Land of the Vikings center
The first new Sons of Norway lodge to launch in eight years, Viking Mountain Lodge 3-690 is located near Sherman, Pennsylvania. Their meeting place is Land of the Vikings (LOV), the District 3 recreational center set on 150 acres of wooded hills and surrounded by 5,000 acres of state game land.
Longtime LOV co-managers Richard and Beverly Budrick decided an on-site lodge would be a perfect way to serve the locals who were already attending their annual Lobsterfest and numerous Norwegian activities year-round. With guidance from District 3 Vice President Stephen Helmold and fellow LOV board members, they started planning last year and will hold their official Institutional Meeting on October 5th.
They will host a celebration dinner at LOV, joined by district and international dignitaries. To others interested in starting a lodge, Bev says, “It is a lot of work, but will be well worth it.”
Shawnee Skogen Lodge 5-689
After moving from Arizona to the Shawnee Forest area of southern Illinois in 2016, former District 6 Secretary Wendy Winkelman and husband Bill Bultinck decided to fill a geographic vacancy by starting their own lodge. To generate publicity, they advertised in the local Farm Bureau magazine and hometown newspaper. They also created and continue to maintain a very active Facebook page.
Since their first meeting in July 2018, they have held monthly gatherings including a lefse-making session, a Syttende Mai picnic and a Julebord party. Members meet regularly at Hedman Vinyard, a nearby winery and café, and are now preparing for their Institutional Meeting on November 17th. After becoming an official Sons of Norway lodge, Shawnee Skogen 5-689 plans to continue hosting monthly meetings with Scandinavian flair and collaborate with several Scandinavian organizations in nearby St. Louis, Missouri.
When asked for advice to anyone wishing to start a new lodge, Bill said, “It is important to develop a base of active members. Get your members involved!”
CONGRATUERER and VELKOMMEN to both of our new Sons of Norway lodges, from District Six!
Congratulations and Velkommen to Shawnee Skogen Lodge and Viking Mountain Lodge.