The Noon Rotarians assembled at the Salvation Army. Steve L welcomed us and we enjoyed a lunch of re-fried beans, baked burrito and lettuce salad. President Zack gaveled the first meeting of the month to order. Keith M was at the white grand piano and we sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “O’Canada”. Josh B offered the invocation and Keith O directed “Sing a Song to Rotary”, “Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie”, “America the Beautiful”, in honor of the 80th anniversary of D Day, and ‘Smile”.
Brian T introduced his guest and father, Hilding Tjaden, who is a relative of today’s speaker. He also reminded us to sell Duck Derby tickets, he still has 30 books left and the event is about a month away. President Zack reported on the splash pad ribbon cutting and reminded us to sign up to help some Thursday at the Salvation Army. He also mentioned we are to gather at the main entrance to the Armory for next week’s meeting. We will receive an email indicating if a bag lunch will be provided or if we are on our own. It will also cover details of next week’s board meeting. Brian T reported he will send a link to a local apparel store that has certain Rotary items on hand. He also took a group photo to forward to the incoming exchange student.
Pete W started Brags and Fines with some details of the latest accomplishments by his over-achieving nieces and nephews. Dave J contributed $60.00, one for each year of marriage he and Dolly will celebrate at their approaching anniversary. Wally C complemented Ken H on how well dressed he was in a suit and tie and opined how time was when all Rotarians dressed like that (Wally was wearing short pants). John M complimented Pres Zack on the fine job he did representing our club at the splash pad ribbon cutting and challenged others to find the photo taken by a local member in the recent Rotary magazine. Buzz L commented about the time he and part of his family spent at their property in Montana. Holly’s son recently graduated from Underwood High. Ryan W missed a few meetings, the last to see his son off o Ft Jackson and the Army.
The program was entitled Norway 2024, presented by Keith O. it was an overview of a trip he and Kim and his brother Guy and Pam took to the old country. They landed at Gardenmoan, the Olso airport, rented a car and drove some 1800 miles and were overwhelmed with the scenery. They could only tour below the tree line at 3500 to 4000 ft; it was still snow packed and frozen solid at higher elevations. The photos shared confirmed what was mentioned about the scenery. We saw lots of snowcapped mountains, trees, waterfalls with unpronounceable names, fjords, buildings next to water, a glacier or two, a hang glider and flock of sheep during lambing season. There are 29 stave churches remaining in Norway, the Olson’s saw most of them and so did we.
Highlights included: a public bathroom featuring a glass insert in floor that reveled an underground stream. It caused one to wonder about the waste line plumbing, or lack of it. Dozens of tunnels, one with a roundabout at an intersection with other tunnels. Over ten car ferry rides in the fjords. The 2016 Winter Olympic grounds. Last mentioned was the Sletta region which is the sister city of Fergus Falls. We saw the sign proclaiming that and a village made up of old buildings constructed by Norwegian settlers in this region. There was a church from Brampton ND, 85 miles to our west, a school and teachers cabin from Rothsay, the city office and jail from Elizabeth, something from Underwood plus a few other structures. Carpenter crews from the Sletta came each summer in the early 1990’s, disassembled the buildings, hauled the pieces back to Norway and put them back together.
Other information shared: 45% of the country is above the tree line and 40% is covered with trees. Only 2% of the land is inhabited-that is all the flatland. Think it safe to conclude 98% of the country is uninhabitable, which explains why there are more Norwegians within 200 miles of Fergus than in Norway.
Thanks. Keith for a great program.
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