Lodge History - Gateway to Florida 3-451
Our long-established Gateway to Florida lodge in Jacksonville has 200 members spanning one hundred years in age. We come from all walks of life, but share a common enthusiasm and interest in Norwegian and Nordic heritage.
What We Do
Focused on strong and diverse cultural and social programs, our lodge meetings present a flavor of Norway with a strong hint of Nordic influence. We feature various Norwegian dishes, such as lutefisk, lefse and pickled herring; Norwegian skills like rosemaling and conversational Norwegian; Bunad fashion shows; a lending library with assorted books in both English and Norwegian; and Norwegian cooking. We celebrate special holidays that include Sankt Hans Fest, Jul Fest and the St. Lucia Christmas Pageant, Syttende Mai and Leif Erikson Day. Our lodge meetings are scheduled during the second weekend at the Shepherd of the Woods Lutheran Church, 7860 Southside Boulevard in the Southside/Baymeadows area of Jacksonville. We have special events to celebrate our lodge anniversary, midsummer and to welcome new members. In 2006 and 2007 we participated in the City of Jacksonville's World of Nations, drawing thousands of visitors, tremendous media and Best of Country in our first showing.
With a love for the sea running strong in our Nordic veins, the lodge has two vessels that provide notoriety, fun and competition. Hagar, our 10th century authentic replica of a Viking coastal raiding craft, competes in several Florida regattas against other SON lodges, and is featured in the Beaches Parade held every April to commemorate the opening of the Jacksonville beaches. Helga, a former Cypress Garden pontoon, decorated in brilliant colors, participates in several area light parades during the holidays, warmly welcomed by cheering crowds who delight in the authentic Nordic dress of the oarsmen and women. Helga was the Grand Overall winner in the City of Jacksonville 2008 Annual Light Parade from among 75 entries. In 2008 and 2009, we hosted the Viking Spring Fest Regatta in St. Augustine featuring several lodges in fierce Viking competition for first-place honors. International President Dan Rude and wife Betty attended the 2009 Regatta, a first-time lodge visit for an International President.
We schedule programs and events for Young Vikings so they can learn early about the Scandinavian traditions and appreciate them as they become adults.
We also focus on the community with financial and volunteer participation in the Second Harvest Food Bank, part of Lutheran Social Services that helps fight hunger in Northeast Florida; the Autism Association; Dignity U Wear; Adopt a School; Row for the Cure and others.
The lodge began to take shape in 1974 when Brother Trygve Rasmussen struck up a conversation with a member of Orlando Lodge #501 who arranged to have Brother Alvin Hanson, also a member of that Lodge, and a Sons of Norway representative meet with a group of interested people in Jacksonville March 8.
Upon learning the qualifications of constituting a SON Lodge, the group enlisted prospective members, a slate of officers was presented, and the officers installed. Membership initiation and chartering our Lodge was held April 6. Bjarne Eikevik, Zone 9 Director, Jan Henriksen, Helge Aursland and Alvin Hanson welcomed the members into the Sons of Norway fraternity as the newest Lodge in Florida.
Brother Eikevik presented Brother Clarence (Ole) Olsen (deceased) with the gavel as our first President.
Gateway to Florida became the 8th SON Lodge in Florida. The first was in Miami, Nov 1961; followed by Lauderdale, Feb 1965; Orlando, March 1970; Gulfstream, May 1971; Tampa Bay, Dec 1971; Everglades, Feb. 1973; Sarasota, March 1974; Port Orange, May 1975; Palm Coast 1977; Suncoast, March 1977; Spring Hill 1990; Space Coast Vikings in Melbourne and Scandia in Naples in 1991 - making a total of 14 lodges with growing membership in the sunshine state.
To stay in touch with our diverse activities, check our Gateway to Florida lodge web site.
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