Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-02-11
SKI BANQUET
LAST NIGHT
WAS SUCCESS

More IMAM One dundred
People Gather at the Da-
cotah and Make Merry.
The ski tournament which took
place yesterday afternoon in Lincoln
park under the auspices Of the Nor
wegian club, was followed last even
ing by a banquet at the Dacotah hotel
where the ski n and more than
a hundred other people, more or less
actively interested in skiing. assem-
bled for the most successful banquet
held in the history of Norwegian win
ter sport in this part of the country.
When the gastronomic part of the
dinner had been completed AN the
cigars were passed around. Asbjoern
Myklebye. chairman of the ski tourn-
ament committee of the Norwegian
club, introduced o. b. Burtness as the
POSTMASTER of the evening.
Program Opens With Song.
Alfred johnson opened the program
by singing some much a%pplauded Nor
wegian solo songs, and then Svein-
experience in skiing had been conf1n-
ed to adventurous expeditions on
primitive barrel slaves. made a speech
on the ski sport in America Mr.. john
son gave his hearers to understand
although he didn't state so literally
that skiing had not originated in New
Mexico or Florida. but that it's Ameri-
can history could be traced to Mime
sofa, Wisconsin and North Dakota
where natural surroundings were Pc
culiarly conducive to h development
and cultivation of this healthy out
door sport. The fact that skiing is ex-
ceedingly popular in Canada was al
in pointing out that North Dakota of
late a had become the home Of
more intensified skiing than ever be-
fore. Mr.. Johnsons speech which was
delivered in a humorous vein, won
much applause.
Skiing in Norway.
The second speaker of the evening
was G. S. Strandvold who pointed out
that skiing was popular in northwest
ern Mongolia centuries ago., n that
some historians were inclined to be-
l.eve that the ancient Aryans had
crossed Asia and Russia and come to
a played in Norwegian history. es-
pecially at the time of the famous
Birkebeiners. was also emphasized, as
was the fact that the Norwegian gov
eminent trains entire corps of SOL
diers for skiing. The sport had spread
from Norway to Switzerland. Russia,
Germany. France, Italy. Denmark,
speaker said, and Norwegian mail EAR
riers transport on ski all the letters
and newspapers being sent between
Chile and Argentine. Wherever skiing
is in use, it was said, Norwegian in
structors have taught others the sport.
Prizes Distributed.
Mr.. Mkylebye, chairman of the
committee, distributed the prizes to
the winning contestants in the after
moons tournament, and each recipient
was greeted with much handclapping,
l.. a. Berg, Norwegian vice consul,
made a brief speech on sports as a
stimulant of bodily health and espe-
cially laid stress on the fact that the
open air life of the soldier is an envi-
able one it teaches him regu-
larity, discipline and hardihood. Con-
sui Berg referred to the fact that he
knew from personal experience in the
Philippines what values military
training contribute to a mans life.
and he felt sure that skiing was one
Of the most efficient classes of sport
because it taught a man courage and
self-reliance.
Lee Speaks for Ski Runners.
P. A. Lee spoke briefly for the
participants in the afternoons tourn-
ament, and Henry Holt responded on
behalf Ut the SKI
Ellen Ellenson of Osnabrock was
called upon for a speech, and he said
that he might not have been able to
be present If it had not been for his
early devotion to skiing. For SO years
the speaker had been a farmer in
North Dakota, and many times, he
said, he would have been buried un-
der snow in the prairie billiards. if it
had not been for the fact that he
made himself rely upon his ski. He
nnlshed by paying an enthusiastic
tribute to skiing as the manifest of all
sport.
r. E. Berget of Crookston, Mimi,
invited those present to attend the
Quale contest in his home city Feb
ruary 20, and reminded his auditors
that Norwesians must always main
tain interest in the literature and cul-
ture OF their native country. Mr.. Ber-
get announced that plans are on foot
for building a ski slide at Crookston.
and that it. may be ready for use uext
winter.
Minot Sends Greetings.
Mr.. Sween. secretary of the Mino:
Skiing association, brought greetings
from the sports in Minot and al
luded to the fact that there apparent
~ had been too many barrel slaves in
that city.
Considering the lateness of the
hour. POSTMASTER Burtness
ed at about 1880 that the program
would end with the audience singing
America" Two verses were sung by
all present. ~
The ski tournament festivities will,
wlnd up tomorrow evening with
dance to be given at the Elks' clut
room. the net proceeds going to thu
company fund Of the machine eur
company and Company NJ.
A report Of the events at the tourn.
amen yesterday afternoon will b,
found on the sport page in today,
Herald.