Putting a Fresh Face on Culture!

volume 1
edition 3
Fall
2014
Putting a Fresh Face on Culture!
Eilbert the Gnome
Steven Tedman
Lauren Hesch
Matti Erpestad
Paul Heltunen
Paige Stein
Jess McCullough
Erika Bjerketvedt
Amy O’Bryan
Thorin R.
Margaret Stanford
Paul Manning
Emily Woster, Ph.D.
Kaitlin Erpestad
Hayley Morgan
Nickolas Monson
Chris Susag
Elizabeth Egge
Ingrid Marie Garfelt Paulsen
Brandon Paulson
Nordic Center Mascot
Stage Manager
Language Student
Volunteer
Nordic Center Intern
Cultural Anthropolgy
Artist
Prøve Gallery
good neighbor
Musical Entertainer
Lecturer
Archaeologist
Viking Ship Digs
Actor
Language Student
Volunteer
Nordic Center Board Member At Large
Volunteer Coordinator
Youth for Duluth Organizer
Language Student
Vocalist
Volunteer
Lecturer
Literature in Swedish Translation
Website Designer
Language teacher
Outdoor Ed Lecturer
Sunfunday Leader
Language Student
Actor
Volunteer
Preschool Director and Teacher
Language Teacher
Camp Director
Volunteer
Graphic Designer
Nordic Center Kids’ Lefse Team
Nordic Center Kids’ Lefse Team
Computer Programmer
Web Designer
Volunteer
September
2014
September
What Is Our Mission?
Sun
To preserve and advance Nordic culture through social, educational, and cultural/arts
programs that serve the greater community.
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
The Nordic Center Board:
Kristbjørg Eide, President
Dr. Stefan Guttormsson, Vice President
Rosemary Guttormsson, Secretary
Thomas Rebnord, Treasurer
Kathy Botten, Director of Programming
Jeri Engeseth, Director of Retail Services
Chris Susag, Board Member at Large
Mon
7
Nordic Center Staff:
Paul Heltunen, Graphic Designer
Elizabeth Egge, Website Designer
14
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
Tue
Wed
Thu
21
3
4
5
6
8
9 SON Meeting
5:00 Meal
6:30 “Doll House”
Tom Isbell, UMD
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
18
19
20
22
Swedish Cultural
Soc. Mtg 3:30
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
28
Sat
2
Beginning
Norwegian
5:15—6:45
Sept 17-Oct 15
5 weeks
Advisors:
Oddbjorg Hjellbakk, Auditor
Greg Gilbert, Attorney at Law
Karen Rathe Ruona, Grant Writer
Fri
1
Swedish
Conversation
1:30-3:00
29
23
24
Joint Board
Meeting 6 p.m.:
SON Nortun
Nordic Center
Norway Hall Bldg
Beginning
Norwegian
5:15—6:45
Sept 17-Oct 15
5 weeks
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
Lefse Team
7 p.m. Cloquet
25
26
27
Ditten & Datten
Shop
11:00-6:00
Scandinavian
Festival 9-3
Hermantown
30
Nordic Film &
Pizza
7:00-9:00 p.m.
The Nordic Center is pleased to collaborate and participate in cultural, arts, and educational
endeavors with the following organizations – together our culture is growing:
Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra
The Duluth Playhouse
Twin Ports Rosemaling Society
Knotty Carvers of the North
Finnish Choir - Järvenpää Singers
Kanteleen Soittajat, Kantele Musicians
The St. Louis County Historical Society
Douglas County Historical Society
Youth for Duluth
Sons of Norway, Nortun Lodge
Ladies of Kaleva
Northland History Coalition
Twin Ports Genealogy Society
Swedish Cultural Society
Oulu Cultural & Heritage Center
Old Brule Heritage Society
Aftenro Home
Duluth Chamber of Commerce
Prøve Gallery Artists Collective
New Scenic Café
Pizza Luce
October
October 2014
Sun
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
Class Registration Form:
I would like to sign up for
21A N Lake Ave.
Class/Program
Title: _____________________________________________ Dates: __________________
Duluth, MN 55802
Name: _________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________
City: __________________ State: ____ Zip Code: _____________
Home Phone: __________________ Cell: __________________ E-mail: ___________________________
Background/Experience with the subject (if applicable):
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
UMD
Nordic Fest
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
Please mail completed forms with means of payment enclosed or noted to:
Nordic Center
% Tom Rebnord, Treasurer
4314 Glenwood Street
Duluth, MN 55804
Tue
Sept 30
Swedish
Conversation
1:30-3:00
Nordic Film &
Pizza
7:00-9:00 p.m.
6 Swedish
Conversation 1:30
Intermediate
Finnish 5:15-6:45
Oct 6-Nov 24
7
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
5
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
Class Fee: _______________
___ I have enclosed Check # ____________________ OR
___ I would prefer to pay by credit card or online, please contact me for my credit card information.
Mon
Sept. 29
Intermediate
8 Beginning
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Norwegian
Oct 7-Nov 25(8 wks)
5:15—6:45
Beginning Swedish
7:00-8:30
Oct 7-Nov 25 (8 wks)
12
SunFunday
Celebrate the
Nordic Center’s
1st Birthday
Nordic Style
3:00-4:30
19
Wed
Beginning
Norwegian
5:15—6:45
Sept 17-Oct 15
Beginning Danish
7:00-8:30
Oct 1– Nov 19
1
Beginning
Norwegian
5:15—6:45
Sept 17-Oct 15
20 Swedish
Conversation 1:30
Intermediate
Finnish 5:15-6:45
22
Beginning Swedish
15
27 Swedish
Conversation
1:30-3:00
Intermediate
Finnish 5:15-
28 Intermediate
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Beginning Swedish
7:00-8:30
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
9
Viking Gods &
Pranksters...
7:00-9:00
16
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Beginning Danish
7:00-8:30
Beginning Danish
7:00-8:30
7:00-8:30
26
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 2-Nov 20
8 weeks
Beginning Danish
7:00-8:30
14 Intermediate
13 Swedish
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Conversation
Beginning Swedish
1:30-3:00
7:00-8:30
Int. Finnish
5:15-6:45
SON Nortun Lodge
70th Anniversary
Nordic Chef’s
Celebration
Club 6:00 p.m.
21 Intermediate
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Thu
2
29
Beginning Danish
7:00-8:30
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Nordic Film
& Pizza 7:00-9:00
23
30
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Fri
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
3
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Grand Opening
7-9 p.m.
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
10
Swedish Cultural
Society
80th Anniversary
17
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Sat
4
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Paddle Your Lefse
1:30-3:00 $20
11 Finglish Exhibit
Celebrate
the
Nordic Center’s
1st Birthday
7:00-9:00 p.m.
18
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
TPGS Workshop
Finglish Photo
Exhibit
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
25 Finglish Exhibit
Christmas Nisse
Painting
9:30-4:30 $40
June Nyberg
24
31
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
“Unpuzzling Your
Past” 10-4
November
November
2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
2
3
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 2-Nov 20
7
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 2-Nov 20
Nordic Film
& Pizza 7:00-
14
15
Ditten &
Datten Shop
11:00-6:00
Scandinavian Mitten
Knitting 10-12
Beginning
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 2-Nov 20
21 Ditten &
Datten 11-6
4 Intermediate
Intermediate
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Finnish
Oct 7-Nov 25
5:15-6:45
Beginning Swedish
Oct 6-Nov 24
7:00-8:30
TPGS Mtg. 6 pm
5
Beginning
Danish
7:00-8:30
Oct 1– Nov 19
6
Intermediate
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 6-Nov 24
12
Beginning
Danish
7:00-8:30
Oct 1– Nov 19
13
Ditten &
Datten Shop
11:00-6:00
Oct 7-Nov 25
9
10
Norsk Immersion
Course 8:30-12:30
SunFunday:
Danish Christmas
Ornaments 3:00-4:30
16
Intermediate
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 6-Nov 24
17
Swedish Cultural
Society Mtg. 3:30
Tomte-June Nyberg
SunFunday:
Nordic Crafts
3:00-4:30
Gingerbread City
Intermediate
Finnish
5:15-6:45
Oct 6-Nov 24
23
30 Gingerbread
4-6
Sat
1 Nordic Folk Dance
Youth 10:30-12:00
Adults 1:30-3:00 $20
Knotty Carvers of the
North Show 10-4
24
11 Intermediate
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Beginning Swedish
7:00-8:30
SON Nortun Mtg
5:00 p.m.
18 Intermediate
19
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Beginning Swedish
7:00-8:30
Beginning
Danish
7:00-8:30
Oct 1– Nov 19
26
25 Intermediate
20
27
7:00-8:30
2 weeks $40
Gingerbread Workshop
1:00-3:30 Norway Hall $10
Opening of
Gingerbread
City 4-8
28 Ditten &
Datten
11-6
Gingerbread
City 4-6
Swedish 5:15-6:45
Beginning Swedish
8 Norsk Immersion
Course 8:30-12:30
Ingrid Paulsen
“The Uprooting” An Immigration Play
@The Underground 7:30
22 Scandinavian
Mitten Knitting 10-12
Gingerbread City 4-6
“Vikings in the Attic”
Eric Dregni 7:00 p.m.
29
Gingerbread City
Fri., Sat. & Sun. 4-6
Nov 22-Dec 7
City
December
December
2014
Sun
1
Mon
2
Tue
3
Wed
4
Nordic Holiday
Display-Dec.
21A N Lake Ave.
Duluth, MN 55802
www.nordiccenterduluth.org
7
8
14
9
10
11
16
17
18
Lutefisk Lovers
& Lutefisk Haters
Dinner 5:30 $20
21
Gingerbread City 4
Gingerbread City
4-6
12
13
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
Sankta Lucia
Celebration
Swedish Cultural
Society
19
20
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11:00-6:00
22
23
24
29
30
31
SunFunday
Nisse Hunt
3:00-4:30
28
Sat
6
Ditten & Datten
Shop 11-6:00
SON Nortun
Lodge
Christmas
Celebration
5:00 p.m.
15
Fri
5 Chamber of
Commerce Meet &
Greet 7:30 a.m.
TPGS Mtg. 6 pm
Gingerbread City
4-6
Closes Today
Thu
25
26
27
Nordic Center Language Program Fall Term, 2014
Beginning Danish
Wed, Oct 1 – Nov 19
7:00–8:00 pm
8 wks/$104 + $11 materials
Beginning Finnish
Thurs, Oct 2 – Nov 20
5:15–6:45 pm
8 wks/$104 + $11 materials
Intermediate Finnish
Mon, Oct 6 – Nov 24
5:15–6:45 pm
8 wks/$104 + $11 materials
Beginning Swedish
Tues, Oct 7 – Nov 25
7:00–8:30 pm
8 wks/$104 + $11 materials
Intermediate Swedish
Tues, Oct 7 – Nov 25
5:15–6:45 pm
8 wks/$104 + $11 materials
Beginning Norwegian
Wed, Sept 17 – Oct 15
5:15–6:45 pm
5 wks/ $65 + $11 materials
Swedish Conversation
Mon, starts Sept 29
1:30–3:00 pm
each week/ no charge
Norwegian Immersion*
Weekend, Nov 8-9
8:30 am–12:30 pm
8 hours/$60
*see article on back for class description
Whether you’ve never studied a foreign
language before or you’ve had years of
exposure to another language, the Nordic
Center offers classes and conversation
groups that you will enjoy and learn from.
Intermediate Norwegian will be offered
starting January 2015.
All Classes meet at the Nordic Center, 23
N. Lake Avenue, Duluth MN 55802.
We always welcome new students,
regardless of prior knowledge or experience.
Visit our website and Facebook
page for information and updates
about our language program www.
nordiccenterduluth.org.
Are you interested in teaching or tutoring
any of the Nordic Languages? Are you
able to help with translations of letters,
emails, or documents? Please contact the
Nordic Center’s Director of Programming,
Kathy Botten kathy@nordiccenterduluth.
org. Our culture is growing!
Meet our Nordic Languages Staff of
qualified, experienced teachers ready to
take you from where you are now to the
next level of language acquisition:
Gracia Swensen, Danish
Matti Erpestad, Finnish
Kristbjorg Eide, Norwegian
A graduate of University of Wisconsin’s
Scandinavian Studies, received her MA in
Gracia
Swensen
Scandinavian Languages from Univerisy
of Washington, where she also taught
Beginning Danish.
A native Duluthian with dual Finn/
American citizenship, studied in Finland
and has taught courses at University of
Minnesota, Duluth. Matti is a favorite of
NC Language students.
A native Norwegian speaker from the
west coast of Norway, versed in dialect,
Nynorsk, and Bokmal. Kris has 30 years
of experience teaching college level
foreign languages in Oregon.
Bob Bengtsson, Swedish
A Minnesotan who learned Swedish
through the University of Minnesota
and the US Foreign Service and has spent
much time in Sweden. Bob has also done
extensive translation work.
Ingrid Marie Garfelt Paulsen,
Norwegian
A native Norwegian from the
Lillehammer/Hedmark
studying
at
St. Olaf College and working in the
Norwegian Department as an assistant
and tutor. Ingrid, an Environmental Ed
major, loves the outdoors.
Awash in Language and Culture!
Last spring, an enthusiastic young Norwegian
woman walked through our doors, teeming
with energy and great ideas – great ideas she
made into reality by offering two innovative
programs: a language immersion weekend for
adults and a language nature day camp
for kids. What fun and rewarding ways of
learning Norwegian!
On Saturday morning of her language
immersion class, Ingrid Marie Garfelt
Paulsen warmly greeted her students
with welcoming Norwegian phrases,
beautifully uttered as only a native from
the Olso environs could do. Norwegian
is a language with many variations and
extreme dialectal differences. And in this
language immersion weekend, Nordic
Center students were exposed to one of
the finest examples of Bokmål they will
ever encounter. For 8 hours, spread over
two days, students heard Norwegian
spoken and pushed themselves to
understand. They worked on sounds and
practical expressions relating to travel,
work, and home. Ingrid spoke to them,
and they spoke to one another using
Norsk, Norsk, Norsk! At break time,
authentic Norwegian treats were catered
in. Saturday morning began with a full
Norwegian breakfast; and Sunday ended
with fresh bløtkake and home-made
sveler (or lapper) with fresh strawberry
jam. The taste was summer in Norway!
And summer in Norway continued into
August with a day camp for children also
led by Ingrid. Chris Larson, a graduate
of many summer language camps at
Concordia Language Village, ably assisted
with this lively morning at Lincoln Park –
one of nature’s hidden gems that cascades
down a west Duluth hillside. The camp
included a nature hike where children
identified everything from butterflies to
flowers to pinecones, in Norwegian. They
learned to count and to greet one another
through games and songs. They exercised
as they named their body parts and facial
features. They burned off their American
kid energy by playing tag, hiding, and
running games that came straight from
Norwegian
playgrounds.
Everyone
learned to use a Norwegian cheese slicer
(even to cut cucumbers) during a picnic
lunch where second helpings had to be
requested in Norwegian. After hearing
one final Troll story, they headed home
with diplomas in hand.
If you missed out this time, you can still
immerse yourself in Norwegian with
Ingrid the weekend of November 8 and
9 at the Nordic Center. Sign up now to
ensure yourself a spot! And watch for
more language camps next summer!
Nordic Center SunFUNday Kid’s Program Fall Term, 2014
Celebrate Nordic Center’s Birthday
Sun, Oct 12
3:00-4:30pm
No Charge
Dance Nordic Folk Dances
Sat, Nov 1
10:30 am–12:00 pm
No Charge
Make Danish Ornaments
Sun, Nov 9
3:00–4:30 pm
No Charge
Create Nordic Crafts
Sun, Nov 23
3:00–4:30 pm
No Charge
Hunt for Nisse: Kids’ Holiday Party
Sun, Dec 21
3:00–4:30 pm
No Charge
SunFUNday at the Nordic Center
celebrates family connectedness and
encourages creativity by making play
and discovery an intergenerational
experience. SunFUNdays are NOT times
to drop kids off and pick them up an
hour later. Instead, Sunfundays feature
creatively planned activities for children
to share with the adults in their lives.
Make Sundays into Fundays by bringing
your children AND yourself to Family
SunFUNdays at the Nordic Center – and
build memories together.
The Nordic Center is a non-profit whose
mission to serve the community. We are
pleased to have the opportunity to pass
our organization’s values on to our youth
by providing a way for them to give back
to their community. We anticipate this
will be a rewarding experience for all
involved – young and old alike.
The Nordic Center’s 1st Birthday!
The kids will even be involved in selecting
and assembling their own Nordic-style
party refreshments. The highlight will be
a visit from our newly adopted mascot,
Eilert the Gnome, and learning to sing
the Nordic Center’s new anthem based
on a song written by Hans Christian
Anderson. This is one birthday party you
and your child will long remember.
The Nordic Center turns ONE in October.
And we’re celebrating with a kids’ birthday
party on Sunday, October 12th – Nordic
Style. Your children will have fun playing
active kids’ party games that are popular
in the Nordic countries, from pinning
the tail on the pig to fishing for party
favors to acting like sleeping elephants.
Dancing Nordic Folk Dances
The Nordic Center is thrilled to welcome
visiting instructor Sons of Norway
District Sports Director, Marilyn
Syverson, who has taught folk dancing at
schools and for organizations throughout
Minnesota for many years. On Saturday,
FREE T-SHIRTS!
Any kid who attends three (3) consecutive
SunFUNdays will receive a free T-shirt.
(Your child’s size is noted at registration.)
November 1st, your children will learn
the dances of Nordic countries through
mixers, song dances, and figure dances.
Don’t miss this chance to become
familiar with Nordic folk music and learn
traditional Nordic dance steps under the
guidance of an expert. This is a SATURDAY
MORNING event.
The classes will be at the Nordic Center,
23 N Lake Ave., Duluth. Preregistration
is requested, please contact Kathy at
Kathy@nordiccenterduluth.org.
Danish Christmas Ornaments
Sunday, November 9 is the day your children
will have the opportunity to learn how the
Danish decorate for Christmas and how to
make Danish Christmas Ornaments. From
Nordic Crafts
Artist and art educator, Alison Aune, returns
once more to the Nordic Center, with
her team of student teachers from UMD,
to teach Nordic Crafts. Come and learn
about Nordic winter holiday traditions for
Hunting for Nisse: Holiday Party!
Ever heard of leaving porridge out for Trolls
and elves? This is a winter tradition in
Nordic Countries where those creatures are
thought to inhabit farmsteads and forests.
We’ll have rice porridge simmering in the
pot when your child arrives at the Nordic
Center. Then we’ll go on a hunt in all the
3:00-4:30, the children will be making
Danish woven heart baskets and folded
stars used for decorating Christmas trees in
Denmark. They may look complicated, but
are made by kindergarteners in Denmark.
children. Participate in creating Tomtens
or Nisse (Nordic elves). Make stars out of
wood, “gingerbread” ornaments out of felt
fabric, and hearts out of straw and paper.
You will receive lots of expert one-on-one
attention. And you will be able take home
holiday-themed treasures hand made by you!
recesses of darkened Norway Hall – armed
with our flashlights, of course – looking for
a Nisse who has stowed away there. When
we find him, we’ll bring him downstairs to
eat his porridge with us and dance around
our tree, doing the motions that accompany
Nordic holiday songs especially loved by
children. An adventure that ends in a party!
An idea imported from Scandinavia.
The Nordic Center Kids’ Lefse Team: an opportunity to give back!
In June, the Nordic Center recruited
four SunFUNday kids, ages 8 through
10, to demonstrate the art of making
lefse using “paddles.” They appeared at
the DECC before an audience of Sons of
Norway Convention delegates from 10
states. Our Lefse Team turned out to be
one of the most talked about attractions
of the 3-day convention. Thorin, Azalea,
Hayley, and Ben did a great job!
facilities, many of whom remember
making lefse – and eating it during
the holiday season. Some of these area
residents now have disabilities that make
it hard to use a rolling pin. And our kids
will be there to show them how they can
still make and enjoy their favorite Nordic
holiday treat by just using their fingers
to form the dough into individual-sized
lefse – which tastes delicious!
Now we are getting invitations to do
more demonstrations. Our audience this
time will be residents of assisted living
The Nordic Center is a non-profit whose
mission to serve the community. We are
pleased to have the opportunity to pass
our organization’s values on to our youth
by providing a way for them to give back
to their community. We anticipate this
will be a rewarding experience for all
involved – young and old alike.
If you think your children would like to
be part of a Nordic Center Lefse Team,
please contact the Nordic Center Director
of Programming, Kathy Botten at her
email kathy@nordiccenterduluth.org or
call 715-817-6230 for more information.
Nordic Center Culture and Arts Program Fall Term, 2014
Lefse Making
Sat, Oct 4
1:30–3:00 pm
$20, or free with paddle purchase
Viking Gods & Pranksters
Thurs, Oct 9
7:00–9:00 pm
Free-will donation
Christmas Nisse Painting
Sat, Oct 25
9:30 am–4:30 pm
$40 includes materials
Nordic Folk Dancing
Sat, Nov 1
1:30–3:00 pm
$20
Scandinavian Knitting
Sat, Nov 15, 22
10:00 am–12:00 pm
$40 includes yarn and needles
Nordic Films (with pizza)
Tue, Sep 30
7:00–9:00 pm
Pay for your own pizza
Thurs, Oct 23
7:00–9:00 pm
Pay for your own pizza
Thurs, Nov 13
7:00–9:00 pm
Pay for your own pizza
Create, Learn, Explore are words that
define the experiences awaiting you at
the Nordic Center when you sign up
to take part in our Cultural and Arts
Program. Our offerings this fall provide
opportunities to CREATE Nordic
products and folk art, LEARN traditional
techniques invented by Nordic artisans,
and EXPLORE fields of interest that will
enrich your cultural awareness.
Class sizes are limited; so pre-registration
is suggested. To register, mail in your
class fee and the completed registration
form. Questions? Contact Kathy Botten at
her email kathy@nordiccenterduluth.org or
call (715) 817-6230.
Interested in teaching Nordic arts or
lecturing on your Nordic area of expertise
at the Nordic Center? New classes and
presentation are now being considered
for our Winter Term 2015 schedule.
Again, contact Kathy Botten at her email
or phone number for information. Our
culture is growing!
Paddle Your Lefse!
spreads. Be ready to share this easy lefsemaking technique with your family and
friends at your next holiday gathering!
Native-born Nordic foods enthusiast, Kris
Eide, will teach you to make authentic
Norwegian lefse so quickly and simply you’ll
be tempted to whip up a batch every week,
year round. Class limited to 20 participants;
pre-registration suggested.
Been curious about those beautiful wooden
paddles on display at the Nordic Center?
Wondering how they could possibly be used
for lefse making? Here’s your chance to try
them out for yourself. Exercise your fingers
in this fun “hands on” class, and feast on
still-warm lefse samples with a variety of
Enjoy a Viking Evening
Yggdrasil, Sleipner, Braqi, and Loki are
names that roll easily off the tongue of
popular Nordic Center lecturer Dr. Steve
Guttormsson. Though he refers to himself
as ‘an illiterate Skald,’ Dr. Guttormmsson
is as familiar with the Vikings and their
Norse gods as the rest of us are with our
own heroic ancestors and the disowned
skeletons that lurk it our family closets.
Come and hear an adept storyteller, bring
to life Viking-era deities who lived in the
mighty Ash Tree Yggdrasil. Meet Odin,
Thor, and Freyja along with the lesser
known Baldur, Sleipnir, Sif, Bragi, Mimir,
Tyr, and Fenris. And discover for yourself
why impish Loki is everyone’s favorite.
Paint a Christmas Nisse
Favorite instructor and acclaimed folk
artist June Nyberg is back to teach the art
of Christmas “Nisse” painting. All supplies,
including acrylic paints, will be furnished
for this fun, six-hour, class. The “Nisse”
is a Norwegian character recognized
as a good little helper who shows up at
Christmastime in homes and farms. The
Dance Nordic Folk Dances
Scandinavian Folk Dancing for adults is
one way to “exercise” your Nordic heritage.
Learn song dances, figure dances, and
mixers from an expert teacher. Sons of
Norway’s district-wide Youth Director,
Marilyn Syverson, has been teaching
Knit Beautiful Scandinavian Mittens
Have you admired warm and beautiful
Scandinavian-patterned mittens and
wished you could make a pair yourself? If
so, this is your chance to learn. The Nordic
Center is offering a beginning Scandinavian
Mitten Knitting Class that runs for two
consecutive Saturdays. Norwegian yarn
Attend Movie Night!
If you love movies and you love people who
love movies, join us for pizza and you know
what: great Nordic flicks picked by movie
lovers like you! Why watch films alone at
home, when you can share your favorite
pizza and your favorite pastime time with
legend is he appears at Christmas to be
rewarded for his good deeds with his
favorite meal – a bowl of rømmegrøt. Paint
a Nisse for your Christmas tree, and hear
some Nisse tales while you work. Whether
you’ve never painted or are an experienced
painter, don’t miss this unique, creative
opportunity to learn to make Nisse figures
for your own home or as gifts for loved ones
this holiday season.
folk dancing at schools and lodges
throughout Minnesota for many years. She
organized the “Norskfodt Danseringen,” a
performance group. Marilyn, a physical ed
instructor, will teach you graceful and lively
ways to move your body in harmony with
beautiful Nordic folk tunes.
and knitting needles will be provided. You
will first learn the basics and then progress
to making intricate Nordic designs – under
the guidance of experienced knitting
coaches, Denise Homstad, Becky Kneeland,
and Norwegian-born Gunnbjorg (Ingrid)
Stephens. Surprise someone special on
your gift list with handmade Nordic
mittens made by you!
friends – or soon-to-be friends – at the
Nordic Center Movie Club.
Just show up Tuesday (Sep 30) or Thursday
(Oct 23 & Nov 13) at 6 pm for pizza to
find out what’s showing at 7:00 – or read
our “clues for views” in advance – on our
Facebook page.
Nordic Center Community Events Fall Term, 2014
Photography Exhibit Opening
Fri, Oct 3
7:00–9:00 pm
$5 donation
Nordic Center’s Birthday Party
Sat, Oct 11
7:00–9:00 pm
Free
The Uprooting: Immigration Play*
Sat, Nov 8
7:30 pm
Tickets $10/each
Vikings in the Attic: Book Talk
Sat, Nov 22
7:00 pm
Books for sale
Gingerbread City*
Fri, Nov 21
4:00–8:00 pm
No charge
Lutefisk Lovers and Haters Dinner
Sun, Dec 14
5:30 pm
Tickets $20/each
*For details about The Uprooting Play and Gingerbread City, see separate inserts in this publication.
Finglish: A Photography Exhibit by Vesa Oja
Join us for the Opening of the Finglish
exhibit by award-winning Finnish
photojournalist, Vesa Oja. This amazing
exhibit has been shown in The Finnish
Museum of Photography in Helsinki;
at the Institute of Migration in Turku,
Finland; The Hennepin History Museum
in Minneapolis; and the Kerredge Gallery,
Hancock, Michigan. And now we are
honored to house it at the Nordic Center in
Duluth for the month of October.
Thanks to Honorary Consul of Finland,
Marianne Wargelin, and Anita Jain of
the Hennepin County History Museum,
the Nordic Center will exhibit 25 selected
photographs chosen from hundreds taken
during an eight-year project that began in
2004, when Vesa Oja left Finland for North
America, following the footsteps of his
immigrant aunt and uncle.
Once here, he photographed hundreds of
Finnish Americans and Finnish Canadians,
and places related to their history. He
became familiar with old and young
folks speaking Finglish (broken Finnish);
the landscapes of the Great Lakes; and
Vikings in the Attic: An Evening with Author Eric Dregni
The well-known Minnesota author of In Cod
We Trust and Vikings in the Attic will host an
entertaining evening at the Nordic Center.
Growing up with Swedish and Norwegian
grandparents with a dash of Danish thrown in
for balance, Eric Dregni, Associate Professor
of English at Concordia University in St Paul,
has spent much of his career researching his
roots and writing books.
This fall, his latest book, Vikings in the Attic,
is coming out in paperback (Minnesota
Press). The Nordic Center invites you to
spend an evening with Eric as he talks
about this latest work in which he tracks
down and explores the significant—and
quite often bizarre—historic sites, tales,
and traditions of Scandinavia’s peculiar
colony in the Midwest. It is a legacy of
the unique—shots of turpentine for
the common cold—but also one of poor
immigrants living in sod houses while their
children attend college, the birth of the
co-op movement, and government agents
spying on Scandinavian meetings hoping
to nab a socialist or antiwar activist.
You’ll also have the opportunity to get a book
signed and mingle with friends as you enjoy
refreshments offered by the Nordic Center.
FinnFests, Finntowns, and villages like
Kaleva, Toivola, and Onnela.
During his stay, Vesa heard unbelievable
stories – happy, tragic, and moving tales
of what immigrant life was like far from
Finnish shores. He used traditional
documentary methods to create Finglish –
a photographic trip through time, in which
past and present meet, and stories are
told in pictures with gentle humour and
occasional wistfulness.
Celebrate the Nordic Center’s 1st Birthday!
You are invited to our Birthday Party! The
Nordic Center turns ONE in October!
LIVE MUSIC: A special treat will be amazing
young singer, Steve Tedman, who will
premiere The Nordic Center’s newly adopted
“I am a Scandinavian,” adapted and translated
from Hans Christian Anderson’s 18 song of
the same name.
A NORDIC CAKE TABLE: More special treats
await you in the form of varied, elegant, and
delicious Nordic cakes. You’ll need to come
back for seconds, thirds, and fourths in order
to sample them all.
A SPECIAL GUEST: Our newly adopted little
mascot Eilert the Gnome will make his first
public appearance and share his joy of finding
home at the Nordic Center.
No gifts are necessary, but you’ll be able to fill
out Birthday Cards with good wishes for the
Nordic Center, and have an opportunity to
pledge or donate, if you’re inspired to do so.
We are thrilled to be celebrating a bustling,
successful first year at the Nordic Center and
we want YOU to be present to share our joy
as we embark on year two, of continuing
to pursue our mission of advancing Nordic
culture in our community. Bring neighbors
and friends, and introduce them to the Nordic
Center October 11.
Lutefisk Unites Nordics at Norway Hall!
Whether you call it Lutefisk (in Norwegian
and Icelandic); Ludefisk (in Danish); Lutfisk
(in Swedish), or Lipeäkala (in Finnish) – it all
boils down to fish soaked in lye. Yes, lye, the
industrial chemical for unclogging drains –
a highly dangerous substance – is used to
prepare a Christmas delicacy savored by all
Viking descendants. In the Midwest, home
place of so many Nordic Immigrants, the
lutefisk dinner represents an important
tradition that connects people to their culture
and heritage.
This holiday season, if you think you’re brave
enough to make your way through the odorfilled corridors of Norway Hall to claim your
plate of quivering lutefisk, you’d better order
your tickets now. They sell out surprisingly
quickly for the annual Lutefisk Lovers and
Haters Unite! Dinner hosted by Nortun
Lodge, Sons of Norway. This lutefisk dinner
is reputed to be one of the best in Minnesota.
Whether you are Norwegian, Swedish,
Danish, Finnish, or Icelandic, you will find
accompaniments that will ensure you can
enjoy your lutefisk the way you like it –
with melted butter, cream sauce, salt pork
crumbles, grated allspice, or ground mustard.
Take your pick or try them all.
If you don’t like lutefisk – and lots of us don’t -there will be delicious fresh cod. Another Nordic
Christmas staple. And for non-fish eaters, of
course there will be Swedish meatballs with
fresh, stirred lingonberries – a taste treat that
can’t be duplicated by the jellied version.
This year, warm rice pudding will be served
up for dessert, with cinnamon and sugar.
Homemade lefse will be at your table, along with
your favorite Scandinavian Christmas cookies.
Don’t miss a beautiful meal to accompany
a beautiful evening of live Nordic musical
entertainment and dancing around a
towering Christmas tree.
All proceeds go to the preservation and
restoration of Norway Hall – a gathering place
for all things Nordic
Can you say “Pepperkakebyen”? 2014 Gingerbread City
Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of
Sons of Norway Nortun Lodge members,
Gingerbread City (Pepperkakebyen) has
become a reality in Duluth. Our first
Gingerbread City in 2012, was inspired by
Bergen, Norway – home of the world’s largest
holiday Gingerbread City. Young and old
alike, participated in decorating dozens of
gingerbread houses that became Gingerbread
City of Duluth, exhibited at the Nordic Center.
Our mission is to add warmth to this cold
time of year and spread holiday cheer with a
creative family activity that is accessible to all.
It is fun to build something together with your
children, your grandchildren, young nieces
and nephews, or that delightful neighbor kid
you love to spend time with. Bring them all
to Norway Hall for the Gingerbread House
Workshop on Saturday, November 22 at
1:00. All ages are welcome to participate in
this class led by Gingerbread expert, Jan
Gozanski. A nominal fee of $10 covers the
cost of instruction and ALL materials. In the
past some of our most original creations were
made by 4 year-olds. Whether you are 4 or
94, if you can see the potential of gumdrops,
lifesavers, marshmallows, pretzels, and
cheerios as building materials, this is the place
to come and practice your art.
Even if you are not able to come to the class,
you can still contribute to Gingerbread City.
Spend a Saturday in your own home kitchen
making gingerbread creations to showcase
at the Nordic Center’s Gingerbread City.
Enlist your church group, Scout Troop, or
classroom to participate in a Gingerbreadthemed activity of your own making. Lend
your creations to Duluth’s Gingerbread City
this year. You can make anything you like:
an imaginary gingerbread cottage, a boat, a
bridge, a church, animals, or trees, decorated
for the holidays with frosting snow and
gumdrop trimmings. Be as creative as you like.
Your projects can be displayed at the Nordic
Center as part of Duluth’s Gingerbread City.
Visit our website/Facebook page for our
gingerbread dough recipe, or use you own
recipe. If you’re not a baker, purchase
kits at local stores and simply add your
own ingenious decorations. Like all cities,
Gingerbread City can be diverse. Express
yourself through Gingerbread! All your
contributions are welcome!
Class size is limited so don’t wait! Contact Kathy
at Kathy@nordiccenterduluth.org to register for
the workshop, or if you have any questions.
The Uprooting An Immigration Play by Vigleik Rosseland
Saturday, November 8, 7:30 pm
at the Underground theater, the Depot
Tickets $10
The Nordic Center presents The Uprooting, a
newly discovered history play that brings to
life a meeting of young Norwegian farmers
and craftsmen being enticed to emigrate
to America in 1825 on a slooper named the
Restoration. The enticer is Cleng Peerson,
“father of Norwegian Emigration.” These
immigrants, later known as “the Sloopers,”
are forebears of Norwegians who later settled
the Midwest.
Written nearly 100 years ago, but just
recently found among the playwright’s stored
memorabilia, the script was translated,
developed into a performance piece, and
premiered before an audience of 300 at a DECC
convention last spring, receiving a standing
ovation and requests for more performances.
The St Louis County Historical Society will
partner with the Nordic Center to bring this
project into the Duluth Community. They
would like to share their Depot home by
hosting a reception after -- in the Immigrant
Waiting Room -- and providing a fitting
professional theater space, The Underground.