DSS News June 2024

Danish Sisterhood

Dear Members:

As I write this column at the end of April, District Conventions are just beginning to happen. When you read it, all of them but Nebraska and Heartland will have taken place. I hope many of you attended and had a wonderful time.

Why do we have districts? I have pondered this question, and I am sure the answer is different for each district and each person. For me, the district became the first steppingstone out of my small local lodge. It was a place to meet more Sisters (and Brothers as we combine with the Brotherhood) with similar interests. It was a place to get new ideas about how other lodges work, programming, and activities. I enjoyed meeting the National Officer who attended and hearing about the National Board. Most of all, for me, it was a FUN TIME to socialize with other Sisters and Brothers!!!

Those are the same things I enjoy about National Convention, but that is only once every four years. That is a long time for lodge members to not connect with others outside their own lodge. I am grateful for our district conventions!

We have three lodges who do not belong to a district. Two of those lodges have had very little presence on the National website where the lodges have been organized by district. At our last monthly board update, we decided to change the website to be more inclusive of these lodges. So now when you go to the website to see where the lodges are, they are still organized by district, but there is a button for lodges that do not belong to the district and all three of these lodges are listed under this button. We hope this is an improvement.

As always, your National Board is here for you. Please reach out to us with ideas and concerns.

Nealna Gylling DSS President

Danish Sisterhood News

www.danishsisterhood.com Volume 77, Number 6

Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Published by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America (Dansk Søster Samfund) as its Official Publication.

DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS (USPS 148-200) is published monthly by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America. Office of publication at 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463. Periodicals Postage Paid at Rochester, MN.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS, 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463

EDITOR: Charlene Jensen, (503) 956-4353

Email: editor@danishsisterhood.com

Articles for publication in the Danish Sisterhood News must arrive to the Editor no later than the 1st day of each month previous to publication.

Subscription: Members $12 (US) Non-Members $20 (US)

Officers of the Supreme Lodge

National President: Nealna Gylling, Lodge #186 1474 Floan Point Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 612-390-1374 | president@danishsisterhood.com

National Vice President & Technology Chair: Anna Nielsen #20 (262) 412-4482 | vicepresident@danishsisterhood.com

National Secretary: Glenda Madrid, Lodge #177 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 (805) 448-7631 | secretary@danishsisterhood.com glenda_madrid@hotmail.com

National Treasurer: Linda Brooks, Lodge #21 8402 Winter Berry Dr., Castle Rock, CO 80108 303-905-9934 | treasurer@danishsisterhood.com

National Trustee: Carol Rudisill, Lodge #102 4131 E 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50313 515-971-5997 | trustee1@danishsisterhood.com

National Trustee: Susan Hoppough, Lodge #65 834 E. Baldwin Lake Dr., Greenville, MI 48838 616-302-1330 | trustee2@danishsisterhood.com

National Trustee & Butikken Chair: Karen Vig-Keathley, Lodge #4 109 South First Street, Itasca, IL 60143 708-715-0071 | trustee3@danishsisterhood.com

National Past President: Christina Sallee, Lodge #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 928 4494

National Historian: Donna Christensen Thomas, historian@danishsisterhood.com Copyright 1946-2024 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, All Rights Reserved.

Dear Sisters:

Hello, dear Friends! I hope this past month has been wonderful for you. Somehow the time seems to be flying by as here were are in June, already!

Please feel free to send me your lodge’s articles/ stories/pictures/poems, etc. It is wonderful to be able to read about what other lodges are doing as well as see what is going on in other lodges.

Velkommen

Charlene M. Jensen, Editor

Some Danish Sisterhood lodges focus on learning, artwork, crafts, cooking/eating, knitting, and many other things! Perhaps your lodge is offering a Danish cooking class every so often; the Danish Sisterhood News Members would love to hear about that, and see pictures, too!

Or, perhaps your lodge focuses on learning the Danish Birthday Song; people would love to hear about that and see pictures of your lodge members learning to sing in Danish!

Learning about famous Danes can be quite a lodge activity. How many of your lodge members are aware of Peter Freuchen, P. V. Glob, Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen, Niels Bohr, Lars Ulrich, or Mette Frederiksen? There is so much Danish history, and stories about Danish people, that you and your lodge can learn! Wishing you a fabulous month of June!

~~Charlene Jensen, Editor | editor@danishsisterhood.com

When I received this family photo of my Great Aunt Marie at the grave of her Father, I didn’t know how I could help get a translation of the tombstone. My understanding was that the language used on the tombstone is Norwegian, since my Great-Grandfather was Norwegian. Then I remembered that there are strong similarities between the Danish and Norwegian languages. I reached out to Sisterhood member Kaja Voldbaek and asked her if she had any idea what was written on the tombstone. Kaja graciously responded: “Hello, Charlene. The picture you sent me reads: Oluf Jensen, 1876 (or 1978?) - 1915. Peace with his dust (ashes)= Fred Med Hans Stöv. Blessed be his memory= Velsignet Være Hans Minde. It is actually Danish words except the ö which is the Danish ø. It is still what is called Rigsmål.” Thank you so much, Kaja Voldbaek, for your help with this translation! Charlene Jensen, DSS Mt. Hood Lodge # 81 *This story was originally written/printed in The Portland Dane in June 2018

On the cover:

Colored illustration of apple slices being turned out of an apple slice pan from Johan Krohn's Peter's Christmas (first edition 1866).

The illustration was created by the brother. The original edition from 1866 was black and white.

The book was illustrated by Pietro Krohn and Otto Haslund.

File:Æbleskiver piedro krohn 1889 farver.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Membership Corner—With Carol Rudisill

Happy May! It’s been such a busy time! I want any president of a lodge that hasn’t been called yet to know that he/she will be part of our data collection! Lodge presidents will be called! I’m planning on starting back up next week.

Susan Hoppough is busy inputting data that we have already received: a BIG JOB! I’ve been hearing from my own lodge that they want MORE Danish food demonstrations. We made rullepølse and Danish layer cake.

In the past we’ve done akvavit recipes and taste testing. These are all fun to do and the newer members tell us how they remember this or that and all those recalled memories bring back feelings of a time almost forgotten for some. It’s always fun to share Danish food.

Next month we are going to try different recipes for æbleskiver. I think there may be as many different æbleskive recipes as frikadelle recipes! With the newer electric æbleskive makers, it makes preparation easier. Food is such a wonderful part of our Danish culture, and it’s a great sharing experience!

District conventions are upon us. Getting together as a larger group to visit, share ideas, learn what others are doing is such a gift. Districts include so many more than just your own lodge! After one time of attending, you get to know some others from around your state/area and friendships develop. Hearing what others do is such motivation for other lodges. Of course, there is always District business to accomplish and that, too, is very important. But, the socializing and listening to others is so much fun.

I know MOO and Pacific Northwest are meeting the first weekend in May 2024. Midwest is meeting as I write this. Heartland will meet the first weekend in October. If you have a chance to participate in your District Convention, I sincerely hope you will. The more people there means more ideas and things to learn.

For my next Membership Corner article I would like to present some easy and fun craft ideas. So send me anything you’d like me to share with the group. Send your idea, materials needed, and a picture and I will put a few in each month. This membership corner is supposed to give you ideas to share, enrich, and motivate. Thanks in advance!

Til next time! —Carol

DANISH FOLKLORE

Stephanie Kragelund is a beacon of insight in the world of Danish cultural commentary. More information about her can be found on the internet. Her profound appreciation and understanding of Denmark’s rich cultural heritage have made her an influential voice in the field. Stephanie points out that the roots of Danish folklore can be traced back to the preChristian era, when the ancient Norse and Germanic tribes roamed the Scandinavian lands. These early inhabitants of Denmark passed down stories of gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, and heroic feats through oral traditions, preserving their cultural heritage through the ages.

What are some of the folklore that Stephanie

Kragelund

teaches people about?

Trolls (Trold): In Danish folklore, trolls are supernatural beings. They live in remote and wild areas. They are often depicted as large and ugly creatures with an aversion to sunlight.

The Nisse: This mischievous creature resembles a small gnome. The Nisse is believed to protect the farm and its livestock. However, the Nisse can also play tricks on unwary humans if it believes it is not be treated well.

The Valravn: A mythical creature from Danish folklore, the Valravn is a raven that has consumed the heart of a slain

PHOTO LEFT: Birk, one of five trolls created by artist Thomas Dambo, rests in the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, in 2021.

One of the most famous figures in Danish folklore is the legendary hero, Holger Danske. According to ancient legends, Holger Danske was a valiant knight who fought alongside Charlemagne. He now lies asleep in the dungeons of Kronborg Castle, waiting to awaken and defend Denmark in its hour of need. This iconic figure is a symbol of Danish resilience and patriotism

Another beloved character from Danish folklore is the Little Mermaid, immortalized in the fairy tale by the acclaimed Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. This poignant story of unrequited love has captured the hearts of people around the world and has become an enduring symbol of Danish culture.

PHOTO ABOVE: Nisser on the windowsill.

PHOTO RIGHT: The statue of The Little Mermaid in Copenhagen.

Amber Lodge #186 met in April for a very busy meeting. Susanne Hohlen gave an informative presentation on storks in Denmark...in particular in Randers, her hometown. We learned about stork size, migration, and nests. Susanne handed out an information sheet that also included info about environmental influences on the decreasing population of storks in Denmark. Thank you, Susanne, for a great presentation

PHOTO LEFT: Isabel in the center with her mom, Heidi, on the left, her grandmother, Linda Buck, on the right, and Nealna in the background celebrating this great award.

Another fun event at our April 2024 meeting was the announcement by National President Nealna Gylling that Amber Lodge member Isabel Plasek was awarded the Betty Hansen National Scholarship. This scholarship is for her school year starting this fall at University of Minnesota at Morris. Congratulations Isabel! We are all so proud of you!

The remainder of our April meeting was used for planning our upcoming Æbleskive Brunch at Trinity Lutheran Church on May 4th. We also made future plans for our Lodge's 20th anniversary dinner celebration in May. We are planning for our Heartland District Convention in October which we are hosting.

PHOTO LEFT: Susanne Hohlen with stork watercolor painting.

Photography by Barb Wenschlag

ADDITIONAL FASTELAVN 2024 PHOTOS FROM DAGMAR LODGE 4

PHOTO LEFT: The first Slå kitten af

breaks open thanks to Jane Goodall.

PHOTO LEFT: Candy prizes from the first barrel are gathered up quickly. Photography by Johannes Smit.

PHOTO BELOW: Within minutes all the Fastelavn candy was gathered! Photography by Johannes Smit.

tønden

PHOTO ABOVE: The second Slå kitten af tonden breaks thanks to the Bulldogs baseball player, Connor James Keathley, grandson of Karen Keathley. Photography by Johannes Smit.

MORE FASTELAVN 2024

PHOTO RIGHT: Danish American Athletic Club (DAAC); Fastelavnsboller eating at Knights of Columbus.

Photography by Johannes Smit.

PHOTO LEFT: Dagmar Fastelavn costume winners at the DAAC's Fastelavn.

Photography by Johannes Smit.

Lodge 184 , Bluewater Mermaids / Sarnia, ON/Port Huron, MI

Our lodge meets in Sarnia on a Saturday morning once a month with a usual 10 - 12 member attendance. For those who do not know, we are a border city lodge with members from both Ontario and Michigan, connected by the Bluewater Bridge at the south end of Lake Huron.

At our meeting in April 2024, we were joined by our new District President, Susan, and Vice-President, Maureen, both from Greenville, MI. They told us about their background and visions for our district.

Our MOO district (Michigan, Ohio, Ontario) meeting will be held in Greenville the weekend of May 11, 2024. We look forward to hearing from our representatives, Yvonne and Hanne. We will plan for our June meeting to be held in Port Huron.

Submitted by Gitte Monteith, Correspondent

PHOTO LEFT: This photo is from our April 2024 meeting.

From left: Nikki, Ruth S., Gitte, Hanne, Grethe, Ruth T., Rigmor, Yvonne, Johnna, Maureen, Barbara and Susan.

PHOTO RIGHT: Thomas Dambo is a Danish recycle artist and activist who is on a mission to save the world from drowning in trash! This photo is Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King, Oscar the Bird King by Thomas Dambo on Vashon Island taken by Travel Compositions. If you want to learn more about Thomas Dambo, watch his episodes of Trash Talk on YouTube: The New Trolls In Rhode Island - Trash Talk (youtube.com)

In 2024, Thomas Dambo is creating more than 20 sculptures made of recycled materials. Trolls will come to Austin (Texas), Detroit Lakes (Minnesota), South County (Rhode Island), Denmark, and France.

Danish Sisterhood News, June 2024 Page 8

News From Ellen Lodge 21, Denver, CO—By Chris Jensen Hix

Ellen Lodge 21, Denver, CO — HAPPY SPRING to all my Danish Sisters and Brothers!! I love Spring with the daffodils, tulips, crocus popping up out of the ground, taking walks through the neighborhood and seeing people outside working in their gardens getting ready for the day they can plant their flowers and vegetable gardens. But, along with the wonderful signs of spring comes the unpredictable weather patterns throughout the United States. To all of you who have been in the path of these devastating tornadoes, our thoughts and prayers go out to you, your loved ones and friends.

Ellen Lodge 21 started off the year with a Board Meeting led by our newly installed President, Joanna Christensen We had a very productive meeting to get us all going in the right direction for 2024. Since 2020 when Covid made it impossible to have monthly meetings in our home, Mindy Brown has offered to let us use her Nissebo for the meetings, along with our craft sessions and the June picnic. We owe her so much!! Every meeting at least two Sisters will volunteer to host the meeting, bringing in a lunch for the members attending. We’ve had some outstanding lunches with the table settings set for the occasion: Valentine, Easter, Spring…

One of our goals for 2024 is to have a Heritage Presentation monthly. In February 2024, Andrea Thomsen gave a presentation on the story of her Great Grandmother, Ellen. You had the privilege of reading her story in the May issue of the DS News.

In March 2024, Mindy Brown gave a presentation on George Jensen: sculptor, silversmith and craftsman. Birgitte Jappe Ross told the story of Pauline Matilde Theodora Bajer, a Danish Women’s activist in the mid to late 1800’s. Inge Nagata brought an article from Tema, a Danish magazine: Annie from Oregon-Independence is important for Danish women. The article was written in Danish, so Gitte was kind enough to translate the article to English for those of us who do not speak Danish. The compared life in the United States and Denmark as Annie perceived it. She touched on education, security and safety and eating habits. Apparently, the Danes eat a lot more bread and sweets than in the US. In America, we spend a lot more time exercising to work off the calories from sweets. It was an interesting article.

In March 2024 we initiated our newest member to Ellen lodge: Kristin Habicht. Welcome Kristin. And, welcome Katrina Riggs and Marie Grunst, both transfers from other lodges.

Ellen Lodge has been invited to participate in the annual Scandinavian Festival to be held in Golden, CO from June 14-16. The festival took place in Estes Park for years and just recently moved closer to Denver. It will be a great experience for us to be able to be a part of this fun fest. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

As is the norm for winter and summer, our Sisters are busy building up our supply of items for the annual craft fair in November. Again, thank you to Mindy Brown for allowing us to have a place to spread out and be creative.

Welcome Charlene Jensen, the new DSNews Editor. Thumbs up on your April issue, your first of many issues to come.

Submitted by Chris Jensen Hix

PHOTO ABOVE: Kristin Habicht being initiated with Joanna and Gitte.

PHOTO ABOVE: Birgitte reporting on Pauline Matilda Bajer.

PHOTO ABOVE: Andrea Thomsen’s report on Ellen.

IMPORTANT LODGE INFORMATION

MEMBERSHIP EXPANSION — June 2024

LODGE NEW MEMBER

75 Michelle Smith

75

21

20

75

Barr

Lee

Ron Smith

Marilyn Haas

Lori Higgins

Chris Lambert

SPONSOR

Katherine Steadman

Katherine Steadman

Malinda Ringo

Lisa Rasmussen-Zanin

Katherine Steadman

In Memoriam For June 2024 Newsletter

DSS ANGEL STATUS MEMBERS

This status belongs to those members that wish to gift their funeral benefit back to the Sisterhood. We believe this is a generous and significant gift and wish to honor them. If you are interested in becoming an Angel member, please request a beneficiary change form from your lodge secretary or the National Secretary.

MEMBER, LODGE #

Viola Wilson, 166

Joanne Scott,168

Karin Plagens, 188

Sandra Nelson, 188

Carole Hodges, 22

Andrea Welling Leih,15

Elizabeth Haar ,12

Dorothy Petersen,126

Glenda Madrid,177

Nancy Mayland, 125

Johanne Gade, 171

Diann Weinman, 102

Carolyn Sias, 166

Kristine Huss, 15

Seena Drapala, 142

Janelle Willis, 102

Janice Schneider, 15

Vicki Bousquet, 90

Bente Bob, 185

Martha Nielsen, 149

Ulla Pereira, 300

Margaret Omodt, 21

Danish Sisterhood News, June 2024 Page 10

MEMBER, LODGE #

Carol Smith, 149

Meredith Sorensen, 187

Marie Jaeger, 177

Christina Sallee, 81

Melissa Sallee, 81

Marie Fairbanks, 165

Constance Schneider, 90

Susan Fisher, 102

Lou Ann Jensen, 15

Hanne Skaarup, 125

Else Lassiter, 177

Pamela Ruben, 15

Ruth Brigden, 126

Margaret Wetzel, 165

Verina Farrell,177

Lorraine Buchanan, 86

Debra Spotz, 15

Marianne Larsen, 177

Linda Holz,102

Margaret Schoewe, 15

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT DENMARK IS FAMOUS FOR?

Denmark, officially known as the Kingdom of Denmark, is one of the smaller Scandinavian countries. However, there are some things about Denmark that are very special. What are some of the things that Denmark is famous for?

Denmark is known for many things including the well-being of its citizens, fine dining, castles. Denmark is also know for hygge, Tivoli Gardens, and for being the home of Lego. Don’t only just visit Copenhagen, there are other famous places has to offer, including the Faroe Islands, Greenland and it’s rugged North Sea beaches.

Denmark is regularly voted as being the happiest nation in the world, with quality education and healthcare, smiley-faced plug sockets and having the least corrupt government in the world all working in the Danes’ favor! Denmark is a relatively liberal country, and their high taxation in order to serve a welfare state to ensure low levels of poverty doesn’t seem to get people down. The idea and practice of Hygge may be one of the factors in Danish happiness; this is a focus on high-quality social interactions to improve the wellbeing of people.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen are one of the highlights of any trip to Denmark and are known for their beauty, attractions and annual Christmas market that is one of the best in the world. Tivoli Gardens is thought to be the second-oldest operating amusement park in the world. It was said to have been an inspiration for Walt Disney before he created the first Disneyland in Los Angeles!

Tivoli Gardens was established in the 1840s when Danish architect George Carstensen persuaded King Christian VIII to let him build an amusement park on the edge of the city. He used the argument that “when people amuse themselves, they forget politics”. Today, Tivoli Gardens is the most popular attraction in the country and are a must for first-time visitors to Denmark.

PHOTO ABOVE: Kronborg castle, Helsingør, Denmark

Denmark is famous for is its collection of castles that are found throughout the country. As Denmark is home to one of the longest-running monarchies in the world, many of the castles are or have once been homes of the Royal Family, with the grand residences featuring large banquet rooms, manicured gardens and even the Danish crown jewels (held within the famous Rosenborg Castle).

Travellers can visit the Kronborg Castle (thought to be the inspiration for Elsinore Castle in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’), the ancient island castle of Frederiksborg, the massive moat of the Egeskov Castle and the Danish parliament building, Christiansborg Palace.

NEWS FROM AMBER LODGE, #186, BRAINERD, MN

By Jane Matthies-Holtan

Amber Lodge, #186 Brainerd MN

The Amber Lodge, #186, hosted an æbleskive brunch on May 4th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. This has become an annual event for our lodge. This year we served about 60 people.

Along with the æbleskiver, we served sausage, fruit salad and beverages. Included in the morning were both a craft sale and bake sale with wonderful items donated and provided by our members. It is fun to see people from the community returning each spring for the event.

By Jane Matthies-Holtan

Photography: Barb Wenschlag

Photography: Barb Wenschlag

PHOTO LEFT: Ready for brunch!

PHOTO ABOVE: Kathy Stanwood, Isabelle Plasek Photography: Margaret Hill

PHOTO ABOVE: Dottie Bisted, Rollin Buck, Margaret Hill

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners:

Betty Hansen National Scholarship

· Delaney Duel Lodge #186

· Bethany Jarvis Lodge #20

· Luke Mortensen Lodge #185

· Isabel Plasek Lodge #186

· Danika Stewart Lodge #20

· Aliyah Vallejo Lodge #300

Elizabeth Garde Scholarship

· Josiah Dudenhofer Lodge #65

Mildred Sorensen Scholarship

· Jade Chouinard Lodge #181

Olga Christensen Scholarship

· Jacob Chouinard Lodge #181

Look for a photo and full biography from each winner in the July Newsletter!

Catching up on # 90 in Lincoln NE: Our January 2024 meeting was canceled due to weather. In February 2024 we installed our officers. We had a new member join: Jane Neffler presents Dawn Buss with her Danish pin. In April 2024 we had a late Easter lunch with all Danish food which everyone enjoyed.

Catching up on # 90 in Lincoln NE—by Fran Freeman

DANISH SISTERHOOD BUTIKKEN

Danish Flag Heart Hat $20.00

Daisy Necklace $7.00

Daisy Post Earrings $12.00

Danish Flag Heart Post Earrings

Danish Flag Round Post Earrings $12.00

DSS Messenger Bag

DSS Gold Emblem Necklace with chain

DSS Gold Emblem pendant only

DSS Notebook $7.00 Red Scarf $10.00

DSS Swedish Dishcloths, each $7.00

Aebleskiver Ornament $20.00

Wine Bottle Opener $5.00

Makeup Heart compact

Glass nail file $3.00

DSS oval vinyl car sticker

Coral heart pendant $45.00

Danish Sisterhood

Published by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America

POSTMASTER, PLEASE RUSH TIME DATED MATERIAL!

News

REFERENCES:

Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King Oscar the Bird King by Thomas Dambo on Vashon Island taken by Travel Compositions

3 November 2023, 13;07:57, Source: Own work, Author: Travelcompostions

Norsk bokmål: Nisser i vinduskarmen File:Nisser i vinduskarmen.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

Danish Folklore | A Look at the Myths, Legends, and Creatures of Denmark - Denmark Consulate

Kronborg Castle, Helsingør, Denmark, 8 July 2015, Author: Pudelek. File:Kronborg castle, Helsingør, Denmark.JPG - Wikimedia Commons

Published by: Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of American

National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St., Solvang, CA 93463

The Danish Sisterhood News including, but not limited to, design, text, & graphics, are Copyright 2022 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials in this publication, including reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication without the prior written consent of DSS, is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright infringement will be punished to the maximum extent the law allows.