Valthornet

DISTRICT LODGE LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8 April 2009

District Master’s Message

The District Executive Board met in the Chicago area in February. The Finance

Committee met on Friday afternoon to formulate the budget for 2009 – 2010. The new budget was

shared with the rest of the Executive Board on Saturday. Combining the Finance Committee with

the regular meeting saves the added expense of a second meeting, although it creates additional

challenges for the District Treasurer. Every effort was made to reduce District expenses in all

areas for the coming year due to the discouraging economic climate. A significant savings has

been realized related to annual conventions through a conscientious effort related to delegate

transportation. The Southside Scholarship Fund requires additional explanation. The Southside

Scholarship Fund was established with money donated by the Southside Chicago Lodges many

years ago upon the sale of their meeting facility. Scholarships cannot be awarded if the principal

in the Fund goes below the specified amount which is the case due to the financial conditions this

year. This will explain why you will not be seeing a collegiate scholarship awarded this year.

During this recession the Board reminds you that the District continues to function without collecting District

dues. The District Board suggests that you consider making long time members who are suffering financial hardship

Honorary Life Members thus allowing them to continue their membership in the Local Lodge without paying dues.

The District Convention will be held in Indianapolis hosted by Svea Lodge, No. 253. The dates are May 29 – 31.

This is not Memorial Day weekend as there are five weekends in May. Indianapolis hosts the Indianapolis 500 Race

which makes hosting a convention there in May very challenging. The convenience of five weekends in May this year

made it possible for them to hold the 101st Convention. The theme of the Convention will be, “Nordic Innovations”.

Attending a convention helps you understand the functions of the District. Delegates are given information and ideas

to take back to their local lodges. Attendees also have the opportunity to build and renew friendships within the

District. As District Master, I would like to encourage all delegates to seek an active role in the District by considering

running for a District Office. You will receive guidance and support from others on the Executive Board to help you

be successful. All members of the District Board look forward to hearing suggestions for improvements.

One of the major items to be voted upon at this year’s Convention will be the new set of Bylaws the Executive

Board is proposing. The Grand Lodge has commissioned all District Lodges to format their Bylaws into the same

template as the Grand Lodge Constitution. Entirely rewriting Bylaws, keeping and updating the required information

yet cleaning up the many problems discovered, became an extremely ambitious project. Hundreds of hours have gone

into the creation of these new Bylaws to make them more timeless, and I strongly encourage delegates to vote yes on

this proposal. A Policy and Procedure Manual has been created to define processes. Delegates will receive the set of

new Bylaws prior to the Convention to study so the anticipated acceptance procedure can progress smoothly. I would

strongly encourage you to bring your white handbook making sure the Bylaws were revised in 2005. You will find

that information on the bottom right corner of every page. Your white handbook is your textbook for this project. It

will be used for comparison during the presentation of the new Bylaws. The new Bylaws are easy to follow so all

members of the District will fully understand each article but the difficulty will be presenting these changes since a

major reorganization of the document had to be done. An attorney, familiar with DL Lake Michigan No. 8, was

contacted for support and legal advice. His professional suggestions have been interjected into the new document.

The Bylaw Committee is prepared to answer questions related to the changes. The process for the approval of these

Bylaws starts with approval by the District Board. This was done at the District Executive Board Meeting in

November. Some revisions were required which were done and the revised Bylaws were approved at the February

meeting. These Bylaws need approval by 2/3 of the membership at the District Convention. After approval they will

go to the Grand Lodge for review and approval, as District Bylaws cannot contradict the Grand Lodge Constitution.

The Bylaws go into effect upon approval by the Grand Lodge.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you in Indianapolis at the Convention in May.

In Truth and Unity

Sheila Lundquist

District Master

VALTHORNET

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District Master: Sheila Lundquist

1456 Kennebec

Grand Blanc, Michigan 48439

(810) 695 – 3248

Email: [email protected]

Vice District Master: Tom Cleveland

1117 Foxpointe Drive

Sycamore, Illinois 60178

(815) 895 – 2102


District Secretary: Margaret Gruel

13716 West Lilac Lane

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

Home: (262) 782 – 4522

Work: (262) 544 – 4522

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Assistant District Secretary (pro tem):

Joella Hultgren

13650 Amblewind Place

Westfield, Indiana 46074 – 8227

(317) 733 – 3493


District Treasurer: Liza Ekstrand

15070 West Mayflower Drive

New Berlin, Wisconsin 53151

(262) 782 - 2238

Cell: (262) 366 – 9152

FAX: (414) 645 - 4445


Hospital Fund Secretary/Treasurer:

Charlotte Tollin

5420 Mahogany Lane

Roscoe, Illinois 61073 - 7938

(815) 877 – 5996

FAX: (815) 874 – 9018


Executive Board Member: Lisa Cianci

342 Beach Avenue

Unit: 1 – D

LaGrange Park, Illinois 60526

(708) 352 – 0042


Executive Board Member: Edward Hultgren



(317) 733 – 3493


Supervisor Of Children’s / Youth Clubs:

Lynda Smith

1502 Azalea Drive

Munster, Indiana 46321 – 3812

(219) 923 – 8777


District Cultural Leader (pro tem): Iva Lynn

627 Conner Creek Drive

Fishers, Indiana 46038

(317) 596 – 1496

FAX: (317) 596 - 1937


Past District Master: Sten Hult

14951 South Kenton Avenue

Midlothian, Illinois 60445

(708) 687 – 8943


District Historian: Iva Lynn

627 Conner Creek Drive

Fishers, Indiana 46038

(317) 596 – 1496

FAX: (317) 596 - 1937


District Chaplain: Inez Törnblom

1301 Providence Circle

Elgin, Illinois 60120 - 5076

(847) 695 – 9890


Master of Ceremonies (pro tem): Nancy Hult

14951 South Kenton Avenue

Midlothian, Illinois 60445

(708) 687 – 8943


Inner Guard: Steve Westlund

55 West Joliet Street

Schererville, Indiana 46375

(219) 322 – 5190


Outer Guard: Timothy Ogrentz

12849 South Manistee Avenue

Chicago, Illinois 60633

(773) 646 - 0279

[email protected]; [email protected]

Auditor: Susan Cleveland

1117 Foxpointe Drive

Sycamore, Illinois 60178

(815) 895 – 2102


Auditor: Theodore Ruser

10890 North 40th Street

Hickory Corners, Michigan 49060

(269) 671- 5970

Auditor: Eric Swanson

8433 North McKinley Road

Flushing, Michigan 48433

(810) 639 - 6705

VALTHORNET Editor :

Joella Hultgren



(317) 733 – 3493


HÄR OCH DÄR

by Lillemor Horngren

HALLAND

This landskap has much

history dating back to pre-Viking times. In early days

when Halland was ruled by Denmark the borders changed

many times until 1645 when Halland became part of

Sweden. The island of Anholt has remained Danish.

Hallandsåsen is the ridge forming the border between

Halland and Småland. Where it reaches the sea, there is

a spectacular rock formation called Hov’s hallar. The

name Halland may have gotten its name from this place’s

use of the word hall.

Several forts and castles were erected and they have

seen battles. The most famous one still left is Varberg’s

fortress. Other well-known cities in Halland, besides

Varberg, are Halmstad, Kungsbacka, Laholm and

Falkenberg. There are about 285,000 people living in

Halland.

Miles of white sandy beaches along the strait of

Kattegatt attract tourists through the summer season.

Further inland farming is plentiful with potatoes, kale and

horseradish being the most important. Beech trees cover

a large area and closer to Småland the large forest

consists mainly of spruce where there are many animals.

The Swedes will take every chance to head into these

woods to pick the many mushrooms and berries found

there.

Halland’s: Flower is the Hårginst / Hairy Greenwood

Mushroom is the Blodsopp / Blood Soup

Animal is the Lax / Salmon

Bird is the Pilgrimsfalk / Peregrine Falcon

Insect is the Ollonborre / Cockchafer

DISTRICT LODGE LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8

EXECUTIVE BOARD 2008 - 2009

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DISTRICT LODGE LAKE MICHIGAN No. 8

101st CONVENTION

29-31 MAY 2009

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Dear Vasa Order of America District No. 8 Members,

The time for the annual District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8

Convention is drawing near. We extend a warm and hearty

welcome to the delegates and other local lodge members to the

101st convention, to be held at The Marten House, 1801 West

86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Detailed and informative tri-

fold pamphlets and hotel brochures have been sent to all Local

Lodge Secretaries within District No. 8 for their delegates, non-

delegates, and guests.

Program Book Ads: Your local lodge has received information

about placing an advertisement in the convention program book

and we hope that you will consider making a contribution with a

local lodge advertisement or a personal line of congratulations.

Golf Tournament: This Friday morning outing will be held at

Brookshire Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. The 1st tee time is

9:00 am, and the coordinator is Ken Allen, 612 Kinzer Avenue,

Carmel, Indiana 46032; telephone: (317) 573-9750.

Cultural Displays: The District Cultural Leader pro tem Iva

Lynn is planning a comprehensive exhibit of Nordic Innovations

with colorful and information-packed displays of scientific,

medical, mechanical, educational, and athletic highlights. Be sure

to visit the culture room and read about the superstars in the fields

of science, medicine, and sports.

Money Drawing: District members have received tickets for a

monetary drawing (the tickets were mailed in late January 2009).

There are four prizes in the drawing: $300.00, $150.00, $75.00,

and $50.00. The drawing tickets and donations should be

returned to Ron Gardin, Svea # 253 Treasurer, 11347 Indian

Creek Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46236. The drawing will be at

the banquet Saturday night.

Swedish Emporium: There will be Swedish Emporium

merchandise coordinated by Susie and Mark Swanson. They

have a large selection of Swedish trolls, ornaments, and other

treasures. The store will be open Friday afternoon and evening,

all day Saturday, and Sunday morning.

Bucket Raffle, Silent Auction, and Loppmarknad: On Friday

and Saturday, there will be a bucket raffle and a silent auction. A

bucket raffle is one where purchased raffle tickets are deposited

in the bucket corresponding to one’s choice of item. We already

have donations of: mother-of-pearl jewelry, insulated lunch

carrier bags, a counted cross stitch table cloth, a knitted Swedish

Boy and Swedish Girl (knitted by Lillemor Horngren), and a

Swedish table runner. Winners will be drawn on Saturday night.

The silent auction will include several special items such as a

beautiful rosemaled tray painted by Gold Medal Rosemaler John

Gundersen, framed prints of Carl Larsson paintings, and a book

on Swedish art written by Michelle Facos. Winners will be

determined on Saturday night.

On Sunday morning, there will be a Loppmarknad sale of

clearance items. Prices would be low and items priced to sell.

The above activities are coordinated by Sue and Tom James, and

Janet Jegen

Sales of Christmas Cards and Greeting Cards: Coordinators

Lou Anderson, Ann Hanson, and Marty Lindgren will have

Christmas cards and other greeting cards (birthday, friendship,

sympathy, thank you notes, and blank note cards) for sale. The

table will be open Friday afternoon and evening, all day Saturday,

and Sunday morning.

Hospitality Room: We will welcome all the delegates and

guests at our hospitality room on Friday evening. Michelle

Escalante is coordinating the special snacks, desserts, and

beverages with help from Sophia and Dan Anderson, and

Charlotte Swenson.

Friday Evening Program: The youth group Sveaskolan No. 210

will entertain with songs and dances under the leadership of adult

leaders Sara Olsson and Sarah Swanson. Dans Norden, the

Scandinavian Folk Dancing Group in Indianapolis, Indiana, will

perform several dances to live music. Afterwards, dance leader

John Seest promises that he will teach dances that everyone will

be able to do, so be prepared to join in the fun.

Saturday Evening Banquet: Following a delicious banquet of

Indiana favorites, we will be serenaded by the Indianapolis

Maennerchor, the “Gentlemen of Song Since 1854”. Now in their

155th Concert Season, they are the oldest continuously

performing men’s choir in the United States. They have time-

honored bonds with the German-American community, but will

perform many Swedish favorites.

Memorial Service: A memorial service honoring District 8

members who passed away in 2008 will be held on Sunday

morning. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to attend and

remember our departed brothers and sisters. Convention

attendees who enjoy singing are cordially invited to join the 2009

incarnation of the District 8 Choir and sing at the Sunday morning

Memorial Service. The choir director will be Dr. Wesley Hanson

of Svea Lodge 253, who has been a university band and orchestra

conductor, choral director, composer, and arranger. There will be

appropriate arrangements for the D-8 Choir. Komm, och sjunga

med kraft!

Svea Lodge No. 253 is looking forward to hosting the District

in Indianapolis, Indiana in May.

In Truth and Unity,

Edward Hultgren

Convention Chairperson, Local Lodge Svea No. 253

NORDIC INNOVATIONS

SOUVENIR PROGRAM BOOK

Our cultural theme: “Innovations from the Nordic

Countries.” The Souvenir Program Book has articles about

Nordic innovations.

Take part in the Program Book: submit an article or place a

company advertisement or booster message in it.

For details on submitting an article or placing a company

advertisement or booster message, contact Ed Hultgren by

sending an email to [email protected] or by calling (317) 733-

3493.

Our Program Book will be on the District 8 web site as a

NEWSLETTER from now until October 1, 2009. From then on,

next year’s Convention hosts will begin displaying their Program

Book. To access the Program Book on the web, go to:

www.vasaorder.org; click on "Lodge Directory" (left side);

click on "DL Lake Michigan No. 8 " (left column); click on

"Lake Michigan No. 8"; click on "Newsletters"; then click

[View] for “Nordic Innovations”.

See your article, advertisement, or message on the internet

shortly after you send it to us!

4

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

A young woman who is near and dear to me is considering which

university she should attend. The choice has been narrowed

down to two. One is an excellent Midwestern school in a

beautiful mid-sized city within easy visiting distance of parents,

grandparents, friends, etc. The other is a fairly well-known

university out East, demanding higher ACT scores and situated in

a large multicultural city. They both have competent Swedish

departments for a likely second major.

Some of us in the family recommend the latter. "Fly high, dear

child! Take in all the possibilities of the world!” Others are

saying: “I can’t see you in that big city. Midwest is good.”

In the meantime, let me tell you about my dear friends Connie

and Jeanne in the Quad Cities (East Moline and Rock Island,

Illinois, respectively.) Connie had eight children; Jeanne had

five. (My, we were fecund in those days!) All of Connie’s

children went to college - some getting advanced degrees; none of

Jeanne´s kids went to college. Connie´s kids settled all over this

country - New Jersey, Colorado, and Seattle, Washington.

Jeanne´s children stayed in the Quad Cities.

Every holiday and every grandchild milestone Connie traveled.

On the airlines, she bought Grandma´s Specials --- buy ten, get

one free. In the Quad Cities she only had us --- friends. Jeanne

had large family picnics / swim parties --- I was invited to many -

-- and watched her grandchildren grow up in front of her very

eyes. Both Connie´s and Jeanne´s children achieved a measure of

success.

Do we urge the young ones to spread their wings, because we,

ourselves, regret stopping halfway in pursuing those golden

opportunities? Do we wish to keep her close, because we need

her more than she needs us? Is it too much about ourselves?

Inez Törnblom, Viljan No. 349

Chaplain, District No. 8

KAPLANENS HÖRNA

En ung flicka, som står mig när och kär, går

och funderar på vid vilket universitet hon

ska studera. Hon tänker allvarligt på två.

Det ena är en utmärkt skola i mellanvästern

i en vacker, medelstor stad inom bekvämt

avstånd för föräldrar, mor- och farföräldrar

och vänner att komma och hälsa på. Det

andra är ett ganska välkänt universitet på

ostkusten, som fordrar högre betyg och

ligger i en mångkulturell storstad. Båda

erbjuder svenskundervisning, som vore bra som ett andra

huvudämne.

En del av oss i familjen rekommenderar det sistnämnda. "Flyg

högt, kära barn! Ta för Dig av alla världens möjligheter!" Några

andra säger: "Vi oroar oss för Dig i en så stor stad. Mellanvästern

är bra."

Under tiden vill jag berätta för Er om mina kära vänner Connie

och Jeanne i Quad Cities (East Moline och Rock Island, Illinois,

respektive). Connie hade åtta barn; Jeanne hade fem (Oj, vad vi

var bördiga på den tiden!) Alla Connie’s barn gick på universitet

- några tog avancerade examina; inget av Jeannes barn studerade

vidare. Connie’s barn slog sig ner på olika ställen över hela

kontinenten - New Jersey, Colorado, and Seattle, Washington.

Alla Jeanne’s barn stannade kvar i the Quad Cities.

Varje stor helg och till barnbarnens milstolpar reste Connie. På

flygbolagen köpte hon mormors specialerbjudanden --- köp tio

och få en resa gratis. Hemma i Quad Cities hade hon bara oss ---

vänner. Jeanne ställde till med stora 4:e juli picnics och

familjeträffar --- jag blev bjuden på många --- och hennes

barnbarn växte upp vid mormors knä. Både Connies och Jeannes

barn fick många framgångar i livet.

Yrkar vi på att de unga ska breda ut sina vingar, för att vi själva

ångrar, att vi gav upp halvvägs till de gyllene målen? Vill vi

behålla henne nära, för att vi behöver henne mera än hon behöver

oss? Handlar det alltför mycket om oss själva?

Inez Törnblom, Viljan No. 349

Kaplan, District No. 8

NEWS FROM LOCAL LODGES

SILJAN-MORA-TUNA # 134

12 December 2008:

Anna-Lisa Castle re-

presented VASA District

Lodge Lake Michigan No.

8 as our Lucia candidate,

sponsored by the Central

Swedish Committee of

Chicago, Illinois. Pictured

at right are Anna-Lisa

Castle and Nancy Hult,

celebrating Lucia at the

Daley Center, in downtown Chicago, Illinois. [See page 9 under

“Letters To The Editor”.]

18 January 2009: Our lodge held a belated “Holiday Party” since

the weather prevented us from having the meeting in December to

celebrate the Christmas season. We meet on the third Sunday of

the month at United by Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in

Evergreen Park, Illinois.

15 February 2009: We held the installation of Officers. For 2009,

they are: Past Chairman – Sten Hult; Chairman – Lisa Cianci; Vice

Chairman – Ted Emmett; Recording Secretary – Nancy Hult;

Financial Secretary – Jackie Moline; Treasurer – Barbara Emmett;

Chaplain – Andrea Wilczynski; Master Of Ceremonies – Diane

Rosengren; Outer Guard – Ed Mercier; Inner Guard – Mavis

Carlberg; Historian – Sten Hult; Cultural Leader – Andrea

Wilczynski; Membership Chairman – Howard Rosengren; Publicity

Chairman – Rey Carlberg; and Trustees – Sten Hult, Ruth Angshed,

and Diane Rosengren; Auditors – Shirley Mercier, Audrey Hiryak,

and Keith Cianci.

5

Special guests were: Bill and Sheila Lundquist, members of Viking

No. 730, Flint Michigan. Bill, who is the Vice Grand Master of the

Vasa Order, is also our District Deputy so he did the honors of

installing our officers. Sheila, District Master of District Lodge No.

8, assisted with the ceremony. Siljan-Mora-Tuna No. 134

celebrated a 101st birthday in February. A catered dinner was

served with many delicious desserts.

15 March 2009: The annual Italian Party was the special treat for

this month. The Italian Food was prepared by Lisa Cianci,

Chairman of our lodge. We have enjoyed this yearly treat for

several years now.

19 April 2009: We will observe the Easter season with traditions

and customs from Sweden; our cultural leader, Andrea Wilczynski,

has been presenting information and news items from all the Nordic

countries at each meeting.

submitted by Nancy Hult

LINNÉ # 153

December 2008: The yearly Christmas Party was held for Linné

Lodge No. 153 at Perkin's Restaurant in Elkhart, Indiana, with 16

members in attendance and a guest, Mika Roinila, who was a former

citizen of Finland. The meal consisted of the individual's choice

from the menu.

(right) Virginia O’Hair

receives her 25 year

membership pin from

Russell Anderson.

Virginia O'Hair was

presented a 25 Year

Membership Pin by Past

Chairman, Russell

Anderson. Virginia

O’Hair gave a little talk

about her 25 years with

Linné Lodge No. 153.

(from left to right) Front row: Carolyn Petersen, Elinor Huggett, Pauline

Anderson, Mary Freisner, friend of Carolyn Lowery, and Carolyn Lowery.

Back row: Russell Anderson, Vince Petersen, Carl Johnson, Virginia Johnson,

Ken Huggett, Lori Cooper, Virginia O'Hair, and Mike Roinila.

20 December 2008: The next gathering of members was our

monthly Saturday breakfast at Honker's Restaurant in Mishawaka,

Indiana.

submitted by Virginia Johnson

4 January 2009 : At our January meeting, we had the installation of

officers by Acting District Deputy from Svea Lodge No. 253 in

Indianapolis, Indiana, Marv Anderson, and his wife, Lou Anderson.

They brought a high school exchange student, Julia Turm, from the

town of Leksand in Dalarna, Sweden, who is staying with Lou

Anderson's niece and nephew, Tracy and Jeff Denny, and their

daughter Cami in Constantine, Michigan. We enjoyed a

Scandinavian Pot Luck and fellowship.

(from left) Lou Anderson,

Julia Turm, and Marv

Anderson

submitted by

Lorraine Cooper

SVEA # 253

4 January 2009 : The first meeting of the year was busy, fun, and

interesting. Three new members were initiated and welcomed:

David Duff, and Barbro and David Jarrell. The officers for 2009

were installed; Donna Bergstrom became the new Chaplain and

Carol Atherton became the new Historian. We thank our previous

Chaplain Susan Swanson for her years of service, and Rosanna

Swanson, our capable and diligent Historian for many years. The

program was “Athletics in Sweden” and twelve members presented

their displays from the International Festival. There was an

opportunity to play the game of Kubb. The delicious “Swanson

Smörgåsbord” was prepared by Rosanna Swanson, Sarah Swanson,

and Susan Swanson.

27 January 2009 : The January “fourth Tuesday” luncheon was held

at Bravo! Italian restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eva Berglund,

Donna Bergstrom, and Patricia Hoffmann are our dedicated luncheon

coordinators.

1 February 2009: The delegates for the District No. 8 convention

were elected, and they are Dan Anderson, LaVonne Heighway,

Charlotte Swenson, and Jean Tygum. Sarah Swanson will represent

Sveaskolan # 210. Marv Anderson presented a video and

travelogue program on the trip he and his wife Lou Anderson took

to Sweden. They visited many of the homes, churches, villages,

cemeteries, and towns of his ancestors.

(above) The school at Dannäs, Småland, where Marv

Anderson’s father attended school from 1909 to 1915.

The building in Dannäs, Småland in which Marv Anderson’s father

attended school was still in use in 2007 as a Day Care Center.

(right) Sågkvarnen, "The

Saw Mill," in which Marv

Anderson’s father, Karl

Viktor Andersson, was

raised.

Marv Anderson’s father,

Karl Viktor Andersson,

was raised at

Sågkvarnen, "The Saw

Mill", from age 1 to

probably age 16 when he went to live with the parish priest as the

gardener. From there he emigrated to the USA in 1922 at age 19.

Of course, the house has been painted and changed from those days.

6

Delicious refreshments were prepared by Sophia and Dan Anderson,

Katherine Gagné, and Mary Ann and Pat Peterson.

24 February 2009: The “fourth Tuesday” luncheon was held at the

Adam’s Mark Hotel restaurant near the airport in Indianapolis,

Indiana. The menu included a salad bar, main dishes, soup, and a

pasta bar where one’s selections were cooked to order. Thank you to

Eva Berglund, Donna Bergstrom, and Patricia Hoffmann for

organizing this delicious event.

1 March 2009: The program “Swedish Textiles” was presented by

guest speaker Carol Hassemer from Jubileum No. 755 in Madison,

Wisconsin. Many Vasa members enjoyed her program at the

District No. 8 Convention in May 2007. Local lodge members

brought some of their own Swedish textiles to show: table runners,

napkins, towels, fabric samples, scarves, shawls, garments, and other

cloths. Tempting refreshments were provided by Faye Bevelhimer

and Carin Young.

24 March 2009: A luncheon and Swedish Mysteries program was

held at The Mystery Company bookstore with lunch served by The

Monon Chocolatier, Salwa Heile. Lunch included French

sandwiches on baquettes, Moroccan salads, beverages, and specialty

chocolates. The Mystery Company is a charmingly appointed

bookstore with shelves full of mysteries, comfortable seating, and a

meeting room for our lunch. There are numerous mystery books

written by Nordic writers from all the Scandinavian countries. It was

a great place to meet, eat, and discuss mysteries.

VILJAN # 349

24 January 2009: The 11th Annual Scandinavian Breakfast was

held at Geneva Lutheran Church. Members started the New Year

with resolutions to be active in Vasa and joined together for a hearty

breakfast of Scandinavian treats. Our grateful thanks to the Becks,

Susan and Tom Cleveland, Charlotte Miller, Barb Olson, the

Radtkes, and the Stopkas for helping with the breakfast. This was

followed by the installation of Officers for 2009, initiation of new

members, and a special raffle of a variety of Scandinavian items

generously donated by lodge member Elizabeth Doering. The

articles ranged from fine linens to books, and all were from

Scandinavia. Congratulations to all our newly installed Officers.

The meeting and refreshment coordinators were Mary Jean Nystedt

and Susan and Tom Cleveland. It was a great way to kick off the

New Year 2009 with Vasa and Viljan lodge!

26 February 2009: Scandinavian Desserts were featured at the

meeting at the Batavia Civic Center.

Sing a song of kronor, a pocketful of rye,

Four and twenty Viljan members baking --- oh my!

When the sweets are eaten, the members all begin to sing,

Oh wasn’t that delicious, we love that sort of thing!

This event of sweet treats was a delicious way to spend the evening.

Members brought favorite Scandinavian desserts and memories about

them; they were homemade, store bought, or a recipe handed down

through the generations. From pepparkakor to rice pudding, to

princess torte, and everything in between --- it was a Tasty Evening!

Ruth Beck and Marilyn Wenberg were the coordinators.

7 March 2009: “The Jewels Of Scandinavia”, the Scandinavian

Park, Inc. Annual Dinner Dance was held at Des Plaines Elks Club to

benefit Vasa Park. There were great raffle prizes, good food, good

music, entertainment, and an opportunity to meet a variety of

interesting people from the Scandinavian community, all with a

common interest in preserving Vasa Park for future generations. It

was a wonderful night out for a great cause! Thank you Jack

Grandin for taking the reservations.

26 March 2009: The meeting was held at Batavia Civic Center.

LINDE # 492

January 2009 : Beginning with the January 2009 issue of the “Linde

Nytt” newsletter of Linde Lodge No. 492, local lodge and Vasa

members will find the “Linde Nytt” on the website. Co-editors

Marge Gruel and Liza Ekstrand are happy with the results. By

having the newsletter on the website, “Linde Nytt” can be read as

soon as it is uploaded, and there is a cost savings as well.

18 January 2009 : Installation of officers for 2009 was held at

Redemption Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The

officers are: Past Chairman – Marge Gruel; Chairman – Brent

Erickson; Vice Chairman – Rolf Ekstrand; Recording Secretary –

Liza Ekstrand; Vice-Recording Secretary – Eleanor Flood; Treasurer

– Marianne Ekstrand; Financial Secretary - Marge Gruel; Vice-

Financial Secretary – Patricia Nordquist; Cultural Leader – Sonia

Stephenson; Children’s Club Supervisor – Anne-Marie Hummel;

Chaplain – Leona Rynders; Master Of Ceremonies – Lillian Larson;

Historian – Liza Ekstrand; Trustees – Jake Gruel, Les Touve, and

Brent Erickson; and Auditors – Rolf Ekstrand, Elaine Johnson, and

Marge Jothen. Appointed Officers were: Vasa Star Representative –

Liza Ekstrand; Sick Committee Chairman – Les Touve; Linde Nytt

Co-Editors – Marge Gruel and Liza Ekstrand; and Sunshine

Committee – Marion Bruce. Chairman Brent Erickson welcomed

Paul Gjenvick, originally from Minnesota, who will help with “web-

duties”. District Deputy David Tollin brought greetings from his

home lodge Brahe No. 245, Rockford, Illinois. The Skansen

Children’s Club joined us for the annual Julgransplundring. A pot

luck dinner followed with members bringing a variety of many

delicious dishes to share.

7 February 2009 : The local lodge hosted a soup lunch social

following the business meeting.

7 March 2009: A soup lunch social began the afternoon at Christ the

Victor Lutheran Church. Members brought delicious

accompaniments to share with the soup: sandwich components,

crackers, cheese, and dessert. Birgit and Jim Moxon gave an

interesting program on their recent travels to Ecuador while on a

medical mission. A short business meeting followed the program.

14 March 2009: Marge Jothen and Mary Stetson presented a

program on Swedish melodies to the Swedish American Historical

Society, Wisconsin.

21 March 2009: The Annual Swedish Pea Soup and Pancake Dinner

was held at the Norway House, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This was

a fundraiser for both Linde and Skansen Children’s Club. Many

helpers shared the work working in the kitchen, serving the dinner,

donating wonderful baked goods for the bake sale and items for the

raffle, and helping with the cleaning. Tack for supporting this annual

event!

SATELLITE # 661

4 January 2009 : A meeting was held at Trinity Evangelical

Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A program on “Fishing

In Sweden” was presented by Rob Groesbeck. The refreshments

were Scandinavian fish dishes brought by the members, and included

recipes so that everyone could try the fish dishes at home.

1 February 2009 : Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in

Kalamazoo, Michigan was the venue for the February meeting.

Installation of officers for 2009, initiation of new members Holly

Jensen and her son Brett Jensen, and the election of delegates for the

2009 District No. 8 convention were the highlights of the business

meeting. The program was a “White Elephant Sale”, which included

both Scandinavian items and non-Nordic items. Minimum bids were

posted for each item and an auction was held. Roger Drong

coordinated the “Ärtsoppa och Plattar med Lingon” (Pea Soup And

Pancakes with Lingonberries) supper which was served afterwards.

7

1 March 2009: The program was “Living through World War II in

Norway”. Refreshments included Semlor buns.

submitted by Bruce C. Miller

BISHOP HILL # 683

25 January 2009: The Installation of Officers for 2009 was held.

Chairman – Jeff Anderson; Past Chairman – Sally Nelson; Vice-

Chairman – Morris Nelson; Recording Secretary – Judy Anderson;

Assistant Recording Secretary – Dianne Lindborn; Financial

Secretary – Nan Swanson; Assistant Financial Secretary – Mary

Bjorling; Treasurer – Lars Jenner; Master Of Ceremonies – Russ

Swanson; Assistant Master Of Ceremonies – Lowell Bjorling;

Cultural Leader – Patty Christianson; Chaplain – Gwen Strand;

Auditors – Mary Bjorling, Mike Wendell, and Lynn Myer; Trustees –

Rollie Krause, Sue Schulz, and Mary Ann Spiegel; Historian – Joel

Bjorling; Color and Banner Bearers – Harlan Nelson and Dale

Spiegel; Guard – Warren Schulz; Pianist – Kathryn Carlson;

Assistant Pianist – Joel Bjorling; Cheer Chairman – Helen I.

Anderson; Nominating Committee – Jeff Anderson, Randy

Anderson, and Sally Nelson; VASA Archives Representative – Lars

Jenner; VASA Star and Correspondent To Sweden – Lars Jenner.

Refreshments were prepared by Sally and Harlan Nelson, and Mary

Ann and Dale Spiegel.

22 February 2009: Delegates to the District No. 8 Convention were

elected. Refreshments were prepared by Mike Wendell, Thelma and

John Larson, Marian and Louis Nelson, and Betty Lindborn.

27 March 2009: A program was presented by Mike Wendell on the

Civil War. This was followed by a Pea Soup and Swedish Pancakes

supper. The refreshments were coordinated by Sue and Randy

Anderson, Patty and David Christianson, Pride Of The Family, and

Cathy and Karl Johnson.

JUBELIUM # 755

14 December 2008: Our annual Luciafest was held on a warm (for

December!) and rainy Sunday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

This year’s Luciafest was attended by about 60 people, including

several first-time visitors to the Lodge. By acclamation, this year’s

smörgåsbord was better than ever. Maybe they really were better

than ever this year, or maybe we are just growing more fond of them.

The deviled eggs went especially fast! Also by acclamation, the

singing of Christmas carols, led by Gunnard Swanson, was cut short

to welcome the

Luciatorg.

2008 Lucia Court: (left

to right) Parker

Girard, Hannah

Girard, Molly Eckerle,

Hanna Rubasch, Erica

Turrell (Lucia), Emily

Rubasch, Emily

Nelson, and Calvin

Waity.

We resumed the

caroling after the Luciatorg recessional, and were then served the

traditional

lussekatter and pepparkakor by Lucia and her court. Finally we

began our trips to the dessert table. Like the deviled eggs, the apple

crisp went fast!

11 January 2009 : We met at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

with guests Jake and Marge Gruel of the District Lodge Lake

Michigan No. 8, who presided over the installation of our 2009

officers. The January program featured Lodge member Gunnard

Swanson, speaking on the topic of “Swedish Hymns in America:

From the Homeland to the Heart”. Many hymns beloved by

Swedish - Americans had their origins in the Pietist experience.

Pietism was a largely informal movement of individuals who had

personally experienced the grace of God through faith in Christ, in a

way that they felt was not clearly expressed in the state churches of

Europe. The personal faith of the Pietists, specifically the assurance

of God’s care and a future home in heaven despite the trials of

earthly life, found some of its clearest expression through music.

Gunnard Swanson focused specifically on Swedish - American

hymnists Nils Frykman (“I Have a Future All Sublime”), Johannes

Hultman (“Thanks to God for My Redeemer”), Andrew Skoog

(“We Wait for a Great and Glorious Day”), and Lina Sandell

(“Children of the Heavenly Father”). The musical elements of

hymnody --- contrast, balance, and suspension --- were

enthusiastically explained by Gunnard Swanson, and then he led us

in singing numerous examples, in both Swedish and English.

8 February 2009: The program, “Tur och Retur: Exploring Family

Roots in Skåne and Blekinge”, was presented by Lodge member

Ray Wahlton. Swedish and American history truly come alive

when entwined with family stories of Lodge members. We learned

of Grandpa’s life as a sea captain, the emigration of his children to

America, and the temporary return of young Ray and his mother to

Sweden while his father, a mechanical engineer, found employment

with AT&T in Chicago, Illinois during the Great Depression. The

Wahltons’ home provinces were part of Denmark, not Sweden, prior

to the 17th century and the Danish influence showed in the spelling

of the patronymic form of Grandpa’s name, “Jönsson”. As

patronyms gave way to chosen surnames in the last half of the 19th

century, the family took the name “Wahlton”. The atypical spelling

survived Ellis Island and made it easy to find Ray’s family in the

telephone directory, even in a large city like Chicago, Illinois!

2009 Officers of Vasa Jubileum Lodge # 755: (left to right) Ray Wahlton

(Past Chairman), Robert Merrill (Historian), Lois Fride (Recording

Secretary), Marshall Berg (Vice Chairman), Ulla Swanson (Financial

Secretary), Hans Fride (Cultural Leader), Ralph Stromquist (Chairman),

and Gunnard Swanson (Membership Secretary). At the far right are

Marge and Jake Gruel of District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8.

submitted by Robert Merrill

Jubileum # 755 Historian

*************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

UPDATE YOUR MAILING LIST!

Local lodges should update their mailing list regularly. Membership lists change frequently because of initiations, moves, and deaths, and there may be errors

from previous lists. Misdirected mail results in added expense for the Grand Lodge, the District Lodge, and your Local Lodge. You may request a current list of

who receives the VALTHORNET and the VASA STAR by contacting Cathy Anderson, Circulation Manager, 13194 North Woosnam Way, Oro Valley, Arizona 85755;

e-mail: [email protected]. Cathy Anderson will update your mailing list with your help. Please keep the list current and correct.

8

CHILDREN’s CLUB CORNER

SKANSEN #113

December 2008: Skansen Children’s Club was at their best at

the Annual Lucia Festivities. In 2008 it was celebrated

several times and we had two beautiful Lucia’s, and other

cuties.

(left) Lucia

Annika

Martenson

(right)

Lucia

Elizabeth

Greene

(above) Sam Minix and Lola Wasserman

NORDIKIDS #208

9 February 2009: We kicked off our season with an Open

House where we served pizza and cake. Al Spiller, an

educator who is a specialist on Games of the World, came

to entertain; he involved the children with a cute and fun

game played with strings. He has some Scandinavian

games that he may share with us when he comes for

another visit some time.

March 2009: We will be having our Springfest on 26 April

2009 in Dyer, Indiana. This time, it will be a program

followed by desserts and coffee. The children will perform

a program called "I Skogen" all about songs that represent

summertime in the forest.

SVEASKOLAN #210

March 2009: A very important event was brought to

Sveaskolan's attention by our teacher, Sara Olsson.

Princess Victoria became engaged on Fat Tuesday,

Fettisdag. This is a big event for Sweden, and many

people remember the King and Queen's wedding and

subsequent birth of the princess.

District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Children's Clubs are:

Vårblomman #54 - North side and suburbs of Chicago, Illinois

Förgät Mig Ej #64 - Cary, Illinois (Far Northwestern suburbs of

Chicago)

Skansen #113 - Milwaukee and suburbs in Wisconsin

Nordikids #208 - Northwest Indiana and far southern suburbs

of Chicago, Illinois

Pride of the Family #209 - Bishop Hill and Western Illinois

towns

Sveaskolan #210 - Indianapolis, Indiana and suburbs

I can be reached by telephone at: 219-923-8777; or you can

always email me at: [email protected]. (Be sure to put

the word "Vasa" in the subject area)

Supporting our youth is the best way to ensure that Vasa will

continue into the future!

In Truth and Unity,

Lynda Ann Smith

District Lodge # 8 Youth Supervisor / Grand Lodge Youth Director

(above) Santa and Krister Martenson (above) Luke Lorback

SCANDINAVIAN FESTIVAL

The Nordic Council of Wisconsin presents their Nineteenth Annual

Indoor Scandinavian Festival on 2 May 2009, from 10:00 am to

5:00 pm, at Hales Corners Lutheran Church, 12300 West Janesville

Road, Hales Corners, Wisconsin. This Scandinavian Festival has

many highlights and wonderful surprises.

Entertainment

Milwaukee Festival Brass Finnish Septet, the Edvard

Grieg Chorus, the Lekspel Scandinavian Musicians Gammaldans

Music, Line / Kipakat Folk Dancers, and Lykkeringer Norwegian

Folk Dancers, both Youth and Adults.

Children’s Activities

Sami Exhibits

Raffle Prizes

Food

Danish Aebelskiver, Finnish Makkara and Pulla, Smørgåsbord

Plate, Swedish Pancakes, Meatballs, and Rosettes, Danish

Kringle and Breads, Norwegian Lefse and Cookies,

Big Olaf’s Supercones, and Beverages.

Arts and Crafts

Sales and Exhibits

from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,

and Sweden.

Demonstrations

Hardanger and Rosemaling

Genealogy Consultants

9

VASA ORDER OF AMERICA

LOCAL LODGE LORE

Under this heading, as space permits, we will print the stories of how our

local lodges were started. The articles will be printed in the order in

which they are received.

The History of

SILJAN-MORA-TUNA

No. 134

Siljan-Mora-Tuna Lodge No. 134 contains the

merger of three lodges.

Siljan No. 151 was organized on May 4, 1909 as a

women's lodge. The name Siljan was decided on

because it had a Swedish ring to it. It is the name of

a beautiful lake in the Province of Dalarna.

Mora Lodge No.183 was organized on January 9,

1911. The name Mora was also taken from Dalarna;

it is a town by Lake Siljan.

Tuna Lodge No.134 was organized on February 4,

1908. Originally the proposed name of this lodge

was to be "Roosevelt" after Theodore Roosevelt who

was president at that time. There was a group of

young men who had started a "gym activity club" a

few years earlier. The name of that club was Eskil,

the first part of the city Eskilstuna in the Province of

Södermanland.

When these young men began to organize this

lodge, they suggested the last part of Eskilstuna as

its name and so the name became Tuna. The

merger of Mora and Tuna Lodges was held on

February 28, 1959.

It was decided, since many men chauffeured their

wives to Siljan Lodge meetings, to combine the

three lodges. That merger took place in January of

1967

In Truth and Unity,

Sten Hult, Historian

District Cultural Leader’s

PROGRAM CLEARING HOUSE

In this corner of the newsletter, the District Cultural Leader

will present interesting and enjoyable program possibilities

that are available for local lodges to consider.

The first program in this series is:

"Swedish Textiles"

presented by Carol Hassemer, a member of Jubileum No.

755. "Swedish Textiles" includes: the history of Swedish

textiles; the various influences of Swedish nobility and

foreign influences on the variety and quality of textiles over

the years; colorful slides of the Flemish weaving

techniques of rolakan and flamskvavnad that were brought

in by Gustav Vasa in the 1500's; and the ways the peasant

people decorated their homes with white ceiling cloths

and wall hangings for festive occasions.

Time of program: 45 minutes

Equipment needed: laptop computer, large screen or wall,

projector

Charge: gas mileage only

Lodging: a room overnight, if distance requires it. Carol

enjoys meeting people and staying in private homes.

Carol Hassemer brought this program to Svea No. 253

on Sunday, March 1st and it brought rave reviews by our

members! To complement her presentation, Carol

Hassemer had many textile samples illustrating the wide

variety of textiles and techniques. In addition, members of

Svea No. 253 were invited to bring in samples, which

made for a lovely and interesting display, and a

participation activity.

Contact Information:

Carol Hassemer

3 Deer Point Trail

Madison, Wisconsin 53719

Home telephone: 608-278-8842


Iva Lynn, Svea No. 253

District Cultural Leader

******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

The Valthornet is now available on the VOA web site. To access the quarterly Valthornet newsletters on the web, go

to: www.vasaorder.org ; click on "Lodge Directory" (left side); click on "DL Lake Michigan No. 8" (left

column); click on "Lake Michigan No. 8"; click on "Newsletters"; then click on the date of the Valthornet desired.

10

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

My granddaughter, Anna-Lisa Castle, had the honor of

representing VASA District Lodge

Lake Michigan No. 8 as our Lucia-

candidate in Chicago, Illinois.

During Friday and Saturday, she

took part in four Lucia programs, at

Maria Pappas, Cook County

Treasurer’s office and the Daley

Center in the Loop, as one of

twenty Swedish organizations, and

at the Swedish American Museum

and Ebenezer Lutheran Church,

both in Andersonville, Chicago.

Anna – Lisa Castle

She wanted to visit Marge and Jake Gruel’s and Liza

Ekstrand’s Lucia celebration, so on Sunday we travelled to

the Milwaukee suburbs and took part in their wonderful

program. Liza Ekstrand and her children’s group put on a

tremendous Lucia tableau, complete with Lucia, tärnor,

stjärngossar, tomtenissar and pepparkaksgubbar.

Afterwards we moved to the community hall for open-faced

sandwiches and dancing around the Christmas tree where

both grownups and children took part. We danced all the

old, fun songs, Nu Är Det Jul Igen, Små Grodorna and

many, many more.

Anna-Lisa Castle is eighteen years old, and is a senior

at Fremd High School, Palatine, Illinois.

Thank you to Linde Lodge for making Anna-Lisa and

me feel so welcome. What a delightful season this is!

Inez Törnblom

Viljan # 349

Dear Editor,

Thanks for the inclusion of the "Program Corner" in the

Valthornet.

I believe it is one way to get programs out to lodges

that are eager to improve monthly meetings. I also

understand that this library will only be effective if lodges

send in suggestions.

The next step in this process is to encourage local

lodges to videotape their programs. There are some terrific

programs presented by lodges in District Lodge Lake

Michigan No. 8. These wonderful programs could be

distributed for other lodges in our district to enjoy. It has

happened in Madison, Wisconsin, that members of our

lodge have said, “That was a wonderful program. We

should have that program on tape." If lodges taped

programs, the presenters could be given a memory of their

presentation. The program could be saved and shown

again at a later date. The program could be sent to a

central District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 “library” and

shared with other lodges in need of a program during the

year.

I am very glad that Sheila Lundquist, our District

Master, brought the idea to the Executive Board meeting

and that the Valthornet has shared this idea to a wider

audience. If we find ways to promote this "project" and

encourage lodges to send videotapes or PowerPoint

presentations to a central location, over time we will have

programs in the District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8

"revolving library system" for everyone to enjoy.

Sincerely,

Gunnard Swanson

Madison, Wisconsin

Jubileum # 755

GLAD PÅSK! --- HAPPY EASTER!

The Swedish for Happy Easter is GLAD PÅSK! In Sweden long ago, Easter was thought to be the witches' time. In

western Sweden they lit Easter bonfires, at which people would scream and yell to frighten away the witches. On

Maundy Thursday the witches were said to fly off to "Blåkulla" and return again on the Saturday. [Read more about the

Easter traditions on the pages created by Luleå University.] Nowadays, children dress up as Easter witches on the

Thursday before Easter and go from house to house and are given gifts or money - very similar to the North American

Halloween. After the long fast during Lent, eggs were eaten in celebrations, often taken from the nests of the spring birds.

Children would play games with eggs - such as rolling the egg. The older children in Skåne would assemble at a special

celebration where they would dance, play games, and eat eggs. The Easter egg has a long history. In graves from B.C. in

Gotland, colored clay eggs were found. They were painted in red and yellow as the eggs represented the sunrise and

sunset --- and even today the Swedes, like other Europeans, paint their eggs at Easter. As a reminder of Christ's

suffering, young people would thrash each other with silver birch twigs on the morning of Good Friday. These silver

birch branches, decorated with brightly colored feathers, were the origin of both the Lent and Easter decorated branches.

Semlor are special buns that used to be associated with Lent but now seem to be sold earlier and earlier in the year! They

consist of a sweet bread bun with the middle scooped out and filled with marzipan and whipped cream. Lamb is often

eaten at Easter, and so are many of the dishes that are also eaten at the Christmas Smörgåsbord. GLAD PÅSK!

11

UPCOMING EVENTS IN 2009

District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Convention

29-31 May 2009, Marten House, Indianapolis, Indiana

Siljan-Mora-Tuna #134

19 April 2009 – Swedish Easter Tradition

17 May 2009 – Norwegian Independence Day --- Potluck Supper

14 June 2009 – Reports from Convention; Ice Cream Social

20 September 2009 – Pizza Party; White Elephant Sale

18 October 2009 – Halloween Costume Party; Soup Supper

29 November 2009 – Holiday Party; Election Of Officers

Svea #253

5 April 2009 – “Swedish Provinces”, by Charlotte Swenson and other members

3 May 2009 – “Swe-Danes with Svend, Ulrik, and Alice Babs”, by Ann Katrin Roth

7 June 2009 – “The Battle Of Poltava”, by Ed Hultgren

14 June 2009 – Midsommar at the home of Brenda Myers and James Lindgren

28 June 2009 – Chellberg Farms Midsommar with Dans Norden Dancing Group

8 August 2009 – Kräftskiva at the home of Charlotte Swenson

13 September 2009 – “Sweden’s Castles”, by Jenne Swain

4 October 2009 – Swedish Art, by Dr. Michelle Facos

1 November 2009 – International Festival Theme Program by various members

20 - 23 November 2009 – International Festival, Indianapolis, Indiana

6 December 2009 – Lucia Festival and Dinner

Linde #492

27 June 2009 – Midsommar at Old World Wisconsin

5-6 December 2009 and 12-13 December 2009 – Annual Christmas Dinner

Fundraiser: “A Swedish Traditional Christmas Dinner” at Old World Wisconsin.

Joe Harbor #534

May 2009 – 80th Anniversary

Satellite #661

5 April 2009 – Egg Crafts and Egg Dishes

3 May 2009 – Planning Crayfish Boil and Midsommar; “Scandinavian History”

20 June 2009 – Midsommarfest at Cadwallader Park, Richland; Potluck

6 September 2009 – Crayfish Party and Plan Fish Boil; Learning Scandinavian Songs

4 October 2009 – Fish Boil;UN General Secretaries Trygve Lie & Dag Hammarskjöld

1 November 2009 – Election of 2010 Officers; Veterans’ Program; Military Rations

12 December 2009 – Luciafest: Pageant & Christmas Celebration; Cookies / Glögg

Bishop Hill #683

4-5 April 2009 – Spring Jubilee; enjoy coffee & cookies in shops and museums

25 April 2009 – Valborg Bonfire at VASA Archives; Swedish Stomp & Skamperoo

15-17 May 2009 – Quilt Show; “Buttons, Butterflies, and Batiks”

22 May 2009 – Memorial Service; Cultural Report; “Pottery” by Jeffrey Goard

27 June 2009 – Midsommar Celebration at Historic Park and the Colony School

11 July 2009 – 18th Annual Country Antique Market

24 July 2009 – Picnic and Potluck at Galva Park; District Cultural Report

26 July 2009 – Antique Car Show

1-2 August 2009 – Midwest Folk Festival with music, dance, and artisans

15 August 2009 – Pie and Ice Cream Social Fundraiser for Heritage Association

15 – 16 August 2009 – Clay and Fiber Fest; Pottery Workshop, Spinning, Weaving

12 September 2009 – Old Settlers’ Day; celebrate the 163rd anniversary of Colony

13 September 2009 – Colony School Reunion

25 September 2009 – Wiener Roast & Potluck at Archives; “VASA” by Lars Jenner

26-27 September 2009 – Jordbruksdagarna Agricultural Days

23 October 2009 – Cultural Report; “Voices Of The Past” by Cheryl Dowell

20 November 2009 – Election Of Officers; Cultural Report; “Variety Show Night”

5 December 2009 – Christmas Party Smörgåsbord and Lucia Program

LOCAL LODGE CONTACTS

Siljan-Mora-Tuna # 134

Evergreen Park, Illinois (708) 352 – 0042

Lisa Cianci [email protected]

Thor # 147

Channahon, Illinois (815) 467 – 6287

Sandra Fletcher [email protected]

Linné # 153

South Bend, Indiana (574) 264 – 6223

Russell Anderson [email protected]

Kronan # 179

Chicago, Illinois (847) 677 – 5181

John Nygard [email protected]

Bessemer # 203

Evergreen Park, Illinois (773) 239 – 1855

Britt Nilsson [email protected]

Brahe # 245

Rockford, Illinois (815) 877 – 5996

Charlotte Tollin [email protected]

Svea # 253

Indianapolis, Indiana (317) 733 – 3493

Edward Hultgren [email protected]

Nobel # 288

Moline, Illinois (309) 797 – 6914

Linda Lootens [email protected]

Viljan # 349

Batavia, Illinois (815) 895 – 2102

Thomas Cleveland [email protected]

Austin # 466

Chicago, Illinois (773) 477 – 0875

Robert Oberg

Linde # 492

New Berlin, Wisconsin (414) 962 – 8920

Brent Erickson [email protected]

Joe Harbor # 534

Saint Joseph, Michigan (269) 926 – 6303

Eleanor Anderson

Satellite # 661

Kalamazoo, Michigan (269) 692-3818

Bruce Muller [email protected]

Bishop Hill # 683

Bishop Hill, Illinois (309) 932-3403

Judy Anderson [email protected]

Hagar # 721

Des Plaines, Illinois (847) 297-4645

Keith/Carrrie Emrikson [email protected]

Viking # 730

Burton, Michigan (810) 639 – 6705

Eric Swanson

Lindgren # 754

Green Bay, Wisconsin (920) 662 – 1088

Ray Suennen

Jubileum # 755

Madison, Wisconsin (608) 835 – 7151

Ralph Stromquist

Nordik Folk # 761

Dyer, Indiana (219) 845 – 6948

Mike Pearson [email protected]

LOCAL LODGE CONTACT LIST

The contact list includes a name, location,

telephone number, and/or e-mail address for

each of the 19 local lodges in District #8.

[Some data is available on the VOA web site.]

Please send your contact information to

Joella Hultgren (editor) at:

[email protected] or [email protected];

(317) 733 – 3493; or 13650 Amblewind Place,

Westfield, Indiana 46074 – 8227.

12

District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8.

Vasa Order Of America

VALTHORNET

Joella Hultgren


Westfield, Indiana 46074 - 8227

CONVENTION 2009

DISTRICT LAKE MICHIGAN No. 8

The next District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Convention will

be at the Marten House in Indianapolis, Indiana, from 29 - 31

May 2009. Svea Lodge # 253 is the host lodge. Contact

Edward Hultgren, Chairman, Svea # 253, for more

information: [email protected] or [email protected].

VASA BRIDAL CROWN

Our District has a beautiful gold bridal crown available to members

and their children and grandchildren. This crown carries the tradition

of Sweden where many churches provide such a crown for the use of

their congregations. An application to use it must be completed, and

after the wedding, we ask that the crown be returned along with a

photograph or two of the bride wearing it on her wedding day. If you

or someone in your family is planning a wedding, consider taking

advantage of this special opportunity. Call me at 877–923–8777 (toll

free) or email at [email protected].

Lynda Smith

VALTHORNET is the official publication of the District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8, Vasa Order of America, and is published in

Indianapolis, Indiana.

The VALTHORNET is published quarterly in the months of January, April, July, and October. All news items, photographs, and

regular articles should reach the editor by the 15th day of the month before the month of publication, i.e. 15 March, 15 June, 15

September, and 15 December.

All address changes should be sent to: The VASA STAR, Cathy Anderson, Circulation Manager, 13194 North Woosnam Way,

Oro Valley, Arizona 85755; Email: [email protected].

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

P A I D

Indianapolis, IN

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