Events

Sunday 4/12/2026  2 p.m.  Join the Scandinavian fun with Vasa Swedish Lodge & Askeladden for a Swedish reality show watch party! Season 13 of "Allt för Sverige" (All for Sweden) features a local contestant, who will also share behind-the-scenes stories of this competition between Swedish-Americans performing feats of cultural skills in Sweden. Bring a finger-food contribution for the light refreshments buffet.

Thursday 4/9 /2026   1:00 p.m.  Norwegian American Historical Association webinar "Rethinking Norwegian-American Women's History." NAHA fellows Mona Helm & Marika Josephson will present on their research. For more info and to register for the webinar, visit  https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/events/ 

Thursday 3/26/2026  7:30 p.m.  The evening, Nordkap Lodge-sponsored Norwegian language learning group will meet by ZOOM.  

Saturday 3/14/2026 11 a.m.   Be a Viking at the St. Patrick's Day Parade, hosted by  Irish-American Club of Kalamazoo!  Contact Joan O'Bryan (joanobryan@wmich.edu) if you would like to march (costumes provided; see Mar newsletter for details). 

Wednesday 3/11/2026  10:30 a.m.   The daytime Norwegian language learning group meets at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. We will continue with Exercise I on pg 38 of textbook "Sett i Gang" 3rd edition. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailed to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) 

Sunday 3/8/2026  2 p.m.  Potluck with us at Trinity Lutheran, then learn from guest Bree Bird about how historical women led resistance movements through the use of spinning bees, boycotts, and tea parties and more.

Friday 2/27-Sun 3/1/26  Michigan Nordic Fire Festival in Charlotte, MI. The Friday kickoff to this annual event is a big Viking long boat bonfire! There are events all weekend long for families and kids: Viking life demonstrations, performers, food, vendors and more!   https://www.michigannordicfirefestival.com/   

Wednesday 2/11/2026  10:30 a.m.   Norwegian language learning group meets at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. We will continue Chapter 3 of our textbook "Sett i Gang" 3rd edition. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailed to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) 

Sunday 2/8/2026  2 p.m.  We'll potluck together at Trinity Lutheran, followed by a fascinating presentation by guest author Margrethe Hoff.  She will tell the gripping story of her parents' experiences in World War II, as recounted in her book Norway Meets America: The Story of My Parents. Her father escaped the Nazis on skis and her mother worked for the Norwegian Embassy in Washington D.C. 

Wednesday 1/14/2026  10:30 a.m.   Norwegian language learning group resumes at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. We will start Chapter 3 of our textbook "Sett i Gang" 3rd edition. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailed to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) 

Sunday 1/11/2026  2 p.m.  We'll meet by ZOOM as is our January custom to avoid any gnarly winter weather. The link will be sent a few days prior- feel free to forward to friends and family. Cultural director Elizabeth Kraatz is preparing a program "The Arctic Artistry of Elizabeth Philotera Bourne ."  Learn about cool art while you stay warm & toasty at home.  We will also install our officers for 2026. 

Friday 1/9/2026  9:45 p.m.  Sons of Norway hockey game at Wings Event Center- Valley Rink  (3600 Vanrick Dr, Kalamazoo). Free Friday fun!

Saturday 12/13/2025  2 p.m.  We are invited to join our Vasa Swedish American friends for the Santa Lucia and Jul holiday celebration at Trinity Lutheran!  We'll start upstairs in the sanctuary with the traditional procession. We'll then gather downstairs for appetizers, cookies, & gløgg to await a visit from Father Christmas. Bring a friend, plus cookies or finger food to share to this family friendly event!

December 2025   If you're in need of some holiday friluftsliv, take a stroll and check out the giant  holiday card by Askeladden Lodge in Portage's Celery Flats Park (7328 Garden Lane).  Each year Portage families, businesses and civic organizations help create a festive atmosphere with 8 foot-tall cards and themed Christmas trees. Celery Flats is part of a lovely walking/ biking trail that is kept plowed in the winter time.

Saturday 11/22/2025  Get into the holiday spirit with the Kalamazoo Maple Hill Holiday Parade, which kicks off at   11 a.m. (marchers meeting earlier).  If you'd like to march, contact Kris Spence to sign up and get a costume.

Wednesday 11/12/2025  10:30 a.m.   Norwegian language learning group meets at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailled to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) .  

Sunday 11/9/2025 2 p.m.  We'll share a cosy potluck meal at Trinity Lutheran Church- join us! After the meal, we plan to enjoy a recap of the exciting, historic landing of the replica Restauration sloop in New York City Harbor with videos and pictures of the 10/9 event. Members are especially encouraged to attend for the business meeting following the cultural program, which includes the election of officers and budget approval.

Wednesday 10/15/2025  10:30 a.m.   Norwegian language learning group meets at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailled to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) .  

Thursday 10/9/2025   A replica of the Restauration sloop set sail from Stavanger, Norway on July 4, 2025 to recreate the historic voyage that carried Norwegian immigrants to New York City 200 years ago. It will arrive in New York Harbor on October 9th.  His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will welcome the ship and a gathering featuring speeches and cultural programming is planned. For more information, click this link.

Wednesday 10/8/2025 5-7 p.m.  Join us at the Portage Zhang Senior Center (203 E. Centre Ave., Portage) for a dinner theater presentation of From Fjord to Frontier: The Audacious Journey of Norway's First Immigrants to America. Step back in time and experience a story of courage, hope, and heritage exploring Cleng Peerson and the 1825 voyage of the Restauration sloop. We'll enjoy a catered Norwegian-style meal before the performance by WMU student actors. Tickets are limited and cost just $10; reservations are required.  We are sold for this event, so call the Senior Center now at 269-329-4555 if you would like to join the waitlist.  Click here for the poster.

Sunday 10/5/2025   2 p.m.  Join us at the Vasa Swedish-American Club's annual fish boil!  Arrive early (~12:30) to enjoy the fellowship and watch the pot and its dramatic boil over. Bring coleslaw or other salad or pie to share.     NOTE:  Our business meeting has been moved to AFTER the fish boil, and will include our annual Norway trip drawing!

Friday 10/3-Sunday 10/5/2025 District 5 cultural weekend, Norway IL. This 3-day weekend includes traditional Norwegian culture & craft programs and classes, Norwegian folk music & a barn dance, Slooper immigrant history and more. Pre-registration required; click here for details. 

Wednesday 9/24/2025  10:30 a.m.   Norwegian language learning group resumes at Marshall District Library, Marshall, MI. Join in-person or by ZOOM (link to be e-mailled to all lodge members, non-members contact Askeladden.Lodge@gmail.com) .  We will review Chapters 1 &2 from our Sett i Gang textbook.

Sunday 9/14/2025 2 p.m.  Our monthly Lodge potluck meetings resume at Trinity Lutheran Church. Bring a dish to pass and catch up with members on their summer adventures. Past president Gail Thompson-Hadley will give a presentation about her South Dakota trip to see the Pulitzer-winning opera "Giants in the Earth." The opera is based on Ole Rolvaag's epic 1927 novel about Norwegian-American pioneers.

Friday 9/5/2025    Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Margery Stomne Selden by listening to her music, available on Youtube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVxbgphf24Y 

Dr. Selden (1925-2022) was a Golden Member of Askeladden Lodge. Her music, along with other women composers, was performed at a special March concert at the Ladies' Library Association by Gingkoh Salon, a piano and oboe duo.  

Sunday 8/10/2025 2 p.m. Enjoy the sun at our annual ice cream social, hosted by Jeff & Diane Andert at their lakeside home in Battle Creek. Directions will be published in our August newsletter.

Saturday 6/21/2025  VASA Swedish-American Lodge has invited us to their traditional midsommar celebration, which will be held in Holly Jensen's garden in Kalamazoo.  Decorating the celebration pole begins at noon. Bring a picnic dish to pass and enjoy Scandinavian & American yard games, flower crown making, and sunshine!