Here we are in November, and the holidays are right around the corner with a new year right after that. Where has the time gone? It seems like the year has just started and now it is almost over, and we are getting ready for a new one.
We accomplished a lot this year with activities. We had the Third District Picnic which unfortunately had a poor turnout of members for the second year in a row even though it was a great event with lots of food and fun for everyone. But due to the poor turnout, the Third District Board will be eliminating it for 2026. It is very sad to do that, but it had to be done.
Youth Camp was held this past July and was a huge success and will be back for July of 2026. If you have children or grandchildren, I highly urge you to send them to Youth Camp, where they can learn about the Norwegian heritage and culture and make friends with the other children at the camp. It is the best gift you can give your children.
Weekend Cultural Camp was held this past June and was so successful that not only will it be back in September of 2026, but we will be adding a day to the event. If you are interested in going to the Cultural Camp or have children interested in the Youth Camp, please contact Third District Cultural Director, Cheri Johnson or Third District Vice President, Katie Brink for more information.
The Third District 2026 Convention, which is being co-hosted by the Third District and Hampton Roads Lodge, will be from Thursday, June 4th to Sunday, June 7th, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center Virginia Beach, Virginia. I encourage you to send your lodge’s full delegation to the convention so your lodge will be fully represented.
Since the Fraternal Funds program has been eliminated by the home office starting January 2026, the Third District Board has come up with a Lodge Assistance Program that will start in January of 2026. We hope to help offset some of the loss of not getting Fraternal Funds from the home office, but it will cover less things than were previously supported. The district’s projected income is less due to the drop in membership (dues) and the drop of interest rates, but the Third District will do what we can to continue to support our lodges.
Until my next message in the spring, Karen and I and the whole Third District Board would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Happy Healthy New Year.
Fraternally,
Stephen Helmold