PASSING OF THE BATON JULETREFEST (CHRISTMAS TREE PARTY) Kathy Browne, President-Elect Sunday, December 8, 2 p.m., Loveland

We are installing new and returning officers at the Come to Stein Fjell's Juletrefest and enjoy food, Jule- December meeting. It is important to have some continui- nisse, singing around the tree, the Christmas Story in Eng- ty in leadership roles, but it is equally critical to change lish and Norwegian, and more. It also is your last chance some of the key positions each year. Fresh perspectives this year to buy Christmas gifts at butikken. The Juletrefest and different styles provide vitality, which is important to will be held at King of Glory Lutheran Church, 2919 Wilson the survival of our lodge. This is true even when the out- Avenue, Loveland. going people have done an extraordinary job. Think of it Please call Barbara Nolin at 970.667.7641 by as a relay race where one runner is able to hand the baton December 2nd to let her know the number of on to the next runner, allowing the team to maintain its children you will be bringing, so Julenisse forward momentum for a longer time. The lodge is in can provide for them. Bring your children, need of a new editor for Posten. We could lose this critical your grandchildren, and/or your neighbor's communication link if no one steps in to accept the baton. children. Along with this annual changing of the guard is the For the potluck dinner, if your last name begins with need to confirm what lodge members are thinking. To A - M – please bring a main dish and salad, and if it is help in planning for 2014, a Planning Survey was handed N - Z – please bring a main dish and dessert. out at the November meeting. Additional copies will be We look forward to celebrating with you! available at the December meeting and Juletrefest. You will find a copy of this survey in this issue of Posten, as well. Take time to answer the three questions and return your survey to me, Kathy Browne, before December 10th. You can hand it to me at the December meeting or Juletrefest, email it to me, or send it by regular mail. A special thank you to all who have already responded! Each survey is being read and considered. Discussions have already begun on how to honor all that we value while having more fun and less work. Watch for an- nouncements in the next Posten. t t t t t t t t t t t t t t t STEIN FJELL CONTACTS [email protected] – Roxanne Storlie – 970.412.5713 [email protected] – Rod Skaflen – 970.484.5459 [email protected] – JoAnn Kison – 970.581.2348 [email protected] – Marianne, Bill Nesse – 970.330.7183 2

DESEMBER KALENDER MEETING REMINDERS FROM RAS *Official Norwegian Flag-Flying Day Rasmus Erdal, Stein Fjell Host Coordinator +Norwegian Public Holiday Our December 5th Refreshment Hosts are Jane and 2: Deadline, Camp Skogfjorden Registration with 2013 Alan Strand (chairs), Claire Grinager, Roxanne Storlie, and tuition price (November 2013 Posten, sofn6.com) Susan and Gary Zook. This meeting includes the installa- tion of our new officers for 2014. 5: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m., Installation of Officers, Pay For Vær så god . . . and Pick Up Ordered Christmas Lefse Looking forward to 2014! . . . the Refreshment Hosts Trafalgar Square Tree Lighting, London (tree from Oslo) for the January 9th meeting are Marian and Ras Erdal (chairs), Carol and John Baldo, Kristi Quinlan, Jane 7: Fjellheim Christmas Tea, 2 p.m., (p. 5) Yestness, and Nissa Yestness. Fjelldalen Lutefisk and Lefse Dinner (Nov. <13 Posten) Tusen takk for hjelpen. 7-8: Loveland Lights, Sat. 9 - 6 p.m. and Sun. 1 - 5 p.m. (p. 4) KULTURHJØRNET (CULTURE CORNER) 8: Juletrefest (Christmas Tree Party), 2 p.m. (p. 1) Nancy L. Dunn, Cultural Director Vestafjell Meeting, Jul Celebration, 2 p.m. (p. 5) Due to the installation of officers’ ceremony, we will 13: Luciadagen (Saint Lucia’s Day) have a short cultural program – the second part of the DVD on Viking Ships, including the history of the Vikings’ 14: Vesterheim Jul Party, Potluck, 4 - 7 p.m. (p. 5) travels from Scandinavia southward into the 15: Posten Submission Deadline NOTE EARLIER DATE! regions of northern Fjelldalen White Fence Farm Lunch (p. 5) Europe. The program explains how the seafaring 21: Trollheim Jul Fest, 12 - 2 p.m. (p. 5) Vikings were able to travel Vintersolverv (Winter Solstice), shortest day far and wide during the 8th Tomasnatten (p. 4) and 9th centuries because Exhumed Viking ship, Viking of their highly evolved Ship Museum, Oslo, . 22: Fjellheim Julebord (p. 5) ship-building skills and Credit: age fotostock/Super- navigation techniques. Stock, Ency. Britannica 24: Julaften (Christmas Eve) SAVE THE DATE – JANUAR 2014 25*+: Første Juledag (Christmas Day) God Jul!

26+: Andre Juledag (Second Christmas Day), St. Stephen’s 1: Registration Begins, Camp Trollfjell – campnorge.com Day, Boxing Day 3: Application Deadline, Colo. Ski for Light – cosfl.org 9: Lodge Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Memorial Service – PLEASE 31: Nyttårsaften (New Year’s Eve) NOTE DATE AND TIME! Deadline, Stein Fjell Scholarships (p. 3) 11: Zone 8 Leadership Meeting, 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., th Trollheim New Year’s Eve Party, 6 - 10 p.m. (p. 5) Trollheim Lodge, 6610 W. 14 Avenue, Lakewood. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. GRATULERER MED DAGEN! 12: Class, 2 - 4:30 p.m., Trollheim HAPPY BIRTHDAY Charles Knutson – 303.860.9025 / 303.726.6470c 16: Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Kathy Browne’s home 18: Stein Fjell’s 38th Anniversary Potluck, 11:30 a.m. - 2 Makenzie Kvasager 16 Rus Knutson 2:30 p.m., Zion Lutheran Ch., 815 E. 16th St., Loveland 11 Rick Bilstad 19 Ras Erdal 31 - Februar 2: Colorado Regional Ski for Light, Snow 11 Inger Froyland 24 Tami Bothwell Mountain Ranch, Granby – cosfl.org. Contact Brenda 11 Paul Fuglestad 28 Bill Nesse Bertrand, 303.789.8342, [email protected] 13 Nancy Dunn 31 Blaine Johnson J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? 14 Stephanie Sikes 31 Paula Sutton 15 Jane Strand Names, Phone Numbers, and Addresses must not be redistributed, or used for commercial purposes. 3

DITT OG DATT (THIS ‘N’ THAT) SOLSKINN (SUNSHINE) Marian Erdal i It's time for Christmas baking! Get your Solo Almond Paste for those delicious almond bars from Marian We all wish Joann Harris a speedy Erdal (970.225.9035). At $4.50/can, the price is much recovery from her knee surgery. As this is lower than at the supermarket. She’ll have them for written, she is recuperating at the Life you at the December 5th meeting. Care Center in Greeley. She would love a i Congratulations to all of our newly-elected officers! card from you, sent to her home. One change was made prior to voting – Jane Robbins is our new auditor. REGARDING CULTURAL SKILLS i Annette Freeland, 22-year Stein Ras Erdal, Cultural Skills Director Fjell member, was honored as the Female Volunteer of the The next meeting of the Hardanger embroidery group Year for the J.. Montgomery VA will be on Friday, December 13, from 1 - 3 p.m. at the Medical Center, Muskogee OK. Erdal home. If there is anyone new that wants to begin Annette volunteers at the learning Hardanger or join the group, Muskogee main information please contact Midge Parkos desk five days a week, helping (970.356.7489) or me (970.225.9035). Annette, May 2012 veterans and family members. Please call reasonably well in advance i Don’t forget – Stein Fjell Member and Community to join us. After all . . . seating, lighting, st Scholarship applications are due December 31 . Send and refreshments are involved. applications (steinfjell.com) to Keith Robbins. i Barneløpet will be held Februar 22 at Snow Mountain TUSEN TAKK . . . Ranch. See the attached or inserted flyer. Marianne Workman-Nesse and Bill Nesse, Editors i Mike Erickson says “Hi!” to everyone. He’s leaving in January to live in Deep River, Ontario, Canada and . . . to everyone who provided information, pictures, work at Atomic Energy Canada Limited. and articles for Posten during this past year. You are i CORRECTION – Patty and Mike Breien are living at appreciated! 5748 Donegal Drive in Shoreview MN. (Chalk it up to . . . for making our 2014 Membership Directory as Moving Mind Muddle – not quite the same as a accurate as possible. If you have a change in address, Vulcan Mind Meld . . . wish we’ had one!) phone number(s), and/or email, please let us know ASAP. i Possibility of a chaperoned train, Denver to Coalfax Directories will be available at the January lodge meeting. CA for Camp Trollfjell – contact Executive Camp Di- . . . for the support and encouragement we have rector Erik Peters, Vesterheim ([email protected]) received during our time as Posten editors FROM PATTY AND MIKE BREIEN . . . – this is our last issue. We have been happy Thanks so much for the heart-warming card from to be of service to friends at Stein Fjell Lodge. It was a nice surprise to find a Stein Fjell Lodge during piece of real communication in the mailbox, and so this enjoyable (OK, OK, welcome! We think we've found a SofN lodge in St. Paul sometimes challeng- where we can feel at home. It'll never be the same as the ing) and creative one we left, but a new opportunity, and life is all about experience. It’s change. surprising what can We're discovering the fringe benefits of living in the happen when you say, suburbs of the Twin Cities. So many cultural and educa- “I’ll do it!” like we did. tional offerings, and you don't have the hour-plus drive p p p p p p p p p p p p home from Denver afterwards. On the other hand, we are De beste ønsker for en riktig god jul expecting a high of 19 degrees here tomorrow. Good thing we have a warm house. og et godt nyttår! Happy Thanksgiving to all! Best wishes for a Merry Christmas Mike and Patty and a Happy New Year! 4

VELKOMMEN NYTT MEDLEM – YVONNE MORTON LOVELAND LIGHTS Rod Skaflen, Vice President Saturday, December 7, 2013 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2013 - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Stein Fjell Lodge is pleased to extend a hearty velkom- Loveland Public Library, 300 N. Adams Avenue men to (Yvonne) Torill Morton. Oslo, Norway – with the exception of a year and a half in Gjovik – is Yvonne's The 8th Annual Loveland Lights, a Celebration of Win- hometown. In Oslo she completed Realoken and one year ter Holiday Traditions, will be held Saturday, December 7th of Handelskole (Business). Additionally, she completed and Sunday, December 8th at the Loveland Public Library. accounting courses in San Diego. Stein Fjell will have a booth from 12 - 3 p.m. on Saturday. In 1976, after living in England for seven years, she We will have krumkake and waffler demonstrations and moved to the U.S. She resided first in California, then share information about our lodge and Sons of Norway. Utah, Idaho, and now Cheyenne. In her early years in the This year Loveland Lights is all about U.S., Yvonne worked in accounting, including book- snowflakes, and will feature decorated keeping, taxes, and payroll. These past 23 years she has holiday trees, holiday displays, holiday been employed as an over-the-road truck driver. book and bake sales, musical entertain- Being a Norwegian native, all of Yvonne's relatives ment, holiday entertaining and gift-giving currently live in Norway. She visits on a regular basis. Her ideas, plus activities for all ages, e.g., the mother was raised in Bergen (Hordaland). Bodø (Nord- Gingerbread Challenge and Find the Snowflake contest. land) was home to her maternal grandmother, while Selje Have you ever wondered how snowflakes are formed (Sogn og Fjordane) was home to her maternal grandfa- and why no two snowflakes are identical? UNC’s Earth and ther. Yvonne's father was brought up in Oslo. Atmospheric Sciences Department will give a presentation Her paternal grandmother on the science behind snowflakes on Saturday morning. was from Oslo On Sunday afternoon, Connie Neumann will present a hands-on narrative for all ages, “Laura’s Christmas Memories," based on the Little House books.

ST Sogn og TOMASNATTEN – DECEMBER 21 Hordaland Nordland Fjordane Marianne Workman-Nesse Oslo Fylke Fylke Fylke Fylke December 21st is Tomasnattten, or Thomas night. It is and paternal grandfather was from Bodø. the night before the midwinter solstice and por- Yvonne's father was employed by NSB (Norwegian trayed as a hand on the primstav’s winter side. state-owned railroad) for more than 50 years. Bookkeep- The symbol’s origin is not known – perhaps it is ing was her mother's occupation and she last worked for from “doubting Thomas” believing only when he could the IRS of Norway. touch the wounds caused by the crucifixion. In the category of hobbies and interests, Yvonne lists In old Norway, all Christmas preparations had to be reading, knitting, crocheting, talk shows, traveling, and completed by this day, ushering in the Jul season. This music. Genealogy is her Norwegian Cultural Skill of included baking, slaughtering, chopping enough firewood interest. to last for two weeks, and the brewing of ale. Friends and The last question relates to sharing other interests, neighbors would go from house to house, tasting one and Yvonne responds with history, including ancient another’s brew – “Thomas the brewer” is a more common history. Also of interest is the paranormal, and conspiracy name for this day. ( theories. The “peace of Christmas” began on this day and lasted until Epiphany. Towns designated special watchmen to É É É FILLER FACTOIDS É É É ensure that peace and friendliness reigned during the The Stein Fjell newsletter was first published as holiday season. Penalties for violent crimes doubled. The POSTON with the June, July, August 1980 issue. In desire for harmony was so strong that one folk tradition September 1980 it was first published as Posten. even discouraged mentioning the names of harmful In the movie, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (epi- animals, such as wolves, during this period. sode V), Finse, near the Oslo-Bergen railway, appears as Hoth, the snow and ice planet. Filmed in March, 1979, Sources: digitalkunst.com, christmas-celebrations.org, many contributed as extras. en.wikipedia.org, wotanklan.net/twelve-days-of-yule/ 5

A GREAT GIFT FOR YOUNG ONES YOU CARE ABOUT ZONE 8 LODGE JUL CELEBRATIONS LaRue Hanson, Financial Benefits Counselor Saturday, December 7: Fjellheim – 2 p.m., Scandina- Sons of Norway has a great plan for children 17 years vian Christmas tea, Viking Hall, 1045 Ford Street, of age or younger. Viking Voyager is a simple, economical Colorado Springs. Enjoy homemade way for parents, grandparents, and other relatives to Scandinavian holiday treats served with introduce children to the benefits offered by Sons of holiday tea, as well as a program and Norway and help the next generation learn about the door prizes. The cost is $15. RSVP by importance of owning life insurance. Viking Voyager Wednesday, December 4th. Seating is provides level term life insurance that is convertible at age limited. Call Karen Ravnaas, 719.390.0621. 26 for up to three times the original death benefit. There Sunday, December 8: Vestafjell – 2 p.m., lodge is no pre-qualification to obtain this convertible plan at meeting, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3133 F age 26. The original policy comes in Road, Grand Junction. Traditional Christmas celebration three benefit amounts of $10,000, with music and potluck dinner (ham provided by lodge). $15,000, or $25,000. An example of Bring generous side dishes, fruit, or desserts. Christmas the cost for a five-year-old for a cookies for sale by the dozen. Bring unwrapped toys, gift $10,000 policy would be a one-time cards, and cash donations to support the Salvation Army. payment of $341. This is a gift that Saturday, December 14: Vesterheim – 4 - 7 p.m., never breaks or gets out-dated and Christmas party, Atonement Lutheran Church, 685 Inca costs less than most electronic Parkway, Boulder. Crafts, singing around the Christmas devices. Give me a call for more tree, visit from Santa. For each child you bring, clearly information on this great gift idea. mark a wrapped gift (no more than $10) with the child’s name. Potluck is at 5 p.m. and ham will be provided – [email protected] - 719.599.8546(office) - 719.237.7314(c) bring a favorite Christmas dish serving 8 - 10. Questions? 2523 Shalimar Drive, Colorado Springs CO 80915-1030 Call Addy Martinez at 303.499.5589. Sunday, December 15: Fjelldalen – 2 p.m., Christmas TO REALLY PLAN AHEAD . . . MORE 2014 DATES lunch, White Fence Farm, 6263 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood Saturday, December 21: Trollheim – 12 - 2 p.m. Jul Mars 1: Western Slope Barneløpet, Grand Mesa, Ron Fest., 6610 W. 14th Avenue, Lakewood. Lunch, folktales, Thoreson, 970.249.1869, Vestafjell 6-146 music, dancing; bring wrapped gift for those visiting Santa. Juni 22-25: Sons of Norway Convention 2014 – Adults – $7, young folk 4 - 14 – $5. RSVP by December Solskinn Lodge #6-150 is hosting the biennial Sons of 18th. More information is at trollheimlodge.com. Norway District Six Convention in Palm Springs, at the Sunday, December 22: Fjellheim – Julebord, Viking Renaissance Hotel, 888 Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Hall, 1045 Ford Street, Colorado Springs. Traditional Springs CA 92262 (renaissancehotelpalmsprings.com). Norwegian family Christmas party. More information is at “Off the weekend” dates mean better room rates ($99 sonsofnorwaycs.com. plus hotel tax). Tuesday, December 31: Trollheim – 6 - 10 p.m., New Juni 28-29: Scandinavian Festival, Estes Park Year’s Eve Party – New York Time, 6610 W. 14th Avenue, Juli 13-26: Camp Trollfjell, Camp Norge, Alta CA Lakewood. Supper at 6; at 10, watch ball dropping in New Sept. 30 - Oct. 4: Norsk Høstfest, Minot ND York. Social hour, dinner, cake walk, games, music, movie, É É É É É É É É É É É É conga line dance. Admission at the door ($10/person; $25/family of three or The 2013 World Chess Champion is Magnus Carlsen (22) more) includes potluck, of Norway, who defeated beverages, snacks, pop- Viswanathan Anand (43) of corn, and champagne/ India. The match was held sparkling cider toast. To November 9 - 22 at Chennai, get a discounted ($5) India and sponsored by FIDE admission, RSVP by (World Chess Federation). December 23rd and sign Carlsen won the match up to help. Contact Elaine 6½–3½ after ten of the Homan, 303.420.8888 / twelve scheduled games. [email protected]. 6

TRADITIONAL NORSK MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS the left hand either hammer down or pull off the string, Bill Nesse using the same technique as with . A good exam- ple can be seen at youtube.com/watch?v=SUnpNTPjZcI. th Perhaps the most familiar with a In the early 19 century the Norwegian Church distinctly Norwegian heritage is the hardingfele, or Har- wanted a simplified way of producing music in churches danger . It is basically a with eight or nine and schools. Organs were too expensive for many rural strings. Four of churches, and and fid- the strings are dles were considered inapro- played with a priate for a sacred setting bow, like a violin. because they also were used The remaining for dance music. The strings are called psalmodikon was developed drone, under- to serve this need. It is a strings, or sym- simple rectangular box with pathetic strings. a single string, played with a They are located bow, like a violin. The finger- below the bowed board is fretted and the music is often printed with Strings on a . The four strings and the numbers that correspond drone strings are seen at the center. , and are tuned to with the numbers. The resonate as the bowed strings are psalmodikon was cheap to Psalmodikon played. This produces a haunting, make and simple to play. echo-like sound. The hardingfele The neverlur, or birch , is known in Norway, is often highly decorated and the , , and . Two pieces of spruce, pine, structure is somewhat lighter or fir are hollowed out and wrapped with birch bark to than a standard violin. The top of form a straight tube over 120 cm long (-4 feet). The the is flatter than a violin, sound is generated with the lips, the same as with a making it easier to play two, or trumpet or even three, strings at the same other brass time. While mostly used to play instrument, Norwegian folk music, it has been but the featured in film music – Lord of nevelur has the Rings, How to Train Your no finger Dragon, and Fargo. holes or A less common Norwegian valves, so stringed instrument is the the notes , which is similar to a . It consists of an that can be elongated box, which may be open on the bottom, and played are Neverlur, courtesy of Naturinstrumenter; usually has eight or nine strings. Only one of the strings is limited to used with permission from Magnar used to play the melody. It has , like a , but they seven or Storbækken are made of wood instead of metal. The instrument is eight on the played with a plectrum in the right hand and all the strings natural scale of the instrument, the same as with a . are strummed In fact, the neverlur sounds much like a bugle, whose together on the uncoiled length is similar. It was the favored instrument of beat. The left dairy maids and was originally used for signaling. Examples hand frets the have been found at archaeological sites and with the melody string. Oseberg ship, a 9th-century Viking ship. The , found To get additional in Switzerland, is a similar, but longer instrument. notes on the The , or goat , is, as the name implies, melody string made from the horn of a goat. See the construction proc- between , ess at youtube.com/watch?v=0Ft0i_2yfGM. Originally this Langeleik the fingers on horn, with no finger holes, was probably used by herders 7 to scare away wolves and other predators. A strength of is drilled into the small end of the horn and the sound is the air flow. lip-generated. Over time the bukkehorn acquired three or No finger more finger holes, making it possible to play a wide range holes are of notes, provided that the player has good enough chops. provided. A It has a raw, moaning . seljefløyte made of willow bark lasts only a few weeks, until the Dick Hensold playing a seljefløyte made out bark dries of a section of pvc pipe. Photo courtesy of Dick Hensold. and used with permission.

out and cracks – modern ver- sions are made of plastic and Sissel Morken Gullord plays the bukkehorn, NRK TV wood. Another instrument made from a goat (or cow) horn is For musi- the tungehorn, or tongue horn. It also is known as a cians who don’t gjeterklarinette, or mind getting shepherd’s . It uses Wood seljefløyte, courtesy of their fingers a single reed (“tongue”), Naturinstrumenter; used with permission (and lips) cold, like a clarinet, to produce from Magnar Storbækken the sound. The reed, traditionally made of Norway has some juniper, spruce, , or modern “folk instru- birch bark, is usually ments” . . . all made secured with a section of of ice! The instru- string to a separate ments include a mouthpiece or just to the , violin, various end of the horn. It com- horns, chimes, and monly has five to seven finger holes, more than the greediary.com bukkehorn. Scholars argue Tungehorn, courtesy of whether the tungehorn Naturinstrumenter; used with so forth. An ice music festival was inspired by the arrival permission from Magnar is held each year in January at of the clarinet in Norway or Storbækken Geilo, Norway. whether it predates the clarinet and had its own folk To hear examples of each origins. of these instruments, visit A simple , traditionally made of an 18- to 30-inch naturinstrumenter.no and section of willow branch, is called a seljefløyte, or sallow YouTube. They are all fascina- flute. It is made in the spring when the willow bark can ting creations, and evidence easily be separated from the branch, producing a hollow that people will always find tube. One end is left open. On the other end, a whistle is ways to make music, from made by re-inserting a short section of the branch that is whatever they have at hand. carved to produce a sharp edge – the tone is produced as jokkmokksmarknad.se the air passes over it. An experienced person can make one in a few minutes. The player blows into a hole near Sources: naturinstrumenter.no, en.wikipedia.org, the whistle end, adjusting the tone by opening, closing, or icemusic.no, dickhensold.com, Nordic-American half-closing the open end of the tube and varying the Psalmodikonforbundet DESEMBER 2013