Danish Sisterhood News January 2019

News

Danish Sisterhood In this Issue: Lodge Updates Beginnings DSS Butikken

Serving the Danish Sisterhood of America since 1947

January 2019

President’s Corner

News

Danish Sisterhood

www.danishsisterhood.com

Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Volume 72, Number 1

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 1555 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463. Periodicals Postage Paid at Rochester, MN.

Sindy Mikkelsen, National President

New Year’s Resolutions are well underway. All the gyms are packed with those attempting to drop a few pounds, if nothing more than to drop what they gained over the holidays. It’s often a time where folks make those tough decisions for change, and just needed a day to start. Often by February, most of those resolutions are a thing of the past. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could actually keep those promises to ourselves? Personally, I often don’t even try to make a resolution, mainly so I don’t fail at it, but also because I feel like I should be making better choices all year long.

It’s the season of Installation of Officers, and like New Year’s Resolutions, it’s time for change. It’s time to think about how to make “healthier” choices for your lodge. Allow people with the energy to try some new activities to do so and support them.

Also, it’s time for folks to step up and take officer positions. We need healthy changes to take place.

It’s also a time to honor and respect those that have given so much for the Sisterhood. It’s too easy to overlook those that gave generously of their time to the Sisterhood. They seem to have always been there and know all the answers, and often too easy to ignore. Don’t! Maybe think of a special night where you reflect on the dedication of your lodge members, talk about the work that has been accomplished and the types of activities that your lodge use to have. To me, it’s amazing to think of all my own lodge use to do. We did some pretty fantastic things, like a bus trip to Solvang for a few days, etc. Those are the types of activities that can attract new members. It certainly isn’t sitting around and discussing the bank account. So, stop for a bit, pay tribute to your members, and take some inspiration from the past.

Happy New Year!

Sindy Mikkelsen, President Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS, 1555 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 Editor: Lauren C. Nielsen (507) 206-9099

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: Sindy Mikkelsen, Lodge #126 2938 Sweet Grass Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 755-0260 president@danishsisterhood.com National Vice President & Website: Julie Morrison #126 2368 Hood Ct, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 (707) 360-8377 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: Carol Faruolo, Lodge #12 19 Fenway Street North, Milford, CT 06460 (203) 878-4924 Fax: (203) 8784924 treasurer@danishsisterhood.com dsstreasurer@gmail.com National Trustee & Butikken Chairman: Linda Holz #102 4400 EP True Pkwy Unit 47, West Des Moines, IA 50265-5615 (515) 225-0951 trustee1@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee & Scholarship Chairman: Christina Sallee #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 848-0837 trustee2@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee, Membership Chairman & Tivoli Lodge Liaison: Karin S. Wasler #68 814 S Sherbourne Dr #7, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 903-8837 trustee3@danishsisterhood.com National Past President: Lizette Burtis, Lodge #24 1462 Trombetta Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 545-6023 lburtis@sbcglobal.net

National Historian: Amy Larsen 2611 E 221 St Place, Carson, CA 90810 (714) 488-9515 Larsen_amy@att.net

Copyright 1946-2018 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America, All Rights Reserved.

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Velkommen

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

Dear Sisters, There really isn’t anything greater than community. Whether your community is made up of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or people you haven’t gotten to know quite yet, your community is a network there to provide support. We in the Danish Sisterhood have many communities: our local lodges, our national organization, connections with Danes and Danish Americans alike, and those we share our heritage with.

Sometimes, however, we forget that in order for a community to work, we all have to put in effort from time to time. We all have to support each other, both in good times and in bad.

I’ve found that one of the best ways to participate in a community is to talk to other people. Talk to them AND listen. Next time you’re at a Sisterhood meeting, look around and see if there’s someone you don’t know. Then go and say hello! You never know who you may be connecting with or what impact this small act may have on this other person. They could be a new member or a prospective member. They could be someone visiting from another chapter or organization. Saying hello and talking to those in our community circles helps us to grow, both by gaining new members and also by gaining extra support in our community.

I hope all of you are having a great start to 2019. Remember to talk to those in your community and to listen!

Here’s to a growing community in 2019!

Until next time...

Lauren Nielsen, Editor

In this Issue President’s Corner.................................p 2 Editor’s Welcome..................................p 3 Lodge Updates...................................p 4-9 Beginnings......................................p10-12 Butikken ........................................p 13-14 Resolutions...........................................p15

Youth Birthdays Happy January Birthday to: Names Layla Fritz Ada Henderson-Lehto Cecelia Smith Charlotte Montee

Lodge 81 1 185 165

Age 8 12 5 12

On the Cover Title: Free bikes to take for a day in Copenhagen Photo by: Caroline Hansen-Zurek; Sept 2018 Submitted by: Karen Hansen What a great idea! Here are bikes to borrow and return back at any station where you see them. It doesn’t have to be the same location. They come equip with a GPS so you can be sure to sight see all your favorite spots. Tour around the city at your own pace and of course follow all road rules. If you ever get to ride one remember they are there for your enjoyment so be safe!

Submit Your Cover Photo!

Do you have a photo that you’d like to see on the cover of the Danish Sisterhood News? Send in your submissions and yours could be featured next!

Photographs must be high resolution and should be accompanied by a short description of the photo’s content. Photos from Danish events, Sisterhood meetings, travels around Denmark, Danish culture and more are all great topics.

Send photos to: editor@danishsisterhood.com 3

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

Lodge 187 Celebrates Tenth Anniversary Dansk Familie Lodge (#187) celebrated its tenth anniversary with a party Saturday, October 27th,2018 in its regular meeting room at Immanuel Baptist Church in Rochester, New York. We are a small lodge founded by Meredith Sorensen, a dual member with Wendia Lodge #173 in Penn Yan, NY where her mother, grandmother, and great grandmother had been Sisterhood members. Our first meeting was held May 2008, but the lodge was officially initiated into the Danish Sisterhood of America October 25th that year.

First officers were: President Meredith Sorensen, Vice President David Seymour, Secretary Doris Richardsen, and Treasurer Cathy Martin. Trustees were : Hospitality Joan Ruffels, Programs Linda Andersen, and Historian Valerie O’Hara.

Our current officers are President Dave Seymour, Vice President Bill Petersen; Treasurer Meredith Sorensen, and Secretary Shirley Iversen.

Our Danish brothers are much appreciated.

Former members and national officers had been invited. We were pleased to have charter members Linda Andersen and Cathy Martin attending, and honored with the presence of Connie and Earl Schell of Lodge #78 in Troy, NY and their granddaughter Allie.

A festive lunch was enjoyed with cranberry punch, a cake decorated with Danish flags, openfaced sandwiches, Havarti cheese and crackers, coffee, an array of cookies and an elegant torte.

Meredith had written 12 questions about the Danish Sisterhood which Dave presented in “Jeopardy” style, with the first person to answer eligible for a prize. Examples of the varied questions include “What is the significance of

Negaunee, Michigan?” (site of the original lodge) and “Who is an honorary member of the Supreme Lodge?” (the Queen of Denmark.)

The original secretary’s book was displayed along with the lodge emblems and a tri-fold photo display of lodge activities.

We are no longer the newest lodge, with the recent initiation of Enumclaw Lodge #188 in Washington, and will never be the oldest, but hope to continue learning about and enjoying our Danish heritage.

Shirley Iversen, Secretary

Updates from Northstar Lodge #100 The annual Christmas dinner of Northstar Lodge #100 took place on December 9th at Liberty Lanes with ten in attendance. Brett Lester, of the Sanilac Rescue Mission gave a little informational talk concerning the Mission and how they have been helping men in the area who are homeless with a warm place to spend a night, or many nights. We gave him a donation for the Mission from our lodge.

Dues notices were passed out to those attending, the Danish Sisterhood calendars and the schedule for 2019. Our first meeting of the new year will be April 10th at Hope Lutheran Church at noon.

Loris Coltson, Secretary Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

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Updates from Katherine Lodge #20 On January 12, we celebrated our Christmas party with a luncheon at The Boathouse in Kenosha. We had 32 members and guests attending.

Everyone enjoyed a salad, entrée, sherbet and coffee or tea.

We initiated 6 new members. We also installed our new Board members, Gitte Stupar, Anna Nielsen, Jonna Chiapete and Marge Orth.

Above Left: Jeff Gustin. Above Right: Betty Lasch, Jeff Gustin and Marge Orth with our food donations

New members (L-R) Back: Cindy Peasley, Helena Boles, Holly Anderle, Leanne LaVallle, Sherry Hansen. Front: Allison Dorval

We all brought non-perishable items for the charity we are supporting for this event. The charity is the James A Petersen Veteran Village.

Our speaker today is Jeff Gustin, the Executive Director for the James A Petersen Veteran Vil-

lage. This is a local project serving veterans in Southeast Wisconsin. This is also known as the “Tiny House” project. There are 15 tiny homes housing vets who formally were homeless. This project provides them with counseling, support, education and fellowship. The Tiny Houses are basically bedrooms only, with the residents having to go to the community house for bathrooms, meals, classes, counseling and friendship.

This project also has a food pantry and a clothing closet for use of the Veterans in our area.

Submitted by Marge Orth, Treasurer

News from Lodge from Des Moines Lodge #102 Our October meeting was held at our annual “out to eat” event. We enjoyed the evening with new members, mothers with their daughters, and small granddaughters. We do spend a little time on business, birthdays, and remembering other sisters.

We usually meet the third Monday evening in each month, but for the second year we have met on a Saturday and during the day in November. This has made it possible for those who prefer the daytime and for people from out of town to attend. We had a bigger group and it was great seeing Kirsten and Renee Cooper. We are getting new members from these special outings. We planned our Julefrokost and discussed our cookbook sales. Jenny Rupp and others have done an excellent job creating and promoting these books. We planned our Christmas luncheon at this time. Our members who

are also Danish Brotherhood members have taken big part in their events, which include Det Dankse Kolde Bord (200 attending), the ableskiver brunches, and their annual Julefest. The profits from the first two go to scholarships and charities.

December is always a festive time with our Julefrokost. We have a large gathering with many guests. The members each bring their special dishes starting with the fish course and ending with Cheryl Brinkman’s citron fromage, about ten courses in all.

Of course there are snaps, beer, singing and many toasts!

We are looking forward to 2019, new members, and the Sisterhood National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

Carol Christiansen 5

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

Above and Beyond News from Ellen Lodge #21, Denver, CO When this reaches publication, 2019 will be in full swing and so “Godt Nytår” to each and everyone of our DSS sisters, brothers and your loved ones.

As I sit here, wondering where to begin this chapter of Ellen Lodge #21 updates, I have in front of me three pictures of Sisters our Lodge lost in 2018. Winnie Jergensen passed away on August 21, Cheryl Sanford on August 26 and Grethe Jensen in November. All longtime members of Ellen Lodge, with beautiful smiles, a “glimt i øjet” (glint in the eye) and an ability to instill life into whatever they had their hands in.

We have celebrated them and given tribute to all they have given to us. They contributed so much to our Lodge through the years. Their spirits will linger for a long, long time.

In July, our Board held their semi-annual meeting and based on the two pages of resulting minutes with review of 2018 accomplishments, 2019 Lodge goals, current and future projects, plans and committee activities, I would say they are serving us well! There is always something happening for everyone.

In August, Dorthe Brush and Theresa Sorenson hosted our general meeting and there was a lot on the agenda, but if you want to have fun, sometimes you must buckle down and take care of business first – framework and cornerstones – we keep that sturdy and we can do whatever we put our minds to. Some of the major agenda items were the upcoming

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

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Nebraska/Colorado District meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska and items we wanted our delegates to focus on; a planned review of the DSS National Constitution in preparation for the 2019 National Convention; updated Ellen Lodge membership books and multiple suggestions from Christine Hix for “field trips” throughout the year. Sisters were rewarded with a beautiful lunch of ham and cheese croissants and cake with fresh fruit for dessert. Of course, social time and catching up with everyone is always an integral part of getting together.

August 24-25, Delegate Theresa Sorenson and Alternate Christine Hix took the eight-hour road trip to Lincoln, Nebraska to represent us at the Nebraska-Colorado District meeting. Theresa wrote up the best and most thorough District report I have ever seen – so well done! Wow, we are so lucky, to be very well represented by both our delegates who are not afraid to dive in and get the jobs done.

Sounds like it was a very well organized and interesting convention with a productive business meeting, multiple thought-provoking and pertinent speakers, great social time, fun raffles, a silent auction and did I hear whisperings of Ellen Lodge hosting the next District Convention?

The news in September was that our Sister Alicia Stover was moving to Iowa! The only consolation is knowing that our Sisters in Davenport will be lucky to have her around. We

Above and Beyond (cont.)

will miss her so much and we hope she will be happy where she is now growing new roots. The other big news was that Linda Brooks was elected as our Delegate to the 2019 DSS National Convention in Omaha and Theresa Sorenson our Alternate. Thanks to both for stepping up. It is a very important, time consuming and involved undertaking to keep that “framework and cornerstone” in place for all of us. Sisters Chris Hix and Malinda Ringo have taken on updating our Heritage Book which contains individual biographies of Ellen Lodge Sisters, Ellen Lodge history and member records as well as Colorado and Danish history – no minor undertaking and we are thankful and looking forward to it! Kathy Hinkley and Glenda Heil hosted a wonderful September lunch.

October Luncheon – our annual birthday celebration for Ellen Lodge 2018 was the 126th.

This year it was hosted by Joanna Christensen and Inge Nagata at a small bistro at the bottom of the Rocky Mountain foothills. Great company, good conversation – lots of opportunity to catch up - great food and a beautiful table with Danish flags, heart vases with flowers and berries – enough for everyone to take one home – what more could we ask for? It was a terrific gathering. Afterwards, a couple of us stopped by to visit with Judy Mountfort who is in a care center close by. She enjoyed table favors we brought her, hearing about the luncheon and getting updates on her Sisters. We surely enjoyed spending time with her as well.

The first weekend in November was the annual Norwegian Trollheim Craft Fair – a threeday long affair of pricing and packing the crafts we have made; hauling them from here to there and back again; setting them up on display; sales; repairs; more sales. In her August 2018 DSN article, Chris Hix mentioned our yearlong craft project. It started as an annual Christmas crafts get together years ago and has since bloomed into a major production of Christmas crafts we sell. It has become our biggest source of income for the Lodge and 2018 saw the biggest profit ever!

The entire project is however so much more than a money maker. The monthly, and as the year moves on bi-weekly, craft sessions provide us an opportunity to be together and really “connect” AND we learn something.

We usually are about eight sisters but this year, as it became crunch time and things needed to be done, 13 showed up.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

Above and Beyond (cont.)

Talk about buckling down. Not only that, many sisters have taken “work” home throughout the year and we are grateful for the dedication. Our creative “motor” and hostess for those sessions is our President, Birgitte Jappe Ross, who has the talent, the energy and not to mention the patience to keep us all moving and stitches on point! For that reason, we recognized her with a tribute during our November meeting. Thank you, Gitte.

Speaking of the November meeting – well it was pretty much a “slip and slide” trek to get there but several of us made it both there and back home safely. It was worth it, our hostesses Chris Hix and Malinda Ringo had fixed a wonderful lunch and we had a great business meeting with election of officers – the entire 2018 Board was unchallenged and agreed to stay on for 2019, there was a bit of reshuffling of positions and Joanna Christensen stepped up to become 3rd Trustee. Thanks to everyone! We also decided which charities to support, we usually decide this on an annual basis: Season to Share, the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn, Iowa, and the DSS National Disaster Relief Fund. Two to three times a year we also collect $ and much needed items for the Mountain Peace Shelter – it was decided to collect again in December.

On November 28th President Birgitte invited us all to “Julestue” (Christmas hygge) to finally nail down the art of making that elusive three-dimensional Christmas star as well as paper hearts. Ten brave sisters showed up. Birgitte, with the paDanish Sisterhood News, January 2019

tience of a saint, guided us through the process.

After much mumbling, grumbling and one “flying” star, most produced a star, a few like myself let Gitte apply the final touches to the worn-out paper strips which had been folded without success again and again and again. Despite the frustration and with a little help from some æbleskiver, homemade cookies and gløg, we had a wonderful time.

So, then it was time for our Christmas party, this year hosted by Birgitte Ross and yours truly. We had quite the crowd of Sisters young, old and in between. We had a beautiful table with a table “runner” of greens intermixed with the largest paper stars ever seen I believe and candle table decorations which were later offered up as door prizes. Our hostess cooked a pork roast and gravy and everyone else brought the trimmings including ris-a-la-mande with TWO almond prizes to be had. Christmas hymns were sung, in Danish as well as English. Gifts were handed out by a couple of our younger “nisser”.

Then, Sister Jeralyn Westerhoff had offered to read us a funny Christmas story – little did I know I should have pre-screened this salacious tale of the life size blow-up doll – do I need to say any more except for the fact that it had us all in stitches! It was a wonderful Christmas party.

We capped the events for the year with an outing arranged by Chris Hix to see “A Christmas Carol” at the Miners Alley Playhouse in Golden, Colorado. We started with lunch at Jolynn’s and then on to the play. Once again, another good 8

Above and Beyond (cont.)

laugh was had by all as this was not a traditional production of the play but had a comedic twist while still honoring the original version. Excellent play and we thank Chris for taking the initiative.

While busy with meetings, crafting and outings, we try to keep our shut-ins and outof-state Sisters in mind. We miss having them around on a regular basis. On that note, Ellen Lodge has a new and much improved website/ blog, thanks to Sister Emily Edgar: https:// danishsisterhoodcolorado.weebly.com. Please check it out – there are photo montages of both Winnie, Cheryl and Grethe and you will see for

yourself what I have attempted to put into words.

You can also check out pictures from most of our meetings as well as the craft production and sale.

This website, by the way, is an excellent tool for keeping in touch with our shut-ins who have told us that they particularly appreciate the pictures.

Going above and beyond – we have so many Lodge Sisters who do just that - thank you!

We are looking forward to seeing you all at National Convention in Omaha!

In Sisterhood Spirit, Pia Edgar, Past President Ellen Lodge #21, Denver, Colorado

Updates from Haabets Fremtid Lodge 78 in Troy, New York Julefest 2018 was a wonderful time together in December. Twenty four of us gathered at Max 310 on the Van Schaick Island Country Club.

We enjoyed a time of laughter, fun and good cheer. While we enjoyed cheese and crackers we had a chance to meet and greet all of our friends. Then we enjoyed our dinner of choice.

Our dinner concluded with Ris a La Mande and homemade Danish Cookies by Judy Jensen and Marilyn Dore. Our dinner was planned by Marilyn Dore. We thank her for all her effort to make this a wonderful Christmas Celebration.

The hidden almond was discovered in the pudding of Monica Dore. She was really excited and you can see her in picture #1. Marge Wheeler made little Nisser (gnomes) for each of our guests. They are shown in picture #2. And then we enjoyed seeing Tim Kelsey, one of our junior Sisters, who came sporting his Christmas suit complete with blinking lights. He is in picture #3.

We believe everyone had a good time, and we were happy the weather was great for travel this year. Our next meeting is scheduled for Testo’s Restaurant in Troy, NY. In January. We send our best wishes for a Happy New Year to everyone.

Sincerely,

Marjorie Wheeler, Treasurer and Correspondent 9

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

Beginnings

by Annette Lind, Milwaukee Lodge #15 And so another year begins. As 2019 began my thoughts turned to the many beginnings in all our lives. Beginnings bring anticipation over what lies ahead, excitement over new possibilities and concern over the unknown. For some reason 2019 brought to me thoughts of long ago beginnings.

Thoughts of the beginning of our world, especially thoughts of how our ancient Norse forefathers saw the beginning of the world. It was a story about which I knew very little.

I had heard of Odin, Thor and Loki, but how did the Norsemen explain the beginning of the world? Off to the library.

According to Scandinavian myths, the world began with the meeting of fire and ice The Norse myths tell how in the beginning, before there was the world and cosmos, there was a great void called Ginnungagap. South of this void was the Realm of Muspell—a realm of eternal flame and heat. To the North of the void was the Realm of Niflheim, a realm of eternal frost and cold. In Niflheim there was a spring known as Hvergelmir from which flowed 11 rivers. They flowed toward the void and as they flowed, the water thickened and became a venomous river of slush.

From Muspell a hot wind blew toward the void. When the fire and ice met in the middle of the void, the waters melted and out of the water the frost giant named Ymir appeared. Every time he moved, other frost giants emerged from all parts of Ymir’s body. As more of the frozen water melted another being was brought forth. This time it was a cow named Audhumla. The cow licked the frozen ice for nourishment, and Ymir and the other giants received nourishment from the cow’s milk which flowed from her udder in four rivers. As Audhumla continued to lick the frozen ice, hair appeared, eventually followed by a head and after three days another being was in this world. He was the first Norse god, Buri. Buri had a son named Bor (no explanation on how this happened, but then he was a god). Bor married Bestla, one of the frost giants, and they had three sons, Odin, Vili and Ve. And so the gods also began to multiply.

Ymir and the frost giants were cruel and hated by the sons of Bor. The three gods eventually killed Ymir. The blood flowed out of Ymir’s body Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

creating a flood, and soon the flood drowned all of the other frost giants except for two, Bergelmir and his wife, who were able to float to safety on a boat made from a hollow tree.

Odin, Vili and Ve though it might be possible to create life out of death. They dragged the body of Ymir to the center of Ginnugagap and created the world and cosmos from his body. His flesh was stretched to make the land. His bones were used to form the mountains. His teeth became the stones and pebbles. His blood formed the lakes and seas.

His skull was used to create the sky. Dwarfs were created from the maggots that swarmed over the body of Ymir. Four of these dwarfs were set in the four corners of the sky to hold it up over the earth.

The dwarfs were Nordri (North), Austri (East), Sudri (Sough) and Vestri (West). Ymir’s brains formed the clouds.

Sparks and embers from Muspell were placed high in the sky forming the sun, the moon and the stars.

When a giant named Narvi gave birth to a daughter with black hair, black eyes and a dark complexion, she was called Night. Night gave birth to a son with flaxen hair and a fair complexion. He was called Day. Odin took these two and placed them into two horse-drawn chariots. He placed the chariots into the sky to forever journey around earth.

To keep the chariots constantly moving and pulling the Sun and Moon, they are constantly pursued by two wolves,Skoel and Hati.

Ymir’s eyebrows were made into a wall to keep out the giants who lived in a land called Jotunheim. The last two living giants lived there and their children populated this land.

The gods divided the world they created.

The gods would liven a level above the giants who lived in the middle are. Inside the wall the human lived, safe from the giants. This land was called Midgard.

The gods continued to increase in number.

As yet, man was not in the world. The land of Midgard grew green and lush. One day the sons of Bor were wandering along the seashore and found two pieces of driftwood, one an ash tree, the other an elm. The gods created a man and woman. Odin gave them breath so they could live and love. Vili 10

continued on next page > gave them a mind so they could understand, laugh and have emotions. Ve gave them the senses so they could see and hear and appreciate beauty. The man was named Ask (Ash) and the woman Embla (Elm). Their children populated the land of Midgard.

The gods lived in Asgard. Humans inhabited Midgard, protected from the giants in Jotunheim.

The Dwarfs lived in Nidavellir across the sea from Midgard. Below Midgard was Niflheim (land of the dead) and Muspellheim (land of fire). For the gods to visit the humans in Midgard they built a bridge called Bifrost. The bridge took the form of a flaming rainbow. While gods could visit humans, the humans could not cross the bridge.

However, if a human died valiantly in battle, the Valkyries would carry the warrior to Valhalla.

The Norsemen saw the world as made up of a tree called Yggdrasil, the greatest of all trees.

The tree had three tiers, like plates. In all there were nine worlds divided among the three plates where the gods, humans, elves, dwarfs giants and magical creatures all lived.

The tree had immense roots reaching down to the lowest level. Three fair maidens tended to the tree. They were called Norns. Each day these maidens called Past, Present and Future, drew water from the Spring of Destiny which was located in Asgard.

They sprinkled this sacred water on the roots of the tree so the branches would not wither and die.

This story of creation was not written down until the 13th Century when Christianity wasreplacing the old Norse religion. Prior to that the stories were kept alive by skalds. They wandered the earth telling the stories to all who would listen. To be one of these poets, it was necessary that they be able to remember long and complex poems as well as have the ability to create verses. Skalds were trained for many years under the tutelage of older Skalds.

The earliest surviving Scandinavian poems are skaldic poems, and it is from them that we have most of the stories known as Norse Mythology. The Poetic Edda is a book of 29 magical and heroic poems. The Prose Edda was written around 1220 by an Icelandic poet called SnorriSturluson and draws heavily from the earlier Poetic Edda.

The Danish writer, Saxo Grammaticus (ca 1150 - ca 1220) recorded the beliefs and religious practices of Denmark and Western Scandinavia in his work Gesta Danorum which was written around 1215.

The Norsemen worshipped multiple gods.

Archeologist have found rock carvings and stones covered with runes which have given us insight into how the Norsemen imagined their gods and goddesses.

Some gods and goddesses like those of other religions, demanded sacrifice. Most sacrifices were of animals, but it appears some human sacrifice also occurred in the Norse religion. Norse gods and goddesses could die and make mistakes, They possessed emotions much like the humans and could be cruel as well as kind.

Scandinavians took their religion wherever they travelled, but they were not interested in missionary work. Even if they stayed to colonize an area, they did not force their religion on the natives, allowing them to follow their own beliefs.

One of my favorite Norse myths is the story of how the island of Sjælland came to be…another beginning. It is on the island of Sjælland that my father and my mother’s family lived which is probably why I love this myth. The event is immortalized in the Gefion fountain in Copenhagen.

The goddess Gefion was the patron of plowmen and had the ability to see into the future; however, she could not change it. She had an affair with King Gylfi of Sweden and had four sons by him. When she asked the king for land for her four sons, the king said she could have as much as she could plow in a day.

And so like any loving mother she turned her sons into four huge oxen and plowed an enormous area out of Sweden. This land became the island of Sjælland. The hole it left in Sweden is known as Lake Vänern.

Snorrin Sturluson identifies the lake as the lake of Old Sigtuna west of Stockholm, i.e., Lake Mälaren In spite of Snorri’s identification, tourist information about the fountain identifies the resultant lake as Vänern, Sweden’s largest lake, citing the fact that modern maps show that Sjælland and the lake resemble each other in size and shape.

The fountain was donated to the city of Copenhagen by the Carlsberg Foundation on the occasion of the brewery’s 50-year anniversary. It was originally supposed to be located in the main town square outside city hall, but it was decided instead to build it near the Øresund its current location near Kastellet south of the Lille Havfrue (Little Mermaid). It was designed and sculpted by Danish artist 11

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

Anders Bundgaard between 1897 and 1908. The fountain was first activated on July 14, 1908. In 1999 extensive renovations were begun which lasted many years. It was reinaugurated in 2004.

There are many, many books about Norse Mythology. I found several in my local library and used them to write this article.

Of the books I found, my favorite was Treasury of Norse Mythology, Stories of intrigue, trickery, love and revenge. This book contains several of the myths beautifully told by Donna Jo Napoli and beautifully illustrated by Christina Balit. The myths are told as stories, much like Grimm’s fairytales. Like those fairytales, the stories may not be appropriate for small children. But it is a wonderful source for older children and adults.

In 2017 Neil Gaiman wrote a book called Norse Mythology. Gaiman is a well-known writer and in his book “presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.” If you are familiar with his writing it is easy to see how it was inspired by ancient mythology. Following is a quote by Gaiman. It seems appropriate for this article. “Things need not have happened to be true. Tales and adventures are the shadow truths that will endure when mere facts are dust and ashes and forgotten.” I have not yet read his book; it will now be on my book bucket list.

The old Norsemen are still a part of our world today. Over 5000 words in the English language have an old Norse source—like “berserk” which referred to the warriors who went out of control in battles, fighting wildly. Or take the days of the week: Tuesday (Tyr, a norse god known as Odin’s son), Wednesday (Odin, often pronounced Wodan), Thursday (Thor, god of thunder) and finally Friday (Odin’s wife Frigg). And speaking of Thor, how many movies in the Avenger series from Marvel have centered on Thor? And in how many comic books has Thor appeared as the super hero? And it is not just the god of thunder that entertains us. The movie Frozen is thought to be loosely based on the H.C. Andersen’s fairy tale “The Snow Queen” which was clearly influenced by Norse mythology.

Some people believe Andersen used the Norse goddess Skadi as the model for the Snow Queen. Then there is music. Wagner’s opera “The Valkyrie” features the Germanic equivalents of the gods Odin and Frigg. One section of that opera, “Ride of the Valkyries” is perhaps one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of music in the Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

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world. If you have read or seen the J. R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings, perhaps you recognize Gandalf’s appearance as similar to Odin. Many characters from Norse mythology also appear such as elves, trolls and dwarfs, and Middle Earth is much like Midgard.

While this article may be about beginnings, Norse mythology also contains the story of the end of the world known as Ragnarok. After three years of winter without end, there is a battle in which everyone will fight and almost every living thing both evil and good will die. Toward the end of the battle the giant Surt hurls fire everywhere killing most of those who had survived to that point. Only the Tree Yggdrasil and one man called Lif (Life) and one woman called Lifthrasir (Longing for Life) survive and eventually emerge to found a new human race in an idyllic world without evil.

So, in Norse Mythology it all starts and ends with fire and ice. It is hard not to think of the Robert Frost poem.

“Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate To say that for destruction ice Is also great And would suffice.”

But to end on a more positive note, I have a new cookbook, given to me by my son, called Fire and Ice. Food is much more fun to think about. I think I will close my books on Norse mythology and look for a new recipe.

The Danish Sisterhood Marketplace Butikken DanishSisterhood.com

Contact Linda Holz for shipping and handling charges.

Red plastic heart-shaped paper clip $1.00 Letter Opener $4.00 Black baseball cap with heart logo in sequins $20.00

Black baseball cap with heart logo in satin stitch embroidery $20.00

Hygge T- Shirt  Red with white print M, L, XL, XXL $20

Frik T- Shirt Red with white print (Front and Back Shown) M, L, XL, XXL $20

Laser cut boxes (unassembled) for table favors $ 0.75

To order contact: Linda Holz Email: trustee1@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 515.225.0951 4400 EP True Pkwy, Unit 47 West Des Moines , IA 50265-5615 13

Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

The Danish Sisterhood Marketplace Butikken DanishSisterhood.com Contact Linda Holz for shipping and handling charges.

Sisterhood License Plate Frame Frame has dual fastening holes at the top of the fame. White with red DSS logo. $4.00 each or 2 for $6.00

Red ball point pen with Sisterhood website address $5.00

DSS Fleece Jacket Available Red and Black $37.50

Coral Pendant with Silver Filigree Red and silver necklace pendant $45.00

Denmark Flag Enamel Earrings pierced $10/pair

Onesie Red with white print 6 mo - 12 mo - 18 mo $15.00

Car Decal White with a red Danish Flag Heart $3.00 ea or 2 for $5.00

Wine Bottle Opener Red with black trim, danishsisterhood.com printed on side. $5.00

Heartscarf Available in Red and White $15.00

To order contact: Linda Holz Email: trustee1@danishsisterhood.com Phone: 515.225.0951 4400 EP True Pkwy, Unit 47 West Des Moines , IA 50265-5615 Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

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Resolution Grethe Johanne Maria (Vonrieb) Jensen September 11, 1917 – November 26, 2018 The sisters of Ellen Lodge 21, Denver, Colorado, are saddened by the loss of our Sister Grethe Johanne Maria Jensen, who passed away on November 26, 2018. Grethe was born in Helsingor, Denmark on September 11, 1917 to Carl and Catherine Vonrieb. She had nine brothers and sisters.

When Grethe was young, school was very important. She was not only a very good student, but she also engaged in a variety of sports, especially swimming and boating. Her father was a shipbuilder which meant boating was always a big part of their life. (During the German occupation Grethe’s father was killed working for the Underground).

Grethe married Gundmund Jensen in 1936 in Helsingor. They had three daughters: Hanne, Karen and Elsemarie. In 1950 the family immigrated to the United States settling in the Denver area where Gundmund’s brother had established a horticultural business. Grethe helped with the greenhouse business and became president of the corporation after Gundmund’s retirement.

Even though Grethe helped with the business, she would say that she was a “homemaker”, who enjoyed knitting, crocheting cross stitch and other needlework. She thoroughly enjoyed her family, including her 8 grandchildren, and travelling. She always felt that family was the most important part of life.

Grethe joined Ellen Lodge 21 on May 17, 1956, making her a member for 62 years. She enjoyed the Sisterhood and felt the organization was a way to keep the Danish traditions alive, and to keep in contact with others who share the Danish Heritage. She was a very active member until the last few years.

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Danish Sisterhood News, January 2019

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