Norwegian Culture Program & Groups
Our goal for the Polar Star 50th anniversary year was for all members to earn a Sons of Norway Cultural Skills medal.  Most meetings in 2012 will provide an opportunity to learn or to improve upon a Norwegian cultural skill.  Medals can be earned in many cultural skills. Click here to see the Norwegian cultural skills medals. Polar Star cultural groups so far include cooking, knitting, literature, hardanger, and ornamental woodcarving. 

• For information about Polar Star culture group meetings, refer to newsletters, meeting information, or contact the culture group leader. 
  
• For forms or information about culture medal requirements, go to the Sons of Norway website, click on the red Member Login icon and sign in, then click on Cultural Skills in the Programs dropdown. 
  

Sports Medal Program
Sons of Norway recognizes the importance of healthful activities not just to prolong your life, but to improve the very quality of your life. This Sports Medal Program, which originated in Norway, will improve your attitude as well as your physical well-being.

Something for Everyone
No matter how young or old you are, and no matter what your present physical condition, the Sports Medal Program offers a fitness plan for you. With doctor's advice, you can determine the appropriate level. Then you are assigned point or mileage requirements for medal qualifications that are within your reach. The program is great because you don't need to be a natural athlete-the only one you are really competing with is yourself.

Different Levels, Different Medals
As you reach each objective, you will be awarded different grades of sports medals. Begin in pursuit of the Bronze, then work yourself up to Silver, Gold, and eventually Enamel (There is no longer a fee for the pins, and only members can take part in this program). Set your own pace-your program can be for just one medal.

There are a number of Polar Star members who have significant credits toward sports medals and cultural medals but who have not submitted them for medals. If you are eligible for medals, please compile the numbers you need to request them. The lodge will obtain necessary forms. Help us make 2010 a medal year.

• For additional information, contact the Social Secretary. 
  
• For forms or detailed information about sports medal requirements, go to the Sons of Norway website, click on the red Member Login icon and sign in, then click on Sports Medals in the Programs dropdown.

Other Activities

Annual Høstfest - Usually held every November, but for 2011 was replaced by our 50th anniversary celebration. Traditional food and craft demonstrations; delicious homemade Norwegian treats such as smørbrod, snitter, and rundstykker (open faced sandwiches).

Annual Julefest - Held every December, with traditional Christmas carols, food, and crafts.

Barnebirke - Polar Star joins other lodges in providing home baked cookies for the annual Barnebirke - a Sons of Norway ski race for children age 3-13, held in Hayward, Wisconsin every year since 1991. Polar Star members bring cookies to the February lodge meeting. The cookies musy be packed in sturdy, non-returnable containers and labeled with Polar Star Lodge, the type of cookies, and the number of dozens of cookies enclosed. The cookies are greatly appreciated by the race participants!

Book Club - contact the Book Club Leader for information about current books and meetings.

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Scholarships - refer to Scholarships.

Tubfrim - Supported by Sons of Norway, Tubfrim is a Norwegian charitable organization originally started in 1928 to help fight tuberculosis. Since tuberculosis is no longer the threat it once was, today Tubfrim resells the cancelled stamps and donates the proceeds to help disabled and needy children. Clip canceled stamps from envelopes, leaving at least a quarter of an inch around the edge. Be sure to take the time to cut the stamps properly. Stamps cannot be used if they are torn, have extra layers of envelope behind them, are on a string of multiple stamps (such as 3 stamps in a row without the spacing), non-profit or bulk stamps. Stamps from any country and all styles of stamps are accepted. for envelopes or postcards are over 40-50 years old, submit the entire envelope or postcard. Bring stamps to a regular meeting; the Polar Star Tubfrim designate prepares and periodically sends the stamps to the Sons of Norway Tubfrim chairperson. 

Volunteer Service Hours - Each member is asked to use the Volunteer Member Services form to keep a record throughout the year of the volunteer hours given for both Polar Star and community services. By the end of January, each Polar Star member is asked to submit their completed prior year form to the Lodge Secretary, who then compiles the total and sends to Sons of Norway International for retention of its tax exempt status. 

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For information about this year's activities, click on Meetings and Events.