! s t a h m g t i r s i b r h d C n a r u y o r r y e y m a e b M Scandinavian Heritage Park becomes a sparkling won - derland with the advent of winter and the warm glow of Christmas lights. The lighting is a labor of love by the SHA “crew,” consisting of Ernie Selland, John Sinn, Arne Braaten, Carroll Erickson and many other volun - teers. (Photos by SHA board member Al Larson, Minot) . President’s report . 2 SHA Gift Shop . 8 . S ’ From the office . 3 Heritage House visit . 9 E IN MEMORIAM: ‘Snowshoe’ Thompson . 10-11 T D • Gary Holum . 4 Gift annuity: A gift that gives back . 12 A I • Reuben Forsberg . 5 Membership form . 12 S H ‘Yule Goat’ old Nordic custom . 6 Scandinavian Society reports . 13-15 N Memorial gifts from members . 7 Tracing Your Scandinavian Roots . 16 W I Page 2 • December 2007 • SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS President’s MESSAGE Scandinavian Heritage News Vol. 20, Issue 42 • December 2007 All I want for Christmas... Published quarterly by The Scandinavian Heritage Assn . by Mark Anderson, president student exchanges Scandinavian Heritage Association and other cross- 1020 South Broadway cultural partner - 701/852-9161 • P.O. Box 862 ith Christmas right around the ships. So first, as Minot, ND 58702 corner, my kids have been busy part of this new e-mail: [email protected] reviewing the weekend shopping W working relation - Mark Anderson Website: scandinavianheritage.org inserts and planting seeds as to what ship, I would like they would like to receive for to see SHA develop a programs-based Newsletter Committee Christmas. That got me thinking about mission focused on the sponsoring of Lois Matson, Chair what I would like for the future of programs like youth language camps Al Larson, Carroll Erickson Scandinavian Heritage Association. and student and faculty exchange pro - Marian Bergen Over the past two years as presi - grams, in partnership with Minot State Jo Ann Winistorfer dent, I have been blessed to receive University, Norsk Høstfest, and the many gifts; gifts of time, talents, expe - various heritage societies. Jo Ann Winistorfer, Editor rience, giving and friendship. It has 701/487-3312 truly been a rewarding experience and Wish No. 2 — [email protected] one that I will forever cherish. The Next, I’d like to see even more dedication and devotion that I have ways to showcase Scandinavian Al Larson, Publisher – 701/852-5552 seen from so many volunteers, direc - Heritage Park, the “Crown Jewel of tors and the membership have been Minot.” One way to do this is to make nothing short of extraordinary. it available for visitors around the SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE But, as with any administration, world. Discussions are currently ASSOCIATION there are still things yet unfinished; under way to produce a 30-minute 1020 South Broadway • P.O. Box 862 there is always more work to be done DVD, showcasing the beauty of the Minot, North Dakota 58702 in any vital, flourishing organization. park and capturing the history of our Phone 701/852-9161 And so it is with Scandinavian Heri- Scandinavian ancestors. Along with 2007 O FFICERS tage Association. Yes, I, too, have a list this DVD, we are discussing the pro - Mark Anderson . President of things I would like to see come to duction of an audio tour of the park, Luther Hanson . Vice President pass for this special organization. where visitors could enjoy a self-guid - Marion Anderson . Secretary ed tour that would present the history Jerome Jorgenson . Treasurer Wish No. 1 — and splendor of the park. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Earlier this year, we opened a Three-year terms ending January 2010 meaningful dialogue with Dr. David Wish No. 3 — Marion Anderson Virgil Rude Fuller, president of Minot State Lastly, I’d ask for a maintenance Helen Haaland Luther Hanson University. In June, Dr. Fuller and a trust to be established for the park to Ron Bieri Jerry Jorgensen delegation of Minot State University ensure that the beauty of this living Gail Peterson administrators accompanied Minot’s cultural museum be maintained for Three-year terms ending January 2009 mayor and other city officials as part years to come. I would propose the Duane Aase Doralyn Brown of a Minot-Skien sister-city delegation creation of the John Sinn Heritage Robert Whetter Eva Goodman that visited Norway and other Trust, named in honor of our chief Doris Slaaten John Sinn Scandinavian countries. In addition to engineer and construction superinten - Jo Ann Winistorfer participating in the sister-city delega - dent, John Sinn, without whose exper - Three-year terms ending January 2008 tion, Dr. Fuller had visits and discus - tise and tireless effort many of the Mark Anderson Marian Bergan sions with Telemark University in structures and splendor of the park Ernie Selland Joan Varty Norway; American College of Norway would not have been possible. This Lorna Van de Streek James Maragos in Moss; Ostfold University College in would be a fitting and lasting tribute Lois Matson Halden, Norway; Kristianstad to John for all of his years of selfless One-year appointees to January 2008 University in Sweden; and Aalborg dedication to Scandinavian Heritage Peder Rice Bruce Nelson University in Denmark. Discussions Park. Verla Rostad Erv Johnson Bob Sando with the universities focused on stu - And so it is—my Christmas wish dent and faculty exchanges, study list for 2007 and beyond. Oh, and that Ex-Officio Members tours, study abroad and Scandinavian reminds me, I’ve got to get over to Carroll Erickson , Past President Past President studies curricula. Wal-Mart to finish up my shopping; Bruce Christenson , Arnie Braaten, Past President Scandinavian Heritage Association my kids just added more to their lists. Allen O. Larson, Past President met with Dr. Fuller and expressed an May you enjoy all of the blessings Roald Mattson, Past President interest in establishing an ongoing of this holiday season! George Officer, Past President relationship focused on developing God Jul! • Jeanne McNea, Office Manager SCANDINAVIAN HERITAGE NEWS • December 2007 • Page 3 tion were the Flag Display, chaired From the OFFICE by the late Cliff Bergan, and the Danish Mill, chaired by Laurence Thompson. The Icelandic Society added the statue of Lief Eiriksson, a More history behind SHA Park newsletter was started, and an office by Jeanne McNea there was “no was opened for the organization. SHA office manager room at the Jim felt that an office could be a inns” for us, so communication center for the board hristmas is near and the lights on it was arranged members, a place to inform people the trees in the park are making to have a about the organization and a meet - Cit look like a winter wonderland. catered banquet ing place for the board. At that time Thanks go to several volunteers who in the City the board met every week. He had spent a few days getting the lights Auditorium. It some space in a building that he let checked and on the trees and build - was the largest us use for several years, and I was ings. and most festive asked to manage the office. This project was one of James B. banquet SHA According to Jim, the highlight of “Jim” Johnson’s dreams, which came Jeanne McNea has ever had. his presidency was the trip to Nor- true in December 1993. People look The whole audi - way with Høstfest when he started forward to seeing the lights every torium and the laying the groundwork for getting year from Thanksgiving until the tables were decorated with greens, our Eternal Flame. Jim left his mark New Year. white lights and silver bows. Norsk on this park through his leadership That first year, Dale Bakken from Høstfest and the Sons of Norway and hard work. Thank you, Jim. • Northwest Music donated all the Lodge joined us, and we had digni - lights; Laurence and Opal Thompson taries from Norway, including two donated the electric outlet pedestals. great-granddaughters of Sondre The trees were smaller and fewer, Norheim and other special guests. THE HEART of a and all the board members plus some Lars Berge Haugen, a skier from community is of the spouses came out to help. Morgedal, Norway, lit the flame. Jim was our second president and Jim said his first project was the reflected served from November 1990 until hardest and most challenging: getting in the December 1994. He was involved in the Sigdal House over here from all of the first projects in the park, but Norway and getting it financed. To quality this time of each year we remember get a loan, each of the board mem - of its him for all the lights. bers took the risk of signing the The Eternal Flame was erected and papers. It took a long time to get it parks. dedicated at that time in honor of paid for, but a lot of lessons were Sondre Norheim, the famous skier learned along the way. Myron MINOT PARK DISTRICT from Norway, who settled here in Anderson was appointed chairman 420 Third Avenue SW • 857-4136 North Dakota. The timing was just for the reconstruction of the house. right, as the Winter Olympics were Jay Anderson, professor of Utah being held in Norway in 1994. Jim, State University, was the main speak - with Dr. George Christianson and Dr. er at the annual banquet Feb. 8, 1991, Myron Peterson, made the arrange - and Jim feels that the concept of the ments for the governor to bring a outdoor museum with the five flame back from Norway to light Nordic countries represented came CALENDAR ours.