Nordik Folk

We are a Scandinavian Culture Club who meets Monthly September-May on the 3rd Monday of each month at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 8955 Columbia Ave., Munster, IN. 6:30 pm. All are welcome! We enjoy Scandinavian culture by celebrating the holidays, music, language, crafts and history of Scandinavia!

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Viking Lecture Series
From Vikings to Crusaders   and   The Viking Legacy
8701 Munster Public Library
Calumet Avenue
Munster, Indiana
Tuesday, September 3rd
 6:30pm

To register:  call 836-8450 - OR - go online to this web page:
http://www.libraryinsight.com/calendar.asp?dp=&sm=&jx=xvp&nMonth=9&nYear=2013&x=3

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Scandinavian Day
Sunday
September 8th
9am- 6pm
Vasa Park
Route 31
South Elgin, Illinois


***** Dear Lodge Members****

As you know, Nordik Folk Lodge will be manning a booth selling floral Head Wreaths and Scandinavian items as a fundraiser for our lodge.  Please let me know at ogrentz@gmail.com if you will be able to attend and help out  at the booth.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

This is a wonderful event with food, entertainment & lots of Scandinavian shopping!  Fun for adults and children alike.
August Business Meeting:
Small but Spirited!
Read the minutes here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/123u8n80kIgqJsg9xAcY97tC38j5k0ad4MPP0KPr4VLA/edit

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Nordikids at camp

Nordikids Invade Sjolunden

 This summer, 4 of our Nordikids had the opportunity- thanks to Nordikid and District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Camp Scholarships- to experience Sjolunden at the Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji, Minnesota!!!!  Sofia and Erik Nelson, Jennifer Pearson and Harry Ogrentz will be fully immersed in the Swedish Language for two weeks.

When we arrived at camp, the first order of business was checking in with camp passport and choosing a Swedish camp name.  From the get-go only Swedish was spoken to them and they had to make their way to the bank, the nurse, language test, their cabins for contraband check and claiming their bunk.  Then off to paint their nameplate which they will wear around their neck for the next two weeks.

Throughout the two weeks, the campers will experience all of the major Swedish Holidays, as well as participate in dances, shows, International Day, and so much more.  When they return, they will give a presentation to the lodge.  Can't wait!

You can go to http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org/newsite/
to view photos of the activities and progress of our campers.  If you go to the Swedish Language Village Pages, then hover over their session...you can then go to the photos taken each day.
What an amazing opportunity for our Nordikids to experience this together.

Harry, jenny, Erik & Sofia
Pre-camp stop at Itaska State Park 

Erik

Harry



Midsummer
With
Nordik Folk & Nordikids

This summer saw our children's group and lodge split up between two popular Midsummer Celebrations:  Midsummer at Vasa Park in Elgin, Illinois and Midsummer Celebration at Chellberg Farm in Chesterton, IN.  For the last few years, we have been torn between these two events which often occur on the same day.  It is always a joy to attend and perform somewhat locally at the Farm; but it is always a memorable event to serve up our meatballs and perform out at Vasa Park with our other District friends and Scandinavian groups.  

This year, Lynda suggested we divide the troops...and it worked like a charm.  Among families trekking out to Vasa Park in Elgin and volunteering in the kitchen were the Smith's, Pearsons, Raddatz, Ogrentz, Nelson, Westlund, Hannigan & Lesko Families!!!  We profited $600 on our meatball platters and enjoyed a beautiful day in the park.  

Our very own Lynda Smith lead the procession and the traditional Maypole dances.




Lynda in her element

Dancing!!!

Steven, Lisa & lil Linnea, Melissa & Emily


Harry in the middle of a bunch of girls


 Singing & Performing


Steven & Harry Oxdans w/ Katie Westlund

Nordikids


Volunteering
Rachel is a trooper!

April Nelson working hard at sales!
Les Lesko & Barb Hannigan

Lisa Pearson & Linnea Ogrentz 

It was a very special Midsummer, as we had some of our older Nordikids who have been busy at College participate.  It was wonderful to see Katie Westlund and Rachel Hannigan!
Katie Westlund & Rachel Hannigan

Unfortunately, I do not have photos of our Chellberg Farm Crew, but Director Lynnea Sinwelski and Annalisa Blue helped to guide our younger Nordikids in the National Anthems and Spring songs.  Also, I hear it was the debut of the youngest Sinwelski, Brooklyn!  Thanks to the Huszar, Sinwelski, and Blue family for representing us well in Northwest Indiana.  

Also, special thanks go out to Lynda & Herb Smith & Barbara Hannigan for shopping, schlepping & organizing most of this operation.  Another thanks to all the "cooks" especially Tim Ogrentz who cooked his heart out. And thanks to Michelle Westlund who took many of these photos!!

Where Did the Summer GO???????

Eight Seasons 
IN SAPMI

Last June, members of our lodge traveled to the Historic Bishop Hill, Illinois to see the Sami exhibit. This was a collaborative exhibit between Ajtte- Swedish Mountain and Sami Museum, Sami Duodji- the Sami Handicraft Foundation, both located in Jokkmokk, Sweden, and Danish/American photographer Birgitte Aarestrup. The Sami are the indigenous group in northern Europe.  Indigenous people have lived in the same place before the country was invaded or colonized.  They have their own culture, language and customs that differ from those of the rest of Society.  Through photos and artifacts, the common history of these fascinating people was displayed.  Their issues are addressed globally at the United Nations permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues.

The oldest traces of Sami culture are 8,000 years old and go back to a hunting, fishing and gathering culture, which later progressed to reindeer husbandry.  Traces of this way of life can still be seen in Northern Sweden.  Today, the Sami people have adapted to the modern society, but they have held strong to their ways and traditions.  The purpose of the Sami Exhibit is to tell today's stories about traditional Sami reindeer herding life and handicraft.

Here are some of the highlights!










Herb giving geography lessons


Nordik Folk Members watching the Sami Video









Lynda Smith and Tim Ogrentz taking a break