November 2017 Meeting recap

The Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, MCV meeting at First Lutheran Church in Nashville with 12 in attendance: Oscar Krosnes, Diane Acree, Ken Sersland, Christina Péters, LeAnne Péters, Gloria Kleve, Kevin and George Olson, Sharol Hopwood, Sharon Lassiter, Tyler and Mandy Gaw. Having the meeting upstairs made it easier for most older folks. There was a special event downstairs in the room we usually use for our meeting.

Acting president Oscar Krosnes called the meeting to order and we sang the Norwegian and U.S. National Anthems.

Ken Sersland reported that 55 of the 70 tickets have been sold for the Julefest on Dec. 2. Evelyn McDaniel is working with Brentwood Country Club and we are going to have a special event. Ken has ordered Norwegian and Swedish Calendars, Farmer’s Cheese, Pickled Herring, Ligonberries (mountain cranberries), and Flatbread to sell at the Julefest.

Karen Kennedy is looking for special music for the Julefest.

Oscar Krosnes introduced Diane Acree who will be the new MCV public relations and publicity chair. She will use her contacts to get more information out on Facebook, Instagram and other social media so we can attract new and retain former and younger Scandinavian members.

Oscar introduced Christina Péters spoke on the topic "BRINGING TRAVEL HOME”. Christina is a Swedish American author, entrepreneur, and public speaker an award winning journalist, managing director of one of the largest global banks, and a successful seed philanthropist. Christina is founder and CEO of GenieMe Technologies Inc., a tech company dedicated to maximizing life. MCV member LeAnne Péters is her mother.

Christina Péters talked about how travel can recharge everyone including people who are depressed or ill and how important it is to plan, dream and experience travel as it expands the mind and is good for the body and soul. The process of planning, saving money for, discovering places to visit and experiencing travel can make a person more flexible and open minded and aware about what we value in our daily lives. We all strive to be happy and fulfilled in our lives. Travel is a way to renew and recharge the body, mind

and soul. Christina’s book, Stopping Planes, Ditching Trains & Hijacking Automobiles: true stories from the road less traveled was available for purchase. We wish her well in her new travel business. #wherewillyougo geniemetravel www.geniemetravelapp.com The book's website and link to Amazon is on this site. www.stoppingplanes.com.

The app on your smart phone helps you find destinations. You plug in three items. The amount of money you have to spend, the dates you want to travel and how far you want to travel from home. Christina’s app will give you 25 suggestions of where you might want go. Christina will offer assistance too.

Christina closed her talk by quoting parts of the book, Oh, The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss. This book is a classic.

“You have brains in your head you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” “The more you read the more places you will go, the more places you go the more things you will learn.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa-0yJXFeKk
You can listen to the entire book Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go! on youtube.
Christina answered questions and provided feedback for MCV members. A wonderful presentation by a charming world traveler and global citizen.

Oscar reported on Regional SON meeting in Wisconsin in October. He met the SON international president Jon Tehven who is waiting for feedback from MCV about the 2020 International Convention which is proposed for Nashville, TN. There were around forty SON members in attendance from twenty SON lodges. Oscar was able to share our concern about the lack of photos of MCV events in District 5 in the Viking magazine. Oscar also expressed his concern for women being recognized as Daughters of Norway. SON has a new logo. Look for it in the Viking magazine.

Music City Vikings Lodge 5-681and the Vikings of the Smokies Lodge 5- 677 in Knoxville, TN, will plan to meet together in 2018.

The meeting was adjourned. All happy MCV travelers parted ways for their travels home and the next week of adventures.