FJELL-LJOM.. (MOUNTAIN ECHOES).. BLÅFJELL LODGE 3-646 May 2018

Co-President: Joann Barfield 540-380-2926 Co- President/Secretary: Kathy Clark 540-977-2349 Treasurer: Cheri Johnson 540-989-6330 Editor: Robin Lambert 540-904-1817 Lodge Counselor: Sharon Rohrback 540-774-0006

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Blåfjell's website: sonsofnorwayblafjell.org Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/SonsOfNorwayBlaFjell

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Mission Statement:

The mission of the Sons of Norway is to preserve and cherish a lasting appreciation of the heritage and

culture of Norway and the other Nordic countries. =======================================================================================================

Regularly scheduled meetings: Fourth Saturday of each month, 1:00 PM,

College Lutheran Church, 210 South College Avenue, Salem

(Except for special events) =======================================================================================================

NEXT MEETING:

Saturday May 19, 9am-5pm

Local Colors Location: Elmwood Park Roanoke, VA

Baked Goods and Christmas Ornament sale

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BLÅFJELL CO- PRESIDENTS’ MESSAGE:

A VERY IMPORTANT EVENT IS COMING UP ON MAY 19TH AT

THE LOCAL COLORS IN DOWNTOWN ROANOKE. WE WOULD

LIKE TO HAVE MORE WORKERS TO HELP OUT. ALSO, PLEASE

REMEMBER TO BRING BAKED GOODS TO BE SOLD. THIS IS

OUR MAJOR FUND RAISER FOR THE YEAR SO WE NEED LOTS

OF PARTICIPATION.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CALL ME AT 540-977-2349 OR EMAIL AT

scandinavianfrommn@gmail.com.

THANKS IN ADVANCE.

Submitted by Kathy Clark, Blåfjell Lodge Co- President =======================================================================================================

MINUTES OF MARCH MEETING:

Blåfjell Lodge held our meeting April 28, 2017 from 1-3 pm at College Lutheran

Church in Salem, VA.

The Gathering: The theme for the April meeting was learning the culture and foods

of Finland. We gathered from 1:00-1:45 for socializing, while we ate some wonderful

Finnish traditional food. Thank you cooks Lucy, Cheri, Kathy and Robin, for the pork

loin from Lucy's grandfather's recipe, two traditional carrot casseroles, and a turnip-

carrot casserole. We also had buns and Blueberry pie.

The Business Meeting 1:45-2:15pm. Kathy Clark opened the meeting by

welcoming guests, and with the singing of the Norwegian, Canadian and United States

national anthems. Sharon explained that we sing the anthems for the countries that

have Sons of Norway International lodges. Blåfjell Lodge received a $200.00 Visa gift card for our growth in

membership. It is to be used for something special; not to pay bills. The use will be determined at a later

date. Robin Lambert and Todd Solberg each received a Recruiting certificate and pin from Sons of Norway for

recruiting one member (we will mail Todd's to him). Robin recruited daughter Reagan Lambert; Todd recruited

wife Inga Solberg. Advertising: Kathy emphasized Sons of Norway's theme of increasing membership by

2020. Kathy has received a supply of pins we can wear and hand out; each with a slogan such as "Got

Lefse?", "Learn Your Heritage", plus others.) We will have these available at Local Colors. Courtesy of Joann

Barfield, members of Blåfjell Lodge can receive a free Sons of Norway bumper sticker. Yard Sale, May 5,

update: Cheri Johnson said we definitely need more items, which can be delivered to JoAnn Stephens-Forrest, site

hostess, on May 1. Call Cheri if you plan to work setting up Friday, or at the event Saturday. Local Colors, May 19

update: Sharon Rohrback brought us up to date on our Local Colors participation. We have several volunteers to

work, but we need several baked good items to sell.

Kathy Clark stated there are approximately 35 hand-made ornaments ready to sell. Kathy closed the business

meeting.

Program: Cheri Johnson presented a summary of Finnish culture and brought several items to display. Kathy

Clark described the Christmas traditions of Finland.

Submitted by Sharon Rohrback, Blåfjell Lodge Counselor, while Kathy Clark, Blåfjell Lodge President, led the

meeting =======================================================================================================

MEMBER NEWS:

Gratuleer Med Dagen

May birthdays:

Kathy Clark 5/3

Annita Nelson 5/13

Prayer Requests:

Joann Barfield, Blåfjell Lodge Co- President had a successful hip replacement surgery and is doing well. Continue

to pray for a speedy recovery. ======================================================================================================= BE A LOCAL COLORS Blåfjell Tent volunteer.

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 9 am-5 pm.

(we set up our tent/displays at 8 am; gather to March 10:00 am, do shifts at tent 10-5.)

We will need tent volunteers for 2-3 hour shifts.

We will need baked goods volunteers: home-made desserts pre-wrapped at home.

Submitted by Sharon Rohrback, Blåfjell Lodge Counselor =======================================================================================================

12 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Finland Written by Jim O'Donnell

From the vibrant art-filled cities of Helsinki and Turku to the depths of the boreal forests and the thinly-inhabited outer archipelago,

Finland remains one of the relatively unknown corners of Europe. While the cities and towns offer many unique cultural and historical

attractions, the natural surroundings serve as a playground for both winter and summer activities.

The Åland Islands or Åland (Swedish pronunciation: Oland, Finnish:

Ahvenanmaa) is an autonomous archipelago between Sweden and Finland. A

predominantly Swedish-speaking province of Finland, Åland is comprised of a few

large islands and nearly 10,000 smaller ones. Åland has a unique history. It was ceded to

Russia by Sweden in 1809. In 1854, a combined British/French fleet took the islands,

destroying the fortress. After that, the entire archipelago was demilitarized and remains

so to this day. About 27,500 people live in Åland today, with about 11,000 in the main

town of Mariehamn. The main industry of the islands has always been shipping and

trade, so the Maritime Museum, the Museum Ship Pommern, and the Maritime

Quarter in Mariehamn are worth seeing to understand the islands' fascinating maritime

history. Also worth a visit is the Jan Karlsgården open air museum in Kastelholm

where visitors can see what a typical island farm looked like around 1890. However, the big draw to Åland these days is its unspoiled

nature and beautiful landscapes. On midsummer's eve, Åland holds a massive and ancient celebration marking the longest day of the

year. There are also a wide range of excellent places to eat and many artists' studios to visit. The islands can be reached both from

Stockholm and Turku as well as by small plane.

Hameenlinna (Swedish name Tavastehus), is attractively situated on a long, narrow

lake, the Vanajavesi. The Hattelmala hills are a boundary to the south of Hämeenlinna.

The town was founded by the Swedish governor, Per Brahe, in 1639 on a site to the north

of the 13th-century Tavastehus Castle, which he enlarged and strengthened. The red

brick castle is one of the noted landmarks along with Aulanko Park. The town of

Hämeenlinna was moved to its present site in 1777. Its economy depends primarily on

timber-processing, with some metalworking. Hämeenlinna was also the birthplace of the

Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and the poet Paavo Cajander (1846-1913). In

the center of Hämeenlinna is the Market Square (Kauppatori). On its east side stands the

Lutheran church, with a statue of Paavo Cajander in the gardens in front of it. On the

south side of the square is the Town Hall. North of the square visitors will find the Sibelius Museum, and a little bit further on, the

Sibelius Park. Be sure to also visit the Hämeenlinna Historical Museum near the park. Finally, no trip to Hämeenlinna is complete

without a visit to the castle on the shores of the Vanajavesi.

Helsinki (Swedish Helsingfors) is the capital of Finland and chief town of the province of

Uusimaa (Nyland). The city offers a variety of cultural opportunities such as the National

Museum of Finland; the Helsinki City Museum; the Finnish Art Gallery, featuring classical

to modern art exhibits; and three major theaters. Around the city itself, various suburbs grew

up from 1950 onwards, most of them outside the city limits in the province of Uusimaa. This

gave rise to administrative problems, which were resolved in the early 1960s by the

establishment of the towns of Espoo/Esbo to the west and Vantaa/Vanda to the northeast -

independent administrative units without established centers, which at once joined the select

group of Finland's five largest towns. The only relics of the past in these towns are a few old

churches and pastors' houses in gray stone.

Jyväskylä was founded by Tsar Nicholas I in 1837. The small city is located

on the north side of the Jyväsjärvi lake, which is linked by a narrow strait, the

Aijälänsalmi, with Lake Päijänne, Finland's second largest lake and its deepest, to

the south. Jyväskylä is an important traffic junction, the administrative and cultural

hub of central Finland and an industrial town (woodworking, metalworking),

which is also noted for its trade fairs. The town gets its particular character from a

mingling of old wooden houses and modern stone buildings. The first Finnish-

language secondary school was established here in 1858. The University was

founded in 1934. In the centrally-located Church Gardens (Kirkkopuisto) is the

neo-Gothic Town Church. Nearby is a monument to the Finnish writer, Minna

Canth (1844-97). On the way from there to the harbor and the lake are three

buildings by the famed Finnish architect Alvar Aalto: the Municipal Theater, the

Police Headquarters, and the Local Government Offices. To the north, in Rajakatu, are the Orthodox church and a neo-Classical

church. The impressive Jyväskylä International Arts Festival is held in June and is the longest-running annual cultural event in

Finland.

For most people, seeing the Northern Lights is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. Finland is perhaps the

top country in the world for seeing these blazing curtains of light drape across the sky. Although, at times,

the lights can be seen even in the southern most regions of the nation, the best place to see them is in

Lapland. In the north, between September and March, visitors are almost guaranteed a show if the sky is

clear. A wide range of hotels in the north cater specifically to people wanting to see the lights. Also, the

Finnish Meteorological Institute allows you to sign up for free Northern Lights email alerts.

Lake Saimaa and Savonlinna The entire eastern portion of Finland is more sea than land. With literally tens of thousands

of lakes, rivers, marshes, and ponds, eastern Finland is a fabulous aquatic playground. The dominant lake of the region is massive Lake

Saimaa, the "lake of a thousand islands." Lake Saimaa itself has an area of some 1,300

square kilometers - excluding its numerous islands. The whole lake system is drained by the

river Vuoksi, which leaves Lake Saimaa to the north of the town of Imatra and flows into

Lake Ladoga in Russia. The hilly shores of the lake and most of the islands are almost

entirely covered with coniferous forest, with some birch forest farther north.

Savonlinna is the main city of Finland's lake region. A popular spa and holiday resort,

Savonlinna lies between the Haapavesi, to the north, and the Pihlajavesi, to the south. The

town grew up around the castle of Olavinlinna and received its municipal charter in 1639.

The oldest part of the town is picturesquely situated on an island between two waterways,

with the newer districts on the mainland to the west. Savonlinna is one of the main centers

of the boat services on Lake Saimaa. The principal sight of Savonlinna is indeed the Olavinlinna Castle. The castle, which has been

beautifully restored, contains a number of handsome rooms used for receptions and conferences, among them the King's or Knights'

Hall, the Congress Hall, and the Great Hall. Three massive round towers have survived, and in one of them, the Church Tower, is a

small chapel, still used for worship and weddings. In the Great Bastion is a summer café. East of Savonlinna lies Kerimäki and the

largest wooden church in the world. A must do when in the lake region are the boat cruises. From Savonlinna, there are boat trips to the

other towns on Lake Saimaa, to Punkaharju, with the Retretti Art Center, the largest in the Nordic countries, to the monasteries of

Uusi Valamo and Lintula. Another day trip option is a cruise down the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg in Russia on the Baltic Sea.

Lemmenjoki National Park Anyone seeking an Arctic wilderness experience will love

Lemmenjoki National Park. The 70-year-old tract over boreal forest is the largest park in Finland and one

of the most extensive chunks of wildlands in all of Europe, covering more than 1,000 square miles. For

the trekker, there are hundreds of miles of marked trails as well as free and open wilderness huts and more

sophisticated rental huts with sauna and campfire places. The namesake of the park, the Lemmenjoki

River, is a sight to behold as it flows down from the fells into a stunning valley of towering pines.

Visitors can either rent a boat or take a tour. This is the place to find brown bear, wolves, and wild golden

eagles as well as moose and reindeer.

Sweet little Oulu (Swedish Uleåborg) lies near the north end of the Gulf of Bothnia, at

the mouth of the Oulu river. Its university was founded in 1959. In spring, there are

numerous sporting events such as skiing competitions in the Oulu area. Towards the end of

the 16th century, King John III of Sweden built a castle on the island of Linnansaari at the

mouth of the Oulu river, and the town grew up on this island, receiving its municipal charter

in 1610. In 1822, it was almost completely destroyed by fire. The town was swiftly rebuilt

in accordance with a plan prepared by Johan Albrecht Ehrenström. During the 19th century,

the trade in tar flourished, and the town prospered accordingly. At the north end of the busy

Kirkkokatu in Oulu stands the Cathedral, originally built in 1770-72. To the left of the

entrance, a monument commemorates those who fell in the Civil War of 1918. From the

north end of Kirkkokatu, a small bridge leads into the beautiful island of Ainola Park. At the west end of the island is the Municipal

Library and the Provincial Museum. Farther north is the Botanic Garden, and on the island of Hupisaari, a summer theater. Another

popular tourist attraction is the Tietomaa Science Center to the east of the Oulu Botanic Garden and in the summer, sightseers should

spend a morning at the Market Square with its excellent coffee, classic Finnish pastries, and dose of culture.

The Archipelago National Park (ANP) near Turku was established in 1983. These

islands offer a very unique cultural mix of Finnish, Russian, and Swedish influences. Finland's

islands are also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Here, in the islands, the sky truly meets the sea,

and visitors may feel as though they have reached the very edges of the earth. The air is quiet, and

the sea relatively calm. Sailboats glide on crystal clear waters under skies filled with terns and sea

geese. Sightseers can rent many types of boats, from sailboats to kayaks and motor boats. This is

also an incredible place to see seals and catch fish - very large pike and trout. Around 60,000

people come to the park each year, but it never seems crowded given the size of the area. Solitude

is easily found here. The entire coastline of Finland is dotted with these island treasures. The most interesting islands to visit in the park

are Jurmo, Noto, Uto, Aspo, and Houtskär.

Tampere (Swedish: Tammerfors) is one of the loveliest towns in all of

Finland. It was founded in 1779 as an industrial settlement and is now Finland's

third largest town (the largest inland town in Scandinavia) and the country's

leading industrial city. It lies between two lakes, Näsijärvi, to the north, and

Pyhäjärvi, to the south, which are linked by the Tammerkoski, a stretch of

rapids about 900 meters long. Tampere is noted for its active cultural life with

an open-air theater, numerous festivals, and popular sports teams. After Finland

came under Russian control in 1809, the development of the town was

promoted by the Tsars; thus between 1821 and 1906 its exports to Russia were

exempted from customs duties. Tampere's main industries are now

metalworking, textiles, and footwear. Tampere's principal street is

Hämeenkatu, which runs from the railroad station through the Central Square

to the wide avenue Hämeenpuisto. In the square is the Hämeensilta (bridge) with four statues of famed Finnish culture figures

by Wäinö Aaltonen. In addition to its theaters, which have an international reputation, it offers a wide range of cultural and

recreational facilities, including the modern Municipal Library, the Lenin Museum, numerous parks and lakes, and the

Särkänniemi amusement park. Within the city limits are almost 200 lakes, and several inland shipping lines are based in

Tampere, including the motor vessels of the Silver Line and the appealing old steamers, which ply on the "Poets' Way." Be sure

also to visit the old villages of Ruovesi and Virrat.

The southwestern Finnish town of Turku (Swedish Åbo), the country's

oldest town and once its capital, lies on the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth

of the Aurajoki. About 5 percent of the population is Swedish-speaking,

and the town attracts many visitors from neighboring Sweden. Turku lies

in the area where the successors to the Swedish Vikings landed in the

12th century and set out to conquer what is now Finland. In 1525, the

town received its municipal charter from Gustavus Vasa. In 1810, the

seat of government was transferred to Helsinki. During the 1970s, Turku

developed into a considerable tourist center. The hub of Turku's traffic is

the Market Square (Kauppatori), on the north bank of the Aurajoki.

This is a great place to come for coffee and pastries. Flanking the square

here are the Swedish Theater, the glass-roofed Hansa shopping center,

and the lovely Orthodox church. Standing on the east side of Turku's

Cathedral Square is the main cathedral, founded about 1230 and consecrated in 1290. It is a massive brick church in Late

Romanesque style with Gothic and Renaissance additions and a massive 97-meter high tower that dominates the city. Just down

from the cathedral along the river, two old sailing ships are moored - the "Suomen Joutsen," now a training school for seamen,

and the barque "Sigyn." Both are open to the public in summer. Also along the banks of the river are a number of old vessels,

which have been converted into restaurants. Finally, a must-see is the old castle. Located on the west side of Turku near the

harbor, the castle was built around 1300 on what was then an island at the mouth of the river. It was enlarged in the 16th-17th

century and now houses the Turku Historical Museum.

Established in the 1300s, Vaasa was an important town in the time that

Sweden ruled Finland. The original town burned down in 1852 and was

relocated six kilometers northwest near a better harbor. The ruins of the old

city are now a giant park (Vanha Vaasa, Gamla Vasa) that is well worth the

visit. The town is about 34 percent Swedish-speaking and retains many ties

to Sweden. Surrounded by a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and shops, the

large market place is the center of city life. This peaceful town offers plenty

of attractions. Visitors can walk along the waterfront, which begins in front

of the town and extends for miles along the coast. Other attractions include

the Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, down at the harbor, the

Ostrobothnian Museum, the Terranova Kvarken Nature Center, the

Tikanoja Art Museum, and the Vaasa Maritime Museum. Just to the east

of the city center, on an island, is Tropiclandia and tropical spa, a waterpark inside a heated dome packed with pools, slides,

and saunas. South of Vasa is the famed Söderfjärden crater caused by a meteor millions of years ago. To the north lies the

Kvarken National Park, a wild archipelago hosting many great hikes and excellent bird watching opportunities. Vasa also hosts

a number of notable cultural events including the Night of the Arts; the Korsholm Music Festival, one of the most noted of

chamber music festivals; and the Vaasa Choir Festival. Vasa also claims to be the sunniest town in all of Finland, so soak up

some rays on one of the many beaches.

https://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions/finland-sf.htm

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Language Lessons 29: Seventeenth of May in Oslo

Phrase Pronunciation English

Syttende mai er Norges grunnlovsdag,

nasjonaldagen fremfor noen annen.

sut-tehn-eh ma-ee aer noor-gehs grewn-

lohvs-dahg frehm-fohr noo-ehn ahn-nehn

Seventeenth of May is Norway's constitution

day, the national holiday above any other.

I år våknet befolkningen i Oslo til

strålende vær med skyfri himmel.

ee ohr vohk-neht be-folk-neeng-ehn teell

stroh-lehn-deh vaer meh skee-free heem-

mehll

This year the population of Oslo woke up to

wonderful weather and a cloudless sky.

Klokka sju ringte kirkeklokkene over

byen.

klohk-kah shew reeng-teh kjeer-keh-

klohk-keh-neh oh-vehr bee-ehn

At seven a.m. the church bells tolled across

the city.

Flaggene ble heist langs alle gater. flahg-geh-neh bleh haist lahngs ahl-leh

gahter

The flags were raised along all streets.

Klokka ti begynte barnetoget. klohk-kah tee be-jeen-teh bahr-neh-toh-

geh

At 10 a.m. the children's parade started.

Over ett hundre skoler deltok. oh-vehr ehtt hewn-dreh skoo-lehr dehl-

took

More than one hundred schools participated.

Kledd i sine fineste klær--mange i

bunader--marsjerte de opp Karl Johans

gate.

klehdd ee see-neh fee-neh-steh klaer

mahng-eh ee boo-nah-dehr mash-ehr-teh

dee ohpp kahrl joo-hahns gah-teh

Dressed in their Sunday best--many in

regional costumes--they marched up Karl

Johans gate.

Fra slottsbalkongen vinket kongen,

dronningen og prmnsessen.

frah slohtts-bahl-kohng-ehn veen-keh

kohng-ehn droh-neeng-ehn oh preen-

sehs-sehn

From the Palace balcony, waved the King,

the Queen and the Princess.

Barna jublet og vinket tilbake med flaggene sine. bahr-nah joob-leht oh

veen-keht teell- bah-keh meh flahg-eh-

neh see-neh

The children cheered and waved back with

their flags.

Strømmen av glade barn varte i tre

timer.

struhm-mehn ahv glah-deh bahrn vahr-

teh ee treh tee-mehr

The stream of joyous children lasted for

three hours.

Så var det tid for kongefamilien å ha

lunsj.

soh vahr deh teed fohr kohng-eh-fah-

mee-lee-ehn oh hah luhnsh

Then it was time for the royal family to have

lunch.

Barna fant igjen foreldrene sine, og nå

fikk de spise så mye de ville av iskrem

og varme pølser.

bahr-nah fahnt ee-jehn fohr-ehl-dreh-neh

see-neh oh noh feekk dee spee-seh soh

mee-eh dee veel-leh ahv ees-krehm oh

vahr-meh puhl-sehr

The children found their parents, and now

they got to eat as much as they wanted of ice

cream and hot dogs.

Det var en utrolig flott festdag for alle. deh vahr ehn oo-troo-lee flohtt fehst-

dahg fohr ahl-leh

It was an incredibly nice nice celebration for

all.

Excerpts from Sons of Norway member Kari Diesen-Dahl Norwegian lessons. =======================================================================================================

NORDIC HUMOR:

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BOOK CORNER: Tales from Moominvalley (Moomins)

by Tove Jansson (Author, Illustrator), Thomas Warburton (Translator)

Here are nine delightfully funny stories about the triumphs and tribulations of the

citizens of Moominvalley. Readers will discover how the Moomin family save young

Ninny from permanent invisibility, and what happens when Moomintroll catches the last

dragon in the world. Some of the characters in these tales will be brand-new to Moomin

fans, but there are lots of old friends to meet as well.

Moominvalley is an idyllic and peaceful place where the Moomins live in harmony with

nature. The largest building in the valley is the Moominhouse, and its occupants

welcome all visitors from the valley and further afield. A river runs through this

beautiful valley, which lies between the sea and the mountains, including a range called

the Lonely Mountains. When spring arrives, the valley bursts into bloom, as does

Moominmamma’s treasured garden. The Moomins spend their summers meeting people

and having all kinds of fun.

A path leads from the Moominhouse to the seashore, where the Moomins have built a

small bathhouse. The Moomins love the sea and enjoy hanging out at the beach.

Sometimes, they set out on journeys of exploration that take them far from

Moominvalley, but they know they always have a safe home to return to. As autumn approaches, the Moomins prepare to

hibernate. By the time Moominvalley is carpeted in snow, the Moomins are already in a deep sleep. You can study

Moominvalley throughout the seasons using the maps you’ll find in the books Finn Family Moomintroll, Moominland Midwinter

and Moominvalley in November.

Tove Jansson (1914–2001) was born in Helsinki and spent much of her life in Finland. She is the author of the Moomin books,

including Comet in Moominland and Finn Family Moomintroll. Born into an artistic family―her father was a sculptor and her

mother was a graphic designer and illustrator―Jansson studied at the University College of Arts, Crafts and Design in

Stockholm, the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts, and L'École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. In addition to her Moomin books, she also

wrote several novels, drew comic strips and worked as a painter and illustrator. In 1966, she was awarded the Hans Christian

Andersen Medal for her body of work. Jansson had a studio in Helsinki but spent most of her time at her home on a small island

called Klovharu. =======================================================================================================

NORDIC RECIPES:

Finnish Carrot Casserole (Porkkanalaatiko) A Finnish Christmas feast would not be complete without a variety of casseroles.

Ingredients

1 lb. baby carrots

3/4 cup liquid from carrots

¼ cup cream of wheat

1/2 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

¼ cup half & half

1 egg, beaten

1 Tbsp. syrup

Dried bread crumbs to sprinkle on top

Directions 1. Put carrots in a large pot and add enough water to cover them.

2. Boil until carrots are soft.

3. Drain carrots, saving ¾ cup of liquid from the pot.

4. Put the saved liquid back in the pot and mash the carrots in the liquid.

5. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

6. Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.

7. Sprinkle dried bread crumbs on top. 8. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

Serves six

Finnish Rice Porridge (Riisipuuro)

In Finland, this traditional dessert is served on Christmas Eve. The custom of hiding an almond in the pudding was

brought to Finland from Sweden. The person who finds the almond in his or her bowl will have good luck the following

year!

Ingredients

1 cup water

3/4 cup of medium grain rice

1quart whole milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 whole blanched almond (optional)

Directions 9. Heat oven to 300 degrees then turn it off!

10. Cook the rice in the water, allowing the rice to simmer under cover until the water has evaporated.

11. Add milk and bring to a boil while stirring.

12. Cover the pot and place it in the warm oven for about 1 ½ hours.

13. Return the porridge to the stovetop and reheat while stirring.

14. Add salt and sugar.

15. Add a blanched almond if desired.

16. Stir and serve with a pat of butter on top.

17. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Serves four

Submitted by Cheri Johnson, Blåfjell Lodge Cultural Director ======================================================================================================

What you missed

SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 1-3 PM

COLLEGE LUTHERAN CHURCH

FINLAND - CHERI JOHNSON

REFRESHMENTS: Cheri Johnson, Kathy Clark, Lucy Hochstein

HERITAGE MINUTE: JoAnn Stephens-Forrest

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FINNISH FOOD

• Food is simple/fresh and unsweetened. It is more like German or Russian, and not like Swedish.

• Reindeer is served in restaurants, and Moose is served at home.

• Berries - raspberries, bilberries, lingonberries, etc. grow all over. Other berries, like cloudberries, cranberries, and

buckthorns grow in certain places. Blueberry pie is traditional. Famous jam is cloudberry. Wild strawberries are served

with cream or ice cream. Berries are frozen for future use.

• Many fish in Finland, but Salmon and Herring are favorites. Crayfish are abundant also.

• Mushroom hunting is a popular outdoor activity. Eating mushrooms was a Russian influence. Before that, mushrooms

were boiled to produce dye for fabrics.

• Rye bread is a staple. Breads are made from oat, rye, wheat. Flatbreads are very fiat.

• Drinks include water, milk, buttermilk, and coffee. Beer, wine, moonshine, and mead are also popular. Glog is served at

Christmas. Liquor is made from cloudberries.

• Desserts could be pulla - a sweet bread like cinnamon buns, cloudberry desserts, fruit soups, whipped porridge, pastry

with lingonberry filling.

• Panda and Halva licorice are famous. Fazer Sininen milk chocolate.

• Breakfast is substantial. It consists of bread, buttered and topped with hard cheese and cold Cuts. Porridge with butter,

milk, and berries is very popular. Porridge is made from rolled oats. Juice, tea, and coffee are breakfast drinks. Coffee

breaks are typical. Finns drink coffee in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It is served with a bun or sandwich.

• In restaurants, Finnish salmon, mushroom soup, and desserts are extremely good.

• All schools serve a hot lunch that is free! The meal consists of meat, with some potatoes, rice, or pasta. Pea or fish soup

is also common.

Typical Finnish Dishes

• Cabbage rolls

• Moose, deer, grouse, duck, hare • Pea soup

• Dessert pancake

• Fresh cow's milk cheese

• Mashed potatoes

• Finnish meatballs with gravy sauce • Smoked ham or beef

• Sausage with homemade mustard

Submitted by Cheri Johnson, Blåfjell Lodge Cultural Director =======================================================================================================

Sons of Norway Foundation Announces

2018 Grant Awardees

April 2018

For Immediate Release

The Sons of Norway Foundation is proud to announce its 2018 grant awardees. More than $18,000 was awarded to

33 Sons of Norway lodges for projects or programs in three categories:

Lodge Culture and Heritage Grants, awarded to Sons of Norway lodges for projects to promote and preserve

Norwegian culture and heritage.

Helping Hands to Children Grants, awarded to help establish education and mentoring programs for

children.

Lodge Vitality Grants, new for 2018, which supplement a lodge’s operating budget when needed funds

are not available from other sources.

According to Blaine Hedberg, Foundation secretary and grant awards committee chair, “Sons of Norway lodges

displayed great resolve and passion in their grant applications. I, along with the committee, congratulate all lodges

on a job well done.”

See complete list of grant recipients, below.

The Sons of Norway Foundation is dedicated to funding activities that preserve and promote Norwegian heritage,

positively affect members and make Sons of Norway communities more vibrant places to live. Awardees are

selected based on their adherence to the mission of the Sons of Norway Foundation and how their proposed

program or project will promote Norwegian culture and values.

For more information about Sons of Norway Foundation grants, contact foundation@sofn.com, call 800-945-8851,

or check out the website at https://www.sofn.com/foundation/. A grant may have specific criteria that applicants

must meet.

2018 Lodge Culture and Heritage Grants

Draxten 1-464, Ole Bull Statue Landscaping Renovation

Kong Sverre 1-482, Lodge 50th Anniversary Celebration

Kong Olav V 1-483, Lodge 50th Anniversary Celebration

Kenyon Viking 1-487, Lodge 50th Anniversary Celebration

Vennekretsen 1-559, Syttende Mai Celebration

Tusenvann 1-659, Syttende Mai/Recruitment Banquet

Scandia Lodge 1-680, Nordic Music and Arts Festival

Cascade 2-87, Norwegian Heritage Outreach at SeaFair/Summer Celebration

Southern Star 3-630, Scandinavian Cultural and Recruitment Fair

Wergeland 5-28, Wergeland Dancers Education/Promotion Project

Løven 5-29, Syttende Mai 2018

Vennelag 5-513, Celebrating Norsk Traditions

Edvard Grieg 5-657, Concert of Scandinavian Songs by Alisa Nordheim

2018 Helping Hands to Children Grants

Sonja 2-38, KIDSPORTS, Sons of Norway Soccer

Fjeldheim 2-47, Annual Fundraising for Youth Culture/heritage Camp Scholarship Fund

Whidbey Island Nordic 2-164, Farm-to-School

Spirit New Century 2-999, New mattresses for District 2 Language Camp

Gateway to Florida 3-541, Adopt-A-School Scholarship Event

Heim 4-178, Books for Schools in Area

Mollargutten 4-478, Adopt-A-School

Vidda 4-663, Viking Skills Camp 2018

Fagernes 5-616, Adopt-A-School Reading Program

Ulseth 5-670, Elementary School Nordic Skiing Project

Roald Amundsen 6-48, Adopt-A-School, Helping Homeless Students Succeed

Norge 6-60, Youth Outreach Program at Norway Hall

Vikings of Lake 6-166, Student Council Members Capitol Trip

Viking 7-81, Adopt-A-School

2018 Lodge Vitality Grants

Central 2-000, Freezer Replacement

Bothell 2-106, LCD Projector Replacement

Grondal 2-122, Grondal Lodge Promotion

Norumbega 3-506, Walk-in Freezer Condensing Unit Replacement

Vidda 4-663, Building Maintenance for Meeting Facility

Circle City 5-614, Laptop Computer for Presentations

=======================================================================================================

May 2018

3rd District Fra Presidenten

“At last came the golden month of the wild folk-- honey-sweet May, when the birds come back, and the

flowers come out, and the air is full of the sunrise scents and songs of the dawning year.” Samuel

Scoville Jr., Wild Folk

There is a lot going on in May – Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Syttende Mai; equally as important is the opportunity to get

together and celebrate, and yes, the winter weather will finally break!!!

Preparations for the convention are in full gear; our Nominating Committee is doing a great job pounding the pavement searching

for candidates to fill 3D Board positions; our Convention Committee is starting to see the fruits of all their labors and countless

hours coming together and thanks to your efforts, we are gaining new members!! There is a buzz of energy in the District.

I was thrilled to see that 11 lodges met the 2017 Recruitment Challenge, congratulations to you all. Just like the smell of spring

flowers fills the air, I smell a sense of excitement in the Third District. There is a saying that goes something like “it takes money

to make money”. Well, from what I am seeing, the same is true with members. It takes members to bring in more members and

you are all doing an outstanding job! Keep up the great work!

Don’t forget to ask your lodge’s Convention delegates to review the resolutions that will be discussed at the Convention. Let your

delegates know your thoughts; your opinion matters!!

Jeg ønsker dere alt godt,

Mary

Remember all who serve(d) (past and present)

Thank you =======================================================================================================

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

FOR UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

May 19, 9am-5pm Local Colors Location: Elmwood Park Roanoke, VA

Baked Goods and Christmas Ornament sale

June 23, 1-3pm SON Meeting

Location: College Lutheran Church

Program: Norway - Sharon Rohrback, Helene DeVries & Guest Speaker

Monthly Heritage Minute: TBA

July 28 Annual Summertime Picnic

Location: TBA

August No meeting - Summer Vacation

September 22, 1-3pm SON Meeting

Location: College Lutheran Church

Program: Annual Nordic Auction/Cake Walk

Monthly Heritage Minute: TBA

October 9 Adopt-a-School

Presentation: Leif Erikson Day by Cheri Johnson

Location: Faith Christian School

October 27 22st Anniversary Dinner

Location: TBA

Monthly Heritage Minute: TBA

November 9 Adopt-a-School Presentation: Viking Day by Cheri Johnson and other Lodge members

Location: Faith Christian School

November 17, 1-3 pm SON Meeting

Location: College Lutheran Church Program: Iceland - Land of Fire and Ice - Joann Barfield & Cheri Johnson

December 8, 1-3 pm Julefest Annual Dinner and St. Lucia procession

Location: College Lutheran Church

December 13 St. Lucia Concert and Celebration at St. Andrews Church, Roanoke, VA

Contact person: Cheri Johnson =======================================================================================================

THIRD DISTRICT/INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

For President’s letter, see the Third District Events Calendar: www.3dsofn.org/newsletter/index.html

District 3 events: www.3dsofn.org/eventscalendar Land of Viking (LOV) camp and conference center in Pennsylvania: www.3dsofn.org/lov or www.Landofthevikings.org New Sons of Norway E-Post: sonsofnorway@sofn.com Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington: emb.washington@mfa.no

Nordic News from the Icelandic Embassy: http://www.iceland.is/us NEWEST NEWS: New newspaper ... Welcome to Norway Today: www.norwaytoday.info

FULL LISTING OF EVENTS around the U.S: wwwnorway.org/calendar

SONS OF NORWAY MEET ON THE FOURTH SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH!

PLAN TO ATTEND EACH AND EVERY LODGE MEETING

AND ACTIVITY! ==================================================================

For the Love of Norway!!