Slektstevne, Fjotland

My parents Helene and Alfred Johan Bakke, were both born in Norway. My mom is from a wonderful quiet place called Fjotland, in “uptown” Kvinesdal, and my dad is from Kristiansand. I do think that makes me pretty much a “Norwegian”, even though I happen to be born in the USA.

I have 3 brothers, John, Steven and Roy, and we grew up speaking Norwegian or should I say,” Fjotland’s Norsk”. When my mom took us to school to sign my brothers and myself up for Kindergarten, my mom was really surprised we could speak directly to the school teachers and to the other kids, she didn’t know we had learned English from our playmates on our block. We spoke only Norwegian inside our home. This was the normal world for my brothers and I, we were self-taught bilingual children.

Christmas began right after Thanksgiving. My mom would start to bake cookies for Christmas. I can remember my brothers and I would be awaken to the sweet smell all kinds of cookies, our eyes would pop WIDE open and we would run down the stairs to the kitchen, only to be stopped in our tracks by my dad. My dad had been standing guard at the kitchen door, knowing we would be getting up out of bed soon with the wonderful smell of cookies baking that flowed throughout the house!

Arlene og 17.mai i Brooklyn

As an adult, I have since figured out the reason why my dad was there first, it was because he wanted the first batch of cookies, and that’s why he playfully chased us away. He knew all the hiding spots where mom placed the cookies. We could hear the rattling of the cookie tins after we went to bed- Yep, I am sure it was not Santa Claus … it was my dad!

We looked forward to the Christmas program at 66 Street Church each year, my brothers and I would perform in a Christmas skit and afterwards, the Sunday School teachers would hand out the boxes of Hersey’s chocolate kisses! The box was shaped like a little church building. My brother Steven and I would have belly aches the next day because we would eat pretty much the whole box before we went to bed that night! What a wonderful memory, we still talk about the Hersey kiss’s boxes today!

Our house was filled with all kinds of traditional Norwegian items. Mom was always a great cook and baker. The most wonderful part of Christmas is that we grew up knowing that Christmas was a season for rejoicing; we grew up knowing the true meaning of the season of Christmas. Christmas was the birthday of a King. The King, we learned was Jesus Christ, who gave up His throne in heaven and came to this earth to give up His life on a cross, all this so we could live forever! This is a true gift for all those who believe and receive!

To av Arlenes barn, Paulie og Danielle

Growing up Norwegian in Brooklyn has formed my adult life; it’s a matter of heart and not location. Life in general can be hard. Each one of us walks in a different path, with good times and hard times. For me at the very core , was what my parent’s faith and heritage taught me in how best to live life, I thank God for them each day!

Although I am a proud American citizen, Norwegian blood still flows through my veins and affects every part of my life! My family own and operate Nordic Deli in Brooklyn, New York, and I an active member of numerous Norwegian organizations, so it doesn’t really matter where you live your life, as long as you live it with divine purpose!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Arlene Bakke Rutuelo
Daughter of Helene Egeland Bakke and Alfred Johan Bakke
Granddaughter of Anna and John Egeland

Chairwoman of The 17th of May Parade Committee of Greater New York, Co-Chair of the Miss Norway of Greater New York Contest, Board member to The Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center and Co- owner of Nordic Delicacies Inc. General Board member and a Trustee for the 66h Street Church.