Swedish-American Society  Newsletter, May, 2000 Edition President: Leland Peterson 489-7061 Web master: Larry Leonardson 721-6827

page 1

When Last We Met  The April meeting of the Swedish-American Society was held Sunday, April 16th. The social hour was from 4 to 5 p.m., during which time we enjoyed a variety of hors de’oeurves and beverages.  At 5, we joined together in singing “Du Gama”, “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”, and prayed the Swedish Table Grace, “I Jesu Namn”. The entree consisted of lamb served in a variety of ways, accompanied by vegetables, bread and fabulous desserts, especially the Swedish desserts prepared by Ingrid Thorell, which were “out of this world” delicious as well as beautiful to see.   After the meal, the children gathered in another room for their craft time which was led by Mary Jo Milner this month.  They made adorable little Easter Bunnies.  Our President, Leland Peterson introduced the guests including Eric Boninger, who has now become our newest members, and his financee Jan Hassell, and also Kristina Bissett, who is a friend of the Bertleruds.  Leland announced that he was donating a song book in memory or former member Nel Anderson.  He suggested that perhaps other members may be interested in donating a song book in memoriam.  Ten song books have been purchased by members, and ten belong to the class.   Ted Johnson led us in singing from the song books, including “Gubben Noah,” “Helan Gar,” “Kostervacsen,” and “Halsa dem darhemma.”  Don Lundquist, our Treasurer, announced that our treasury was in good shape.  After the short business meeting, Leland introduced Anders Thorell of the Chesapeake Volvo-Penta Corp., who gave a very informative presentation on “A Swedish Industrial Success.”  Anders has been with Volvo for 23 years, and is the manager of the Corp.  The word Volvo in Latin means “I roll.”  Volvo was founded in 1927 by Gustav Larsson and Assar Gabrielson.  The first car was the “Jakob.”  The Volvo Group includes cars, trucks, buses, boats, and aircraft.  They are manufactured in Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands - the largest plant being in Gotenburg, Sweden.  They are the 2nd largest manufacturer of buses and the leading manufacturer of construction equipment.  They also make the double decker buses in London. The presentation was followed by the raffle led by Andy Andersson.  The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.  There  were 42 people present, including 6 children.     Respectfully Submitted,     Georgie Unser - Secretary

DIRECTIONS TO OUR MEETINGS  If coming from the peninsula, take I-64 across the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, follow 64 to 264 East (144). Follow 264 to the Witchduck Road exit, after exiting, turn left onto Witchduck Road. About 1/4 to ½ mile is Ruritan Drive (fire station light is there). Turn left on Ruritan, go the end of the street, building is on the left   CHILDREN’S CORNER The childrens craft this month is a repeat from last year’s popular Midsömmar pole.  Dried flowers and tiny ribbons will be needed, please donate these items if possible. We will try to have extra poles available if adults would like to make their own poles this year.  .  For June’s craft, we need terra cotta flower pots and their saucers.  If you have any to donate, please bring them to this month’s meeting so Nellie can prepare them for the June craft RAARAKOR  (A KIND OF SWEDISH POTATOES) Serving Size  : 1 Categories    : Main dish  Low-cal Vegetables  --------  ------------  --------------------------------   90       g            Potatoes -- peeled   1/2      ts           Salt    1        t            Oil or margarine Grate the potato. Heat a frying pan. Take 1/2 to 1/3 of the grated potato and put in the frying pan.  Spread it out, it should be thin as a lace. Fry until it's golden brown, turn and fry the other side. Serve with unsweetened lingonberry jam   Could be eaten alone or with some meat.

page 2

In Memoriam    Helen Baldwin 1981     Anna Rydingsvard 1982     Harry Nelson 1983     Bror Anderson 1984     Hartha Swedberg 1984     Virgil Rissell 1987     Marie Warren 1987     Genevive Cadotte 1988     Harry Johnson 1988     Gota Anderson 1988     Nels Anderson 1990     Anna Anderson 1990     Alice Belton 1992     Clarence Walburg 1993     Karin Rosendahl 1994     Edna Carroll 1996     Maury Nelson 1996     Elsa Truelove 1997     Bob Wilson 1998     Julia Herman 1999     Diane Garvin 1999   Just a Few Little Notes In Passing  The salmon dishes can be any variety of recipes so whatever folks want to bring.  The club will provide the Club Birthday cake which will serve as our dessert.    The new Swedish textbooks and cassette tapes have arrived. The cost for each is less than the initial estimate, $85.00. If possible, please bring a check for the meeting reading on May 20th or at the club meeting on May 21st. A considerable investment has been made in this purchase, and the sooner we can help make the payment the better.

NEW MILLENNIUM BEGINS WITH ANOTHER VIKING INVASION An event of singular significance will be commemorated throughout the year 2000: the Vikings’ discovery of North American 1000 years ago, an achievement claimed in the old Saga texts and later proven true by archaeological evidence found in Canada in the 1960s.  The artifacts confirmed that 500 years before Columbus set foot on these shores, Scandinavian seafarers in quest of new territory had discovered (and temporarily settled in) North America.  These intrepid adventurers crossed the Atlantic Ocean in wooden longboats with large square sails.  Icelandic Vikings (hailing from Norway) made seven exploratory journeys to the new continent (from settlements in Greenland), according to written records.   The US based Leif Ericson Millennium Committee, a nonprofit corporation comprised of prominent Scandinavian-Americans, has organized three of the year’s highlights: The traveling exhibition titled, Vikings: The North Atlantic Saga, which starts its two-year tour at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC (April 29 - September 4, 2000) then go to New York City, Ottawa, Los Angeles, Houston, and Chicago.  Comprised of more than 200 artifacts, including Viking jewelry, woodcarvings, and grave goods, the exhibition explores the historical impact of the new archaeological finds.   In honor of the Vikings’ historic voyage across the Atlantic, the Sailing of 15 Viking Ships, built as faithful reproductions of the original vessels, will take place in August 2000.  The ships will cruise along the North American coastline departing from L’Anse aux Meadows, Canada, heading for New York City and Philadelphia, PA, before ending up at Annapolis, MD, site of the US Naval Academy.   The Viking Millennium International Symposium, an interdisciplinary conference on Viking culture, will be held at the sites of the first European settlements in the New World in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. (Sept. 16-24, 2000). Headed by four prominent Scandinavian archaeologists, the two-day event will offer both academic and popular sessions.  For details on both the above, visit  the website listed below.

page3