Auctioneer Jeff Owens, left talked with Chris Garras of Spokane before auctioning off the contests of the Sons of Norway Lodge and Banquet Hall in Spokane on Saturday. (SR photo: Kathy Plonka)

To step into the Spokane Sons of Norway banquet hall is to step back in time. The rich, red walls and the dark beams across the ceiling are reminiscent of a Viking ship. Paintings and maps of ancient Norway dot the walls. But after this week, nothing will remain in the lodge the fraternal order has called home since 1979. The space will be gutted to make room for a pediatric clinic. The club hosted a complete liquidation auction Saturday, selling all but the most valuable furnishings in the lodge. Sons of Norway Cultural Director Anne Molstead said declining membership and increasing costs made it impossible for the club to continue at 6710 N. Country Homes Blvd. It costs about $7,000 a month just to maintain the space, she said/Kaitlin Gillespie, SR. More here.

Question: Any of you ever belong to a Sons of Norway lodge?