Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1949-12-13
Sons Of Norway
Terie Vixen Lodge
No. 81. PC

LrnnS SmeOV1g, VINO Is now Gre
dited with being the founder of
the lodge. The aims and purposes
of. Sons. of Norway may be
summed up in the following main
points.
1. To unite in a fraternal or
ganization men and women of
Norwegian birth, descent or
affiliation.
2. To maintain and further in
terest in all that is good and
noble in the Norwegian ma
tional character.
B. To further love and loyalty
to our own United States.
4. To promote a mutual under
standing among people of
Norwegian descent and to
preserve the history of the
Norwegian pioneers in this
country.
5. To provide for payment to it's
members or their beneficiar-
les of death, disability, and
endowment benefits. and to
provide for death or annuity
benefits upon the lives of
children.
To be true and honorable sons
and daughters, or good citizens,
men and women must love and
respect their parents. Mother Nor
way holds a sacred place in the
hearts of our Norwegian born peo-
pie everywhere. 1t was there they
spent their happy childhood and
perhaps the greater part of their
best years. They brought with
them to our shores a heritage of
literature, music, history, songs,
and many practical benefits to the
people of the United States, which
has been a great factor in the
realization of our American creed:
Freedom, Fraternity. and Pro-
gress. The sons and daughters of
these immigrants have a RESPONSE
bility and a duty to perform which
should arouse them to intense
participation in the activities of
our Order.
1t was not difficult to find inter-
ested people in Ballard and the
lodge was organized with about
fifty members. The first officers
were: Erling Smedvig, president;
Sigurd Stevens, vice president;
Andre Torvik, Judge; Sverre Thor
stensen, secretary: Howard Dals-
DO, financial secretary; II. ID. Wall,
treasurer; DR.. c. Melgard. ply
stefan.
Those having served as presi-
dent besides Smedvig are: James
l. Hanse, Henry Amundsen. Math
Larsen, James l.. Brevick, p. b.
Nelson (deceased), Olaf j. Aunan,
Alfred Bergen. and Magne Smed-
Wig.
During the fifteen years of our
organization in Ballard all meet
ings have been held in I. O. o. F.
hall on Market Street. Great pro-
grams have been held and the
membership has increased 700R.
The name of the local lodge was
proposed by the late Captain Isak
Lystad, well known master of the
steamer North Star on its many
trips to the north and two coyages
to Little America with Comman-
der Byrd.
The numerous activities spons-
ored by the lodge such as Left
Erickson festival, picnics, Annual
Bazaar, Smorgaasbord Christmas
party for children, Fishermen's
dance and many others have be-
come a tradition in our community
life.
The Sons of Norway lodge, with
their rituals and ceremonies. with
artistic and dramatic perform
ances, parliamentary drills. study
of organization, educate their
members in the principles of de-
mocracy and self government.
They both teach and exemplify
patriotism, justice and charity.
They bring the neglected, isolated
and detached members into vital
touch with each other and with
the leaders in community and Soc
ial affairs.
The very nature of the Nor
wegian is to be free and own his
home, or boat and so it is with