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OUR ROCKS

Those who came before us and emigrated here,
Brought with them their love of Norway and all that they held dear.
They are “Our Rocks” we think of fondly now,
Perhaps never having met them, but to whom we owe a bow.
Through a port in Canada’s Quebec or via New York’s Ellis Island, they came,
Toting trunks, children, and personal effects, all pieces of a bigger game.
Reconnecting with family already settled was their goal,
They paid additional passage further inland with desires hidden in their souls.
Some were indentured servants, willing to work to pay for their passage,
Household chores or manual labor, the immigrant toiled the best he could manage.
To the Ohio Valley or Fox River area they roamed,
To the Koshkonong Prairie and beyond they established new homes.
With them came their skills, trades, and expertise.
They helped to build America, little by little, and piece by piece.
They purchased land, ran businesses, and provided much labor,
Success came the Nordmann’s direction by generously helping their neighbors.
Takk, Bestemor, for your work ethic and many nurturing ways,
Because of you, we still celebrate traditions and our heritage on holidays.
Tusen takk, Bestefar, for your strict guidance and leading by example.
We have shaped our lives, living by every sample.
Today, we honor “our rocks” short or tall, round, or thin, humble, and wise.
Whose generations of guidance now live on through our eyes.
What you do with your rocks is now your call, Feel welcome to trade with one another or
ask for a replacement at breaktime.

Could you use a doorstop? Flowerbed décor needed.
A paperweight for your desk? Tent flap or pet anchor?
A heritage shelf piece? Trail marker?
The possibilities are endless!

*Takk så mye, Amanda Beck, from Cleng Peerson Lodge, who lives in Morris, IL, for creating “our rocks,” fitting mementos of the 2026 D5 Convention.

Barnebirkie went very well! I would like to thank the following members for joining:  Connie Aiello, Carla Burkhardt, Lucy Ghastin, Judy Ghastin, Robin Fossun, Julie Carr, Christine Gutsch, Judy Keilhotz, Bill Bosak and a special thanks to the president Cheryl Wille-Schlesser for volunteering as well! I couldn't have done all of this without everyone!

And thank you to all the lodges that donated dozens of cookies:
Polar star- 66, Skjold- 18, Loved- 93, Nordlyset- 69, Dovre- 50, Wergeland- 30, Norse Valley- 55, Idun- 94, Ostestadens- 92, Mandt- 73, Vennelag- 33.5
Totaling up to 673.5 dozen cookies donated and made by all of you
Our grand total including store bought was 800.5! Thank you so much to everyone who made and donated cookies! The children loved going to the cookie tent and there was a big line waiting for the cookies.
I can't wait for next year's Barnebirkie
Tusen Takk! Clara Solak Sports Director

Photo Credits, Darlene Arneson, Arthur Anderson, Connie Aiello

Photo credits: Darlene Arneson, Connie Aiello, Barb Johnston, Mandi Beck 
 

Photos submitted by Darlene Arneson, Levonne Weir, Wendy Higgins and the American Birkebeiner Ski Foundation, 

Destination Stoughton- SN District 5 Adult Camp a Success
Sons of Norway District 5 welcomed 21 members from Wisconsin and Illinois to greater Dane County on October 27-29, 2023. The camp allowed our members to experience a weekend of learning, fun, and networking!
Friday’s activities included a tour by Craig Bluschke of the historic Hauge Church in rural Mt. Horeb, touring the HIstorium in Mt. Horeb, a presentation about the Norway Building by Brian Bigler, and then venturing to Stoughton. Participants could visit the Norwegian American Genealogical Center & Naeseth Library in Madison that day to see their facility and learn about the resources. In Stoughton, Livsreise was open as well as many shops downtown. Sons of Norway-Mandt Lodge offered a meatball meal and the group watched “Kaskeland” about the Koshkonong Prairie. We ended the night with presentations Director Wendy Furseth and six of the Stoughton High School Norwegian Dancers on their trip to Norway followed by the Authors and Illustrators, Gary Nauman and Nathan Peterson, of Vidar and Hans, will share their story of starting an independent comic book right when the pandemic hit. The Vidar and Hans Series is about a Viking and a Troll hanging out in Stoughton, hiding their secret identities, and aspiring to be superheroes.

A busy Saturday allowed the participants free time in the morning to go to the Wisconsin State Rosemalers Sale, visit Livsreise and the Stoughton Historical Museum, do some shopping, and take in the stamping class the District is offering. Connie Aiello showed the group how to make a card using the District stamps and explained the various sets in our collection. In the afternoon, Howard Kietzke gave a presentation on the Hauge Log Church, Roxy Engelstad gave a presentation about St Paul’s Liberty Church near Deerfield, and International Board members, Duane Kittleson and Robin Fossum, gave updates and took questions. District Board members Darlene Arneson, Cheryl Wille-Schlesser, Connie Kross, Connie Aiello, and Judy Ghastin gave updates on the bylaw proposal, 2024 Convention, recent board meeting, fundraisers, and took questions. The group took a break to go watch the Dancers perform and then enjoyed a fish chowder meal will be at the lodge. That evening they had chocolate presentation by Yahara Chocolate owner Brook Johnson and we ended the evening with a fun presentation by Bill Amundson on Stoughton's Norwegian Culture: An Outsider's Guide.

On Sunday, some attended church at East Koshkonong Church and enjoyed many treats and coffee afterwards. Bonnie Ehrke and Marilyn Gunderson gave the historic upper church and of the cemetery. We were the first group to see the rock marker showing where the first service was held. Then then group moved to St. Paul’s Liberty Church where Pastor Holly and Roxy Engelstad gave a tour of the church and cemetery.

Send your photos from the D5 Convention to the webmaster. We would love to see your photos.
New Board member photos coming soon.

VOTING has Ended  - Photo Winners are posted

THANKS TO OTHER MEMBERS WHO ENTERED:
Constance Aiello, Karen Brodhead, Meg Canepa, Carmen Collins, Lynn Matheson Curtis, Kirstin Dallman,
Olga Fast, Barbara Friel, Bruce Friel, Louise Giles, Gail Hadley, Roger Hanson, Gary Knudtson, Sharon Lassiter,
Margaret Listug, Greg Morehead, Mary Morehead, Shirley Schoenfeld, Joseph Stekel, Victor Bekkum

To view the " Celebrating the 125th Anniversary Virtual Walk to Norge" powerpoint click to download here 
Celebrating the 125th Anniversary Virtual Walk to Norge Powerpoint

2023 - Photo Contributors: Sandra Olson, Cheryl Wille-Schlesser, Robin Fossum, Lisa Rove-Williams, LaVonne Wier, and Lucy Ghastin

One of the last meetings held at the Norway House in Milwaukee, WI. 
Adter a light meal of hotdogs on Lefse, beans, salad and desserts. Members enjoyed a program by Author, Eric Dregni of recent photos of his journey to Norway and his book  "In Cod We Trust".
Photo presented by (Past President, Shirley Engelmann

Photos contributed by Cheryl Wille-Schlesser and Sandra Olson

Thank you to everyone who submitted photos... Darlene Arneson, Bradley Goplin,Cheryl Wille-Schlesser, Jrry Rud, Holly Jensen, Richard fairchild  You may find more photos and video on the District facebook page.

Photos submitted by Darlene Arneson, Mke Palcek and Cheryl Miller

District #5, Cleng Peerson # 525 in Norway Illinois, was visited by an genealogy tour group from Norway. The group was in the United States for two weeks

Photo credit to Cheryl Wille Schlesser, Tammy Clary, and Allen Watrud

Photos courtesy of Connie Kross, Darlene Arneson, Cheryl Schlesser, Vicki Nelson , Barb Johnson, Machaela Decker

Photos were submitted by : Art & Nancy Anderson

Photos courtesy of Bradley Goplen, Arthur Anderson, Lee Ann Harp, Darlene Arneson and Kathy Fairchild