Mannskor from Stord
Our local Sons of Norway Lodge sponsored a visit by the Mannskor (men's chorus) from Stolt, Norway. Stord, an island, is located midway between Bergen and Stavanger on Norway's southwest coast. Spouses and children accompanied the 45-member chorus. While they had sleeping accommodations in a local hotel, lodge members were asked to host the visitors for a meal before the evening performance.
Pam did not want to pass up this opportunity and quickly volunteered. Her hubby was not scheduled to be back in town until later in the evening so Pam asked her father, Firemann Legreid, to serve as co-host. Good choice. Firemann speaks fluent Norwegian.
Earlier in the day, several lodge members joined the Norwegians at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Firemann was there, wearing his name tag. One of the visitors, Marit Breivik, noticed the name and initiated a conversation with Firemann. She grew up in a town close to Eidfjord, where many Legreid families have lived over the years. They talked at some length. Marit then tried to arrange for her family to eat at the Vukelic home but she could not get hold of the director.
But the trolls stayed under the bridge and luck prevailed. When Pam and Firemann answered the front door to greet the Norwegians randomly assigned to eat with them, lo and behold, there stood Marit, her husband, Gudtorme, daughter Synnove, and another chorus member, Lars.
The group feasted on pheasant strips, buffalo, potatoes and vegetables.
Pam's mother-in-law, Irene Vukelic (a pure blood Norskie herself) contributed
apple crisp for dessert.
Afterwards, everyone drove to the North Dakota Heritage Center where the Mannskor performed to a large appreciative crowd.
While most of the songs were sung in Norwegian, the group did a
remarkable job on The Star Spangled Banner and a barbershop song,
"Eileen."
As an interlude in the program, two young women, Synnove and
Solveig, sang traditional Norwegian songs, first individually, then as a
duet. They had beautiful voices and great stage presence.
Another highlight of the evening was the traditional folk dancing featuring some of the chorus members and their wives.
When asked if she did any folk dancing, Synnove, 18, said "It looks like
fun, but don't tell my mom and dad I said so."