In one of my previous articles I mentioned “if you like Lefse you must be Norwegian.” We all like fish but do you like Lutefisk? Better yet, do you even know what it is or how it tastes? If you know then you must be of Scandinavian heritage.

Lutefisk is caught off the shores of Norway, dried into hard slabs and then soaked later in water and lye.

Its pungent odor wafts from church basements and lodges at annual dinners during the winter months. Scandinavian Americans can hardly wait to take a bite of this time-honored tradition. We all want to hold onto a bit of our Scandinavian heritage and Lutefisk is a big part of that.

At our dinner, and in true Norwegian style, lefse, a thin potato flat bread, will be served along with parsleyed red potatoes, cucumber salad, riskrem (rice pudding) and krumkaker.

For those who do not want to try a nibble of the Lutefisk there will be delicious meatballs rolled especially for this event. Wine will also be available for purchase.

Lutefisk translates to “lye-fish.” For many years it has been a source of amusement and laughter, mainly for those who grew up holding their nose while they took a bite because of the disdainful aroma and occasionally overcooked fish.

As time went on and better cooking methods developed a newer process for making this fish was born. Basically it diminished the odor and along with a careful preparation it removed the clear Jell-O like quality for which the fish is known.

Vikings of Lake Lodge is over 100 members strong and growing. The organization uses “Heritage & Culture” nights to keep the group strong and educated to their heritage. We have guest speakers, videos, crafts, Norwegian language lessons and down home traditional meals.

Many of our events are fundraisers geared toward education. Every year we supply underprivileged Lake County students with book bags. We also send members children and grandchildren to a language and heritage camp for two weeks in July where they are taught about their heritage. Cooking, arts and crafts, and dancing are among just a few topics they learn.

Our members also travel to local schools where they present their “America Chest” program which tells about the immigrants from Scandinavia in the 1800s.

Vikings of Lake would like to thank Six Sigma Winery of Lower Lake and Langtry Estates & Vineyards of Middletown for their generous donation of the wine for the dinner.

Reservations are required to attend this dinner. The cost is $15 per adult and $6 for children under 12 years of age.

The dinner will take place at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 14310 Memory Park Lane (cross street is Olympic Drive) in Clearlake.

Please call Carl Ingvoldstad at 707-987-2404 for reservations by Nov. 8.

For additional information or if you are interested in joining the Sons of Norway please call Vale at 707-928-1060 or Joyce at 707-998-3583.

Vale Hanzel is vice president of the Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake Lodge.

Brooklyn Abella Young was born to parents Sheri Salituri and Peter Young on Monday, October 18, 2010. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport residents Sheri Salituri and Peter Young are proud to announce the arrival of their new daughter.

Brooklyn Abella Young was born at 7:43 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at Sutter Lakeside Birthing Center in Lakeport.

She weighed 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and was 21.5 inches long.

Grandparents are Gail Salituri Layton and Dennis Layton of Kelseyville, and Catherine Young of Lakeport; and great-grandmothers are Frances Romano of San Jose, Calif., and Barbara Salko of Kelseyville.

The cost for adults is $8, with tickets costing $4 for children age 12 and under.

Order your favorite breakfast from the lodge's extensive menu and have it delivered to your table in minutes.

The breakfasts take place at the Clearlake Masonic Center, 7100 S. Center Drive, Clearlake.

For more information call Lodge Ambassador Don Auradou, 707-998-4720.

The dinner will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, located at the intersection of Highways 20 and 53.

The Lake chapter is hosting the dinner to recognize the hard work of these providers.

All IHSS providers, their families and their clients are invited.

District 3 Supervisor Denise Rushing will be the event's guest speaker, and CUHW President Gail Ennis will attend.

Please RSVP by Nov. 15 to Chapter Secretary David Smith, telephone 707-274-8280 or 707-349-9832, or to Chapter Chair Ceva Giumelli at 707-349-9265.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with the talent show starting at 7 p.m. at the Lower Lake High School Gym, 9430 A Lake St., Lower Lake.

The event, sponsored by the Lower Lake High School Band the TV8, Lake County's public access channel, also will feature a performance by the Lower Lake High School Jazz Band, a silent auction and more.

Tickets cost $10 for adults, $5 for students and children.

Proceeds support the band with instruments, uniforms and supplies, and also will help provide support for the TV channel's operations and equipment.

This is a great fun event for the whole family. Come and enjoy the wonderful talent of Lake County.

The event will take place starting at noon on Saturday, March 5, 2011, at the Highlands Senior Center, 3245 Bowers Ave., Clearlake.

Dr. Paula Dhanda will be the keynote speaker. She will discuss women's health issues and her medical mission to Chad, Africa, to help many women who were in dire need of medical attention.

There also will be silent and live auctions, and raffles.

Reserve your seat now, as space is limited.

The cost is $35 per person, including lunch, beverage and the famous dessert bar.

The menu includes antipasti, French baked bread with garlic and basil infused olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a classic Caesar salad, with choices of entrees including fresh mushrooms and spinach, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, chicken and Italian sausage tossed together with penne in special cream sauce, or little pillows of cheese tortellini tossed with a creamy pesto.

Send payments to Soroptimist International of Clear Lake, P.O. Box 7167, Clearlake, CA 95422.

For more information call Fawn Williams, 707-350-5866, or Kimberly Trent, 707-416-9660.