Aukra

The people of Aukra live in a wealthy and dare we say, good-looking municipality. Hence, the residents here enjoy modern amenities that are not too commonly found elsewhere. Modern schools and kindergardens with the earlier mentioned chefs, serving breakfast and a hot meal for all the children of Aukra.

«The children have suddenly started to enjoy all kinds of food! My youngest son was two years old when we moved here, and he has hardly used a lunchbox since,» says Anita Oterhals Eide with a smile. She and her family moved here many years ago after spending over a decade in Asia. Anita was born and raised in Julsundet, which lies on the mainland. The family greatly appreciates the food provided in schools and kindergartens.

«The children have had the opportunity to try so much new, exciting, and delicious food! I also think it’s wonderful that all the children are served quality food and get to learn about where the food comes from. They learn that pork chops don’t grow on trees, so to speak. In kindergarten, the children bake bread with the cooks and learn about cooking. And as a bonus, all the food waste from the kindergarten is turned into chicken feed,» Anita explains.

And Aukra has even more to offer. A brand new nursing home with state-of-the-art welfare technology and well-staffed. Also, there is a vibrant village heart – Aukra Community Center, with an indoors swimming pool, a movie theatre, a library, the cultural school, volunteer center, BUA (equipment lending service), adult education classes, and a meeting place for young people. It’s located at the island of Gossen, where most of the villagers live.

«It’s a success,» Helge Kjøll says with a big smile. He is the mayor of the tight-knit community and knows the village like the back of his hand.

«Every Saturday, the café opens; it rotates among local clubs and associations. That way, the clubs and associations get the income from the cake sales. And every Saturday it’s packed – I think they sell between 15 to 20 big cakes every weekend. It’s something that’s very good for the community and the social aspect. At the Community Center something is happening almost every day, seven days a week,» says Mayor Helge Kjøll.

Resident Roger Øien wholeheartedly agrees.

«It’s a bullseye! The center has truly been a boost for the entire village,» he says. «My young son and I make it a habit to go swimming every Friday or Saturday, and we often visit the library located within the Community Center,» he explains.

Roger is an important figure in the local sports club, and in that sense, the Community Center is also important.

«The sports club utilizes the halls in the Community Center for hosting the Christmas dance and other events. I’d say that we in the village feel very connected to this building,» he says.

And outside there is nature. A lot of nature!

Aukra holds a special place in Norway’s history. It’s here that archaeologists found the oldest traces of human presence in the country, dating back to around 9200 years before Christ! Today, the people of Aukra are part of a coastal culture where boating, outdoor activities, and fresh sea air are among the ingredients.

One of the villagers who resides at the outermost edge of the sea is Odd Arve Orten, whose home is situated on the island of Orta. Here, 13 people live, and to reach the larger island of Gossen, they must embark on a ferry journey lasting 20 minutes. (The ferry stops running at 6 PM, so good planning is advisable.)

One individual who has experienced the transition from outsider to integral member of the community is Roger Øien. He relocated from Trondheim to Aukra for work, and now, many years later, he still resides on the island with his other half and children. Football served as his entry point into the community, where he now coaches and plays a pivotal role in the local sports club. Also, it was through volunteering that he met the love of his life.

«Being part of such a local community is great. And the nature is awesome; there are numerous hiking trails both on the island and the mainland. And we actively utilize the beaches. Depending on the weather, we frequent the sheltered beaches. Last Easter, for instance, many of the villagers gathered on the beach for a barbecue and enjoyed ourselves. The community association had hidden plenty of Easter eggs filled with candy, so all the kids excitedly went on an Easter egg hunt. The atmosphere was fantastic, and it’s moments like these that create cherished memories. Such days hold great significance for us residents here,» Roger recounts.

Roger believes that Aukra is a good place for those who aspire to create something new, such as entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.

«You just need to be a little bit willing to put yourself out there, keep your door slightly ajar, and be up for a cup of coffee,» Roger says with a smile.

There is also a lot of activity in the music and arts scene of Aukra, with events and culture at Aukra kulturhus. Anita Oterhals Eide is involved in the local marching band, and there are several local bands and choirs, especially in the gospel genre, for both children and adults.

«Music is definitely important to many of the residents in the village,» says Anita, who plays the tuba in the marching band. Additionally, many people enjoy hiking in the area. There are plenty of trails everywhere. Volunteers work to maintain and develop the trail network. People can even go for a walk with a stroller or wheelchair, Anita explains.

«I spend a lot of time in nature! My favorite spot is the mountain Svartnakken, which I can hike up in less than 20 minutes. The view from there is spectacular. And from my house, it’s just a three-minute walk down to the sea, so it’s a short distance from the sea to the mountains. We can hike almost all year round because we are located right on the coast, so there is rarely any snow here,» Anita says.

«One thing that I believe is part of the village soul is that everyone greets each other when they meet someone else out walking. You don’t just pass by with an audiobook or music in your ears; you say hello to each other. I think that’s so nice!»

Mayor Helge Kjøll sums it up: «For me, the very best thing about Aukra is the commendable voluntary work being carried out in the village, combined with incredibly stunning nature near the sea and fantastically beautiful mountainous regions.»