LUTEFISK
Julie (Nordine) Bergman with my mom, Carole Nordine
Aww, the sounds and sights of the joyous Christmas season… twinkling lights on the sparkling snow, carols wafting through the air, children’s excited giggles… and lutefisk. Shortly after Thanksgiving, the season’s supply of lutefisk would arrive at our family’s grocery store — Oseid’s Store — in my hometown of Roosevelt. The large slabs of white, gelatinous fish would be lowered into the galvanized washtub of cold water at the back of the store. Every day, without exception, Dad would carefully change the water on the precious slices of quivering flesh. Christmas had arrived in Roosevelt. Our loyal customers would file into the store and would be greeted with that “unique” smell. I can still see the town’s elders as they opened the door for the first time after the lutefisk arrived. Their weathered faces lit up as they proclaimed, “It must be Christmas!” with a heavy Norwegian accent. I couldn’t quite understand their excitement. To me, the odor was sickening, and I swear it permeated the big boxes of bulk candy that also arrived about the same time. The smell didn’t deter me from sneaking countless chocolate stars, pieces of sponge candy, and candy ribbons from the boxes. (Perhaps my rolling tummy was more a result of the snitched candy than the smell of lutefisk?) I come from a staunch Scandinavian family. Lutefisk was an essential part of our Christmas Eve dinner, according to Dad and much to my mom’s chagrin. The scents of freshly baked buns, roasting turkey, and simmering vegetables tickled our young noses until thirty minutes before eating, when the lutefisk was doused in boiling water, releasing an indescribable odor that matched no other. As we grew older and love began to light our eyes, Dad issued a new decree: anyone wishing to enter our family through matrimony must pass the “lutefisk” test. One by one, prospective victims were invited for Christmas Eve dinner and challenged to the infamous test. My siblings and I detested lutefisk and were kind enough to give our potential spouses a hint before they sat down to eat. At the end of the meal, the victims’ plates were always clean. They passed the test, and Dad declared them eligible to join the family tree. He never seemed to notice when our cat, Toby, would slink from under the table, licking his little chompers at the end of the meal. As the years have passed, one memory has never dimmed—the smell of the national fish of Norway bubbling on the open fire. It’s a smell I don’t miss, although I do terribly miss Dad and his satisfied grin as he enjoyed his lutefisk.
The Grinch Visited Greenbush-Middle River Elementary School Last Week
GMR Math League Shines at December Meet
Samantha Alme
samantha.tribunepaper@gmail.com
GMR Math League students put their thinking caps on and represented their school with pride at the third meet of the season, held on December 15. The meet showcased not only strong math skills, but also teamwork, perseverance, and a love of learning—qualities that continue to define GMR’s Math League program. Competing on the Varsity Scoring Team were Mya Bennett, Ava Christianson, Will Foss, Sarah Pulk, Nathan Gust, Spencer Brichacek, Jude Vacura, and Chase Lorenson. These students worked together through a series of challenging problems, earning valuable points for the team along the way. Also stepping up to the challenge as individual competitors were Teagan Landsrud, Jalyssa Gust, Maelee Christianson, Levi Wahl, Jocelyn Waage, Sierra Landsrud, Bentley Thompson, Sophia Masshio, Micah Wahl, Adrian Nelson, Ty Grinsteiner, and Madilyn Pulk. Each student contributed effort, focus, and determination throughout the competition. Points were earned across all three individual events, with many GMR students finding success in multiple rounds. Highlights included strong performances by Mya Bennett, Will Foss, and Nathan Gust, along with consistent scoring contributions from a wide range of teammates. During the Team Round, the Varsity group answered two questions correctly, adding ten more points to GMR’s overall score. In the Northern Lights Division, GMR finished just one point shy of third place, landing fourth with 46 points in a tightly contested meet. In Section 8A, GMR also placed fourth, continuing to hold a strong position overall for the season. Through three meets, GMR currently sits second in the section standings, staying well within reach of the top spot. With one regular-season meet remaining on January 26, followed by the final meet in February, GMR Math League students are already looking ahead. With continued practice, teamwork, and dedication, the group is eager to sharpen their skills and make a strong push toward reclaiming first place.