Editor’s Notes
LORI ANN REINHALL
The Norwegian American
Photo: Ulf Reinhall
For Editor-in-chief Lori Ann Reinhall, learning has been a lifelong process. She starts each morning with a strong cup of coffee, as she reads her favorite newspapers from around the world.
Dear readers and friends,
Here at The Norwegian American, each and every issue is special to us, but for me, the annual Education Issue always holds a special place in my heart. When I look back, I ask myself what my life would have been like without my education and feel an enormous gratitude to my parents, teachers, and all the people who taught and mentored me along the way. Learning has been a lifelong process, and as editor-in-chief of this newspaper, sharing my knowledge with others is an enormous privilege, as I also learn from you.
With the 2020 Education Issue, our staff has put together a selection of stories and features that we hope will be of interest and inspiration at a very challenging moment in our history. During the pandemic, we all find ourselves at home more than usual, looking for ways to keep our spirits up and productively make use of our time—and with the onset of fall, many will be stuck indoors even more. This, however, offers us the opportunity to read more and check out new opportunities for learning.
Fortunately for us all, the Norwegian-American community has stepped up to the plate and created an array of virtual programs for us to enjoy, be it opportunities for learning language, checking out a new recipe, exploring future travel destinations, or simply deepening our knowledge of our cultural heritage, our community, or current events. We then have our newspaper’s many talented columnists and contributors. And as always, when selecting our content for you, we have kept your interests and needs in mind.
But most of all, we want to offer you food for thought for the future. The pandemic will not be with us forever, and there is no better time than right now to think about our priorities and how we can steer our lives in new directions once the world begins to open up again. For me personally, I can’t wait to get back to Norway to see the new Deichman Bjørvika library on the Oslo waterfront—and I hope our lead feature written by an Oslo native on the ground there will inspire you in the same way.
For me, studying abroad was one of the most meaningful parts of my education, opening up new perspectives and horizons—and I know many of my colleagues feel the same way. With this issue, we are also happy to share information about special educational opportunities in Norway. And remember, it is never too late to learn something new, be it in a formal study program, in a community classroom, online, or on a trip designed to open up the world for you: everywhere you look, there is always something to be gained.
As you enjoy this issue, I would ask to you to think about the value of the free press. It lies at the heart of our democratic society and is critical to keeping everyone well informed and educated about all aspects of life. Finally, we cannot take for granted that we have had our own Norwegian-American newspaper since 1889—something that we can’t do without you. Thank you for your support, as we continue to grow The Norwegian American to better serve you and our community.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Lori Ann Reinhall
Editor-in-chief, The Norwegian American
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 4, 2020, issue of The Norwegian American. To subscribe, visit SUBSCRIBE or call us at (206) 784-4617.
