This is a scan (by permission) of a photo taken at the 2003 Stevne by Mark Miranda. Click on the photo for a larger version.

Forty-one Sigdalslag members were gathered on the beautiful campus of Winona State University, Winona, MN for the 7 Lag Stevne July 9-12, 2003. The theme of the Stevne was Rivers, Rails & Trails.

The 7 Lag Stevne includes the Land, Hadeland, Numedal, Ringerike-Drammen, Sigdal, Telemark, & Toten lags celebrating our Norwegian heritage from these areas in Norway. Some 275 persons attended the Stevne in Winona.

The genealogy room was set up in the library at Winona State. For the first time the genealogy room was available on Wednesday afternoon and evening as well as Thursday and ending at noon on Friday. Each lag was well represented with excellent persons to help search the multitude of information available. Lee Rokke, Sigdal genealogist, provided assistance and many resources to those searching the Sigdal area.

Some of the special events and tours included a Steamboat River Cruise on the Julia Belle Swain, stained glass company tour, tour of the city of Winona, organ concert & church tour, and rural churches tours of Southeast Minnesota. The movie Cool and Crazy was enjoyed Thursday evening.

On Friday the opening ceremony was held with greetings from each of the lag presidents, including Earl Knutson, the president of Sigdalslag. The Story of Early Doctors was presented by Christine Midelfort and Pastor Ron Nowland gave a slide show on Vikings in Istanbul. Saturday evenings program included Winona fiddlers, Wegeland Dancers, and Janet Martin. Janet who has written numerous books including Cream & Bread, A Norwegian Dictionary had the audience in laughter much of the evening.

Saturday the various lags held their annual meetings. The Sigdalslag group also took a formal picture. The meeting also included election of officers, members talked about the various farms in Norway their ancestors came from, the Hamar Lutheran Church chartered by Sigdal emigrants and others from Norway, a video of the building of a Norwegian Log Church near Willmar, MN. Saturday night the event culminated by the Banquet, Bunad parade and entertainment by Tina & Lena.

The next 7 Lag Stevne will be held in Willmar, MN and will be hosted by Sigdalslag. This will be an opportunity for many of us to be involved in the fun! Plan to attend.

2003 Stevne Photos are available for your viewing by CLICKING HERE.


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