Sportsklubben Fram Christmas Party 2007

Sportsklubben Fram held its annual Christmas Party at Nansen Field on Dec 8, 2007, entertaining about 70 guests from all over California. Amidst great traditional foods and dancing around the Christmas tree, Vivian Halvorsen, along with her late husband, Knut Ivar Halvorsen, were pronounced Viking of the Year 2007 for their outstanding efforts on behalf of Nansen Field. Sportsklubben Fram also donated a check of $1,000 to Seamen of Norway, the official ownership organization of Nansen Field, and pledged to spend up to $2,000 on upgrading the kitchen facilities in the club house. Brits at Nansen, another user club well represented at the party, donated $4,000 to Seamen of Norway. Our heartfelt thanks to both Sportsklubben Fram and Brits at Nansen for these wonderful donations, which will aid greatly to the continuing efforts to maintain and develop our dear Nansen Field!

The guests enjoyed great food.	Viking of the Year 2007, Vivian Halvorsen.
The guests danced arond the tree...	...to the tunes of Pastor Gisle's guitar.

Svenska Skolan (The Swedish School) moves to Nansen Field

SCAN is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Svenska Skolan (The Swedish School) in South Bay to move to Nansen Field. They will be using the large club house at Nansen Field every Thursday, 4 - 6 PM, starting January 10, 2007.

About 15 families, of which at least one parent is Swedish, have established this school and their objective is to teach their kids about Swedish heritage, language and culture. The families will become SCAN members.

SCAN welcomes this new group of users to Nansen Field and our various activities. Their operation fits very well into SCAN's mission and objectives.

[Click here for contact information and more about the Swedish School]

Paal Berg named "Viking of the Year" 2006

Long-time champion of Nansen Field and Scandinavian interests and life in Southern California, SCAN Chairman Emeritus and Counselor to the Executive Board Paal Berg, has been named "Viking of the Year" for 2006. The award was presented to him at the annual Sportsklubben Fram Christmas Party on Dec 2, 2006.

 [Read Paal Berg's biography]

"Viking of the Year" 2005 Arne Mikkelsen's biography

Among the most highly respected and cherished all-round dynamos of the Scandinavian community at Nansen Field for more than four decades, Arne Oddvar Mikkelsen was named "Viking of the Year" for 2005. His biography is now available.

[Read Arne Mikkelsen's biography]

First "Viking of the Year" Kirsten Loumeau's biography

One of the greatest contributors to Nansen Field over the years, Kirsten Loumeau, was named the first "Viking of the Year" when the award was instituted in 2004. Now you can finally read online her own words about her life.

[Read Kirsten Loumeau's biography]

Review of "Under Solen"

In the fall of 2006 SCAN hosted a screening of the Swedish movie "Under Solen" (Under the Sun) as a part of its annual Scandinavian Film Series.

SCAN hosted the screening as a fund-raiser to help support the Scandinavian Center and its 8.7 acre Nansen Field in Rolling Hills Estate. The evening included a wine reception at the theater and a post screening party at San Pedro’s Copper Room Restaurant.

“Under Solen” was attended by an audience of nearly 150 people. Den Norske Fiskeklubben supplied some fine wines to wash own the historic theater’s buttered popcorn. The wine reception began at 6:30, with the screening of Under the Sun at half-past-seven.

At the movie’s end, a knot of SCAN folks and other movie fans regrouped at The Copper Room on 9th Street and Grand Avenue to discuss Nutley’s Oscar Nominated work over drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

The Scandinavian Film Series is an annual presentation of the Scandinavian Center at Nansen Field with past films including, “Elling,” “Kitchen Stories,” and “Babettes’s Feast.”

[Read Skoot Larson’s review of “Under Solen” here]

Autumn Celebration raises $3,500 for Nansen Field

The champagne flowed for a festively clad group gathered at Simon's on September 17, 2006 for the Autumn Celebration.

Marc Carter and soloist Susan Rumor entertain with festive music and song. Ragnar Amllie and MaryAnn Nied lead the festive Polonaise followed by slow waltz. We also did the Macarena, linedancing and electric slide. The silent aution attracted a lot of attension with it's many interesting items. 

The highlight of the evening was the performance of the Fabulous Ballet Boys under direction of Eva Gustavson Lagreid. A lot of swinging hips and kicking legs brought a lot of laughter and the encore got a standing ovation.

It was a successful event and everybody had fun. We raised $3,500 for Nansen Field.

Kirsten A. Loumeau, Event Chair

[Click here to see more pictures]

13th Annual Nordic Cup golf tournament is a success

The event took place on 28 August and raised significant funds for Nansen Field.

[Click here to see the pictures]

Norwegian Mezzo Soprano Eva Gustavson's Autobiography Released in English

World famous mezzo soprano Eva Gustavson, who lives in San Pedro, is a great friend of Nansen Field and has supported us generously both financially and otherwise over the years. In her newly released autobiography "Shooting Star," Eva has dedicated several pages to the legal battle we fought with Norway over the control of the property (early1990s). Her book is an intriguing story about an amazing life and career of this world great Prima Donna from Norway and is highly recommended. For the local Scandinavian community in Southern California it is of particular interest to read about her dedication to Nansen Field and her disgust over governmental bureaucrats.

[Click here to read about Eva's career]

[Click here to read the introduction to the book]

[Click here to order the book]

The book can also be ordered directly by calling Eva's friend Inger Tostrup at (310) 514-3084.

NEWS ARCHIVE

Midsummer Party 2006
Rockstad Receives Outstanding Scandinavian-American Award
17th May celebration 2006