Lodge History - Bernt Balchen 3-566
Bernt Balchen Lodge No. 3-566 Sons of Norway meets the 3rd Thursday of the month (except Jan. and Feb.). Meeting time: April through October 7:00 PM – March, November and December 1:00 PM.
Meeting Place: Central Volunteer Fire Department Hall, Westcolong Road, off Route 590, Bohemia, PA
Contact No: Christine Vehstedt, President - 570/226-8670
Arthur Erickson urged daughter, Solveig Spuhler, to request assistance of Helge Aursland in establishing a Sons of Norway Lodge in Northeastern Pennsylvania, specifically Wayne and Pike counties. Ingrid Rosencrance and Helen Rothenberger helped secure names of interested Norwegian Americans who wanted to keep their heritage and culture alive in their Northeast Pennsylvania Scandinavian community.
The first meeting was held in the Hawley Municipal building in August 1977. Following an informative report on the life of Bernt Balchen presented by Solveig Spuhler, the group decided our official name would be Bernt Balchen Lodge.
Lodge initiation and installation of our first officers was September 24, 1977 at Eldred Game Preserve, Eldred, New York. We were honored that Mrs. Ba1chen was willing to attend. We had approximately 110 charter members. Officers were, Roy Studsrud, President, Gerard Wicknes, Vice President, Harry Oyangen, Counselor, Ingrid Rosencrance, Secretary, Anne Marie Bucher, Financial Secretary, and Alice Ogland, Treasurer. Solveig Spuhler was our first Social Director.
The first two years we met at various locations. In December 1979 we moved to Ecker-Haupt VFW Hall, Lackawaxen, Pa. In 1980 Edward Andersen assumed the duties of president, a post he held through 1988. Presently, their meetings and most of their special affairs are held at Central Volunteer Fire Department Hall, Pike County, Bohemia, PA.
Some of our most successful ventures are noted below.
In October 1978 we entertained Little Norway Lodge #430 on a mystery bus trip. Kay Andersen composed a song which the Lodge sang to the tune of Springtime in the Rockies.
The Bernt Balchen Flyer debuted in April 1979, with June Strait as Editor. In June we purchased a Viking ship, which our men repaired, from the Brooklyn Norwegian Children's Home. We participated in the parade for the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the Sturbridge Lion in Honesdale, Pa. This was the first time we used our banner.
In 1980 Olaf Mathiesen began cooking lessons. Betty Matthews began rosemaling classes. We sponsored a weekend at Land of the Vikings and held the first Syttende Mai parade there.
In 1981 we requested permission to transfer from District 3, Zone 6 to District 3, Zone 3. Permission for the transfer to District 3, Zone 3 was granted in 1982. This year we sponsored the showing of Song of Norway.
Our very successful store opened in 1983. We hosted the team of Norwegian gymnasts here to perform in the U.S.
In 1984 we purchased holsters to carry the flags when marching. We began language classes under the direction of Sigfrid Ellingsen. Gerd Haugen succeeded her as teacher.
A second banner and sashes were purchased in 1985. Our first Queen, Ingrid Johnsen, was elected to reign at our Leif Erickson Day Parade, the first parade held in Rowland, Pennsylvania. We built the Viking II (President Andersen did most of the work). Elvy Harrison made the sail. We had a very successful bazaar chaired by Betty Matthews.
In 1986 we participated in parades for 8t. Patrick's Day, 4th of July and Leif Erickson Day. A social followed each festivity. We went to Monticello racetrack and Atlantic City. We had a cultural night with films and continued to sponsor a children's Christmas party with entertainment. We had a lot of fun at our barbecue.
During 1987 we again participated in the St. Patrick's Day and 4th of July parades. Three members, Tordis Sampson, Gerd Haugen and Arnold Anderson marched in the 17th of Mai Parade, Brooklyn N. Y. Professor Haugen quizzed the Lodge about 17 of Mai, St Hans and the American Presidents. The News Eagle took pictures at our anniversary party.
Leif Erickson Day was celebrated with a parade and picnic in Rowland. Betty Matthews volunteered to make and send a Christmas ornament to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry .We acquired large print songbooks titled Come Sing Along With Bernt Balchen Lodge.
In 1989 we picnicked at Amadi's following the 4th of July parade and later in the year at Minisink Battleground.
In June 1990 we were invited by the Port Jervis rotary to join them for a cocktail buffet at the Port Jervis Country Club when they entertained a 6 man study group from Norway. We recommended that Eric Sevareid be the Norwegian honored be the Ellis Island Foundation.
In 1991 we journeyed to Ellis Island. Warren Rothenberger showed Song of Norway at Woodledge. We were saddened by the death of our President, Stanley Bergesen, in September.
The big event in 1992 was our bazaar in October. Betty Matthews was largely responsible for its great success. We picnicked at Arams in July following the parade.
Our July 1993 meeting was held on board the Spirit of Wallenpaupack as we sailed around the lake. Our members attended the Midsummer Scandinavian fest in Randolph, N.J.
Several of our officers attended a seminar hosted by Zone 3 in 1994. President Harry Oyangen received life membership. We again had a trip on Lake Wallenpaupack.
During 1995, we refurbished our Viking Ship not once but twice. Mother Nature played havoc. We visited the Eddy Farm in June. Arnold Anderson was invited to participate in the 50th Anniversary Celebration Liberation Day Parade in Oslo.
Our biggest event in 1996 was our bazaar table at the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary bazaar.
1997 celebrated our 20th Anniversary, which was held at the Eldred Preserve. We had a wonderful evening and many of our Brothers and Sisters came to help us celebrate.
In 1998, our Viking Ship was included in Honesdale's 200th Anniversary. With funding help from the SoN Foundation, we held a St. Hans midsummer night fest at the Lackawaxen Volunteer Fire Co. fair grounds, which included a train ride (complete with Vikings and trolls) from Honesdale to Lackawaxen. Various vendors displayed Norwegian cultural items -the NorBu folk dancers performed and Gerry Wicknes catered a typical Norwegian dinner. We moved our meetings to the Lackawaxen Fire House.
In 1999 we had a bus trip to the Easton area to visit a Scandinavian store, the Crayola factory and a canal boat trip. We had a month-long display of Norwegian cultural items and books pertaining to Norway at the Hawley Library. We showed two films, Life in Norway Today and a film about Edvard Greig's life. Joan Nilsen started language lessons.
Christmas 2000, we joined other ethnic groups in Hawley's Victorian celebration and displayed a Christmas tree, decorated as it would have been at the turn of the century, in the Library We had our first Leif Erickson Day Viking Fest with music, costumes and a performance by the Norbu dancers.
In 2001 we held our 2nd Viking Fest at the Lackawaxen Fire House with a traditional Norwegian Loin of pork dinner. Members of the Lodge attended the Scandinavian Festival in Vasa Park N.J. We had a Christmas party complete with a traditional Norwegian Christmas tree that was decorated by the children.
In 2002 Solveig Spuhler and Joan Nilsen attended the 3rd District Convention in Cromwell, Ct. Our Bernt Balchen Flyer won a bronze award and our lodge won a bronze award for community service. The Lodge with our Viking Ship participated in the Pear Festival parade in Milford, 4th of July 75th Anniversary of Hawley parade, and the Lackawaxen parade. Our members had exhibits of Rosemaling, Norwegian food and cultural interest items at the Lackawaxen Fire Dept. craft fair, Beach Lake Fire Dept flea market, and the Lackawaxen Fire Dept Carnival. The Rosemaling class was in it’s 3rd year under the direction of Wenche Meyer. We held a wonderful 25th Anniversary celebration with entertainment by Jeannie Widman and band at the Inn at Lackawaxen.
In 2003 Harry Oyangan presented the lodge with a beautiful new flag he purchased in Norway. Rosemaling class in 4th year. Joan N hosted a smörgåsbord at the Grieg Recital. Elma donated a new Canadian flag. Loads of new social events were started this year: Viking dinner resumed, our first Scandinavian craft fair, a rosemaling exhibit at the library, July 4th party, and more. Carol started a reading group and a lodge library. We went on a bus trip to NYC: Seaman’s Church, Norwegian Christian Home and Danish Club, A Christmas Dinner/show at Mt Haven. Our membership grew by 10 new members.
2004 We participated in a Discovery Day at the Robert Wilson School in Waymart with a wonderful power point presentation about Norway. Joan N was our delegate to the 3rd District Convention at Pocono Manor PA. Sue Spuhler helped and many members attended the dinner. Our lodge won a founders and a merit award. We had many fun events, a trip to Shawnee playhouse, LOV, Viking Fest, 4th of July parade and party, Christmas party at the Lackawaxen House. Despite the flood of Hurricane Ivan, our 2nd Craft fair was a success and we also participated at the Von Steuben and Barryville Pumpkin festivals. Our membership grew by 20 members.
In 2005 we moved our meetings to the Pike county Senior Center and our Social events to Central Vol Fire co. We started a Young Viking program, learning Norwegian by song, the Sang Fugler premiered, rosemaling classes and reading group continue. Our members participated in parades, memorials, dinners, Ski for Light, parties and great camaraderie. Our Viking dinner and Craft Fair adjusted well to their new location. We won a trophy for our float at the Von Steuben parade. A wedding party was held for Harry and Helen Oyangan. Our membership grew by 8.
2006- The Lodge continues in it’s outreach efforts, Members attended Leadership training, scholarship dinners, memorial services, District Lodge picnics, anniversary dinners, visited meeting at Nor-Bu. Our big news for the year was the Convention in Clearwater Fl which Joan Nilsen attended. We won awards for Lodge of the Year, Family Lodge, Newsletter and more. This was the year of Ibsen and our Viking dinner’s theme was Ibsen, we had an Ibsen film evening, and a game night, rosemaling classes, reading group read Ibsen, craft fair is in 4th year. We had a Hensel photo exhibit, 4th of July party, picnic, wedding party for John and Linda Olsen, many attended the Marine dinner for the 2nd year and our first Julebord. The lodge received lots of great press in Norway Times and local newspapers. Our membership grew by 15.
2007 – The Lodge moved its meeting placed to Central Volunteer Fire Dept. Hall. The Lodge celebrated its 30th Anniversary on September 30, 2007 with a grand celebration at Ehrhart's Waterfront Resort. There were 120 people in attendance, 8 Lodges being represented along with International, District and Zone officers in attendance. The Lodge started another Committee called “Little Norway” which entailed research and history of Norwegian ancestry in the Town of Rowland. Other events during the year 2007 consisted of our Viking dinner, our annual picnic at Promised Land State Park. In October Bernt Balchen members went on a bus trip to the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg and met with State Senator Lisa Baker. The members were treated to lunch at the Capitol by State Representative Mike Peifer. The Lodge spotlighted Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg in 2007 which was the 100th anniversary of his death. His life and music was the theme of our Viking dinner. The Lodge ended the year with its Christmas Party at the Lackawaxen House with 94 members and guests in attendance. The members donated gifts and monetary donations which were donated to the Gino Merli Veterans Center in Scranton, PA.
2008 – The Lodge held a special Norsk luncheon in April. At this event 13 new members signed up to join our Lodge. We continued to participate in the Adopt-a-Highway program. The Lodge's Little Norway Committee erected signs along the main entrances into Rowland which stated “Welcome to Rowland, PA “Little Norway”, Bernt Balchen Lodge, Sons of Norway”. The Little Norway Committee also published its first book on the history of Rowland. Almost 300 copies have been sold. The Lodge continued with its Reading Circle which consisted of reading books by Norwegian-American Authors. Held annual Viking dinner with 97 members and guests in attendance. Our Adopt-a-School committee had their first visitation to the Methodist Church Pre-K School. The Lodge participated in two parades this year, 4th of July parade in Hawley and the Greeley Fire Departments 50th anniversary parade. This year was convention year and the Lodge was privileged to receive 7 awards at the District Convention. In September, our Lodge was presented with International Lodge of the Year for 2006. The Lodge also started with a Sports Program this year. 13 medals were presented to Lodge members. We ended the year with our Julebord with 120 members and guests in attendance.
2009 – The Viking Magazine did an article about Bernt Balchen Lodge in its February 2009 issue.
Past Presidents of Bernt Balchen Lodge:
1977-1979 Roy Studsrud
1980-1988 Edward Anderson
1989-1990 Stanley Bergesen
1991-1992 Arnold Anderson
1992-1996 Harry Oyangen
1997-1998 Alice Amadi
1999-2002 Solveig Spuhler
2003-2006 Joan Nilsen
2006-2010 Christine Vehstedt
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