Sons of Norway

The Sons of Norway Elvedal Lodge December gathering will celebrate a Scandinavian Christmas at Dec. 12 at Hotel Mead. Julefest will begin at 4 p.m. with cocktails followed by a 5 p.m. dinner featuring Torsk (poached cod), roast loin of pork, mashed potatoes, vegetables, tossed salad, cucumber and dill salad, cole slaw, herring, rolls, beverage, lefse and bread pudding with brandy sauce. The program is the Lincoln High School Chamber Orchestra led by Ginger Martin followed by the Santa Lucia processional with Miss Wisconsin Rapids Lindsay Lobner and youth club as attendants. Reservations are necessary. Cost is $22 for non-members, $19 members, and $8.25 for children ages 3 to 11. Call Carol Bender, 424-5074, by Sunday. Vietnam Veterans In December, Vietnam Veterans of America again will collect nonperishable goods such as canned fruits, meats and vegetables. We will also donate $100 to the food pantry. 

You can also drop off items at Don Schillinger's, house, 850 14th St. S., before Thursday. In November, we donated $200 to VA Hospital at King and the PTSD unit at Tomah VA hospital. The color guard will participate in the Nekoosa Christmas parade and Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony on Monday at the VFW in Wisconsin Rapids. The chapter thanked all the veterans for their participation in this year Veterans Day activities. Our next meeting is at 7 p.m. Thursday at The BAR. 

For additional information on the Vietnam Veterans of America, call Gary at 325-6881. Business & Professional Women Wisconsin Rapids Business & Professional Women will meet Thursday at Hotel Mead. The meeting begins promptly at 6 p.m. and ends at or before 8 p.m. December's meeting will feature a holiday gift exchange among members. Fellowship and a great meal will be top priority. The meeting is open to any working woman in the area. Dinner is $12 and non-member attendees need to call Deb at 424-1892 (leave a message) by noon Monday to reserve a place. Items for club news are limited to 150 or fewer words. Source: wisconsinrapidstribune.com/

About Norway

In May 2010, Norway will be the proud host of the Eurovision Song Contest. Having hosted Europe's favourite TV-show twice before, in 1986 and 1996, and the Olympic Winter Games in 1994, NRK has the expertise to organise a wonderful show for the whole of Europe! The basics Norway is one of the Nordic countries with a population of 4,660,539 happy people. It is bordered by the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea in the West, Russia, Finland and Sweden in the East, and the Skagerrak (an arm of the North Sea) in the south. Most of the country consists of mountains and plateaus. Forests are found almost as far north as Nordkapp (the North Cape). Summers are remarkably mild for the latitude, while winters are long and very cold, often with plenty of snow. History A number of small Norwegian communities were gradually organised into larger regions in the 9th century, and around the year 900 King Harald Fairhair (Harald Hårfagre) unified the realm and became its first supreme ruler. In the Middle Ages Vikings from Norway settled in England, France, Ireland and Iceland. Norway and Denmark subsequently formed one kingdom from 1380 to 1814 when, in the wake of the Napoleonic wars, Norway was united with Sweden, adopting a modern constitution in the process. I 1905 Norway and Sweden went their separate ways peacefully and Norway has been independent since. Modern Norway Norway is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The monarchy holds a strong position in Norway, and the present monarch, King Harald V, enjoys great popularity. The country is of great socio-economic equality with a high standard of living and a homogeneous population. Apart from Oslo and adjacent suburbs, there are no metropolitan cities in Norway. Norwegians usually live in small communities with well developed road, air and ferry communication. Did you know? The sea along the coast is rich in natural resources like oil and fish; Norwegian per capita income ranks among the world's highest; Norway is now the world's leading producer of salmon; North of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set between the middle of May and end of July; conversely the sun does not rise between the middle of November and the end of January; More than 30 stave churches are well preserved and open to the public at the original cite of building, or at the folk museums in Oslo and Lillehammer: Norway if very known for its beautiful fjords; Skiing originated in Norway. Words like ski and slalom are Norwegian. Ski jumping and slalom competition started in the county of Telemark. The 1994 Olympic Winter Games were held in Lillehammer; NRK hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2004; According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, Norwegians read more than any other population in the world, spending an average of 500 kroner a year per capita on books! Famous Norwegian people include the playwriter Henrik Ibsen, the composer Edvard Grieg and the band A-ha whose leadman Morten Harket was the host of the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest; Norway has rejected joining the European Union twice, in referendums in 1972 and 1994. Source: eurovision.tv/

Norway's Bokko ready for breakout win

Havard Bokko has endured many second-place finishes during his career, but the Norwegian is ready to prove that he can be an Olympic gold medalist. "I'm the perpetual number two," he said during a recent World Cup stop in his home country. Bokko has historically found himself second-best to Sven Kramer and Shani Davis. Can he reverse his result? HAMAR, Norway -- Havard Bokko is tired of winning silver. "I'm the perpetual number two," he said, laughing. A review of the results from championship events in 2009 reveals the many silver medals that Havard is talking about. They include the 5000m and 10,000m at the Allround World Championships, the World Single Distance Championships and the European Championships. Since his success at the 2006 Junior World Speed Skating Championships when he won the 1500m, 3000m and 5000m, Bokko has been relegated to silver status on the global stage, mostly behind two golden skaters: the American Shani Davis and the Dutchman Sven Kramer. "Shani skates very good corners, and he has a very high top speed," Bokko said during an interview at a recent World Cup stop in Hamar, Norway. "He's almost alone at that top speed. I consider myself a fast skater, but I haven't yet gotten to that level. And Sven has developed so dominantly now that he's difficult to overcome in all regards. I have my work ahead of me." That work continues this weekend with a World Cup competition in Calgary, Canada. At the 2009 World Cup opener in Berlin in early November, Bokko found himself in familiar silver territory. He finished second to both Kramer in the 5000m and Davis in the 1500m. Bokko is quick to laugh it off. "I'm bored of hearing those anthems on the podium," he said. "I need to hear the Norwegian anthem up there more." Norway boasts a proud speed skating history. Speed skating is second only to the cross-country skiing in the country's Olympic medal wins, with 79 to 87 for skiing. Bokko is well aware of the regal status placed on star speed skaters in Norway, and he knows that many of his fellow Norwegians would like to see him push beyond being the "perpetual number two." Still, he considers the upside of the situation. "Always getting silver actually helps keep me focused," he said. "It motivates me. I know what the next step up is that I have to take. I know where the barriers are that I need to break. I'm only 22. I think I have another 15 good years skating ahead of me. I'm only beginning." Bokko started competing in speed skating in 1994 at age seven during an illustrious year for the sport in Norway. Fellow Norwegian Johann Olav Koss broke three world records as he won three gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics. Bokko chose to focus on skating instead of skiing in part because of his memories of watching Koss during those Olympics. Koss began coaching Bokko and the Norwegian team last week along with head coach Jarle Pedersen after former head coach Peter Mueller was fired following remarks he made to a female Norwegian skater that Norway's skating federation considered to be inappropriate. Bokko would not comment on the matter. Bokko grew up in rural Hol, Norway, "the type of town where we would skate after school on Mondays and Thursdays, and ski on Wednesdays and Fridays," he says. He still has his first pair of skates and plans to keep them. They remind him of his first successes in skating, when he was best in his age class from seven to twelve years of age. "I could see that other guys in my class were stronger in different ways, and training for speed skating was my way of challenging myself to catch up with them," he recalled. Bokko needed to play catch up a bit earlier this season. Before the second World Cup weekend of this season in Hamar in late November, Bokko missed a week of training after he fell ill with the H1N1 virus. He earned only one podium finish in Hamar, a third place in the 1500m. Bokko shrugged off the disappointment in Hamar and now looks forward to the next World Cup competitions in Calgary (Dec. 4-6) and Salt Lake City (Dec. 11-13) as stepping stones to the Vancouver Games. "The World Cup is great, but this season is a different season," he said calmly. "My focus now isn't on the World Cup. My focus is on the Olympics in Vancouver. Calgary and Salt Lake will be events along the way for me, but I am preparing myself mentally and physically now for the Olympics." Bokko's sense of calm evokes praise from some of his competitors, which include Enrico Fabris, who won gold in the 1500m and team pursuit at the 2006 Torino Olympics. "Physically, he's good in all distances," Fabris said. "But what I really admire about him is how calm and rested he appears. I think his 'no pressure' approach will take him further." Bokko's senior career is not without triumph. He did win the 1500m at the 2009 World Allround Championships and he won a World Cup 10,000m race in December 2007. Source: universalsports.com/

Norway - Foreign Minister Støre underlines importance of a new WTO Agreement

Concluding the Doha Round must be given top priority,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre in Norway’s main statement at the WTO Ministerial Conference in Geneva today. The objective of the Conference is to review the status of the existing multilateral framework for international trade, and to discuss the global economic situation. A large number of countries, including Tanzania, which spoke on behalf of the least developed countries, advocated the conclusion of the Doha Round, as did Norway. Prior to the Conference, a group of 110 developing countries had agreed on the importance of a rapid conclusion of the Doha Round on the basis of the draft agreement of 2008. 

“I made it clear that Norway is prepared to go the last mile, provided we can find satisfactory solutions for Norwegian agriculture. And I am confident that we will do so,” said Mr Støre. In his statement, Mr Støre also emphasised the importance of bringing the next generation of issues onto the WTO agenda, once the Doha Round has been concluded. “It is important that workers’ rights are included in the WTO discussions, and that coherence between what is done in the WTO and what is done at the ILO is ensured. Climate change issues also need to be dealt with. But this will not be possible before the Doha Round has been successfully concluded,” Mr Støre added. Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk also took part in the Ministerial Conference, and in addition the Norwegian delegation included members of the Storting and representatives of civil society Source: isria.com/

Norway positive to new US strategy for Afghanistan

Norway is positive to the new US strategy for Afghanistan, which will mean sending a further 30,000 US troops, as outlined in President Barack Obama's speech, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. “A stronger and broader US involvement in order to ensure development and stability in Afghanistan is important, and this gives direction to the international efforts that Norway is supporting, the Norwegian Foreign Minister commented. The strategy means that the US will send a further 30 000 troops to Afghanistan, in addition to significantly increasing its civilian efforts. 

In his speech, President Obama underlined that the Afghan authorities must gradually take over responsibility for development and security in the country, and that the US involvement is not open-ended. “The overall objective of the US strategy is to enable the Afghan people to govern and further develop their country. This requires the continued presence and active involvement of the international community, both in civilian and military terms. The intensified US efforts will be important for implementing the mandate the UN Security Council has been given for Afghanistan” Mr Støre commented. 

“The course that President Obama is now staking out is the result of a thorough process. Norway values the close consultations between the US and its allies and other ISAF partners. The strategy highlights the need to implement measures that can help strengthen the ability and capacity of the Afghan authorities to fulfil their own responsibilities, both with regard to security and development,” Mr Støre said. “We are pleased that the US intends to place greater emphasis on protecting the civilian population and on civilian capacity-building. It is capacity-building of this kind that can pave the way for a gradual scaling down of the international military presence in the country. 

This is an approach that we have also prioritised in Norway’s efforts in Afghanistan,” The Norwegian Foreign Minister said. "Close cooperation and coordination between the international community and the Afghan authorities will be required. In supporting an Afghan government, it is important to keep in mind that the effect of international efforts, both civilian and military, depends on the quality of this government. We must therefore expect the Afghan Government to initiate resolute reforms and demonstrate an ability to implement these. 

This includes delivering measurable results in combating corruption and countering drug production. I note that President Obama is expressing clear expectations of this kind of the Afghan Government, and that he opens the way for reconsidering assistance to the country in the light of Afghan performance,” the Foreign Minister said. “For its part, the international community must become far better at coordinating its civilian efforts, and at aligning aid and assistance with Afghan priorities. We agree with President Obama on the significance of close cooperation between the UN, other international partners and the Afghan people in order to pursue a more effective civilian strategy. 

A high-priority task in the weeks ahead will be to strengthen coordination mechanisms and ensure that international expertise is made available in the appropriate manner,” Mr Støre commented. Norway’s considerable civilian and military involvement in Afghanistan will be continued. In the period 2008–2012, Norway will annually provide NOK 750 million in assistance. Norway has 515 troops in Afghanistan and is prepared to maintain its current level of participation in ISAF.(NRK/Press release)Rolleiv Solholm Source: norwaypost.no/

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/