January 2014 Volume 38 No. 01

Sons of Norway Hampton Roads Lodge No. 522

exercise more don’t forget to document your exercise and earn medals for yourself and points for the lodge.

The goal and mission of the Sons of Norway is to “Preserve the traditions and culture of Norway”. What can you do? There are always ways in which you can become more involved. When asked, please say “yes”. The more active you become the more you will enjoy the benefits of membership.

2013 was a good year for the lodge and we can do even better in 2014.

We had a wonderful turnout for our fellowship lunch at Beir Garden in Portsmouth. We had over 45 in attendance. I think everyone that participated had a good time, plus a good lunch. Through these fellowship lunches, dinners and meetings, we all have a better opportunity to get to know one another.

We have other opportunities coming up for your attendance. How about a wine tasting at the Total Wine Store? – 1744 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach. This event was so well received last year that we have brought it back again. It will be on January 24 and will be our general meeting for January. Time is 6:45 – 8:30. Space is limited so if you wish to go, please contact Deanna at Norskamerican@aol.com.

On another note, If you know of any member that is ill please bring this to the attention of a lodge officer.

I wish you all a new year full of promise, good health and prosperity.

Hilsen,

Bob Rumney

Godt Nuttar/Happy New Year:

The beginning of a New Year is traditionally when people develop their New Year’s resolutions. Do you have any for the New Year? At the first Board Meeting of this year I asked the officers to review the description of their duties and come up with one goal for the New Year.

Now I am asking you (the members) to come up with a goal/resolution for 2014. That is, to become more involved with the lodge and its activities. Resolve to attend the regular meetings and participate in the special events. If your personal resolution is to

VIRGINIA VIKINGThe President’s Corner Issue 01, January 2014

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President: Bob Rumney Vice President: Michael J. Beck

Secretary: june cooper Treasurer: Ragnhild Zingler editor: Thomas Russell

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District Vice President’s Message.

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Financial Benefits CounselorFellowship Dinners

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MembershipSports Medal Program

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Princess Ingrid Alexandra

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Soup of MeldalSochi 2014 Olympics

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Sons of Norway Virtual Pilgrimage

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January Birthdays

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January 2014 Volume 38 No. 01

! A New Year brings an air of excitement. A New Year also brings the infamous New Year's Resolution(s). I wonder if New Year's resolutions are inversely proportionate to one's age. I really try not to make them or if I do, I limit them to three that I think stand a chance of achieving. I define success as accomplishing at least one resolution!

I thought about New Year's Resolutions for the Third District and came up with the following three:

•Focus on fraternalism! President Joe Annotti of the American Fraternal Alliance stated in a recent blog that "Fraternals were founded on the core principle of helping one another." Let's step out of our comfort zone and talk about what our lodges do in our communities. We help where help is needed but sometimes it is like pulling teeth to get a Norwegian to talk about what they do to help others. (see Cultural Director Kathy Dollymore's comment in Community Connections). Another point to keep in mind is that our insurance products are central to our core principle. Don’t forget to invite a financial benefits counselor to one of your meetings! Talk to your financial benefit counselor regarding how they can help you in your recruitment efforts, you may be pleasantly surprised. •Agree to disagree ! Running a District is like running a business. Decisions have to be made and not everyone will agree. The same is true in running a lodge; be kind to one another. Remember we are all volunteers doing the best we can do. Decisions are made based on the information available and what the decision makers believe will be in the best interest of all members. At some point or another in our lives, our point of view was not the view of the majority! Go with the flow and agree to disagree; let peace and harmony truly prevail. •Volunteering should be fun ! It takes work to run a District or a lodge. Your "go to" members should be able to have fun too! "Many hands make light work". Look for ways to include your lodge members; a sense of shared purpose and belonging is critical to the success of any organization. Inclusivity fosters new ideas (see resolution two - agree to disagree....fraternally!); new ideas open new doors and opportunities or may affirm that what you are doing is the right course for your lodge.! Think about these resolutions; do they work for your lodge? Let me know how you do with them. Please have a happy, healthy and safe New Year. Thank you for all you do for the Sons of Norway.

All the best,

Mary

District Vice President’s Message

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If anyone has any news or announcements to be published in the newsletter or on the websiteplease send to: hrsoneditor@gmail.com

Please have newsletter submissions one week before the beginning of the month.

Newsletter and Website Submissions

January 2014 Volume 38, No. 01

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Sons of Norway is eager to announce its 2014 Virtual Pilgrimage! This exciting new member benefit will be an expansion of the current Sports Medal Programs and reward members for living an active lifestyle. The Virtual Pilgrimage mirrors Norway’s existing Pilgrimage route from Oslo to Trondheim, a route that was once walked by King Olav Haraldsson (995-1030, canonized St. Olav in 1031) himself in the early 11th century as he spread Christianity throughout Norway.

The Virtual Pilgrimage encourages members to get out and exercise. Start a walking or running group with lodge members, take a jog around the park, walk your dog, but be sure to track each step. The new member benefit will release materials on the Sons of Norway website in January, 2014.

As you walk, you can coordinate your progress with online features and instructions to help you learn about the cultural history of the route: such as historic medieval churches, significant cities, tourist checkpoints and iconic destinations in Norway. After each walk, note your mileage, visit the Sons of Norway Pilgrimage homepage and learn about sites you passed as if you were actually trekking the miles in Norway. The 387 mile route starts in Oslo and ends at the iconic Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

This journey is one of the most popular pilgrimage paths in Norway and the world. Travelers come from all over to follow the network of routes called St. Olav’s Ways. Norway’s regional pilgrim centers (http://pilgrimsleden.no/en/about/pilgrimsleden-i-norge/) provide resources and guidance for pilgrims on their journey to Nidaros Cathedral, the site of St. Olav’s valiant death in the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030. As a Sons of Norway pilgrim you will start at Oslo’s Medieval Park and walk through the towns of Eidsvoll, Hamar, Lillehammer, Ringebu, Otta, Oppdal, and Skaun. As you walk you will learn about significant historical and cultural sites along the way.

To learn more about the Virtual Pilgrimage and how to participate, please visit the Sons of Norway website in January.

Sons of Norway Virtual Pilgrimage

January 2014 Volume 38 No. 01

SON offers great products that are underwritten by SON members for SON members. Your investments are safe. In fact, there are guaranteed. Ask your fellow Virginians who have purchased $1.3M in life insurance protection and over $593K in annuities.

Life Insurance can help to solve these problems:

• Paying for final expenses• Paying for medical bills• Maintaining a desired standard of living• Replacing missing income• Paying or liquidating a mortgage• Paying for education• Paying estate taxes• Charitable donations• Peace of mind

For information about Sons of Norway’s financial benefits contact:

Michael Beck, LUTCF!! ! Office Phone:! (757) 963-5102! ! E-mail: Michael.J.Beck@cox.net or bchviking60@gmail.com

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Financial Benefits Counselor

Fellowship Dinner

Have you taken advantage of our Fellowship Dinners (Samfund Middager)?

The dinners have been going for 18 months, and the primary purpose is fellowship; a time to relax and enjoy a meal with fellow members. The Fellowship Dinners are an open event; so, feel free to bring friends, neighbors, or relatives. The program is simple. Once a month, a location is selected. So far we have hosted Fellowship Dinners in Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, and, we are looking for locations in other Hampton Roads cities. Now, do not let the word dinner throw you for a loop. We have hosted the event during brunch hours, over the lunch timeframe, and in the early evening. In order to try to meet everyone’s schedule the day of the event also rotates. For example, the dinner might be held on a Monday or Wednesday evening, or late Saturday morning, or early Sunday afternoon. Members order and pay for their own meal. We average 23 people during each Fellowship Dinner, but we have had a group as large as 47.

If possible, please try to make one or two dinners a year. If you have a favorite restaurant to suggest for an upcoming Fellowship Dinner, let any member of the board know. Finally, the board is looking for a volunteer who would like to coordinate this exceptional event. An event that is unique to Hampton Roads Lodge 3-522.

Submitted by Michael Beck

January 2014 Volume 38, No. 01

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Princess Ingrid Alexandra

Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra was born at the Riks Hospital in Oslo on January 21, 2004. The princess is second in line to the throne after her father Crown Prince Haakon and is the first woman who was born with the right to throne. Assuming the monarchy still subsists; Ingrid Alexandra will be the first reigning Queen of Norway since Margrete I.

Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s Godparents are: His Majesty the King, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias, Princess Märtha Louise and Marit Tjessem (maternal grandmother).

The Princess started preschool on January 4, 2006 and on August 19, 2010 she began Kindergarten at the Jansløkka School in Asker. The Prin- cess enjoys music and playing the piano.

The Princess has already participated in several official engagements. Among many other things she is typically seen on the palace balcony for Syttende Mai (May 17th) and the annual Holmenkoll Day.

The Princess was recently interviewed on television for the first time and among the submitted questions she answered for the NRK Christmas morning program, she was asked if it’s fun to be a royal.

“Yes, sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s pretty boring. What I think is boring is having to take pictures. You have to sit, sit, sit and sit and never get the perfect picture. And my little brother, Magnus can’t sit still. So then when the first picture isn’t perfect, Magnus runs off, then we have to get him,” explain Ingrid Alexandra.

Last year she turned 9 years old and the castle, in connection with the big day published a photo of the three generations of Norwegian royalty, the Princess, Crown Prince Haakon and King Harald. We will see what is planned this year for the ten year old princess.

Prinsesse Ingrid Alexandra

a little in English... litt på norsk...

Hennes Kongelige Høyhet Prinsesse Ingrid Alexandra ble født på Rikshospitalet i Oslo 21. januar 2004. Prinsessen er nummer to i arverek- ken, etter sin far Kronprins Haakon, og er den første kvinnen som er født med arverett til tronen. Forutsatt at monarkiet består, vil Ingrid Alexandra etter all sannsynlighet bli den første regjerende dronning av Norge siden Margrete I.

Hennes Kongelige Høyhet Prinsesse Ingrid Alexandras faddere er Hans Majestet Kongen, Hans Kongelige Høyhet Kronprins Frederik av Danmark, Hennes Kongelige Høyhet Kronprinsesse Victoria av Sverige, Hans Kongelige Høyhet Prins Felipe av Asturias, Prinsesse Märtha Louise og Marit Tjessem.

4. januar 2006 begynte Prinsessen i barnehage, og 19. august 2010 begynte hun på Jansløkka barneskole i Asker. Prinsessen er glad i musikk og spiller selv piano.

Prinsessen har allerede hatt flere offisielle oppdrag. Blant annet pleier hun å være med på slottsbalkongen 17. mai, og har deltatt på den årlige Holmenkolldagen.

Prinsessen ble nylig intervjuet på TV for første gang. Blant de innsendte spørsmålene hun svarte på i NRK-programmet Julemorgen, var om det er gøy å være kongelig.

– Ja, noen ganger er det gøy, og noen ganger er det ganske kjedelig. Det jeg for eksempel synes er kjedelig, er å måtte ta bilder. Det er når man sitter, sitter, sitter og sitter og ikke får det perfekte bildet. Og så klarer ikke Magnus, lillebroren min, å sitte stille. Så da blir det sånn at det første bildet ikke blir perfekt, og så løper Magnus (7) av gårde, og så må vi hente ham, forklarte Ingrid Alexandra.

I fjor fylte hun 9 år og Slottet har i forbindelse med dagen publisert et bilde av tre generasjoner norske kongelige – prinsessen, kronprins Haakon og kong Harald. Vi få se hva som skjer i år for den ti års gammle

January 2014 Volume 38 No. 01

Congratulations to all who helped the lodge grow this past year. We had a great year. We had 28 new or rejoined members resulting in a net growth of 17. Percentage wise that put us as 21st in % and tied for 8th place in net growth in the entire order. In District 3 we were second in net growth and 3rd percent-wise.

Unfortunately we lost several members but we grew so that is important. Here is a list of those 28 members. Please introduce yourself to them. Scott Hill, Art Solhaug, Martin Solhaug, Richard Hill, Gunilla Noaksson Burke, Suzanne M. Check, Paula Eppereson, Tor Vidal Eystad, Donald Delano Hagen. Anette Johnson, Anna Maria Lissnils, Danielle Dawn Parkins, Borgie Silano, Tonya Snow, B. Lars Thane, Joseph L Umidi, Leonard Jensen- Zingarelli, Susan M Berg, Tyler Minson, Erin M Powers, James Edward Powers, Aleksander Hill, Yngve Skoglund, Chad Jaberg, Margaret Jaberg, Terrence Archer Grandstaff, Todd Alan Alspaugh and Pat Trent.  These names are in the membership list published 9 Jan 2014.  In addition we are doing ok in 2014. Jennifer Eystad, wife of member Tor Eystad, joined and Richard and Linda Ticomb of Virginia Beach have also applied for membership. Their addresses will be in the next membership list. Bravo Zulu to all hands (Navy talk meaning well done by the crew) and lets see if we can do it again next year.

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Membership

Sports Medal Program Sons of Norway’s Sports Medal Program is a way for members and their lodges to stay active and share their enthusiasm for the Norwegian tradition of friluftsliv (outdoor life/outdoor recreation). No matter your age or ability, the Sports Medal Program offers a fitnessprogram for all Sons of Norway members.

The Sports Medal Program has five different pins, each with four different levels of achievement: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Enamel.

•Gangmerke (walking)•Skimerke (skiing)•Sykkelmer (biking)• Idrettsmerke (sports/fitness)•Svømmemerke (swimming)

Members must work through the Sports Medal Program in a sequence, beginning with the bronze pin, completing the requirements for each level within 365 days. [Note: If the member completes the requirements in a shorter period, she/he can immediately begin working on the requirements for the next level in the sequence.] When one level has been completed, the member may want to continue working towards the next level. In order to earn the next level, the member must begin again at zero (for example: if a member has earned a bronze sykkelmerke by biking 125 miles, they must start over at zero and bike at least 250 miles to earn the silver sykkelmerke)

Submitted by Bob Rumney

Submitted by Ralph Petersen

January 2014 Volume 38, No. 01

•3 lbs boneless stew meat•3 liters (quarts) water•3-4 tsp salt•4 black peppercorns•1 chunk fresh ginger•1 tsp chopped onion•2 cups carrot (matchstick pieces)•2 cups cabbage squares•2 cups rutabaga cubes

Meatballs•½ lbs finely-ground meatball mixture

Dumblings•¾ cup 10% fat cream•1½ tbsp sugar•¾ cup flour•2 eggs

•⅛ tsp ground nutmeg

Simmer the meat in the water with salt and pepper until tender, about 60-90 minutes. Remove from the stock and slice across the grain. Moisten with stock. Cook the vegetables in the stock until tender, 8-10 minutes. Make small meatballs with a teaspoon. Simmer in the stock together with the vegetables about 5 minutes.

Dumblings Bring the cream and sugar to a boil. Add flour, stirring until the mixture forms a ball. Remove from the heat and beat in the eggs one at a time. Season with nutmeg. Make small dumplings and simmer in the stock together with the vegetables and meatballs about 5 minutes.

Serve the soup with the vegetables, meatballs and dumplings. Arrange the meat on a platter and serve with boiled potatoes and flatbread.

Soup from Meldal

from The Norwegian Kitchenby Kjell E. Innli, Serves 6

With less than three months to go in the countdown to the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, Norway is predicted to have its best showing at the games since its 26 medals in Lillehammer in 1994.

Infostrada, the Olympic medal prediction service, recently updated their Virtual Medal Table. Topping the 2014 forecasts with a medal count of 37 medals each are Norway and Germany, a feat—if successful—that would tie the record set in 2010 by the United States. Also in the hunt for a high medal count in 2014 are Canada and the United States with 34 and 28 medals. Infostrada has also forecasted that Norway will win 15 gold medals, which would set a new Winter Games record and top the previous record of 14 gold medals achieved by Canada in Vancouver in 2010.

Men’s and women’s biathlon and cross-country skiing events are expected to yield the bulk of Norway’s medals while ski jumping and alpine, freestyle and speed skating round out the remaining medal count.

Predictions by Infostrada are based on performances in prior Olympic Games as wellas the World Cups and World Championships. Points are awarded to the Olympic hopefuls as part of a statistical model that evaluates the competition’s results, difficulty, rankings and timeliness. As additional World Cup events are completed prior to the Winter Olympics, Infostrada’s Virtual Medal Table will be updated to reflect new predictions. Visit http://vmt.infostradasports.com/ to check out the latest predictions on the Virtual Medal Table and see where each of your favorite Norwegian athletes like Aksel Lund Svindal, Tora Berger and Emil Hegle Svendsen are predicted to place on the podium.

Sochi 2014 Olympics

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