Ringerike - Drammen Districts Lag BREV Serving Ringerike, Hole, Modum, Øvre Eiker, Nedre Eiker, Hurum, Lier, Røyken and Drammen, Norway Vol
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Ringerike - Drammen Districts Lag BREV Serving Ringerike, Hole, Modum, Øvre Eiker, Nedre Eiker, Hurum, Lier, Røyken and Drammen, Norway Vol. 29, No. 4 www.rddlag.org November 2015 Centennial news release Fellesraad celebrates 100 years in Brooklyn Center, MN, May 5 - 8, 2016 Some remember the 1999 Norwegian what earlier members knew —as well as der are encouraged for the dress-up ban- American Bygdelag Centennial for the having translators and family history assis- quet. Note if you will wear one when you first bygdelag, Valdres Samband. Well tants for members. Today the active lag register. There will be coffee breaks! over 1000 lag members and friends came emphasize culture, fellowship, ethnic to Decorah, IA, during some of the hottest foods, folk art, music, literature and librar- Sunday is an invitation to visit Norway days July has ever seen! It demonstrated ies. Many offer trips to Norway and most House and Mindekirken, the Norwegian our allegiance to our Norwegian heritage publish newsletters. Memorial Church, a member of the ELCA. —by proud feelings for our “home dis- They share a parking lot behnd 913 East tricts” and to the various bygdelag that May 5-6 sessions will be held at the ho- Franklin Avenue in Minneapolis. sprang up in North America. Now it’s tel, Doubletree by Hilton, in Brooklyn time for another big all-lag celebration! Center, MN. A reception Thursday even- Schedule updates for potential at- ing, May 5, welcomes those attending the tendees may be found on the official web- This celebration recognizes Bygdelagenes Friday seminars—two of them, (including site, www.fellesraad.com/centennial . Fellesraad, established in 1916, after sev- lunch). Both have speakers from Norway On Facebook– google Fellesraad. eral attempts to have an umbrella organi- and North America. Registrants may at- Remember to make hotel reservations zation to assist and to coordinate activity tend joint or separate seminars. early. It is expected the hotel will fill be- of all affiliated groups with regional ori- fore the closing date. (Price code: NAB ) gins in Norway. One seminar is “Norwegian-ness: Past, You’re invited; members will wish to Present and Future”. It will deal with an RSVP before the February BREV is Centennial plans will recognize the threads ancestor’s relocation mobility, using their published. of culture that remain in our society, par- own strengths, talents, and skills to be- tially due to the bygdelag movement. One come successful, often with limited educa- Mail Registration Forms (pp 9-10) or of them is supporting our ethnic tradi- tion. The second will cover “21st Century download or register online —or email tions. Another is encouraging family Norwegian Family History”—location of your lag president. Addresses are on the history. Initially, the lags allowed our im- materials and updating of research tools. form and special requests may be made to migrant ancestors to visit with friends in Jean Knaak, the Centennial Chairper- their native dialects while enjoying pro- Earle Brown Center near the hotel will son, whose email and phone also appear grams, tours, and prized tastes of home be the all-day venue for May 7, the annu- on the form. Please note that reduced district foods. These were big events. al Fellesraad first Saturday meeting day. fees apply if current members register The building opens early so that lag dis- before January 15, 2016. Since many lag organized by 1914, the plays and banners can be placed appro- attendance hit its zenith sometime thereaf- priately before delegates and others The Fellesraad voted to make a sub- begin the day promptly for the 100th ter. Author Odd Lovoll, in his 1975 stantial contribution to the celebration book, A Folk Epic: the Bygdelag in annual meeting and election of officers from 8-9 AM. to keep registration fees under their America, wrote that at least 75,000 peo- actual cost. ple attended a summer stevne. All bygdelag will participate Saturday. IN THIS ISSUE As offspring of original members had both Dozens of volunteers (more needed) will 2016 Fellesraad Centennial & forms 1, 9, 10 lag interests and civic interests as Ameri- share tasks (with shorter times so that eve- Fra Presidenten 2 cans, the Norwegian meeting minutes and ryone may celebrate the day). Special ven- My Journey by Ann D. Johnson 3, 4 publications gradually changed to English dors and exhibits will be available before a Haug Chruch, Eiker + Charter Members 5, 6 over time. Meetings were infrequent dur- special luncheon. Demonstration of folk Ringerike, Cradle of History 7, 8 Member News; New Member 8 ing years of two world wars and the De- dancing, displays of folk art and Norwe- 1927 Ringerike bear hunt (picture) 11 pression. When family history really start- gian gift ideas will be present. A festive banquet, special recognitions, and special World War I Soldiers from Spring Grove 11 ed to catch on, the emphasis changed. Membership Application 12 Each bygdelag offered classes to learn activity for children are included. Bunad- November 2015 RDD BREV Page 1 2015-2016 Officers FRA PRESIDENTEN : ways use helpers at the event. If you are inter- President : Lynn Nord ested, please let me know. 9640 Vincent Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55431 With Thanksgiving right around the corner, this 612-816-9713 is always a great time to reflect on the many On the last day of the coming Stevne, the RDD [email protected] members will be having a special 100th Anni- blessings I am thankful for. Of course, that list V President: Marilyn Sorensen starts with my family, my job and my church; versary Celebration on a boat in Albert Lea. 4468 Arden View Court however, recently I have realized I am thankful If you recall, our lag first formed in Albert Lea, St. Paul, MN 55112 so we owe our existence to that group who gath- 651-633-1329 for the opportunity to be a part of this great or- [email protected] ganization of Norwe- ered in the summer of 1916. I would love to see gians. as many of our 180 some members join us for Secretary: Jackie Anderson the festivities! 9431 Crestview Court St Joseph, MN 56374 The people I have (320) 363-8482 met have wonderful Before we kick off our celebration, I encour- th [email protected] stories to share and age you to come to the Fellesraad’s 100 anni- versary gathering in May. The planning com- Treasurer: Peg Nelson Schellin many have gone out W240 N 7777 Deerfield Court of their way to sup- mittee has done a fabulous job of creating a Sussex, WI 53089 port me. Over the weekend of amazing speakers and entertainment (262) 246-6377 with a chance to show non-member Norwegians [email protected] time since I have been president, I what the bygdelag movement is all about. I plan Genealogists have received sever- to attend the entire two and a half days and Derwyn Anderson again, hope to see many of you take advantage 9431 Crestview Court al cards and e-mails St Joseph, MN 56374 from members of this once-in-a-century experience. (See pp. 9- (320) 363-8482 thanking me for eve- 10 for the registration form with reduced price for [email protected] rything I am doing to lead this organization. I 2016 members in early January. The map (below) is of the Minneapolis metro area, showing easy access Phyllis Maxwell never expected that. So this is my opportunity to from major roads). 12683 Wildwood Drive thank you for your kindness and encouragement. Menahga, MN 56464 They are greatly appreciated. As we enter into the season of thankfulness and (218) 564-4391 [email protected] rejoicing, I want to wish you a very Happy Well, the push is on for the 2016 Stevne in Thanksgiving and a very Blessed Christmas. Historian Austin, MN! I have a great group of people We have a lot to look forward to in 2016! Sherrie Anderson-Framness who have stepped up to help with the planning 1703 E 4th Street Until then . Marshfield, WI 54449 and we have a lot of exciting things to offer. I Lynn (715) 387-6675 hope you are blocking your July calendar to [email protected] attend the 13th through the th Membership Chairpersons 16 . If you are planning to Ardis & Gene Danger come, we are in need of a few 782 Echo Shores Court, pieces of technical equipment Mahtomedi, MN 55115 (651) 779-1028 that you may have: [email protected] (new) 1) Video Projectors and the appropriate cables to connect BREV Editor to a computer (HDMI or VGA); Marilyn D. Somdahl possibly a screen, too 5100 W. 102 St, #209 2) Microphones Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 831-4409 [email protected] 3) A laptop computer Web Master: 4) Portable printer/copiers Anne Sladky 6938 State Hwy 200 NW 5) Video camera – and Laporte, MN 56401 (218) 547-1158 someone willing to shoot vid- rddwebmaster@ eo at a few of the events morwebsteps.com Please give me a call or send RDD Lag is an IRS 501 (c) an e-mail should you have any (3) educational tax-exempt non-profit organization. of these that you’d be willing Your gifts are tax deductible to loan for lag use for the Ste- to the full extent of the law. vne. In addition, we can al- Page 2 RDD BREV November 2015 An added plus to My Heritage Journey the tour guide who by Ann Desmarais Johnson was recommended was that she is a Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of traveling to noted Norwegian Norway to visit the birthplace of my Grandma.