Sons of Norway – Mandt Lodge invites the public to a program on “Early Bowl Turning in Norway” by Derek Brabender of Green Wood Spoons.

The journey into the world of early Norwegian bowl turning. Learn about the lives and craft of traditional pole lathe turners, a nearly forgotten drinking tradition, and have an opportunity to hold a Norwegian ale bowl that predates the founding of the United States. Derek Brabender is an artisan green woodworker based in Stoughton, WI, who specializes in creating beautiful and functional everyday items with hand tools and on a foot-powered pole lathe. In 2024 Derek was awarded an Artist Fellowship from the American Scandinavian Program to study advanced pole lathe turning techniques with Jarrod Dahl in Ashland, WI, as well as visit the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum to study bowls in their collection and learn more about early bowl turning practices in Norway. The final stage of this fellowship project was to build four lathes, as well as forge all the necessary tools, for future classes and educational programs. Visit https://www.greenwoodspoons.com/ to learn more!

Refreshments will be served! Everyone is welcome and no reservations are needed! Please contact Darlene Arneson at arnesonfamily5@gmail.com or 608-873-7209 for more information.

Mandt Lodge is handicapped accessible with a lift located on the south side of the building. There is parking on the street, public parking lot behind the Stoughton Senior Center, or in the Livsreise parking lot if their building is closed. We always encourage you to bring donations for the Stoughton Food Pantry! The public is always welcome at Mandt Lodge!