Frances Evelyn Bortnem Holk

Cousin Verona and John Capone have been in Califorina visiting Aunt Frances, our oldest member of the Soren Bortnem Clan.  Verona sent this picture saying, "You should look so good at 97."

Bortnem Bash at the Nunda Bar and Grill

Descendants of the Richard and Soren Bortnem families had a good time during the Bortnem Bash at the Nunda Bar and Grill last January 5th (First Friday). With my two daughters, Erin and Elizabeth, and granddaughter, Jordyn, three generations of the Soren Family were there. A special treat for me was to meet Rad Bortnem and his bride, Julie, representing a younger generation of the Richard Bortnem family. The reserved table was not quite large enough, but we kept shuffling and adding more chairs as more Bortnem’s came in from the cold. The service was amazing, and the Indian Tacos had no end!

Among the many topics of conversation, the question arose: when will be the next Big All Family Reunion? A poll was taken around the table on a scrap of paper from Russell’s shirt pocket. One suggestion I liked was “every February 29th (starting 2020) to be held in Norway. What was favored in the poll was to have the next Big Reunion in 2020 and then every five years, so the year always ends in either “0” or “5”.

Where there was absolutely no disagreement: the next Bortnem Bash at the Nunda Bar and Grill will be held on the First Friday in March, 3/2/2018, to celebrate the birthdays of Bortnems born under the sign of Pisces.

Bortheim of Long, Long, Ago

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Family History

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Brothers Born at Bortheim

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2016 Big Bortnem Reunion a Big Success

Tusen Takk to all you wonderful Bortnem relatives for making this reunion such a memorable event! The food was great, the weather was perfect for touring LaRu vineyard or pontoon rides around the lake. And thanks to the owners of Shade Winery for providing free tasting! The grand finale was a trip back to Bortheim, through a picture presentation by Casey and Heidi followed by traditional full costume song and dance preformed by the lovely family of Eric and Jennifer Risty.

Last Minute Details

With only a week and a couple of days before descendants of Jonas Anderson Bjergene and Trina Olsdatter gather at the Lake Campbell Church for the 2016 Big Bortnem Reunion, the "tenative" schedule of happenings for the day have been become somewhat revised and a little more detailed.

1. There is no need for the "Set up/Clean up" committee to meet at the church Friday, the 5th, because all the moving of tables etc. can be done Saturday morning.  The church doors open Saturday, the 6th, at 9:00 AM.   The Nunda Bar, however, remains on the schedule for Friday evening, the 5th,  as a suggestion for a place for early arrivals from afar to have supper and socializing with some of us who live near by.  
2. The 12:00 Noon Pot Luck Picnic Lunch will feature pork loin sandwiches, coffee, bottled H2O, and perhaps some lemon-aid provided by "the elders"--everything else is POT LUCK: maybe baked beans, cold slaw, salads, rhubarb pie, Lutefisk and lefsa?....(One can only hope...)
3. Activities for the afternoon include:   A pontoon boat rides around Lake Campbell with Allen and Pat, and Lowell and Denise, launching from their home on Lake Shore Dr.,  a visit to Shade Winery west of Volga, a tour of Russ and Laura's LaRu Vinyard,  visits to the South and East Cemeteries?...How about playing Kubb in the shade of the evergreens around the church yard? (Remember the annual family of Soren  picnics at Hillcrest Park when horse shoe pitching was the thing to do?..unless you were young enough for swimming in the pool...) 
4. Catered Banquet Dinner featuring chef carved prime rib will be served to those who have tickets at 6 PM, Saturday evening.  (Tickets will be handed out as folks arrive at the registration table.)  As soon as the food is gone, a program will begin with a short business meeting that will hopefully set things in motion for the next big Bortnem Reunion.  Planning for the program are Casey and Heidi, who have a great story to tell about their visit to the original Bortheim farm in Norway.