Updates from Flora Danica Lodge #177, Solvang, CA

Flora Danica Lodge #177 in Solvang had a busy second half of 2022 and we are looking forward to many activities and gatherings in 2023. In September 2022 we were able to return to a somewhat “normal” Danish Days celebration in Solvang, after a three year absence. We had a very successful weekend selling our homemade crafts and baked goods. With those proceeds we were able to once again make annual donations to some very worthy causes in our area. We were also able to fund our local high school scholarship fund, which is one of our main goals every year. In December we were able to return to another event that had been put on hold the last three years: Our annual Sisterhood Christmas dinner party. Dinner started with a bowl of risengrød made by our own Marie Jaeger, which included the almond prize (which was actually won by the person having an “X” on the bottom of their bowl to avoid any issue with someone mistakenly eating the whole almond!), followed by a delicious flaeskesteg dinner with all the trimmings. After dinner, Pastor Chris Brown of Bethania Lutheran Church, read The Christmas Story to the kids before everyone got up and danced around the Christmas Tree, hand-in-hand, singing all the Christmas Carols and accompanied by Kevin McConnell on the piano. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Christmas Season.

Just a few days after the Sisterhood Christmas Dinner, we joined with the local Brotherhood for another Christmas Dinner, this time with just the adults. Another fantastic flaeskesteg dinner was had. There was no dancing around the Christmas Tree, but we did sing more Christmas Carols with Kevin once again leading us. Of course, we ended by standing up, hand-in-hand, and circling the room with a loud and happy rendition of “Nu Har Vi Jul Igen.”

In January we had our annual Installation dinner meeting with both our local Brotherhood and Sisterhood as well as the Santa Barbara Chapters. Due to the very heavy rains and road closures experienced in the days before the Installation, many of the members from Santa Barbara were unable to attend, but a few did manage to make the 45-minute drive to Solvang. The Danish Smørrebrød meal was prepared by our Sisterhood members, Denise Johnson, Mindi Christian, and Glenda Madrid, with lots of helping hands by members who were available to help (see photo for a sample of the almost-too-pretty-to-eat open face sandwiches). Beautiful tables were set by member Donna Ineman with help from her family. Flora Danica Lodge #177 installed it’s Officers for 2023: Lori McConnell, President; Mindi Christian, Vice-President; Lisa Pedersen, Secretary; and Janice Zigler, Treasurer. Past President, Karen Voorhis, was thanked for her service in an especially tough time to keep organizations together. Mange Tak, Karen!

We are looking forward to an active 2023 and wish our other Sisterhood Lodges and happy new year.