| As I understand it, Sons of Norway are organized into local
lodges, and there are three in this "Boston" area.
Of course Tore should be able to help you.
I think he's with the Norumbega Lodge of Waban (Newton). The next
meeting, and last one for the summer, is June 2nd.
Here is another contact for any questions about Sons Of Norway
and local activities:
Ethel Helgesen-Olsen ........ 4 Farrwood Drive Andover MA 01810
...................... home. (508) 475-0266
I believe she is an officer at the Morgensolen Lodge
Jim Klinkenberg
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| From: [email protected] (Ruth M. Sylte)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.nordic
Subject: Sons of Norway
Date: Fri, 3 Feb 1995 15:54:23
Organization: University of California, Irvine
Sons of Norway was begun 100 years ago (January 16, 1895) by a group of
eighteen emmigrant men (14 of them Troenders - most from Selbu) in
Minneapolis, Minnesota. They wanted to find a way to provide for their
families in case of death, umemployment, illness or injury. They set up
their own insurance fund and invited other Norwegian men (men being
the more visible economic providers of the time) to join them. It was
a way in which the Norwegian community in the USA could take
responsibility for itself. Odd Lovoll, in his book _The Promise of
America_, writes that most people belonging to SoN were ordinary
Norwegian-Americans and that the early leaders included men who were
active in political and social reform movements.
(Lovoll's book, btw, is an excellent resource for those who want to
learn about Norwegians in the USA. The original book, _Det loeftrike
landet_ is published by Universitetsforlaget (1983). The English
translation, _The Promise of America_, is published by University of
Minnesota Press in cooperation with The Norwegian-American Historical
Association (1984).)
In 1897, Daughters of Norway (DoN) was formed as a sister organization.
By 1914, Sons of Norway opened membership to women in any place where
DoN did not have a chapter. After a while, it became pretty clear that
separate organizations were not needed (or desired) and many DoN
chapters merged with the local SoN group. They kept the SoN name. Some
DoN chapters remain, however, and they still are active, mostly on the
upper West Coast of the USA.
While SoN still has an insurance focus, it is best known as the single
largest heritage organization in the world for Norwegians, people of
Norwegian descent and those who are simply interested in Norway. (In
other words, you don't have to be Norwegian to join. And, yes, I have
actually met Swedish members.) There are hundreds of lodges across the
USA and a growing number in Norway.
SoN has been changing over the years - as any organization will. Today,
the _VIKING_ Magazine features stories and articles about modern
Norway as well as articles that feature information on Norwegian
history and culture. There is no doubt that, even at my age, I'm
considered a "young whippersnapper" as far as members go. :-) However,
that too is changing as more young people and families get interested
in their heritage. I've often heard it said (even on this group) that
Norwegians hold a deep love for their land and people. Many of their
cousins on this side of the Atlantic also hold that same love -
despite the distance of miles and years.
OK, so some lodges still serve lutefisk dinners - but *someone* has to
keep some of the traditions, no matter how horrible they may be... ;-)
--
Ruth M. Sylte [email protected] |
Center for International Education | "If you think education is
University of California, Irvine | expensive, try ignorance."
Irvine, CA 92717-2476 USA |
|