July 2015

KUBB In the Park

On July26 Nordik Folk Kubb Club met in Wicker Park in Highland, Indiana to have a few friendly games and to show off our Viking game.  We set up under some shady trees, set out boundaries with Scandinavian Flags and started throwing the batons!  It was actually a very nice and relaxing afternoon for those who attended:  Tim and Linnea Ogrentz, Herb and Lynda Smith, Annelise Nelson, Annalisa Blue with Kenny and Abby, Jean Oak, Jean Ogrentz, Mike Pearson Sr., and Jr., Lisa Pearson which Jenny and Kristine.

June 2015

Midsummer at Chellberg Farm 

June 2015

It has become a favorite of Nordik Folk and Nordikid alike to attend the Midsummer Celebration held yearly at Chellberg Farm in Chesterton, IN.  It is nearby, offers opportunities for us to share our traditions, and makes for a great picnic in a beautiful wooded location at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  We took over some picnic benches and everyone brought some food to share.  We set the Kubb up and then participated in the decorating and raising of the Maypole on this traditional Swedish Farm.  Our Nordikids performed to the music of the Lingonberry Jam Band and we all had a wonderful time (at Lynda Smiths direction) in dancing around the Maypole.  In attendance were:  Lynda and Herb Smith; Annalisa, Abby, Kenny, and Zoey Blue; Tim, Linnea and Harry Ogrenz; Ingrid and Steven Lesko; Annelise and Sofia Nelson; Michael Sr, Lisa, Micheal Jr., Jennifer, Melissa and Kristine Pearson; Janice, Tonia and Ava Tomky; Jean Oak; and Jean Ogrentz.

The New Cultural Enhancement Fund (CEF)

The Cultural Enhancement Fund

     One of the more exciting outcomes of this year's District 8 Convention was the proposal and passage of a fund to benefit Local Lodges.  The CEF was developed to aid local lodges on their quest to make their meetings and cultural programs more exciting and inviting for current membership and to attract new members. It is hoped that lodges will submit requests for this funding to hire speakers, entertainers, pay for events and field trips, buy cultural materials such as language lessons as well as pay for advertising and outreach.  Other ideas include the purchase of equipment and space rental for events.  The goal is to add purpose and enjoyment to our meetings and events and to spark some excitement in our lodges to make  programs that are interesting, inspirational and educational.  

     One of the biggest complaints about LL meetings is that they are boring and rigid.  This fund might just be the boost and inspiration local lodges need to re-energize their membership and find the excitement to grow.

     Each lodge is being allotted $10.00 per lodge member plus a fixed sum of $300.00 per lodge from the CEF if after they submit their proposal it is accepted by the Executive Board.  Once the proposal is given the go-ahead, the money will be sent.

News from May 2015

May

With our first annual Nordic Faire a huge success and behind us, the lodge moved on to more pressing issues:  the upcoming District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Convention, Convention by-law motions & planning of other spring and summer events.  We met on May 18th.  Here are the Minutes of the Meeting: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1edoEhzE5Jka0zQV1LwkqvODMxRBH40Wye0lbd371Pgs/edit

WELCOME 

Ronald and Elizabeth Allen!

  We had the pleasure of initiating Ron and Elizabeth at our May meeting.  Current Hammond residents, Ron and Elizabeth have been very active in the genealogy club which meets every 2nd Tuesday with Herb Smith at Ridge UM in Munster and they have also participated and volunteered in our lodge events over the past few months.  Elizabeth enjoys the computer, baking, crafting, sewing and organizing.  Ron is interested in ancestry, sports and group activities.  We are so happy to have them!!

For the May Culture activity,  the lodge and was treated to a very fun and fragrant cultural program organized by Annelise Nelson.  Her friend Chris Deckinga, who spent a year in Denmark, helped us recreate one of his fondest Christmas memories:  advent wreath making with fresh evergreen!  We had a wonderful turn out and all left with a beautiful wreath.  Many thanks to both Annelise and Chris for collecting the supplies and teaching us this art.

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District Convention News:

The 107th District Convention was held in Kalamazoo, Michigan from May 29-31st and was hosted by Satellite No. 661.  Nordik Folk No. 761 delegates  were:  Annelise Nelson, Lisa Pearson, Linnea Ogrentz and Shelly Westlund. Representing Nordikids was Michael Pearson Jr. Registration was set up for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning where credentials were accepted, and name tags, dinner tickets and convention programs were distributed.  Delegates also received colorful welcome gift bags filled little surprises.  

The Annual Golf Outing was held early Friday morning at Gull Lake View Golf Course in augusta, Michigan.

New this year was the KUBB Tournament, organized by DCL Tim Ogrentz and held on Friday at DSCYC Lynda Smith and DA Herb Smith's summer cottage on Scott Lake nearby.  There were 18 players from several lodges that participated and a hearty hot-dog lunch was served.  Game play ended just as the rain came.

                                           

 
 
 

The Culture Room was open Friday and Saturday and hosted  DCL Tim Ogrentz' Scandinavian Trivia contest where lodges were asked to display Scandinavian trivia.  A contest was developed around those displays and the winners won a Swedish version of Trivial Pursuit.   

Saturday began with the traditional New Delegate Breakfast and Convention Business Meeting.  The Business meeting was full of discussion on many important topics such as the Vasa National Archives, the new Cultural Enhancement Fund & elections.  While Mike Pearson Sr. lost his position on the Board as Vice District Master, Mike Pearson Jr. was elected as an Executive Board Member.  Sue Cleveland retained her position as District Master.  Nancy Hult was voted in as the new Vice District Master and Susasn Nilsson was voted in as the new District Secretary.  All other positions remained the same.