Danish Sisterhood News May 2021

News

Danish

Serving the Danish Sisterhood of America since 1947

Sisterhood

In this Issue:

Zoom Meetings New Partnership Butikken

Tivoli Lodge News Historian’s Corner And more!

May 2020

President’s Corner

News

Danish Sisterhood

www.danishsisterhood.com

Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark

Volume 73, Number 5

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.

Christina Sallee, National President

Many of you probably had plans to go to District Conventions this spring. This weekend was supposed to be the Pacific Northwest District Convention in Tacoma, WA, and my husband and I was looking forward to visiting with our friends from the other lodges, but plans changed due to Covid-19 which is still charting its devasting path through the world.

So I remind you to please check in with your Sisters to make sure everyone is still healthy and staying positive. As we cannot attend our monthly meetings face-to-face, I encourage you to call, email or send a letter to stay in touch. It is nice to get an uplifting greeting from your friends when you cannot meet up with them.

I also want to encourage you to join us on Facebook both on our Tivoli Lodge #300 and Danish Sisterhood.

April 16th was Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s birthday and she was celebrated with song and video greetings; I hope you celebrated too and were able to sing for her or sent her a card as the Supreme Lodge did on behalf of our organization.

We continue to raise funds for our treasurers to be inventoried, categorized and preserved by the Museum of Danish America, our partnership with National Foundation of Danish America is opening new opportunities for our organization, Tivoli Lodge is moving forward towards their goal and our postponed trip to Denmark will happen in 2021. So as you can see your Board is still working, and we have many irons in the fire, so keep reaching out and including us.

I hope you all stay save at home and know that we will all soon be together again.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to DANISH SISTERHOOD NEWS, 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 Editor: Lauren C. Nielsen (507) 206-9099

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: Christina Sallee, Lodge #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 928 4494 president@danishsisterhood.com National Vice President & Website: Karin S. Wasler, Lodge #68 814 S Sherbourne Dr #7, Los Angeles, CA 90035 (310) 903-8837 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 & 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: Nealna Gylling, Lodge #186 1474 Floan Point Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 612-390-1374 trustee2@danishsisterhood.com National Trustee, Membership Chairman: Karen Vig-Keathley, Lodge #4 109 South First Street, Itasca, IL 60143 708-715-0071 trustee3@danishsisterhood.com National Past President: Sindy Mikkelsen, Lodge #126 2938 Sweet Grass Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 755-0260 National Historian: Donna Christensen Thomas, historian@danishsisterhood.com Copyright 1946-2020 by the Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America,

Christina Sallee, DSS National President Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

Email: editor@danishsisterhood.com

All Rights Reserved.

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Velkommen

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

Dear Sisters, Some months it’s more difficult than others to write a greeting. There’s a lot in the world that can bring us down, worry us, and make us feel helpless. I think all of us are feeling that at this time in history, to some extent.

But despite it all, I’ve found a few silver linings to focus on. I’ve been able to connect with friends and family near and far, who I normally wouldn’t connect with unless there were a special circumstance. I’ve even had several video calls with cousins in Denmark!

I’ve also found more time to read and garden and take walks around my neighborhood.

Slowing down and really soaking in the simple joys in life is uplifting.

I’ve also gotten around to doing more cooking and baking, some old recipes and some new! I’ve seen many friends and family members doing the same...and have even seen some great Danish food being made!

So let’s all try to remember to take care of ourselves as best we can. Let’s not feel shame in taking a day to relax or just exist. Let’s look for some little joys in life while also acknowledging the hurt that is surrounding us in our communities. Let’s stick together and help each other get through the tough times.

Feel free to drop me a line anytime— editor@danishsisterhood.com Be well, Sisters!

Until next time...

Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor

In this Issue President’s Corner.............................................p 2 Editor’s Welcome..............................................p 3 How to Hold Zoom Meetings...........................p 5 New Partnership................................................p 6 Tivoli Lodge News............................................p 8 Historian’s Corner.............................................p 9 Rededication of Danes Hall.......................p 10-12

Youth Birthdays Happy May Birthday to: Names Etilyn Rock Addison Parise Elle Eggleston Laiyla Tidwell Emery Teague

Lodge 4 36 68 117 131

Age 7 7 11 8 4

On the Cover Title: The Porcelain Cow Created by Ronald Burns, photo by his wife, Edith Burns at the Amsterdam Airport.

Submitted by: Karen I. Hansen This cow was created by Ronald Burns who worked at the Royal Copenhagen factory in Copenhagen Denmark. Besides being on display in Amsterdam, it was on display at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and other countries as well. Mr. Burns is American born, however, after finding his life-long love, got married and lived in Copenhagen since 1965 where he still lives with his family and travels to many places sharing his works of art. Take notice of the blue plate design on the cow. Possibly you might have a piece of porcelain with his ”RB” Signature!

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!

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Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

In Memoriam NAME Betty Jean Proper Phyllis Petersen

Cert # Lodge # Location 23836 78 Troy NY 23458 173 Penn Yan, NY

Birth Date Birth Place Initiated 1.27.26 Westfield, MA 11.8.80 7.11.33 Geneva, NY 4.17.76

Died 3.6.20 3.2.20

Benefit 125.

250.

Membership Expansion Welcome New Members!

LODGE 4 4 4 4 4 21 21 21 113

NEW MEMBER Lars Rasmussen Edward Keifer Cheryl Keifer James W. Keathley Jeanette Volquardsen Kimberly Davis E’Lise Christensen Bell Gwendolyn Bell Christine Rindone

SPONSOR Bente Rasmussen Karen Vig-Keathley Karen Vig-Keathley Karen Vig-Keathley Charlotte Mogensen Andrea Thomsen Joanne Christensen Joanne Christensen Sylvia McParish

Resolution Janeen Danielsen, 80, of Dike, Iowa passed away March 30, 2020 in Waterloo, Iowa.

She graduated from Reinbeck High School in 1957 and operated Fair Weather Farm Nursery School out of her home. She served on the Dike School Board for 15 years, the Area Education Board for 10 years, and was the wedding coordinator at United Church of Christ in Cedar Falls.

She is survived by her husband Dale of 61 years, a daughter Penni Hancock of Robins, and son Todd Danielsen of Elbeton, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Janeen was active in her local Sisterhoid Lodge 176, the Heartland District Danish Sisterhood (where she served as President in the 1990s), and attended National Conventions. She was the Lodge 176 delegate at the San Francisco Convention in 2011.

Janeen’s enthusiasm for life touched many people, drawing them to her and whatever she had a passion for. Even on the way home from the San Francisco convention she was encouraging strangers to join lodges in their areas. She helped make aebleskiver for the annual lodge meetings and lodge anniversary cakes. Her beautifully decorated Christmas cookies were almost too pretty to eat. Children (and adults) enjoyed Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

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the Danish stories she read at those December meetings as well.

She enjoyed wearing her Danish costume whenever possible.

Janeen often took part in planning the programs for the lodge and district conventions that Dike hosted. A popular program was the skit she took part in as she played the part of Lena, exchanging humorous conversation with a fellow Sister dressed as Ole.

Sadly, a year after returning from San Francisco, Janeen had a stroke that left her unable to communicate and take part in the active life she had enjoyed previously. She then became a resident at a Cedar Falls, Iowa care center until a few days before her death.

All who knew her grieve her loss and the vibrancy she brought to all Danish Sisterhood events and her community. Our sincere sympathies go out to her family.

Using Zoom like a Pro: Joining Your Sisters in an Online Meeting I don’t know about you, but I have found myself getting antsy and even lonely during the last two months of physical distancing and working from home. Never did I think I would appreciate the use of video calls and even texting to stay in touch. While Zoom video technology is now used on a daily base by many of our companies, it can also be a fantastic way to connect with our Danish Sisters. Here are tips to get you started with Zoom to check on each other and enjoy each other’s company.

What is Zoom?

Zoom meetings is a popular cloud-based video conferencing application used to host meetings – or even virtual happy hours. You don’t need to sign into the app, but you will need to sign up for an account to host a video ‘conference’ or ‘meeting’. The Zoom app is available on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Is it Free or Paid?

Zoom is available free of charge, and this free version offers features most people would need. Keep in mind, though, that the free version has a time limit of 40 minutes per call.

If you don’t mind calling back in and starting a new call, the free version works fine. (The paid version starts at $15/month and can be cancelled at any time).

How do I Join a Call?

The person inviting you too a meeting will send you a hyperlink with a meeting ID for the meeting. You can join a meeting on your computer or mobile device.

1. Join a meeting by clicking on the Zoom link.

2. Follow the prompts to download and run Zoom 3. Enter the meeting ID if prompted.

4. Click to join the audio conference. When you’re in the meeting, you may click on the Start Video button to start your video.

What are some Tips for a Great Zoom Call?

• Wear your red and white to show your Danish pride • Mute your microphone if you’re talking (especially if your dog is barking) • If you’re leading the call, use Zoom poll questions to engage your audience • React with emojis on screen! Send the speaker a thumbs up or clapping emoji!

• If you have one of Zoom’s paid plans, you can make a recording that will save automatically to your computer or the cloud. Then, send the hyperlink to members who were unable to attend.

We’d love to hear from you if you are using Zoom to meet with your Danish Sisters!

Post a message on our Facebook page or on your Instagram with the hashtag #DSSZoom and we’ll be sure to find you! (You can also send your stories to us at editor@danishsisterhood.com).

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Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

New Partnership Opens Door of Opportunity Danish Sisterhood lodges can list lodge events and contact information on the National Foundation of Danish America’s website.

Imagine if, every single Sunday, an email appeared in your inbox listing all events taking place in Danish America over the next week (including your own Lodge events). You could find online Danish language lessons, virtual gatherings, live online concerts and exhibits, and, of course, in-person events in your area. You could call your cousin in Florida to tell her about an upcoming event you saw in her town and ask if she planned to attend. You could plan to watch an online concert with your Lodge sisters. Or, you could plan a virtual visit to a museum with your grandchildren.

Luckily, such an email does exist, thanks to the Foundation for Danish America (NFDA)! Every week, founding president Bruce Bro of Phoenix, Arizona curates a list of events from over 40 organizations to be sent out to subscribers. The current subscription list is over 700 people across the country, with the list growing every week.

When the Foundation of Danish America was founded late last year, Bruce and his colleagues (Linda Steffensen, Katrine Wange and Karin Schoen Wasler) wanted to bring more cohesion, coordination and cooperation to the Danish American community. In addition to the events listings, NFDA now provides small club and chapter info-pages on its website and can serve as a web-based event registration clearinghouse. All of this is free of charge to Danish-American organizations, including the Danish Sisterhood of America.

Request an Info-Page for your Lodge. Some Sisterhood lodges have been clamoring for dedicated website space, and thanks to a new partnership with the NFDA, we can now offer that to you. While still in its infancy stages, this new program will seamlessly link the DSS website to individual, dedicated spaces for each DSS lodge, hosted on the NFDA website.

National DSS Vice President, Karin Schoen Wasler, is working with NFDA board members to solidify the delivery of these info-pages. If your lodge is interested in reserving space, please reach out to Karin at vicepresident@danishsisterhood.com.

Announce your Events; Build Your Success. If you would like your upcoming events listed on the NFDA website and in their weekly email events calendar, send an email to info@DanishAmerica.org. Remember, even virtual events can be listed. The idea is to spread the word about your lodge.

Learn What Else is Happening in Danish America. Don’t forget to visit the Foundation for Danish America’s website and sign up for the weekly events and special announcements (danishamerica.org). During this unprecedented time, we are reminded even more of the importance of family, traditions and culture.

Questions? Contact Karin Schoen Wasler (vicepresident@danishsisterhood.com) or Bruce Bro (bruceabro@icloud.com or 702/704-4703)

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RECIPE CARD

Country Oat Loaf (Havregrynsbrød)

2 cups milk, boiling 1 cup uncooked rolled oats 2 Tbsp butter 1/4 cup molasses 1 tsp salt

1 envelope dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water 5 to 5 1/2 cups white flour Egg glaze and rolled oat

In a large bowl, pour boiling milk over oats, stir in butter, molasses and salt. Let stand 30 minutes. In a small bowl, stir yeast into warm water, let soften for 5 minutes.

Stir in oats mixture. Add flour, one cup at a time, to make a stiff dough. Turn out on lightly floured board, cover with dry cloth, let stand 5-15 minutes.

Cut along the border for your very own recipe card! (Back of recipe card found on next page.)

Emil Nolde

by Lynne McEachern, Lodge 21, Denver, CO Emil Nolde was born Emil Hansen on August 7th, 1867. He was born in Nolde, Denmark. Since 1920 Nolde has been part of Burkal in southern Jutland.

His parents were devout Protestants.

Emil began studying woodcarving and illustrating in 1884. He was accepted into the School of Applied Arts in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1889. He was a student there for three years. From 18921898 he was an instructor at the Museum of Industrial and Applied Arts in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Emil left his job to pursue his dream of becoming an independent artist in 1898. In 1902, he married Danish actress, Dana Vilstrup. It was that same year, he began calling himself Emil Nolde, rather than his birth name of Emil Hansen.

Emil was one of the first Expressionist painters.

Expressionists used their art to convey an emotional

response to the scene that they were capturing.

Many of Emil’s paintings had flowers as their subject. Emil also continued producing his woodcarvings. By the year 1912 he was able to support himself with his art. Emil was initially a supporter of the National Socialist German Workers Party. Adolf Hitler rejected all forms of modern art. The Nazis removed and destroyed 1,052 of his paintings from museums.

After the end of World WI he was once again esteemed for his talent. He remained married to his wife for the rest of his life. He continued creating his art until his death in 1958.

In recent years, a number of his paintings have sold for several million dollars. His work is exhibited across the world, including at the Guggenheim, The Hermitage and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. I was surprised when doing genealogical research to discover that Emil was my 2nd Great Uncle.

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Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

(cont.)

Grease bowl and set aside. Grease 2 round 9-inch pans and set aside. Adding flour as needed, knead dough until smooth, about 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 2 hours.

Punch down and divide in half. Sharp each half into round loaf. Place in pans, seam side down and let rise about 1 hour.

Brush loaves with egg glaze, then sprinkle heavily with rolled oats. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

Makes 2 loaves.

Submitted to The Original Danish Sisterhood Cookbook, Treasures II,

by Marie Jahl, Lodge 154, Askov

RECIPE CARD

Country Oat Loaf

Cut along the border for your very own recipe card! (Front of recipe card found on next page.)

Tivoli Lodge #300 News Join us the second Thursday of every month (5 pm PST, 6 pm MST, 7 pm CST and 8 pm EST) for a program on Danish traditions, time to get to know each other and a brief business meeting.

We meet using Zoom. See contact information at the end of this article to request meeting details.

At our April gathering we welcomed members of DSS lodges from around the country who joined us for some online ‘hygge.’ After a round of virtual Hygge (the card game), we learned a bit about how the Corona Virus is hitting Denmark, and explored the idea of ‘lykke’ with Meik Wiking on a recording from This Morning. We continue to learn what works (the Hygge game is well-received) and what doesn’t (one topic for discussion is enough) for our monthly calls, and we continue to end our time together with a brief business meeting. We look forward to inviting guest speakers (so if you have an idea, please let us know!) in all areas of Danish culture and history.

As a lodge working hard to communicate with our members through email and on Facebook, we need to spend a bit more time planDanish Sisterhood News, May 2020

ning and designing our future. We currently are inviting participation in our Lodge Leadership, specifically in these areas: • Coordinating programming • Leading our online meetings • Notifying members of meetings & activities • Keeping financial records • Helping with Social Media accounts (right now only Facebook) • Reaching out to members (cheer committee) • Historian and public relations Important Dates to remember: May 14: Initiation of Members, with guest from the DSS National Board June 11: Topic TBD, business meeting will include Official Nomination of Officers July 9: Topics TBD August 13: Topic TBD, business meeting will include Official Elections Questions about Tivoli Lodge? Reach out to Kim Brixey (brixey.ks@gmail.com or 913/645-7649)

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Denmark During WWII Queen Margrethe II recently celebrated her 80th birthday. I hadn’t realized another very important, but traumatic, historical event in Denmark happened in very close proximity to her birth. Her birth took place just one week after their old rival Germany invaded during World War II.

In 1939 Hitler sought non-aggression pacts with the Scandinavian countries, Denmark was the only one to sign up. Diplomats to Berlin warned by some a few days before the attack. On 9 April 1940, German forces occupied Copenhagen, among other Danish cities for more than five years. Denmark was overpowered by the Germans in a mere two hours, one of the quickest in history. Only thirteen Danes lost their lives in the skirmish. Denmark became the gateway to Norway as German troops entered major Norwegian ports, deploying thousands of German troops and occupying Norway. The close proximity without any barriers made attack from Germany extremely easy. No country was able to come to their aid. The Danes had also reduced the strength of their army as World War II was beginning in recent months.

A quote from The Scandinavians by Donald S Connery published in 1966 follows:

“At 4 a.m. on April 9, German troops began pouring across the Jutland border. Soldiers stepped ashore in Copenhagen from their hiding places on an innocent-looking merchant ship. As parachute troops were dropped at key points around the country, surprise air attacks wiped out most of the small Danish air force on the ground. The Danish Army of merely 14,000 men never really got out of its barracks. A few detachments fought briefly in Jutland. The Royal Life Guards at Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen, however, were issued live ammunition and managed to hold off the German detachment which had been assigned to capture the King, Christian X conferred with the heads of the government, who urged capitulation. He heard the commander in chief argue for resistance, but by 6 a.m. he gave the order to surrender. The Danish population awoke that warm spring day to learn that Denmark, as a free democracy, had died during the night.

There was little for the Danes to do but go on about their business. They streamed as

Historian’s Corner usual to their fields and factories and offices. Life was strangely normal in the wake of the national humiliation. The Germans insisted that they had only stepped in to save Denmark from being attacked by the British. They promised to respect Denmark’s integrity and political independence. Denmark was to be a ‘model protectorate.’ The Danish Jews were left alone and the Danish armed forces were not even disarmed until 1943. Seeking to make the best of the bad situation, the major political parties formed a coalition government under Social Democratic Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning….”

The Norwegian government refused to surrender and accept German rule and continued to fight alongside British troops. In Denmark, King Christian X, Queen Margerthe’s grandfather, surrendered almost immediately convinced that his army could not fight off the German invasion. At this point Hitler had now added two more countries along with Poland which had been conquered.

Scandinavia had traditionally held a policy of neutrality during the World War I, but was unable to do so, except for Sweden, in World War II. Denmark was under siege for several years as their resistance gradually mounted. They eventually joined the Western alliance of NATO, (i.e. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949.

Initially, Hitler sought to conquer the Danes with kindness as if Germany were a protective older brother from attack by the British. This occupation was considered to be the most benign and indulgent of the Nazi occupations. But eventually the Danish rallied in bitter resistance efforts.

Danish Social Democratic Prime Minister Hans Hedtoft insisted: “Never again an April 9!” He had been a key leader of this political party, but was forced to resign his position in 1941 because he was too critical of the German occupation of Denmark.

In 1943, he was instrumental in beginning the rescue of the Danish Jews. He was Prime Minister of Denmark from 1947 to 1950 and again from 1953 until his death in 1955. He also served as the President of the Nordic Council in 1953.

Respectfully submitted, Donna Christensen Thomas DSS National Historian 9

Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

Rededication of The Danes Hall

By Annette Lind, Lodge 15 Milwaukee, WI Despite threats of snow and possible difficult driving conditions, seventeen representatives of Lodge #15 Milwaukee, one of Lodge #20 Kenosha and two representatives of Lodge #4 Chicago travelled to Waupaca, Wisconsin on November 30 to attend the re-dedication of Danes Hall. An article on Danes Hall appeared in 2018 in the National Sisterhood News.

You can also read more about the history on the following Internet page: www.daneshallwaupaca. com by selecting About Danes Hall. The following is quoted from that internet site.

“The Danes Home (De Danske Hjem) was the first lodge to organize for social and literary purposes. In 1882 it incorporated under the laws of Wisconsin. The constitution and bylaws were adopted and the name “The Danes Home” was formally adopted. The bylaws provided that all males born to Danish parents, 18 years of age, or older, who were able to read and speak the Danish language, would be eligible for membership…. Construction of this three story brick building began in August of 1894 and the building was completed on November 22, 1894. The total cost of the new building was $7,000.

The Dedication ceremonies took place on November 29, 1894 with about 400 people in attendance.”

In August of 2016 Michael Koehler and his brothers formed the Danes Hall LLC and bought the Danes Hall in Waupaca which had been sitting empty. And so began the journey to the fabulous day in which 20 members and friends of the Danish Sisterhood of America joined in the celebration and rededication of Danes Hall. Michael Koehler and his family have brought the building back to life.

With the help of our member Marcia Jante and her enthusiasm for this project, our lodge has become well- known to the Koehlers. For this event our members made over 200 Danish heart baskets, enough to decorate one of the Christmas trees in Danes Hall and to present each dinner attendee with a little piece of a Danish Christmas to take home. Susan Jensen and Ruth Ann Higgins demonstrated/taught the making of heart baskets to those attending the afternoon open house.

Beginning at 1:00 pm. on November 30, 2019 the 125 Year Rededication of Danes Hall of Waupaca began in the beautifully restored ball room Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

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on the second floor. The master of ceremonies, Bill Clarke the General Manager of Danes Hall introduced Michael Koehler.

Mr. Koehler talked about his family and other Danes who had dreams of a new homeland and a new life. They and thousands of other immigrants came to the United States. He talked about the first dedication which started at 9:00 pm (Dairy farmers had to get their work done) and continued until 2:00 a.m. Over the years many area residents met their wives and husbands at dances at Danes Hall. As the largest venue in Waupaca for many years, a lot of celebrations were held at the hall. Koehler said his great great grandmother celebrated her 90th birthday there.

It was at Danes Hall that Danish ministers met in 1872 for a meeting that would ultimately decide the future of the Danish Church in America.

Reverend Fredrick Lang Grundtvig, the son of N.F.S. Grundtvig, and Reverend Peter Sorenson Vig both attended meetings at Danes Hall. Michael Koehler introduced a special guest at the Rededication, the great granddaughter of Reverend Peter Sorenson Vig and current member of Lodge #4 in Chicago, Karen Vig-Keathley.

Koehler traced briefly the history of Danes Hall up to the present.

He said “ In 2015 the building was standing idle, it stood waiting for ‘US’.” When tKoehler bought the building, he remembered going back to his wife at their home in Illinois.

She asked him, “What Karen Vig-Keathley, Lodge #4 and Michael are you Koehler

going to do with that building?” Koehler’s response, “I’ll get back to you.”

On January 11, 2017 he took a hammer and crow bar and began the restoration. Along with his brothers and sister and cousin Diane they began to take out what did not belong. An architect was hired and many contractors and the Koeher family worked tirelessly on the project. Now five generations after it was built it is again truly Danes Hall.

In dedicating the restored building Koehler spoke of his hopes for future generations and the role Danes Hall can play in that future. He spoke of our ancestors dreams and the importance of preserving our heritage. He spoke of it as a place to preserve the stories of our ancestors and to make our own stories. He gave his thanks to the Mayor and citizens of Waupaca, to Annemarie Sawkins (the Honorary Consul for Denmark in Wisconsin), to the architect and contractors, and to the arts community of Waupaca and ended by saying, “Let’s make memories to last a lifetime.”

Also speaking were: Brian Smith, Mayor of the City of Waupaca whose relatives came from Denmark. He said he could picture them coming to the first dedication. And Aaron Jensen, City of Waupaca Administrator who talked about how lucky the people of Waupaca are to have this incredible building on their Main Street. And Kevin Petersen, Wisconsin State Representative 40th District who began with a quote by Jackie Kennedy who was very involved in the restoration movement. “ We are the only country in the world that trashes its old buildings. Too late we realize how very much we need them.” He talked about what an amazing job the Waupaca area in general has done in preserving their old buildings. He said there around 40 + buildings and landmarks and also 71 other properties in and near Waupaca on the Register of Historic Places, including Danes Hall. These serve as bridges from the past to the future.

Susan Jensen, the President of Dronning Margrethe Lodge #15 of Milwaukee spoke briefly about the Sisterhood and our lodge history and our link with Danes Hall. She presented a Royal Copenhagen porcelain figurine “Boy with Cows” given to Danes Hall by the members of Lodge #15. The piece was chosen to represent the agricultural background of the Waupaca area.

Karen Vig-Keathley a Trustee of the Danish Sisterhood of America and representative of their board

spoke and read a Declaration from the Danish Sisterhood of America. She presented a framed copy of the declaration to Michael Koehler.

Twice during the rededication Eric Grenlie performed on the beautiful grand piano purchased for the Danes Hall. He first played a nocturne by Edvard Grieg. The second piece a nocturne by Chopin.

The rededication ended with William Clarke the General Manager of Danes Hall who talked briefly about his background and current role at Danes Hall.

After the ceremony the hall was open to explore. I was most fascinated by the lovely art work on the walls. Michael Koehler told me the fascinating story of his acquisition of the works from the Skagen School of painters. (The Skagen Painters (Danish: Skagensmalerne) were a group of Scandinavian artists who gathered in the village of Skagen, the northernmost part of Denmark, from the late 1870s until the turn of the century.) The collection began with a print of Artists’ Luncheon at Skagen by P.S. Krøyer. The piece is hung in the entrance hall in a place that could almost be the room shown in the painting. Then the Waupaca Community Arts Board purchased another print Hip, Hip, Hurrah! also by Krøyer. He said he plans to have tables outside for people to gather much like those in the Hip Hip Hurrah print.

Michael Koehler’s eyes filled with the excitement you always see in them when he talks about Dane’s Hall, but this time he was talking about the art work.

With the two prints in his possession, Koehler wanted to see if he could get some originals from the Skagen School. Using the internet he was able to find a painting for sale in a Danish gallery. From that beginning he purchased more and even got some paintings from Danes in Denmark who owned paintings and gave them to Danes Hall. There are now 18 paintings in the collection in addition to the 11

Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

two prints.

While attendees roamed through the building, Marcia Jante manned a table selling Danish mobiles/papercuts, ornaments and books. Karen Vig-Keathley set up some National lodge items and information on the Danish Sisterhood of America.

Some of the attendees braved the wet weather and walked down Main Street to enjoy the many small shops. In honor of the rediedication, the shops displayed Danish flags.

By 6:00 p.m as guests invited by the Koehlers, we were all back at Danes Hall for the dinner.

It was a spectacular event held in the ball room.

While a musical group played, our members and friends mingled with the people from Waupaca and the people involved in the restoration. Some of us sat at a table with the photographer hired by Mr. Koehler to document the entire restoration process.

Marcia Jante gave a short talk about akvavit and then gave a toast. She said when the French gather they sing, the Spanish may have a mass, the Germans cheer for the fatherland, the Brits may read a sonnet and the Americans give a speech, but the Danes simply order another round of drinks. Michael Koehler welcomed everyone and gave the blessing.

We all enjoyed a dinner starting with a spinach salad and followed by roast pork, asparagus, red cabbage and mashed potatoes, ending with a coconut topped cake. There was wine from Denmark (A winery in Denmark Wisconsin) and beer in addition to the akvavit. Marcia of course got everyone to join in the snaps Song—“I want to drink the real elite, Aalborg Akvavit.” And as Danes will always do when they celebrate, Marcia had us all sing the Sailor’s Song, Greet Them at Home from Me. “Toward south toward north east and west, they ventured forth Young young Danes with homes and dreams, toward foreign shores Many thousand, thousand miles separate us from their smiles Swallow, fly o’er land and sea, and greet them all from me Greet the folks in Denmark.”

Annmarie Sawkins spoke as a representative of the Danish Consul and talked about the United States as a land of immigrants.

Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

It was a beautiful evening and everyone who attended was excited to be a part of Wisconsin history, 125 years after the Danes of Waupaca celebrated the first dedication of Danes Hall.

All day the rain had fallen and as the event drew to a close the temperatures were falling and the rain turned to snow. Most of our members were spending the night in Waupaca. Sunday morning we all left for home and drove through what was a winter wonderland of snow-covered trees and bushes.

Luckily the roads were mostly clear. Everyone drove home with happy memories and thoughts of what else we can do to continue to be a part of the “resurrection” of this historic building and the history of Danes in America.

70th Year Certificate Recipient This is Betty Haar who recently received her 70th year certificate in the Danish Sisterhood at a Freden Lodge luncheon.

Betty and her family used to own a Danish Bakery in Connecticut.

Certificates were also sent out to Barbara Sorensen for her 60 years and to Lille Peters for her 70 years.

We thank all these ladies for their faithfulness to Freden Lodge 12 and to the Sisterhood.

Carol Faruolo, Freden Lodge President

12

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

Hygge T- Shirt Red with white print M, L, XL, XXL $20 Greeting Cards blank inside, $1.00 each

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

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

Black baseball cap with Laser cut boxes heart logo in sequins (unassembled) for table $20.00 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, May 2020

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

Sisterhood Heart Makeup Compact With magnifying and regular mirrors. $5.00 Coral Pendant with Silver Filigree Red and silver necklace pendant $45.00

Red ball point pen with Sisterhood website address $5.00

DSS Fleece Jacket Available Red and Black $37.50

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, May 2020

14

DSS Angel Member Status The Danish Sisterhood has a new and very special member status, the DSS Angels. This status belongs to those members that wish to gift their funeral benefit back to the Sisterhood. We have had some members in the past make the Sisterhood their beneficiary. We believe this is a generous and significant gift, and wish to honor them while we can, keeping a list of our current “Angels” posted.

If you wish to change your status, please contact your lodge or National Secretary for a Beneficiary Change form. Your benefit does not need to be fully paid yet, and you would be expected to maintain your payments, as the Sisterhood will not receive the benefit until your passing. Those that do not have a funeral benefit as part of your membership category are welcome to participate by donating $1000 to the Danish Sisterhood, which can be sent to the National Treasurer.

On behalf of our entire membership, we wish to thank and honor as our first Angels: Lodge #

Name

166

Viola Wilson

168

Joann Scott

126

Dorothy Petersen

188

Karin Plagens

75

Sandra Nelson

22

Carole Hodges

15

Andrea Sue Welling Leih

12

Elizabeth Haar

177

Glenda Madrid

125

Nancy J. Mayland

171

Johanne Gade

102

Diann Weinman

149

Carol Smith

187

Meredith Sorensen

Address Changes If you have moved please use this form to notify the Danish Sisterhood of America.

Clip and mail to: Danish Sisterhood News National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St. Solvang, CA 93463 I belong to Lodge #: Name: New Address: City: State: Zip Code:

Submissions Guidelines Submissions should be received by the Editor by the 1st of the month previous to the month published (Deadlines can be found on page 2).

Please submit captions for pictures, including names of people in the picture.

Text for submissions should be less than 600 words (one typed page).

Mail or electronic submissions are welcomed The Editor will proofread for spelling and grammatical errors and will edit for clarity.

Upcoming Newsletter Deadlines July 2020 issue.........................Submit by June 1 August 2020 issue.....................Submit by July 1 September 2020 issue.........Submit by August 1 October 2020 issue.......Submit by September 1 November 2020 issue........Submit by October 1 December 2020 issue......Submit by October 15 January 2021 issue.........Submit by December 1 February 2021 issue..Submit by January 1, 2021 15

Danish Sisterhood News, May 2020

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Supreme Lodge of the Danish Sisterhood of America National Secretary: Glenda Madrid 1557 Oak St Solvang, CA 93463

The Danish Sisterhood News including, but not limited to, design, text, & graphics, are Copyright 2020 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.