Most of us are familiar with Norway’s mountains, valleys, and fjords. We have seen them in many cultural settings, including books and movies. Some of you have been to Norway and seen them firsthand. Some of you recently told me that you will be traveling to Norway for the first time this year and will see many of these beautiful landscapes in person, which is very different from seeing them in pictures. It’s a long way to travel to Norway, but it is well worth it, and you will have memories to cherish for a lifetime.

We certainly live in a changing world. It’s just how life is. But we can respect and remember our important traditions while continuing to improve what we do. We need to increase our membership by bringing in younger members and using their skills at the Lodge so they can share their knowledge with us. The Sons of Norway was built on helping neighbors, which benefits us all as a Lodge. We have all had to adapt to a changing world for the last several decades. Technology has greatly affected us, from cell phones and computers to the way we drive some of these new cars. What would the founding members have thought about all these changes in life? 

Successful organizations embrace change and adapt for the benefit of all. We don’t have to do things the way we always have; we should continue to embrace change while nurturing our traditions.

One of the many changes in life happened right here at our Lodge when we formed a committee to create a new Award for our Lodge members, the first-ever “Viking of the Year Award.” The committee selected Mr. Terry Mapstone as our first-ever recipient. We held a special ceremony for the Award at our Heritage meeting on 10 June 2026. It was a very special event, and everyone enjoyed it and was enthusiastic about the ceremony. We were honored to select Mr. Terry Mapstone as the Sons of Norway Fjellheim Lodge recipient for grateful recognition of his dedication and service to the Sons of Norway. His exceptional leadership, spirit, and unwavering commitment are unmatched. Congratulations, Terry, on a well-deserved honor.

I hope you will continue to join us every Tuesday to make lefse and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members. During May and June, we had one of our biggest turnouts yet, and it was great. Please join us for the fun. Have a blessed day. 

“If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got .” —Henry Ford

Change often starts with discomfort. When you know it’s time to act, whether that means leaving a job, having a difficult conversation, or choosing a different path in life, that is the start of change for the better.

Mark Wedo
Fjellheim Lodge President