On the fourth of July 2012 the “Rebild National Park Society” celebrated its 100th anniversary as a Danish-American friendship organization at the American independency day festivities in Rebild Hills. On this occasion Christian The Fourth´s Guild carried out two initiations in Aalborg.

On the 3th of July 42 persons from both USA and Denmark were initiated – among them “Mayor for a Day” Curtis LeRoy Hansen and his wife Ruth Hansen.

On the 4th of July the American main speaker, the actor Keith Carradine, was initiated. Keith Carradine is a great- grandchild of the Danish American Max Henius who was the founder of the “Rebild National Park Society” in 1912. The king – His Majesty Christian the 10th – were presented with a deed of gift for the “Danish-American National Park”, as it was called at that time.

Among the other persons initiated at the celebration were several descendants of Max Henius, among them the Danish writer Suzanne Brøgger.

The initiation was attended by the American Ambassador to Denmark, Laurie S. Fulton, who herself was initiated at an earlier 4th of July celebration.

After the initiation the celebrations continued with a tent-lunch for more than 1,000 participants. During this lunch the Chief Bencher Niels Voss Hansen presented Keith Carradine and Curtis LeRoy with the Guild- necktie and Suzanne Brøgger with the Guild scarf.

The celebrations in the Rebild Hills were attended by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, her sister Her Royal Highness Princess Benedikte and the Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Smitdt, who was the Danish main speaker.

Foto: Fini Ryming

See the pictures

The annual Guild meeting 2012 was held Wednesday the 29th of February. Duus´ Vinkjælder (Wine cellar) was as usual completely crowded.

Everything functioned perfectly from the start. But this situation lasted only a few minutes. Then the amplifying system died and resurrection was tried - but in vain.

The members sitting in the green room were unable to hear anything and had to follow the Guild meeting as a silent movie on the CCTV screens.

Apart from this the Guild meeting went according to plan headed by honourable vice bencher P.E. Jensen, who as usual was elected chairman.

During the annual report - which can be seen on the website - chief bencher Niels Voss Hansen reported that Guild press attaché Preben Busekist after 16 years as member of the board had wanted to retire due to health causes. The chief bencher expressed on behalf of the board a sincere thanks to Preben Busekist for his valuable contribution in the Guild.

Just before the start of the initiation the new member of the board, Peter Arboe-Hermansen, was introduced, given his gown and seated at the board´s table.

Photo 1:
Prize-winners (from left): Captain Wilhelm Pedersen, who in 1962 was the first recipient of the prize of honour. First lieutenant Karoline Sara Tjell, Soldier of the year, Chief bencher Niels Voss Hansen, Vagn Thomsen, Prize of honour 2012, Søren Windfeldt Nielsen, resident of the Churchill Room, Fourth May College, Peder Morre, Initiative-prize 2012

Photo 2:
Chief bencher and captain Wilhelm Pedersen, who 50 years ago brought from Antarctica to Aalborg Zoo no less than 17 imperial penguins.

Photo 3:
The Guild´s night watchman and Foundation administrator greets Aalborg´s former mayor, Kaj Kjær.

Photo 4:
The board and the elected chairman of the Guild meeting.

See the pictures

Foto: Jens Morten

On friday the 20th of January, the participants in the danish “Melodi Grand Prix 2012” were initiated into the Guild.

The initiation was special because the new members really could sing.

Per Iversen, our Guild Musician played two melodies with his “Two Man Band”, that is, playing the trumpet and the accordion simultaneous.

Foto: Grete Dahl   

See the pictures                           

Read the Laugs-Newsletter here