Velkommen, Detroit Norwegians.Detroit area Norwegians and their friends gather at the Sons of Norway's Nordkap Lodge in Farmington Hills, MI. Nordkap Lodge is the Detroit chapter of the Sons of Norway fraternal organization. It serves as a meeting place and social network for Norwegian and Scandinavian enthusiasts from the entire metro-Detroit area.
Nordkap Lodge is a place to celebrate Norwegian culture. It is an all-ages family friendly nonprofit organization. Here you are not just a face in the crowd--you are a friend. A part of a community. Our members take care of each other. We are dedicated to community service and cultural education. You don't need to be Norwegian to join the Sons of Norway. You just need to have an interest in Nordic culture. Reviving the Viking Chess GameThe Vikings had a great way to amuse themselves between raids and working on their farms. It was a board game similar to chess called Hnefatafl, which they spread around the world on their travels. Here's the presentation that Connie Hart and her family recently made at our lodge. ,
Living in Norway with "Polar Nights"What’s it like to live in near total darkness for weeks at a time? That’s what people in Northern Norway grapple with each winter, as the sun barely creeps past the horizon during “Polar Nights.” Nordkap officer Merete Stenersen is a veteran of Polar Nights, having grown up in Tromso, Norway. She shared her experiences at Nordkap's January meeting with the following presentation::
What kind of swords did Vikings use?Derrick Hendricks provided insight into this question in November when he spoke about "Medieval Weapons and Defenses" and exhibited examples from his collection. (See photo below.) He also helped dispel some myths about what the Vikings wore and how they fought. Here's Derricks presentation:
Norse Explorers Led the WayNordic explorers Erikson, Nansen, and Amundsen opened our eyes and our world to greater possibilities and adventures with their heroic achievements. Here is Carmen Collins' fascinating presentation on their lives, presented at the October 2017 Nordkap meeting.
Learn about the Rite of Passage Norwegian Kids ExperienceThink American kids go crazy when they graduate high school? See how Norway's grads get their kicks--responsibly--while still enjoying high jinks and fun. This presentation was made by Mary Morehead on April 23, 2017.
The "Open Air Life" in Norway offers benefits here, tooLearn about "Friluftsliv" the Open Air Life that you can experience, too. This presentation was made April 23, 2017, by Mark Eelnurme on behalf of his wife Merete Stenersen.
The Story of Norway's Royal FamilyThis is a presentation made by Carmen Collins at our January 2017 meeting. It highlights King Harald's recent speeches and the leadership position he has taken on diversity.
The following is a video of the King's speech on diversity. Carmen showed this video at our meeting.
Finally, here is the King's New Year's Speech that Carmen referenced. It was translated by Nordkap member Finn Roed.
Draken Comes to DetroitThis is the story of the replica Viking ship Draken Harald Hårfagre and how it came to Detroit, thanks to the work of two Nordkap members, Geir Gronstad and Honorary Norwegian Consul to Michigan Dennis Flessland. This presentation was made by Geir at Nordkap's Oct. 23, 2016, meeting attended by Sons of Norway 5th District President Andy Johnsen.
Hosting Steak and Corn Roast at the Swedish ClubCelebrating Midsummer--St. Hans EveBicentennial Celebration of the 1814 Constitution
Nordkap marked the 17th of May and the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution with a celebration at the Swedish Club. Festivities began with a parade and national anthems at the flagpole on the club's grounds (see image at top of page). It was an occasion for young and old to wear their colorful bunads (immediately above), the national dress of Norway. (Both photos by Bob Giles)
Nordkap Lodge saluted Norway on the Detroit Tigers scoreboard as 24 members and guests attended Comerica Park to see the Tigers defeat the Minnesota Twins 9 to 3 on May 10, 2014. (Photo by Louise Giles)
Lots of cheers when our message was shown on the scoreboard. (Photo by Bob Giles)
Even a troll turned out to cheer the Tigers with Nordkap Lodge's Bob Giles and Jan Flessland. (Photo by Louise Giles)
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Upcoming Events:Saturday, May 22 – 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Norwegian Constitution Day Celebration
at the Swedish Club 22398 Ruth Street Farmington Hills, MI The chance to play the ancient Viking Chess game of Hnefatafl will highlight our annual celebration of this most important Norwegian holiday this year. Our lodge learned the game in April from the Hart siblings, and they’ll be on hand again on May 12 to help us play it during our celebrations at the Swedish Club. For those who prefer their games on the field rather than the board, we will host our popular cod toss tournament, throwing frozen fish for distance and some “fishy” prizes. We will fly the Norwegian flag, sing the Norwegian national anthem, turn out in “bunads”—Norway’s national dress—and enjoy Scandinavian music, picnic foods, and desserts. Be sure to bring your kids, noisemakers, and Norwegian flags (or buy flags at our general store) for the parade around the beautiful Swedish Club grounds. Here’s the timeline:
Nordkap Wins Honors from 5th DistrictNordkap Lodge takes home top honors from Sons of Norway District 5 biennial convention for "Family Lodge of the Year" for 2014. We also win certificates of "Special Recognition" from the International Lodge, congratulating us on "a year of Fraternal Excellence" -- gold for 2014 and silver for 2015. And Nordkapen newsletter editor Bob Giles is awarded a Certificate of Recognition from District 5 for our Website newsletter.
To see Bob's video of the the Parade of the Bunads at District 5's convention, see https://youtu.be/HyMYSZxVVlk.
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