2021 New Member Challenge
As we wait for in-person meeting restrictions to ease, I hope you take heart from knowing that even in 2020, new members still flocked to join Sons of Norway. You helped Sons of Norway exceed the new member goal by an impressive 24%—reaching a total of 7,815 new members! Though the pandemic may put restrictions on gathering at times, you can still invite friends and family to join and enjoy [...]
Biennium Extension
At the start of global pandemic, the International Board voted to extend our current biennium until the International Convention in 2022. This meant that all officers and delegates remained in place through 2022 unless they chose to step down from their role. Pursuant to the National Emergency bylaw provision enacted by the Board, the postponement of the 2020 convention to 2022 served to extend the biennial term through 2022. This [...]
Cultural Skills and Sports Medals update
What is the new process for lodge leaders to order pins for the Cultural Skills and Sports Medals Programs? Sports Medals and Cultural Skills pins have now moved to our Lodge Supply Store. Lodge officers can order pins by logging into sofn.com, and searching for “lodge supply store” or by clicking this link: https://sofnlodge.logoshop.com/ Place an order for Cultural Skills pins and/or Sports Medals What is the new process [...]
Tubfrim Update
At the start of the year, we have received some questions regarding the Tubfrim program, and wanted to provide you all with some clarifications regarding the current status of the program. The program continues but is facilitated exclusively by the districts now, not Headquarters. Districts can choose to promote and participate in the program as they see fit. Individual members and lodge leaders should go to their Tubfrim district coordinators [...]
Writing Atlantic Crossing
A conversation with screenwriter Linda May Kallestein Photo Credit: www.pbs.org A new historical dramatization, Atlantic Crossing, recently debuted on PBS Masterpiece. The epic Norwegian-American production finds Crown Princess Märtha and her three children fleeing Norway to find political refuge in the White House. Märtha forges a close friendship with Franklin Delano Roosevelt and helps steer Norway’s destiny. Series co-screenwriter Linda May Kallestein knows well what it’s like to have [...]
Lille Lørdag
Looking for a way to cope with still being stuck at home as we pass the one-year mark of the pandemic? We need to look no further than the Norwegian tradition of lille lørdag.
Film Fest for One Lucky Viewer
Would you be happy to ditch your phone and the internet for a whole week? What if you were destined to spend that week completely isolated, marooned on a tiny windswept rock, barely protruding above the icy waves off the western coast of Sweden? To more than 12,000 film buffs from 45 different countries, this prospect sounded like an absolutely perfect way to enjoy the first week of February. The [...]
Savory recipes for Spring
After winter’s heavy meals, many of us crave fresh ingredients as Spring arrives
Mythical creatures of Scandinavia
Trolls, elves, dwarves and gods. These are just a few of the many fabled creatures that are deeply embedded in our popular culture, from comic books to movies to video games. But where did they originate?
Volcano adventures in Iceland
Did you know that the Arctic region is home to volcanoes? Iceland is actually one of the most volcanically active places in the world thanks to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet.
Norway counters Super Bowl ads with creative cheek
Part of the Super Bowl experience is enjoying the creative ads that punctuate the game. At $5.5 million per 30 second ad, they’ve got to be memorable. A common way to garner attention is through celebrity appearances.
A look at Norway’s coffee culture
In a recent list of the top ten coffee-consuming countries reported by WorldAtlas, half were Nordic countries. In fact, Norway claimed second place right behind Finland. Although it is very apparent from this list that Norwegians love their coffee, that has not always been the case.
Oslo gets creative to save a springtime tradition
Ski trails made of artificial snow in the Voldslokka park in Oslo. Image credit: AFP As the Easter season approaches and winter prepares to melt away, Oslo residents are bustling to escape into marka, the wooded hills surrounding the city, to enjoy one of Norway’s most favored forms of recreation: cross-country skiing. This final pilgrimage of the season typically results in vacationers crammed elbow to elbow in commuter [...]
3 more nature walks to explore in Norway
Norway is known for its abundant natural beauty, with glaciers, fjords, mountains and lush greenery. Even metropolitan areas like Oslo offer hiking opportunities and breathtaking views nearby. The March issue of Viking highlights five accessible hiking spots near this area, with scenic trails, spectacular views and interesting cultural landmarks. Here are a few more beautiful places to explore in Norway for hikers of all levels. Easy/Moderate: Åkrasanden. This sandy beach [...]
Viking longship excavation yields unexpected findings
Norway’s first Viking longship excavation in over a century is nearing its final stages, with work expected to conclude in early 2021 following an extension of the project. It has been a source of fascination among academics and casual enthusiasts alike, with findings that may shed new light on early Viking society.