June 22, 1903 the Varden Lodge of Sønner av Norge was founded. "Varden" means "beacon" or "lookout," and is also a masculine name."Gyda" is the ninth century princess who first had a vision of a united kingdom of Norway. The Gyda Døtre av Norge was established two years later in 1905. The Gyda Lodge merged with the Varden Lodge in 1951, to be known as The Gyda Varden Lodge #21.

--------------------- FREE CONCERT:

Norwegian recording artist, television personality and educator Kai Robert Johansen will be performing at the UND Burtness Laboratory Theater, Sunday, October 7, at 7 p.m. His adult- and kid- friendly performance will combine vocal and instrumental renditions of standards from Norway, Scotland and the US. His repertoire spans popular styles from jazz and dance-hall to spirituals and music from Norway’s best-loved children’s musical theater. He will be joined onstage by his daughter Camilla, a recording artist in her own right. Kai Robert Johansen’s work as a trumpeter, vocalist, bandleader and composer has been featured in bands and orchestras throughout Scandinavia. His recordings have topped the charts on Norwegian radio and been awarded gold record status. Concert is free and open to the public. Coffee and cookies provided by the College of Arts and Sciences, with additional support from the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and the Norse Federation.
Submitted by:
Steve Finney, UND Instructor, Norwegian
Tori Johnson, President, Nordmanns Forbundet

2008 DISTRICT IV BIENNIAL CONVENTION:

The lodge is preparing for the Sons of Norway District IV biennial convention, to be held in Grand Forks on June 18-21, 2008. The woodcarvers and rosemalers are making intriguing souvenir table favors for all conventioneers. Lodge artisans are also making decorative items to be raffled or auctioned.

In addition to business meetings, there will be rosemaling, woodcarving, and genealogy workshops, a barbecue at Sertoma Park, and a dance following the Saturday night banquet. A walk-a-thon will raise money for the Foundation. The general schedule is:

----- Wednesday – Thursday, June 18-19: District Board meeting.
-----Thursday evening, June 19: President’s reception.
----- Friday evening, June 20: Barbecue in Sertoma Park.
----- Saturday evening, June 21: Banquet followed by a dance, at the Alerus Center

Convention committee members are still needed. You many contact either of the Convention co-chairs to volunteer:
-----Gordon Bennett, 599-2251
-----Glenn Fontaine, 772-5119.

FUND RAISING:----------

Through fund-raising projects, lefse baking, and the fantastic support of members and the community, Gyda Varden has engaged in unlimited cultural, social, and charitable activities. Within our lodge a sunshine committee seeks to cheer the sick and bereaved with flowers or a sympathy card, and each June an impressive service is conducted to honor the memory of departed members.

Gyda Varden contributes through fundraisers sponsored by the Sons of Norway Foundation, and has benefitted from the Humanitarian Fund, which began in 1997 in response to the Red River Flood.
---1. Disaster relief.
---2. Outreach grants for the lodge.
------------ (see Officers page)
---3. Scholarships for
Norwegran-American education exchange.
------------(see Jr. Lodge page)

Gyda Varden is looking forward to providing aid for the handicapped by supporting the TUBFRIM PROJECT. E-mail John Schaffer to receive credit. --Klikk på mus or or for information.

With your used phonecards & stamps the lodge provides medical aid for children in Norway because we give them a "new" value. "Several hundred handicapped children benefit from the fund raised by TUBFRIM -- every year!"

TUBFRIM was established in Nesbyen in 1928. Postmaster Ditlef Frantzen took the initiative to collect and sell used stamps to fund a better quality of life for handicapped children and youth and to support tuberculosis research.

The Gyda Varden Lodge supports many other commitments, including Skogfjorden Language Camp, a scrapbook, and the Nordic Initiative, among others.

--------------------- LODGE MEETINGS:-
- (see calendar) We invite you to come to a lodge meeting. Through the years, lodge members have discovered intangible friendships fostered when enjoying traditional Norwegian activities together, including: literature and history--“Norsk Lese Lag,” bokmål og nynorsk language classes, rosemaling, wood carving, Hardanger embroidery, folk dancing, genealogy research, craft classes, ethnic programs, pancake breakfasts, chili suppers, chorus performances, corn feeds, lefse baking, bløtkake demonstrations, bunad making, drill team performances, pot-luck meals, sports, tours, and celebrations. The meetings contain some business content, but also some youth-oriented cultural and social events. In recent years the lodge has developed a friendship with a sister-lodge in Norway, the BIRKEBEINER group from Lillehammer. The senior officers are listed on the Sister Lodge page.

With a bit of joy & vanity, Gyda Varden hopes you will join with us and celebrate the heritage and culture of Norway and other Nordic countries around the North Sea. We think of each member, as when one thinks of a brother who has been lost and forgotten but found again in discovering a beautiful source of identity.

Click to hear the Norwegian National Anthem.

Ha en god dag!