Jan 1st – Happy New Year Jan 25 – Lutefisk dinner January 2014
Jan 28 – Installation of Officers
Volume 98 Issue No. 1
President’s Message
POULSBO SONS OF NORWAY LODGE #2-44 January 2014 Lodge Meeting Highlights
Finally cleaning it all up!
Here’s something I know everyone does. They go to clean up their garage, or a back room, or a closet, and get so engrossed in looking at all the old stuff (“ Hey, remember when you used to play for that team? Remember that vacation? “) that the task takes 2 or 3 times as long as it should. Well, while I’ve done those tasks too, I just did something that is the new modern equivalent – cleaning up my Outlook email files so I can move to a new computer. I’ve seen a number of ways to handle this. If you look in a bookstore or online about articles on the subject, you’ll see a lot of advice on how to best triage and declutter your email (“Keep this! No, throw away THAT!”). Sometimes you can make the decision of what to keep by just looking at the subject or title of the email (equivalent to just looking at the outside of the “box”.) Most of the time, though, you have to dig deep into the box - er, EMAIL!– and check out the actual contents. And in most cases, that is where you really get into trouble. “I remember that event, and we….”- there goes 30 minutes. One interesting thing about email is that it will often save a lot of the not –so – interesting details of what happened on the way to your special event. You recall that great soccer game your daughter had, but see that you had to rearrange your work schedule to get there (and annoyed your boss in the process), that you had to defer an event with a friend to the next weekend (and annoyed them too), that you had to bother someone to get a ride because your car was in the shop, and that finally it rained so much that game it took days for the chairs you sat in to dry out in the garage. Well, part of that relates to my past 15 years or so on the Lodge board. I have a couple of boxes of Lodge meeting material at home – as well as four separate email folders relating to SONs items. That’s thousands of emails! I note most of the folks are no longer on the board from when I started – some have left Poulsbo, some have departed this Earth. Many people ARE still around, and you recall all the interactions you have had with them over the years. In fact, you may take too much time reliving the successes and failures of the past & not concentrating on what you are trying to do – which is cleaning up so that you can move forward! When I tried to make a thank you list last month, I realized there were way too many people to properly thank for a simple Maken column. So I’ll just do this: to our current Board, many thanks for all you continue to do day in and day out to make the Lodge a great institution. For those on the past boards and presidents I’ve worked with – thanks for creating the foundation to work from. And to those many, many members who were simply (!) there at the Lodge & went out of their way to help with our many events over the years – including one man a long while back who went out of his way to be nice to a kid (OK, I’ll risk an actual name – Mr. K., anyone?) whom gave me a Norwegian flag to wave right before the Viking Fest parade many moons ago – that represented the spirit of the Lodge more to me than you probably even knew. (Yes, us Scandinavians often don’t express our feelings when we should.) While I know we still have our many ups and downs in Poulsbo 2-44 (after all, we are a Lodge that’s not only a physical building but a group of living, breathing humans) may I say one last time, “may Peace and Harmony prevail in our Lodge”. I sincerely hope it always will. THANK YOU ALL!
New members: Gene St. Germain, Mary Frances McKay, Leslie Carlson, Gene & Jane Bryant, Troy Landis, Cynthia Banon, Don Plantz, Kurt Sieberg and Ronda Callaham. Treasurer Kathy Moncrief's reported the Lodge to be $1909.37 in the red. There were no catered events and fewer hall rentals in November. Roger Swenson was voted in as a new member to the Building Assoc. Reminder on Lodge meeting time: 7 p.m. beginning Jan., 2014. Lutefisk Dinner-January 25th from 12 to 5 p.m.- Kathy Moncrief and Vicky Spray are in charge February 9th Pancake Breakfast is a change from the 1st Sunday breakfast to accommodate a big boating event Jorgen Tweiten's estate donated original architectural plans of the Lodge.
Lodge office number: 360-779-5209 Lodge Fax number: 360-779-5223 Trolls Den number: 360-779-2384 Stay Connected Are you still getting a paper copy of the Måken? Contact Vicky at the office or Joanne (207-2186) if you would like to get your Måken via email. Monthly Meeting Time Change Starting in January the Monthly lodge meetings will start at 7:00pm. Don't be late!
Sun
J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 4
Monday
Tuesday
Måken articles due by the 15th turn them into the new President or the office
5 Pancake Breakfast
12
NEW YEAR’S DAY
6 Leikarringen 4:30 to 7:00 pm Library 4:30 – 6:30 Folk Dancing – Beginners 7-8:15pm & Beyond Basics 8:15-:159 pm
13
7
8
Dinner -5:00 to 7:00 Lodge Board Meeting7:00pm
Kaffe Stua 11am-2 pm
Check with John Emrick or the lodge office for specials
14
15
20 No Norwegian 21 classes tonight No Leikarringen 5:00 to 7:00 Dinner: Library 4:30 – 6:30 Snack Bar menu with Folk Dancing –Beginners specials 7-8 pm & Beyond Basics 8-9 pm Live music party
Kaffe Stua 11am-2 pm
Friday
Sat
Ladies Club
3 Skip & Sandi Walsh & crew—soup and salad dinner 6 to 8 pm
4 Un-decorate the lodge
9
10
11
Trivia night
Nordic Needleworkers 10 to 1 pm Woodcarving Support 6:00-9:00pm Moncreif Crew – Vestre Sund Mannskor chicken Divan 7:30-9 pm
16 10 to noon Advanced Norwegian Women’s Book Discussion 1 pm at Liberty Bay Books
17
18
Nordic Needleworkers 10 to 1 pm Emrick Crew – Steak and Shrimp
Woodcarving Support 6:00-9:00pm Vestre Sund Mannskor 7:30-9 pm
22 Kaffe Stua 11am-2 pm
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
26
Thursday
Godt Nytt År
Norwegian Classes – No Lodge meeting Beginners 5:30-6:30 Advanced Beg. 5:30-7:30 5:00 to 7:00 Dinner: Advanced Int. 7:30-8:30 Check with John Leikarringen 4:30 to 7:00 Emrick or the lodge pm office for specials Library 4:30 – 6:30 Folk Dancing – Beginners 7-8:15 pm & Beyond Basics 8:15-9 pm
19
Wednesday 2 1
13 28 29 Norwegian Classes – 5:00 to 7:00 Dinner: Beginners 5:30-6:30 Snack Bar menu with Kaffe Stua Advanced Beg. 5:30-7:30 specials 11 am to 2 pm Advanced Int. 7:30-8:30 Leikarringen 4:30 to 7:00 pm 7:00pm Lodge Library 4:30 – 6:30 meeting Folk Dancing – Beginners 7-8:15 pm & Installation of Beyond Basics 8:15-9 pm
23 10 to noon Advanced Norwegian Trivia Night Woodcarving Support 6:00-9:00pm Vestre Sund Mannskor 7:30-9 pm
24 Nordic Needleworkers 10 to 1 pm
25 Lutefisk and meatball Dinner noon – 5:00pm
Stuart Moncrief – Pizza, salada dessert
30 10 to noon Advanced Norwegian
31
Woodcarving Support 6:00-9:00pm
Barb Mitchusson – Steak and Fish
1
Nordic Needleworkers Vestre Sund Mannskor 10 to 1 pm 7:30-9 pm
Officers
Feb 2014
To Help with Tuesday Night Dinners please call Wade Moncrief (360)297-3571. More Crews/Volunteers are needed for Friday Night Dinners, contact Wade at 297-3571. For various reasons, menus and/or the cost of meals may vary from time to time from what is shown on the calendar. Call the lodge office or Trolls Den for the most current information regarding meals.
FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER
Ladies Club News
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope Leikarringen Youth Folk Dancing everyone had a wonderful holiday season. The Ladies club Christmas The Leikarringen youth will dance party was very nice. The party had their normal Monday schedule beginning January 6th They won’t good turn out of members and their guests. Doug prepared an excellent meet on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. dinner of pork and vegetables.
Nordic Needleworkers Instruction in Hardanger embroidery and help in other handwork is available Fridays from 10 to 1 p.m. in the Viking Room. Call Grace at 360-779-2460 for more information.
I want to thank everyone for making this year’s Julefest a success. We had a good turnout of people for hot lefse and other goodies. Everyone seemed to have a good time at the festivities.
Our next meeting will be January 2, 2014. The new officers for 2014 will Woodcarving continues on Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm in the Norse Room. be installed at the meeting. A new year with more volunteer All levels of expertise are welcome. begins opportunities. For info call Jeff Iller at 698-7175.
Woodcarving
I want to thank everyone that worked so
someone, and I wouldn't want to do that, so please accept my thanks to each and everyone who helped this year. I couldn't have done it without your help. I will personally thank each and everyone for your help as I see you around the lodge, but until then Mange Tusen Takk for your help. Julie Swenson, 2013 Bazaar Chairperson"
Tusen Takk To
the following who worked hard to make your Lodge look festive for the Christmas holidays: Donna & David Rice, Amy & Roger Swenson, Vicky Bockleman, Phil & Julie Swenson, Rob Gelder, Gordon Nicoll, The AnunsonsPaul, Alisha, Anya, Lila & Annette, Sherry White, Koleen Kelley, Debbie Goyette, Dorothy Walsh, Kathy Moncrief, Bob Schulte, Grace Overby, Dan O'Connell and his bucket truck, and Barb Mitchusson.
Norwegian Language Classes Classes begin the week of Jan 13. hard this year to make the Ladies Club Call Stan for placement 360-779- a success. Your efforts are very much appreciated. Without you, we would Christmas Kaffe Stua 2460 . No Classes January 20 not be able to accomplish as much as Julie Swenson and her crew served a Women’s Book Discussion we do. It has been an interesting year phenomenal array of wonderful food Meets third Tuesdays at Liberty being President. We took a bit of a hit in the Scandinavian tradition. Diners Bay Books at 1:00 pm. Jan 16 this with the health department, but we were very complimentary about the month. Read books by seem to be back on track. I look quality and quantity of the many Scandinavian authors. Chosen forward to seeing everyone in January. types of sandwiches and desserts, as book for Jan. is "Red Wolf" by I wish you all a healthy and prosperous well as the pea soup made by Kathy Lisa Marklund. Moncrief. Vafflers and Romergrot new year. were on the menu, along with the Darlene Burke Library News traditional lefse, pickled herring, and The library is open again on Mondays rollepolse. If you didn't have a from 4:30 to 6:30 pm and before and January Lodge Meeting chance to attend this wonderful after lodge meetings. It can be opened meal, be sure to come to the one in at other times upon request. Contact The January meeting will be 2014. Grace Overby at 779-2460. Tuesday, January 28 at 7:00pm. Note the time and date change. Our Tusen takk to all who participated Folk Dancing new officers will be installed and the and attended our Julefest on Dec. 7. Leikarringen Dancers will perform. In spite of the frigid weather we had Mondays: Classes begin Jan. 6 Christmas tree lighting by Miss 7-8:15 Beginning Folk Dancing Tusen Takk Poulsbo, great music by Vestre Sund Thank you to everyone who helped 8:15-9:15 Beyond Basics Mannskor, fun around the tree, to make the 2013 Christmas Bazaar impressive torchlight procession by Jan 20--Live Music Party Potluck a success. To make the Bazaar a Snacks success each year requires many the Vikings, presentation of Sons of Norway royalty, a No partners needed. Leather soled hours of volunteer time by our spectactular bonfire, and Santa, members. I would like to list each shoes preferred. Tussen Takk to all. member who spent their precious Coordinator and teacher Julie time helping me with this year's Buckel 360-394-9698 bazaar, but I am sure I would miss
2014 Calendar of Events January 1 New Year's Day 4 Take down the Decorations 25 Lutefisk Dinner 28 New Officer Installation February 8 Winterfest @ Trollhaugen March ? Lodge Spring Cleaning April 19 Easter Egg Hunt May 5 Leikarringen end of year Party 13 17 16-18 19 26 June 16 TBD
Lodge Memorial Service Syttende Mai Viking Fest Leikarringen registration Memorial Day Family potluck and folk dance Heritage day camp
21 Mid-sommer Fest July 3 Fireworks on the Fjord 29 Feast of St. Olaf August TBD Folk Dance Workshop ? Stemne ? Ole Berg Tournament September TBD Ladies Club Rummage Sale October 9 Leif Erickson Day 31 Halloween Party November 11 Lodge elections TBD Decorate the lodge December 6 Julefest/Bazaar TBD Ladies Club Christmas Party TBD Christmas SHARENET Auction 15 Children’s Lucia Party TBD Lodge Christmas Party 25 Christmas Day 31 New Year’s Eve party
Friday Night Dinners
Friday dinners are popular with many of our members. The crews are all volunteers and strive to have a varied menu with quality food, preparation and service. We can always use additional volunteers, if you are interested in forming a crew or working on a crew, please let me know. As Counselor for 2014 I will be coordinating the schedule this year. I will try to publish a two month schedule in each Maken for your information and planning. Here is the schedule for January and February. January
Our scholarship silent auction totaled $607 minus some postage.
Scholarships Scholarships for camp and Oslo International Summer school are available for children and grandchildren of Poulsbo Sons of Norway members. See Joanne Graves (297-2186) for details. Summer camp applications are available on line at: http://www.sonsofnorway2.com/you thcamps.html See Alisha Anunson or Joanne Graves for more information
3 - Walsh Crew - Soup and Salad Bar 10 - Moncrief Crew - Chicken Divan 17 - Emrick Crew - Steak & Shrimp 24 - Stuart/Moncrief Pizza/Salad/Dessert (day before Lutefisk Dinner)
31 - Barb Mitchusson Crew - Steak & Fish February 7 - Gresham Crew - menu TBD 14 - Jan & Shorty - menu TBD (Valentines Day) 21 - Emrick/Sharpe Crew - Steak & Shrimp 28 - Rice Crew - Roast Pork Wade Moncrief- 360-297-3571
Vestre Sund Mannskor
Enjoy Norwegian heritage in song at meetings on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 pm. Men who enjoy singing are invited to join the group. They will begin again on January 9th. If interested, call Warren Rosvold at 930-05041. You can also find more information at: Tusen takk to Thea Clementz, the http://www.pcnsa.org/LocalGroups/Pou Norwegian exchange student from lsbo.ht
Oslo, Norway, for telling about her experiences in Oslo and in Kingston, Washington
Silent Auction Results
Lodge Un-decorating Day Saturday, January 4th Please come to help take down, pack up, and put into storage all our Christmas decorations on Saturday, January 4th at 10 a.m. All workers will receive a free lunch and the good feeling that comes from helping others accomplish a needed task. Are you Connected? Are you getting the Viking magazine each month? How about the Viking e-post? If not, you may need to update your contact information with Sons of Norway International. You can update your contact information on line at: http://www.sofn.com/home/index.jsp
Enough? Why ask the question as to how much money is enough? Most of us will do well while we are working at our job or profession. But what happens when you want to hang it all up and live the life of retirement? Now you have to live on what you have accumulated during your working years. That accumulation is probably made up of IRAs/401Ks, rentals, savings, life insurance, annuities and a number of other items. You get the point, but if you retire and all you have to look forward to is Social Security and your IRA/Pension, life may start out OK but down the road a few years, you may find you are having to cutback on your life style. As I mentioned in past Makens, the fly in the ointment is a little thing called INFLATION. This item is created by our government, by spending more then they take in. For example, back in 1954 THREE POUNDS of GROUND MEAT cost the grand total of ONE DOLLAR. Today, ONE POUND cost THREE DOLLARS. So in 60 years what used to cost one dollar now cost 9 to11 dollars. Now you want to retire in 30 years, then in order to have the same purchasing power that you have today you will need to adjust your retirement income by 50%. Now push your retirement out 30years and you will need close to 100% of the income you are living on right now! This is the main reason that financial Planners tell folks to get the home paid for and the credit cards paid off. If you think Social Security is going to help, my wife and I just received our Social Security Statements and we had a grand increase of 1.5%! I’m sure that with the .25% we are receiving on our savings plus our Social Security increase that we will be out there shopping for a new car or trying to figure out how to keep the car running for another year. A suggestion that may help you have enough and also combat inflation is to set up a flexible annuity as soon as you can. Most of you will have either an IRA or a 401k and when you retire you probably will convert your 401k into an IRA. We all know that if funds are taken out of an
IRA before 59 ½ there is a 10% penalty plus tax on the funds taken out. Between 59 ½ and 70 ½ it is penalty free time. You are taxed only on the funds taken out. Now after 70 1/2, funds should be withdrawn, you don’t have to but it is highly suggested that you do. If you don’t start taking what is called your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) starting at age 70 1/2, the penalty is 50% plus the tax on your RMD. For example, let’s say your RMD is $6,000.00 and you either don’t take it out or forget about it then your RMD will be reduced by $3,000 plus the tax on the $6,000. One way to prevent this is to use that flex annuity you set up and have your RMD go automatically from your IRA to your flex annuity. You still will have to include the RMD as income but your RMD will be going directly into your flex annuity and growing tax deferred. Now down the road when you need extra funds to supplement your life style you can tap the annuity. The choice is yours, live on what you have or send some money forward so that in 30-60 years you will have ENOUGH money to live on. Folks let Marlene and I show you how to take the stress out of your life. You can telephone me at 1-866-6488889 or email me at “tipper13@comcast.net”. Marlene Taylor, a Charter Life Underwriter, (CLU) will be able to assist you in all of your estate planning needs. She can be contacted at 360-4265595.
2014 Lodge Officers President – David Rice Vice President – Glen Robbins Secreatary – Barb Mitchusson Assistant Secretary – Julie Swenson Treasurer – Kathy Moncrief membership secreary – Mary Gerstel Social Director – Rhonda Mitchusson Co-Cultural Directors – Grace Overby and Elisabeth Moseng Youth Director – Alisha Anunson Sports Director – John Emrick Publicity – Judy Morgan Foundation Director – Phil Swenson Auditor – sue Dabinett Auditor – Amy Swenson Auditor – Phil Swenson Trustee – Vacant Trustee – Rob Kodalen Trustee – Vacant Historian – Ralph Naddeo Assistant Marshal; - roger Swenson Marshall – Donna Rice Greeter 1 – Donna Kodalen Greeter 2 – Osa Chapman Musician – Marlene Taylor Assistant Musician - Janice Peterson Counselor – Wade Moncrief Editor – Joanne Graves Building Association President- Bob Loveland Ladies Club President – Barb Mitchusson
Lutefisk dinner January 25 Ralph M. Naddeo Financial Benefits Counselor. 1-253-565-2319, e-mail tipper13@comcast.net.
Join us January 25th for Lutefisk and meatball dinner at the lodge. The Best Lutefisk in the Northwest! Our very own Leikarringen youth folk dancers will be performing at 12:30 and 2:30. Dinner is served from noon to 5:00pm Adults $22, children under 10 $10
Non-Profit POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #7 Poulsbo, WA 98370
Sons of Norway Poulsbo Lodge #2-44 P.O. Box 653 POULSBO, WA 98370
January 2014 check our Website: www.poulsbosonsofnorway.com THIS SPACE IS AVAILABLE FOR ADVERTISEMENT SEE VICKY IN THE LODGE OFFICE
M책ken Identification Statement M책ken is a newsletter of the Poulsbo Lodge No 44 of the Sons of Norway, a nonprofit organization located at 18891 Front St, Poulsbo, WA 98370. Published monthly. Issue date, number and volume are located on the front page. No ISSN has been assigned. The newsletter is sent to all members of the Poulsbo Lodge at no additional cost. Each issue has a circulation of 1,000. Editor: Joanne Graves (360)297-2186 rain4days@centurytel.net
Office Manager: Vicky Spray 360-779-5209 sonsofnorwaypoulsbo@embarqmail.com