*Regsitration is now closed for this luncheon. If you would like to join the waitlist, please contact Mary Ellis at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..*

Three members of the Twin Cities Hardingfelelag will perform for us in October. Tor most performances they wear bunad (Norwegian traditional festive costume) and other traditional clothing from the regions of their heritage or from places in Norway with special meaning. The group was founded in 1996 by the master fiddler Olav Jørgen Hegge of Valdres, Norway. He was regarded by many as the leading tradition bearer of the Hardanger fiddle and the dance style from the Valdres valley. He played and danced for more than 40 years.

Children’s book author, Shelly Boyum-Breen is a native of Brainerd, MN, where she grew up with aspirations of playing professional sports.  She spent countless hours on the basketball court, neighborhood hockey rinks and local golf courses. Boyum-Breen received her B.A. from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN in 1997 and her MS in Leadership from Capella University in 2016. She spent five years in the education field, coaching college and high school basketball and tennis.  Boyum-Breen then worked with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx organization. Shelly later moved into a sales consulting role serving the Lynx, the New York Liberty and the 10th Anniversary WNBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden.

Together with families, friends, and neighbors, young and old, Norway House’s annual signature Holiday tradition Gingerbread Wonderland returns to the Galleri in all of its cinnamon coziness. You’ll recognize familiar buildings and landmarks from the Twin Cities and beyond, created by friends and neighbors—everyone from your favorite local bakeries and cake wizards, to families and first-time gingerbread baking enthusiasts. All are encouraged to enter their dream cookie creation, regardless of their baking level! So get your friends together to bake, laugh, frost, and celebrate the warmth of the Holiday season—and the oven!

Laura Fingerson, former Lakselaget board member (President, VP, Treasurer), loves travel, adventure, and endurance challenges.   In 2018, the challenge was the 19,341' peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa and, admittedly, the "easiest" of the seven summits (highest mountains on each continent).  She spent months preparing and training for the climb, almost entirely in the 830' elevation of the Twin Cities, having never climbed a mountain before.  The climb was definitely not "easy," but it was an amazing challenge with highs and lows, with the biggest high of all standing at the top of the roof of Africa with the teammates and supporters that made it happen.  Laura has a painting in her office of Mt. Kilimanjaro to remind her that even when we don't want to finish, and it is hard and painful and miserable, we can find it in ourselves and with our team to make it happen.  

A little over a year ago, Betty Jean Kauffman of Mountain Lake, MN, was a retired teacher looking for an at-home hobby income.  Her dear little shelter cat SweetPea led her to the unexpected discovery of the unique and lovely Norwegian Forest Cat.  Three adults and 12 kittens later, her website has brought her customers from MN, WI, WY, CO, MO, MI, KY, and Hong Kong.  Betty will share how the Norwegian Forest Cat is tied deeply to Scandinavian folklore, art, and history back to the days of the Vikings.

The April Meeting has been cancelled. We hope to be able to connect again in person soon.

Tonja Honsey will join us to share about her experience as an Indigenous woman, a revolutionary mother, an incarceration survivor and a community healer. She has worked in the community since 2004 on some level of grassroots organizing. Tonja traveled to Norway to learn more about Norway's approach to incarceration, and hopes to return soon to work on a documentary. She uses her lived experience to advocate for the change that is need to restore our communities from the trauma of mass incarceration. 

The May Meeting has been canceled. 

Consider donating the $27.00 cost of a meal for you and any guests by "signing up" for the May meeting. All of the money raised will go directly to the Lakselaget Scholarship Fund.