From the beggining |
Where we are now |
It all started with a group of 283 charter members in October of 1983 who understood they could bring each other and their community joy by celebrating their collective love for the Nordic Culture.
Their fearless leader, Arnold Lunnun, helped guide the first three years, serving as Lodge President. |
36 years later, the Edmonds Lodge has been a driving force for community and caring. We are continuing to build upon what was started in 1983. Our members are active volunteers in many areas of the Edmonds community and we work to bring the Nordic Culture to the next generation.
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Edmonds Lodge No 130
Organized October 8, 1983 Masonic Center 515 Dayton Street Edmonds, WA 98020 EARLY HISTORY Edmonds Lodge No. 130’s first organization meeting was held at the home of Arnold and Lena Lunnum on March 29, 1983. The steering committee members were: Doris and Henry Torget, H.E. Jim and Sylvia Ferchen, Hanna Risa, Lorna Turcott, Dagny Pedersen, Eivind Pedersen, Arnold and Lena Lunnum, Jane Lewis, Evelyn Adams, Gerrit Missler, Judy England, Byran Christensen, and Regional Office representatives, Raymond Adams, Bernt Satre and Doug Tangen. Edmonds Lodge No. 130 began with 261 charter members, chich included many seaman from Norway and Alaska. Edmonds Lodge No. 130 was instituted at the Elks Club in Lynnwood, Washington on October 8, 1983. Our sponsoring lodge, Normanna Lodge No. 3 of Everett, Washington, performed the ceremony. District 2 President, Andrew F. Baker was the presiding officer, and Jorgen Tweiten, District 2 Vice President installed the officers. Arnold Lunnum was our first president. The name “Edmonds Lodge” was decided in our meetings held in Edmonds, Washington. LODGE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS Activities began in December of 1983 with a Christmas Party. This was an annual event which focuses on our families and features many children’s activities. In January 1984, we started folk dancing and language classes. More recently, members have taught rosemaling, Hardanger embroidery, genealogy, and knitting. Several members have worked together to earn many Cultural Skills awards in the areas of music, language, cooking, genealogy, stamp collecting, and others. Edmonds Lodge’s first queen, Rita Nesse, was chosen in June 1984; our first princess was Anne Risa. Risa represented the lodge at our first Border Festival at Peace Arch Park in Blaine, Washington in 1984 and the lodge continues to participate in that annual intra-district event, providing a queen or king candidate each summer. In September 1984 the lodge formed a men’s bowling team, followed by a ladies team in the fall of 1987. The lodge has participated in and also sponsored bowling, gold, horseshoes, and cross country ski District 2 tournaments over the years. In 2004, Edmonds Lodge challenged Wergeland Lodge in Bellingham to a competition to see which lodge could earn the most Spots Medals and Cultural Skills Medals in one year. OUr two lodges took turns hosting each other in alternate years in March for an awards ceremony to hear the grand total count. Whimsical trophies or each category moved back and forth between Belling have and Edmonds until 2009. Edmonds Lodge is now engaged in a similar challenge with Bothell Lodge. This competition has increased our participation in both Sports and Cultural programs significantly. For example, there are currently six gold-level Masters of Cultural Skills in all of the Sons of Norway - and two of them are members of Edmonds Lodge. In 2001, Edmonds Lodge sponsored the newest lodge in our district, Whidbey Island Nordic Lodge No. 164 which meets in Coupeville, WA. One of our members, Al Berg, built a rolling double bookcase for the lodge that is hinged and can be locked for our expanding lodge library. Since its completion, our library has become much more accessible and popular. We continue to acquire books, tapes, and videos on subjects relating to Scandinavia. Edmonds Lodge members Jane Bueing, Bob Stevenson, and Al Berg have served as members of the Trollhaugen Board. Edmonds Lodge members have donated time for work parties and wood cutting to help maintain Trollhaugen and the trails. We use the facility for lodge outings and we participate in District 2 events which are held there. In October 2008, Edmonds Lodge celebrated their 25th Anniversary. All of our past presidents were able to attend the celebration, making it a very special evening. Many of our Lodge queens joined us, as did guests from several other lodges. In recent years, our lodge summer picnic has been held at the Skandia FolkDance Society’s Midsommer celebration at St. Edward’s Park in Kenmore. We met for a potluck meal and then spend the afternoon watching and participating in the performances and activities and enjoying the wares of many vendors. Other summer activities have included several organized hikes in the Cascades, usually on a Tuesday. When this is occuring, we depart Edmonds in the early morning, reaching the trailhead usually by 9:00am and returning to Edmonds just before rush hour traffic. Edmonds Lodge has provided two District 2 Presidents, ERlene Stevenson and Waldo Bueing. Also, several of the District 2 board members are from Edmonds as well, including Jane Bueing, Roberta Morrow, Vicki Nelson, and Norma Jean Sands. Among District honors, Edmonds Lodge has received the “District Lodge of the Year” award, “District Man of the Year, Bob Stevenson”, and “District Woman of the Year, Jane Bueing”. And Waldo Bueing was named the “Honorary Grand Marshal” of the 17th of May Parade in Ballard in 2009. COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEERISM In March of 1985, Edmonds Lodge chose to support the Carol Rowe Food Bank in Edmonds. Routinely we collect donations for the food bank at our meetings. Several members volunteer there as well. In 2010, during the 100th anniversary for the Sons of Norway the Edmonds Lodge committed to collecting as many $100 donations as they could for the Food Bank. Many of the Carol Rowe Food Bank workers support our lodge as members and/or joining our community events, such as the pancake breakfasts we do in October, March and May of each year. For nearly 10 years, (May 1993 through 2003), we helped maintain the grounds of Edmonds Community College, providing a labor force for weeding and gardening tasks. Our scholarship program began in February of 1993. Scholarship recipients have included students from Edmonds Lodge, Edmonds School District No. 15 and Unge Venner college members from Zones 2 and 3 in District 2. Scholarships are also awarded to children who participate in the Sons of Norway Youth Camps and adults attending the Adult Heritage Weekend events at Trollhaugen. In 1999, members of Edmonds Lodge served on the staff at Camp Normanna; Waldo Bueing was the camp director that year. Our support from Edmonds Lodge goes to such programs as Ski for Light, KBLE Scandinavian Hour, Trollhaugen, and Tubfrim. We have also supported youth soccer and baseball teams by providing funds for uniforms. The first Scandinavian Festival sponsored b y our lodge was held in May of 1996 and continued as an annual event for 10 years (through 2006). It featured a Norwegian pancake breakfast, cultural events, arts and crafts booths, and music and dance groups. On some years a Troll Stroll through the streets of Edmonds and an evening concert were added as special activities. Proceeds from the festival supported our Scholarship Fund. It was so popular that the Mayor of Edmonds issued an annual proclamation for the Scandinavian Festival Day giving our lodge area-wide recognition. As a result, Edmonds Lodge was asked to participate in the celebration of welcoming Santa to Balard in 1997, 1998 and 1999. Our Viking Ship Thor was created and maintained for many years by lodge member Al Vadset. It is easily identified by the beautifully carved dragon head that snorts steam along the route in the 17th of May Parade in Ballard and the 4th of July Parade in Edmonds--much to the delight of both youngsters and adults alike. Our members connect with the other Scandinavian organizations in our areas; some members serve at the International Nordic Museum as board members, docents, instructors, and speakers. Some perform with the Leikarringen folk dance group of Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 and others with the Skandia FolkDance Society. Some sing with the NW Nordic Ladies Choir, serve as the SEattle 17th of May Parade Committee and the Nordic Council, play in folk bands, and guide for Ski for Light events. CURRENT STATUS Our current membership is 208, including adult members, heritage members, and unge venner members. We meet at the Masonic Center in downtown Edmonds at 515 Dayton Street on the fourth Tuesday of the month from September through May (with the exception of December's Holiday Party, which is on December 9th). Our members begin gathering around 4:00pm with visiting and crafts. We include a 30 minute program that focuses on Norway’s rich culture and our connection to it and a dinner which starts at 6pm. Our Lodge members participate in parades, summer market events, picnics, tree lighting ceremony, holiday parties and more. Edmonds Lodge will go forward promoting Sons of Norway, increasing membership, celebrating Nordic Heritage, and serving our community. |