American pioneers going west circled their wagon trains to defend against attacks. Fox Valley Norwegian-Americans circled their vehicles Sunday, to share COVID-19 pandemic survival stories.
Approximately 30 Sons of Norway Polar Star Lodge 5-472 members gathered at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Montgomery for a parking-lot party to celebrate resuming in-person meetings after a year of social isolation.
After circling their vehicles, participants set up lawn chairs for a submarine-sandwich luncheon, COVID show and tell stories, and awards. The gathering was Polar Star’s first in-person meeting since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
Yorkville residents Ken and Barb Johnson, Lodge president and cultural director, contributed refreshments. Ken Johnson welcomed participants to open the meeting.
He said, “We’re back! It has been one full year since we have gathered together. Our Polar Star Board decided to celebrate the end of our social isolation with a parking-lot party.”
Members were invited to share items they created, wrote or read, or a reflection on time spent socially isolated.
Reports included making and donating face masks for first responders, home-remodeling projects, reading and writing, cooking, wood carving, knitting, and collecting Norwegian stamps.
Art Andersen of St. Charles displayed an album of Norwegian stamps, part of his famed collection comprising thousands of stamps. His wife, Nancy, showed jams and jellies she put up.
Carol DeVito of Naperville talked about sewing and donating hundreds of face masks for first responders and offered samples for lodge members to take with them.
Ken Johnson closed the meeting by awarding membership anniversary pins and recognition certificates to members. Barb Johnson presented cultural awards.
Polar Star meets on the first Sunday of the month at St. Olaf, 1233 Douglas Avenue in Montgomery. A potluck luncheon at 1:30 p.m. is followed by a program.
Prospective members are invited. E-mail barbjjohnsonb@aol.com for more information.
—Al Benson