"The STADEM HERITAGE has been in existence for centuries. Starting in Norway then coming to America, many family histories have been lived and made into "Stadem Books", Rangen Books, and etc.

Our original goal was to promote and enhance our Heritage, a heritage brought by our brave pioneers such as a faith in God, love of country, honesty, compassion, responsibility, hard work, and a respct for the sanctity of the individual. This emphasis on family values is the caveat that glues this Relationship together.

These precious values have prevailed up to now. It is our privilege and our responsibility to honor the past, to prevail in the uncertain present, and to break ground in the exciting future.

America is the most admired and copied nation in the world because it was built on the sound and sober values of our forefathers.

Reunions are a gathering of generations, an opportunity for families to come together and clebrate their heritage. It is old fashioned family fun with the kind of entertainment that fastens and strengthens family ties and values. The feeling of great warmth and friendliness that permeates this gathering is because the reunions are modeled after the great pleasures and memories of a small town on a Sunday morning, a time when family values were strong and friendly camaraderie flowed between friends and neighbors and relatives. Neither you heritage nor your heritage matters, the reunions have something for everyone.

At the reunions, we share the great warmth with the new found friends and new relatives of today and those of yesteryear. We ae always glad when we have been able to attend the reunions. Flags, food and fun are everywhere! Whether you're in a cabin situation, in a nearby town, or in a tent or camper on the "homestead", fellowship prevails and a little sleep can be caught if we would only quit talking [hardly any chance of that!].

Oh, yes, pictures are taken! Just looking at them again years afterwards, brings smiles and laughter as we reminisce and reflect on the incident. Year after year videos are taken and shared...which have been hours of pleasure to watch and will be played again and again in the next generations. Picture books galore are brought and enjoyed as one gets time!

Souvenir sweat-shirts and tee shirts have been decorated and worn again at the reunions.

Our souvenir magazines, "Den Stadem Samtaleran" comes to our mail boxes three or more times a year with up-to-date e-email and home addresses, announcements of wedding, babies born, special anniversaries, special birthdays, etc. In past issues, we have had "family stories" and information on parents and children, which keeps us more posted with one another. Homemade potato lefse and flat brod are typical treats where Norwegian descendants gather.

How about bringing some real scandinavian favories this year for some of our snack times? Kringle, fattigman, svenska tunnbrod, sweet (waffler) waffles, hardanger lefse, rosettes, krumkaka, monker, etc., are some tasty treats [and for the health conscious, they have scarcely any sugar used in most of them, and just a little deep fry fat left on some of the kinds, and are small in size, but with wonderful delicate flavor. The Rangens' own flot brod fresh baked from the oven is a taste sensation--without a thing on it!].

If anyone is a proud owner of Scandinavian shirts or sweaters, wear them on cool evening around the campfire!

The famous parade of flags held on Plain Views in 1997, honoring all our relatives who served in the military, (those who have passed on and those still living) was a lump-throated ceremony which should be repeated. Names and years served were also displayed on the tent wall and a heart- stirring report was given by one of our young military vets who brought a plain, yet stirring, description of being shot down from our American plane into enemy territory. many men offered to go, but the military commander selected himself to go and rescue our brave flyer, because he had been instrumental in rescuing so many military buddies who had before been shot down. He was at the reunion to tell it, so we know the "high brass" had rescued him! We owe our military men and women honor! After that never-to-be-forgotten report, "Mother Be" said, "I never knew that!" (Son and father had decided to keep those harrowing experiences secret until Be was stronger in health to hear them.)

Years ago, prepared games were brought to Plain View to which even our 90 year old was able to play! These should be brought back. They were interesting to play and it provided the young and old exercise! (I think they were wooden structures on the ground.)

Who will take over the "Coffee and Tea Post" in the house now that the Lord took Sister Myrtle home to glory? (Making herb & spice tea, regular and decaf coffee)

Singing and Music--we believe that there is a distinct relationship between a knowledge of our heritage in hymnody and melodious singing! Let's find the song book compiled by Rennard and Grace and bring them to our next reunion. We have several prayers we sing before meals, we would like to review the prayer Tom & Judy brought back from Norway!

We appreciate the opportunity and enjoyment we receive while singing as "The Reunionites" at the Sunday morning service in Bryant--the church Grandpa and Grandma Stadem brought their children to each and every Sunday. We loved singing together then, in our homes and at the Stadem reunions now. We enjoy those who bring their guitars to accompany the singing.

We received a call from our son Paul, who informed us that he and Mark [his son] want a room reserved at the place we enjoyed last year, and wants to attend the 2000 year reunion! He drives his van, so that makes a wonderful ride for Gramp & Gram Rangen! Room for luggage! (Paul, sadly, passed to glory in May 2000, so he did not make it! But his reunion 2000 was in heaven with all the loved ones who had gone before him, so he had something even better!].

"Hand-me-Downs" used to be a less than appealing expression, but handing down love, involvement, and training to succeeding generations is surely the best way to ensure they will indeed be succeeding generations [isn't this a great quote itself from this piece?--Ed.].

Growing up in hard-scrabble times, we learned that there's something about not having much--that helps you figure out how to do MORE with LESS! There's a new slogan we can bank on: Need a lift? Turn to Thrift! The old-time art of thrift brings us a wealth of 100% American-Scandinavian, homespun, homemade, home-inspired stories that capture the little tricks of self-sufficiency which make this country stand tall when we didn't have two nickels to rub together.

We've only hinted at all the memories, ideas and inspirations coming our way, so to fully appreciate our 2000 reunion, coming up in July, we need to be getting prepared with our plans of where to sleep, clothes to wear, snacks to make and bring, entertainment for the children (there may not be loads of cut grass to keep kids busy this year), plus the usual plans. With the "home-going" of two of our loved ones, we trust there will be plans made for memories to be shared and tributes given!--Joe and Estelle