Valdres Samband
The Oldest Bygdelag in America - 1899

Valdres Samband Stevne June 14-16, 2012 Plaza Hotel & Suites Eau Claire, Wisconsin The Valdres Samband stevne will be held at the Plaza Hotel & Suites in Eau Claire, Wisconsin   Mail-In Registration Form Cant open pdf files? Try the html version  On-Line Registration

On June 14 to June 16, the Valdres Samband will be entertaining the annual stevne at the Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Eau Claire, WI.  Many different activities are planned throughout the 3 day event.

 

Several Norwegian crafts will be taking place for those who are interested in signing up to learn how – there will be three sessions of Hardanger embroidery with Jeanie Wills; two sessions of Julekruv with Avis Rosenlund and one session of rosemaling with gold medal winner,  Shirley Evenstad.  Please stop by the registration table to see when sessions are available and to sign up.  The craft sessions are staggered enough so you should be able to attend. 

 

The bus tour this year is a compilation of great minds – Earl Evenstad and Bruce Weaver II  (with help from Mark Bjorgo).   The bus will go from Eau Claire to Alma, WI along scenic State Highway 37 with sites of interest along the way including Mondovi, WI and Buffalo River.  Alma, WI is Buffalo County’s county seat.  There’s a scenic overlook of the Mississippi River from Buena Vista Park as well as the Buffalo County Historical Society and a Viking exhibit at Warriors of Western Civilization Museum.  The tour will also pay a visit to Lyster Lutheran Church and churchyard cemetery.  Judge Schlosstein will provide a presentation of Norwegian immigrants in Buffalo County. The Eau Claire theme is North Aurdal so all we can say is “Get on the bus!”  No need to worry because with all the bus tours the Valdres Samband has done over the years, no one has been left behind…yet.

 

The seminars will be exciting as well – with 2012 being the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War (formerly known as the War Between the States – 1862 to 1865), the focus is the Wisconsin 15^th and Andersonville Prison.  Lew Mallow has devoted his retirement years to research about the American Civil War.  The Civil War was an American tragedy and Andersonville was a Civil War tragedy.  When the prisoner exchange program broke down, the Federal War Department issued a non-exchange directive:  “holding pens” would become permanent prisons.  The “temporary” prison at Andersonville would claim the lives of 12,914 Union soldiers between February 1864 and April 1865; many of them were Norwegian soldiers.  Still along the theme of the 150^th anniversary of the Civil War, Betty Crowley will portray Mary Todd Lincoln in “Mary Todd Lincoln, Unveiled”.  Ms. Crowley dresses and acts the part.  If you can’t attend the stevne, Bruce Weaver II and Anne Sladky have been updating website with new items. 

 

Saturday morning will contain a “new” event.  It’s called “Barneborgen” (the child’s castle) and will be hosted by Lucy and Rosie Gunelson.

 

Two additional items you may notice, instead of doing an annual survey, each registration packet contains a card “Suggestion / Idea” and we strongly encourage you to complete the card(s) and drop them off at the registration desk in the Norwegian Red Mail Box.  Your “suggestion / idea” are very much appreciated and the board as well as the planning committee would love to hear your feedback.  If you need additional cards, they are available at the registration desk, just please stop by and ask.