Orion Samuelson and 40 American farmers came to Telemark on June 24, 2009. The tour was arranged by Juven Tours in Fargo ND. Their first stop in Telemark was Heddal Stave Church at Heddal near Notodden. After Heddal the delegation came to Sauherad and after that to Gjerpen in Skien.(more).

It was planned that the well known investor and hotel-owner Olav Thon should honour the famous skier from Morgedal in Telemark and perform the laying of the wreath on Sondre Norheim's grave in Denbigh ND on Tuesday September 29, 2009. However, very unfortunately, Olav Thon has to cancel his visit to Denbigh and to Minot. The laying of the wreath will now be performed by Charles R. Swartz, a great great grandson of Sondre Norheim.(more).

On May 14th 2009 our friend from Linfield College in Oregon, music professor Joan Haaland Paddock, presented a slide show and gave personal recollections of the Halcyon Trio Oregon's tour to Telemark and Norway in 2007. Joan did the presentation together with Jackie Van Paepeghem and Debra Huddleston at the Grieg Lodge in Couch, Portland. They also presented a "mini" musical program with Joan (trumpet), Debra on piano and Jackie provided vocals.(more).

Participants from Faculty of Arts, Culture and Teacher Education at Telemark University College, Notodden Campus visit Minot State University in Minot ND in May 2009.(more).

Orion Samuelson, this time together with his wife Gloria, is back in Telemark.

Orion Samuelson is a familiar voice and face of the world's agriculture. He is regarded as the most recognizable agriculture figure in the world, and we are very proud of having him as our guest in Telemark in June. Orion and his wife Gloria arrive in Telemark on June 24 together with a delegation of approx. 35 farmers from the U.S.(more).

It is exciting how Minot and Telemark are growing closer and closer.(more).

Minot, Skien's sister city in the United States, is a city with an exciting future. Minot is not a big city, only 36.567 people lived there in 2000. When Minot Air Force Base is included, Minot will be about the size of Skien, 50.000 people. (more).

A group of 13 young boys and girls came to Skien on Friday Aug 21 to visit Skien Rotary Club. This is a Round Trip group, and they come from eleven different countries: Turkey, Israel, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Hungary, Poland, France, Austria and Tsjekkia.(more).

Harold and Wanda Naess came from Calgary to Skien to visit relatives and to join a family re-union at Bolkesjø Hotel. Only a few family members knew on beforehand that they were coming for the family re-union. Harold and Wanda were therefore "smuggled" from Gardermoen to Skien where they stayed with family until the re-union at Bolkesjø on Oct 24. Their arrival at the event was therefore a great and pleasant surprise. (more).

The delegation from Telemark at Norsk Høstfest in Minot ND in 2008 counted eight people. The Vice Mayor of Skien, Geir Arild Tønnesen, was the delegation leader with City Attorney Rolf Haugen, as Executive Secretary. Ivar Stulen and Hermod H. Monsen from the Telemark Heritage project were hosts and volunteering at the Skien/Telemark booth at the Høstfest, and they were supported by representatives from the Norwegian Ski Adventure at Morgedal.(more).