TAKE ONE!
September 2014
WHAT’S INSIDE President’s message ...... 2 SHA memorials, membership form . . . 10-11 Norsk Høstfest: Nordic style shows . . . . . 3 Leif Erikson’s Viking settlement? ...... 12 Picture this: Midsummer Night 2014 . . . . 4-5 Scandinavian Society reports ...... 12-15 Norsk Høstfest: Nordic celebration . . . 6-7 Tracing Scandinavian roots ...... 16 Scandinavian heritage: Where is Vinland? ...... 8-9 Page 2 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
President’s MESSAGE Scandinavian Heritage News Vol. 27, Issue 68 • September 2014 Rain didn’t dampen success Published quarterly by The Scandinavian Heritage Assn . of SHA’s Midsummer Night 1020 South Broadway 701/852-9161 • P.O. Box 862 by Gail Peterson, president Play,” and a Minot, ND 58702 Scandinavian Heritage Association movie sponsored e-mail: [email protected] by Visit Minot. Website: scandinavianheritage.org ummer is coming to an end and Visit Minot will Gail Peterson Newsletter Committee Sonce again it has been a busy one. also sponsor an Lois Matson, Chair We had our annual Midsummer event at the park for the North Dakota Al Larson, Duane Brekke Night celebration on June 20 (see League of Cities convention on Sept. Jo Ann Winistorfer, Editor pages 4-5 for pix), and once again we 26. The Cal Ripken player tournament had a rain interruption, but it cleared picnic was held at the SHA Park on 701/487-3312 and the event went smoothly after July 31—about 300 were served at that [email protected] that. event. Al Larson, Publisher – 701/852-5552 Thank you to Dan Hansen for lin - “Rock the Leaves” had its annual ing up all of the entertainment for us event the weekend of Aug. 16 and 17. once again. Music was provided There was a good crowd despite the throughout the evening by the City SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE rainy weather on Aug. 16. ASSOCIATION Band under the direction of Jerry We have several guided tours 1020 South Broadway • P.O. Box 862 Spitzer. The band was an integral part scheduled during Høstfest week. Minot, North Dakota 58702 of the flag ceremony at 7 p.m. It takes the cooperation and dedica - Phone 701/852-9161 Other performers included Adrian tion of many volunteers to keep the 2014 O FFICERS Brown, Denby Forest and Johnny Cole park staffed and the buildings avail - Gail Peterson President Murdock. In addition, there were able throughout the season. Thank you Virgil Rude Vice President demonstrations such as rosemaling, Marion Anderson Secretary to all of them. Sue Weston Treasurer knitting, etc. The sauna was steaming, and in use during the evening. Still looking for volunteers BOARD OF DIRECTORS A special thanks to Bruce Carlson Three-year terms ending January 2017 We are always in need of more vol - Jerome Jorgenson Lois Matson for being in charge of the sauna and unteers to have everything covered. Bob Sando Ernie Selland the bonfire—each year the bonfire is The last day the park buildings will be Les Streige Joan Varty one of the highlights of the evening. open this season is Oct. 5. Neil Zimmerman Sponsors for our food included Please support our advertisers— Three-year terms ending January 2016 Verendrye Electric, MDU, Xcel Energy, they help cover the cost of this publica - Marion Anderson Liz Gjellstad MidContinent and SRT. Thank you tion. The park is dependent on Jana Hennix Terry Mattson again to them also. donations and memberships as well as Gail Peterson Sue Weston Virgil Rude our advertisers. SHA Park scene of numerous events Happy fall, happy Høstfest! We Three-year terms ending January 2015 Other events were “Get Out and hope the coming winter will be better Myron Anderson Eva Goodman Erv Johnson John Sinn than last year. • Doris Slaaten Robert Whetter Jo Ann Winistorfer One-year appointees to January 2015 Randy Burckhard Adelaide Johnson Marilyn Wagner Curt Medalen CALENDAR • Fall 2014 Connie Lowman Ex-Officio Members • Sept. 30 - Oct. 4—Norsk Høstfest, State Fairgrounds, Minot Mark Anderson, Past President Bruce Christenson , Past President Stars include Doc Severinsen (with the Minot Symphony Orchestra), Daniel Carroll Erickson , Past President Allen O. Larson, Past President O’Donnell, Josh Turner, Daniel Bradbery, Gaither Vocal Band, Herman’s Roald Mattson, Past President George Officer, Past President Hermits, Bill Engvall, Merle Haggard, Jennifer Nettles, BJ Thomas Directors Emeritus Plus free stages with Diamond Rio, Bjøro Haaland, Mollie B & much more! Marian Bergan, Director Emeritus Doralyn Brown, Director Emeritus Helen Haaland, Director Emeritus Next newsletter deadline: Copy and pictures Nov. 15; printing, Dec. 1, 2014 Jeanne McNea, Director Emeritus Jim Maragos, Director Emeritus SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 3 Spotlight on Nordic costumes, heirlooms at Norsk Høstfest
orwegian bunads, Nordic folk cos - Owners or family members will Ntumes and beautiful hand-knit share the heirloom’s history with the Norwegian sweaters take the spotlight audience in a Nordic “Show and Tell” at Norsk Hostfest via three fashion session. shows that combine visual presentation If you have a Nordic garment or spe - with oral story-telling skills. cial item you would like to have in - cluded in one of the programs, contact STYLE SHOWS FEATURE NORDIC the Høstfest office at (701) 852-2368. • COSTUMES, HAND-KNIT SWEATERS The hour-long style shows begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 2-4 on Hostfest’s Skien Mezzanine. All three style shows will feature models ranging in age from in - fants to octogenarians wearing the finest in Nordic clothing. While bunads are strictly representative of Norway, the style show also features folk cos - tumes indigenous to Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. This is a time to learn about Norwe - gian bunads, Nordic folk costumes and Nordic hand-knit sweaters and their history, as well as interesting trivia about the person, the bunad and the hand-knit sweater. Some of the bunads, SCHEDULE folk costumes and hand-knit sweaters All four hour-long programs begin at 11 have been passed down through gener - a.m. on Skien Mezzanine, Oct. 1-4, as ations and are very valuable in dollars follows: and sentiment. • Wednesday, Oct. 1: Scandi navian Unique Antiques over 100 years old • Thursday, Oct. 2: Nordic hand-knit NORDIC ANTIQUES ON DISPLAY Above: Jessica Rakness and baby Easton For the third year, a special program sweater program of Burlington model sweaters belonging • Friday & Saturday, Oct. 3 & 4: will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 11 to Jessica’s aunt, Jill Aarseth of Minot. a.m. on the Skien Mezzanine, featuring Norwegian Bunad & Scandinavian Right: Kari Files, Minot, wears a Folk Costume Style Show unique Nordic items such as antique Hardanger bunad belonging to her family pieces or family heirlooms. mother.
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PICTURE THIS! Midsummer in SHA Park Here’s what you missed if you weren’t at SHA Park on June 20!
Lots of folks enjoyed a meal served under the Nordic Pavilion. Grand finale of the evening: the tradi - tional Midsummer Night bonfire, lit by Bruce Carlson.
Events included demos, flag display. —PHOTOS BY JO ANN WINISTORFER— SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 5 Three guys in a sauna...
“Come on in, the steam’s fine...” Bruce Carlson (black trunks), Velva, got the SHA Park’s sauna ready for anyone wishing to try it out. Assisting him was his dad, Howard, from Rock Lake. The “newbie” partaking in his first sauna (solid blue trunks) is Col. Jeff Neischel, vice commander of the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base. He came through the initiation in good shape. HOMA T FAMILY S Funeral Home Bradley Thomas • Bryan Thomas We are proud of our Swedish Heritage via the SUPPLYING THE TOOLS FOR YOUR Quist and Chelgren (Johnson) BUSINESS FOR OVER 65 YEARS lineages. 17 East Central Ave. • 838-8624
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WE THANK OUR SHA PARK GREETERS . . . for providing park tours all season, including during Norsk Høstfest. Thanks for welcoming visitors, showing them around the park and making them feel at home! Page 6 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
GREAT HALL ACTS
Daniel O’Donnell Gaither Vocal Band
Norsk Høstfest: Top Nordic celebration
orsk Høstfest is pleased to an - Bradbery, singer BJ Thomas, ’60s pop Nnounce its main stage entertain - band Herman’s Hermits starring Peter ment lineup for the 2014 edition of Noone, and country music artist Jen - Bill Engvall Merle Haggard North America’s largest Scandinavian nifer Nettles. festival, which runs Sept. 30 - Oct. 4. David Reiten, Norsk Høstfest presi - The 37th annual Norsk Høstfest dent, says: “We like to think we’re of - kicks off Tuesday evening, Sept. 30, fering something for everyone this with a 7 p.m. year, from return - opening ceremony ing favorites to followed by the names new to the Høstfest Eve Con - Great Hall stage— cert, this year fea - like the legendary turing Doc Doc Severinsen, BJ Thomas Josh Turner w/special Severinsen with whose perform - guest Danielle Bradbery the Minot Sym - ance is made even phony Orchestra. more special with Scheduled to the involvement appear in The Doc Severinsen, former leader of the Johnny of Minot’s own Great Hall of the Carson Show band, will perform with the symphony.” Vikings over the Minot Symphony the evening of Sept. 30. In addition to next four days and the Great Hall en - nights are Daniel O'Donnell, the tertainment, Norsk Høstfest offers free Gaither Vocal Band, comedian Bill Eng - stage acts several times each day dur - Peter Noone of Jennifer Nettles vall, country legend Merle Haggard, ing the festival. Patrons will see a re - Herman’s Hermits Josh Turner with special guest Danielle turn of many of their favorites such as
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Bjøro Haaland and Williams & Ree. Høstfest will spotlight Scandinavian Diamond Rio performs for the first culture, artisan crafts, Nordic shop - North of the time at Høstfest. New talent includes ping, nightly dances, and of course, SHA Park at the Nordic Tenors, Swedish magicians great authentic Scandinavian cuisine. 500 South Brynolf & Ljung, and Finnish musi - Tickets include VIP seats priced at Broadway cians Arto and Antti Järvelä. Former $82 and regular seats at $62. Høstfest WESTLIE Minot Secret Service agent Clint Hill and au - Eve Concert tickets are $36, as are gen - )25'/,1&2/10(5&85< 852-1354 thor Lisa McCubbin are back with a eral admission tickets. Fans may order presentation and their most recent tickets online at hostfest.com, by call - book, “Five Days in November.” ing (701) 852-2368, or in person at 1020 Our reputation Besides great entertainment, Norsk S. Broadway, Minot ND 58701. shines as brightly as our diamonds.
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down to Florida. The Scandinavian Heritage • 35 The first known Norseman to see the New World was Bjarni Herjulfsson, who discovered it by accident when sailing from Iceland to Greenland. Leif the Lucky, son of Erik the Red, picked up on his story and spent a winter somewhere in the new land. He made three landings with a crew of 35. Departing from Brattahlid in the Eastern Settlement of Greenland (actu - ally the southwest tip of the island), Leif sailed past “Helluland” (“Flat Rock Land”) and “Markland” (“Forest - land”) until coming to “Vinland,” which Pohl identifies with Cape Cod. There he built a campsite near a plenti - ful source of good drinking water, tim - ber and defensive positions, in case there should be hostile natives. It was called “Leif’s Shelters” and was 18 feet wide and 52 feet long, large enough to house 36 men. It had sod walls, like houses in Greenland. Nearby was a shelter for his ship. Where is Vinland? The name of Leif’s place has come to be called Vinland because there were many grapes there. One of his sailors was from Germany and knew by Pastor Arland Fiske Settlements of North America.” The how to make wine. No doubt this title may be misleading, since these or many years, people were skep - made the winter seem shorter. Norsemen were “Christian colonists” tical about the Leif Erikson story The next summer, Leif returned to rather than “pirates,” as the name Fof discovering America. In recent Greenland. He never made a second “Viking” suggests. But it is an exciting years, new evidence has come to light trip to the New World, since his father commentary on the saga of Erik the which leaves little doubt that Norse - died (possibly from pneumonia) and Red written by Icelandic scholars in men not only arrived in America, but the leadership of Greenland fell to him. the Middle Ages. Pohl claims that this had settlements in what they called The task of further exploration was saga is highly reliable. It has 60 hand- “Vinland the Good.” picked up by Leif’s brother Thorvald. drawn maps to show Norse locations. People, however, are still curious He took a crew of 30 men and found Most of the proposed sites for the about Vinland’s location. Do we have “Leif’s Shelters.” Their first job was to Norse settlements in North America any idea where the Norse explorers gather up food and fuel for the winter. suggest the Maritime Provinces of touched the North American conti - In the spring of 1007, they began the Canada. Pohl, however, claims that nent? Frederick J. Pohl has written an coastal exploration, which required they followed 3,000 miles of coastline intriguing book entitled “The Viking two seasons. Leaving the majority of his men behind to plant crops and cut timber, Thorvald started to explore the new land. An accident broke the keel of the boat, and they were stranded until they could cut a new one from the forest. Then came a historic meeting. The Norsemen encountered Native Ameri - cans, whom they called “Skraelings,” meaning “Shriekers” or “War Whoop - ers.” It was the first time that Euro - peans coming from the east met Leif Erikson’s Asiatics coming from the west. It was Vinland voyage also a tragedy. Finding nine natives asleep under their boats, they captured eight. Prisoners, however, can be in - SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 9 106 Main St. S Downtown Minot 106839-4050 Main St. S DowntownM-F 10 am -Minot 6 pm Sat839-4050 10 am - 5 pm Sun 12 - 4 pm M-F 10 am - 6 pm mainstreetbooksminot.com [email protected] 10 am - 5 pm Sun 12 - 4 pm mainstreetbooksminot.com [email protected]
COMMUNICATION L’ANSE AUX MEADOWS, NEWFOUNDLAND YOU convenient, so they killed them. But The most publicized place for one escaped and returned with a war Norsemen in America is L’Anse aux party. Thorvald did not seem to have Meadows in Newfoundland, which COUNT ON! thought about retaliation and took a the Canadian government has set aside nap. Getting to their ships in the nick as a national historical site. It was of time, they ably defended themself— likely occupied for just a short time, except for Thorvald, who died from an but archaeological evidence points to a arrow wound. He was the first Euro - Norse settlement. It probably should pean to be buried in America, with a not be identified with Leif Erikson’s cross planted at both his head and his “Vinland,” the location of which may feet. never be known. That there was such a A year later, the Norsemen returned place, however, should not be to Greenland. It had been Leif’s inten - doubted. Back in Europe, all of the tion to establish a Christian colony in New World was called “Vinland.” Vinland. The family’s immediate con - (See article on page 12 for more infor - cern was to bring back Thorvald’s mation on Leif Erikson and L’Anse aux body so it could be buried in conse - Meadows.) crated ground, since it was impractical for a priest to travel to Cape Cod. This task fell to the other brother, Thorstein. His journey was also tragic. Becoming lost at sea, he became ill and died the following year in Greenland. This did not end the Norse journeys to the New World, though only a few of these explorations have been recorded. In addition to the sagas, let - ters sent to the Vatican comfirm this A SINCERE G A SINCERE evidence. Bishop Gnupsson of Green - A O land visited Vinland in 1117. Otto of H - N
Bremen, a well-known historian, wrote N I F in 1076 about “Wineland,” based on in - T A P
formation he had received from the Y
Danes. R A M
In addition to Pohl, Gwyn Jones, a Y B
noted Celtic scholar from the Univer - O sity of Cardiff in Wales, has written T O
“The Norse Atlantic Saga.” He con - H tends for a smaller area of Norse ex - P Author Arland Fiske ploration. James Robert Enterline’s “Viking America: The Norse Crossings Editor’s note: This column is the 35th in a ...to our and Their Legacy” has an epilogue by series by former Minot pastor, Arland Thor Heyerdahl which attests to exten - Fiske (now living in Texas), retired from ADVERTISERS! sive knowledge of the New World in Evangelical Lutheran Church ministry. 11th- and 12th-century Europe. Heyer - Fiske has written nine books on Scandina - They help make dahl also researched the information in vian heritage. The chapter reprinted here this publication possible! the Vatican Library. is from “The Scandinavian World.” Page 10 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
or a family member. We hope you will consider the Your gift to SHA keeps Scandinavian Heritage Association when you discuss memorial donations or estate gifting. For information, con - Nordic heritage alive, well tact the SHA office at (701) 852-9161. hen a friend or loved one has association to be used where needed. Wjust passed away, it’s often a Contributions of $1,000 or more are Legacy Tax Credit struggle to come up with a fitting trib - ackowledged with a plaque on the benefits giver, charity ute to that person’s memory. Scandinavian Heritage Association nticipating next year’s taxes, it’s Making a gift donation in that per - Wall of Honor. Lesser amounts of $25 not too early to consider giving a son’s honor to the Scandinavian Her - or more are recognized in the Golden A gift donation to the Scandinavian Her - itage Association is one way to Book of Memory in the SHA head - itage Association than right now. acknowledge how much the deceased quarters building. Making it more advantageous is a meant to you. It’s also a way to keep It’s a good idea, too, for each of us law passed by the North Dakota Legis - the heritage of our immigrant ances - to sit down with our families to dis - lature to improve the quality of life in tors alive and well through our beau - cuss where we would like our own our state. Senate Bill 2160 (SB2160) es - tiful park in Minot’s heart. memorials to go someday. We should tablishes a Legacy Tax Credit that al - There are many ways to give a me - write down our wishes so that other lows individuals, businesses, trusts morial to Scandinavian Heritage Park family members have the information and estates to take advantage of a 40 in a loved one’s memory. For example, and can follow through with our percent state tax credit for contribu - you can choose to support a specific wishes. Remember, too, that placing a tions of over $5,000 to qualified chari - project, such as our Heritage House notice in an obituary indicating where table endowment funds. museum. Or, you can choose an ethnic memorials are to be sent helps others Even better, the unused portion of group’s project within the park (such who wish to honor the deceased. the state tax credit can be carried for - as the Danish windmill, Swedish Dala And finally, the ultimate gift is to ward for three years. horse, Gol Stave Church, etc.). Or, become a benefactor of SHA through Depending on your tax bracket, consider a memorial brick in the path your estate. It’s a way for you to leave your contribution to the Scandinavian leading to the Heritage House. You a lasting legacy to your Scandinavian Heritage Association can make an can also give a donation directly to the heritage as well as a memorial to you even greater impact on the community and cost you less. The table on page 11 was prepared 2 0 1 4 M E M O R I A L S A N D D O N AT I O N S by the Minot Area Community Foun - dation. It shows the tax benefits for givers in different tax brackets. Arne Braaten memorial Check with your accountant or tax MEMORIALS: • Suzanne Harr preparer for details, or contact the SHA office. • Undesignated memorials -Given by Carroll & Noreen • • • • June Keating Erickson -Given by Robert & Jill Keating Finnish Society memorial Thank you, Carroll • Robert Donovan • Wayne Hill and Noreen Erickson! -Given by Ramona Buettner -Given by Myron & Marion • Mike Berg Anderson special note of thanks to -Given by Ramona Buettner Alongtime SHA Newsletter ad solicitor/volunteers Carroll and DONATIONS: Noreen Erickson. Their efforts, Heritage House memorials • Moostash Joe Tours along with that of our advertisers, • Larry Erickson • Virgil Rude have enabled us to continue pro - -Given by Eva Goodman • Myrna & David Demers ducing a high-quality magazine on your behalf! Beginning with the last issue, our new ad collec - N EW S PO NS ORS tor is Duane Brekke. His contact numbers are 701-852-2453 and • Judy A. Ross • Ron & Connie • Gertrude Sundsted (cell) 701-833-9278. Lowman SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 11
Page 12 • March, 2007 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
Coming soon: Audio tours of SHA Park! lans to have an audio tour system in place in Scandina v- Already, the text for the soundtrack has been written and is ian Heritage Park by this summer are progressing nicely. in the editing process. PThe system will involve the use of around a half dozen Still to be decided is whether the audio player’s MP3 players, each containing recorded descrip- recording will be coordinated with a circle tour of tions of the park’s features. the park, or whether different stations along the “Each system will look like a small route would have numbers, enabling the user Walkman, complete with headphones and to simply push a number to synchronize the neck band,” says Mark Anderson, SHA pres- tract to describe that particular park high- ident. “There will be five or six available, light—or both! and people can rent them for a nominal The next step is to raise funds to offset charge to carry with them on a self-guided the cost of the pro j ect, which is expected to tour.” run between $2,000 and $2,500. A joint project between the Scandinavian President Mark is busy these days send- Heritage Association and the North Dakota ing letters to friends, fraternal organizations Center for Persons with Disabilities (NDCPD), and businesses to see whether they would like the players are designed especially for visually to help sponsor the project. impaired park visitors. How about you? If you, your business, your orga- But anyone can use them to enhance their tour experi- nization or anyone you know would like to give a dona- ence, according to President Mark, noting,”It’s a positive tion, please call the SHA Office at (701) 852-9161. thing on a number of different levels.” Thank you!• Join Us In Preserving the Traditions of Our Proud Heritage THE SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE PARK, the only park in the world representing all five Nordic countries, hosts thousands of visitors each year from around the world; as well as providing a picturesque setting for weddings and family gatherings. As a member of the Scandinavian Heritage Association, You help support: • Interpretative Tours of the Park • The Heritage House Museum MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES • Local School Field Trips • The Annual “Midsommar Natt” SUSTAINING MEMBER • Membership Pin (initial membership) • “Arts in the Park” $35.00 per year • The Scandinavian Heritage News, offi- • Seminars on Heritage and Culture Will receive the SHA Membership cial newsletter of the Association • The on-going preservation and pro- Package, which includes: • Invitation to Annual Banquet and other motion of Scandinavian traditions, • Membership Card good for 10% off SHA events positive values and ethics Scandinavian Gift Shop items • And much, much more! • Annual SHA Gift Packet • Logo window Sticker SPONSOR MEMBER M EMBERSHIP A PPLICATION $100.00 - $499.00 per year Name (please print)______Phone ______Receives the SHA Membership Package, Address______E-mail______plus: City______State______Zip______• Recognition in Newsletter (one issue) I/We wish to support the Scandinavian Heritage Association at the level checked below: • One (1) Complimentary Ticket to the Sustaining Member Sponsor Member Benefactor Member Annual Banquet Yes, I/We give permission to print our name in the SHA publications BENEFACTOR MEMBER Please contact us. I/We would like to become Volunteer(s) at SHA. $500.00 and above per year Check enclosed $______ Credit Card: MasterCard Visa Discover Am. Exp. Receives the SHA Membership Package, Card Number ______Exp. Date______plus: Name on Card (please print) ______Signature______• Recognition in Newsletter (one issue) Please mail to Scandinavian Heritage Assn., P.O. Box 862, Minot, ND 58702. Thank You! • Two (2) Complimentary Tickets to the Annual Banquet Page 12 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
L'ANSE AUX MEADOWS
In the 1960s, remains of a Norse set - L’Anse aux Meadows... tlement were found at L’Anse aux Mead - ows in northern Newfoundland. It is widely accepted as evidence of pre- LEIF ERIKSON’S Columbian trans-oceanic contact. The Norse settlement at L’Anse aux Meadows has been dated to approxi - Viking settlement? mately 1,000 years ago (carbon dating estimate 990-1050 CE), an assessment that tallies with the relative dating of ar - Oct. 9 is Leif Erikson Day. Its honoree discovered North America tifact and structure types. Today, the area mostly consists of around the year 1000 – five centuries before Columbus. open, grassy lands, but 1,000 years ago there were forests useful in boat-build - eif Erikson (circa 970-1020) was the land, then sailed to the coast of Labrador ing, house-building and for iron extrac - Lson of Erik the Red. Of Norwegian on the Canadian mainland. tion. heritage, Leif was born and raised in Ice - From a land they called Markland The remains of eight buildings were land. His father was a Viking explorer (“Woodland”), which is possibly Belle located. They are believed to have been credited with founding the first settle - Isle, an island between Labrador and constructed of sod placed over a ments in Greenland—after being ban - Newfoundland, the Vikings arrived at a wooden frame. Based on associated arti - ished from Iceland for murder. place they called “Vinland,” or “land of facts, the buildings were variously iden - According to the Groenlendinga the vine.” tified as dwellings or workshops. saga, Leif heard of a land to the west Boasting wheat fields and grape It was named a World Heritage site from an Icelandic trader who was blown vines, the place was probably a spot on by UNESCO in 1978. off course, and set out to find it. Newfoundland’s northeastern tip. —From Scandinavian Press, Sailing westward from Greenland There, Erikson and his crew built a Fall 2014 with a crew of 35, he probably landed small settlement they called Leifrsbudir, first on the southern part of Baffin Is - or “Leif’s booths” (or “Leif’s shelters”). (See page 8-9 for more information on Leif Erikson’s voyage)
Icelandic Heritage Society N EWS Bardarbunga Volcano erupts
celand’s Bardar bunga volcano has The flow of Ibeen erupting since Aug. 29, with molten rock, or lava shooting out of the ground on magma, out from the Holu hraun lava field about underneath the halfway between that volcano and a volcano, through neighboring volcano called Askja. the dike and out of The lava has flown out of Bardar - the ground has been bunga’s collapsed crater, known as a so significant that the caldera, in a nearly 30-mile-long dike. caldera itself—which sits underneath SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 13
SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY NEWS •••
Thor Lodge Sons of Norway N EWS Those who join before Høstfest also receive: • An invitation to Gov. Dalrymple’s Reception, Tues - HØSTFEST: Right time to join us! day, Sept. 30, 5:30 p.m. at the Dakota, I think it’s be - Holiday Riverside cause they might not • An invitation to H.E. know about them, Norwegian Ambassador Kare haven’t looked for them, Aas’s Reception, Wednesday, or haven’t Oct. 1, 10 a.m., at the VIP been invited. Room, Norsk Høstfest I’m interested • Free Høstfest General Ad - in seeing that the people mission with any Høstfest University living in our community enrollment. benefit as much as possible Those who join during Hostfest also from what it has to offer. receive: by Rob Odden, president SONs 200 agrees! In • An invitation to attend Meet-and- Thor Lodge 4-067 Sons of Norway honor of the Bicentenary of Greet with SON International Presi - Norway’s Constitution, Norsk Høst - dent Eivind Heiberg, Saturday, 10 a.m. reetings from Thor Lodge. I hope fest, Sons of Norway International and • A limited edition rosemaled Gyou have had a fun summer. Thor Lodge #4-067 are inviting new Christmas ornament. As fall begins, we are looking for - members to be a part of SONs 200. I look forward to seeing you at ward to Awards Night at Thor Lodge Our goal is for you to be an active part Norsk Høstfest. Now is a good time Sept. 15. Another leaf turning this au - of our community. for those interested in heritage and tumn is SONs 200! community involvement to join us at The Scandinavian presence in SONS 200 benefits Sons of Norway and Høstfest, cele - Minot and Ward County is evidenced Have you seen the first-class enter - brating Norway’s Constitution Bicen - in our community in the Scandinavian tainment the Norsk Høstfest offers at tenary. Heritage Association Park, the annual the Great Hall of Vikings? Have you Check out SON-sponsored Oslo Norsk Høstfest, and the five Nordic been to the SHA Park for a summer Hall at Høstfest. You’ll find lefse-mak - societies, one of which is SON Thor stroll? Would you like to know more ing demonstrations and an opportu - Lodge. about traditional Norwegian culture? nity to sign up as a new member. Times are changing. The ways peo - Anyone who is not already a Sons of Also, Thor Lodge is offering Lap - ple choose to communicate and con - Norway member is eligible to be a SONs skaus, sandwiches and Vestland’s nect, change. We live in a beautiful 200. In 2014, unique benefits include: Lefse at their Stabbur booth. community with a lot to offer. When • An exclusive commemorative pin See you at Høstfest. For more infor - some people say there aren’t interest - • A discount at the En To Tre lunch mation call 852-2368 or 720-2755. ing things to do in Minot and North buffet.
the Dyngjujokull glacier—has sunk Far left: A person stands by more than 61 feet, the largest in front of the lava flow amount of subsidence observed in and massive smoke any volcano in Iceland since such ob - plumes of the Holuh- servations began around 1950. raun Fissure, near the Scientists studying the volcano Bardarbunga Volcano, from the air and the ground have had Iceland, on Sept. 2, 2014. to contend with hazardous plumes of sulfur dioxide gas streaming from the Near left: Aerial view of fissure in the ground. the lava fountains and The gases may pose a health haz - massive plumes near ard to populated areas downwind of the Bardarbunga the eruption, and have been detected Volcano, Iceland, on as far away as Norway. Sept. 1, 2014. Page 14 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
“Frozen”). Was I ever surprised to Swedish Heritage Society-NWND N EWS find that when we went into her classroom, all of the class’s supplies Back to school in Sweden were there, and each student received what they needed. by Ila Lovdahl, nasieskola (upper How fair, I thought. No one would Swedish Heritage Society, NWND secondary have a fancier folder than another stu - school), ages 16 dent; nobody would be jealous of her ÄLKOMMEN TILLBAKA TIL to 19. At this backpack, because they all had simi - VSKOLAN! Welcome back to level, the stu - lar ones provided by the school and school! dents may focus the socialistic system. In schools in Scandinavia and on subject mat - I have not researched more ad - America, many children ages 5 to 16 ters which are vo - vanced grades, but I feel I can say that are required to go back to school this cational or are footsteps to Hogskola everyone gets a fair, equal start. After fall. The excitement of the first day of (university school). all, who wants to be on the bottom of school happens only once each year! Many Americans find the cost of the class when you have only been in How we remember our first days daycare and baby-sitting extremely school for one day? of school, walking to a rural school, expensive. In Sweden these costs are This way of a fair approach to all catching a ride with the neighbor’s paid for by the higher tax system. No students stayed with me for years to mother, climbing on the bright, shiny child gets left behind to be under - come. I taught school for 32 years. I yellow school bus which would trans - nourished, unstimulated or ignored, often had my own folders, notebooks, port us to another world. Little did because these programs are available pencils and markers for the students we know how precious our education for all. who came to school empty-handed. would become. About 20 years ago, I went to the As I would quietly give those stu - In Sweden, children from the age first day of school with my husband’s dents their materials, I would think of 1 can be admitted to forskola (pre- 7-year-old Swedish relative. Emilie back on sweet Emilie who was happy school). Pre-schools help provide an was so excited! I do not speak as she could be to be considered on environment that stimulates chil - Swedish, nor could she speak English. the same level as all of her first-grade dren’s development and learning and When we had shopped at local friends. enables parents to combine parent - stores in Malmo, Sweden, I kept try - Oh, by the way, in Sweden the stu - hood with work or studies. ing to buy her pencils, crayons, mark - dents have the same teacher for Forskoleklass (pre-school class) is ers, folders and erasers. She would grades one to three; then the same similar to our kindergarten, generally just shake her head. I really did not teacher for grades four through six. at age 6. Grundskola is compulsory know what to think; I thought maybe And what warms my heart is to re - school from ages 7 to 16. Many stu - the theme she liked was not in that member her saying, “I can’t wait for dents will continue with Gym - store (like the current movie you to meet Pia, my teacher.” Yes, that is the tradition in Swedish elementary school, to call the teacher by her first name. Think of how we all waited until our first report card to see what the first name of our teacher was!!!! Good school memories for them and for us! This fall, take some time and enjoy a child’s excitement of beginning the road to his or her life! • • • The Swedish Heritage Society- NWND will be enjoying a fun day Sept. 20 with Delton and Vi Torno at their Lake Metigoshe home. They will supply meat and buns and encourage the members to bring potluck or pic - nic food and hope for great weather. Bev Jensen will send a postcard with directions to their home in Sep - tember. We had so much fun two Swedish school children interact with the teacher during class. All required supplies, years ago that it makes us want to go from pencils to backpacks, are furnished by the government. back for more!!! • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • September 2014 • Page 15 Souris Valley Danish Society N EWS A Tivoli Halloween! Submitted by Pamela Orth
ach mid-October, Copenhagen’s fa - mous Tivoli Gardens is transformed Einto an enchanted Halloween uni - verse. Pumpkins, smiling scarecrows, funny witches and Tivoli’s own “he - roes” help to create a funny scare for children of all ages. The event runs from Oct. 10-Nov. 2. During Halloween in Tivoli, ALL rides will be open. Inside the Main En - trance, Tivoli is setting up a Harvest Fair containing all manners of exciting things to do with the autumn season. Around the mill, there’s a village containing many fun activities for the children. They will be able to make pumpkin heads, brew magic potions, catch spiders and buy trinkets. For more information, visit www.tivoli.dk
Dakota Finnish Society NEWS served coffee and pulla (Finnish car - damom coffee bread) in the courtyard of the Westminster Presbyterian Land of Midnight Sun Church—a popular spot that morning. This is the 150th anniversary of the start of modern Finnish immigration by Marion Anderson, president orary Con - to North America. Minnesota is the Dakota Finnish Society sul of Fin - home of the largest percentage of land and the Finnish-related persons in any single yron and Marion Anderson at - FinnFest USA board president. state in the USA. Mtended the FinnFest 2014 in Min - Others with remarks were Ritva neapolis Aug. 8-10. It was held at the Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador of Fin - Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown land to the United States, and Janna Next year’s FinnFest Minneapolis. This hotel was recently Palojarvi, director for International FinnFest in 2015 will be in Buffalo, renovated by Finnish American Inte - Relations, Finnish Education and Cul - N.Y., Oct. 8-12. The year 2015 is the rior Designer Michael Suomi in the ture. Musical numbers were provided 150th anniversary of the birth of Scandinavian Nordic style. There were by various Finnish entertainers. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and other venues prior to Aug. 8, such as a Throughout the three days there the 75th anniversary of the opening genealogy forum, a business forum were various seminars and mini con - of Kleinhans Music Hall, designed by and a Finland education forum. certs by several performers in loca - Finnish architects Eliel and Eero The opening ceremony on the tions close by. The “Tori” market- Saarinen and considered“one of the evening of Aug. 7 was held at the place had many vendors and a stage greatest concert halls in the U.S.” beautiful Westminster Presbyterian for performances throughout the day. Church, across the street from the It was fun to meet old friends and See you at Høstfest! hotel. If you are ever in the area, it is relatives there—in other words, we Hostfest will soon be here, so well worth visiting. The organist, had a good time visiting. plans are under way for our booth Melanie Ohnstad, favored us with a The disappointment was that there there. Stop by and visit and have mini-concert on the pipe organ prior was no Finnish food available. The some mojakka (Finnish beef stew) to the ceremony officially beginning. hotel has food contracts and cannot and bread pudding. The master of ceremonies was K. allow anyone else to prepare food Pikkujoulu will be in December— Marianne Wargelin, who is an Hon - there. On Sunday morning, we were date to be announced later.• CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Minot, ND 58701 P.O. Box 862 Permit No. 266 Minot, ND 58702
Page 16 • September 2014 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS
Tracing your Scandinavian ROOTS • 46 family’s history, I searched for a map with “Winistorf” on it. I finally located one with a scale enlarged enough that I could make out the town. Barely! (It’s What history lurks in a name? that small...) by Jo Ann Winistorfer Another genealogy “habit” of mine is checking phone books for familiar hen you’re seeking your family surnames when I travel. The Chicago Whistory, it helps to have an un - telephone book had a listing for the usual name. name “Winistorfer.” Take Winistorfer, for example. The I worked up my nerve and finally first date I had with my husband-to- called the number. There had been a be, he was so impressed that I was funeral in the family, and the woman able to spell his last name correctly. who answered was from Florida, in (Evidently his other dates couldn’t!) town for the funeral. She herself was What he didn’t know—and doesn’t not a Winistorfer, but she had family to this day—is that I checked the connections. She recognized some of phone book for the spelling before our the first names I blurted out. She also date. Thus I had it committed to told me she had learned that a number memory! decorative suspenders, long socks and of Winistorfers in her family had Even back then, I was interested in brimmed hats complete with feathers. changed their surname to “Winters.” genealogy. It intrigued me to learn They would be yodeling, their voices What a shame! To me, they there was a little town in Solothurn, bouncing back between Alps. blockaded the biggest clue to their Switzerland, called Winistorf. The In reality, the family was from a family history. name linked back into history. lush farming and cheese-making Yet another genealogy “habit” is I pictured a quaint chalet with section of Switzerland, not anywhere checking for names on the Internet. gingerbread trim as the ancestral near a mountain. The nearest large city One of my searches yielded the picture home. Nick’s ancestors would be was Bern. that accompanies this article. wearing knee-length pants with When I began working on Nick’s Cool, eh? •