Rooted in Norway, Branches Grow

Winona MN 

"Rooted in Norway, Branches Grow" was the theme for the 7-Lag Stevne held at Winona (MN) State University from July 14 through the 17th. 44 Telelaget members attended, and 4 new members were signed up during the stevne. 

Three tours were included in the activities: 

-A tour of historic Lanesboro and a performance of The Enchanted at the Commonweal Theatre with lunch at the Sons of Norway

- A tour of Trempeleau County Wisconsin with a stop at the Soldiers Memorial Park in Arcadia

-A tour of the city of Winona, a town with a rich history filled with wonderful Victorian architecture

As always, the variety of goods offered by the vendors was extensive and the quality was

excellent. Many attendees placed their orders for the first of three volumes of a translation of Martin Ulvestad's Nordmændene i Amerika scheduled for publication in September.

Classes covered a broad spectrum of topics. The "First Time Stevne-Goers Orientation," introduced by Telelaget last year, was again well attended. Classes by Telelaget members included a "Norwegian Folk Dancing" class led by Kjell and Elaine Nordlie. Joran Olson explained the ins and outs of "Family Tree Maker" software. Anne Sladky explained the basics of “Building a Personal Family Website." John Haugo teamed with Deb Nelson Gourley for a "Writing/Publishing Seminar." A presentation by the National Eagle Center received rave reviews.

At the Friday night banquet, things were kicked off by the traditional Bunad Parade. Marilyn Somdahl presented rosemaled bowls to the three lags celebrating their centennials in 2010: Hadeland Lag, Landingslaget, and Toten Lag. Entertainment was provided by Scandium, a quintet from Northfield. They performed vocal and instrumental ballads from Norway and received a standing ovation for their efforts. Saturday, 25 members of Telelaget gathered at Prairie Island Park for a picnic.                                                       

T h e   2 0 1 0   7 - L a g   S t e v n e  

a t   W i n o n a   S t a t e  U n i v e r s i t y

“Rooted in Norway, Branches Grow” was the theme of this year’s 7-Lag Stevne held at Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota, July 14-17. Hosted by Ringerike-Drammen Districts Lag, Narv Somdahl, lag president, served as coordinator. Participating groups included Sigdalslag, Numedalslagen, Telelaget, Landingslaget, Hadeland Lag, and Toten, the latter three celebrating their 100th anniversary. A brief history of each of the three appeared in the program. General- ogy was set up in the Darrell Krueger Library. All other campus events—vendors, classes, entertainment, dining, and hospitality— took place in Kyrzsko Commons. Three enjoyable and well-attended tours included: (1) historic Lanesboro with a stop at the theatre to watch a performance of The Enchanted and lunch at the Sons of Norway Lodge; (2) a trip through Trempealeau County highlighted by a stop at the Soldiers Walk Memorial Park in Arcadia; and (3) the City of Winona with its interesting history and original Victorian architecture.

Vendors included several craft tables—jewelry, carvings, rosemaling—; a beautiful display of hand-crafted Scandinavian porcelain dolls dressed in au- thentic folk costumes; rosemaled clothing; and books. Jim Olsen’s display of books was bigger than ever, a place where nearly everyone found something. Deb Gourley and her mother were busy at another book display that included an array of history and bilingual selections. Orders were taken for Nordmændene i Amerika, deres Historie og Rekord (Norwegians in America, their History and Record) by Martin Ulvestad. This 100-year-old book is being translated and printed in three volumes. Volume I is scheduled for a September mailing.

Nothing surpasses the socialization and camaraderie of a stevne. After an afternoon of setting up — genealogy stations, registration tables, vendors’ displays— and settling in—dormitory rooms for some; for others motel rooms—and for many dinner at the nearby Lu- Lutheran Church, the “Gathering Time” began in the East Hall. Narv Somdahl, coordinator of the stevne, gave a warm welcome, the Nor Win Singers entertained, and friends mingled as they did throughout the four days. Attendance totaled 275. This included 44 Telelag members and four more who joined Telelaget during the stevne. One of these, Ann Nelson from Stoughton, Wisconsin, is the result of an “In Search of” request from Norway placed in the Telesoga and Carol John- son’s work in finding Ann.

The opening session was held Thursday morning in the East hall where the fane (banner) from each lag was displayed. The national anthems—O Canada; Ja, Vi Elsker Dette Landet; and The Star Spangled Banner—were played and sung. Narv Somdahl, coordinator of the stevne, and each of the lag presidents extended greetings. This was followed by registration and the beginning of classes and other activities.

Classes included a variety of topics: genealogy, his- tory, writing and publishing, Norwegian folk tales, music, and the ever-popular Norwegian Folk Dancing class led by Elaine and Kjell Nordlie. First Timers Stevne Orientation, introduced last year by John Haugo, was once again well attended. Anne Sladky led a class on Building a Personal Family Website. Blaine Hedberg provided handouts and an update on activities, acquisi- tions, and available resources at the Norwegian American Genealogical Center and Naeseth Library in Madi- son. Of special note is the Center’s new Website, available as of August 10—http://www.nagcnl.org— Connecting the Generations Project.

The Friday evening banquet began with the colorful bunad parade, followed by dinner of roast pork loin and beef tenderloin tips. On behalf of Fellesraad, Marilyn Somdahl, president, presented rosemaled bowls with inscriptions commemorating their 100th anniversary to the presidents of Toten Lag, Landingslaget, and Hadeland Lag. Entertainment was provided by Scandium, a quintet from Northfield, who performed both vocal and instrumental ballads and folk tunes from Norway. They were greatly enjoyed and received a standing ovation.

The final day was spent in individual lag meetings and activities. President John Haugo led the business meeting for Telelaget, highlighting some of the year’s achievements, which included increased membership and the first mini-stevne in recent years. Shelley Jerviss and Elaine Nordlie were re-elected to the Telelag Board of Directors. Each of the board members gave brief presentations. Announcements included the beginning of plans for the 2012 Telelag tour to Telemark and a proposed Volume III of Telemark to America. At the close of the business meeting, John Haugo provided a fascinating PowerPoint talk on the life of Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug. An offshoot of John’s research into the life of Dr. Borlaug has been his recent election to the University of Minnesota Borlaug Blue Ribbon Commission, an organization designed to honor the memory of Norman Borlaug.

Following John’s presentation 25 Telelaget members enjoyed a picnic at Prairie Island Park. We were joined by two of our newest members, Ann Nelson from Stoughton, Wisconsin, and Steve Stavos from Roches- ter, Minnesota. We were happy that Arnold Ness, president of Telelag for many years, was able to be with us on our final day. We were saddened by the sudden death of Bob Gullickson. Bob and Phyllis from Stoughton, Wisconsin, had planned to attend as they have for so many years.

Next year’s stevne will be hosted by Sigdalslag and held at the Double Tree Hotel in Fargo, North Dakota, July 14—17.