Summer Newsletter 2019

NNW STAFF
Jodi Lippert
Executive Director
Sassa Carver
Events Coordinator
Christine Beaulieu
Events Support
Minna Lindholm
Rental Coordinator
Laila Simon
Program & Communications
Coordinator
Kirstie Opel
Exhibit, Membership &
Volunteer Coordinator
Doug Webster
Facilities Coordinator
Nate Powers
Facilities Coordinator
Whitman Craig
Facilities Associate
Oscar Hårrskog
Facilities Assistant
NNW BOARD
Mike Nelson
President
John Nelson
Vice President
Sonja Haugen
Treasurer
Grethe Larson
Secretary
Anton Akervall
Søren Andersen
Kim Bergenser
Aase Besson
Dana Bjarnason
Kirsty Dickinson
Bob Evenson
Ross Fogelquist, Emeritus
Greg Jacob
Leah Jørgensen Jean
Katariina Lehtonen
Ralph Tuomi
Vesa Vihavainen
Tim Wahlberg
BRODER STAFF
Colin Dunphy
Executive Chef
David Narlock
Café Manager
Casey Currier
General Manager
COMMUNITY NEWS
Donor Spotlight
Alf & Lili Gregerson
ALF AND LILI LEFT
THEIR HOME COUNTRY
OF DENMARK TWO
WEEKS AFTER THEIR
WEDDING IN 1959.
Despite thinking the decision to move
to America was crazy, Lili’s parents
drove them to the Copenhagen train
station and waved goodbye for what they
thought might be the last time. The couple
had no jobs lined up and no money,
just the desire to start a new life. “We
came with just our bare hands.”
Their pioneer spirit lead them to board
the Queen Elizabeth on the way to
Canada. After landing in New York they
took a Greyhound bus across the country
to Calgary where they lived for five
years before seeking a warmer climate in
the Portland/Vancouver area.
Arriving in Portland while pregnant with
their daughter presented challenges of
finding a new home and work to support
their family. Alf worked graveyard shifts
at the shipyard. After a worker’s strike
threatened time without pay, Alf decided
to seek out tools and equipment to start
his own welding business; he did so
within the month. Because ‘A’s come first
in the phone book, they named the business
‘Advance’ and rented a warehouse in
the Vancouver shipyard. Alf went door
AMC ANNOUNCEMENT
to door to drum up business to get them started.
They were met with many kind individuals
and grew a solid reputation. Lili describes Alf
as, “never wanting to make a big splash,” but
they certainly made ends meet. Alf worked day
and night to support the business, finishing
projects in the day and putting together estimates
in their spare bedroom. Lili also helped
with office work at Advance for a few years.
They owned the business for 35 years.
In the early 1980s, the two were asked by a son
of fellow Danish immigrants to begin attending
meetings at Portland State University to help
support the Scandinavian Studies department.
It was important to Alf and Lili to become
American citizens and Lili attributes this mind
set to their spread set of interests and friend
groups in the Nordic community at large.
After following the progression of Nordic
Northwest, born out of those meetings at PSU
in the 80s, Alf & Lili were pleased to be invited
to attend a NNW board meeting. It was this
gesture that inspired a generous 1 million
dollar donation to the organization.
Nordic Northwest congratulates Alf & Lili on
their Diamond Anniversary - 60 years! Tillykke
Alf & Lili!
Annual Membership & Volunteer Celebration! September 15, 5–7 pm. Every year, since our opening,
we gather at Nordia House to celebrate the members and volunteers of our Nordic Northwest
Community! Your support helps sustain everything we do from programs and exhibits to festivals and
NEW AT NNW
The National Nordic Museum Act
This March, the Natural Resources Management Act was
signed into law, affecting almost every state, including the
maintenance of local parks and new protected land and
water designations.
In Oregon, the habitat for steelhead is conserved: one hundred
thousand acres of land and 200 miles of river! This is one
of the 170 provisions in the law, which is a triumph of conservation
legislation. Attached to this law is a brief bill which
states, “This bill designates the Nordic Museum at 2655 NW
Market Street in Seattle, Washington, as the ‘National Nordic
Museum.’” This bill was sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell
of Washington and serves as a continuation of Ballard’s
strong Nordic connection. As a national representative of
Nordic culture, the museum will continue to promote local
economic opportunities as well as international relationships.
With their new building, which opened in May 2018, the
Nordic Museum has the opportunity to attract world class exhibitions,
community partnerships and expand their in-house
collections. Nordic Northwest is looking forward to watching
them grow and working with them in the future!
Tillykke, onnittelut, til hamingju, gratulerer, grattis!
(Congratulations)
NORDIC NIGHTS
Nordic Northwest’s annual Auction and Gala has a new name,
Nordic Nights! October 5, 2019 will be a night of celebration
for the Portland Nordic community. Gathering at Nordia House,
Lisa Oliver
CALL FOR COMMITTEE VOLUNTEERS:
Are you a member with us and looking for a unique way to be involved?
NNW is looking for members to volunteer for several committees:
Development Committee
Annual Auction & Gala
Help plan NNW’s strategic direction Plan a night of philanthropic engagement,
fun and fundraising all with a
that identifies philanthropy’s role in
accomplishing NNW’s strategic plan Nordic theme
and vision
ScanFair Christmas Market
Facilities Committee
Help with preparation and evaluation
Help plan the maintenance, capital of our annual Christmas market at the
projects and volunteer work projects Memorial Coliseum
to keep NNW’s facilities in top condition
to accomplish its mission
Midsummer Festival
Help plan and execute our annual
Governance Committee
outdoor summer celebration
Enhance the Board’s capacity for
effective governance
Cook & Eat
Have a hand in one of our most popular
offerings; Friday Night Lecture
Program Committee
Grow and help assure the programs Series - ensure quality lecturers at
and exhibits meet NNW mission Portland State University through this
20+ year old program
MEMBERSHIP
Want to be a member of Nordic Northwest?
FINN WARE STAFF
Saara Matthews
Owner
Marjo Northrup
Roberta Lang
Sales Associates
Nordic resources. Join us to gather with friends old and new. We want to show our appreciation and
host an opportunity for staff, volunteers and members to get together. The President’s Award will be
presented alongside remarks from the President of the Board and the Annual Report will be handed
out. Families are welcome; there will be a craft area and lawn games (weather permitting)! We hope
to see you on the 15th.
Nordic organizations, businesses and individuals have a chance
to socialize over great food and drink while supporting NNW’s
cultural mission. Bid on exciting items and packages! Sponsorship
opportunities are available now and donations are being accepted.
Plan to spend a fall night with us!
See mebership levels and benefits at
nordicnorthwest.org/membership
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