The Sons of Norway Vikings of Lake lodge celebrates the culture of Scandinavian countries. Pictured are lodge members Mary Beth and Carl Ingvoldstad. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE – Do you have a craving for Lefse? If you do and know what Lefse is you must be Norwegian! Do you crave Ebleskivers? Then you must be Danish! Is Jansson’s Temptation your favorite potato and anchovy entrée? Did you cheer wildly when Canada beat the United States in hockey? Then you must be Canadian!

One thing though, regardless if you are from the Scandinavian countries or from Canada, we all share one thing in common, a strong desire to learn more about our culture, the history, the food and the way of life of our ancestors.

If you would really like to learn a lot more about it, then the Sons of Norway is your ticket to knowledge, good food and good friends!

The Sons of Norway, Vikings of Lake Lodge, is having a membership drive and Lodge Seminar Luncheon at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 18.

This lovely lunch is free if you are a guest of a lodge member.

Yearly dues are $47.50 for a member and $40.50 for a spouse. You don’t have to be 100 percent Norwegian, Canadian, Swedish, Danish or Finnish. You can be 50 percent or 25 percent, it doesn’t even matter.

The lodge also has heritage members who are children or grandchildren of the member up to 15 years of age. There are Unge Venner members who are children or grandchildren of members, from 16 up to 23 years of age who live with the member; all at no additional cost.

Members meet once a month on the third Wednesday at the Galilee Lutheran Church Community Center, located at 8860 Soda Bay Road in Soda Bay.

Another great feature with the Sons of Norway is their financial planning which is for members only. They have great financial benefits counselors (FBCs) at your disposal to create an outstanding financial package for you along with life insurance policies to specifically fit your needs.

For those who like to RV and camp they have Camp Norge located in Alta, an easy 2 ½ hour drive east of Lake County off I-80. This is a beautiful camp site and recreation area just for just Sons of Norway members.

It offers cabins, dorms, tenting and RV hook ups, all at great rates. There also is a new Heritage Hall with a fully equipped kitchen. They have yearly events at Camp Norge which brings all of us together for good times and down home cooking. Check out the camp at www.campnorge.com .

If this interests you, contact Vale Hanzel at 707-928-1060 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Joyce Vaughn at 707-998-3583 (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) for additional information and learn how to sign up.

You can also check out the lodge Web site, www.vikingsoflakelodge.org .

Personnel at the United States Coast Guard Station at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg, Calif., line up to enjoy a lunch prepared by Flotilla 8-8 of Lake County and Flotilla 8-7 of Mendocino County. Courtesy photo.

Flotilla 8-7 of Mendocino County joined the group to help make it a festive day.

Tri-tip steaks were barbecued and served with potato salad, baked beans, French bread, soft drinks and a special Happy St. Patrick’s Day sheet cake.

The U.S. Coast Guard personnel were very appreciative for our efforts and everyone enjoyed an afternoon of fellowship and camaraderie.

This was the 11th year that Flotilla 8-8 has prepared a special St. Patrick’s Day lunch and it has become a tradition which the Coast Guard personnel look forward to each year as well as the flotilla members.

Members of Lake County's Flotilla 8-8 traveled to Fort Bragg, Calif., on March 17, 2010, to prepare a lunch for personnel at the United States Coast Guard Station at Noyo Harbor. Courtesy photo.

NORTHSHORE – Lucerne Friends of Locally Owned Water (Lucerne FLOW) will hold two bake sales next month at locations in Nice and Lucerne.

The first bake sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 2, at Lakeview Market on Highway 20 in Lucerne.

They'll follow up with with a another bake sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, at Northshore Sentry Market, at the corner of the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff and Highway 20.

UPPER LAKE – “Club 19 Style” will present an evening of entertainment on Saturday, April 17.

The event will feature a drag show, female impersonation, raffle and dance.

Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. at the Bachelor Valley Grange, 9355 Government St., Upper Lake.

The requested donation is $10.

The event is sponsored by C&G Enterprises and LSCCD.

For more information call 707-263-7800.

UPPER LAKE – The annual Easter egg hunt in Upper Lake will take place on Sunday, April 4.

The hunt will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Main Street in Upper Lake.

The event is sponsored by C&G Enterprises, the Upper Lake Community Council and the North Shore Business Association.

For more information call 707-263-7800.

KELSEYVILLE – Step back in to time with Wildhurst Vineyards for its “Case of the Killer Cab” mystery dinner on Saturday, March 27.

Murder Us Productions will host a “killer” evening to die for beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Kelseyville's own I.O.O.F Hall (Wildhurst Tasting Room) on Main Street in Kelseyville.

Come laugh, enjoy a wonderful dinner, witness a crime and help solve a murder mystery. Tickets cost $60 per person.

The evening's theme will be a 1930's “speak easy.” Period costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded.

For reservations please call 707-279-4302.