Vestlandslag will conduct its annual meeting next month in Spicer, bringing together several organizations of descendants of emigrants from Norway to North America.

Registration is open now for the June 11-13 meeting at Hope Presbyterian Church, 7730 North Shore Drive, Spicer.

Programs may feature a variety of Norwegian cultural and educational activities, including genealogy searches/assistance, noted speakers and displays of Norwegian arts and crafts, according to the news release announcing the meeting called a stevne.

According to the news release, speakers and topics this year include the following: author Dean Urdahl, the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862; Sandra Bestland, Norwegian pioneer women; Carolyn Sowinski, the Gabriel Stene family in Kandiyohi County; artist Andrew Nordin, Norwegian ancestors in Norway; and author Candace Simar, the lives of Scandinavians in frontier Minnesota.

Vestlandslag is an umbrella organization of eight bygdelag — Hardangerlag, Møre og Romsdalslag, Nordhordlandslag / Sunnhordlandslag, Rogalandslag, Sognalag, Sunnfjordlag, and Vosselag, according to the news release announcing the event. Each "lag" seeks to preserve and strengthen bonds with its home district or community-of-origin in Norway.

The Vestlandslag website at www.fellesraad.com/vestlandslag.htmhas more information about registration and the event's program.

For any questions, contact Ann Romo, Vestlandslag president, at 507-990-6397 or email at annromo04@gmail.com .