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www.danishsisterhood.com
Volume 76, Number 5
I hope everyone were able to celebrate the Queen’s birthday in some shape or form, and had a nice and fun Easter.
By now delegate to the National Convention should have received all of the By-law proposals, so please be sure that you go through them ay your next lodge meetings, so your delegate can vote appropriately on behalf of the lodge. If you are a delegate and have not received the proposal changes, please reach out to National Secretary Glenda immediately.
At the time you are going through the Bylaw proposals for our Convention with the theme, Building Our Future, I would want you to recall why you joined the Sisterhood and what keeps you here. How can you attract new members, and if you were not already a member would you join your lodge? I am not expecting answers, but we need to think about these topics at meetings when Building Our Future.
What do you enjoy the most about your lodge meetings? At my lodge we just made changes, so our monthly meetings are more about gatherings with food, speakers or other interesting Danish topics, and business discussions have been moved partially online. We did this as most of our members enjoy learning something about Denmark and Danish traditions, and we are hoping that we will see more members and visitors coming in the door. Wish us luck!
Let us know what you have done to fulfill your lodge members wishes, and what was successful. We can all learn from each other, so share your successes by including them in your lodge reports and newsletter articles.
Christina Sallee, President
Honorary Member Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark
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: 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: Christina Sallee, Lodge #81 16116 SW Deline Ct, Beaverton, OR 97007-3425 (503) 928 4494 president@danishsisterhood.com
National Vice President & Scholarship Chairman: Nealna Gylling, Lodge #186 1474 Floan Point Rd, Brainerd, MN 56401 612-390-1374 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 & Website Chairman: Anna Nielsen #20 (262) 412-4482 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
Spring has sprung! I hope all of you are enjoying the nicer weather and bloomig trees and flowers. We had a slow start to the season this year, but now spring is really starting to hit!
As I was picking a cover image for this issue, I was day-dreaming about visiting the beaches of Denmark and seeing the North Sea once again. I bet it is pretty spectacular in Denmark in the spring--I've only been in the late summer and the fall.
I hope that as we approach the warmer months and everyone is busy makig plans and doing get-togethers and traveling, that you remember to get together with your lodge sisters and brothers, take lots of photos, and maybe have a Danish hot-dog or two. And if you're traveling to Denmark, we definitely want to hear about that!
Before we know it, Convention will be here in October and with it, lots of fun and camaraderie. I hope you will all join us and take part in our organization's biggest event.
Let's keep growing the Danish SIsterhood and sharing all of the things we love about our heritage.
Until next time,
Lauren C. Nielsen, Editor editor@danishsisterhood.comTitle: Rubjerg Knude
Location: Jutland, DK
Photo submitted by: Laurel Covell
Rubjerg Knude is located in Hjorring, Denmark on the coast of the North Sea. In 2019, the lighthouse was moved inland on skates due to coastal erosio and is still a popular attraction for visits.
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
Lori McConnell
Carol Lake
Marilyn Larsen
Phyllis Martina
Constance Mackey
Hanne Rudolph
Hanne Forbing
Michelle Haines
Jaice Zigler
Janice Zigler
Else Lassiter
Barbara Pedersen
Andrea Thomsen
Yvonne Meyer
Mary Jo Wiedey
The NE-CO District Meeting will be held on September 9, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska. It will be held at Grace Lutheran Church
You are invited to the Danebod Campus in Tyler, Minnesota, to join our 77th annual Folk Meeting August, 16-20, 2023. Founded in the Danish folk school tradition of lifelong learning, we gather each year on the beautiful historic Danebod Campus. This hidden gem on the prairie features a residential living, learning and socializing experience. Take a break and join your fellow guests who will arrive from across the United States, meet new friends and rekindle old relationships. Come and relax under the blue summer sky and join us for singing, socializing, dining, folk dancing and learning.
The Folk Meeting learning experience travels many and diverse pathways. In 2023 you will engage in, and perhaps discover an awakening in, our lecture series featuring experts in their chosen fields. We will feature presentations in areas such as bio-compliance, the science of philosophy, steelpan drums and the Caribbean culture, information overload, the world of cyber security and much more.
Experiential learning will allow you to experience your creative side by choosing an area such as foundational skills of drawing and sketching, a walkabout history tour of the Danebod Campus, a reader’s theater or perhaps writing a blues song. Additionally, the 2023 Danebod Folk Meeting is planning to live-stream its lectures and story-telling events. In 2020 and 2021, due to COVID constraints, the Folk Meeting ventured into an online world through Zoom™ technology.
On-line streaming proved to be popular and will be offered in 2023 for those who cannot attend in person. For the 2023 meeting, if you are interested in attending in person or live-streaming, contact the Danebod Church office at 507-247-3000. Please visit the Folk Meeting website at danebodfolkmeeting.org.
As you have been reading in the Sisterhood News, the National Danish Sisterhood Archives (historical materials) were relocated to the Museum of Danish America (MoDA) in 2016. Between 20192021, the files were transferred to acid free archival grade boxes and folders, helping to preserve the originals for the future. Last month we shared information about the details of the NEW ONLINE ARCHIVAL PROJECT.
What is the next phase of the Sisterhood Online Archival Project?
Now it is time to again move forward and make these valuable historic materials available online to ALL Sisterhood members. The next phase of the Sisterhood Archival Project will involve scanning the 300 Danish Sisterhood Secretary and Treasurer Ledgers and all issues of the Danish Sisterhood News. Convention materials and photograph albums may also be scanned, if funding is available.
How will this online archival project be accomplished?
The project will involve hiring an archives intern to work at the museum for 6 months, renting an overhead book scanner and uploading all the materials to the Museums online library.
How can the lodge and individual members be involved in this preservation project?
The budget for this two year project is $30,000. We are seeking individual member donations as well as lodges to donate to this project. THE GREAT news is ………………..WE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED DONATIONS and are on our way!
We encourage lodges and individuals to make their gifts or pledges by September 30, 2023. By that date, we will know if we have secured enough support to begin recruiting an intern to implement the
project in 2024. It is easy to donate immediately or make a pledge payable over the next three years. See the attached pledge form for complete information. If you need additional pledge forms for an individual gift, please contact your lodge officer or call the Museum of Danish America development department at 712-7647001.
All donations and pledges should be sent to:
Museum of Danish America
2212 Washington St, Elk Horn, IA 51531
Attn: Sisterhood Online Archive Campaign
Make your check payable to: Museum of Danish America, with a note on a letter or on the memo line to designate your gift to the “Sisterhood Online Archive.” All donations are tax deductible.
We hope you will consider supporting this effort to preserve our Sisterhood History. Watch the Danish Sisterhood News for a monthly column on the progress of our campaign. It will provide more information on the project and keep you current on our fundraising.
The Danish Sisterhood and Museum of Danish America 40th Anniversary Partnership Committee thanks you for your help! Feel free to contact us for additional information.
Tova Brandt, Museum of Danish America, Tova. Brandt@danishmuseum.org
Mindy Brown, Lodge 21, mindysbrown@hotmail.com
Cheyenne Jansdatter, Museum of Danish America, cjansddatter@danishmuseum.org
Marcia Jante, Lodge 15, mjante@wi.rr.com
Karen Vig-Keathley, National Board DSS, trustee3@ danishdsisterhood.com
John Rassmussen, Lodge 300, johnfrasmu@gmail.com
Elizabeth Steffensen, Lodge 4, esteffensen@yahoo. com
The Museum of Danish America is honored to be the caretaker of the national Danish Sisterhood archival collection. With support from DSS members and lodges across the country, this important collection was organized, processed, and cataloged in 2019-2021. The next priority for this collection is to make the most unique and valuable contents accessible online. Your contributions to this campaign will directly support the development of an online library of DSS archival materials.
• This gift is from Danish Sisterhood Lodge # Lodge Name
Contact person name
Address___________________________________________ City/State/ZIP ______________________________________
Email ____________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________
• This gift should be credited to my spouse/partner and to me
Donor Name______________ ____________ Spouse/Partner’s Name_______________________________
Address___________________________________________ City/State/ZIP ______________________________________
Email ____________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________
• I/We wish to make an outright gift of: $10,000 $5,000 $3,000 $1,000 Other $______________ payable to “Museum of Danish America" (check enclosed) (Please contact our Development Department at 712.764.7001 for gifts of stock/securities or to pay with a credit card.)
PLEDGE
• I/We wish to pledge a total gift of $____________________payable by December 31, 2023
• I/We wish to pledge a total gift of $ ___________________ payable in Quarterly Semi-annual Annual equal installments of $________________________________ beginning in _______________ (month/year) and ending by _________________ (on or before December 31, 2025)
• I/We wish to receive pledge reminder letters, based on the above payment schedule
• I/We do not wish to receive reminders
• I/We wish to make our gift In Memory Of_______________________________________________________________
• I/We wish to make our gift In Honor Of ________________________________________________________________
DONOR SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________________ DATE _____________
DONOR SIGNATURE ____________________________________________________________ DATE _____________
by Donna Christensen Thomas, National DSS Historian
My DSS newsletter article in February article focused on Omaha's Lodge #6 longtime member of 67 years!, Jean Marie (Katzenstein) Davidson. She had shared that her family is descended from Hans Egede. But who was he? A summary from Wikipedia follows as well as his legacy in modern day.
Hans Poulsen Egede (31 Jan1686-5 Nov 1958) was a Dano-Norwegian Lutheran missionary. He was born in Harstad, Norway, nearly 150 miles north of the Arctic Circle. His paternal grandfather had been a vicar in Vester Egede on southern Zealand, Denmark. Hans was tutored by an uncle, a clergyman in a local Lutheran Church. In 1704 he travelled to Copenhagen to enter the University of Copenhagen, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Theology. He became ordained and was assigned to a parish on the remote island of Lofoten. He married Gertrud Rasch (or Rask), who was thirteen years his senior. Four children were born to the couple, two boys and two girls.
While at Lofoten, Egede heard stories about the old Norse settlements on Greenland. Contact had been lost for three hundred years. He sought permission from Frederick IV of Denmark-Norway to search for the colony and establish a mission there. (Denmark ruled Norway for about four hundred years until about 1800). He gave his consent to at least partially re-establish a colonial claim on the island. Egede established the Bergen Greenland Company with monies given by Bergen merchants, Frederick IV, and the Royal Mission College. Egede, his wife and four children departed Bergen in May 1721 along with forty other colonists for a two months long voyage. Searching for months for descendants of the old Norse colonists, he found only the local Kalaallit people and began studying their language.
A common myth states that, as the Inuit had no bread nor any idea of it, Egede adapted the Lord's Prayer as "Give us this day our daily seal".
By the end of the first winter, many of the colonists had been stricken with scurvy and most returned home as soon as they could. They were supplied with provisions sent by the king every few years. He established a whaling station on Nipisat Island in 1723, a fort named "Godt-Haab" or Good Hope," which became the future Godthåb. In 1724 he baptized the first child converts, two of whom would travel to Denmark and there inspire Count Zinzendorf to begin the Moravian missions. The Moravians established a station which became the nucleus of modern Nuuk, Greenland's capital. Unfortunately, a ship also brought the island smallpox which became an epidemic among the Inuit and in 1735 it claimed Gertrud Egede. Hans carried her body back to Denmark for burial the next year, leaving his son Poul to carry on his work.
Egede's book The Old Greenland's New Perlustration appeared in 1729 and was translated into several languages. In Copenhagen he was named Superintendent of the Greenland Mission Seminary and in 1741 the Lutheran Bishop of Greenland. A catechism for use in Greenland was completed by 1747. He died on 5 Nov 1758 at the age of 72 in Stubbekøbing, Falster island, Denmark.
Egede's legacy according to Wikipedia: Egede became something of a national "saint" of Greenland. The town of Egedesminde (meaning "Memory of Egede") commemorated him. It was established by Hans's son, Niels, in 1759 on the Eqalussuit peninsula. It was to the island of Aasiaat in 1763, which had been the site of a pre-Viking Inuit settlement. His grandson and namesake Hans Egede Saabye also became a missionary to Greenland and published a celebrated diary of his time there.
The Royal Danish Geographical Society established the Egede Medal in his honor in 1916. The medal is in silver and awarded 'preferably for
geographical studies and researches in the Arctic countries'.
A crater on the Moon is named after him: the Egede crater on the south edge of the Mare Frigoris (the Sea of Cold). The historical fiction novel "The Prophets of Eternal Fjord" narrates a tale of a missionary priest under Egede's instruction embarking upon Greenland to convert its indigenous peoples to Christianity."
Statues of Hans Egede stand watch over Greenland's capital in Nuuk and outside of Frederik's Church (Marmorkirken) in Copenhagen. Egede's statue at Frederick's Church was vandalized with the word "Decolonize" spray-painted on its base on June 20, 2020, during worldwide protests against memorials of colonial figures. Another Egede statue in Nuuk, Greenland was likewise
vandalized ten days later. In a subsequent vote, 921 voted to keep the statue while 600 wanted it removed.
Hans Egede gave one of the oldest descriptions of a sea serpent, now believed to have been a giant squid. On 6 July 1734 he wrote that this ship was off the Greenland coast when those on board "saw a most terrible creature, resembling nothing they saw before. The monster lifted its head so high that it seemed to be higher than the crow's nest on the mainmast. The head was small and the body short and wrinkled. The unknown creature was sing giant fins which propelled it through the water. Later the sailors saw its tail as well. The monster was longer than our whole ship."
The March meeting of the Danish Sisterhood Amber Lodge was held at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN.
Linda Buck presented a program on Danish knitting. Along with Danish knitting traditions, she spoke about the general history of knitting, highlighting early orgins and commonalities among regions and countires. It was fun to hear about her observations and experiences with different fiber art finds while traveling. Linda also shared several books, magazines, patterns, needles and examples of yarns. The following picture shows Linda demonstrating a holder that allows the knitter to create on the go, whether walking or doing other tasks.
Following the program, we enjoyed a potluck lunch with many delicious options. The business meeting then closed out our March gathering.
Jane Matthies-Holtan, CorrespondantDSS Room Rate: $165 per night plus applicable tax, fees, single or double occupancy
Prices honored 3 days pre/post convention depending on room availability Call 800-333-3333, M - F 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Ask for: 2023 National Convention for our block of rooms.
Or book on their website – www.radissonblumoa.com
Use booking link: 2023 National Convention – Radisson Blu Mall of America
Promo code : DANSIS
You can also reserve using the QR Code --- >>
***Note the deadline of August 15***
October 5-8, 2023
Registra)on Deadline – August 1, 2023
Please indicate selec)ons:
Thursday, Oct 5 1: - 4:00 Twin Ci,es Highlight Tour (min 30) $ __50 _ $____________
7:00 Opening night dessert recep,on $ -0- Y_____N_____ (No host cocktail & coffee bar)
Friday, Oct 6th
9:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 1:30 pm
1:30 – 2:30
2:30 – 3:00
3:00 – 4:30
Breakfast - (on your own)
Conven,on Opening Ceremony & Business
Morning break – (included)
General Mee,ng
Lunch – (on your own)
General Mee,ng
ATernoon Break –
General Mee,ng
5:30 – 6:30 No Host Cocktail Recep,on
6:30 – 10:00
Dinner and Entertainment $__80 ___ $____________
Walleye ______ Chicken Wellington_______ Angel Hair Pesto (Veg) _______
Saturday, Oct 7th
Breakfast - (on your own)
8:30 – 9:00 am Reading of the Minutes (required of Delegates)
9:00 – 10:30
10:30 – 11:00
11:00 – 12:00
12:00 – 1:30 pm
1:30 – 3:00
5:30 – 6:30
6:30 – 7:00
7:00 – 11:00
General Mee,ng
Morning Break – (included)
General Mee,ng
Lunch - (on your own)
General Mee,ng, ATernoon Break
General Mee,ng – Workshops following
No Host Cocktail Recep,on
Installa,on of Officers
Dinner and Entertainment
$__90.__ $___________
Beef tournedo ______ Alaskan Salmon _______ Ar,choke Feta Cannoli (Veg) ______
Special dietary needs:
Registra)on Fee $_______30.00
TOTAL DUE: $______________
Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________________________
City______________________________________________________State_________Zip __________
Telephone/Cell _______________________ Email _________________________________________
Check one: Natl Officer ______ Delegate, Lodge #______, Alternate, Lodge # ______, Guest Lodge #_______
Guest City ___________________________
Please make checks payable to: Danish Sisterhood of America
Remit to: Linda Brooks, Na,onal Treasurer, 8402 Winter Berry Dr, Castle Rock, CO 80108
Cancella)ons must be received by September 1, 2023, No Refunds can be made aTer this date !
The National Convention will soon be here. It is during the convention that we ask our membership to elect a new board. We are looking for members interested in leading and supporting our organization for the next term. All positions are open!
This month we are sharing the general responsibilities of our National Board officers, the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
To be elected to the office of National President, a member in good standing in a local lodge must have served at least one term on the National Board and have served as President of a local lodge, district or general committee.
The Vice President is responsible to officiate in the absence of the President. The Vice President also examines the voucher records for the organization. Along with this the Vice President (and trustees) assume duties based on interest and talents. During the past term, the elected vice president was assigned the responsibility of maintaining and updating the website and social media accounts. At the resignation of the vice president, a trustee was appointed to be vice president. At this time, the duties for administering scholarships transferred to the vice president and the new trustee assumed the website and social media duties.
The board member (vice president or trustee) in charge of scholarships is responsible to communicate available scholarships and grants to members. This board member finds judges for scholarship selection, communicates with recipients of grants and scholarships (and their lodges), acknowledges donations to the scholarship program and answers questions about scholarships and grants. This person also keeps the application and judging process updated.
The National Secretary is the steward of our records, keeping accurate records of board meeting minutes, membership records, correspondence and other reporting as required. The Secretary maintains the organization’s database, continually updating for new memberships, recording deaths and resignations, transfers, and data changes to beneficiaries, addresses, emails. The Secretary prepares the bi-monthly voucher, sent to the Treasurer for bill payment. Day-to-day responsibilities include interacting with individual members and lodge officers. This role is critical to preserving the records of our membership for future generations.
The National Treasurer is the steward of all our financial records, verifying the accuracy of all bank and investment accounts. All financial information is housed in Quickbooks and the treasurer is responsible for all input of payments for individual and lodge yearly dues, Buttiken orders, donations and any other received. This also includes monthly reconciliation of those accounts to keep our books in balance. The Treasurer is also responsible for paying all bills as presented by the National Secretary via a bi-monthly voucher. The position is also liaison with the Payroll and Audit companies, sending monthly payroll information and forwarding all materials needed for our annual audit. This role interacts with individual as well as lodge board members to answer questions and make sure our communication with the same is at a high standard.
*** Please reach out to any of the current board members for more information on their current roles. If you would like to be considered for a board position, please submit a resume’ and letter of interest to Glenda Madrid, National Secretary, at secretary@danishsisterhood.com.
When disaster hits home it can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. In the spirit of why the Danish Sisterhood was started, we’re here to assist you as best we can.
Below are the criteria to be eligible for assistance.
• Fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires and civil disturbances.
• Member of the Sisterhood 1-year or more, in good standing
• Must reside in the area affected (your home, not a rental)
• Displaced from home due to the disaster
• Assistance solely on need as determined by majority of the National Board
Member Name _______________________________________ Lodge # _________________
Member yrs Referred by_____________________________________________
Please explain member’s situation and need: _______________________________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________
Would you be willing to let us print your story in the DSS Newsle6er? We would like to let our membership know where their dona;ons have gone and that we are working towards our relief goals. Y _____ N _____ (No $ amount will be noted for contributor or recipient)
Signature of Lodge President ____________________________________________ Date ______________ ________________________
To be completed by the Na1onal Board
Contributed Amount $______________ Match Amount $ _____________ Date Issued _________________
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.
On behalf of our entire membership, we wish to thank and honor as our first Angels:
Name
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
Viola Wilson
Joann Scott
Dorothy Petersen
Karin Plagens
Sandra Nelson
Carole Hodges
Andrea Sue
Welling Leih
Elizabeth Haar
Glenda Madrid
Nancy J. Mayland
Johanne Gade
Diann Weinman
Susan R. Fisher
Lou Ann Jensen
Hanne Skaarup
Else Lassiter
Pamela H. Ruben
Carolyn Sias
Ruth M. Brigden
Kristine Huss
Seena Drapala
Margaret Wetzel
Verina Farrell
Lorraine Buchanan
Janice L. Schneider
Debra Spotz
Vicki Bousquet
Marianne Larsen
Bente Bob
Linda Holz
Janelle Willis
Margaret Schoewe
I belong to Lodge #: Name: New Address: City: State: Zip Code:
Submissions should be received by the Editor by the 1st of the month previous to the month published.
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 Please proofread for clarity, spelling and grammar before sending in your submissions.
