Viking of the Year Award 2010
Nansen Field Foundation established the Viking of the Year Award in 2004 for the purpose of recognizing a person, persons or organization that has distinguished themselves in support of, work for and service to Nansen Field.

We are now actively seeking nominations for the year 2010.

Guidelines for nominations:
The award recipient must have a broad background volunteering personal time promoting the success of Nansen Field, including the following matters:

· Initiative and leadership
· Impact on organization – direction – future plans
· Provide advice to leaders of Scan including legal but not accounting and construction
· Playing key roles in critical matters
· Chair fundraising activities and events
· Support for events, planning, organizing and public relations
· Physical work at Nansen Field

The nomination should contain a description of why the candidate should be considered, and provide a short personal profile of the nominee.

Please mail nominations to:

Kirsten A. Loumeau, Chair
Viking of the Year Award Committee
3711 Long Beach Blvd. #212
Long Beach, CA 90807

Nominations must arrive by November 15, 2010

Michael Soroy new Honorary Consul in Los Angeles 

Los Angeles, California 6/17/2010
Attorney Michael Soroy has been appointed as Norway's new Honorary Consul in Los Angeles. Soroy has been practicing law in Los Angeles since 1991. His consular jurisdiction will be Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura. Soroy holds a degree in Political Science from University of Oslo, Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northrop University, Los Angeles. 
- I consider it a great honor to represent Norway in the Los Angeles area. I will do my very best to discharge my duties as the new Consul; mindful of the fact that Los Angeles is the largest city in the United States without a Norwegian career consulate, says Mr. Soroy. Soroy served until 2009 as president of the board of Norwegian Seamen's Church in San Pedro and is a member of the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce. 

For more information, contact office@soroylaw.com 
H. Michael Soroy, Esq. 
LAW OFFICES OF H. MICHAEL SOROY 
11766 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 460 
Los Angeles, CA 90025-6537 
Tel: (310) 444-7750 
Fax: (310) 312-1034 
Email: office@soroylaw.com 
Web: www.soroylaw.com

Elin Vanderlip’s Long Awaited Memoir Is Newly Released By Donegal Publishing Company

In "Eccentric Obstinate And Fabulous!", Elin Vanderlip takes the reader on a fascinating journey through the 20th century, meeting an impressive list of historical characters as she recounts the highlights and hardships of her charmed life.

A must read for anyone interested in the history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, her contribution to the Norwegian effort or myriad other subjects covered in this wonderful memoir. In 1948, Kelvin and Elin Vanderlip's generous donation of land led to the construction of Nansen Field in San Pedro (as told on page 70 of her book.)

To order, send a check for $25, postage included, to: Donegal Publishing Company 1850 Industrial Street, #307 Los Angeles, CA 90021. You may also order by calling 1(866)964-4919, or by visiting www.DonegalBooks.com. 

"Viking of the Year" 2007 awarded to Knut-Ivar and Vivian Halvorsen 

The Viking of the Year Award for 2007 was rewarded to Vivian Halvorsen and her late husband Knut-Ivar Halvorsen, a formidable couple indeed. Both of them have been very active in Nansen Field matters since the early 70ties. 

Vivian is a volunteer par exellance. Whether it is dugnad, 17th of May celebration, shrimp party, cooking for The Fish Club, arranging for Christmas parties - she is there. She was treasurer and board member of Sportsklubben Fram for many years. She has been and still is a tireless supporter of the Norwegian Seamen’s Church for 30 years. She is President of Mandagsklubben, member of Hygga and various other committees and fundraising events. 

Knut-Ivar as a Norwegian Vice Consul was a wonderful representative for Norway. He received The King’s Medal of Honor for his contributions to the Norwegian community in California. He was president of Sportsklubben Fram for several years, active in the Fish Club, the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce and the Norwegian Seamen’s Church among other things. He chaired various fundraising events, Christmas balls, events with Norwegian dignitaries and members of the Royal Norwegian Family. He testified against his boss, The Norwegian Consul General, Mr. Ullern in the infamous lawsuit brought on by the Norwegian government to re-aquire Nansen Field.

Vivian Halvorsen accepted the award at the Sportsklubben Fram Christmas Party in 2007 (see picture below in next story).

Here are Vivian’s own words about her life with Knut-Ivar:

“I was born August 14, 1926 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. I moved to Brooklyn as a small child with my mother after her divorce. I lived and went to school there. Since my mother had to work I spent most of my vacations in Bergen, Norway with my grandparents. When the war broke out needless to say I could not go to Norway so I stayed in New York going to school and working at the Norwegian Consulate in New York. There I met Knut-Ivar. We dated for a while and then he was sent to the Norwegian Consulate in San francisco where I joined him. We were married in December of 1949. I worked for a few years for an engineering firm in San Francisco and in the mid-1950's we went to Norway where Knut worked for the foreign department. While there he spent a few months in Glasgow, Scotland where I also joined him and then back to Norway for the remaining part of the year. Then back to the Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco. In 1960 we became very involved with the winter Olympics. Knut was sent to Vancouver B.C. for a few months but I stayed in San Francisco as I was pregnant with our first child, Carl-Ivar. He was born in 1960 and then our daughter was born in 1961. In 1962 we were transferred to the Norwegian Consulate in Hong Kong where we stayed for 5 years. During that time I spent one winter in Lillehammmer with the children where Turid had physical therapy for her CP. We of course spent all our summer vacations in Norway. After our stay in Hong Kong we were transferred to the Norwegian Consulate in Los Angeles where we have stayed. Knut retired in 1988 and with visits to Norway on vacations mostly every year we have lived here. Knut and I have both been very involved in the church and Nansen Field and we were also very involved in the summer Olympics in L.A. in 1984. Knut-Ivar died in December of 2001. I now live in PV and continue my involvement in the church and Nansen Field as does both of my children.”

PLEASE NOTE: SNI is actively seeking nominations for the Viking of the Year award for 2008. If you would like to nominate someone, please contact Kirsten Loumeau at: KLoumeau@aol.com

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