Letter: Elves might visit Sons of Norway Julefest

Christmas will soon be here again and along with this season is the annual Sons of Norway Julefest. This year's Julefest dinner and program will be held on Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Hotel Mead. 

Our program this year is Ginger Martin with her Lincoln High School Chamber Orchestra. This will be followed by the beautiful and solemn Santa Lucia processional. Dressed in a gown of white with a crown of candles, Santa Lucia is followed by her attendants who sing about light and hope returning. We may also have a visit from a Norwegian NISSE. "Nisser" are elves (or gnomes). 

There are several types of "nisser" in Norway. The most known is the "Fjøsnisse" which is a "nisse" who takes care of the animals on the farms. The "Fjøsnisse" is very short and often bearded and lives in a barn or a stable. He wears clothes of wool and often has a red, knitted hat. The "Fjøsnisse" often plays tricks on people. Sometimes he will scare people by blowing out the lights in the barn or he will scare the farm dog at night. He can become very friendly with the people who live on the farm, but one should never forget to give him a large portion of porridge on Christmas Eve -- or else he will play tricks on your family. 

Off course there is also a Christmas nisse (julenissen), which, in most homes, is more or less identical to Santa Claus. The "Julenisse" hand delivers presents to all the nice children on Christmas Eve, unlike our Santa who secretly comes down the chimney! Reservations must be made by Dec. 7. Call Carol Bender at 715-424-5074. Source: wisconsinrapidstribune.com/