ORD FRA PRESIDENTEN KULTURHJØRNET (CULTURE CORNER) NORWEGIANS IN BROOKLYN As a melting pot of nationalities, Nancy L. Dunn, Cultural Director many of us are struggling with our identity. We know we are American but we are short on traditions and the understanding of where our fam- ilies come from. For some of us, if not all of us, it makes us feel a bit rootless and we long to belong to something tangible. For me, heritage is partly based on tradition that is passed down from parents and grandparents. Religion also is part of that tradition, for some of us anyway. Tradition also is about the music you listen to (hopefully more Norwegian) and the friends that you hang out with. And, if any, what kind of drinks that you favor, such as Aquavit or other brands that are Norwegian. It includes The picture above is from the book, Lapskaus the foods that you eat, at lutefisk dinners and Syttende Boulevard, Et gjensyn med det Norske Brooklyn, about the Mai, as well as those eaten at picnics with family and huge Norwegian enclave that was once centered on friends, especially on Norwegian holidays. This is what Lapskaus Boulevard (8th Avenue) in Brooklyn, New York. comes to my mind when I think of heritage, and it is what Come and tour Lapskaus Boulevard during our April I strive for. “Why waste time on out-dated traditions?” program as Ras and Marian Erdal, Inger Froyland, and “Times change, we don’t need that old stuff anymore, we Rosalind Larsen share their experiences related to this like our modern ways now.” I believe that you can do unique section of Bay Ridge in Brooklyn. both, never forgetting where our families come from, and You’ll never “Fuhgeddaboudit” . . . (a highway sign as the traditions that we celebrate. Traditions/families you’re leaving Brooklyn). should never be considered out-dated no matter how far we as a people may change and grow. Our children will STEIN FJELL CONTACTS have had the ultimate education, from us, their parents and their grandparents, and in their time will become the President: Roxanne Storlie – 970.412.5713 guardians of Norwegian traditions blended with being an [email protected] American, defending it and helping to preserve what has Vice President: Rod Skaflen – 970.484.5459 been left to them. The wonderful and bottomless wisdom [email protected] that is slowly being re-learned by our youth shall be Editors: Marianne, William Nesse – 970.330.7183 imparted to them by us. [email protected]

Roxanne Storlie 2

APRIL KALENDER MEETING REMINDERS FROM RAS +Norwegian Public Holiday Ras Erdal, Stein Fjell Host Coordinator *Official Norwegian Flag-Flying Day Please note that the next lodge meeting date is the + 1 : Palmesøndag (Palm Sunday) second Thursday of April, which is April 12, 2012. We will Scholarship Deadline: Stein Fjell and Nancy Lorraine have a program on Lapskaus Boulevard in Brooklyn, NY. th Jensen Memorials, 6 District Unge Venner, Concordia Our Refreshment Hosts are Rosalind Larsen (chair), Language Camp (Feb. 2012 Posten) Bernice Kwan, Wilma Gullickson, Karen Johnson, and April Fool’s Day Paula Sutton. Looking forward to May, the Refreshment Hosts for + 5 : Skjærstorsdag (Maundy Thursday) the May 3rd lodge meeting are Russell Knutson (chair), + 6 : Langfredag (Good Friday) Karen Everett, Joann Harris, Vigdis Lohne, Darlene and + 8* : Første påskedag (First Day, Easter Sunday) Jim Miller, and Rod Skaflen. + 9 : Andre påskedag (Second Easter Day, Easter Monday) Vær så god . . .

11: RSVP Deadline, Fjellheim Frokost (p. 5) SYTTENDE MAI 17TH of MAY 12: Lodge Meeting, 7 p.m. New Member Welcome, Lapskaus Blvd. program, Syttende Mai sign up (p. 4) Family Celebration At The Pavilion 14: Sommerdag (Summer Day) Primstav to summer side. Good Samaritan Society – Loveland Village RSVP Due, Trollheim Tea: Barb Hessel, 303.989.4496 Sunday, May 20th, 12:30 p.m. Casual Dress 15: Fjellheim Frokost, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (p. 5) Parade and Fun Activities 16: St. Magnus’ Day honors Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney, murdered by his cousin, Earl Hákon Adults, $8 – Children 6-11, $5 – Under 6, Free Pálsson, in 1115. The symbol was an arrow or an ax. This was the day to begin cultivating the fields. Make Reservations by Wednesday, May 16th Contact Gary Zook: 970.493.9344 or 20: Posten Submission Deadline 1100 Parkwood Drive, Fort Collins CO 80525 21: Tea Time at Trollheim, 1 - 3 p.m., $15, 6610 W. 14th Ave., Lakewood. RSVP by the 14th (see above). CHARITABLE DONATIONS Rosemaling at Fjellheim, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (p. 3) The Stein Fjell Board selected four charities for Stein 22: Earth Day – originated in U.S. in 1970 Fjell Lodge to support this year: Community Food Share (Longmont), Safe Shelter of St. Vrain Valley (Longmont), 28: Postmark Deadline, Knut Erik Jensen Concert (p. 5) Senior Resource Services (Greeley), and Ski for Light. Rosemaling at Fjellheim, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (p. 3) Rosemaling Seminar, Camp Norge: campnorge.com GRATULERER MED DAGEN! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! SAVE THE DATE 09 Kristina Parkos 21 Ronald Normann Mai 1: Scholarship Deadline: 6th Dist. Concordia Language 12 Rosalind Larsen 22 Garry Bjorklund Camp (Feb. <12 Posten) and Lund Fund (Mars <12 Posten) 17 Lyle Berge, Dist. Six pres. 24 Paul Bennett Mai 5: Knut Erik Jensen Concert, Trollheim Lodge (p. 5) 17 Medeia Ramirez 26 Derrick Parkos Mai 8: Deadline, Camp Troll Fjell Applic. (Feb. <12 Posten) 18 Terry Thompson 29 Ande Havenar Mai 17: Board Meeting, Susan and Gary Zook’s ? J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? J ? Mai 20: Stein Fjell Syttende Mai Celebration, Pavilion (p.2) Please respect fellow members’ privacy. Juni 6-10: Dist. Six Lodge Meeting, Mesa AZ (sofn6.com) Names, Phone Numbers, and Addresses must not be Juni 23-24: Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, Estes Park distributed, or used for commercial purposes. 3

JEFF PARKOS 2011 VIKINGS OF THE YEAR IN MEMORIAM Jane Robbins, recipient for 2010, announced the 2011 Stein Fjell Lodge members express their deepest Vikings of th Year at our March lodge meeting, with the condolences to the family of Jeffrey Alan Parkos, 47, who following citation: died March 9, 2012. Jeff is the “I am proud and happy to present this year’s Viking of son of members Midge Parkos the Year award to a couple that wears many hats in our and the late Bill Parkos, brother lodge. to Mike (Suzanne) and Dan “Joining Sons of Norway Stein Fjell Lodge in 2003, (Jody), father of Unge Venner they stepped into several positions. He is sports director members Kady and Ally Parkos, and has been for eight years. He has been a marshal for all and the uncle of Unge Venner of these years and coordinates Barneløpet. She was and Heritage members Derrick, secretary for three years and organized our lodge’s booth Emilie, Kristina, and Ryan Parkos, as well as additional at the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival in Estes Park for nieces and nephews. many years. This is our lodge’s biggest fund raiser and Jeff was born in Minnesota but grew up in the largest-attended activity. They work very hard and Greeley area, graduating from Greeley Central High School efficiently at this activity, as with all the activities in our in 1982. After attending UNC for a short time, he joined lodge that they participate in. the family business, Craftsman Decorating, Inc., becoming its president after the passing of his father in 2010. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanna, in 2009. A memorial service celebrating Jeff’s life was held March 15th in Greeley. Contributions may be made to the Jeff Parkos Memorial Fund in care of Moser Funeral & Cremation Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans CO 80620.

SOLSKINN (SUNSHINE) Marian Erdal

We wish Wilma Gullickson a trouble-free recovery following cataract surgery. Stein Fjell Lodge sends many good wish- es to Allie Everson and Ryan Agustin for their wedding on April 19th in Honolulu, Hawaii. Allie is the daughter of member John Everson and his wife, Rosalie. We were delighted to see Sommer Everson, along L-R: Becky H.-J., Jane R., Jon-Eirik H.-J. with her family, at our March lodge meeting. It’s so good “It is my pleasure to present JON-EIRIK and BECKY to see her again and know she is on the mend at last! HOLM-JOHANSEN as Vikings of the Year for 2011.”

REGARDING CULTURAL SKILLS ROSEMALING AT FJELLHEIM Ras Erdal, Cultural Skills Director Fjellheim Lodge is offering rosemaling classes, taught Our Hardanger embroidery group still meets by Cindy Bauer. She invites painters of all skill regularly, working on cultural skill requirements and levels to start at any time, so, this is your personal projects. Remember: opportunity! The next classes will be held on Hardanger builds character, the Saturdays of April 21st and 28th, and May patience, and self-control. 19th and 26th, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Anyone who wishes to join us is Each four-hour session costs $20.00 and welcome . . . but please call meets at Viking Hall, 1045 Ford Street, Colo-rado Midge Parkos or me for Springs. If you are interested in joining a class, please call logistical purposes. Sissel at 719.540.2737 or BJ at 719.264.0955. 4

DITT OG DATT (THIS ‘N’ THAT) REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE Jodi Sprague i Lodge meetings will continue to be held in the Great Room, downstairs at Good Sam’s, for April, May, and Those were the three Rs at my elementary school. June, while the kitchen area upstairs is remodeled. Reduce where you could. If you could not reduce, could i How would you like to contribute to Stein Fjell’s you reuse? And at the last, when you could not reduce or Syttende Mai celebration? Sign up at our April lodge reuse, recycle. After reading the February Viking Nordic meeting for Planning, Shoppers, Serving, Drinks, Grill Eco-Fashion article (yes I'm behind), it reminded me of the Chefs, Games (kids, adults), or Clean Up. Food and lessons growing up and it inspired me to write this. The drinks will be provided by the lodge. article was about reducing waste in the clothing and i At our March lodge meet- fashion industry, but we can all find ways to reduce, reuse, ing, District Six President and recycle in many aspects of our lives. Lyle Berge presented Jon- I want to challenge all of you to think about it and Eirik Holm-Johansen with share what you find with others. I do re-purpose clothes or four sports medals – bronze donate them. I do try to buy fewer clothes, because I don't and silver Idrettsmerker need any more. I have found that old glass jam jars make (Sports and Fitness medals), great tea containers and canvas bags hold more groceries and bronze and silver Svøm- than plastic ones. Someday I would like to learn how to mermerker (Swimming med- darn a sock. What about you? What do you do? What can als). Gratulerer, Jon-Eirik! L-R: Jon-Eirik and Lyle you do? i Interested in hosting a 15- to 18-year-old Norwegian Here are some local resources I found that will help exchange student? Contact NorthWest Student Ex- with the three Rs. (Always feel free to chat with me at a change at www.nwse.com / Margie at 262.749.0564 meeting. I found some interesting stuff.) or [email protected] / Nat’l Office 877.850.3312. i The Girl Scout troop shown below traveled to New ' Shoe and Leather Repair: Whitesides – 202 19th St. SE, Zealand for 16 days over winter break. They are on Loveland, 970.669.7808 the summit of Mount Sunday, where the Kings’ Hall of Edoras in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy was ' Architecture and Building Salvage: ReSource – they constructed. Stein Fjell members Alan and Abigail have donation yards in Boulder and Fort Collins. Great Strand are holding the flag of the Riders of Rohan. for building materials (like ceiling fans) – 501 N. College Ave., Fort Collins, 970.498.9663

' eWaste Recycling: Fort Collins has a good website on electronic recycling. There are several options availa- ble. Some charities will take old cell phones and refurbish them. fcgov.com/recycling/computers-recycle.php

And this was an interesting find –

' the eco-thirft store in Fort Collins: eco-thrift.com. They do a lot of things, including working with the bike co-op to reuse bicycles. (From Xplore Snapshots, The Coloradoan, Fort Collins) Takk, Ras Erdal, for making us aware of this picture! Over the summer I've seen swap meets at the Ranch i Discover Your Inner Troll – Don’t miss out on the in Loveland. Don't forget to check out local used book Folk Art Exhibition and Competition during the stores, thrift stores, or garage sales. Local cities also will District Six Lodge Meeting and Conven- have special waste collection days, like hazardous waste tion, June 6-10, 2012, in Mesa, AZ. For day or programs for old appliances. information and an entry form, go to I hope this will help to inspire you. sofn6.com/convention/2012/index.html or ask your lodge president. 5

FJELLHEIM FROKOST KNUT ERIK JENSEN CONCERT Sunday, April 15, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 1:00 p.m., Trollheim Lodge

Fjellheim Lodge’s annual Frokost (authentic Norwe- Knut Erik Jensen is returning to Colorado! He will per- gian breakfast) will be served on April 15th, 11 a.m. to 1:30 form a ”Grieg to Gershwin” piano concert, including accor- th p.m., at Viking Hall, 1045 Ford Street, Colorado Springs. dion and vocals, on May 5 at 1 p.m., Trollheim Lodge, th The menu, lovingly prepared with wishes for a hearty 6610 W. 14 Ave., Lake- velkommen til bords, includes a wide variety of meats, wood. There will be salad, eggs, cheeses, vegetables, salads, breads, and fruit, along sandwiches, and desserts with coffee and orange juice. For the entire menu, go to afterwards. Tickets are sonsofnorwaycs.com. RSVP by April 11. Non-members $14. Send check by April th $19, children 12 and under $8, children not requiring a 28 , payable to Sons of seat, Free. Make checks payable to Sons of Norway; send Norway, noting number in to Laurance and Lucille Moe, 6726 Bitterroot, Colorado party and your phone Springs, CO 80923. Questions? Call 719.260.9490. number, with a SASE to Barb Hessel, 953 S. Holland Street, Lakewood, CO 80226 or call her at 303.989.4496. GJENVINNING OG AVFALL (RECYCLING AND WASTE) SAFETY IS THE WORD Marianne Workman-Nesse WITH SONS OF NORWAY ANNUITIES LaRue Hanson, Financial Benefits Counselor All waste is to be sorted and recycled or disposed of properly in Norway. In 2008, -71% of its waste (10.9 Sons of Norway can help you come out financially million metric tonnes/-12 million U.S. tons) ahead with fixed annuities, which continue to move was recovered. If you’ve seen the bins forward year after year with no fear of loss, unlike other lined up along the road or have had to investments you may own. So just how safe is your money use them and wondered what each in our fixed annuities? Annuities are issued only by life was for, here is a guideline: insurance companies (Sons of Norway is a life insurance Red bin – farlig avfall og elektrisk avfall / hazardous company). With the recent financial crisis going on, both and minor electrical waste. Take larger amounts to fire nationally and globally, it is good to know Sons of Norway stations. Batteries in plastic bag. (2X/yr, in spring and fall) has a strong and solid portfolio of high-grade bonds and Brown bin – matavfall / food (in biobags) and garden treasuries, no risky stocks or sub-prime mortgages. To put waste (leaves), plus kitchen paper. No ashes, sand, peb- your mind further at ease, insurance companies are bles or stones, planks, vacuum bags, or ordinary plastic regulated at the state level, with very strict regulations. bags. (emptied every 2 weeks) There also is another safety net, State Guaranty Fund Green Bin – papiravfall / paper and carboard waste. Associations, covering various amounts, similar to the No books – donate to friends, Fretex, the library, or FDIC. There are tax advantages to owning annuities and second-hand bookshops – or kitchen paper. (every 4 wks.) you will find our interest rates are very Grey/Black bin – restavfall / residual (all other) respectable. waste. Worn-out fabric, cold ashes, glass, composite On a personal note I would like to packaging (plastic/metal, paper/plastics). Take packaging thank everyone for your cards, phone made from glass, plastic, and metal, plus clothes, shoes, calls, and well wishes during my recov- and toys in good condition to “local recycling points” in ery from surgery. As soon as I get the towns and at most larger grocery stores. okay to drive I will be back on the road Elektrisk og elektronisk utstyr avfall / EE waste / again. Meanwhile, call me and we can electric and electronic equipment waste. Return to talk or I can mail information to you. distributor or to recycling stations. Bottles – usually marked PANT– _kr – take to [email protected] - 719.599.8546(w) - 719.237.7314(c) supermarket recycling stations; get 1 to 2.50 NOK/bottle. 2523 Shalimar Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80915-1030 Christmas Tree – set by bins for collection. É É É É É É É É É É É É É É Large Amounts – take to recycling plants. påskelilje – daffodil påskeegg – Easter egg Sources: stavangerexpats.com, environment.no påsketur – Easter vacation trip (esp. to mountains to ski) påskebrun – tanned from påsketur 6

WHEN IS EASTER? This Julian was a big improvement, but the Bill Nesse year is actually slightly less than 365.25 days. Over time, too many leap days were inserted, so the calendar This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 8th. In other gradually got out of sync with the seasons. By 1582, when years it may fall anywhere between March 22nd and April Pope Gregory XIII issued a Papal Bull, called Inter 25th. Easter is one of the Christian variable feasts whose gravissimas, that date was originally fixed by the First Council of Nicea in formally adopted 325 A.D. That council set the date as the first Sunday what is now called the following the following the vernal . In , 325 A.D. the vernal equinox fell on March 20th, according the error totaled 10 to the being used at the time. That seems days and the vernal clear enough, because both the equinox and full moon are equinox came on th easily recognized and we ought to be able to find the date about March 10 . To of Easter based on those observations. However, the correct the error, in th reality is anything but straightforward. 1582 October 4 was To understand some of the confusion, it is first followed by October th necessary to know something about our calendar. The 15 and a new sched- Pope Gregory XIII Romans, who established the foundation of so much of ule for leap years was our modern world, originally used a . They devised that omitted them in every centennial year except divided the year into ten months of 30 or 31 days totaling those divisible by 400. This calendar has worked quite well 304 days, beginning with Marius (March) and ending with ever since and it is now the global standard. December, the tenth month (the names of September, In part to deal with growing errors in the Julian October, November, and December are derived from the calendar, the Church had earlier adopted an ecclesiastical numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10). The vernal equinox provided the lunar calendar. This calendar was revised along with the solar anchor for this calendar. The Romans evidently Gregorian calendar. It divided the year into months of 29 didn’t like the dreary days between December and March, or 30 days that roughly match the lunar cycle of about because they were not assigned to any month. Later, 29.5 days. The ecclesiastical vernal equinox was fixed as st these days became Ianuarius and Februarius, with 29 and March 21 (the Gregorian date for the vernal equinox in 28 days, respectively, and the number of days in the other 325 A.D.) despite the fact that its actual date may be th months were adjusted to yield a year with 355 days (-12 different. The ecclesiastical full moon on the 14 day of lunar cycles of 29.5 days). Periodically an additional “leap the ecclesiastical month only approximately coincides to month,” called Intercalaris, was added in the middle of when the moon is really full. The date calculated for February to keep the Easter, according to the ecclesiastical calendar, was months in sync with the therefore sometimes different than the date calculated seasons. from astronomical observations. Regardless, this calendar This regular re- made it easy for church officials to decide when Easter jiggering of the calendar should be celebrated (first Sunday after the first ecclesi- was inconsistent with astical full moon after the ecclesiastical vernal equinox), the administrative without the need to consult astronomers. This also sophistication of the resolved the problem of time zones. When the real vernal Roman Empire, so Julius equinox or full moon occurs, it could be one date in west- Caesar commissioned a ern time zones and the next date in eastern time zones. new calendar, which The Gregorian calendar and its ecclesiastical partner was adopted in 45 B.C. were developed for the benefit of the Catholic Church, (709th year of the which wanted a consistent calendar with which to set celebration dates. Civil authorities could use whatever Julius Caesar; probably the only Roman Empire). The calendar they wanted and many different were bust made during his life. Julian calendar had 365 days in normal years in use around the world. When Inter gravissimas was and 366 days every fourth year. The extra day was added issued, only four Catholic nations adopted the new in February (originally between the 24th and the 25th) and calendar immediately. Other countries adopted the the average year was assumed to be 365.25 days long. Gregorian calendar over the next three-and-a-half The month of July was named for Julius Caesar. centuries. In Great Britain (including what is now the 7

United States) the conversion wasn’t made until 1752. The last to adopt the Gregorian calendar were Russia in 1918 and Greece in 1923. The Eastern Orthodox Church has never adopted the Gregorian calendar and continues to calculate the date for Easter using their own ecclesiastical calendar based on the Julian calendar. This year, for example, the Eastern Orthodox Easter is on April 15th, rather than the 8th. Most Protestant countries initially viewed the Gregorian calendar as a Papist plot and continued to use the Julian calendar until the 18th century. and Norway made the conversion to the new calendar in 1700 th – February 18 was followed by March Swedish calendar for February 1712 with XXX Dager (30 Days), st 1 to make up for the 11-day mismatch showing L-R: Swedish dates, name days (Feb. 2009 Posten), between the Julian and Gregorian zodiac signs, notes, and Gregorian dates calendars. elected to make the change gradually, by omitting leap days for 11 leap years, week until April 11th. It was not until 1776 that Denmark beginning in 1700. February 29th was omitted for 1700, and Norway started scheduling Easter and related making Sweden one day behind the Julian calendar and 10 celebrations with the Common Imperial Calendar, that is days ahead of the Gregorian calendar. The Swedish identical to the Gregorian ecclesiastical calendar in all but almanac makers evidently were frail of memory, for they name. Protestants apparently could not be seen to be failed to omit February 29th for both 1704 and 1708. To adopting Catholic doctrine. resolve the confusion, Sweden’s King Charles XII declared Sweden, in its independent way, continued to in 1711 that Sweden would schedule Easter using the Julian calendar until 1739, and return to the Julian calendar then converted to the “improved” astronomical reckoning, and an extra day was added which they used through 1818. Thereafter, the official to February 1712 (a leap Swedish almanac makers scheduled Easter based on the year), yielding a unique Common Imperial Calendar, despite the fact that Sweden February with 30 days. did not officially adopt that calendar until 1844. The Finally, in 1753, Sweden message here might be that we should not put too much introduced the Gregorian trust in Swedish calendars – in fact some of the 2012 calendar, and February 17th Swedish calendars that Inger F. got for Butikken were was followed by March 1st. rather creative in how the days in October were You would be mistaken numbered, shown below. Perhaps the Swedes are just a if you thought that Sweden’s little out of sync with the rest of the world. conversion to the Gregorian calendar would get all King Charles XII of Sweden Scandinavian calendars coordinated and in sync with the rest of the world. When Denmark and Norway adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1700, they decided to use an “improved” astronomical calculation for Easter, based on the real vernal equinox and real full moon. As a consequence, Easter in these two countries came a week earlier than the Gregorian standard in 1724 and 1744. Sources: Wikipedia, www.timeanddate.com, assa.org.au, Easter should have come earlier in 1700, but the NIST, individual.utoronto.ca/kalendis/mar21.htm, www. astronomical Easter fell on Passover, so it was delayed a staff.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/easter/easter_text3a.htm APRIL 2012