Community Corner

Residents Celebrate Norway's Heritage

In Riverhead and the North Fork "square heads" conjure up memories of their Nordic homeland on Norwegian Constitution Day.

For most residents, Thursday dawned an ordinary morning -- but for Norwegians living in Riverhead and the North Fork, the 17th of May means one thing -- Norwegian Constitution Day.

In Norway and in Norwegian communities around the world, the holiday, which marks the anniversary of Norway's constitution, adopted in 1814, is celebrated with parades, as Norwegian march in traditional folk attire, or bunards, proudly waving flags and cheering.

For members of the Aquebogue chapter of the Sons of Norway, a fraternal organization, the 17th of May means a festive celebration, with members traveling to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn every year for an annual 17th of May parade that draws proud Norwegians from across the country together to share memories and taste Norwegian favorites, including lefse, a traditional bread, fish pudding, and cream cakes.

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Ernie Olsen, owner of Homeside Florist & Greenhouse in Riverhead, said he'd love to attend this year's parade in Brooklyn, which will be held on Saturday, but May is a busy season and he's short-staffed. Still, he said, his friend and fellow Sons of Norway member Aquebogue veterinarian Dr. John Andresen, will make the trip to Bay Ridge, bringing his Norwegian fjord horse.

The horse, Olsen said, plays an important role in the parade, leading the carriage that holds a bevy of former Miss Norway beauties who've been crowned in years' past. "He has a prime spot in the parade," Olsen said.

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Riverhead Town Board member George Gabrielsen remembers childhoods when his Norwegian family would travel to Bay Ridge for the parade and a taste of Scandinavian fare -- although lutefisk, dried cod treated with lye, is not his personal favorite.

Olsen, however, loves lutefisk, and a traditional codfish dinner held at in Aquebogue every October; the fish is flown in fresh from Iceland.

To celebrate 17th of May, Olsen and his family often share a traditional codfish dinner. Thinking of Norway, Olsen, who grew up in Bay Ridge and was once a merchant seaman, like so many Norwegians, said he yearns for a taste of gammelost, a traditonal cheese. He also remembers his journeys on Norway's breathtaking fjords, where, he said, each vista is "as pretty as a postcard."

Olsen said his family has double reason to celebrate 17th of May -- his son, Kris, was born on the Norwegian holiday.

For Gabrielsen, growing up Norwegian meant a community of family and friends who shared a deep common bond and values. "Norwegians share a fierce pride in their shared history," he said. "They're hardworking honest  -- and fearless."

And, he added, Norwegians, once Vikings, have a rich history, eventually becoming a peaceful, Christian population.

Taught by his father, Gabrielsen said, that, like his family before him, he'd stand one against 1000 to defend the values he believes in. "Norwegians are very principled," he said.

 


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