April 2017 Meeting Recap

​MUSIC CITY VIKINGS SN 5-681 BOARD MEETING MINUTES
April 23, 2017
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, NASHVILLE, TN

​Members of Music City Vikings met on Sunday, April 23, at First Lutheran Church in Nashville to hear MCV member Julie Wray talk about her recent seventeen day trip to Norway. Julie planned her trip, traveled alone, rented and drove a car with computer navigation on the scenic Norwegian motorways, which included a five day trip from Hamar to Lillehammer which follows a pilgrim route through peaceful countryside, rolling hills, forests and small towns. Julie had photos of the old episcopal cathedral from medieval times in Hamar now covered and preserved by glass. See the route Julie drove on her trip at the following link. http://pilegrimsleden.no/en/suggestions/hedmarken-fra-hamar-til-lillehammer

Julie visited the area where her great great grandparents lived and farmed. Lars Larsen (changed his name to Halmrast when he came to America and settled in Coon Valley, WI) and Anna Elisabet “Lisa” Mikkelsdotter Smelby were both from the east side of Randsfjorden Norway’s fourth largest lake fresh water lake. Lisa was from Gjovik and Lars from Fall. Lars and Lisa Halmrast’s son, Nordahl, was Julie’s great-grandfather. Julie stayed in a traditional Norwegian cabin looking out on Randsfjorden Lake and thought about her ancestors in Norway.

Julie traveled light with only a backpack and a purse, and stayed in local Norwegian airbnb’s and hostels, where one must remember to request a lower bunk. Julie met many interesting people on the Randsfjord train from Oslo to Bergen where she attended part of the 14 day Bergen International Festival featuring music, dance, literature, visual arts, folklore, and more. Her trip was blessed with sunny days and nice weather. Julie ate delicious seafood soup and lefse while enjoying beautiful Norwegian vistas enhanced by local art design and Norwegian architecture. Fjords, mountains and stunning waterfalls were seen on the fjord cruise to Mostraumen.

The rail trip continued to Stavanger, the Oil Capital of Norway. The beautiful Stavanger Cathedral near the harbor was completed in 1125. It is the only cathedral from the Middle Age that has kept its original architecture. The 18th- and 19th-century wooden houses in the town centre give the city a small-town character. The friendly and helpful Norwegians made Julie feel welcome everywhere on her Norwegian journey.

It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when visitors Wendy and Bill drove three hours from Illinois, to visit MCV, the closest SON Lodge to their home in IL. They are members of SON District 6-153 Overtro Fjell Lodge, Mesa, AZ and posted on the Mesa, AZ Facebook page they would be attending a SON meeting in Nashville, TN. https://www.facebook.com/Sonsofnorwaymesa/?rc=p
Visitors Diane and Richard from Brentwood, TN, attended the 2016 Julefest. We look forward to them becoming members of MCV.

The May meeting will be a Syttende Mai Celebration on Sunday, May 21, at Two Rivers Park.
1-3 PM
2300 Two Rivers Pkwy., Nashville, TN 37214 Donelson
We will meet at Shelter # The last shelter on the left. Look for the Norwegian Flags. For directions go to:

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cumberland-river-pedestrian-bridge-nashville

A Barbecue Lunch of Turkey and Pork along with sides from Whitts will be served between 1:15 -1:30.

Come join the Syttende Mai parade, play Scandinavian games. Enjoy a walk across the new pedestrian suspension bridge across the Cumberland River.

https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks/Two-Rivers-Park.aspx http://www.americantrails.org/resources/structures/Cumberland-River- Pedestrian-Bridge-TN.html

If you arrive just before noon you can watch the General Jackson Steamboat come down the Cumberland River from Opry Mills and sail under the pedestrian bridge.

Susan,

Please check the particulars with Oscar as he is making the arrangements for the Shelter and he has the correct shelter # He is working with Whitts.

Note the changes and additions for Bergen and Stavanger.