nov. 5, 2015, he landed a backside be included in the program for the first time. quad 1800 in Stubai, Austria, becoming the “I would dare to say that Marcus is now youngest and only the third ever to land a breathing down the necks of the world’s best • Ship & Cargo Brokers • quad cork, joining the ranks of British Billy riders, and he is being seen as a threat as big Morgan and Canadian Max Parrot. as Mark McMorris when it comes to the top “I’ve been thinking about this trick ever three spots in the biggest competitions,” said • Steamship Agents • since Billy Morgan did it, and I haven’t re- national team manager Thomas Harstad to ally had the opportunity to try it because I VG. “It is the Olympics in a little over one haven’t had big enough jumps, but here year, and when we see the progression Mar- it’s good enough… Learning a new trick in cus has had the last year, it looks very bright. snowboarding is really fun, but being the He is the clear candidate for medals in both third one to do it is awesome,” he said in a Big Air and Slopestyle,” he added. video from Snowboardforbundet. While Kleveland was not on the initial Now, at 17 years old, Kleveland is list for the X Games Hafjell—the selection quickly making a name for himself as one of so far has been based on podium places in X the best snowboarders in the world. Games Aspen and X Games Oslo last year— To start off his second year on the Nor- there is no doubt among snowboarding ex- wegian national team, Kleveland headed to perts that he will be ready for the competi- Milan, Italy, for the start of the Snowboard tion in Norway this March. Big Air World Cup season. As the only Nor- “Marcus will be invited. It would sur- wegian to make it to the final, the teenager prise me a lot if he weren’t invited to both pulled off a backside triple cork 1620 for the X Games Aspen and X Games Norway. He first time in competition. With this trick, he is one of three in the world who has landed earned 95.0 points in his final run for the best a quadruple cork. The tricks he did in Milan score of the day overall. last weekend won X Games in Aspen last Together with his previous 93.0 point season,” said TV 2’s snowboarding expert, run, Kleveland surprised everyone by com- Jonas Greve to VG. 68 West Main Street, Oyster Bay, New York 11771 ing out as the clear winner with a whopping If Kleveland is able to keep up his suc- Phone: (516) 922-1000 Fax: (516) 922-6526 188 points. It wasn’t a small margin, either: cess from Milan throughout the season, who Kleveland topped the favorites—veterans knows what’s in store for the young snow- www.sealiftinc.com E-mail: [email protected] Seppe Smits of Belgium and Mark McMor- boarder in the next couple of years! 10 • December 2, 2016 Research & Science theNorwegianamerican Profiles of Norwegian science: Comrades for crises and emergencies egates from across three dozen countries converged on Kristiansand. Ilan Kelman Social scientists, physical scientists, Agder, Norway technical experts, policy makers, and prac- titioners gave talks, exchanging results and An emergency! Call 911—or in Norway proposals to improve everyone’s work. Pre- 113, although this number is only for an am- sentations examined evacuating llamas dur- bulance. We must dial 110 for fire and 112 ing Colorado wildfires and crowd-sourced for police in Norway. crisis mapping after the earthquake in Nepal, Even the simple act of telephoning for which had happened just a few weeks before. emergency help for a local situation becomes CIEM also participated in the TRIPLEX complicated. Imagine more widespread cri- 2016 emergency exercise in Lista, Norway, ses. at the end of September of this year. A con- The Centre for Integrated Emergency sortium of international organizations simu- Management (CIEM) at the University of lated a large-scale disaster to test the capa- Agder in Kristiansand has researched these bilities of and to train with international, challenges since its founding in 2011. Cover- national, and local groups, from the United ing technological and social innovation, the Nations to local civil defense. center has numerous projects to contribute University staff and students assisted to understanding and improving emergency Photo: Ilan Kelman in carrying out and evaluating the exercise. management. CIEM hosts an international crisis research conference. Participants rescued those trapped, gave first One initiative is called COMRADES, aid, delivered relief supplies to survivors, the Collective Platform for Community Re- and promoted the safety and security of af- silience and Social Innovation during Crises. Director Professor Ole-Christoffer Granmo, management. Robust wireless networks are fected communities. This training and expe- Funded by the European Union from 2016- who is assisted by two deputy directors, Pro- needed as much as robust and trustworthy rience is invaluable for understanding what 2018, it lives up to its name by bringing peo- fessor Tina Comes and Professor Bjørn Erik social networks. to do when a real disaster strikes. ple together for providing communities with Munkvold. Scientific expertise ranges from Addressing crises requires data acquisi- The cutting-edge research, policy ad- technology and information management to information and communication technolo- tion, management, and interpretation along- vice, and influence on practice mean that deal with crises. gies to security and global development. side communications systems that connect CIEM contributes in so many ways to mak- In COMRADES, communities develop To connect with emergency manage- with and involve the public. Social elements ing a safer world. When you next dial which- the tools and concepts they need to deal with ment practitioners, the center maintains incorporate reliability, trust, privacy, and ever emergency number functions, or when crises. They will cover the entire time range, strong links in Norway and around the teamwork. Many disciplines collaborate to you are caught in a large-scale catastrophe, from preparing for a major crisis through to world. Their projects directly involve small join interests, needs, and approaches across CIEM’s creativity will be behind the scenes, detecting one and then filtering the massive businesses and local emergency authorities disparate fields. supporting you in dealing with the crisis. amount of social media information gener- offering crisis-related products and services So while CIEM’s director and deputy ated during a crisis followed by post-crisis as well as professional and voluntary emer- directors focus on technologies and their use, community support. gency responders and emergency managers. CIEM member Christian Webersik pursues Ilan Kelman (www.ilankel- Similar principles are enacted for the CIEM supports students, providing ear- political science and international relations. man.org and Twitter @Ilan- “Smart Mature Resilience” project, also ly career experiences in science, policy, and He examines intersections of crisis with Kelman) is a Reader in funded by the European Union until 2018. practice related to crises and emergencies. natural resources, climate change, security, Risk, Resilience, and Glob- Using computer simulations, questionnaires The next generation of professionals is being natural hazards, conflict, and development. al Health at University Col- to institutions dealing with crises, and com- prepared, improving all sectors in dealing This combination of skills and topics lege London, England, and munication with the public, guidelines are with emergencies. means working together to bring people to- a fellow at the University of being developed to help communities build These ventures, expertise, and person- gether. In May 2015, CIEM hosted the 12th Agder, Norway. His overall resilience to crises. nel are building CIEM towards becoming a International Conference on Information research interest is linking disasters and health, The projects are carried out by CIEM’s Center of Excellence. The key is linking cul- Systems for Crisis Response and Manage- including the integration of climate change into staff—over two dozen researchers led by the tural and technological aspects of emergency ment (ISCRAM). Over three hundred del- disaster research and health research.
< olav ii From page 3
the Battle of Stiklestad in Nord-Trøndelag mately 25 years. County following his reign between 1015 The recent find by archaeologists is and 1028. He was first buried where Trond- a continuation of a preliminary investiga- heim’s Nidaros Cathedral stands now. The tion, which they started last year after being cathedral was well known as a popular place called to the site by the Directorate of Cul- for pilgrimage in the Middle Ages. tural Heritage. Their discoveries also include King Olav II is thought to have played a a church’s stone foundations, some graves, a fundamental role regarding the introduction well, and a choir area. of Christianity into Norway. What has been found is thought to be the He was first canonized by Bishop Grim- single most important archaeological discov- kell about one year following his death—this ery in Trondheim for more than 100 years. was later confirmed by Pope Alexander III of “This is one of the most exciting things the Roman Catholic Church in 1164. I have been part of as an archaeologist,” said Saint King Olav II’s remains were sub- the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heri- sequently moved to Klemenskirken, where tage Research’s Anna Petersen. his coffin lay placed on the altar for approxi-
< banknotes From page 3
rity level of Norwegian banknotes is suffi- the first to enter circulation, with a planned ciently high at all times. Norges Bank has release date of May 30, 2017. The others will therefore produced a new banknote series be periodically rolled out through the fourth that is more secure than ever before,” bank quarter of 2019, when the 1,000 kroner note governor Øystein Olsen said. will be the last to hit the streets. The 100 and 200 kroner notes will be
10-08 SON Bethany.indd 1 8/25/08 10:17:49 AM theNorwegianamerican Fiction December 2, 2016 • 11 The Case of the Missing Instrument fiction by Atar J. Hadari e sat with a pint at one of the thick brown benches outside Hthe National Film Theatre and realized he’d no idea where his instrument was. He had been down to the Wharf for his tea and eaten a greasy crêpe whose traces had left stains all along his palms. He could feel the grease when he rolled his hands on the dark counter. (Thick hands for a flautist, after all these years he still felt like a thug among all these waifs and strays in ball gowns, play- ing wind.) He scanned the quarter mile each side of him and considered where the flute might be. Today as it happened this was seri- ous—he was playing, not rehearsing—and a solo. A small part but alone and no one answering. He didn’t want to turn up late this time. He hustled back to Gabriel’s Wharf, Photo: Pixabay the pint settling its foam down to the emp- ty base behind him. Mimes were on the niac about punctuality, professionalism. now he could see him, old watery eyes a memory and the flute rose to Chester forecourt of the National Theatre. They That’s why he was first flute and Marty little skewed under his horn-rim glasses, Perry’s mouth like a slowly turning knife. looked through him. He looked through was second. He slipped in the musicians’ listening to the orchestra director finishing Marty could see under his chair, between them and countless tourist hordes, rushed entrance, past the porter who was sipping his speech. He was pointing toward the so- his perfectly black shoes, there was a flute across the grass of ITV’s news center, to tea and didn’t stir, past doors that opened loist’s stand. Marty thought he could just case, all gleaming and black, and at its cor- the wharf and shops where kites cost a onto endless corridors, down to the make it there before the first violin struck ner the gleaming initials M.W. week’s wages, to the bar where he’d had changing rooms and Perry’s locker. Good a note. He was surprised no one said any- Marty leapt across to choke Perry but lunch. He scanned the bench outside. A thing the bugger had tonsillitis and stayed thing. No one could see him yet. the flute rose at the end of Perry’s nimble waiter slouching by the till waited for eve- in hospital, else he’d have taken the spare “We’re very grateful that our first wrists and Marty felt the river call him, ning’s crowds to start. It was stolen or he’d away with him. Marty muttered as he flute, Chester Perry, despite considerable where first stars were gleaming on the left it elsewhere. teased the padlock open with a hair grip, personal difficulty with his throat, has Thames. He felt the waves and saw little Skipping over the pavement back to Perry always carried a spare. The locker stepped in at the last moment.” Marty fol- fishes dart between the weeds where strings the National Film Theatre, running eyes swung open. He took Perry’s spare flute lowed the audience’s heads turning in a catch, weighed down by lures from above. over the bookstalls parked along the river and pulled the white crisp cotton sheath wave toward the soloist’s stand just ahead, Chester Perry’s instrument gleamed in the bank, he veered looking for a case left on down. Thank God. where Perry sat with a face the color of auditorium lights and an audience’s roar the floor, a hint of black skin in the shad- He pulled his dress pants on and the strawberries that had begun to go off. of applause broke. Marty sank down into ows, a bulge in someone’s bag. He searched dinner jacket over the white shirt he’d Marty felt like hurling Perry’s own the river, holding a crêpe that somebody’s for familiar eyes among the booksellers. worn all day—no time to change collars. spare flute at the bastard. How could he? light, nimble-fingered hand had sprinkled They looked through him. “You seen a He started up the stairs back to concert Who had a right to do this to a man? with what he had said was salt to the flute?” he said to the youngest, a boy of hall level. His shoes. Brown shoes gleamed “Once again, ladies and gentlemen, waiter, who took the tip and accepted it 20 maybe, looking after an older brother’s on the stairs at the bottom of his dinner- we ask you to put your hands together in as an office-mate’s prank. Who knew with stall. The youth shook his head, scratched suited legs. Aaaagh. Skidding back down tribute to Marty Walker, a great and much musicians? And Perry bowed and left the and folded notes into his apron. stairs, crashing back to the changing room, missed young talent. We’re sure that he’s stage, wiping his mouthpiece, coughing a He ran to the coffee shop at the slinging one shoe after another into the with us, wherever he is tonight, very much little cough, then walked out of the build- Royal Festival Hall. The little chocolates locker with a crash, he crammed his toes in spirit, because he loved this place and ing. He dropped a small brown bottle into wrapped in green paper winked off a hun- into dress black slip-ons. Click clack, click I’m sure he watches over our proceedings the river, with a piece of cardboard that dred orange cups waiting to be re-filled. clack on the new heels upstairs, panting here tonight.” some greasy crêpe must have lain on, be- He scanned the small white tables in the like a horse. Through the waiting room “I’m here to bloody play!” Marty said. cause it was still stained. He coughed into lobby, no one waiting, no one carrying door with the red light to say you should The orchestra director cleared his throat. his hand and then walked on toward the anything in black. He ran into the book- keep your trap shut—if he’d been on time “We don’t know how we could have helped underground, humming the overture of shop. Hordes of children and old men and that bulb would still have been bless- him or what drove him to the desperate something Marty used to play. “This cold women with glasses draped around their edly dark. Nearly there. Now. He bursts path he chose—” Marty walked up to the will be the death of me,” he said to nobody necks limped from one book stand to through the double doors and silence hits. director’s back and tapped him under the in particular, then tucked Marty’s flute another. He dashed from one end of the Silence between the instruments. Not shoulder. “You can get Perry out of my case under his arm and broke into a trot. bookshop to the other, pushing old ladies silence between notes but pure silence. chair,” he said, “that’s how you can help against checkout counters and children Nobody moves, nobody rustles. Not a me. He’s dead on his feet. Look at him.” against the music stands. single program being squeezed in a plump The orchestra director didn’t shrug, He was due to arrive half an hour ago, hand. Then the announcer’s voice. “Thank “We hope wherever he is, he’s at peace Atar Hadari’s plays have allowing for his usual lateness, at the stage you very much, ladies and gentlemen, for and enjoying the music we make in his won awards from the BBC, Arts Council of England, door, and to play in 19 minutes’ time. that moment of silence. I think I speak for memory. Mr. Perry if you please. The flute National Foundation of Could he borrow a flute? No—damn— all of us when I say we appreciate it at least concerto in E minor.” Jewish Culture (New York), Perry, the first flute, was away—hence as much as his family does. When you lose “I’ve got my flute,” Marty said as in- European Association of Marty’s solo tonight. Being the second a colleague, let alone one you work with struments all rose to various shoulders, Jewish Culture (Brussels), flute, you didn’t have a second. No flute daily, you lose much more than a profes- “I’m not that late. I’ll not be late again.” and the Royal Shakespeare if he didn’t bring his own. He may as well sional tie. And today’s events bring that The orchestra director and choir master Company, where he was Young Writer in Resi- have left his testicle in a restaurant as turn home to every one of us. Now, if you’ll were trooping down the side of the stage dence. His stories have been published in New York Stories, Witness, and Shooter and broad- up without his piece. turn to your programs...” back to the wings, applause was filling up cast on BBC Radio 4’s “Opening Lines.” His He would go to the lockers where Per- He got on to the platform. The mu- the auditorium where thousands of hands monthly bible translation columns appear in ry kept his things and check, maybe Perry sical director had not been there as he were clapping at the mention of his name, MOSAIC and previous pieces can be found at left his spare. Perry was like that, a ma- walked through the waiting room, and while the orchestra started to play in his mosaicmagazine.com/author/atar-hadari. 12 • December 2, 2016 Taste of Norway theNorwegianamerican A Nordic Christmas appetizer with heart Norwegian flavors of caraway and potato make these savory waffles perfect for entertaining
Maria Stordahl Nelson Seattle, Wash.
If you happen to be a fan of waffles, and quite frankly I know no Scandinavian who isn’t, you’ve likely seen more than your fair share of the fluffy sweet treat on your weekly breakfast table. As the recent growth and pop- ularity of waffle recipes have shown, waffles are really more than breakfast food, and they should rightfully find their place on the table at any meal. Simply search online for waffle recipes and you no doubt will be swamped with re- sults. The list is endless and includes so many delicious varieties: sweet, savory, and, believe it or not, even spicy! Our love of them is so great, there has been many a Saturday when we’ve regretfully over indulged in a particu- lar recipe for some seriously decadent waffle doughnuts. Yes, waffle doughnuts. And while they have become a particular favorite of mine, savory waffles are fast becoming my go-to when I think of perfect brunch/lunch and dinner food. They’re delicious and eas- ily adaptable. A blank canvas if you will and particularly mouthwatering with the addition of onions, cheese, and even bacon. It should come as no surprise then that Photo: Maria Stordahl Nelson Nordic flavors complement waffles particu- waiting in the wings. These are simple, a tad These savory waffles pair well with Nordic toppings from lingonberry jam to roe. larly well. Frequently I prepare my waffles fancy but ultimately unfussy, really delicious, generously spiced with cardamom or brightly and go particularly well with an icy cold glass studded with lingonberry or cloudberry jam, of aquavit or Champagne. Savory Caraway Waffles and I know many others who do the same. It also follows that caraway is a lovely Maria Stordahl Nelson is 1 cup cooked, mashed potatoes ½ tsp. baking powder addition to savory waffles, and if those waffles a Seattle-area food writer, 1 ¼ cup buttermilk 2 tsps. whole caraway seeds also include potatoes, so much the better. Po- photographer, and recipe 2 eggs, beaten 1 cup. crème fraîche or sour cream tatoes and caraway are such a fantastic combi- developer. She shares her 2 tbsps. melted butter, cooled Lumpfish or salmon roe nation and, in this instance, make waffles that love of all things sweet, sa- 1 ¼ cup flour Gravlax if desired vory, and sometimes Nordic are meant to be enjoyed in small bites, as ap- ½ tsp. salt petizers. With the holidays fast approaching, I at www.pinkpatisserie.net. always like to have a few recipes just like this In a medium size bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and caraway seeds with a whisk. Set aside. In another medium size bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, buttermilk, eggs, and butter. Mix thoroughly with a whisk to break up the larger clumps. The batter will remain slightly lumpy. Let sit for 10 minutes. While the batter sits, preheat your waffle iron. Before cooking, check the waffle batter for consistency. If the batter is too thick, add up Norwegian to 2 additional tbsps. of buttermilk to thin. Measure ¾ of a cup of the batter and pour it on the lightly greased waffle iron. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the waffles reach the desired level all the way of browning. Remove from the iron, snip the waffles apart with scissors, and serve immedi- ately with crème fraîche or sour cream and lumpfish or salmon roe. You may also choose to allow the waffles to cool and serve them later. If you choose to do so, pop the waffles in the through? toaster for a brief minute to crisp and warm them up. Alternatively, you could serve these with gravlax, capers, and red onion and a generous Subscribe today: (206) 784-4617 • [email protected] smattering of fresh dill. Serves 8-10 as an appetizer.
since 1921 INGEBRETSEN’S NORDIC MARKETPLACE home | craft | foods | clothing | kids | culture | holiday
WWW.INGEBRETSENS.COM 1601 east lake street, mpls mn 55407 | p.612.729.9333 theNorwegianamerican Taste of Norway December 2, 2016 • 13 From rice to delight: A Norsk rice porridge to convert skeptics
Caroline Caron-Phelps Pickled Plum
What a delicious breakfast treat! This Norwegian porridge recipe is creamy, salty, and sweet and is served with a sprinkle of cinnamon and dried cranberries on top. Nor- wegians certainly know how to turn plain rice into something truly delectable. So de- licious in fact that even people who aren’t rice pudding fans will scarf down a bowl of Norwegian porridge in record time. Traditional Norwegian porridge is usu- ally served for lunch the day before Christ- mas. The leftovers are then used to make riskrem (rice cream), a dessert made with cold rice porridge topped with whipped cream and raspberry (or strawberry) sauce. A whole almond is then hidden in the dessert and the person who finds it wins a marzipan candy in the shape of a pig. I’ve made a few minor changes to the traditional recipe because I wanted to give it a healthy kick. I cut down the sugar by half and added honey instead, and I am using 1% milk as opposed to whole milk. I have to ad- mit I was a little nervous that the porridge would come out lacking richness, but it turns out using 1% milk didn’t affect the texture at all! The porridge is still creamy, thick, and incredibly satisfying. Photos: Caroline Caron-Phelps It’s the perfect balance of salty and sweet Cranberries add a pop of color to this already Christmasy food—perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dessert. and comes with a lovely hint of vanilla. The addition of dried cranberries gives this por- ridge a pop of color and fruitiness. You can do with or without or substitute it for other Norwegian Porridge with Dried Cranberries dried fruits or even nuts! Play around with Adapted with permission from Pickled Plum the toppings until you find the right combi- nation for you. ¾ cup white, medium grain rice 1 tsp. kosher salt 1 ½ cup water 2 tsps. vanilla extract 2 ½ cups 1% milk Cinnamon powder for topping Caroline Caron-Phelps is 1 tbsp. butter Dried cranberries for topping a French Canadian-Jap- 1 tbsp. honey Butter for topping anese food blogger based 1 tbsp. granulated sugar in New York. Her food blog pickledplum.com is a col- lection of over 600 recipes In a medium size pot, add rice and water and bring to a boil. entire process should take 45-55 minutes. with a focus on healthier Lower heat to a gentle simmer, cover and leave for 10 minutes, or Add butter, honey, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract and stir well. eating and living. She until all the water is absorbed. Turn the heat off and serve porridge in bowls topped with a is also a contributor for Add a third of the milk, stir, cover, and leave until the consis- small pat of butter (optional), a little cinnamon powder, and dried Huffpost Taste and Yahoo. She lives in Brook- tency thickens. Add a little more milk every time the porridge’s con- cranberries. lyn with her husband Ben and three-year-old sistency thickens—approximately every 5-10 minutes or so. Repeat Serves 3-4. cat Tsukune (Japanese for chicken meatball). until all the milk is used, porridge is thick, and rice is tender. The
World on the Wall “The BirkeBeiner”—prinTs On view at Vesterheim Dec. 3, 2016-Oct. 29, 2017
Travel the world through Vesterheim’s fine art collection! See over 35 rare and rarely displayed oils, watercolors, prints, and drawings of scenes from five continents by famous artists. Sponsored by Rob and Evy Alsaker.
The National Norwegian-American Vesterheim Museum & Heritage Center Decorah, Iowa • 563-382-9681 • vesterheim.org 14 • December 2, 2016 Norway near you theNorwegianamerican What’s going on in your neighborhood? Calendar of Events california “World on the Wall” Trollheim Christmas Party Aquavit Week Post-Party A Nice Family Christmas Dec. 3—Oct. 29 Dec. 19, 6:00 p.m. Dec. 11, 9:00 p.m.—12:00 a.m. now—Dec. 18 Decorah, Iowa St. Cloud, Minn. Portland, Ore. North Hollywood, Calif. This exhibition features a selection of works that This annual potluck Christmas party will be held Toast the end of Aquavit Week at Expatriate, In this comedy by Phil Olson, it’s Christmas reveal the world through artists’ eyes. Scenes at Whitney Senior Center. There will be a pro- featuring creative aquavit cocktails. Eve at Mom’s Minneapolis condo when an from five continents include rivers, seascapes, gram and Norwegian Christmas music. Please unexpected visit starts the evening on its wild city views, and portraits. See over 35 rare and bring a dish to share—even better if it has Scan- Pennsylvania journey. At Lonny Chapman Group Rep The- rarely displayed works by artists like Jonas Lie, dinavian flavor, but not required. Third District New Year’s Eve Celebration atre. Call (818) 763-5990 and use code UNCLE Christian Abrahamsen, Anna Hong, Sigmund År Dec. 30—Jan. 1 BOB for $5 off. Visit TheGroupRep.com. seth, and Herbjørn Gausta. Vonheim Julebord Susquehanna, Penn. Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m. The Third District Cultural and Heritage Cen- Det Andre Teatret U.S. Tour Massachusetts Minneapolis, Minn. ter is hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration at Dec. 6—7 Juletrefest for Barn Celebrate Christmas with a traditional Julebord. Land of the Vikings. Contact (570) 461-3500 Los Angeles, Calif. Dec. 10, 1:00—2:00 p.m. Vonheim will supply rice pudding, rømmegrøt, or [email protected] for more info. Det Andre Teatret (aka The Other Theatre), West Newton, Mass. fruit soup, herring, and lefse. We invite you to Norway’s biggest community for improvised A Christmas party for the children featuring ju- bring your favorite Nordic treats to share. At Lu- theran Church of the Good Shepherd. Texas theatre, is touring the U.S. At Impro Theatre. lenisse, storytelling, crafts, refreshments, and Aquavit Week on the Road: Houston Visit detandreteatret.no/pub/detandreteatret/ singing around the tree. Cost is $2 for adults and Dec. 10, 3:00—6:00 p.m. shows/?cid=3916 for times and tickets. free for children. Bring a gift for each child you new york Houston, Texas bring; put the child’s name on the gift. In the Nor- Aquavit Week on the Road: New York Julep is best known for their whiskey and clas- Cal Lutheran Sankta Lucia Service dic Hall at the Scandinavian Living Center. Dec. 6, 5:00 p.m.—12:00 a.m. sic cocktails, but they’re taking the menu in a Dec. 8, 11:25 p.m. New York, N.Y. Nordic direction. Explore aquavits and aquavit Thousand Oaks, Calif. Michigan Aquavit Week travels to New York City to visit cocktails from the Julep team. Lucia, her attendants, and their escorts enter Nordkap Lodge Christmas Party the Edda Bar at Aska, featuring aquavit cocktails, to the accompaniment of an ancient hymn Dec. 11, 2:00 p.m. “Øl and Snaps” pairings, and Edda’s house-made Bosque Juletrefest and read an adaptation of the legend. Held Redford, Mich. aquavits, along with Nordic-inspired bites. Dec. 18, 2:00—4:30 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel. For more info, contact Celebrate Christmas with a party at the Western Cranfills Gap, Texas Elizabeth Lohr-Myers at campusministry@cal- Golf and Country Club. There will be a silent auc- Sjømannskirken Julelunsj Join the Norwegian Society of Texas Bosque lutheran.edu or (805) 493-3228. tion to benefit Nordkap’s Scholarship Fund. Dec. 7, 12:00 & 2:00 p.m. Chapter for a Norwegian Christmas potluck. New York, N.Y. At the Gathering Place, next to Rock Church. Freya Lodge Arts & Crafts Fair minnesota This is the perfect event to bring your colleagues, friends, and acquaintances to give them a taste Dec. 10, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Pepperkakebyen Village Viewing Washington Santa Rosa, Calif. now—Dec. 11 of a Norwegian Christmas. Price is $40 per adults, Shop for a variety of crafts and baked goods. $20 for children between 3 and 15, and free for Lutefisk at The Farmhouse Restaurant Duluth, Minn. Dec. 11 & 18, 12:00—6:00 p.m. Norwegian waffles, coffee, and a lunch will The Nordic Center and Nortun Lodge host a Gin- children under 3. Reservations required by con- also be available for purchase. At Norway Hall. tacting [email protected] or (212) Mt. Vernon, Wash. gerbread City. View the village for free (donations Cost is $34.95 for adults, $31.95 for seniors welcomed!) and enjoy refreshments, crafts, and 319-0370. District of Columbia over 60, and $10.95 for kids under 12. Music books. Open on weekends 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. by Leif & Sunnie Accordion Duo from 2:30 to The Christmas Revels Det Andre Teatret U.S. Tour 6:00 p.m. For more info email terry.brazas@ Dec. 10—11 & 16—18 Dec. 9—10 A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol gmail.com. Washington, D.C. now—Jan. 1 New York, N.Y. Among other Nordic traditions, watch danc- Det Andre Teatret (aka The Other Theatre), Coon Rapids, Minn. The Photography of Anders Beer Wilse ers perform the Telespringar and the Halling A Christmas Norway’s biggest community for improvised This Minnesota musical spoof of now—Feb. 28 dance. At GW Lisner Auditorium. Visit rev- Carol theatre, is touring the U.S. At Barrow Street is back in Minneapolis for its 10th year! Seattle, Wash. elsdc.org/shows-events/christmas-revels/ for Theatre, Magnet Theater, and Reckless Theatre. At Bunker Hills Dinner Theater, Bunker Hills Golf This exhibition includes Wilse’s photographic times and tickets. Club. Call (763) 951-7244 for tickets and use code Visit detandreteatret.no/pub/detandreteatret/ shows/?cid=3916 for times and tickets. images taken both in the Pacific Northwest, as XMAS for $5 off. Visit www.DontHugMe.com. well as from select regions in Norway. At the Reading Circle: The Birds Nordic Heritage Museum. Dec. 13, 7:30—9:00 p.m. Gingerbread Wonderland Santa’s Toy Maker & Other Holiday Stories Washington, D.C. Dec. 10, 11:00 a.m. now—Jan. 9 Children’s Christmas Party The Sons of Norway D.C. Lodge Reading Circle New York, N.Y. Minneapolis, Minn. Dec. 11, 3:00 p.m.—5:00 p.m. will discuss The Birds by Tarjei Vesaas. Loca- Robin Brady and Rolf Stang from the Hans Chris- Enjoy holiday treats and surround yourself in all Seattle, Wash. tion TBD. Email Christine Meloni at reading@ tian Andersen Storytelling Center join forces to things gingerbread. Free for members, children The Juletrefest is a long-standing Ballard tradi- norwaydc.org for the location. All welcome. tell some delightful holiday stories to light up the 12 and under, and contributors; $5 for all others. tion at Leif Erikson Lodge. Adults and children In the Galleri at Norway House. darkest time of the year. At Scandinavia House. Free. Ages 5 and up. are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of live en- Florida tertainment, dancing, Norwegian treats, and Gulf Coast Vikings Juletrefest Twin Cities Julefest a visit from Santa with presents. The admis- Dec. 8, 6:00—10:00 p.m. Enslaved Concert Dec. 10, 5:00 p.m. Dec. 10, 5:00 p.m. sion is $8 for adults and $1 for kids under 12. Fort Meyers, Fla. Dean Parkway, Minn. This year’s theme centers around juleøl. Enjoy New York, N.Y. Dancing around the tree and singing songs. Enslaved will take over the Gramercy Theatre and Lutfisk/Lutefisk Dinner Turkey, ham, and the trimmings for $25. RSVP music, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, and a carol Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. sing-along. Sven Sundgaard will host. At the Cal- play two very special sets—one focused on older required to Maxine at 1 (239) 405-4026. material, and one highlighting their more recent Seattle, Wash. houn Beach Club. Tickets at www.eventbrite. Enjoy it Swedish or Norwegian style. Live mu- com/e/norsk-julefest-2016-tickets-26930704462. musical machinations. Buy tickets at concerts.liv- illinois enation.com/event/000050D1F7CEA750?_ga=1. sic at 6:30 p.m. To RSVP, contact rsvp@swed- ishclubnw.org or (206) 283-1090 by Dec. 13. Aquavit Week on the Road: Chicago Elks Lodge Lutefisk & Meatball Dinner 220951256.1537962475.1476828755. Dec. 8, 5:00 p.m.—2:00 a.m. Cost is $30 or $35 for late RSVPs and at the Dec. 10, 4:30—6:00 p.m. door. At the Swedish Club. Chicago, Ill. Brooklyn Park, Minn. Nordic Book Club: I Refuse Four aquavits will feature in four cocktails Join the Minneapolis Elks for dinner. Seatings ev- Dec. 20, 6:00 p.m. from the Sportsman’s Club bartenders. ery half hour; reservations are required. Tickets New York, N.Y. Wisconsin can be purchased from Terry P. at (763) 561-7782. Read and discuss Scandinavian literature in trans- “Primstav Murals of the Gathering Room” Bjornson Male Chorus Christmas Dinner lation. I Refuse by Norwegian author Per Pet- Dec. 10, 1:00—2:00 p.m. Dec. 16, 6:30 p.m. Norsota Julebord terson is a spare but evocative tale of two men Stoughton, Wis. Elk Grove Village, Ill. Dec. 10, 6:00 p.m. whose accidental meeting one morning churns Martha Griesheimer will present on the Prim- All are welcome to join the Bjornson Male Apple Valley, Minn. up a fateful moment from their boyhood 35 years stav murals in Vesterheim’s gathering room, Chorus for a Christmas dinner and evening of Dinner and entertainment from Art Bjorngjeld, before. In the Halldór Laxness Library at Scandi- which were created in 1999 by rosemalers music at Avalon Banquets. Cost is $35; make followed by a brief business meeting. In the gym- navia House. Free. Sigmund Aarseth and Sallie DeReus. At Livs- reservations with John Lee at (847) 741-4210. nasium at Heritage Lutheran Church. reise. Free. oregon iowa Nordic Julekonsert Portland Scandinavian Chorus Concert Torsk Supper & Norwegian Bake Sale Skål! Scandinavian Spirits at Vesterheim Dec. 18, 2:00—3:00 p.m. Dec. 10, 7:30—8:30 p.m. Dec. 10 now—Dec. 31 Minneapolis, Minn. Portland, Ore. Milwaukee, Wis. Decorah, Iowa This Christmas concert features the voices of Beautiful Christmas songs from Scandinavia in Join Fosselyngen Lodge for a torsk supper This exciting traveling exhibition shares the Mindekirken Choir and the Norwegian Glee Club native languages! At Nordia House. Free. from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and a bake sale from history and traditions of drinking culture in of Minneapolis, along with several other choirs. 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. At Norway House. Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and how At Mindekirken; freewill offering. Refreshments those traditions carried into the U.S. will be served after the concert. Send your event to [email protected] or call (206) 784-4617 to be added to The Norwegian American! Check www.norwegianamerican.com/events for complete listings Event listings are free, but space is limited. Please contact us at least one month prior to event. theNorwegianamerican Norway near you December 2, 2016 • 15 The flavors of another Scandinavian Fair are in the books
Solveig Lee Mount Vernon, Wash.
Daughters of Norway Nellie Gerdrum Lodge 41 held its 17th Annual Scandinavian Fair at Fox Hall in Bellingham’s Hampton Inn on Saturday, November 5. A bazaar that featured the Scandinavian talent of many! As Photos: Solveig Lee is usual, people stood in line in the rain for an hour and a half before the Left: Kristi Egtvedt-Somers was just one of the dedicated vol- unteers who kept the food flowing at Scandinavian Fair. doors opened. People flooded through the door and headed straight for Below: Judy Swanson with her rosemaling design, called a room along the far wall: the Scandinavian Bakery. In no time, all the “red embroidery.” baked goods were gone! The Norsk Cafe served lunch all day: pea soup, meatballs, gravy, small potatoes, lingonberries, rolls, and coffee. And of course, pastries of one’s choice for dessert. From early in the day, people selected their food, then sat down at long tables to enjoy it, often meeting new friends from the area and beyond. Hourly, raffle tickets were drawn and winners rose to collect prizes. Surrounding all, Scandinavian-oriented venders displayed a variety of goods—woodwork, rosemaling, Scandinavian giftwrap, stockings from Norway, and other handwork. The voices of the Bellingham Damekor, directed by Steve Jensen, filled the air with the music of Norway. One of the members, Katie Mills, participated in Alt for Norge this past summer. This production was seen on Norwegian TV and here in the USA online. Later, the dance group Dansaspel performed. Ellen Hinds, past Daughters of Norway Grand Lodge President and chair of this event, has been chairman of the Daughters of Norway Nellie Gerdrum 41 Scandinavian Fair since its beginning. Gingerbread Wonderland A dance in everyone returns to Norway House The Wheelchair Dancers Organization celebrates the human spirit in motion
David Moe Sun City, Calif.
Saturday, November 12, was the fourth ages and abilities. Beverly Weurding, found- annual Dance-Ability Showcase at the Bal- er and CEO of WDO, continued her dream boa Park Club in San Diego, California. of dancing after she was diagnosed with a Wheelchair dancers and volunteers per- muscular degenerative disease called Limb formed high energy Tango-Rumba Dance Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. With financial routines, Hip Hop, Ballroom, Latin, and support from individual donors, sponsors, Contemporary Dances before a crowd of and Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation, people. In addition, there was an all-inclu- they will continue to provide weekly dance sive Flash Mob Dance for all to participate. classes to over 250 wheelchair users and The Wheelchair Dancers Organization their dance partners each year. is a non-profit charity that provides Adap- Our eldest daughter, Kara, who has been tive Dance Programs in Ballroom, Latin, and in a wheelchair for over 30 years, has been Contemporary instruction for people of all active with this group for the past several years. As a young girl, she had dreams of becoming a dancer, Photo courtesy of Norway House The entries in this year’s Gingerbread after seeing The Nutcracker Wonderland include many iconic Min- Suite in San Francisco when neapolis landmarks, including Norway she was four years old. How- House, of course. ever, she had an automobile accident two months after she was married and has been in Special Release a wheelchair since that time. Norway House The good news is that she had two children, both graduated The holiday tradition of gingerbread 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm. Closed Mondays from college and now married, houses, called pepperkakehus in Norway, and Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and and she is still married. has crossed the sea to Norway House. The New Year’s Day. At Norway House, the There is also an organi- community-created buildings are all in, iconic Nordic blue building located at 913 zation in San Diego called so come to admire. Dozens of creations E. Franklin Av., Minneapolis. Compli- Women on Wheels, sponsored are on exhibit for this multi-generational, mentary parking adjacent. No charge for by Sharp Rehabilitation Ser- magically festive event. A winning entry children 12 and under; $5 for adults and vices, that strives to empower will be selected by professional bakers, seniors. Free to Norway House members. women with disabilities by and a “People’s Choice” award will honor offering group meetings with the structure most admired by attendees. Norway House partners with individuals, social workers, peer support, Gingerbread Wonderland also includes organizations and businesses in the Nor- lectures, and social events. special displays from renowned local bak- wegian-American community to promote The human spirit is ers. an appreciation and understanding of the powerful and manifests it- The exhibit runs through Sunday, American Norwegian experience and its self through these women on Jan. 8, 2017. Galleri hours are Tuesday- relationship to modern Norway and the Photo: David Moe wheels. As one of the instruc- Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (open world. For more information, please visit Kara Paulson, who has been in a wheelchair for over 30 years, tors said, “There’s a dance in until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday), and Sunday www.norwayhouse.org still loves to dance. everyone.” 16 • December 2, 2016 Travel theNorwegianamerican The Nobel Prize: A peaceful visit to Oslo Most of us will never win a Nobel Peace Prize, but we can all follow in winners’ footsteps
Emily C. Skaftun Photos: (left & below) Johannes Granseth / The Norwegian American Nobel Peace Center, (bottom left) Emily C. Skaftun Humbled. Awed. Undeserving. This Left: The Nobel Field, an exhibit in the Nobel is how I imagine the winners of the Nobel Peace Center with information on all the Prize’s Peace Prize must feel when they arrive in winners. Oslo to star treatment and acclaim. After Below: The Nobel Peace Center, built in 2005, all, the world’s greatest warriors for peace is a welcome addition to Aker Brygge on Oslo’s are often also the most humble, and the ones harbor. Bottom left: A fish-eye view of one side of the en- who know better than anyone how much tryway to the impressive Nobel suite in the Grand work is left to be done. Hotel, where Peace Prize winners often stay. While most of Alfred Nobel’s legacy is doled out by the Swedes, the Peace Prize has always been in the hands of “a commit- tee of five persons to be elected by the Norwe- gian Storting,” as stated in Nobel’s will. Why he chose Norway for this is a matter for specula- tion, but at the time of his death, Norway and Sweden were still in union, so it’s possible he may have set it up that way out of a sense of fairness. He may also have been aware of the Norwegian Storting’s interest in peacefully solving international disputes, even at that time. Whatever the rea- son, Norway is justifiably proud of the lega- with international musical sensations Juanes, clusively by Digital Domain, as well as the the Grand Hotel, where I was put up dur- cy it has created in the Peace Prize. a Colombian musician whose debut solo Nobel Peace Prize Concert website, Face- ing my stay by Visit Oslo. In fact, I ended Each December Oslo celebrates that album won three Latin Grammy Awards; book, Twitter, and YouTube channels.” Check up staying in the Nobel suite, the same set legacy and the year’s winner with three days Swedish pop duo Icona Pop; Highasakite, nobelpeaceprizeconcert.com on December 11 of rooms that most Nobel Peace Prize win- of events, including an award ceremony at- a Norwegian indie pop and rock band that for more info. ners stay in while they are in Oslo. Obama tended by Their Majesties the King and has won a number of Norwegian prizes; and On December 12, the Nobel Peace didn’t sleep there, I was told, but he did hold Queen of Norway, the Government, Storting for the concert’s young talent act, Marcus & Center unveils their newest exhibit, “Hope meetings in the first room of the suite, which representatives, and an invited audience. The Martinus, 14-year-old twins who are taking Over Fear,” which will showcase Colombian contains an impressive desk and a confer- ceremony and following banquet are always Norwegian music by storm. President Juan Manuel Santos, this year’s ence table. held on December 10, the anniversary of Tickets to the concert run between 430 laureate. Danish photographer Mads Nissen One enters this suite through a hallway Alfred Nobel’s death, and though the guest and 1245 NOK (about $50 to $150), and if traveled to Colombia to take photographs for lined with portraits of some of the larger- list for those events is strictly controlled, the you can’t make it there, “a free 360° Virtual the exhibition, focusing on Santos but also than-life figures who have stayed there. Nobel Peace Center hosts a free live stream Reality livestream of the concert will be avail- on other parties working toward an end to To me, a humble newspaper editor more of the ceremony for all who wish to attend. able, providing unique and exclusive immer- the country’s civil war and those affected by accustomed to traveling on a budget, it was Later in the day there is also a torchlight pa- sive experiences streamed live from the event. it—he therefore visited a FARC camp, a co- all very intimidating. It’s hard not to com- rade from Oslo’s train station to the Grand Additionally, 360° post-event and exclusive caine laboratory, the presidential palace, and pare yourself to those others when you’re Hotel, where the winners are usually housed. highlight videos will be available for on-de- the back streets of Bogotá. The exhibit will face to portrait with them. “You won’t sleep The following day, the Nobel Peace mand viewing throughout the weekend. This run until November 26, 2017. tonight,” Kirsti Svenning of Visit Oslo re- Prize Concert is held at Telenor Arena. This exclusive footage will be broadcasted on the While at the Peace Center, be sure to marked offhand to me, because I’d be think- year’s event is hosted by Conan O’Brien, Nobel Peace Prize Concert’s #PeaceIsLoud check out the other exhibits. In addition to ing about those who’d slept there. I did sleep and will include Sting and Halsey, along 360° VR app and HTML Player powered ex- The Nobel Field, which contains information (I was exhausted), but the thought got to me. on all the Prize’s winners, there are currently I thought of Malala Yousafzai, the most exhibits on Syria and on German journalist, recent laureate whose face I could summon editor, and pacifist Carl von Ossietzky, who to mind. Did she sleep in this room? Perhaps warned the world about German remilitariza- not, as she shared the prize that year with Where in Norway? tion in breach of the Treaty of Versailles be- Kailash Satyarthi, and presumably they had How well do you know Norway? Match this photo to its fore WWII. separate rooms. But perhaps! I wondered location and email your answer to [email protected]. On a visit this summer, I somehow man- what she thought of the soft bed and the aged not to find the Syrian exhibit, but I did fancy room. Correct answers will be entered to win one free month! thoroughly explore the Ossietzky one, which In the morning, taking my shower, I is an impressive reflection on the importance thought of her again—and just then the water of a free press and the incredible courage it temperature spiked and I yelped and jumped sometimes requires to utilize it. Ossietzky away. The Grand Hotel in Oslo is a phenom- was convicted of treason and eventually died enal place to stay, with a lovely breakfast from tuberculosis after having been tortured and a long history, and many other things to in a German prison camp. The award was a recommend it, but one thing it doesn’t have controversial one, given for 1935 but not an- is great temperature control in the water. nounced until the following year. My shower oscillated between scalding and You may not always feel like shouting almost too cool, and it did it consistently. I for joy at the Nobel Peace Center, but you thought of Malala getting surprised as I had Photo: John Barry / submitted by Pat Barry may find yourself deeply emotionally affect- by a change in temperature, and it helped. Have a photo for “Where in Norway?” Submit it to [email protected]! ed nonetheless. No matter how impressive the person, I also found myself deeply affected by we all have some things in common. theNorwegianamerican Travel December 2, 2016 • 17 Diary of a travel writer: Frequently asked travel questions
David Nikel Trondheim, Norway
I’m celebrating completing the second draft of Moon Norway by doing as the Nor- wegians do—heading to Spain! Two weeks in the sun is just the right antidote to the plum- meting temperatures and rapidly shortening days that define this time of year in Norway. As I wait for feedback from the editors, I’m casting my eyes over the many ques- tions I’ve received both from readers of this column and my own blogs. Now seems the perfect time to answer some of your burning travel questions!
Q: Where should I go on my first trip to Nor- way? A: This is actually my remit for the first edi- tion of Moon Norway! Whereas other guide- books compete to be the most comprehen- sive, my guide will deliberately exclude large parts of the country that will not interest a first-time or even a return visitor. This means I can cover the areas that are likely to interest a first-time visitor in much more depth. Photo: David Nikel The areas I recommend include Oslo The Geirangerfjord is one of Norway’s most famous fjords, but many others are just as spectacular. David Nikel is a freelance (where you should spend at least two days writer based in Norway. at the beginning or end of your trip), Ber- He runs the popular www. gen, the western fjords, and, if you can af- the Hurtigruten, the ferry/cruise that snakes changed over time. You can also download lifeinnorway.net blog and ford it, parts of the Arctic including Lofoten its way up the Norwegian coast from Bergen “A Handbook of Norwegian-American An- is the author of the upcom- and Tromsø. If you’d rather spend more time to Kirkenes and back again, but I have spo- cestry” from the same website. ing MOON Norway guide- farther south, then Trondheim, Ålesund, and ken to many people who have, so here’s what Many people find their ancestral farms book. Stavanger are all solid options too. I do know: have been destroyed or abandoned, while Where exactly you choose to go de- The Hurtigruten gives you a more au- others are still in use by distant relatives or pends on your personal preferences and thentic experience than almost all other different families. These rural communities time available, not to mention your budget. cruise ships, as you will be mixing with lo- are often hard to reach and tourist facilities My recommendation for a week on a rela- cals who are using the service as a simple will be minimal, so it’s best to base yourself Experience tively small budget would be Oslo and Ber- coastal ferry. Off-season the cruise pack- in the nearest town. gen, plus at least one fjord, using the public ages can be extremely good value, bearing transit options. Book using the Norway in a in mind accommodation and three meals a Q: Which is the best fjord to see? the Immigrants’ Nutshell deal from Fjord Tours or compose day are included. My only concern with the A: Ask 10 Norwegians this question, and your own itinerary to better suit your wishes. full 12- to 13-day itinerary is the potential you’ll most likely receive 10 different an- Journey! Book in advance for bargain train deals with for boredom, but I plan to take the route next swers! My answer is that a trip to Norway national operator NSB. year to find out for myself! shouldn’t be about seeing one specific fjord Perhaps a happy medium is to incorpo- but appreciating the spectacular natural Q: What’s your advice for eating well on a rate a stretch on the Hurtigruten into your scenery of which fjords are just one part. budget? own itinerary. For example, traveling one- The best way to plan a trip is to work A: Firstly, all hotels and even many camp- way from Bergen to Tromsø takes in Åle- out which region you want to visit and then sites and hostels serve a breakfast buffet, sund, Trondheim, and the Lofoten Islands in include the nearest fjords into your itinerary. usually consisting of bread with pålegg (top- less than four days. From Ålesund, visit the Geirangerfjord and pings) and sometimes also hot options. Take underrated Hjørundfjord. Form Bergen, visit advantage of this and fill up! Q: How can I visit the area my great-grand- the Hardangerfjord and its narrow arm, the Many places will permit you to make up parents came from? Sørfjord. From Stavanger, the Lysefjord is a matpakke (packed lunch) from the buffet. A: First of all, take advantage of the online within easy reach, while the dramatic Troll Although this comes at an extra cost, it’s still tools available to understand your fam- fjord is an enthralling RIB-boat ride away cheaper than buying lunch elsewhere and ily tree. The Norwegian National Archives from Svolvær on the Lofoten Islands. will keep you going until dinner. (arkivverket.no/eng) is a great starting point. Wages make up the biggest portion of The service is in English, although the data If you have any burning questions about the cost of a meal, which means the cheaper will of course be in Norwegian. Be aware traveling to Norway, get in touch and I’ll an- restaurants are much more expensive than that the spelling of place names may have swer some more next month. cheaper restaurants in the U.S., relative to the equivalent high-end restaurants. Gener- Guided by her ancestors’ voices, Karen ally speaking, Asian restaurants provide the June 24 - August 4, 2017 best value meals. retraces their courageous journey Wherever you eat, replacing wine with from Norway to Amerika in the mid- tap water (which is excellent throughout Norway) and avoiding starters will save you 1800s, documenting their lives and Photo: UiO, Mantas Grigaliunas a big chunk of cash—which you can splash their legacy. out on that reindeer steak or Arctic cod. Remember that mealtimes run much Conversations earlier in Norway, and it can be hard to find a place to eat in smaller towns after 9:00 p.m.! Loosely Translated by Karen S. Swensson Q: Is the Hurtigruten a good value way to see Norway? Buy Now on Amazon.com A: First of all, I have not (yet!) traveled on uio.no/summerschool ∙ [email protected] ∙ (800) 639-0058
Conversations_NorwAm 2.5x7 ad_clr_Rev_1.indd 1 11/13/16 9:50 AM 18 • December 2, 2016 Norwegian Heritage theNorwegianamerican Norwegian War Sailors getting the recognition they deserve
Club,” explained Andresen. “I ran into one guy from Albany who Victoria Hofmo had his son with him. We had worked at the Brooklyn, N.Y. same company in New York. I also got to meet people for the first time that had been The Norwegian War Sailors (WWII) are corresponding with me. A woman from San drawing a lot of attention these days. This is Francisco who is writing a book about the partly because there are so few of these he- sailors and the President of Seamen’s Veter- roes remaining but also to atone for the bad an’s Club in Haugesund [Andresen’s home- treatment they received from the Norwegian town] were there. We had also been in touch, government after the war. They fought for before we met here. There was a woman who almost 30 years to get their past due wages. had published a photo essay book highlight- One wonderful tribute was a luncheon ing the War Sailors, about 24 of us. Sylvia held on October 27 at the Norwegian Mari- and I were in it. That author was there.” time Museum in Oslo, Norway. A traveling Andresen is already looking for ways stipend was offered to allow as many as pos- to include the new folks he met in Norway sible to attend. This gathering grew out of a with activities in New York. “David Gold, new project, the Krigsseilere Register (War a guy who lives in Connecticut and works Sailor’s Register), which was launched in for NATO, picked Sylvia and I [sic] up and January of this year. Photo: Lois Berseth Hedlund brought us to the museum. I want to invite Under the umbrella of the Norwegian “The stone” is a fittingly simple memorial to Norwegian sailors in New ork.Y him to Battery Park to the stone next year.” Center for War Sailor History, the website ex- “The stone” is a monument erected by plains their purpose as follows: “This national the Norwegian Sailors and Navy to thank register will have all Norwegian men and Andresen and his partner Sylvia Kristiansen served during the second world war.” the U.S. for its hospitality. A later tablet was women [who] sailed in the Norwegian Mer- attended, as well as Olav Aune from Staten Andresen added, “I shook hands with added that gives tribute to those who served. chant Fleet between 1939 and 1945, upon fin- Island. Heavy hitters attending included the the Prime Minister and said hi. I sat right Each May the Scandinavian East Coast Mu- ishing. We also include Norwegians in Nor- Norwegian Prime Minister and a representa- next to her when she gave a speech. They seum visits the stone with the sailors to re- wegian or Allied Navy as well as those who tive from NATO. But of course the most im- took pictures of us all and we each got a book member them and those they lost. sailed on Allied and neutral merchant ships portant guests were the sailors themselves. about Norway during the war.” between 1939 and 1945. International sailors Kristiansen stated, “A few got up and It was also a time to connect and to re- If you have any queries about family mem- who sailed for Nortraship and the Norwegian spoke…. Many spoke about what they went connect. “I met a lot of friends I knew dur- bers who sailed in the war or about the his- Home fleet will also be registered.” through during the war and how the ships ing the war and they remembered a lot of torical events, please email krigsseilerregis- Two folks from Brooklyn, (Karl) Aksel went down. It was to honor those left who the places in Brooklyn, such as the Danish [email protected].
Anders Beer Wilse Photography: Life of a Young Norwegian Pioneer En Emigrants Ungdomserindringer Volume 1 Written and photographed by Anders Beer Wilse Bilingual English Norwegian, translated into English by Odd-Steinar Dybvad Raneng. Edited by Deb Nelson Gourley and Christian Wilse. Copyright © 2015 Anders Beer Wilse Family
Anders Beer Wilse, 1865-1949, is one of Norway’s most famous photographers. He worked in the USA from 1884-1900 before returning to Norway, and docu- mented all his adventures—and his homeland—in photography and writing. Wilse wrote En Emigrants Ungdomserin- dringer (1936) and Norsk Landskap og Norske Menn (1943). The first of these is serialized here. Kragerø in Telemark, Norway, my childhood home. — Kragerø, min barndoms by.
That I as an adult first came into railway construction and later went over to At jeg som voksen først kom inn i jernbanebygging og siden over i frilufts- outdoor photography has without doubt its beginnings in the beautiful, unbound fotografering har uten tvil sin oprinnelse i det herlige, ubundne friluftsliv jeg levde outdoor life I lived as a boy in my hometown, both out at sea and throughout the som gutt i fødebyen, både ute på sjøen og inne i landet. countryside. Jeg var ikke store karen før jeg som alle gutter der nede i sørlandsbyen be- I was not a big lad before I, as all boys down there in the southern town, gynte å klatre i heiene og ferdes ute mellem skjærene. Og jeg var vel ikke mer began climbing in the hills and going out between the reefs. And I was not more enn 12 år da far forærte mig et haglgevær. Dette og en liten kogg som målte 9 fot than twelve when father presented me with a shotgun. This and a small rowboat, [2¾ meter] i kjølen, gjorde at jeg kunde skaffe mangt et stykke vilt til huset. Med which measured nine feet [2¾ meters] in the keel, made it so that I could supply geværet og en primitiv fiskestang som jeg kappet i skogen, tumlet jeg meget om the house with many a game tidbit. With the shotgun and a primitive fishing pole, i heiene bak byen og innover landet — og skulket nok skolen av og til når været which I had cut in the forest, I romped about a lot in the hills behind town and om høsten var fristende fint. Da kunde det nok også hende at en barhytte blev inland — and probably skipped school now and then when the weather during mitt nattekvarter — til skrekk for mor når jeg ikke hadde sagt fra — en ting jeg autumn was temptingly good. Then it also could happen that a hut made of pine ikke godt kunde gjøre når jeg hadde skulket. Men jeg kom da som oftest hjem branches became my night quarters — to the utter dismay for mother when I had med fugl nok til huset — og litt til. En gang hadde jeg imidlertid hatt lite hell, not told her beforehand — a thing I could not do when I had skipped school. hadde bare fått et par nøtteskriker. Det var om høsten og ungkråkene var fete, så But for the most, I came home with enough fowl for the household — and a little de skulde være god kost. Jeg skjøt derfor et par, plukket dem fint, bar dem hjem extra. One time however, I had little luck, only a couple of common jays. It was og presenterte dem som ryper for mor. Nu fantes der riktignok ikke ryper på de during autumn and the young crows were fat, so they should be good eating. I kanter av landet, men mor tok det for god fisk og stekte dem efter alle kunstens therefore shot a pair, plucked them well, carried them home and presented them regler. De blev servet og nydt med synlig velbehag. Selv spiste jeg nøtteskrike. as white grouse to mother. In fact there were no grouse in this part of the country, Først dagen efterpå fortalte jeg sannheten, men da var det litt for sent å få brek but mother accepted them in good faith and fried them according to all the rules ningsfornemmelser. of the game. They were served and enjoyed with visible pleasure. As for myself, I ate the jays. The next day I told the truth, as then it was a little late to have a desire to vomit. Get the book! • Wilse Vol 1 • $11.95 + $4.95 shipping • www.astrimyastri.com theNorwegianamerican Norwegian Heritage December 2, 2016 • 19
Here and there: < cheese From page 3
cation, was visionary. It opened up for arti- Further reading: Third time lucky sanal cheesemaking involving production by • “Norwegian Blue Cheese Named hand, reviving the traditional craftsmanship World Champion,” Guild of Fine Food Press of cheesemaking at dairy farms across the Release, Nov. 16, 2016, link: gff.co.uk/nor- country. wegian-blue-cheese-named-world-champion By 2009, Tingvollost and Kraftkar • “Kraftkar, un queso azul noruego, gained national and then international recog- mejor del mundo en los World Cheese nition, in that year winning the Norwegian Awards 2016” (Kraftkar, a Norwegian blue cheese championships and being awarded a cheese, best in the world at the World Cheese medal at the Nordic cheese championships Awards 2016), Press release by the Basque held in Denmark. In 2011, Kraftkar was government, link: www.elmundo.es/vida-sa awarded a Gold Medal at the World Cheese na/2016/11/16/582cc065e5fdea03028b46 Awards, initiated in 1988 by the Guild of 5d.html (in Spanish) Fine Food (GFF) based in Dorset, England. • “Norway is now home to the best At the 2016 World Cheese Awards, co- cheese in the world,” VisitNorway Press Re- sponsored by the Basque government and by lease, Nov. 17, 2016, link: www.visitnorway. the Associación Artzai Gazta co-op of Spain, com/media/news-from-norway/norway-is- Kraftkar emerged the champion, in a field of now-home-to-the-best-cheese-in-the-world 3021 cheeses from 31 countries. • “Nordmenn vil ha kortreist mat” (Norwegians want local foods), a short pro- Visiting Tingvollost: file of Tingvollost, Norwegian American VisitNorway.com has an updated listing on Weekly, Aug. 15, 2014, page 2, digitized the Tingvollost Open Farm Shop, link: www. version of paper edition, link: norwegiana- Photo: David Burke visitnorway.com/listings/tingvollost-open- merican.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf- Lauren Hauser is living her third life in Norway. Shown here with her dog Depill. farm-shop/11824 manager/189_08-15-14_DIGITAL.PDF (in Norwegian with short summary in English)
David Burke Skoppum, Norway
Many of you may know a Norwegian who tan Opera in New York. She was a dancer has moved to America, but how many know and he was property master, so I grew up an American who has settled in Norway? backstage at the Met. It’s like home working According to Statistics Norway, just in the theatre.” 7,450 Americans reside in Norway, which has a total population of about 5,225,000. Forever young Considering some 550,000 foreign nation- Lauren, 58, retains the limber body of a als live in the country, we’re a small slice of dancer. “I love yoga but don’t go as often as Norway’s demographic pie. I should. Like most dancers I have scoliosis The Norwegian American would like and yoga really helps my back. Walking my to introduce you to some of these ordinary dog helps a lot.” Americans living in Norway and shed some Lauren recently bought an apartment light on how and why they ended up here. on Oslo’s eastside and lives there with her 19-year-old son and dog, Depill. Her oldest Lauren Hauser came to Norway via son, 21, moved back to Iceland to study. New York City and Reykjavík, Iceland. “This is my third life,” says the former Privileged life Photo: VisitNorway ballerina at the New York City Ballet who Lauren feels privileged to live in Nor- Dairy director Egil Smith Meyer and the award-winning Kraftkar cheese. worked with such legends as George Bal- way. She sometimes misses New York’s cul- anchine and Jerome Robbins in the 1980s. tural diversity, “but there is also much going on here in Oslo. Besides seeing all the ballet Dream come true productions at the National Ballet, I try to Newspaper ads never go out “Dancing was a dream come true. I was see the freelance dance productions as well so lucky to have a career doing what I loved as operas, concerts, and plays.” most of all. My former colleagues are all a She appreciates the generous support of style. Place yours today! part of my extended family, we were so close the arts and artists get in Norway, but rec- and shared so much,” she reminisces. ognizes change. Norway’s dependence on oil Call 206-784-4617 or email [email protected] Like most ballerinas, Lauren retired in as a major source of income and persistent to request a personalized advertising proposal her mid-30s, and not long after she moved low oil prices is putting pressure on Norwe- to Reykjavík with her Icelandic husband. In gian cultural endeavors. Iceland, she had two children and contin- “We feel it here in the Opera.” ued to work in the performing arts as ballet Lauren is unsure if she will stay in Nor- The Uff Da Shoppe buys Norwegian master at the Iceland Dance Company and a way when retirement rolls around. “I miss teacher. After 16 years in the island country, family and friends, but I only know America Rosemaling, Wood Carvings, and she and her husband divorced. as a young single ballet dancer. Anymore Handcrafted products! I don’t really feel American, Icelandic, or Unexpectedly Oslo Norwegian.” Stanwood, Washington • (360) 629-3006 • www.uffdashoppe.com Lauren contemplated moving back to New York City but unexpectedly heard about Best of three worlds a job with the Norwegian National Ballet in Lauren’s decision to move to Norway Oslo. was primarily made with her children in mind. She was hired as planning coordinator at “I was fortunate to land a great job, but 2709 SAN PABLO AVE — BERKELEY, CA 94702 the Norwegian dance company and relocated the deciding factor was the life I could give to Oslo with two young sons in 2009. Her my children as a single mom. Norway’s a Phone: (800) 854-6435 — Email: [email protected] workplace is Norway’s famous architectural beautiful, friendly country, and similar to the landmark, the Oslo Opera House, designed life we had in Iceland—with the added plus Featuring great Nordic products by Oslo/NYC architecture firm Snøhetta. of being close to Iceland for visits. “I have the best colleagues in the world! “I consider myself very lucky to be Books • Candy and Chocolates • Canned goods • Condiments And some of my former colleagues from where I am at this point in my life and Cooking wares • Dry Goods • Gift items • Specialty meats New York City Ballet come here to work couldn’t be more happy with the way things and more! and it’s an extra treat to meet them again. We have turned out. have a fantastic ballet repertoire. Both my “I really feel like I have the best of all Visit us online: www.nordichouse.com father and mother worked in the Metropoli- three worlds here.” 20 • December 2, 2016 Norsk Språk theNorwegianamerican Norwegian Language Corner Adventures in translation: NORWEGIAN FOLK TALES, FAIRY TALES and TROLLS A dirty word for a
Volume 2 non-vermin mouse With 21 classic folk tales, fairy tales, and trolls from Norway in Norwegian and English, “Tuss og Troll” is now serialized in the Norwegian American Weekly’s Norwegian Language Corner. The stories are from the collections of Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, and retold by Øyvind Dybvad, Gard Espeland, Velle Espeland, Johannes Farestveit, and Nana Rise-Lynum. Translated by Alexander Knud Huntrods and Odd-Steinar Dybvad Raneng. Illustrated by Solveig Muren Sanden, Jens R. Nilssen, and Ralph A. Styker. “Tuss og Troll” was edited, designed, and published by Deb Nelson Gourley of Astri My Astri publishing. Copyright © Norsk Barneblad.
Photo: George Shuklin / Wikimedia Commons No, not this kind of mouse.
M. Michael Brady Asker, Norway
In 1972, Norsk språkråd (The Language cross-referencing to English, French, and Council of Norway) faced a challenge of un- Swedish terms. precedented urgency. The expanding field Along the way there were lexicographic of electronic data processing had burst out advances, including interworking with the of academic centers and was on its way into International Organization for Standardiza- mainstream life. An acute need for uniform tion (ISO) to ensure the compatibility of terminology arose. The ongoing inconsistent terminology between languages. There also use of foreign terms, mostly from American were mishaps, as there always are in diction- English, threatened linguistic chaos. aries charting new fields. Most of them were Oskeladden og den raude hesten The Ash-lad and the Red Horse In today’s computer-aware world, the technical and were corrected in later editions del 2 av 3 part 2 of 3 data world of 1972 seems pre-historic. That of the book. But at least one was potentially said, it was a year of transition. The first desk- titillating: the English word mouse, translated Kongen i dette riket hadde mist dot- The king in this kingdom had lost his top computer that could be programmed by its directly to mus. ter si. Eit troll hadde teke henne opp på daughter. A troll had taken her up into a user was marketed that year. It was supplied Neither mus nor its English sourceword eit berg som var så høgt og bratt at ingen mountain that was so high and steep that with BASIC, a programming language de- mouse appeared in the first edition of 1976. kunne koma dit opp. Kongen hadde lova nobody could come up there. The king had vised just eight years earlier, aimed to enable That’s understandable, as the first computer at den som kunne frelsa henne, skulle få promised that the one who could save her, people other than scientists and mathemati- mouse, a handheld display controller named både henne og halve riket, og det var nok would get both the princess and half the cians to use computers. for the common rodent that it resembles, av dei som freista. kingdom, and there were many who tried. The Language Council could not have was brought into everyday computer use by Men ingen kunne koma opp det brat- But no one could get up that steep envisioned the subsequent explosive growth Apple Computers four years later, in 1980. te fjellet. No ville Oskeladden i veg. Han mountain. Now the ash-lad wanted to of the computing technologies, but it did act In step with the continual updating of Norsk gjekk bort til berget og riste på bekslet, have a go. He went to the mountain and og raudehesten kom med ein gong. Os- shook the bridle, and the red horse came with incisive foresight. It commissioned a Dataordbok, mus from the English mouse ap- keladden svinga seg opp i salen, og så bar straight away. The ash-lad swung himself committee of seven experts and charged it peared quickly, in the second edition of 1981. det i veg oppetter bratte berget så gneis- into the saddle, and off they went straight with compiling a Norsk Dataordbok (Norwe- tane fauk unna hestehovane. up the steep mountain so that sparks gian Data Dictionary). The committee worked See > mouse, page 21 Då han var komen opp på fjellet og were flying from the horse’s hooves. swiftly. Despite the size and complexity of the topic, the first edition of Norsk Dataordbok reid bortetter, råka han ei gammal - kjer When he had come to the top of the M. Michael Brady was was published in 1976. It was a slim, 2.8 x ring som sat der. — God dag, bestemor! mountain and had ridden some distance, educated as a scientist and 8.3 in. paperback of 184 pages, covering the sa Oskeladden. he came upon an old woman who was with time turned to writing 1,100 most essential terms of what now is — No har eg sete her i hundre år, sa just sitting there. “Good day, grandmoth- and translating. kjerringa, — men du er den fyrste som er!” said the ash-lad. called Information Technology (IT). Within kallar meg bestemor. Det skal du ikkje ha “I have now been sitting here for one its genre, it was a best-seller, going through gjort for ingenting. hundred years,” said the woman, “but you six editions, the last in 1997 (with a second Så gav ho Oskeladden ein veggsmed- are the first to call me grandmother. You printing in 1999), a 455-page hardcover with nebb og ein fjørstilk og eit trådnyste. — have not done that for naught,” said she. Set du nebben bak øyra, kan du skapa So she gave the ash-lad a death- deg om til ein veggsmed, sa ho. — Gjer watch beetle’s mandible, a feather, and du det same med fjørstilken, vert du til a ball of yarn. “If you put the mandible ein fugl. Men trådnystet skal du kasta, og behind your ears, you will make yourself der det trillar føre, går du etter. into a deathwatch beetle,” said she. “If Oskeladden kasta nystet, og det trilla you do the same with the feather, you føre både oppetter bakken og nedetter will make yourself into a bird. But the ball bakken, over fjell og djupe dalar. Langt of yarn you need to throw, and where it om lenge kom han til det berget der leads you, you must go.” kongsdottera var. Trollet var ikkje heime The ash-lad threw the ball of yarn, den dagen, det var ute på sjøen og fiska, and it rolled both up hills and down hills, og Oskeladden kunne gå beint inn. over mountains and down into deep val- Kongsdottera vart både glad og sute- leys. At long last he came to the moun- full. — Når trollet kjem heim, så drep det tain where the princess was. The troll deg, sa ho. was not at home that day, as he was out — Det skal eg nok sjølv passa, sa Os- at sea fishing, and the ash-lad was able to keladden. Då det leid til kvelds, kom trol- just walk straight inside. let stigande. The princess, she was both happy as — Fy, for kristenmanns lukt, sa det. well as anxious. “When the troll comes Men då hadde Oskeladden alt skapt seg home he will kill you,” she said. om til ein veggsmed og gøymt seg i ei “I will take care of that,” said the ash- sprunge. lad. In the evening, the troll came walk- ing home. “Fie, such a Christian man’s smell,” Tuss og Troll 2-vol-set said he. However, by this time the ash-lad $35.95 with FREE shipping in USA. had changed himself into a deathwatch www.astrimyastri.com beetle and hidden himself inside a crack. theNorwegianamerican Norsk Språk December 2, 2016 • 21
< joner Fra side 2 « Life goes on and I follow after. » fra en enkeltperson, og så er det regissert av – Halvdan Sivertsen et reklamebyrå, sier Listhaug til VG. — Dette luktet profesjonell hjelp lang vei. Det som er svært overraskende er NOAS er den som mottar pengene og også er ini- Pondus by Frode Øverli tiativtaker, og allikevel ikke er åpne om det. Sylvi Listhaug understreker på sin side at det er positivt at folk bidrar til veldedig ar- beid, men skulle heller sett at pengene gikk til hjelp i nærområden. — Folk må nå få bruke pengene sine på det de vil, men ettersom det er i mitt navn skulle jeg heller sett at pengene gikk til å hjelpe de som trenger det mest, sier Listhaug. NOAS’ Austenå er ikke enig i at det er grunn til å føle seg lurt. — Dette oppfatter vi at er en genuin reaksjon og uttrykk for et engasjement, og ikke en reklamekampanje i den forstand. Vi har ikke betalt noe penger for dette. Derfor har vi ikke merket denne kampanjen. Almost done! Get up! Geeeet uuuuup! < mouse From page 20 Lunch by Børge Lund That’s when the trouble began. In Norwegian, mus has three meanings. In addition to designating the rodent and the handheld display controller, it’s the Norwe- gian vulgarism for the human female vulva. Apparently in fear of a potential indecency in describing a handheld device, in the third edition of 1984, the Norwegian translation of mouse was changed to skjermpilot (screen pilot), a literal back translation of its techni- cal description of being a “display controller.” That change was a flop. Skjermpilot gained no usage. In the fourth edition of 1987, as well as the fifth edition of 1993 and the sixth and last edition of 1997, the Norwegian translation of Do you notice how quiet I am when mouse was changed back to mus. I know you’re insaaanely busy and least of all wish to be disturbed? Originally published in Norwegian on the Clue dictionaries blog at blog.clue.no. Hjalmar by Nils Axle Kanten And this is for some heavy...
Hi, Hjalmar! I haven’t seen Bulk shopping for the weekend? Did you chat you since junior high! Ooh, looks like there’s gonna be with fine-Trine? Right down some heavy drinking! Ha-ha! How’d it go? the drain...
Han Ola og Han Per by Peter J. Rosendahl, with new translations by John Erik Stacy
Lars, do you have any advice for Lars, Lars, have chickens that eat eggs? I have a you lost your mind! whole crate full of them over there.
Naturally. 22 • December 2, 2016 Arts & Entertainment theNorwegianamerican Jeg er så glad…to be Norwegian! The Church Basement Ladies celebrate 3,000 performances at the Plymouth Playhouse
Greta Grosch St. Paul, Minn.
Setting: a Norwegian Lutheran Church basement kitchen. The walls are painted mint green and the windows, covered with pastel print curtains, give a glimpse of the world outside. A serving window opens onto the fellowship hall. Welcome to the domain of “the Church Basement Ladies,” the subject of a series of original musicals that has been delighting au- diences across the country for 11 years. The franchise is inspired by two 100% Norwe- gian-Lutheran farm girls, Janet Letnes Mar- tin and Suzann Nelson, authors of a number of Scandinavian-American humor books in- cluding the bestseller Growing up Lutheran. Drawing from the peculiarities of Scandina- vian heritage, the shows celebrate everything from lutefisk dinners to reading for the min- ister to the appropriateness of serving Italian lasagna at a funeral lunch. The ladies show off their Christmas cookies. Photo courtesy of the Church Basement Ladies Since 2005, six different installments of Church Basement Ladies have premiered at the Plymouth Playhouse in Plymouth, Min- G: Can’t teach an old dog new tricks? to close their small country church. Karin, traditions were kept by the women of the nesota: a Christmas version, Away in the R: Change can be hard for some of us. wife of the John Deere dealer, sings, “From basement. I think people want to know Basement; a centennial celebration, The Last In the first show, the Widow Snustad talks each other our strength is drawn, when togeth- where they came from. ... I do wonder if the (Potluck) Supper; and the latest in the series, about that. She says, “Everyone seems to er as one, we move on.” That show was hard next generation is as proud of their heritage Rise Up, O Men. The shows also tour nation- like it but me.” It’s an ongoing problem. for some of our audience members. as we were. ... Even the Norwegians in Nor- ally and have been licensed in all contiguous When I was growing up, hanging on to your R: They’ve probably been through it. For way are losing some of their old traditions. 48 states and Canada. culture was important. Change represented many of us, the church was the core of our They don’t have lutefisk for Christmas. They As the company prepared to celebrate something scary. community. Our ancestors were buried in the have pork and sauerkraut. their 3,000th performance at the Plymouth G: Like guitars in the sanctuary… Speak- cemetery. When you close the church it’s like G: Some of us are trying to hang on to Playhouse, scriptwriter Greta Grosch sat ing of change, the first five shows celebrated a betrayal. Who will take care of them? the culture: the Sons of Norway; the churches down with her 100% Norwegian-American the women. When I was working on Rise Up, G: Why are you so proud of your Nor- that still host lutefisk dinners; the readers of mother, Rosalie Grangaard Grosch, to talk O Men, people said, “I don’t know what you’ll wegian heritage? The Norwegian American. We even sing “Jeg about the shows. have to write about. Norwegian men don’t R: It shaped me. When I was a child, it er så glad” at the end of the Christmas show! talk. And they would never be in the kitchen.” was important to my parents to retain certain R: And I appreciate that. Greta: The shows take place in the 50s R: They talk about their tractors, and the traditions—the foods, the celebrations. They and 60s in rural Minn. You grew up in a weather, and their wives. But you’re right spoke Norwegian to one another at home. For more info on the shows, visit church- Norwegian Lutheran Church in Iowa. What about them not being in the kitchen. I re- My parents, and my church, instilled a real basementladiesonstage.com. about these shows reminds you of your past? member when the men started to help with pride in me to be Norwegian. When I went Rosalie: The church suppers. The funer- the funeral lunches. It was a shock. back to Norway, walked where my ances- Since 1989 Greta has al food. The chatter in the kitchen. G: Any favorite songs? tors came from, saw our family name on the worked as a writer and G: In A Mighty Fortress (Is Our Base- R: I like the song Mavis sings in the Christ- buildings—it felt like coming home. This performer. An original cast ment) our young character, Beverly, is study- mas version, “I’m just not Mary Material.” was God’s country. Growing up I was told member of Church Base- ing for confirmation. Did you have to “read G: Mavis is an able-bodied farm wife Norwegian was the best thing to be! ment Ladies, she scripted for the minister”? who always got stuck playing a shepherd or G: And then you went and married a the last five versions in the R: We didn’t call it that, but yes, we did a wise man in the Sunday School Christmas Swede/German. series. Greta also writes have to stand in front of the congregation. program… R: At least he’s Lutheran. The Medora Musical, is a And we had to memorize hymns. I’m grateful R: One of my favorite songs is the clos- G: Why do you think the shows are so voice over and commercial artist, travels the for that. It’s something to hold on to as I’ve ing song from The Last (Potluck) Supper. It popular? country as a motivational speaker, and is a gotten older. They’ve changed some of the sings of hope. R: People want to remember their cul- founding member of The Looney Lutherans. words, but I stick to the ones I memorized. G: It’s 1979 and after 100 years they have ture, their heritage, and for many of us the For more info visit gretagrosch.com. Community Connections Happy 70th, Thorsteen Kaare Hervold! Gratulerer med dagen til en herlig mann! Du er en velsignelse for alle som kjenner deg. Vi ønsker deg mange år til med moro og spenning.
fra Shari, Kaara, Richard, and Valbjørn theNorwegianamerican Arts & Entertainment December 2, 2016 • 23 Smell the lutefisk Book review: Olson’s Nice Family Christmas premieres All that I hold dear
Christine Foster Meloni Washington, D.C.
How lucky we are when we find links to our immigrant past! And how very special it is to find something material that actually belonged to someone on our family tree! Ruth Kolbjornsen Nybro found a true trea- sure in the bottom of her Grandmother Helga Hansen’s trunk: five small black diaries with entries in Norwegian neatly entered almost daily in the early years of the 20th century. Nybro had known her grandmother, but she didn’t discover the diaries until sev- eral years after her death. Recognizing their value, she translated them into English and published them under the title All that I hold Dear: A Young Immigrant in New York City, 1911-1916. It is a firsthand account of a Photo: Doug Engalla young Norwegian woman working as a live- Olson drew on his own family drama to create a holiday experience that many can relate to. From left in maid for wealthy families. to right: Greg D. Barnett, Patrick Burke, Marcia Rodd, Belinda Howell, and Fox Carney. In truth, the diaries themselves are not particularly interesting; Helga’s days as a provides us with an additional view of the maid are quite monotonous. She cleans and immigrant experience. Judith Gabriel Vinje cooks and sews and writes letters, day in and Nybro is considering another edition Los Angeles day out. She goes out to meet her Norwegian that would go beyond the diaries themselves relatives when she has free time. She rarely to include not only more personal informa- The audience-wide guffaws and bursts University of Chicago, and initially pursued reflects on her experiences. We don’t really tion about Helga and her family but also of laughter at the world premiere of prolif- a career in real estate. It was only then he get to know her as a person although we more contextual information about New ic playwright Phil Olson’s award-winning discovered that what he really wanted to do know that she works hard, values her family, York and the Norwegian immigrants. comedy, A Nice Family Christmas, are proof was write comedy. and tries to be a good Christian woman. that Minnesota humor has a universal appeal. His first play, Crappie Talk, which was But her diaries give us insight into the Hansen, Helga (Ed. & Trans. Nybro, Ruth Granted, the emotional reserve of this set in a fictitious town in northern Minne- life of a young Norwegian woman who Kolbjornsen). (2015). All that I hold Dear: “don’t hug me” family, as well as the typical sota, premiered at the same Lonny Chapman comes to New York, finds work, and makes a A Young Immigrant in New York City, 1911- Norwegian-American Christmas Eve setting, Group Rep Theatre in 1997. Since then, Ol- life for herself. We feel her sadness at being 1916. firmly place the play in the Upper Midwest. son has written 14 published plays that have so far from her parents and younger siblings. The stench/aroma of lutefisk greets each had more than 350 productions around the We realize the importance of the church to Christine Foster Meloni is new arrival to the Christmas Eve dinner. world. her. We also learn the strength of her ties to professor emerita at The (The audience can only imagine it.) No one Many of his plays are part of the “Don’t her Norwegian relations and the Norwegian George Washington Uni- of this generation can stand the stuff. It’s all Hug Me” series, including Don’t Hug Me, population in New York at this time. versity. She has degrees about old traditions versus the new. We’re Married. Drawing on the Nordic Nybro is to be commended for translat- in Italian literature, lin- Opening Nov. 4 at the Lonny Chapman tendency to be reserved if not downright ing these diaries and making them available guistics, and international Group Rep Theatre in North Hollywood, a repressed when it comes to expressing emo- to scholars and to anyone interested in urban education. She was born in Los Angeles theater district, the play runs tion, the plays nonetheless appeal across the immigrant life. Much more is known about Minneapolis and currently through Dec.18, playing Friday and Satur- ethnic spectrum. the Norwegian immigrants who settled in lives in Washington, D.C. She values her Nor- day nights and Sunday afternoons. There also was a previous play in the the Midwest and the Northwest. This book wegian heritage. Despite the Norwegian-American back- current series, the 2000 production of A Nice ground, the play’s plot points have contem- Family Gathering. porary resonance. Family crises such as The newest installment in the series, A separations, coming out gay, divorce, alco- Nice Family Christmas, will go on to open The Scandinavian Hour holism, and cancer provide the play’s more in seven other cities this year. Directed by Celebrating over 50 years on the air! serious scaffolding, but the humor is outra- Doug Engalla and produced by Alyson York, geously frank and downright funny. the stellar cast for the current production at KKNW – 1150 AM The setting and characters are based the Lonny Chapman Group Rep Theatre in- on Olson’s own family’s Christmas history, cludes Marcia Rodd, Greg D. Barnett, Pat- Saturdays 9 – 10 a.m. PST modified and tweaked with the playwright’s rick Burke, Truett Jean Butler, Fox Carney, Streaming live on the internet at: comedic yet soul-searching style. Rebekah Dunn, and Belinda Howell. Several Conflicts and meltdowns pepper the have appeared in Olson’s previous produc- www.1150kknw.com entire play, during which the wise mother tions. launches a competition among the family members as to who can be the most selfless. For further information, check the website at As the playwright himself asks during an au- www.thegrouprep.com. dience-cast talkback, “Isn’t every Christmas like a test?” In the long run, as several inter- generational conflicts reach some resolution, Minneapolis-born Judith family love wins out. Just don’t hug anyone Gabriel Vinje has been a journalist for nearly 50 to show that love! There are many other years, including a stint as ways to get that across, and A Nice Family God Jul og Godt Nyttår! a war correspondent. Now Christmas celebrates them with a contempo- a Los Angeles resident, she rary edge and a deep-rooted love of kinship. started writing for Norway Olson grew up in Edina, Minn. His fa- Times in 1998, and has ther’s grandparents emigrated from Norway been with the paper through its merges and and homesteaded a farm near Grand Forks, changes. An active member of Sons of Norway, N.D. His mother’s grandparents also came Edvard Grieg Lodge, Glendale Calif., she is from Norway and settled in Virginia, Minn. also a member of Odins of Raven, a Viking re- He didn’t set out to be a writer. He grad- enactment group on the West Coast, and writes uated from Dartmouth College with a degree frequently about Viking Age subjects for sev- in mathematics, received an MBA from the eral publications. 24 • December 2, 2016 Back Page theNorwegianamerican
the The Kingdom of The Rings Hearthstone by Duane Lindberg, PhD Nominated “Book of the Year” in historical fiction IDEAL CHRISTMAS GIFT for those interested in the saga of their Norwegian immigrant ancestors as it intertwines with the story of the conflict between the West and Islam since the 13th century.
The intriguing story is held together by the mystery of three interlocking golden Rings which were in the Magi’s gift to the Christ Child. Through the vicissitudes of history Welcome to the Neighborhood! from the Crusades, across the Middle Ages, to the great immigration to North America, the bearers of the Rings await with hopeful anticipation the confluence of the Rings.
The reader feels the immigrants’ struggle to preserve faith and heritage while sharing in the building of the Nation. Recommended by: Jon Tehven, International President, Rev. O. A. Gillebo, Ringsaker, Norway: Sons of Norway: “a story of “a brilliant story. ... It has my best expectation and hope.” recommendation.” Dr. David Noble, Prof. Emeritus, History & Am. Studies, Univ. of Minn.: “a powerful saga ... one feels their joys and sorrows.” the Hardback $24.95 – Paperback $20.95 Hearthstone Add 8¼% Sales Tax (CA only) and $4.95 Shipping & Handling. order (Phone for special pricing on 15 or more books.) from Retirement Living 6720 E Green Lake Way N Nordskog Publishing • Phone 805-642-2070 Seattle, WA 98103 Website: NordskogPublishing.com at Seattle’s Green Lake www.hearthstone.org Or order from Amazon.com, skandisk.com, or your local bookstore (206) 517-2213
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