Ways to get involved: Sons of Norway Trollheim Lodge 1-9-511

• Attend our Cultural Nights in March and April at the Great

•
River Regional Library in St. Cloud
Join the Book Club
The Troll
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
• Try the Norwegian Language Class March-April 2022 Volume 42 Issue 1
• Celebrate Syttende Mai with our Cultural Club at Riverside Park
Fra Presidenten (From the President)
SAVE THE DATE: (Av Lagre Datoen) My name is Vicky Clausen, and I am the new president of Trollheim Lodge. I grew up in northern Minnesota
in the small town of Fosston with two younger brothers, who have since passed away. My father owned a gas
station, and my mom was a stay-at-home mom who was the bookkeeper for my dad’s business. My father’s
Monday, May 16th parents immigrated from Norway in the 1880’s when they were teenagers. My mother’s parents came about the
Celebration of Syttende Mai same time from Sweden and Denmark. I graduated from Moorhead State College with a degree in vocal music
The mission of the Sons of
Norway is to promote and education. I have three children, Christy in Washington state, Tom passed away in 2000, and Matt lives near
Syttende Mai is Norwegian Constitution Day. Norway’s
to preserve the heritage and Detroit Lakes. I became more interested in my Scandinavian heritage after my mother passed away in 2001. I was
Constitution
culture of Norway,of Independence
to was signed in 1814. This feeling isolated at this time because of my losses and wanted to know more about my Norwegian ancestry.
commemoration event for all ages includes parades, flags,
celebrate our relationship I joined Sons of Norway after I retired from my job as an Activity Coordinator at St. Benedict’s Senior
with plenty
and other Nordic
of funcountries,
food. Community. I wanted to learn as much as I could about my father’s family and their reasons for immigrating. I
and to provide quality
insurance
Mark yourandcalendar,
financial bring the entire family and join us have reaped untold benefits from my membership and the genealogical research I have done. I appreciate the new
products
for to its members.
a catered picnic at Riverside Park in St. Cloud. friends I have made through the lodge and more about Norway from the many cultural programs presented.

More details to follow in the May-June newsletter. UPCOMING CULTURAL NIGHTS - Held at the Great River Regional Library
1300 W St. Germain St., St. Cloud, MN

Monday, March 21st 6:30 PM – INTERNATIONAL WAFFLE MONTH

Bring your appetite and join us as we get an early start celebrating International Waffle Day (March 25) with
fresh, warm waffles awaiting your own custom toppings. Waffle Day is an old tradition in Sweden. It
originated in conjunction with the celebration of the Annunciation when the Virgin Mary received word from
the Angel Gabriel that she was with child. In Sweden, this day was called Varfrudagen eventually morphing
into Vaffeldagen (waffle day) as the pronunciation was similar. Why waffles? In the spring the hens began to
lay eggs and what better way to use those excess eggs than to make waffles.
The Norwegians have embraced their waffles which are not limited to breakfast
but arealso a popular street food. Norwegian children run waffle stands similar
to American children selling lemonade.
But why limit our March celebration to only Waffle Day. March is also the month
we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, as well as the lesser-known patron saint of Finland,
The mission of Sons of St. Urho. As you enjoy your waffles, you will be entertained as an Irish leprechaun meets a Norwegian troll.
Norway is to promote and
to preserve the heritage Monday, April 18th 6:30 PM – THE SAUK LAKE ALTAR ROCK
and culture of Norway, to
celebrate our relationship Author and Blogger Robert Voyles will discuss the history and controversy of the Sauk Lake Altar Rock
with other Nordic Countries, which is located near Sauk Centre in Todd County and is a local landmark.
and provide quality The boulder, found in 1943, is roughly 27 feet long by 17 feet wide. It has four roughly triangular holes
insurance and financial about three feet above the base. The rock is promoted as an attraction as part of a "Trail of the Vikings"
products to our members. featuring supposed evidence of Viking exploration of Minnesota. This is, however, conjecture.
The Altar Rock, formerly named the “Viking Rock,” may have a connection to the Kennsington Runestone
(dated 1362) which had been found in 1898 by a local farmer near Alexandria. Is this evidence of medieval
Norse in Minnesota? Come find out more about the Altar Rock, the Runestone and their legends.
 Thanks to Shane Gordon & Minnesota Computer Systems for Nordisk bokklubb VELKOMMEN TIL
printing our newsletter. Contact him at shaneg@mncopy.com
2022 Trollheim Board
or 320-266-2402 for your copier needs. (Nordic NORSKKURSET!
Board Officers:
President – Vicky Clausen Book (Welcome to Our Norwegian Class) If you have
wanted to learn norsk – Norwegian, this is your
Vice President – Sally Marquette Club) chance! We meet 2 hours a week, every Wednesday
Counselor - Debbie Backus
evening – on Zoom since the begin-ning of January.
Secretary – Open position The Book Club meets the last Monday of This class is for those serious about their language
Treasurer - Sandy Hegwer each month. Members meet at 5:30 p.m. learning!
Financial Secretary - Debbie Backus
Complete Norwegian by
For the month of March, we will Margaretha Danbolt Simons,
Program Directors:
discuss Hunting Game by Helene 2017 edition, is the text we
Cultural/Social Co-Directors - Nancy
Thursten. For May we will discuss the next use as a base. I also provide
Watkins, Jill Roberg-Abahsain
book in this Detective Inspector Embla extensive supplemental materials
Sports - Nicholas Snavely
Nystrom series, Winter Grave. and instruction, including many
Youth Director - Open Position
In April we will discuss The Man Who materials I create. Though it takes
Program Support: Went Up in Smoke by Maj Sjowall and Per a lot of my time to do so, I feel it makes for a
Hospitality - Marlys Johnson, Diane Wahloo, Swedish authors, as is Helene much deeper language learning experience, with
Williams Thursten above. lots of practice to develop fluency in reading and
Marshals (2)- Jim Johnson writing, listening and speaking, as well as cultural
The Scandinavian Gift Shop in Alexandria - Open position Because this is an “in-person” club, knowledge. I continue taking on-line courses
has moved and is now next to the Librarian - Carolyn Reta attendees will have to provide a Covid during these pandemic times, in order to continue
Traveler’s Inn restaurant. When you need Web Page - Frank Haynes vaccination card. If you would like to join, extending and improving my own skills, thus
a unique gift, give them a visit. please contact Maggie Jennings, Facilitator, continuing to challenge students in our norsk-
Newsletter Support - Diane Williams
Publicity/Newsletter - Cathy Peterson for more details at (763) 301-3263, or kurset. If interested, contact me, Maggie Jennings,
Financial Benefits - Don Waage maggieswork9@gmail.com at (763) 301-3263, or maggieswork9@gmail.com
S/N Foundation Director - Talleiv Vollen ---------------------
VI TRENGER DIN HJELP! (We Need Your Help!)
At the beginning of each new year, we seek member sponsors to help offset Board Meetings: Would you consider taking a place among our lodge leadership? Our lodge is in need of a Secretary
the cost of our newsletter. The sponsorship by an individual is $15.00 and for First Monday of most months: to serve on our Board of Directors. This position includes taking minutes for the seven board
a business card-sized ad the cost is $25.00. If you would like to contribute • March 7, 7 p.m. on Zoom meetings conducted per year which are held through Zoom. Being part of the Board is very
for 2022, checks can be made out to Trollheim Lodge and either sent or • April 4, 7 p.m. on Zoom rewarding as we work together to learn and preserve our Nordic heritage. If you have an interest in
given to Karen Vollen: 1403 33rd Ave. N., Unit 29, St. Cloud, MN 56303.
this position, please call President Vicky Clausen at (320) 230-6460.
Please consider adding your name and or business to our list of sponsors, and we thank Upcoming Cultural Nights are:
those members who have supported The Troll in past years.
The Troll newsletter accepts sponsors from businesses and members. Sponsors are $15 Monday, March 21, 2022, 6:30 Vår i Norge (Springtime in Norway)
Velkommen medlemmer (Welcome new members)
for individuals or $25 for a business card ad. Contact Karen Vollen at 320-252-6230 if
p.m. at the Great River Regional The Norwegian spring is probably the hardest season to define. Some years
you
Wewould like toour
welcome contribute. Thanks toand
new members our 2022
look advertisers
forward to andmeeting
sponsor members: Al
you at our
& Dana Amdahl, Bob & Sandy Burtness, Victoria Clausen, Carol & Dick Langdok, Library St. Cloud, MN it comes early, other years late, sometimes it’s hot, sometimes chilly well
events and getting to know you:
Arlie Norbie, Monica & Larry Oseid, Rosemary & Frank Roehl, Carolyn Reta, Eric into what’s supposed to be the summer months. And whilst many consider
~ Karen
Vollen, JonLarson, St. Cloud
Vollen, Karen & Talleiv Vollen. Monday, April 18, 2022, 6:30 p.m. spring equinox around March 20th to be the first day of the season, spring
~ Andrew Halvorson, Little Falls – Transfer from Lodge 1-070 at the Great River Regional Library may actually start in late February in parts of the country. Meteorologists keep insisting on spring
Guests are always welcome at our events. Do you know someone who St. Cloud, MN starting on March 1st, but plenty of people flee to the mountains during Easter week for a final
would enjoy our lodge? Please invite them to an upcoming event! week of winter and skiing. In May, though, the flowers are sure to be blooming, and so are the
--------
Norwegians. Nature is virtually exploding all around you – trees and flowers are waking to life, the
Informert og tilkoblet (Informed and Connected) ~ FUNNY OF THE MONTH ~ melting snow in the mountains swells the waterfalls, rivers and lakes, and the blossoming fruit trees
Trollheim Lodge members can stay connected though our newsletter, Sven says to Ole, "I found dis pen. Is along the Hardangerfjord are an unforgettable sight. Thanks to the many public holidays in May –
our website at www.stcloudtrollheim.org and regular email blasts. it yours?" Ole replies, "Don't know. Norway’s national day on May 17th being the most fun – Norwegians get to really appreciate the
This newsletter is also posted on our website for reference. If you are Give it here." He then tries it and season. All in all, spring is a fickle mistress. But even though you might wake up to a sudden final
not currently receiving our email blasts, first check your SPAM says, "Yes, it is mine." day of snow well into April, you’re also sure to get days warm enough for “utepils” – the act of
folder. If you do not see it there, send a message with your email
Sven asks, "How do you know?" enjoying a cold beer outdoors on a sunny day.
address to Frank Haynes at Haynes@albanytel.com to be added to
Ole replies, "Dat's my handwriting!"
the email list.