Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-03-16
CELEBRATED ANNIVERSARY.
Luren. the We'll Known Norwegian
Singing Society Celebrated
Their seth Anniversary Last
Evening With Big Ban
quet and Enjoyable
Gathering.

Last evening the Luren celebrat-
ed their 36th anniversary in their
rooms over the National Bank. The
active members and their ladies
gathered at $50 and were imme-
diately asked by President j. S.
Alstad to be seated at the table
which was filled with everything
which would attract person,
whether hungry or not. After sup
per Pres. Alstad announced DR.. o.
Doe as POSTMASTER, who in a few
we'll chosen words congratulated
the members of the Luren on this
occasion and especially so because
the members wives were there
(some of the members haven't a
wife yeti to help make the anniver-
sary still more memorable. DR.. Boo
then called on Luren's efficient di-
rector, ]. j. Hopperstad, who spoke
of the ups and downs of the Luren
urging the members to work hard
at all times and do the best that
they can, which will mean that the
future of this grand society will
continue to be successful. His re-
marks were received with applause.
The next member called was
Luren's popular secretary, Emil
Johansen, who had prepared a pa
per on the history of Luren since
its origin, that being in 1874, the
first president being j. j. Jackwitz,
who still resides in DEBORAH. There
were many things in that paper
which were very interesting as
nf fhn nrncnnf xxyha
were ignorant of many things which
had transpired during the SO years
Of Luren's existence, and which
was appreciated by all present.
The next and last speaker of the
evening was Mr.. HI. G. Hjerleid,
who in his usual humorous way
responded ,nobly and took as his
subject "The Fiddler" and whose
name was Tonnes Persen, who came
to this country in 1912, landing on
the shores of Lake Ontario, from
there coming to what is now Chi
cago, and had had chance to trade
for 80 acres of land. including the
space where the Chicago pos toffice
now stands; all the owner asked
was Persons clothes, as his own
clothes were rather shabby and he
would give his 80 acres of land in
boot. Mr.. Persen was also the first
Norwegian to arrive where Milwau-
kee now stands. He was a great
musician, as we'll as a great travel
er and Mr.. Hjerleid had his history
committed to memory so well that
it was great pleasure TO listen to
him.
This being the last of the speak
ers, cigars were then enjoyed by
those who like the weed, while 9TH
ers got busy clearing the table after
which the singers congregated in
semi-circle and rendered several
good selections which were receiv-
ed with applause by the ladies.
The Hard Time Orchestra, which
is an auxiliary of the Luren then
brought out their cigar and soap
boxes and furnished !. many selec-
tons, principally good good old
time music which seems to become
more or less popular at the present
time, until time for adjournment
came, when all formed a chorus and
sang Farewell
1t can be said that the committee
in charge should be complimented
on their work as it could not have
been improved upon. 1t was a
grand success in every way and all
went home with the feeling long
live Luren."