Tales of Tuscarora
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The Tuscarora Staff on Their Favorite Christmas Tradition
Tuscarora
Traditions are an essential part of our lives. While we move into the future and grow and change, traditions are a way for us to remember who we have been and where we came from. This week on Tales of Tuscarora, the Tuscarora staff wants to tell you about some of their favorite Christmas Traditions.
“I like singing Silent Night on Christmas Eve. It’s a special moment holding a candle and knowing the light of the world has been born. ”
“My Uncle Pete and Aunt Jo-Jo throw a giant Christmas Eve feast every year. His food is amazing, and a ton of family come over. We have all the Italian fish, things wrapped in bacon, prime rib, chicken Parmesan, and giant King crab legs.”
“There’s nothing as an adult that sticks out - but as a kid I loved the fact that we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. I would look forward to it all day and all my friends would be jealous that I got my presents a day early.”
“In my house we don’t put baby Jesus in the manger until Christmas Day. It was something we started with my kids that they still remember. When they purchased their own nativity scenes they made sure to buy ones with a Jesus they could place on Christmas Day. We also have a birthday cake for Jesus!”
“I still have a lot of the homemade ornaments that I made from when I was a kid - and I love hanging them on the tree each year. They look great displayed with my grandmother’s old nativity set.”
“Sleeping under the tree with all of my cousins on Christmas Eve.”
“It is the baking and decorating as a family. I’m very boring! My family is going to be baking Monday through Friday next week when my daughter comes home.”
“There’s an old German tradition where you take a fake pickle and you hide it on the tree. The person who finds it the quickest gets an extra special gift. That’s my favorite Christmas tradition.”
“I’m trying to start the tradition of having my family wear matching pajamas the night before Christmas. Not everyone is enthusiastic about the idea - but I think it makes the day start in a fun and festive way!”
8 Things You'll Find at Tuscarora's Juletrefest
Tuscarora
Traditions are an essential part of our lives. While we move into the future and grow and change, traditions are a way for us to remember who we have been and where we came from. If you are a frequent visitor of the Tuscarora grounds you may be aware that much of Tuscarora's history has been tied to the Scandinavian heritage.
As an affiliate organization of the Lutheran Brethren Church, and a home away from home for many members of the denomination, this connection continues to exist today. If you've ever wondered why we sell Norwegian items in our book and gift store, or puzzled at hearing a Norwegian conversation in the dining room, you are not alone.
But for many, Tuscarora may be the only chance to experience a culture which is difficult to find in our area of the United States, and for those who come from a Scandinavian bloodline - Tuscarora is one of the few places they can continue to experience family traditions from their childhood.
Around Christmas, these traditions are an integral part of our Christmas Weekend. This is most evident in our Juletrefest dessert party on Friday night. Below, is a list of things you would be likely to find there!
1. Norwegian Sweaters
Due to cold winters, it may not surprise you that Norwegians are fond of warm clothing! Traditional Norwegian sweaters are made of thick wool that are perfect attire for Christmastime! They are warm, comfortable, and have a cozy charm that's perfect for this time of year.
2. Caroling
Christmas Carols are the center point of any Christmas party - and Juletrefest is no exception. But at this party - you may hear a few songs that you're unfamiliar with. We like to give our guests the rare opportunity to sing some classic Norwegian Christmas songs amidst the classic tunes! You can be sure to hear "O Jul Med Din Glede," "Jeg Er Sa Glad," as well as a Norwegian verse of "Silent Night."
Some of the Norwegian words may be a challenge, but everyone has such a good time singing together that you'll hardly notice!
3. Circling the Christmas Tree
One Christmas custom from Scandinavia is the dance around the Christmas tree. No matter who you are you will want to grasp hands with the other guests and circle the tree while caroling. This particular tradition is a reminder of times past for many of our guests and we are so thankful to be able to continue it here at Tuscarora.
4. Coffee
No matter the time of day - Norwegian's love their coffee! So a dessert party is the perfect setting for a relaxing bedtime shot of caffeine. It also goes perfectly with Ris Krem!
5. Ris Krem
Ris Krem is a traditional Norwegian Christmas dessert. In Norway, it's made from a leftover porridge which is then mixed with whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla.
6. Lot's of 'kake
If there's something Norwegians love more than coffee it's dessert! And at this party you will find plenty of Kake (or cake!) One particular dessert you'll find is Kransekake - which is an almond based cake reserved for special occasions such as weddings and Christmas. It's always a treat to see it served!
7. Lutefisk
Just kidding! Lutefisk is a traditional fish dish in Norway. It's aged fish which has been soaked in lye and is often eaten as a delicacy. Many people have a love/hate relationship with this particular dish - but we do not serve it at our Christmas party!
8. Koselig
Koselig, the Norwegian word for cozy, is the last important part of our Christmas celebration. Koselig is the feeling you get from a hug, a warm greeting, and all the fuzzy happy feelings that go along with Christmas time. Our koselig comes specifically from the warmth that comes from remembering why we are celebrating Christmas in the first place - the miracle of Christ's birth.
God Jul and Merry Christmas everyone!
#GivingTUSCday - November 28, 2017
Tuscarora
November 28th was a big day for Tuscarora.
On the nationally celebrated Giving Tuesday, Tuscarora decided to hold its own one day fundraising campaign called #GivingTUSCday. On this day, the Tuscarora family pulled together and achieved the biggest single day of fundraising in our history.
"We were excited to realize we were going to be successful in reaching two of our three goals," said Brian Abrahamsen. "We raised $36,520 from 106 different donors. Even more excitingly we gained 10 new Friends of Tuscarora - those individuals who give to Tuscarora on a recurring basis. I am so humbled by how blessed we are by our guests, donors, and volunteers who used this day to express how much they love Tuscarora."
In Matthew 6:21 Jesus states, "Where your treasure is there your heart will be also." We know that the success of this day is only possible because Tuscarora has had the privilege over the last 40+ years of being a place where God changes hearts. Thank you for lending your support to the work we do each and every day.
Below, watch the stories of Brian Abrahamsen, Lindsay Rosado, and Carol Anderson who want to tell you about some of the recent work happening on the grounds, and the impact of current programs.
"It's a blessing and a privilege for me to be able to serve at a place where my life was changed for eternity."
"It was the summer of 2002. The first summer that Senum-Thompson Center was open and I was struck by how personal the gospel was made to me."
"So much has changed and yet so much has remained the same where God meets people here and He has changed lives and legacies for eternity."
To learn more about this year’s Giving Tuesday event, click here!
Give Thanks to the Lord: Olsen Activity Center
Tuscarora
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!
-Psalm 107:1
In this season of giving thanks, Tales of Tuscarora will be dedicated during the month of November to highlighting and celebrating some of the most special parts of our history and our ministry that have been made possible because of the Tuscarora family.
There is possibly no building on the grounds of Tuscarora that has housed more significant moments than what is currently known as the Olsen Activity Center. Construction on the Olav B. Olsen Auditorium was completed by Olsen and Lawson in 1975 and was used for a main meeting area for our guests for more than 30 years until the Senum Thompson Center was built.
Sara Pensyl, Program Manager at Tuscarora, tells you her favorite story of this special place below.
The date was July 7, 1994. I was a first time Junior Week camper. The speaker was Pastor John Blikstad. Serendipitously, my counselor was Janice Olsen - Olav B. Olsen's granddaughter.
I remember sitting in the old yellow plastic chairs that used to be set up on the volleyball court for sessions. As a fidgeting young girl, I remember how loudly they would scrape on the floor when I moved. The Lord had been working on my heart all week, and by Thursday evening I was ready to step into a new adventure.
When the speaker made the invitation to come forward, everyone was praying and our heads were down, until suddenly my body just rose and started heading toward the stage. Since then I've always felt like in that moment Jesus moved my legs.
At the time, the bottom part of the stage in the gymnasium would pull out when more space was needed. I remember stepping up onto the lower platform and thinking, "What am I doing up here?" The Pastor looked down at us all and walked us through the sinner's prayer and I walked back to my seat forgiven and accepted by Christ.
It's been a huge part of my husband Marc's story as well, coming to know Christ in February of 2000 at Senior High Winter Weekend. We've kept coming back to Tuscarora, coming back permanently when I began my job as Program Manager last August. I don't know of many people who get to see their story come entirely full circle - but I know my story will be book ended by the Olsen Activity Center.
I can still tell you exactly where my seat was that day, when God grasped my heart and didn't let go. My Tuscarora story started right there in that square of floor. Today, I have the blessing of working at Tuscarora, and the gym is currently under construction as it finds it's new identity for the generations ahead. It's so exciting to see it evolve, but there is a part of me that hopes it doesn't change too much so that my son Michael can have his own special moments in the years ahead.