Blog

The mission of Sons of Norway is to promote and to preserve the heritage and culture of Norway, to celebrate our relationship with other Nordic countries, and provide quality insurance and financial products to our members.

First Norwegian Astronaut

History is being made in space exploration. Last year it was announced that a four-person crew will conduct a spaceflight orbiting the Earth’s two poles for the first time. None of the crew has ever been in space before, although each brings a unique skill set to the team.

March 19th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Sons of Norway’s International Presidents and Chairs (1895 – 2025)

The story of the presidents is the story of North American immigration itself and the transformation from newcomers to homegrown citizens. Many of our first officers worked at any job they could find, to establish a foothold in their new country. Some attended college, but many sacrificed their own advancement to launch the next generation into higher education and advanced professions.

March 19th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Norway’s 2025 Song for Eurovision

Each year, the European Broadcasting Union organizes a song competition known as Eurovision, where participating countries get to submit an original song to be performed live and broadcasted. The countries then get to vote to determine the winner of the competition.

March 18th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

A Forbidden Love

King Harald and Queen Sonja have reigned in Norway since 1991. They enjoy a high approval rating with the citizens of Norway, but when they first met, their relationship was highly controversial.

February 21st, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Literary Oslo

Norway has produced a number of great writers. Some have even been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, an honor that has been handed out since 1901. The most recent recipient of the award is Jon Fosse, who received the honor in 2023.

February 20th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Happy Founders Day

January 16 marks the day that Sons of Norway was founded in 1895. On that day 130 years ago, eighteen individuals signed the charter that made this organization official.

January 16th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Cheese Slicer Centennial

A hundred years ago in Lillehammer, Norway, cabinetmaker Thor Bjørklund was using a planer to smooth out some wood, when the idea of a more efficient cheese slicer came to him- one that would be more precise and easier than cutting with a knife.

January 15th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

2025: The Year of Friluftsliv

Friluftsliv has long been an important part of Norwegian society. It translates to “open-air-life” and is the concept of embracing the outdoors and connecting with nature. The idea behind friluftsliv has been around for centuries as can be seen in philosopher’s books such as those written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Henry David Thoreau.  

January 14th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Liven Up Your Smørbrød

To celebrate 100 years of the Norwegian cheese slice, grab some hearty wheat or rye bread and try out some of these open-faced sandwich toppings featuring Norwegian cheeses.

January 14th, 2025|Categories: Blog|

Updated Christmas Tradition

The Christmas season is upon us! For many, this time of year is full of traditions. Some traditions may have been passed down to us, while others we create along the way. Those of us from Scandinavian heritage may share some of the same traditions.

December 18th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

The Norwegian Butter Crisis of 2011

Around the holidays, it is no surprise that food tends to be top of mind for many. What will I make for Christmas dinner? How many Christmas cookies should I make? What will be served at the lodge julebord?

December 18th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Meet Ornament Creator Karen Van Loan

Most, if not all of you have seen – and hopefully purchased – this year’s Sons of Norway Christmas ornament. Continuing in the tradition that started in 2009, our annual ornament is designed by a talented rosemaler in the style of their artistic training. The ornament this year was painted by Karen Van Loan of Apple Valley, Minnesota. 

November 25th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

A Universal Word

While Norwegian and English certainly share many words in common, there are plenty of examples where their vocabulary diverges. Take for example, words such as ski, cat/katt and fjord, which need little translation.

November 24th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Ida The Mountain Cat

On the mountain called Venabygdsfjellet in Ringebu, Norway, a small animal has won the hearts of locals and tourists alike. This animal is an adorable gray cat named Ida, who lives in the nearby area.

November 24th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Bernt Balchen’s 125th Birthday Celebration

Bernt Balchen was born just outside of Kristiansand, Norway on October 23, 1899. He was known as a navigator, mechanical engineer, polar aviator and distinguished military leader in the course of his life.

October 15th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Tale from the Crypt

A South Dakotan TikToker and her sisters were visiting Gjerdrum, a small town on the northwestern outskirts of Oslo, where their ancestors had once lived. They toured Gjerdrum kirke, the church where their grandfather had been baptized, but could not have been prepared for what happened next.

October 15th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Lørdagsgodteri

Bernt Balchen was born just outside of Kristiansand, Norway on October 23, 1899. He was known as a navigator, mechanical engineer, polar aviator and distinguished military leader in the course of his life.

October 14th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Viking Bread

This delicious bread recipe would be a great pairing with soup during the upcoming cold months or as a tasty side with a little honey.

October 14th, 2024|Categories: Blog|

Hardanger Font

If you said the word Hardanger to someone, they might follow up with the question, “Hardanger, what?” The word is associated with various things well-known and loved by Norwegians. One of its most well-known associations is with embroidery.

September 23rd, 2024|Categories: Blog|
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