The Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame Banquet honored four individuals last night.

The Hall of Fame began when Princess Astrid AH-streed of

Norway first visited Norsk Hostfest in 1983.

Last night, the Princess was making her second visit to the festival and attended the banquet. She was presented with the International Scandinavian-American Cultural Award.

In addition, two people were given Humanitarian Awards, and one man, North Dakota Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem, was inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame.

Here are some remarks from all four of the honorees last night.

(Wayne Stenehjem, Hall of Fame Inductee) "I and all of us Americans of many heritages that make up the land have been richly blessed, and I have been deeply honored to serve." (Sister Thomas Welder, Humanitarian Award) "The Hostfest invites us to cultivate as best as we are able the ways and habits of pioneering families - their faith in God, their witness to hope, their self-reliance, and their courage. Tonight we sense their presence. This is our night to pass it on." (Johann Koss, Humanitarian Award) "If we can equalize, create and share, to do something for each other, we will not experience conflict, we will not experience fight, we will not experience terrorism. We will share what we have been given." (Princess Astrid, Cultural Award) "Your warm reception and hospitality is a reward within itself and your decision to present me with this award makes me even more grateful to be a part of this great Scandinavian-American community."


The banquet last night was the last official duty for Princess Astrid during her Hostfest visit. She arrived Monday and has now left Minot to head back home. watch the video | save this article / add to your favorites list