Daughters of Norway

IT'S A SMALL WORLD, COSTA MESA, July 22-24, 2010

Members arrived on Wednesday and Thursday. They were greeted in the hotel lobby by members of the host lodge, Turid Jespersen #44, and their special helpers (Hulda Garborg Lodge members and Karin Cunstance of Frida Hansen Lodge #36). After signing in, receiving their Daughters of Norway bag full of goodies, and purchasing raffle tickets for the Opportunity Drawing, members continued to greet sisters from various lodges.

Thursday's cultural day began with an early morning membership presentation by Judy Felker, Membership Chair. Each lodge sent a representative to the presentation, which included a discussion of ideas to improve membership.

Two sets of cultural classes were then offered to pre-registered guests which included the following choices:

• Hardanger Fiddle (Diane and Bob Gravlin)
• Scandinavian Travel (Sandra Henneman)
• Bead Knitting (Judy Hadlock)
• Hardangersøm (Gerry Manning)
• Os Rosemaling (Onya Tomasoff)
• Vikingsholm: Lake tahoe's Norwegian Gem (Dr. Linda Malcor)
• Women's Resistance (Astrid Karlsen Scott)
• Yarn Felting of a Hedgehog (Susan Hixson)
• Yarn Felting, Heart (Ceclia Gustaferro)

Thursday afternoon's cultural hall afforded members an opportunity to view and purchase Nordic goods, books and raffle tickets which were available at the sales and heritage tables of other lodges. The cruise committee's table featured the upcoming Daughters of Norway Fun(d)raising Cruise on the East Coast and more members and guests signed up for its 2001 sailing. [The cruise is open to all.] The Literary Society held a meeting whereby those who attended learned more about the society and its goals – to promote and support Daughters of Norway members in their literary and artistic endeavors. The group welcomes all D of N members.

A delightful reception was held Thursday evening featuring a Viking welcome, terrific food, and Norwegian folk dancing entertainment. Watching members and guests interact with the dancers made the evening more memorable.

President of the hosting lodge, Berit Austin-Funnemark, gave the opening remarks for Convention 2010 at the Costa Mesa Hilton Hotel on Friday morning. The colorful parade of officers, banners and bunads followed and ended with the Grand Lodge officers taking their positions for the business meeting. Mary Knutson Sullivan, the Grand Lodge President, did an outstanding job of moving the business meeting along in a professional fashion. Members new to convention learned more about how to run an efficient and timely business meeting. Officer and Committee reports were presented as well as all of the constitutional changes.

A touching memorial service was held for those sisters who have died during the past two years. Members enjoyed hearing about and meeting the "Daughters of Norway Baby", Sandra Honeychurch, who was born in the 1960's when her mother, Dorothy Ann Honeychurch, was president of the Grand Lodge. She doesn't look a day over 30! Her presence was appreciated and enjoyed by all.

During the two-day business meeting, delegates discussed issues and voted on numerous things while enjoying some delightful treats offered by several lodges, including candy, ginger cookies and Ole/Lena Joke Cookies. At Saturday's business meeting, the new Grand Lodge officers were elected and installed for the 2010-2012 term. Nellie Gerdrum Lodge #41 presented a wonderful ABBA-like musical invitation to members to come to Bellingham, WA for the 2012 Daughters of Norway Convention.

Convention meals were excellent and enjoyed by all and they included special entertainment or speakers. Thursday evenings reception included a short Norwegian Dance presentation by the talented choreographer from Norway's Winter Olympics and his dance partner. Guests were then offered the chance to learn a dance and a fun time was had by all.

Friday's luncheon speaker, Judy Norton, a member of Turid Jespersen Lodge and the Sales Manager of Norseland Inc., shared the history of Jarlsburg and other Tine and Norseland cheeses. Members sampled cheeses while learning about them and how finding much they liked all the cheeses Norseland has to offer during her presentation! One lucky person at each table walked away with a special cheese griller!

A Friday evening Newport Harbor cruise on the Endeavor was a night to remember – from an excellent buffet, great camaraderie, musical entertainment to the full moon shining over the beach lit with bonfires! Members walked away with a bit of Newport beach real estate thanks to the favors provided by Turid Jespersen lodge.

Saturday's past presidents breakfast was well attended. The past presidents enjoyed visiting one another and the harpist, Pat Hensley of Hulda Garborg Lodge #49. performance.

Saturday's luncheon speaker, Jill Beatty, hosted the Bunad Fashion Show. Sisters learned about the details of each area's bunad while members showed off their various bunads and hversdag drakts and folk drakts to others. The tables decor featured bunad fashion dolls.

Everyone celebrated the newly elected Grand Lodge Officers and the closing of Convention 2010 at the Saturday evening banquet. Entertainment for this gala affair was provided by the talented Southern California Damekor which performed a wide variety of traditional and modern Nordic music with absolute perfection of melodies and arrangements. These ladies will go far in the musical world!

Members departed on Sunday morning amid hearty tusen takks and farewell to old and new friends. All agreed that Bellingham, WA, will be on their calendars for the July 2012 convention!