2015 Stevne – St. Cloud, MN

The first joint stevne of Valdres Samband and Vestlandslag was held on June 18-20, 2015 at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Activities throughout the three day event reinforced the shared Norwegian heritage  between the two bygdelags. Registration opened Thursday and Friday mornings at 8 o’clock, with Valdris Tom Standal and Vestlander Curt Cornell working the desk of their respective organizations.

The genealogy rooms also opened at that time for family historians. Valdres researchers were assisted by Genealogist Patricia Strot. Each lag in Vestlandslag had its own genealogist helping members. The hospitality room opened at 8 am all three days for coffee; sweets, including Norwegian treats, and socializing.

Thursday, June 18th

Jean Marthaler and Darin Flansburg (in lieu of Blaine Hedberg) presented the seminar “Genealogy”  at 9 o’clock Thursday. The two 7th cousins once removed gave suggestions and hints regarding genealogy research. A few internet sites suggested were SAGA, Scandinavian-American Genealogy Association; Norwegian Digital Archieves, which contains a probate section; Heritage Quest; Norwegian Heritage; and Ancestry.

One thing to consider in research is that some older church records include birth records in which only the father is listed. “Mother doesn’t exist,” said Jean. Another thing is to use your local library, as it is part of a regional library, which means more information.

After a coffee break LaVern Christianson, as “Harald Hardrada, Last Viking King,” told about his life and times. At one point, Harald joined the army of Olaf, his older half-brother. Olaf was killed in a battle; whereas Harald was injured but hidden and saved by soldiers and took his brother’s place. He was also the best, smartest, and strongest member of the Byzantine guards. The Empress charged Harald with  embezzlement, but it was a false charge – she had wanted to marry him, as looting had made him the richest man in the world. Harald and his men took off for Norway, where he started Oslo; it was a good place to anchor his ships when not in war. Unlike his half-brother Olaf, who became St. Olaf, Harald was a hard ruler, he got rid of desenters. Harald died in the Battle of Hastings fought against William the Bastard, who became William the Conquerer. The Viking Age ended in 1066.

After a poolside lunch two buses began loading at 1:15 for a four-hour tour. At the Stearns County Museum, Archivist Seve Penick spoke about the Prohibition Days in Stearns County. Not appreciating the loss of their traditions, the German-American populace mostly ignored the 18th Amendment. County law acted as lenient as possible. Not all moonshine stayed local; there was a distribution network to Minneapolis Chicago and the Dakotas. Turf wars took place. The book Minnesota 13 tells the story of the  violence taking place during the 1920s and 30s. Violence was not uncommon in the 1920s and 30s.

We then viewed the museum’s many displays; among them, the local granite industry and the 1919 PAN Car, once manufactured in St. Cloud. Cameras came out in force while the group visited the beautiful and manicured Munsinger / Clemons Gardens, the final stop.

On returning to the Kelly Inn, tour goers were surprised and happy to be entertained by accordion music played by Earl Evenstad.

Thursday Evening

After a poolside pizza buffet dinner and before the 7:30 seminar, many stevne goers went to support our  vendors, who reinforce our heritage with Norwegian-related merchandise. Dixie Hansen’s presentation, “Eeney Meeney Miney Moe, Test My DNA, or No?,” explored aspects of DNA testing. She said, “One-tenth of one percent of one’s make-up makes one unique.” At a charge of $99 each, her DNA was tested by the three companies that test for genealogy: 23 and Me, Family Tree DNA, and Ancestry; she received three different results. Autosomal and mitochondrial are two terms to consider when contemplating DNA testing. The former works for men and women but the latter for men only because there is no surname to check back on. More information available at: dxhansen.com/DNA-Handout.pdf

Friday, June 19th

On Friday morning, the Silent Auction began at 8 o’clock and ran until 3 o’clock that afternoon. Thanks to the guidance of Vicki Hart and the generosity of stevne attendees, it was a big success for Valdres Samband.

Norse mythology was the subject of “In the Beginning of Time,” Jan Smith’s 9 o’clock presentation. A little bit of her story said there was no sun or moon in the beginning of time. There were three entities or masses: fire, ice and between them, an area of melting slush and slime. A spark from fire caused movement and life. A cow licked the slush area and uncovered a being; trolls sprang from between its toes, and from its armpits came a male and female. Odin, one of their three offspring, created man and a rainbow reaching from Asgaard to Gimli as a mode of transportation to the other world after death.

A video of the “Call of the Lur” began the 10:15 joint ceremony. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis gave a warm welcome to those in attendance. He also informed the crowd that the land on which the city now stands was once owned by a Norwegian. In the mid-1800s, 320 acres were sold for $100 per acre by one Ole Bergeson.

Norwegian Honorary Consul General Gary Gandrud also welcomed the group and made a few remarks about his fellow Norwegians. “As an immigrant group, Norwegians were never discriminated against.” He also said that Norwegian-Americans have the closest relationship with the old country; which might explain why “Sixty American organizations were involved in the 200th Anniversary of Norway’s Constitution”. Gandrud also noted it’s a big challenge today to instill a love for our heritage in young people “because they have a plethora of interests”. 

After a memorial service, Odd Lovoll spoke about Norwegian emigration. In his book, Beyond the Deep Blue Sea, Lovoll describes the route and voyage of Norwegian immigrants, who eventually settled in America and Canada, via Quebec and not New York. A few points mentioned: Most ships with passengers left Norway in April for a trip that could last from six to 12 weeks. Filth, stink, and illness made for wretched conditions,  which were made worse when hatches were closed as waves splashed over the ship during storms.

The captain of the ship had the final word. Social distinction was very clear cut in the ship’s crew. “America Fever” had hit Valdres in about 1850, and there was a huge emigration from that area. In 1850 New York was no longer the main gateway to America. After transporting Norwegian passengers to Quebec, Norwegian ships hauled timber back to Europe for the British Navigation Fleet.

According to Lovoll, New York preferred Swedes and Danes; Canada, Norwegians and Icelanders. Emigration caused changes in Norway’s social structure; the impoverished left and families became smaller.

After a poolside lunch, Bruce Weaver II presented a slide show of news stories, drawings and photos in relating not only “A Norwegian’s Journey in Imigrating to America,” but also the journey once in America. “Strong hope is nerving them for the discomforts of their voyage,” he said of those embarking on a  new life. Trips did not always go as planned. On August of 1862, on Lake Erie, the steamer Atlantic, on which Weaver’s ancestors were passengers, collided with the Ogdensburg, which continuted on its voyage for an hour before turning back to rescue Atlantic’s passengers. Weaver’s great-great-grandparents, their son and daughter (Weaver’s great-grandmother) survived; 300 others did not. 

At 3 o’clock Shirley Evenstad, prize-winning rosemaler, started teaching techniques of that art. The class of  12 included participants of all ages. 

Friday evening’s festivities began with the Bunad Style show at 6 o’clock. Young and old modeled bunads from their areas of Norway. After admiring the beautiful traditional bunads, the crowd sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O’ Canada.” The Norwegian table prayer was then sung. Following a delicious banquet meal, the entertainment began. Art Bjorngjeld’s and Earl Evenstad’s accordions filled the ball room with old time music. Taking advantage of traditional Norwegian dance tunes, several couples whirled around the dance floor.

Saturday June 20th

The hospitality room was open from 8 to 11:30 am for coffee, treats and socializing with old and new friends.

Throughout Saturday forenoon, individual lags held meetings. After a poolside lunch at 12:15, and except for the Valdres Samband-Vestlandslag joint officers’ meeting, the first successful joint stevne was over.