Elveby History
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Elveby Lodge No. 1-604 Omaha, Nebraska Sons of Norway (Sub District One) Organized February 13, 1988 Meets 3rd Monday, 6:30pm Scandinavian American Society 7575 Crown Point, Omaha, NE Adult Membership is 273 (and rising) |
Sons of Norway
Elveby (which means river city) Lodge has been blessed with members and friends
of many talents, interests and a lot of energy. The names are many. The
contributions are enormous. The fellowship and friendships are deep and
lasting. The happy memories and new ideas are never-ending. This brief history
focuses on what makes Elveby Lodge so special to so many-- fun, fellowship,
food, heritage, activities and learning. One way to describe Elveby is to
reflect on what has occurred and what has been accomplished in its relatively
short history. So here goes.....
Elveby Lodge
traces its roots to the organizers of the Norwegian Heritage Club and a
Syttende Mai celebration in 1986 attended by over 80 enthusiastic people. Early
goals included furthering Norwegian heritage and cultural interests. Regular
meetings, fascinating programs and enjoyable social activities continued into
August of 1986 when a Sons of Norway Steering Committee formed with 24 people
in attendance. Becoming a Sons of Norway Lodge in Nebraska occupied the
committees' meetings for the following months. After a lot of dedicated effort
and valuable assistance from many people, including obtaining necessary state
insurance commission approvals, plans were finally made to hold a charter
institutional dinner in February of 1988. The last official meeting of the
Norwegian Heritage Club was February 6, 1988. Elveby Lodge was instituted on
February 13, 1988 with 351 charter members. District One President Marvin
Zuelke presided over the charter ceremonies at the beautiful German-American
Society building.
Elveby, as a
lodge, is still young enough to be building new "traditions" while
also having already discovered a number of activities that are enjoyed over and
over again. A list of what we do might go a long way toward describing who we
are. Elveby activities, some of which repeat each year include:
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Rosmaling Demonstrations |
Norwegian Table Setting |
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Joint - Lodge Activities |
Hobo Party |
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Soup & Sandwich Supper |
Torsk / Meatball Dinner |
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Singing Groups |
Growing Up In Norway |
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Bunad Displays |
Norwegian Language Activities |
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District Training Sessions |
Lodge T-shirt & sweatshirts |
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Ethnic Festivals at Civic Locations |
Tubfrim participation |
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Walking Medals Program |
Audun Ravnan Concerts |
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Sewing Lessons |
Bløtkake & Lefse Classes |
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District & International Convention |
Cookie baking |
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Skogfjorden , Norway, & other Scholarships |
Yulebukk Party |
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Pioneer Women of the Plains |
Rosemaling |
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Douglas County Hospital community work |
Norwegian Tastes & Delights |
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Silent Auction |
Memorial Services |
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Newspaper Happy Ads |
Museum Trips |
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Uff Da raffles |
Restaurant trips |
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Potluck Dinners |
Membership Drive Dinners |
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Bus Trips (Scandinavian Days- Story City |
Boutique fund raisers |
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Norsk Høstfest- Minot |
Book Reviews |
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Danish Emigrant Museum |
Genealogy |
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Lodge Member Name Tags |
Box Socials |
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Local Ethnic Displays |
Syttende Mai Celebrations |
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Woodcarving |
Norwegian History |
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Norsk Treasures |
Christmas Parties |
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S of N Founding Fathers Skit |
Winter Olympics Festival |
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Member Interest Questionnaire |
Drill Team |
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Mid Summer Festivals |
and more
(Whew !) |
Elveby has evolved its meeting format toward separate
business and social nights. The Scandinavian American Society building is the
location of most of our social meetings. Each social meeting always has one or
two special programs or activities, delicious refreshments (or a potluck),
brief announcements, a humor time, singing, brief ceremonies, and introduction
of guests. The separate monthly business meetings include the planning of
activities and financial issues. Special activities, such as those listed
above, are often held in addition to the regular social or business meetings.
Elveby has a growing library of books and documents
to be proud of.
The Elveby Posten, described by many as one of the
best lodge newsletters in all of Sons of Norway has been issued each month
since Elveby was instituted. Each successive editor has enhanced and grown the
format and contents immeasurably. The Elveby Posten has become one of many
products of a very proud lodge membership.
Of major benefit to both Elveby Lodge and Sons of
Norway, has been the presence of both experienced leadership and new volunteers
every year. Each member has brought new ideas and provided assistance. All the
talents necessary for a smooth running lodge operation come forth when needed
in Elveby. Additionally, talents that further the goals of Sons of Norway and
enhance membership are abundant. Examples include members who include poets,
humorists, historians, genealogists, cooks and more. Augmenting these built-in
talents and their dedication has been the regular visitations of Sons of Norway
District and International officials. Whenever asked, representatives from the
insurance, District and International offices have graciously participated in
key Elveby functions. This kind of support is great to have. Conversely, Elveby
participates in all District and International events that it possibly can.
Elvebys reputation has also become one of its most
important assets. Just about every business, organization, club, agency or
educational institution which Elveby partners with for various activities has
commented about how organized Elveby is and how wonderful it is to work with
the members of Elveby Lodge. This is a challenge to continue to live up to, in
addition to a great benefit, as new ideas are explored in the community.
In summary,
Elveby Lodge is a relatively young lodge, but already is very active in its
community, with its fellow lodges, with District & International events and
with its individual members. Elveby may best be known for the sheer number of
activities it sponsors, the amount of fun it has, its impact on the community,
its support of the goals of Sons of Norway and the friendships it fosters. What
a legacy to continue!