Vestafjell VANDRER Vestafjell Lodge 6-146 Western Slope of Colorado Sons of Norway Vol. 27 No.1 Vestafjell Calendar January 4, Monday 1-2 PM. Reading group at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3133 F/Patterson Rd, Grand Junction, CO (referred to as SOV in this newsletter.) Lodge Library open to all. Call Leader Linda Lynch at 433-4113 for more info. January 11, Monday 1 PM, Lodge Meeting at Starvin' Arvin's Clifton. (NOTE: 2nd Monday, new time, new place for Vestafjell Lodge Meetings. Guest are always welcome) January 12, Tuesday 9 AM, Board meeting at home of Gladys Beals, 2953 Bonito Lane.241-6930 January 28, Thursday, 9 AM Ladies Breakfast, men at their own table, Denny's in Clifton. Guest are always welcome. February 1, Monday 1-2 PM Reading group at SOV. Lodge Library open to all. Call Leader Linda Lynch at 433-4113 for more info. February 8, Monday 1 PM Lodge Meeting at Starvin' Arvin's, Clifton. (NOTE: 2nd Monday, new time, new place for Vestafjell Lodge Meetings. Guest are always welcome) February 9, Tuesday 9 AM, Board Meeting at home of Gladys Beals, 2953 Bonito Lane. 241-6930. February 25, Thursday, 9 AM. Ladies Breakfast, men at their own table, Denny's in Clifton, Guests are welcome. March 5, Saturday 10 AM. 14th Annual Barnelopet Ski event for children on Grand Mesa at Skyline cross country ski area. Contact Ron Thoreson, 241-2094 for info and to help. March 7, Monday 1-2 PM. Reading group at SOV. All are welcome. Library is open. (Linda 433-4113) March 14, 1 PM. Lodge meeting at Starvin' Arvin's Clifton. (NOTE: 2nd Monday, new time, new place for Vestafjell Lodge Meetings. Guest are always welcome) ******** To carpool, call Barb at 245-5649, or Annette, 8586702. As we begin another year, I want to thank all you Members, Officers, and Committee Folks for your continuing support this last year as we worked our way through a series of successful events: celebrating our 25th Anniversary with a fine party, working with Arvid on a big Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, and again on a fine Torsk and Meatball Dinner and Auction. We faced a major challenge this fall, but with input from the board and cooperation from you members, we have set a new course for next year by changing our Lodge Meetings to a Weekday Lunch where we can just come and enjoy each others company. Lunch meetings at a restaurant will present some challenges, but your board is suggesting we start 'easy' with a little formality, and see how the room at Starvin' Arvin's works for us. We want to hear your ideas for these 'new style' meetings. Some folks have asked me how we will keep going, financially, if we do not do fund-raising. The good news is that as we end 2015, we 'are in the black' and have some time to consider how to manage with less income. We know we will be spending less on monthly expenses, such as rent to the church, paper/plastic supplies, and food provided for special meetings. We also expect to spend less on printing and on a simple updated directory. We will be relying more on email and Facebook to communicate with all of you. If you really need a phone call to remind you of meeting dates, call Glenice Overby, 523-5180, and she will put you on her 'phone list'. (Look on the back page of this newsletter for Facebook and web site info.) Barbara Firth, President
Page 2 BARNELØPET FOR FUN! Happy New Year! Vestafjell Lodge members, and welcome to a brand new year! One definite returning happening that many young skiers look forward to, as winter s short days give way to the longer, warmer days of spring, is our annual Vestafjell and District 6 Sons of Norway sponsored BarnelØpet. This year, our Fourteenth Annual, will be held on Saturday, March 5th. BarnelØpet is a Norwegian word that translated means the children s race. We hold these races, in cooperation with other winter enthusiasts of the Grand Mesa Nordic Council, on the beautiful Grand Mesa and at the Skyway Nordic Area, with its spectacular alpine setting. This is a day of thrilling, colorful, and sometimes-challenging, ski racing for kids ages 3 to 16. Our purpose is to introduce and promote the healthy and exhilarating sport of cross-country skiing, while emphasizing its connection to the people and culture of Norway and Scandinavia. After the eager, noisy, and exciting start, the kids race around their chosen courses as fast as they can to see how well they can ski this year. It s all about friendly competition and fun, and in the end, everyone will be a winner! I encourage all of you Vikings to come up to Skyway and cheer these young skiers on! Rental skis, boots, and poles are available at the incredibly low cost of only $2.00 per set up. This is thanks to a North Face Explore Fund grant that was received by the Nordic Council. To arrange for equipment, the contact is Anita Evans, Skis For Kids organizer at asevans54@gmail.com, or you may phone at 970-872-1168. Anita will need the following information no later than at least one week before the races : Name, Shoe Size, Height &Weight, and Ability (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert). A contact phone number would also be useful. BarnelØpet 2016 What: A fun, cross-country ski event for young people ages 3 to 16. Free lessons. Free races. Prizes, hot drinks and cookies. When: March 5, 2016 (Saturday). Where: Skyway Nordic Area on the Grand Mesa between mile markers 32 & 33. Times:10:00am Registration at Skyway. 11:00 Instructional Clinic. Free, learn to ski lessons. 12:00 1, 2. & 5 Kilometer Beginner Fun Races where everyone is a winner. What to Bring: Kids should bring their own equipment [there are rentals available see above]. Pack a lunch, as the event covers the middle part of the day. Bring cowbells, goat bells, or sleigh bells to cheer the racers on! Ron Thoreson, Sports Director A New Year wish to each of you
Page 3 January, February, March 2014 lindannlynch@gmail.com Phone: 433-4113 2016 VESTAFJELL LODGE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES The Vestafjell Lodge officers elected at the November 17, 2015 meeting are: President: Barbara A Firth, Email: bfirth5@msn.com Phone 245-5649 Vice President: vacant Secretary: Janice M. Booth, Email: jbooth@bresnan.net Phone: 243-0458 Treasurer:Gladys M Beals Email: gmbeals@bresnan.net Phone: 241-6930 Membership Secretary: Harriet A Smock, Email: bhsmock@q.com Phone: 242-3396 Counselor: Bud Smock, Email: bsmock55@q.com Phone: 242-3396 Social Director: Linda A. Lynch, Email: lindannlynch@gmail.com Phone: 433-4113 Editor: Janice Booth, Email: jbooth@bresnan.net Phone: 243-0458 Mailing List: Elaine M. Nelson, Email: glendive114@gmail.com Phone 778-0301 Cultural Director: Bud Smock, Email: bsmock55@q.com Phone 242-3396 Publicity Director: Annette R. Helgelien, Email:cohelge@charter.net Phone: 858-6702 Current Events of Norway: Marge Sehler, Email: norskmornd@peoplepc.com Phone: 434-0803 Greeters: Arletta VanTassel, Phone: 434-1295, Elaine Nelson, Harriet Smock Foundation Director: Elaine M. Nelson, Email: glendive114@gmail.com Phone 778-0301 Sports Directors: Ronald & Sallie Thoreson, Email: RonaldT900@aol.com Phone:249-1869 Musician: Duane Helgelien, Email: cohelge@charter.net Phone: 858-6702 Historian/Scrapbook: Elaine M. Nelson, Email: glendive114@gmail.com Phone: 778-0301 Volunteer Coordinator: Elaine M. Nelson, Email: glendive114@gmail.com Phone 778-0301 Adopt-A-School: Joyce Theyson, Email: joycetheyson@charter.net, Phone: 242-0251 Librarian/Reading Group Leader: Linda Lynch, Email: lindannlynch@gmail.com Phone: 433-4113 Genealogy Group Leader: Barbara A. Firth, Email: bfirth5@msn.com Phone: 245-5649 Tubfrim Stamps: Jenifer and John Oien, Email: jeniferoien@hotmail.com Phone 549-1582 Facebook & Website: Linda Lynch, Email: OUR VETERANS ***** VESTAFJELL LODGE MEETING November 8, 2015 The meeting was held at the SOV and called to order about 2:00 pm. Everyone was given a good welcome and we all Pledged Allegiance to the USA flag and sang Anthems. There were several birthdays acknowledged of which two members were present. The program was presented by Charles Barth who took us to Iceland and Norway on a slide show tour with excellent narration. He and a friend had gone to these countries to fish last summer and had a wonderful time. We learned that in Iceland hydroelectric and geothermal power supply are Iceland s primary energy and water sources as well as many other facts. It was a very interesting presentation. Marge Sehler, representing the Nominating Committee, announced the few candidates that were willing to serve There was discussion about a change to our schedule of meetings. Bud made a motion stating I move that Vestafjell Lodge adapt to the changing situation in our lodge, by discontinuing Sunday afternoon meetings at the end of this year, and beginning in January 2016, we schedule our meetings for a week day with no preparation of food. Charles Barth made a motion to accept and Elaine Nelson 2 nd it. A vote was taken by those present, and the motion passed to have the change starting in January 2016. After the change of schedule was approved, Marge presented a second slate, of officers and committee chairs who will serve with the new schedule. This list was approved by acclamation.
Page 4 Marge Sehler led us in honoring our Veterans, and all Veterans were acknowledged and a picture was taken. Each Veteran shared his name, rank and serial number and where and in what service he/she served. A poem of Thanksgiving was read by Jan Booth. The poem was titled This is what Thanksgiving means to me. The Dinner Prayer was sung and a delicious Turkey dinner was had by all. Turkey was furnished by the lodge with Bud and Harriet, Ardy and Elaine Nelson cooking the turkeys. A wide assortment of delicious potluck foods was provided by members. The meeting was adjourned about 3:30 pm. Respectfully submitted, Janice Booth, Secretary Annual Cultural Fest at the Mesa County Public Library Jan, Marge, Gladys and Barb ****** Vestafjell Board Meeting November 10, 2015 The Thanksgiving Spread was delicious! Winsome Bell Perry, a charter member of our lodge passed away November 10, 2015. We, Vestafjell Lodge members, extend our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family. Our Board meeting was held at the SOV and started at 9:00 a.m. Board Members present were Barb Firth, Bud and Harriet Smock, Marge Sehler, Elaine Nelson, Linda Lynch, Gladys Beals and Jan Booth. President Barb Firth thanked the nominating committee for gathering information about the officers for next year. The Oct 13, board minutes were read, reviewed and approved. Gladys gave a treasure s report and it was approved as well. It was discussed that a report needed to be prepared of our actual budget expenditures to date so we can present it to the members in January. All board members were encouraged to present anticipated expenses in 2016. We were reminded that the end of the year reports is coming due and to gather information. A report was given on the Mesa County Public Library Annual Cultural Fest that was held on Saturday, November 7th. Barb, Gladys, Marge and Jan were at our Sons of Norway table with displays and homemade flat bread. It was a great event and we shared information with many people who attended. It was agreed to give the usual donation of $100 to the Grand Mesa Nordic Council at the end of the year. Gladys was asked to send our accumulated Foundation donations to Minneapolis, the SON headquarters. The Christmas Dinner meeting was discussed and
Page 5 January, February, March 2014 there will be a Ham dinner with potluck sides and a VESTAFJELL LODGE MEETING Christmas cookie sale consisting of anything December 13, 2015 homemade. Unwrapped gifts and gift cards, as well as cash donations collected during the meeting, will be The meeting was called to order at 2:00 pm at the given to the Salvation Army. The meeting was Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church by President adjourned at 10:15. Barbara Firth. There were 20 members and 3 guests present. Barbara thanked all of those who brought Respectfully submitted, cookies and decorations that made the room look very Janice Booth, Secretary festive. The cookie sale did a brisk business, with some items sold as soon as they hit the table. Original picture painted by Bud Smock and photos of Bud and Harriet's trip to Norway. Arletta VanTassel our Greeter and Gladys Beals our Treasurer The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and Anthems were sung, led by Duane Helgelien. There were 11 members with December birthdays with special acknowledgment to Shirley Spangsberg on her 85 th birthday. President Barb Firth presented a 25 year pin to Arletta Van Tassel and 10 year pins to Annette and Duane Helgelien. The Uffda Singers led the members in singing Christmas Carols and related readings, including the biblical story of Christmas. Gifts, gift cards, and monetary donations for children will be taken to the Salvation Army this week. All enjoyed delicious ham prepared by Elaine Nelson accompanied by a wide variety of side dishes and desserts. Barb discussed the need to reduce costs next year. One of our biggest costs is printing and stamps. If you now get your newsletter by post office mail, we would like to change our records to send it by email. Please call Barb 245-5649, to make this change. Email messages from Vestafjell Lodge are now coming from Elaine Nelson's address. We are also updating the website and the Facebook page often. If you do not have email, or really need a phone reminder for meetings, call Barb to get you on a call list that Glenice Overby has offered to handle. Barb announced there will be no breakfast during the month of December. The next breakfast will be on Thursday January 28, at 9:00 am at Denny s in Clifton. The next lodge meeting is our first lunch meeting on Monday, January 11, at l:00 pm at Starvin Arvin s in Clifton. Wear your badge, sit in booths or at the long table. Come and be in on the discussion about what to include in these meetings. Barb thanked everyone for attending and the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Harriet Smock, Acting Secretary
Page 6 buyers. Gladys has sent our accumulated Foundation donations to the Minneapolis office. Our customary memorial donation to the Foundation in memory of Winnie Perry has also been sent. It was agreed that Gladys will send a check for $50 to the Salvation Army, reflecting cash donations at the December meeting Linda Lynch will deliver gift cards and gifts for children to Salvation Army this week. The board worked out the budget for 2016 during the remainder of the meeting. Barb will forward our plan to Elaine Nelson, and the budget will be presented to members at the January lodge meeting on Monday January 11. Happy lefse makers Gladys, Marge, Barb and Linda Respectfully Submitted, Linda Lynch, Acting Secretary Det Norske Sellsak I Vestafjell Lefse to sell at the cookie sale VESTAFJELL BOARD MEETING December 15, 2015 Our Board meeting was held at the SOV and started at 9:00 a.m. Board Members present were President Barb Firth, Bud and Harriet Smock, Linda Lynch, and Gladys Beals. The Nov. 10 board minutes were read, reviewed and approved with one change. The $100 sent to the Grand Mesa Nordic Council in November was not a donation, but was our payment for liability insurance for the the March 6, 2016 Barnelopet event. Gladys gave the treasurer s report and it was approved. Gladys reported that our Christmas Cookie Sale netted $147.00. Thanks to all the bakers and Our Reading group meets at the SOV Church the first Monday of each month from 1-2 PM. The reading group is open to all and remember that our library is open during this time. We have a good selection of books to choose from, so come and find a good book from our library. Linda Lynch, Facilitator TUBFRIM Don't forget to clip your postage stamps and bring them to the the next lodge meeting. Please give your stamps to Jenifer or John Oien.. Also, Adopt a school is still going strong, keep collecting books and soup labels. Thank you to everyone and anyone who has given me books for the Kiddos. They love them. Please bring your box top education coupons/labels and give them to Joyce Theyson.
Page 7 January, February, March 2014 PLEASE SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS FOR THE VESTAFJELL NEWSLETTER TO THE EDITOR, jbooth@bresnan.net, BIRTHDAYS January At a recent lodge meeting, I did not have much time to give my report so I said Buy life insurance while you can. That brought a few chuckles and had me backtracking. I did not mean buy insurance before you die, I meant buy life insurance while you can afford it. A 69 year-old male with standard rating would pay $465 per month for a $100,000 whole life policy. A 49 year-old male with a select rating would pay $158 per month for a $100,000 whole life policy. A 29 year-old female with a super select rating would pay $53 per month for a $100,000 whole life policy. The premium does not change so the 29 year will still be paying $53 per month when she is 69. The point is, life insurance premiums are largely driven by age and health. If you have a young child or grandchild, you would be doing them a favor if you helped them to understand this concept. If you want help, call or email me. Mike Johaneson 720 971-0130 or mjohaneson@gmail.com Hal Rolfson Cecil Tapey Elaine Nelson Bud Smock February 3 4 14 25 Lillie Huwe Florence Vuk 4 4 Janice Kirkwood Robert Andrews Annette Helgelien John Welch Arletta Van Tassel Gladys Beals Beverly Kampf 10 11 14 15 21 25 26
Page 8 VESTAFJELL VANDRER The official newsletter of Sons of Norway Vestafjell Lodge 6-146 Editors: Jan Booth 613 ½ Arapahoe Way Grand Junction, Colorado 81506 Email address: jbooth@bresnan.net Vestafjell Web Site Address: www.vestafjelllodge.org Facebook/Vestafjell Lodge 6-146 (Public Group) Disclaimer: Names, phone numbers and addresses listed in the newsletter must not be redistributed or used for commercial purposes. Vandrer newsletter is in color on the web site VESTAFJELL LODGE 6-146 Return Mail Address: 613 ½ Arapahoe Way Grand Junction, CO 81506 HAPPY NEW YEAR Clip Stamp for Tubfrim