I didnt quite envision writing this newsletter sitting

on my deck in shorts (unfortunately blinding all my

neighbors in the process with my legs dazzling
whiteness), but this year is off to a beautiful start.
As I push back thoughts about what this means for
our water starved Bay Area, for now Henrik Ibsen
Park has that feel of late spring, with only the blue
tarp over the pool to remind us that its still not yet
summer.

And its our members who make it all happen. As a

recent example, the All Bay Area Lodges Family
Picnic started out as a very small scale event. But
with good people jumping in, putting their heart
into the event and dedicating themselves to making
it a success, in a very short time the event has
expanded to around 350 attendees and were
expecting even bigger and better things this year.
But this growth would not have been possible
without the efforts of many, and we want to thank
Just as the weather has given us a taste for what is those who have given their tireless support over the
to come, we have much to look forward to in 2015! years and encourage those who have been more on
the sidelines for this to be the year to get more
With your help and participation we can make this a involved. Help us make both Henrik Ibsen Lodge
fantastic year for the Lodge! I think sometimes we and Henrik Ibsen Park the best they can be!
dont fully appreciate how lucky we are to have had
so many wonderful leaders and workers in the past
Presidents message continued on page 2
that have kept the Lodge and Park (our beautiful
oasis in the Redwoods) alive and thriving
Lodge/Park Calendar of Events
respectively for these past 107 and 91 years. It is
thanks to those people who have stepped in to lend
February:
a hand, to get involved, to go the extra mile for the
27th Business Meeting and Dinner, 7:00 p.m.
good of our community that were still here. Our
To be immediately followed by the Annual
success directly correlates to the dedication of our
Henrik Ibsen Park Corporation meeting.
(sandwiches, coffee and dessert will be served
members, and with your help well continue to
during the HIP meeting)
grow.
855 Brotherhood Way, SF

And we do need your help! We could use your

input and assistance on some major Lodge events
that will be happening in the next few months.
Among them, a big Syttende Mai (Norwegian
Constitution Day) Celebration in San Francisco,
the 3rd Annual All-Bay Area Lodges Family Picnic
at the Park in August, and a projected Leif Erikson
Day Scandinavian Festival at the Park in October.
In addition theres some big projects planned at HIP
this spring and summer. And of course, help is
always appreciated on summer Kitchen weekends
and dinners at the Park.

March:
27th Business Meeting and Dinner, 7:00 p.m.
855 Brotherhood Way, SF (Corned Beef Dinner
and Entertainment)
April:
25th Anniversary Dinner
Details to follow
25th Clean-up Weekend, HIP
26th Clean-up Weekend, HIP
Monthly meetings are held the 4th Friday of every month, 7:00
p.m. Business Meeting,
7:30 p.m. Dinner & Social (unless otherwise noted)
855 Brotherhood Way, San Francisco

January 2015 Henrik Ibsen Lodge 6-007 Sons of Norway San Francisco, California

Speaking of getting involved, it was great to see

some new faces stepping up to leadership roles for

2015. At Januarys Lodge meeting we enjoyed our

annual Crab Feed and celebrated the new officer
initiation. Id like to personally welcome all officers
and committee members to their new (or continuing)
positions and give an added tusen takk to Janie Kelly,
past District 6 President and International Director, for
installing our 2015 officers.
Our next meeting will be a combined Lodge / Park
meeting on February 27 at the Masonic Lodge on
Brotherhood Way in SF. Please Note: Theres been a
misconception over the years among some that only
people who own cabins should attend the Annual Park
meeting. In reality all members of Henrik Ibsen
Lodge are also members of the Henrik Ibsen Park
Corporation, so everyone has an equal voice and vote
at these meetings. We encourage all members to show
your support and hope to see you there!
On a sad note...we have just learned that our Lodge
has lost one of its most respected and dedicated members. Past President Al Nelson. Al and his wonder
wife, June, were lifelong participants, workers and
leaders in Henrik Ibsen Lodge. In addition to serving
as President 1964-1966, Al worked on pretty much
every Lodge, Park Board and committee over the
years starting in the 1950s and continuing up until just
a few years ago when his health began to fail...he will
be missed!
Thats it for now. Enjoy the current weather (but lets
hope for a rainy February and March), and take care!
Best Regards
John Ronneberg

Submitted by Yvonne Sylvia

CHRISTMAS

Presidents message continued from page 1

to pick up on the words in the

conversations of the Disney
We Die Alone is an
cast members who are from
incredibly riveting story
Norway. She was excited when
primarily about Jan
she could understand what they
Baalsrud that I read for the were saying. She was even
Cultural Skills Program for more excited when she found a
Stone and is still
Norwegian and Norwegian Rune
attempting to read it. She loves
-American authors.
how she can find bits and
pieces of her heritage in some
amazing places and cannot wait
until she can visit Norway in
person.

Another book, "Defiant

Courage" by Astrid Scott
Thomas of the same
subject claims that the
Howarth book is not
entirely accurate or true.

Either one you choose to read will be well

worth your time.

Submitted by Kristen Anderson, Signal Editor

After World War I (around 1918), many of San
Francisco's ethnic communities competed against
each other in local soccer (European football) tournaments. Here is the 1920 team representing Norway,
fielded mostly from young Norwegian immigrants
who were members of Sons of Norway and the Nor-

Pamela Stutrud Groth, Cultural Director

District Lodge Number 6
Recently my daughter, Emily Anderson, had the opportunity to take a trip to Disney World. If you have
not been to Disney World,
there are a great many things to
do, including, visiting Epcot.
She was ecstatic when she
walked into Norway. She
didnt realize it at first until she
wegian Club.
saw it...yep...it was the
bunad!!!!
She had a great time roaming
around looking at the replicas
of buildings and listening to all
of the sounds. She has attended
several years of Camp Troll
Fjell and tried with all she had
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Henrik Ibsen Park, 13800 Skyline Blvd, Woodside, CA, (650) 851-9999 (summer weekends only)

Peder P. Johnsen Scholarship 2015

The Peder P. Johnsen Scholarship has been
established to recognize students of Norwegian
ancestry for academic excellence and involvement in
the Norwegian - American community.
Scholarships are awarded to any deserving students
who are residents of Northern California studying
full time at accredited colleges and universities.
Beginning freshmen, undergraduate and graduate
students are eligible.
A minimum Grade Point Average of 2.7 is required.
Deadline for submission of applications is
April 1, 2015. Applications can be obtained by
writing to:
Jo Ann Wentker, 650 Upland Drive, San Francisco
CA 94127-2540 or by calling Mrs. Wentker at (415)
587-9210
Henrik Ibsen Lodge Number 7, Sons of Norway, San Francisco, California

Sunshine Greetings
Please join the lodge in sending prayers
and well wishes to:
Alma Fletcher

In Loving Memory
Please join the Lodge in sending prayers and
condolences to:

The family of Turi Riksheim who was a long

time former member.
The family of Alwyen Nelson who passed
away January 26th. Al was president in 1964
-1966 and serve on the Dovre Hall Association
Board, the Henrik Ibsen Park Board and as Trustee
for many years. Private services have already been
held. Per the wishes of the family, memorial
donations may be made to the Peder P. Johnsen
Scholarship Fund or the charity of your choice.

February Birthdays
Krista Mathisen
Montana Miller
John Rezzonico
Malona Marsh
Jean Turri
Kerry Duffy
Mackenzie LeRoy
Mary Ellen Oconnor
Veronica Lew
Angela Bye
Anne-Lise Mitchell
Flavla Beyer
Rita Klevmyr
Alex Broome
Carolyn Olsen
Kayla Anderson
Gerry Manning
Jimmie Jarshaw
Marlena Jacobson
Lorraine Olson
Terra Moriarty
Colin Lundquist
Robert Huleva
Einar Ramsdal
Lael Tensfeldt
Marc Christensen
Heidi Kromat
Rita Le Mon
Andrew Anson
Christopher Spano
Frank Reppen
James Eklund
Joseph Soanes
Eugene Meyer
Joyce Sandvik
Robert Moriarty
Robert Wright
Jeffrey Fleming

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If you know of someone in need of get well wishes, please contact Bonnie Anderson (415-334-0308) or Louise Mosness (650-359-2686).

Lets Get Ready for Spring at Henrik Ibsen Park!

It wont be long before trees will begin blooming and
action begins to ramp up in Henrik Ibsen Park.
Members of the Pool Committee have already been
spotted working around the pool to keep it good shape
and to ready it for opening as soon as the weather
permits. The heap of deadfall from storms and from
site clearing to comply with CDF requirements is
growing in preparation for the arrival of the chipper
during our second cleanup weekend.
Oh. . . . did I mention that Cleanup Weekends are
coming up soon? Please plan to join us on one or
more of the following days to help clean up and
maintain our park; April 25th and 26th and May 30th
and 31st. You dont need any special skills or much
strength. Come on down to the park, we usually start
by 10 a.m., and well find a job for you and well also
provide a great lunch and lots of fellowship.
I also invite you to join us at the Henrik Ibsen Park
Annual Meeting, which will be held on February 27th
following the regular Lodge meeting at the
Brotherhood Way meeting location. Please come and
listen to an update about the park, consider a By-Law
revision, vote to elect Board members, and provide
input on the direction of the Board for the year to
come. Your voice is important and we want to hear
from you!
Thank you for your continued support of Henrik Ibsen
Park!
Jeanne Carlson

Submitted by Ingrid Hegerberg

Henrik Ibsen Lodge Board Members

President
John Ronneberg
415-518-1704
Vice President
Vicki Running
650-248-9636
Counselor
John Conlan
415-664-4627
Co-Treasurer
Mark Mathisen
650-947-1357
Larisa Holt
805-637-9594
Financial Secretary
Jeannette Holt
650-588-0727
Secretary
Warren Anderson
415-334-0308
Asst. Secretary
Bonnie Anderson
415-334-0308
Social Director
Debbie Soult, Chair
415-517-3074
Trustee
Warren Anderson
415-334-0308
Trustee
Vibeke Gade
650-851-1912
Trustee
James Ricos
650-335-8505
Marshall
Ron Tunheim
650-529-1891
Asst. Marshall
Zoe Running
650-851-4065
Youth Director
Ross Tunheim
Eden Washburn
650-851-8509
Signal Mgr.
Warren Anderson
415-334-0308
Publicity Director
Vacant
Sports Director
Jens Francis
415-254-8313
Historian
Norman Ronneberg
510-333-4705
Asst. Historian
Lynn Nichols
650-851-7815
Signal Editors
Kristen Anderson
775-315-6177
Email: prissyjanderson@msn.com
Foundation Dir.
Bob Wright
650-851-1912
Co-Sunshine
Bonnie Anderson
415-334-0308
Louise Mosness
650-359-2686
Cultural Dir.
By Committee
Tubfrim Chairman
Vibeke Gade
650-851-1912
Adopt-a-school
Cyndi Menzel
650-380-8553
Membership Chairman. Vicki Running
650-248-9636
Musician
Bob Anderson

Surf the web.

Camp Norge
www.campnorge.com
Sons of Norway
www.sofn.com
District 6
www.sofn6.com

Henrik Ibsen Park Board

President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Maintenance Mgr.
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member

Jeanne Carlson
Maren Collins

650-851-3246
650-622-9723

Laurie Mittelstadt
Dave Tensfeldt
Dave Tensfeldt
Leonard Jacobson
Jeff Fleming
Jack Simensen
Jo Ann Senander
Troy Acevedo

650-591-4540
650-851-3995
650-851-3995

This information is used for Lodge use only.

Using this information for any other reason is strictly prohibited
6

Address/Corrections for The Signal: Please notify the Signal Managing Editor or the Signal Editor.

Newsletter information deadline 20th of each month

THE SIGNAL
HENRIK IBSEN LODGE
SONS OF NORWAY
Business Manager
100 Winston Drive
San Francisco, CA 94132-2033

FIRST-CLASS MAIL
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
SAN MATEO, CA
PERMIT NO. 827

Years

The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and

to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway,
to celebrate our relationship with our Nordic countries
and to provide quality insurance and
financial products to its members.
7