Sons of Norway celebrate 80 years

The Sons of Norway got its start in the community when in 1911, three local young Norwegian American men began to attend Sons of Norway meetings in Astoria. After several trips, they came to the conclusion that it would be better to have their meetings at home and set forth with plans to make it happen here.

The lodge was formally organized in 1934 and began with 69 members, according to a Wahkiakum Eagle article from April 1976. Norse Hall was built by proud, hard working pioneers one weekend at a time from 1937 until it was dedicated in 1941, as money and supplies came in.

The Sons of Norway celebrated their 80th anniversary this year with one eye focused on the future, a future that may depend on new members.

Most of the original members are gone now, and their raison d'être has shifted. What once was a hub for new American citizens to enjoy their shared Norwegian language, culture, food and heritage has become a venue more focused on education and altruism. Still, the old world, the old ways call back.

In order to keep pace with a changing world, Sons of Norway has had to change some of their policies. Norwegian lineage is no longer required. A simple curiosity, a desire to learn about and preserve another culture is more than enough to join the Sons of Norway.

There are many opportunities that come with membership, including language acquisition, financial planning, and a sports medal program. There are classes on cooking, genealogy, and embroidery. There are activities for kids.

There are many stories too.

Gene Torget who was born on Puget Island and in his 90s now, remembers pounding the nails into the carefully planned flooring on the dance floor.

"It's all tongue and groove and it was hard work," Leroy Wika said. "They planned it for dancers who would be going round and round the floor."

There were dances in the Norse Hall every Saturday night back in the 40s and 50s according to Wika.

"Everyone came in a white shirt, suit and tie," Wika said. "The women wore dresses and high heels. Gus Anderson from Clatskanie would play music for many years."

"Elmer Danielsen who owned the ferry would bring Gus and his band over and then take them back," Jan Silvestri added. "There was a saw mill in Westport and when a Norwegian ship came up to get lumber, Elmer would go over there with the ferry and bring the Norwegian sailors over for the dance."

One didn't have to be Norwegian to attend the dances. Everyone in town was there.

Meetings would be held upstairs and children would fall asleep on the benches that line the walls. Sometimes meetings would be held in the basement while the children ran back and forth over their heads.

"The adults were so patient back then," Silvestri said. "It sounds like a herd of horses."

There were lutefisk dinners and the Woman's Club made lefse frequently. They still do.

To learn more about the Sons of Norway, attend a meeting. Sons of Norway meets the first Wednesday of every month at the Norse Hall on Puget Island at 7 p.m.