VASA STAR

Official publication of

THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA

A Swedish-American Fraternal Organization

Organized September 18, 1896

MARCH-APRIL 2009

The GrandMaster’s Message

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters:I am happy to give this space to Lynda Smith, Grand

Lodge Youth Director, USA and Canada. Please read hermessage carefully and consider attending the Grand Lodgesponsored Youth Seminar she is coordinating. Rolf

Winter is fading away, and dreams of Lucia and “Jul” arefading with it. Meanwhile, springtime is around the corner,soon to be followed by “Midsommar”. All of these happyannual occasions celebrated by Swedes and the other Nordiccountries would not be the same, without the participation ofchildren. They add something special to the wonder and joyof the seasons!

Our Vasa Order is dedicated to celebrating the richcultural heritage of customs, traditions and ideals of ourancestors. We do this through our lodge activities, be theylocal, district or Grand. Although children are often includedin our lodge celebrations, they cannot become officialmembers until their 14th birthday. So, how do the youngones learn about their culture and about Vasa? The best waypossible is through membership in a Vasa Children’s Club!There are many such Clubs scattered all across ourcontinent. Some densely populated areas have several clubs;some states have none at all. These Clubs are wonderfultraining grounds for our youth, and a great source of newmembers that include their parents, grandparents and friends.

At the present time, we have 25 active Children’s clubs.Through the years, 210 Clubs have received official chartersso most are now inactive. However, the first club, Elsa Rix#1, founded in DL New York #4, is still going strong withover 40 members. They meet on a regular basis and concen-trate their efforts on music and folk dancing. They performfor public events in their geographic area as well as for Vasalodge affairs. Their leaders work hard to keep the youngmembers busy and interested in learning about their Swedishculture. The newest club is Sveaskolan #210, founded duringthe past year in Indianapolis. They have been fortunate tohave a teacher from Sweden who is giving language lessonsto the children. They also learn music which they share withtheir local lodge at Lucia and other special events. Some ofour Clubs concentrate only on folk dancing. Others are busylearning a mix of music, dance, crafts, language and otherinteresting things about Sweden. No two Clubs are the same,yet they are all doing their part in passing on knowledge andcreating interest in the Swedish culture.

It only takes seven children to start a Children’s Club; wehave Clubs ranging from seven members up to over 40. Themost active of these groups meet weekly or bi-weekly, dur-

ing the school year. Some of the less active ones only gettogether monthly. Sometimes great distances must betraveled by members and their teachers, so meeting often, orduring bad weather, is not possible. Some Clubs hold theirown fund raisers. Others receive funding from their districtor local lodge.

In a perfect world, every local lodge would have aChildren’s Club affiliated with it! Just think of how muchknowledge and talent exists in our lodges and how great itwould be to be able to share that knowledge by passing it onto future generations. Lodges need to think ‘outside the box’when they consider starting a Club for Children. It couldinclude children from around their locale who are Swedish,or are merely interested in Nordic culture, and need not belimited to just children and grandchildren of members.Every leader of a Children’s Club must be a Vasa member,but the children members do not. What a wonderful opportu-nity to introduce them AND their families to our Order.What a great way to find new families to invite to join ourlodge!

The Grand Lodge has a CD available (“How to Start aChildren’s Club”) containing information and ideas to helpone start a new Children’s Club or assist an existing Clubinterested in finding new members and implementing newactivities. This CD is FREE and can be either mailed oremailed to any Vasa member. In addition, the Grand Lodgealso publishes a Songbook that contains many traditionalsongs for children to learn and perform. It can be purchasedthrough the VGS, Helen Mingram (see inside cover orvasaorder.com website or for contact information).

In the interest of helping our Clubs with ideas and materi-als to carry out their programs, the Grand Lodge is sponsor-ing a workshop this summer. One leader from eachChildren’s Club has been invited to attend, as well as allDistrict Youth Supervisors. Lodging, meals and activitieswill be designed to create a forum for sharing the collectiveknowledge of all the participants. Leaders attending will beasked to share their success stories. Written informationabout specific lessons and activities will be compiled into acollection of resources; it will become available to all Clubs.

Children are our future! Please consider what YOU cando to enrich the lives of our Vasa Children. Start a Club; vol-unteer to help a club; get involved! We need everyone’shelp!

Lynda Ann SmithGrand Lodge Youth Director

Rolf Bergman

Vasa Star March-April 2009 Page 3

THE VASA STAR MARCH-APRIL 2009

Cover:Snart är det vår!Soon spring is here!

Picture by: Inge Hallberg, Logen Bråviken Nr 751

THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020)March-April 2009

Vol. 102, No. 2, Serial 848

HEADQUARTERS:c/o Joan GrahamGrand Secretary5838 San Jose AvenueRichmond, CA 94804Phone: 510-526-5512E-mail: [email protected]

Grand Master:Rolf S. Bergman3236 Berkeley AvenueCleveland Heights, OH 44118Phone: 216-371-5141Fax: 216-274-9664E-mail: [email protected]

Editor:Marie Carlson9560 Curberry DriveMentor, OH 44060Phone: 440-255-4665E-mail: [email protected]

Circulation Manager:(Address Changes)

Cathy Anderson13194 N. Woosnam WayOro Valley, AZ 85755Phone: 520-219-9433E-mail:[email protected] bottom section of white copy ofapplication for new members to her.

Membership Chairman:Tore Kellgren5971 W. Walbrook DriveSan Jose, CA 95129Phone: 408-996-1970E-mail: [email protected]

Orders for advertising should be sent to:THE VASA STARMarie Carlson9560 Curberry DriveMentor, OH 44060Phone: 440-255-4665E-mail: [email protected]

THE VASA STAR (ISSN 0746-0627) ispublished bi-monthly by the VasaOrder of America. Periodicals postagepaid at Richmond, CA, and additionalentries.POSTMASTER: Send address changesto The Vasa Star, P.O. Box 69997, OroValley, AZ 85737-0025.

Published by:Vasa Order of America

vasaorder.com

Advertising Prices:Full Page Black and White $500.00Half Page Black and White $275.00Quarter Page Black and White $150.00 One Column Inch $ 30.00

Half Page Color $500.00Full Page Color $800.00Available only for inside front cover, insideback cover or back cover.

10% discount for Vasa Lodges and Members

Deadlines for The Vasa Star:Jan./Feb. is Dec. 1st

March/April is Feb. 1st May/June is April 1stJuly/Aug. is June 1stSept./Oct. is Aug. 1stNov./Dec. is Oct. 1st

Deadline for Christmas ads: October 15th. Deadline forLucia articles is Dec. 24 – picture and article, 200 words or less.

AN IMPORTANT REMINDERPlease consider supporting the DL PA #9 in its Grand Lodge funddrive through the raffle tickets in the center of this issue.

Obituaries received after July 1st, 2008, the cost structure will be changed. Thecost for up to one column inch will be $8.00; longer obituaries will be charged atthe flat rate of $25.00.

Please send pictures of good quality in order for them to reproduce well in TheVasa Star. Electronically submitted photos should be scanned in JPEG format at aresolution of 300 dpi.

For submitted Lodge articles, please add city and state. Thanks!

AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTORTodd Anderson

1383 Middlebrook Way • Rohnert Park, CA, 94928Cell Phone: (707) 694-1345

E-mail: [email protected]

The Vasa website at www.vasaorder.com contains a “materials button” which has thelisting of audio visual materials available.

If you are unable to use the Vasa website, you can still ask that a listing be sent to youby mail.

CORRECTIONAndrew Pettersson-dagen som arrangeras av Logen Småland Nr 618 är flyttadfrån den 4 juli till den 17:e och 18:e juni 2009. Den 17 juni är det premiärför Musikalen Andrew Peterson The Genuine Pioneer Story. See www.andrew-peterson.se

Andrew Pettersson-Day that is arranged by the Lodge Småland Nr 618 hasmoved from the 4th of July to the 17th and 18th of June 2009. The premier of themusical The Andrew Peterson the Genuine Pioneer Story will be on the 17th ofJune. See www.andrewpeterson.se

Submitted by: Jan Hermelin

Page 4 Vasa Star March-April 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from the Editor.................................................4Archives News ..............................................................5Swedish Language Lessons ........................................6Grand Lodge News .....................................................7Raffle WinnersFAQMotions to the Grand LodgeLodge News...................................................................9North Star Lodge #106Fylgia Lodge #119Thule Lodge #127Linné Lodge #153Brahe Lodge #245Svea Lodge #253Solidaritet Lodge #396Lindbergh Lodge #494Vinland of Cape Cod Lodge #703Carl Widén Lodge #743Jubileum Lodge #755Swedish News .............................................................13Logen Skåne Nr 570Logen Stockholm Nr 589Logen Eskilstuna Nr 633Logen Höganäs Nr 634Logen Enköping Nr 646Logen Kongahälla Nr 702Logen Sundsvall Nr 705Logen Bråviken Lodge Nr 751Logen Vadstena Nr 762Youth News.................................................................17Nordikids and Nordikfolk Lodge Celebrates

Breast Cancer Awareness MonthTrollebo Swedish Family Camp 2008Family .........................................................................17Happy Birthday - Armista MendelssohnWelcome To Our New Members ..............................18In Memory Of ............................................................19Sigvard “Sigge” BerghCulture ........................................................................19Stensjö VillageHappenings.................................................................20Kronprinsessan Victoria och Daniel Westling förlovadeEngagement between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel

WestlingAround Swedish America in 365 DaysEmigration Conference in DalslandThe Louise Delbor Swedish Whisk from Sandviken, Sweden

to Indianapolis, INSvenska Folksport Förbundet Vasa Logen Bråviken Nr 7512009 Program for Bishop Hill Lodge #683Easter – A festival in yellowIn Memoriam .............................................................26BIOGRAPHY .................................Inside Back CoverGYLD - USA, Canada - Lynda Ann Smith

PAGE 13

PAGE 16

Letter from the Editor

Brev från Redaktören

As many of you already know, Sweden has some big news toshare, happy news! Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Victoriaand her special friend for many years, Daniel Westling, were givenconsent to marry by his Majesty the King of Sweden, and theSwedish Government. I remember when Queen Silvia and hisMajesty’s engagement and wedding were announced; everyone was“glued” in front of the TV to get a glimpse of the ever so popularQueen Silvia. Look under Happenings for further information!

Easter is upon us, and there is a piece written about the Swedishtraditional Easter celebration under Culture. In this section you canalso find an interesting story about a place called Stensjö by (Stensjö

village) in the province of Småland that might be an interesting side trip for people plan-ning their vacation in Sweden this year. This is a place where you can travel back intime! In a similar vein, one of our members attended the Emigration Conference inDalsland last summer and took a step back in time. Look under Happenings.

I proof read the Vasa Star many times before going to print including the obituaries ofour dear departed Vasa Members. The generation born during the early 1900’s has expe-rienced so much change during their lifetime, and not many will know their stories ofstruggle and hardship. One obituary that I read caught my interest since she was born ‘atsea’ north of Scotland! I wish there was a way to share their stories for future genera-tions so we won’t forget them!

I need to inform everyone, even though it is early, that the Lucia articles for 2009should be limited to information about the year’s chosen Lucia and Lucia program. Thisis a change needed to accommodate our limited publication space.

On the cover of this issue we have something many of us are looking forward to:flowers underneath a bright blue sky!

Marie“Ladies and gentlemen, look outside; open the window for a minute!The clarity of winter seems to melt away and disappear, for every minute that passes

by.”- Carl Michael Bellman “Epistel Nr 42”

Många av er vet antagligen att Sverige har en stor nyhet att förmedla, glada nyheter!Kronprinsessan Victoria och hennes speciella vän sen många år, Daniel Westling, hargivits samtycke till att ingå äktenskap av HM Konungen och av regeringen. Jag kommerihåg när Drottning Silvias och HM Konungens förlovning och bröllop annonserades, ensatt som “fastklistrad” framför TN:n för att kunna får en titt på, den alltid så populära,Drottning Silvia. Titta under Happenings för ytterligare information!

Påsken närmar sig och det finns en artikel om det svenska traditionella påskfirandetunder Culture. I denna del kan du också hitta en intressant historia om en ort som heterStensjö by i Småland, som kanske kan vara intressant för dem som planerar sin semester iSverige i år. Stensjö by är en plats där du kan resa bakåt i tiden! En av våra medlemmargjorde något liknande genom han deltog i Emigrations konferensen i Dalsland förra som-maren och på ett sätt, tog ett kliv bakåt i tiden. Titta under Happenings!

Jag läser Vasastjärnan fram och tillbaka många gånger innan den går till tryck. I dettaläsandet ingår även dödsannonserna över våra kära Vasamedlemmar som avlidit. Dennageneration som föddes i början av 1900-talet har erfarit så många förändringar under sinlivstid och många av deras historier får ingen lära känna, om hur de kämpade och slet.Det fanns en dödsannons rörande en avliden medlem som jag uppmärksammade eftersomhon var född ‘till havs’ norr om Skottland! Jag önskar att de alla kunde skriva ner sinahistorier för vår framtida generation, så vi inte glömmer!

Jag måste nämna, även om det är i tidigaste laget, att årets lucia artiklar kommer attbegränsas till att endast innehålla information över detta års valda lucia och luciapro-gram. En liten förändring, som också har att göra med vårt begränsade utrymme.

På omslaget av denna upplaga tror jag att vi har något som många ser fram emot;blommor under en klarblå himmel!

Marie“Men mitt herrskap titta ut, öppna fönstret en minut!Vinterns skärpa tycks bortrinna och försvinna var minut.”

- Carl Michael Bellman “Epistel Nr 42”


ARCHIVES NEWSTraditions associated with food and

drink last longer with greater continuitythan most other ethnic expressions of her-itage. Swedes and Swedish-Americanssee herring in its various recipes, hardtack, caviar, “bondost,” “lingon,”“potatiskorv,” among other foods (“palt,”anyone?), as distinctive touchstones inthe Swedish cultural landscape. But whatcould be more essential than our belovedcup of coffee? The act of gatheringaround the coffee table, for us Swedes,punctuates all else that one experiences inthe world.

In good faith, the Vasa Archives pre-serves examples of Swedish coffee cul-ture for visitors to appreciate. Tools need-ed to make coffee, artistic depictions ofcoffee moments, as much as the tales ofsharing the warm drink are all in evi-dence.

A coffee grinder made in Sweden andgiven to a newlywed couple in 1889 is ondisplay among our antique tools andhousehold implements. This grinder,made entirely of wood, is in two pieces,one a wheel with handles on either sidelike a rolling pin, and the other a troughthrough which the wheel roles to crushroasted coffee beans.

Hanging in our office area is a largeneedle-point piece on a linen background,depicting two women in long dressesdrinking coffee at a trestle table in a sum-mer garden circa 1900. One woman isblowing on the coffee that she’s pouredinto her saucer to cool it, while the otherwoman is dipping a small cookie in hercup. It is a blissful-looking scene sur-rounded by summer flowers in fullbloom. Underneath is stitched Kaffetårenden bästa är Af alla jordiska drycker (Adrop of coffee the best is Of all earthlydrinks).

Also, included in our ongoing exhibit,“A trip through the SwedishCountryside” by Jake Gruel, is a photo-graphic depiction of a table handsomelyset for afternoon coffee circa 2000.Swedes hosting their American visitorscovered the table with a fine white cloth,prepared “smörgåstårta,” several kinds ofcookies, and served coffee in delicateporcelain cups.

Swedish and American hospitalityflows both ways when it comes to coffee.Those of you who have researched min-

Coffee Culture Among Swedes

utes from Vasa meetings in the 1940sknow that the Vasa Order of Americasent packages of coffee to senior citizensin Sweden during the war years whencoffee was rationed and difficult to find.It was apparently a very large operationthat members in America got behind togive comfort to folks living in servicehomes across Sweden. Personnel in thesefacilities from practically every regionwrote beautiful letters of gratitude, andsome sent photos, back to the Vasa orga-nization. This correspondence was col-lected and bound by members of DistrictLodge 19 in Sweden and presented to theGrand Lodge on the occasion of Vasa’sfifty-year jubilee in 1946. These twobound volumes now reside in the VasaArchives, attesting to the heartfelt feelingof goodwill that sharing coffee may bringamong Swedes.

Sammanfattning på SvenskaKaffekultur är mycket viktig bland

svenskar och det faktum representeras välpå Vasa Arkivet. Vi har till exempel engammaldags kaffekvarn gjord av trä från1889, en fin handbroderad väggbonadsom föreställer två kvinnor som drickerkaffe i trädgården circa 1900 och någrabilder i den pågående foto utställningensom skildrar kaffestunder under resan iSverige på 2000-talet. Särskilt spän-nande gällande Vasaorden, är två böckerinnehållande tack brev till Vasa Orden avAmerika från svenska ålderdomshem förkaffeförsändelser under krigsåren som ärsamlade och bundna av Distriktslogen Nr19 Sverige och som överlämnades tillStorlogen vid 50-årsjubileet 1946.

Submitted By: Lars Jenner,Archivist/Manager, VOA National

Archives, 109 S Bishop Hill St., BishopHill, IL 61419

Swedish seniors in Spånga parish, just north of Stockholm, enjoying American coffee 1942.


Thank you for the wonderful comments about these lessons.We really enjoy preparing them and try to make them fun foryou all…or y’all as they say here in Tennessee. We will contin-ue the lessons about the twins preparing a meal for their par-ents, Erik and Ingrid, as they are celebrating their 15th weddinganniversary. We will find out in out next lesson what the mealwill be.

NYA ORD/NEW WORDS

innan beforeaffär, -en, -er storeatt fråga, frågar, frågade, frågat to askatt kunna, kan, kunde, kunnat to be able to, couldatt få, får, fick, fått to getpengar moneynej noatt bjuda, bjuder bjöd, bjudit to treat, offer, inviteatt betala, betalar, betalade, betalat to payvarken (eller) neither (nor)hemma at homebank, -en, -er bankatt behöva, behöver, behövde, behövt to need (something)tyvärr unfortunatelystängd closedatt undra, undrar, undrade, undrat to wonderatt lösa, löser, löste, löst to solveproblem, -et, --- problemförst at firstatt fråga, frågar, frågade, frågat to askatt vänta, väntar, väntade, väntat to waittills untilöppnades (to be) openedatt tycka, tycker, tyckte, tyckt to thinkbra idé good ideaatt låna, lånar, lånade, lånat to borrowhur mycket how muchatt lova, lovar, lovade, lovat to promiseatt köra, kör, körde, kört to drive (a vehicle)att handla, handlar, handlade, handlat to shopatt betala, betalar, betalade, betalat to paykostade cost (price of something)hemifrån (from) homeatt skriva, skriver, skrev, skrivit to writelista, -n, listor listeftersom sinceöverraskning, -en, -ar surprisehjälp helpstod nära stood near

att höra, hör, hörde, hört to hearatt prata, pratar, pratade, pratat to speakatt nämna, nämner, nämnde, nämnt to mentionifall (just) in case snart soon

SVENSKA/SWEDISH

Innan tvillingarna skulle gå till affären frågade de Erik omde kunde få pengar till maten. Nej sa Erik, om ni ska bjuda påmaten får ni betala för den.

Varken Lars Olof eller Karin Helena hade några pengarhemma. Nu behöver de gå till banken och ta ut de pengar debehöver. Tyvärr var banken stängd.

Erik undrade hur de skulle lösa detta problem.Först frågade tvillingarna om de kunde vänta tills banken

öppnades. Erik tyckte inte att det var en bra idé. Då frågadeLars Olof om de fick låna pengarna.

De visste inte hur mycket pengar de behövde. Erik lovadeatt köra dem till affären. Barnen kunde handla vad de behövdeoch Erik skulle betala vad det kostade.

Innan de for hemifrån skrev Lars Olof och Karin Helena enlista. Eftersom det skulle bli en överraskning ville de inte hanågon hjälp. Ingrid stod nära och hörde vad de pratade om.Hon nämnde till Erik vad hon hört ifall barnen behöver hjälpnär de är i affären.

Snart var de på väg.

ENGELSKA/ENGLISH

Before the twins were going to the store, they asked Erik ifthey could get money for the food. No said Erik; if you aregoing to treat the dinner you have to pay for it.

Neither Lars Olof nor Karin Helena had any money athome. Now they have to go to the bank and take out the moneythey need. Unfortunately the bank is closed.

Erik wondered how they would solve this problem.First the twins asked if they could wait until the bank

opened. Erik did not think that was a good idea. Then LarsOlof asked if they could borrow the money.

They did not know how much money they needed. Erikpromised to drive them to the store. The children could buywhat they needed and Erik would pay what it cost.

Before they left home, Lars Olof and Karin Helena wrote alist. Since it was going to be a surprise they did not want anyhelp. Ingrid stood nearby and heard what they talked about.She mentioned to Erik what she had heard in case the childrenneed help when they are in the store.

They were soon on their way.

Swedish Language Lessonsby Lillemor and Richard Horngren

LEARNING SWEDISH – LESSON 17


Why do Grand Lodge officers have such expensive roomsat the Grand Lodge convention? What about the perksthey get? Why do some receive salaries?

As part of the contract with the hotel, the ConventionHost Committee is given one or two complimentary suitesbased on the large size of the convention. A complimenta-ry suite is provided to the Grand Master and sometimesthe Vice Grand Master by the hotel. This is also truewhen District conventions are held and the DistrictMaster usually has this complimentary suite. GrandLodge Officers, GL Executive Board Members, andDelegates are provided with a basic, standard hotel room.If any of these GL Board members wish to upgrade theirroom, they do so at their own expense by paying the dif-ference in cost.

Grand Lodge officers receive no perks. Since theGrand Lodge officers and Executive Board members arerequired to meet once a year, basic meeting expenses arecovered (travel, hotel, per diem). Every care is taken tokeep costs to a minimum. Often, the Board meets in con-junction with a District Convention and we are able to getthe special room rate accorded to the convention atten-dees, as part of the package.

Regional Board members are required to visit the vari-ous Districts within their region. The budget approved atthe GL convention provides $2,000 travel reimbursement(which covers airfare/mileage and hotel) for the four-yearterm for all board members. For most Board members thistravel reimbursement does not cover the cost of going tothe required meetings so most GL Board members end uppaying for their remaining travel out of their own pocketsrather than not attending the district meetings. The Grand

Master and Vice Grand Master receive a higher travelallowance, $14,000 and $5,000, respectively, since theyare expected to travel to all parts of the USA, as well asCanada and Sweden. In most cases the spouses of the GLBoard and Officers accompany them to the various localand district lodge functions. Their costs are not reim-bursed; the spouses pay their own expenses.

As with every fraternal organization (Masonic, IOOF,Eagles), certain officers receive a small remuneration/salary because of the essential work that they do. In VasaOrder of America, the officers receiving this remunera-tion are the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, ViceGrand Secretary, Vasa Star Editor, and the Vasa StarCirculation Manager. The total annual remuneration forthe Grand Secretary, Vice Grand Secretary and GrandTreasurer is $10,320 per year (total); that for the VasaStar Editor and Circulation Manager is $7,400 per year(total). These amounts are in the current Grand Lodgebudget. This remuneration also helps to offset the cost ofdoing the Grand Lodge’s business in their homes (elec-tricity, space, storage, etc.) since office space is not rent-ed.

If you have any questions about these issues, you maycontact any of the GL Officers or your District’s GLDelegates. For questions about the GL budget, yourDistrict’s GL Delegates have a copy of the 2006 approvedbudget. Later this year we will publish the budgetapproved in 2006 and summarize our spending in relationto the budget.

If you have a question for future Frequently AskedQuestions columns, please send your question to theGrand Secretary Joanie Graham (see pg 3.)

Frequently Asked Questions

GRAND LODGE NEWS

As a great fan of raffles, I have alwayssupported such efforts to raise funds: bothin creating successful raffles, for DrottLodge #168 and for the AmericanScandinavian Association of DC, and inbuying chances in Scandinavian raffles.Seldom have I won, so winning this raffleprize of $500.00 was totally unexpected.The prize helped pay for our trip toAugusta, Maine to visit our son, his wifeand our 27 months old identical twin

granddaughters, Alina and Chloe! We loved our time with themand I loved singing to them, the Swedish song “Rida, rida ranka,hästen heter Blanka. Vart ska han åka? Till en liten flicka. VadKan hon heta? Anna Magreta!” It is good to use every opportu-nity to pass on our Swedish culture. My many thanks to theGrand Lodge for organizing this timely raffle!

I was happy to be a third place winner but have not doneanything special with my winnings. On January 23rd ofthis year, 2009 I celebrated my 90th birthday with myimmediate family. Within the last two months I’ve hadcataract procedures and implants on both eyes. Two weeksago I had a pacemaker implanted and I’m doing fine.

Raffle Winners1st Place

Margaret Schueman

3rd PlaceNellie Gunhild Almquist


Motions to theGrand Lodge Meeting

The Grand Lodge Vasa Order ofAmerica will meet for its 37thConvention on July 2-8, 2010, inWashington, D.C. and it is not too earlyto start thinking about motions you wantto present.

Any individual member, local lodge,or district lodge may submit motions tothis Grand Lodge meeting.

Please use this format when writingyour motions. This will ensure a consis-tent appearance for the many motionsthat will be considered. Please do not usethe words “Whereas” or “Be It Resolved”or the motion will be returned to you forproper format. If you submit more thanone motion, please put one motion perform to avoid confusion.

All motions must be typed or printedclearly, so that no errors in interpretationor intent will be made. All signatures arerequired, along with the appropriatelodge seal.

When making a motion that involvesfinances, please show the probable costalong with the motion.

Remember that Constitutions andBylaws use the word “shall”, not thewords “can”, “should”, or “could”.

Recommendation included in any GLOfficer’s or Archives Board Member’sreport involving a constitutional changemust follow these rules.

Please refer to page 49 of yourConstitution for Grand Lodge – ArticleXVII-Amendments concerning motionsto change the Constitution and Bylaws.

You may submit your motions as earlyas you want. ALL MOTIONS MUSTBE RECEIVED BY THE GS BEFOREMARCH 1, 2010.

Motions will be numbered in the orderin which they are received.

Mail to:Convention Motions

Joan Graham, Grand Secretary5838 San Jose Ave.

Richmond, CA 94804

Deadline for submission - March 1, 2010SAMPLE FORMAT #1 – Motions Not Affecting Constitution

________________Lodge, No. _____, Vasa Order of America, at its regular meeting on________________, 20___, voted to submit the following motion:

VOTED: That ________________________________________________________________MOTIVATION: ______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________Signature of Chairman (or District Master)

(Lodge or District Seal) ___________________________________________________Signature of Secretary (or District Secretary)

___________________________________________________(Date)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SAMPLE FORMAT #2 – Constitutional Changes

_________________Lodge, No. _____, Vasa Order of America, at it regular meeting on_________________, 20___, voted to submit the following motion:

To change the Constitution for __________________ Lodge:Present Section ______, Par. ______ Page _____now reads: ......................................................................................................................

[state section as it now reads]MOTION is presented to CHANGE Section _____, Par, _______ to read:..........................................................................................................................................

[State section exactly as it will be written should the requested change pass]MOTIVATION:_____________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________Signature of Chairman (or District Master)

(Lodge or District Seal) ___________________________________________________Signature of Secretary (or District Secretary)

___________________________________________________(Date)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

SAMPLE FORMAT #3 – Motions made by Individual Members

NOTE: Motions submitted by individuals must include the format described below togetherwith Sample Format 1 – motions not affecting the Constitution, or Sample Format 2 –Constitutional Changes, above.

I, ______________, a member in good standing of ____________________Lodge, No.______, submit the following motion:

[Format as indicated in bold print above]___________________________________________________

(Signature)___________________________________________________

(Typed Name)___________________________________________________

(Address, City, State, Zip)Date: _______________________________________________

This is to certify that _____________________________is a member in good standing in____________Lodge, No. _______ as of this date.

___________________________________________________(Signature of Secretary)

(Lodge or District Seal)___________________________________________________

(Date of signature)


LODGE NEWSNorth Star Lodge #106

Los Angeles, CA

Fylgia Lodge #119San Francisco, CA

Thule Lodge #127Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY

Jane Sandler had the great pleasure ofawarding three North Star Lodge #106scholarships. Diane Sami, student at CalState San Marcos, Alexandra Succa,Moorpark College and Richelle Daniels,Cal State Fullerton. All three and alldeserving happily accepted the awards.Each had been a Midsummer Queen!Another feather in the caps.

An added treat for us was the presen-tation of Agneta Nilsson, our member,who is the founder of SWEA (SwedishWomen’s Education Association).Agneta spoke to us of the history of thisorganization and the topic was extremelyinteresting.

SWEA started out as a small group ofSwedish-speaking women 30 years ago,and over the years it has grown to over8,000 members and now as a world-wideorganization.

We were pleased that Agneta couldrelate her story of SWEA’s beginningand its amazing progress over the years.It has become also a major fundraiser forvarious projects in Sweden. The recentSWEA Christmas fairs, both in OrangeCounty and Los Angeles, drew thousandsof people.

Thanks Agneta for taking time off

North Star Lodge #106, Los Angeles, CA,scholarship winners presented by Mary EthelPierson and Jane Sandler. From left, DianeEarl, Alexandria Succa, Richelle Daniel, atNorth Star Lodge #106’s 102nd Anniversary.

Officers and Installing Officers - left to right: Victoria L. Peterson - Past Chairman; TorborgLundell - Secretary; Joanie Graham - Grand Lodge Secretary and Installing Officer; Dr. TedOlsson - Chairman; Richard Wooster - Vice Chairman; Robert Olson - Financial Secretary;Yasuko Wooster - Cultural Leader; Carol Martin - Cultural Leader; Dennis Erickson - Auditor;Jean Stohl Nelson, Vasa Star Representative, Trustee, Historian, and Marie Ann Hill - Deputyand Installing Officer.

from your busy travel schedule and toLen Gohrn for making the arrangementsfor this very interesting program.

Arriving a tad late (traffic woes) wasGL Deputy Wayne Pierson, he congratu-lated North Star on its 102nd birthday.Again Nordic Fox catered our very tastyluncheon and it was a “Happy Birthday”song to North Star as the cake was cut!Long may North Star thrive, we’re gladCH Erik was prodded into leading usthroughout the new year of 2009.

Submitted by: Elinore Thornton

Fylgia Hills Lodge #119, SanFrancisco, CA, had a table at SWEA’s25th Annual Swedish Christmas Fair on

December 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. with pamphlets and literatureregarding Vasa. We contacted many

interested in Vasa and perhaps with join-ing. Fylgia, under the leadership of theChairlady, Victoria L. Peterson, heldtheir annual “Julbord” at the SwedishAmerican Hall, 2174 Market St., SanFrancisco, at 6:30 p.m. on December 9,2008. The members all brought food forthe table to make it an authentic Swedishfeast along with Glögg and Akvavit.Carol Martin, our Cultural Leader, deco-rated the hall with red tablecloths andSwedish Christmas motif to make it mostfestive. Santa Claus (Carol) appeared andgave each in attendance a gift fromSweden. It was a most enjoyable evening.

On January 13th Fylgia Lodge held abusiness meeting and yearly reports andfuture events. The new officers, led byDr. Ted Olsson, Chairman, were installedby our Deputy, Marie Ann Hill, ofTegner Lodge #149, and Joanie Grahamof Framat Lodge #405, the Grand LodgeSecretary. The installation was efficientlyperformed and we are looking forward toan excellent year. Jean Stohl Nelson cele-brated her 84th birthday on the day andfurnished champagne, sandwiches andcake. All our friends and members arewelcome to our cultural events. Our web-site is: www.scandinavius.com/vasa/fylgia.

Submitted by: Jean Nelson

Hello from Thule Lodge #127 in theJamestown/Bemus Point, NY area.

Our winter season has brought usmuch snow, with a snowfall nearly every-day. The outside temperatures have beenfalling. Our Thule lodge however is look-ing forward to the spring and summermonths when we will see much activityaround the lodge. The annual schedulehas been set by planning events, dinners,and meetings. Our lodge meetings contin-ue on the winter schedule of the thirdSaturday afternoon of each month.Chairman Eugene Johnson was re-electedto serve a second term as lodge chairman,and will take the lodge through its 102ndyear.

In February, the installation of officerstook place. In addition to ChairmanJohnson, Ralph Veights will serve as theVice Chairman. Lucile Marsh will serveas the recording secretary, and AlbertaNelson will serve as our treasurer. Donna

Continued on page 10


Sandberg will continue as our financialsecretary, and reporting on those mem-bers who are ill or in the hospital.Appreciation is extended to Donna forher continued efforts in keeping the othermembers informed on our ill members.Fanchon Fuller will continue as the cul-tural leader and does a wonderful jobwith presenting a monthly report on aSwedish activity or event. John Siposwill serve as the historian. Diane Shawwill serve as the chaplain, and DonnaJohnson and Bernice Veights will be ourmasters of ceremony. Donald Carlsonwill serve as our inner guardsman, andNels John Nelson as our outer guards-man. Trustee for 2009 will be RobertFuller. Robert is our immediate pastchairman, and led our lodge through its100th anniversary celebration. Auditorwill be Wayne Nelson. Both Robert andWayne will serve three year terms.

Other trustees are our past districtchairman Ed Sandberg, and Ralph Derby.Other lodge auditors are Betty Lawsonand John Marsh.

At the February meeting, John Sipospresented to the lodge a record book withphotographs of the events of the lodgefrom the previous year. Much of the com-puter art work was completed by SusanW. Sipos. The historical record bookshave been prepared by John and Susanfor many years, and all books are avail-able for viewing at the lodge.

If you are in our area, we welcomeyou to visit our Thule Lodge. Happyspring and summer to all. “God dag” toeveryone!

Submitted by: John Sipos,lodge historian

Thule Lodge #127Continued from page 9

Thule Lodge #127 Chairman for 2009 EugeneJohnson in his second term.

Linné Lodge #153South Bend, IN

Svea Lodge #253Indianapolis, IN

SolidaritetLodge #396Mount Vernon, WA

Brahe Lodge #245Rockford, IL

At our January 4, 2009 Meeting of theLinne’ Lodge #153, we had the installa-tion of officers by Acting District Deputyfrom Svea Lodge #253 in Indianapolis,Marv Anderson and his wife, Lou. Theybrought a high school exchange student,Julia Turm, from the town of Leksand inDalarna, Sweden, who is staying withLou’s niece and nephew, Jeff and TracyDenny and their daughter Cami inConstantine, Michigan. We enjoyed aScandinavia Pot Luck and fellowship.

Submitted by: Lorraine Cooper

Lou Anderson, Julia Turm, Marv Anderson.

Our 2009 officers of our Brahe Lodge#245 were sworn in by officials from ourGrand Lodge and District Lodge #8 onSunday afternoon, January 25, 2009, dur-ing our monthly meeting attended bytwenty members in wintertime at theCherry Valley District Library in CherryValley, Illinois.

We are still waiting for our local nat-ural gas company to run a line to ournewly constructed Brahe #245 lodge!

Submitted by: Dennis G. Eksten

Standing from left to right Marlyn Ryall,Trustee; Sven Berggren, Auditor; BettyRottman, Cultural Leader; Jim Anderson,Financial Secretary & Treasurer; DavidTollin, Vice Chairman; Scott Johnson,Chairman; Joyce Anderson, RecordingSecretary; Susana Turning, Chaplain; JakeGruel, Executive Board Grand Lodge Mid-Western, and his wife Margaret Gruel,District Secretary.

The past few months have been busyas usual for members of lodge #253. InNovember we were treated to a presenta-tion on Norway, given by members JohnGundersen and Jean Tygum.

During January’s meeting we werehappy to install as new members, DavidDuff who has been taking part in ourSwedish language group, and David andBarbro (Hultberg) Jarrell. Barbro is origi-nally from Sweden. Our cultural programconsisted of many members describingtheir poster boards on Swedish sports thatwere comprised for our booth in TheIndianapolis International festival.

Submitted by: Michelle Escalante

The Dream of LeRoy AndersonDuring Memorial Day weekend of

2008, on Saturday May 24, an unusualceremony took place in Mount Vernon, theseat of Skagit County, WA, and locationof our Vasa lodge. The ceremony was todedicate a memorial in remembrance of agroup of trees?! Read on!

In Skagit County there’s a highwayleading West from Mount Vernon, Route536, which also bears the intriguing name“Memorial Highway.” In 1931 that namewas officially given to the state highwayin order to honor the Skagit County veter-ans who served in WWI. Soon after that,180 elm trees were donated by the Wellsnursery and planted along the sides of thehighway. Since then, all but 2 trees havedied or were cut down to make room forurban growth, and hardly anyone knowsabout the many original trees and whatthey stood for.

Long-time Vasa member LeRoyAnderson, who recently passed away, wasnever able to forget the trees. Born andraised in Skagit County, he grew up withthe trees and later, as the owner of a funer-al home, he helped many families burytheir loved ones, including veterans ofwar. His own uncle Ole Leaf served inWWI and returned from it severelywounded.

LeRoy felt for many years that themeaning of the Memorial Highway namewould be lost if nothing was done to saveit. As he got older, he kept mentioning thatfear to his daughter Connie and other rela-tives. As fate would have it, some 10 years



LindberghLodge #494

Palo Alto, CAago he was asked by the Jerry and Carol(Shrauger) Farnsworth family if he mightbe interested in a large, red granite monu-ment that was on their family plot but thatthey had no use for any longer. LeRoyknew right away what he could use it for:a monument honoring the WWI veteransand the forgotten elm trees. He sent theslab to a monument company to have itsanded, re-polished, and inscribed with thetitle - “They Gave Their Lives that WeMay Live Free,” plus a drawing of a mili-tary helmet and an elm tree, and a briefhistory of the 1931 dedication of theMemorial Highway. On the back side ofthe monument the American flag wasengraved.

The monument was ready, but now anappropriate location had to be found.When LeRoy retired, Connie took over thememorial project. She felt the monumentshould be somewhere near the Memorial

Highway, and she managed to get thecooperation of the Washington StateUniversity NW Research and ExtensionCenter, which maintains a display gardenright along the Highway. With the aid ofthe Skagit County Master GardenerFoundation and the Research Center staff,a circular arbor was installed in the rosegarden, with the monument in its center.At the public dedication ceremony on May24, many veterans were present, and alsoMayor Bud Norris of Mount Vernon. Mr.Dick Nord read the names of the manycounty citizens who gave their lives inWWI. At the end of the reading a smallflock of pigeons was released to symbol-ize the freedom for which the service menand women fought.

LeRoy Anderson passed away peace-fully on 2 December ’08, content in theknowledge that his dream of saving thememory of the Memorial Elm Trees andwhat they stood for, had been fulfilled.

Submitted by: Willy EvansPicture by: Connie leSourd, daughter

Solidaritet Lodge #396Continued from page 10

Arbor and rose garden.

Memorial

January gathering featured a Pea Soupdinner again prepared by our own splen-did cooks. It was also time for us toinstall the new officers for the year.January seems to be the important monthfor installing officials. We followed thetraditional ceremonies including theinstallation job description and oaths ofoffice. We were joined in this ceremonyby our sister Svea Lodge # 348 from SanJose. After the ceremonies concluded, theevening was spent dancing by both youngand old. It was s fine way to start theNew Year.

Submitted by: Muriel Nelson Beroza

Hans Nilsson entertaining with his accordion.

“Worker Bees” Chairman Charles Wallin,assisted by granddaughter Alexa Wallin, rec-ognizes Lindbergh’s faithful “Worker Bees”by giving them each a small gift. From Left:Bea Andrews, Birgitta Kellgren, KerstinJansson, Laila Thurfjell, Anna Johnson andGun McCuen.

Pictures by: Tore Kellgren


Vinland of CapeCod Lodge #703

Cape Cod, MA

Carl Widén Lodge #743Austin, TX

Jubileum Lodge #755Austin, TX

By the time you read this daffodils andnarcissus will be springing up all overand Cape Cod will have finally thawedout; it endured one of the coldest winterson record. In spite of below freezingweather, we had a terrific turnout ofmembers and friends for our Decembermeeting which, fortunately, fell on the13th, and of course you all know whatthat means to Swedes – Lucia!

On arrival each member was given apersonalized miniature “Julbock” madeof pine, and painted by Rune Borgman.Chairman Judith Peterson then openedthe brief meeting, following which wewere invited to partake of a magnificent“smörgåsbord,” the likes of which I haveseen only in centerfolds in Swedish cook-books. On occasions heavily laden tablesare referred to as “groaning boards”; thistime the tables were “wailing” – and withgood reason! The arrangement consistedof two eight-foot tables butted togetherand so filled with enticing dishes onecouldn’t have inserted a straight pinbetween them!

We were fortunate to have DistrictMaster Dawn Briggs and DistrictCultural Leader Shirley French presideover the installation of officers during ourJanuary meeting. Their presence wasvery much appreciated.

Judith Peterson will again serve asChairman; Vice Chairman: GeorgeMacris, Recording Secretary: XeniaChristensen, Assistant Treasurer:Lorraine Young, Financial Secretary:Enid Macris, and Cultural Leader:Marilyn Sohöel.

Following the installation ceremonyall were invited for coffee and assorteddesserts. . . . and there went all our NewYear’s Resolutions!!

Submitted by: Marion S. Borgman

The Carl Widén Lodge #743 met at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church on December 15 for aChristmas “Smörgåsbord” on an especially cold night in Austin, Texas. Leland Lundgren ledthe program. The Lodge usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month but our Decembermeeting is always held earlier.

Submitted by: John LindellPhoto by: Erik Lindquist

We met on the 11th January at GoodShepherd Lutheran Church. Jake andMarge Gruel of the Lake MichiganDistrict presided over the installation ofour 2009 officers.

The January program featured Lodgemember Gunnard Swanson, speaking onthe topic of “Swedish Hymns in America:From the Homeland to the Heart.” Manyhymns beloved by Swedish-Americanshad their origins in the Pietist experience.Pietism was a largely informal movementof individuals who had personally experi-enced the grace of God through faith inChrist, in a way that they felt was notclearly expressed in the state churches.Freedom of worship was a strong motivefor many early emigrants to America,and the congregations they foundedlive on as the Evangelical Covenant

Church and the Evangelical Free Church.The personal faith of the Pietists,

specifically the assurance of God’s careand a future home in heaven despite thetrials of earthly life, found some of itsclearest expression through music. Mr.Swanson focused specifically onSwedish-American hymnists NilsFrykman (“I Have a Future AllSublime”), Johannes Hultman (“Thanksto God for My Redeemer”), AndrewSkoog (“We Wait for a Great andGlorious Day”), and Lina Sandell(“Children of the Heavenly Father”). Mr.Swanson enthusiastically explained themusical elements of hymnody – contrast,balance, and suspension, and then led usin singing numerous examples, in bothSwedish and English.

Submitted by: Robert T. Merril

2009 Officers of Vasa Jubileum Lodge #755. Left to right, Ray Wahlton (Past Chair), RobertMerrill (Historian), Lois Fride (Recording Secretary), Marshall Berg (Vice Chair), UllaSwanson (Financial Secretary), Hans Fride (Cultural Leader), Ralph Stromquist (Chair), andGunnard Swanson (Membership Secretary). At the right are Marge and Jake Gruel of the LakeMichigan District Lodge.


SWEDISH NEWSÅrets sista möte gick i julens tecken

trots den tidiga datumen, en stämnings-full ljuständningsceremoni till julmusikinledde logemötet. Andra nomineringenav tjänstemän för nästa termin gjordesmen det är svårt med rekryteringen närman är en liten loge. KL br. Olle Olssonhade tagit kontakt med Stormästare RolfBergman som efter lite synpunkter ochfrågor från KL br. Olle, sände över enintressant berättelse om sin uppväxt ochkarriär fram till Vasa Ordens GrandMaster, KL delgav logen hela berättelsen.Efter logemötet bjöds det på glögg ochpepparkakor i väntan på det hägrande jul-bordet.

Värdgrupp 4 avtackades för sin insatsmed med en varm applåd. Jag tror att vihar Vasa Ordens äldsta medlem i Sverige,som kommer troget till varje logemöte,hon heter Birgit Ekelund och är 90 årfyllda.

Logen Skåne Nr 570 EnglishOur last meeting for the year 2008 was

held on December 7 in conjunction withour Christmas celebration even thoughthis was held in the early part ofDecember. Christmas music was playedduring the lighting of the candles whichwas the introduction to our meeting. Newofficers were nominated for the next termwhich is a bit difficult with such a smalllodge. Br Olle Olsson had contactedGrand Master Rolf Bergman and askedsome questions regarding his life. GMRolf Bergman sent a very interestingstory about his childhood and upbringinguntil becoming the Grand Master for theVasa Order of America.

Den 5 januari 1934 bildades logen Stockholm, i restaurang Rosenbad. PåNurnbergs huset var stämningen hög 5 januari i år, för de Vasamedlemmar och gästersom hade hörsammat inbjudan till 75-årsdagen. Under högtidsmötet visade logen uppen snygg fanparad, bestående av två systrar och två bröder. Till varje fana lästes enprolog av KP br. Mikko Nummi.

Vi hade besök av SLD sy. Ewa Pilhammar Andersson och DM br. GunnarGustafsson, samt representanter från sex lokalloger alla hemmahörande i DL Nr 19,mycket trevligt. Tack alla rara ni!

Under efterkapitlet, steg stämningen ännu mer. Vi underhölls under supén till tonerav Alfies Orkester med sång- och musikkavalkad, från åren 1934-2008, sammansatt avlogens KL br. Bengt Granath. Samma orkester svarade för kvällens dansmusik ochblev populär då de blandade musiken väl, just för oss, till en bra bit efter midnatt.

Insänt av: Arne Svensson

Sjukhusdiakon och medlem i LogenEskilstuna av Vasa Orden av Amerika,Gerd Lundgren, belönades vid Logens

senaste logemöte i helgen med LogensFörtjänstmedalj och blommor som över-lämnades av ordförade Hans Lundvall.Gerd Lundgren ger stor omsorg ochomtanke till sina logemedlemmar. Honhar varit medlem i logen i 13 år och tjän-stgör som s.k. Kaplan.

“Omtanke om sina med männsiskor ärVasa Ordens signum. Vänskap och kulturvårdas med omtanke,” säger GerdLundgren, som också i sitt arbetenaturligvis får användning av dendevisen.

Logen Eskilstuna är en institution iEskilstuna och har funnits till i över 50år. År 2010 blir den 55 år . Logen har idagarna mottagit 12 nya medlemmar.

Insänt av: Lisbeth H. Qvafordt,Logen Norrköping Nr 751

Foto: Inge Hallberg, LogenNorrköping Nr 751

Logen Skåne Nr 570

Logen Stockholm Nr 589

Logen Eskilstuna Nr 633

KL Olle Olsson och Birgit Ekelund.

Solveig Ljungdahl, Bo Lejserud och Sonja Hall.

Ordförade i Logen Eskilstuna Nr 633, HansLundvall och Gerd Lundgren.

After the meeting we had “glögg” andgingerbread cookies while waiting for the“smörgåsbord.” The committee in chargefor this wonderful event was thanked.

We might possibly have the oldest

member of The Vasa Order of Americahere in Sweden. She faithfully attendsevery meeting and her name is BirgitEkelund and is 90 years old!

Insänt av: KL Olle Olsson


Logen Höganäs Nr 634

Ett 60-tal medlemmar samlades tillårets sista möte i Vikens Hemgård denden 13 dec, 2008

Efter protokoll och skrivelser intogFDO Sy Berit Bogren ordförandeplatsenoch förrättade slutnominering och val av2009 års tjänstemän. Samtliga nominer-ade valdes och alla poster är därmed till-satta.

BKL Sy Ingrid Berg läste upp julhäl-sningar från våra vänloger och berättadesedan om ASI i Minneapolis.Tillförordnad LH Sy Bodil Larsson höllen intressant betraktelse om Lucia-traditionen och logens julfest år 1979.

Lördagen den 31 jan. 2009 samlades65 högtidsklädda Vasasyskon till åretsförsta möte.

Sedvanliga årsmötesförhandlingarhölls, varefter logens nyvalda tjänstemäninstallerades av DD Sy Bodil Walles med

installationsstab från L Malmöhus Nr 643i Malmö. Sy Evy Lindstrand blev därvidden tredje kvinnliga ordföranden i logenshistoria. Avgående tjänstemän avtackadesmed vackra blombuketter och Sy ChristinaMagneklint tilldelades FDO värdighet.

Vid den efterföljande bankettenutbringades traditionsenligt kvällens förs-ta skål till Hans Majestät Konung CarlXVI Gustav, varefter Kungssångensjöngs. Efter en god måltid tog dansenvid till tonerna av Niklas Larssons finamusik och golvet fylldes snabbt av dans-glada Vasasyskon.

Avgående ordförande Br Leif Larssonförgyllde kvällen med vacker sång tillNiklas ackompanjemang.

På allas begäran avslutade han kvällenmed att sjunga “We´ll meet again” vilketföljdes av stående ovationer.

Insänt av: Berit och Hans Bogren

Den nya styrelsen Stående fr v. CM Br Ulf Carlson, YV Br Jan Berg, KL Sy Ingrid Berg, LH SyBirgit Olsson, KP Sy Lena Nilsson, FS Br Bertil Cannerhagen, IV Br Kenneth Nilsson, CMA SyBarbro Carlson. Sittande fr v. PS Sy Magdalini Kalivas Jönsson, FDO Br Leif Larsson, O SyEvy Lindstrand, VO Br Karl-Axel Bengtsson, K Sy Jytte Lidenmark.

Logen Enköping Nr 646Söndagen den 11 januari hade ca 40

barn och vuxna samlats hos LogenEnköping Nr 646 för att fira åretsJulgransplundring. Med hjälp av KLPernilla Hallström och våra musikanterTaimi Johansson och Ivar Karlsson fickbarnen dansa kring granen och sjungavåra Svenska fina jullekssånger.

Dagen började med att barnen fickfiska upp en leksak i fiskdammen (allafick napp). Sedan började dansen och näralla blev trötta bjöds det på förtäring.Efter långdans, saft och bullar, var detlotteridragning på barnens lotteri. Mångaglada och förväntansfulla barn fickkomma fram och välja en vinst. Efter ensista dansrunda knackade det på dörrenoch in steg jultomten till barnens förtjus-

ning. När väl tomten fått sätta sig ner ochfrågat om alla barnen varit snälla ville deäven passa på att ställa frågor till tomten.Bl a frågade de var alla hans renar hadeför namn? Tomten rabblade upp namnefter namn men inte Rudolf, så alla bar-nen undrade varför inte han var med. Dåsvarade tomten att Rudolf hade fått prob-lem med sin nos, så han var i tomteverk-stan för att lagas. Ett barn talade om förtomten att hon redan träffat en tomte förejul. Tomten sa att: “Det var ju mig duträffade då!” Hon tittade med stora ögonoch svarade, att det stämde nog! Tomtendelade sen ut godispåsar till alla barnen.Trötta men nöjda avslutades dagen.

Lördagen den 7 februari 2009 var detdags för Logen Enköping Nr 646 att

genomföra sitt årsmöte. Ca trettiofemdeltagare hade hörsammat inbjudan.Deltog gjorde även ordenssyskon frånLogen Stockholm Nr 589, LogenEngelbrekt Nr 619 och Logen HjälmarenNr 625.

I verksamhetsberättelsen kunde kon-stateras att Logen Enköping Nr 646 hadegod kontakt med vänlogerna i USA samtlokallogerna inom Sverige. Logens ord-förande Karl-Erik Axelsson, sekreterareElisabeth Agge och biträdande cermon-imästare Anne-Sofie Hjort, hade besöktLogen Linde Nr 492 i Milwaukee underåret. Elisabeth Agge hade representeratLinde Logen Nr 492 ungdomsklubbunder Distriktslogen Michigan Nr 8Distriktsmöte i Frankenmuth. Under årethade också logens sekreterare ElisabethAgge tillsammans med Anne-Sofie Hjorthållt ett föredrag om Vasa Orden avAmerika för medlemmar inom SPF iFjärdhundra.

Ny styrelse för Logen Enköping Nr646 år 2009 är: ordförande Karl-ErikAxelsson, Vice ordförande TorbjörnFrom, sekreterare Elisabeth Agge, bitr.sekreterare Lilian Andersson, CM LeifLindén, Kassör Alan Tammerfors,Finanssekreterare Bo Axelsson,Kulturledare Pernilla Hallström,

Under mötet tilldelades cermon-imästare Leif Lindén, Distriktets förtjän-sttecken. Logens DD Liberth Karlssonöverlämnade förtjänsttecknet ochframhöll hur väl br Leif Lindén skött sittåtagande.

Kvällen fortsatte med middag och allabjöd till med egna små sånger som visjöng tillsammans. Några ordenssyskonpassade på att berätta några roliga histori-er. Sen var det dags för Torpartrion

(Taimi Johansson, Ivar Karlsson, RolfSolblad tillsammans med Jan-ErikSödergran) att framträda. Denna kvällframträdde de med ett intressant programom Olle i Skratthult, som under emigra-tionen blev mycket populär i Amerikamed sina visor. Janne tillsammans medTorpartrion levandegjorde Olle iSkratthult på ett intressant och humoris-tiskt sätt genom att berätta och sjungahans visor, bl a den välkända sångenNikkolina. Torpartrion med Janne avslu-tade sedan sitt program med en litenöverraskning. Taimi Johansson hade pas-sat på att skriva en ny liten visa medanknytning till Enköping. Den handladeom Enköpings nya attraktion för pen-sionärer, den omtalade aktivitetsparkenför äldre på Ljunggården. Under tidenTaimi Johansson sjöng, passade Janne



Logen Kongahälla Nr 702

och Ivar Karlsson på att framföra, genomscenerier, vikten av träning för att hållasig i form. Till varma applåder framfördelogens ordförande Karl-Erik Axelssonåhörarnas tack för detta trevliga programoch överlämnade rosor till TaimiJohansson.

Kvällen avslutades sedan med att DD iLogen Enköping Liberth Karlsson, tack-ade de kommitterade Anne-Sofie Hjort,Elisabeth Agge, Lilian Andersson ochInger From för den utsökta maten ochden underhållande kvällen innan CM LeifLindén utförde lotteridragningen ochkvällen avslutades.Insänt av: Elisabeth Agge, Sekr LL 646

Logen Enköping Nr 646Continued from page 14

Janne i Torpartrion delar ut allsångsblad.

Logens tjänstemän 2009. Stående fr. v.: CM Br Sten-Åke Jonasson, PS Br Sonny Johansson,BPS Br Gösta Ivarsson, KP Br Sven Eriksson, IV Br Lars-Åke Larsson, KL Sy Birgitta Larsson,LH Br Karl Olof Nilsson, YV Br Gerhard Arvidsson, MM Br Maths Fredriksson och BCM BrJörgen Norup. Sittande fr. v.: SB Sy Märta Larsson, BFS Sy Irene Olsson, VO Br MorganAndersson, O Br Sune Börjesson, K Br Lennart Hansson, FS Sy Birgitta Olsson och SB SyLilian Arvidsson.

Barnen gör en liten raket.

Logen Kongahälla Nr 702, i lillaKungälv, har nu varit i gång hela 35 år,vilket firades med en jubileumsloge påRestaurang Fars Hatt, lördagen den 18oktober 2008, med hela 115 deltagandeVasasyskon.

Lördagen den 17 januari 2009, blev

inledningen till ett nytt och förhoppn-ingsvis, händelserikt år i LogenKongahälla. Starten var verkligen mycketlyckad med nära 90 Vasasyskon som sam-lades för årsmöte och installation av tjän-stemän.

Ordförande Sy Birgitta Haraldsson häl-

sade alla välkomna och ett specielltvälkomnande riktades till vårDistriktsdeputerade Sy Berit Boqvist,Distriktskulturledare och Vice OrdförandeSy Christina Dahlberg-Andersson,Ceremonimästare Br Gunnar Ödman,Kaplan Sy Ulla Ödman samt Br BerntAndersson samtliga från Logen KnallenNr 745 i Borås. Denna dag hade vi ävenglädjen av, att ha bland oss, vårStorlogedeputerade Sy Ewa Pilhammaroch vår Distriktsmästare Br GunnarGustafsson, vilka båda är medlemmar i vårLoge.

De sedvanliga årsrapporterna godkän-des och den avgående styrelsen ochkassören beviljades ansvarsfrihet för detgångna året. Det är glädjande att höra ifrånverksamhetsrapporterna hur de omfattandekulturella aktiviteterna i Logen engagerarmånga av våra Logesyskon.

Installationen av tjänstemännen genom-fördes fint av Distriktsdeputerade Sy BeritBoqvist tillsammans med tre av sinaLogesyskon från Logen Knallen Nr 745.Vid detta årsmötet blev det en del nyatjänstemän som installerades och dessablev: Ordförande Br Sune Börjesson, ViceOrdförande Br Morgan Andersson,Biträdande Protokollsekreterare Br GöstaIvarsson, Biträdande Finanssekreterare SyIrene Olsson, Inre Vakt Br Lars-ÅkeLarsson samt Musikmästare Br MathsFredriksson.

Vår nya Ordförande Br SuneBörjesson, tackade för förtroendet och häl-sade även de nytillkomna tjänstemänvälkomna in i Logens arbete, samt önskanom ett gott samarbete.

Före Detta Ordförande Sy BirgittaHaraldsson, fick mottaga Logens förtjänst-tecken, Sy Birgitta har under många årinnehaft ett flertal uppdrag inom Logen,såsom Kassör, Biträdande Proto-kollsekreterare, Protokollsekreterare, ViceOrdförande samt Ordförande. AvgåendeFöre Detta Ordförande Sy Lilian Julin,avtackades och fick mottaga en FFDO-regalia. Övriga avgående tjänstemänavtackades med blommor.

Vid efterkapitlet serverades en mycketgod supé, varefter Ordförande Br SuneBörjesson i sitt tal, bl.a. uttryckte enförhoppning om ett nytt givande år medmånga aktiviteter i Logen Kongahälla Nr702.

För underhållningen denna kväll sva-rade Lars-Erik Frendberg med fin sång tillgitarr och många roliga historier. Enmycket fin avslutning på en trevligVasaafton.

Insänt av: Rolf Claesson och Karl OlofNilsson, Mediakommittén, LL 702


LogenSundsvall Nr 705

LogenBråviken Nr 751

Logen Vadstena Nr 762

Logen Sundsvall inledde 2008 årssista möte med att välja ny styrelse. Tillny Kulturledare valdes bl a LennartBjärmkvist. Efter mötet fick vi besök avsju gäster och alla bjöds till ett välfylltjulbord med läckerheter som tillagats avvåra logemedlemmar. En glad ochtrivsam stämning omgärdades av trevligmusik och allsång ledd av kvällensspelmän Allan Norberg, Gösta Malmrotoch Hans Malmrot. Den glada skaranskildes åt i den sena kvällstimmen.

Logen Sundsvalls årsmöte inleddesmed att Kulturskolans Rektor CarinaHauge Rouass, informerade om skolan.Därefter bjöd eleverna; Joakim Wikbergsaxofon, Anton Nordén trombon ochTobias Bengtsson piano, på en trevligoch mycket uppskattad musikstund. Efterapplåder och extranummer, överlämnadeLogens ordf. Margareta Tellberg en gåvapå 5.000:- till Rektorn, ämnade tillskolans elever.

Under det efterföljande mötetinstallerades årets tidigare valda tjän-stemän av distriktets representant KjellHamrin med stab från Logen iHärnösand. Kontakterna med andraLoger både i Sverige och USA har ökat,inte minst tack vare att Sundsvallslogenär representerad i Storlogen. Kvällen avs-lutades med en förträffligt god måltid ochallsång. Den trivsamma sammankomstenavslutades vid midnatt.

Insänt av: Jan Hellsing

Kulturskolans Rektor Carina Hauge Rouassoch Logens ordf. Margareta Tellberg somöverlämnar en check på 5000 Kr.

Connie Grön, Einar Savolainen Grön som också är Vadstenalogen Distriktsdeputerad samtBele och Elsa Axelsson.

Logen Bråviken fick en fin början pådet nya året 2009. En fullsatt logelokaloch många gäster till efterkapitletförhöjde stämningen i Bråviken vackralogelokaler. Mötet började med att

logens Ordförande Bo Svensson, utnäm-nde Lisbeth H Qvarfordt till logenBråvikens Hedersmedlem. Starkaapplåder inramade ceremonin när Ordf BoSvensson iklädde Sy Lisbeth med heder-sregalian tillverkad av logens FDMViveka Skott, som också försett denmed hedersmedlemmens namn insytt.Gunnar Nord och Inge Hallberg är tidi-gare invalda hedersmedlemmar.

Logen fick också dagen till ärainstallera två nya medlemmar, vilket nugör att logen har kring kring 60 medlem-mar. För installationen av tjänstemännenstod Logens DD Aldor Jansson, tillsam-mans med Br Arne Svensson, Sy GullSvedberg, Stockholm och StefanHagfeldt.

Övriga omvalda var bl. a Ordf. BoSvensson, Kassör Kurt Thelin och PSKarl Jerlock.

Logen Bråviken står som värd vid DL

Fyra Lidköpingsmedlemmar ur Vasa Orden avAmerika Logen Lidköping Nr 636,har varit på resa till den nystartade logen Vadstena. Uppdraget var att vidVadstenalogens årsmöte installera tjänstemännen för det nya året, ett uppdrag somnaturligtvis genomfördes med briljans av de rutinerade Lidköpingsmedlemmarna somfick mottaga blommor av Vadstenalogen Nr 762 Ordf Stig Carlsson.

Insänt av: Inge Hallberg Foto: Inge Hallberg

Ordförande i Logen Bråviken Bo Svenssontillsamman med nya Hedersledamoten LisbethH. Qvarfordt.

19’s Distriktsmöte som hålles påSöderköpings Brunn i maj månad.

Insänt av: Anette Ek, LogenBråviken Foto: Owe Hilding

Motivering till Hedersledamot av vårLoge Nr 751 Bråviken

Jag vill föreslå att Lisbeth H. Qvarfordtblir HM i vår loge. Få, om ens någon, harhaft ett så djupt engagemang för VasaOrden och vår loge som Sy Lisbeth. SomChartermedlem har Sy Lisbeth varit medfrån starten och efter tre år som VO, tre årsom O och då med ansvaret år 2002 förlogens första jubileum, 10 år. Därefterbörjade karriären i Distriktet, först somVDM och därefter DM. Nästa steg var attbli utnämnd till SLPD. Det innebar mångakontakter med USA, otaliga artiklar iVasa Ordens tidningar mm. Värdskap förbesökare från en av våra vänloger, Nr 757Forsgard Olsen i Waco, Texas. Arrangörav USA-resan år 2003 med deltagare frånflera loger.

Där Sy Lisbeth gjort det största ochmest intensiva arbetet, är nog instiftandetav den nya Logen Nr 762 Vadstena ioktober år 2007. Ingen kan nog föreställasig hur mycket arbete som ligger bakomden bedriften, alla kontakter medkommuner, kultur- och näringslivsorgani-sationer och sponsorer. Därtill otaligaresor mm.

Nu när de flesta uppdrag är slutförda,är det en ära för oss i Logen Nr 751Bråviken, att få ha dig som Heders-Medlem i vår Loge Nr 751 Bråviken.

Insänt av: Viveka Skott, FDO


YOUTH NEWS FAMILY

In October, Nordikids Musiklubb #208 and Nordikfolk Lodge #761 celebratedbreast cancer awareness month with a pink ribbon poster. Members signed tributes tobreast cancer survivors and to those who unfortunately lost their battle to this disease.Breast cancer has affected many of our families, and our purpose for this is to stressthe importance of early detection through mammograms. Some of our members andyouth have supported those undergoing cancer treatments with hair donations to theLocks of Love Foundation. This organization makes wigs for children with cancer andother hair loss disorders.

Submitted by: Ingrid Lesko

Nordikids and Nordikfolk Lodge CelebrateBreast Cancer Awareness Month

Nordikids with their director Mrs. Lynnea Sinwelski holding the pink ribbon poster.

Armista with her granddaughter Denise.

Campers at The Silver Lake Campground.

Another huge success! Sponsored by the Vasa Recreation Center and Golden GateResort Center, 59 campers ascended The Silver Lake Campground to enjoy another“when the family gets together, the family plays together” weekend.

Activities included Swedish crafts, games, dances and language lessons. In additiona weaver/spinner spent a few hours demonstrating her skills and allowing interestedcampers to have a hands-on experience.

The water-balloon volleyball game was won 3-0 by the yellow team over the blueteam. The girl’s team won three games over the boys’ team in games of “Kubb.”

Many campers took advantage of the high Sierra lakes fishing and boating, withone family catching six trout during the 2-1/2 days.

In addition to the traditional camp activities, many adults were observed competingin games of dominoes. Other activities included songs around the campfire, hiking,swimming and teen dancing.

Director Edythe Anderson remarked, “What a pleasure it was to see all age groupsinteracting with one another as one big family.” She extends her thanks again to theinstructors who volunteered by dedicating their time in making the camp the success it is.

Submitted be: Baxter Swaffar, Publicity Director

Trollebo Swedish Family Camp 2008 Armista was born on November 11,1918, the day the Armistice was signedending the first World War. Her mother,a Swedish immigrant, with great imagi-nation, named her first born daughterArmista. Her birthday for 90 years hasbeen on this national holiday.

Although born in Utah, she grew up inLos Angeles. Armista met and marriedLloyd Mendelssohn and they had threesons. They all joined the MayflowerLodge in Inglewood, CA. Both Lloyd andArmista were active in their lodge andserved as Chairmen. They served as offi-cers in the District Lodge and Lloyd wasDistrict Master in 1978 and Armista in1982.

Armista, called “Mistie” by herfriends, was also a member of MayflowerWomen’s Club and supported it for manyyears with crafts she made and donated tothe projects, enabling many Vasa youngpeople to win scholarships.

Her 90th birthday was spent at homewith many relatives and friends, hostedby Don and granddaughter Denise. A lun-cheon was served, followed by cake andcoffee and many good wishes.

Submitted by: Karin HolmesPhoto by: Kjell-Åke Hellberg

Happy BirthdayArmista Mendelssohn


Welcome To Our New MembersOn behalf of the Grand Lodge and members of the Vasa Order of America, I am pleased to welcome you tomembership in these local Vasa lodges. If you are new to the Vasa Order of America we bid you welcome. Ifyou are transferring or are a dual member, your new lodge bids you welcome. We hope you will enjoy yourmembership and will participate in all of the activities planned for you.

Tore Kellgren, Grand Lodge Membership Chairman5971 W. Walbrook Dr.

San Jose, CA 95129E-mail: [email protected]

GL CENTRAL REGIONCarl XVI Gustaf #716

Carolyn Jeffords

DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2John Ericsson #25

Amy RackiSpiran #98

Susan LovascoJeffery RaskMatthew Rask

Quinsigamond #517Glenn Schedin

Vinland Of Cape Cod #703

DL RHODE ISLAND NO. 3Svea #362

Stephanie CostaMary Olson

DL N.Y. NO. 4Tegner #109

Lena AnderssonAllan CorthoysCaroline SimpsonDonald Widjeskog

DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6Vagen #588

Maryann Christiansen

DL MINNESOTA NO. 7John Morton #488

Roland AndersonSusan Kretch

DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8Viljan #349

Leonard AndersonNorden #684

Joy-Marie BrusenbackBeverly FahmeySondra FaulknerSarah Wiens

Lindgren #754Ruth Windell

Jubelium #755Dylan Bender

DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9Drott #168

Pam HolmesJessica Johnson

Farris NobelKaren Riedl Margit SextonKelsey Nelson

Svea #296Andrea HornamanLori Nemenz

DL SUPERIOR NO. 10Monitor #163

Robert Waters

DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12Svea #348

Berit MorganGoran OstAnnelie LundLilly TamayoCarin Westblom

Sveaborg #449James DoyleCeleste Graham

Lindbergh #494Hans AssarssonArloa KelsenPhillip RichardsonLoAnn StoneLinnea ErnesJohn ErnesDora ThordasonCarol Young

Linnea #504Sandra McConnellMaiken ScheftnerAnders Uhrberg

Gold Nugget #662Steven Flaugher

Norden #684Joy-Marie BrusenbackBeverly FahmeySondra FaulknerSarah Wiens

Valhalla Scandinavians #746Beth HollenbeckJoann MartinMaria NielsenHelene PayneAnita Peterson

DL PACIFIC NORTHWESTNO. 13

Astor #215Kristi McCauley

Miriam McCauleyAndrea Phillips

Tegner #224Jeanett ComstockLinnea Faber

DL PACIFIC SOUTHWESTNO. 15

Skandia #247Roberta Howard

Desert Viking #682Arne LuunggrenLeit MollerMonica MollerLenny PepperHarvey PetersonEivor WesterOlof Wester

Valhalla #715Myrna RundquistSolveig RundquistStephen RundquistKay TartMayann Williamson

Glenn T Seaborg #719Eunice Burcham

Nordic Heritage #741Anders Lindborg

DL CENTRAL CANADA NO. 16Strindberg #259

Dave HammerbackLesley Hammerback

DL IOWA-NEBRASKA NO. 17Omaha #330

Barbara CathroMarita DeedsArline Irey

Norrskenet #331Janet StadingWillis Stading

DL ALBERTA NO. 18Skandia #549

Sigurd Delblanc

DL NORRA SVERIGE (SWEDEN)NO. 19

Mellerud #644Sture EklundMonika GustafssonHåkan Hultman

Britt JomasKarl-Ivar KarlssonAnders PermeBertil Landegren

Filbyter #714Arne CarlssonIngrid CarlssonBirgitta GreenInge GreenKarin KarlssonSolveig LarsenTomas Tena RodriguezMarie Tena Torjul

Bråviken #751Elizabeth Annerstedt

Sundsvall #762Åke GustavssonHans-Erik HaagBirgitta Porsbring

DL SÖDRA SVERIGE (SWEDEN)NO. 20

Skåne #570Anette AnderssonBengt KnoosSolveig Svensson

Kärnan #608Eva EklundUlf-Peder EklundGunhild EkolinLars EkolinPia StenqvistUrban Stenqvist

Utvandrarna #680Barbro FagerströmSten Fagerström

Nybyggarna #698Christina NilssonPeter Nilsson

DL ARIZONA NO. 21Solstad #709

Lee KloseHerbert Swanson

Scandia #728Kenneth Fahlman

Nordic Red Rock #760Charles AdamsLaura Adams


IN MEMORY OF

CULTURE

Long time Tegnér Lodge #109 lodgemember, Sigavard “Sigge” Bergh ofNiskayuna, NY, died peacefully onFriday, February 6, 2009, at his homeafter a long illness. Sigge was born onJune 21, 1925, in Skurup, Sweden. Theson of the late Jons and Amanda Bergh,he was the 11th of 12 children. He cameto America in June of 1949 where hebegan working in New York City as abaker in the Swedish bakery Nyborg &Nielson. He met his wife, MarianneWieblack, in February of 1950, and theywere married in June of 1951; they weremarried 57 years. Upon relocating to theCapital region of NY from New YorkCity, Sigge started working as a baker atthe Continental bakery in Guilderland,NY. Even after he retired Sigge contin-

ued working part-time as a baker wellinto his seventies at many different bak-eries and diners, and was well known formaking his traditional gingerbread housesfor Christmas. He served as Chaplain forVASA order of America, local lodgeTegnér Lodge #109, in Schenectady, NYfor many years and serving as ViceChaplain over the last few.

“Opa” will always be remembered lov-ingly as a dedicated husband, father,grandfather and friend. Survivors includehis wife, Marianne Wieblack Bergh; 2sons, Eric (Sue) Bergh of Concord, NH,and Carl (Diane) Bergh of Niskayuna,NY; 2 daughters, Heidi (Bryan)Kietzmann of Amsterdam, NY and Ingrid(Peter) Kelly of Toronto, Canada; 5 grand-children, Michael Bergh, Katie and Cody

Kietzmann and Alana and Morgan Kelly;and 1 great-grandchild, Brandon Heacox.

Members of Tegnér Lodge #109 per-formed a traditional Swedish ceremony tohonor their lost brother on February 9,2009 at the Griswold Funeral Home inSchenectady, NY. Led by Chairman AlanAndersen the brief ceremony includeddraping a black “flag” over Tegnér 109’scharter, the placement of yellow and blueflowers upon the casket and a closingprayer from current Chaplin TobieAnderson.

Memorial contributions may be made inhis memory to Community Hospice ofSchenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady,NY 12307 or the GBFC Fire District No. 1,1079 Balltown Rd., Niskayuna, NY 12309.

Submitted by: Wallin-Eddy

Sigvard “Sigge” Bergh June 21, 1925 - February 6, 2009

Stensjö VillageStensjö by is a village situated ten

kilometres north of Oskarshamn, a townon the east coast in Småland, southSweden.

Originally Stensjö was the name of afarm. In fact it was first named Sten ö(stone island), as it was a stony place sur-rounded by three small lakes and a tinycreek.

Stensjö farm is very old. From docu-ments we certainly know that one of StBirgitta´s brothers owned the farm in the14th century. Since then various familieshave been owners, until the State boughtthe farm in the middle of the 17th centu-ry. In the 18th century Stensjö farmbecame privately owned, and then it wasdivided and parts of it were sold. That’show Stensjö became a village. The fol-lowing century brought good times forthe village. The harvests were good, andbig barns were built. The farmers werejust as anxious about their buildings andbarns as their homes. A well-kept barnshowed that the farmer was a wealthyman. It is interesting that the durabilityand quality of the houses of that time wasmuch better than that of new built housesof today.

In the middle of the 19th century thevillage reached its maximum size. About170 people lived and worked there. Bydraining ditches and lowering the lakesthe village got bigger fields which werenecessary since the land on the farmswere very small, and the growth sparse.

In the 20th century profitability how-ever started to decrease, and many peopleleft the village. In 1945 the agriculturewas discontinued. No renovation orrestoration was done, so the houses began

to fall into despair, and the land becameovergrown with weeds.

The turning point came in 1960.Through a donation given by Josef Anér,who was born in the neighbourhood, TheRoyal Academy of Letters History andAntiquities was given the opportunity topurchase the entire village. During thefollowing years a grand undertaking wasdone to restore the buildings as well as


Stensjö


the old landscape. Many of the smallfields were made larger and improved.The cluster of red houses looks old-fash-ioned as the village remained undividedat the time of the land-parcelling in the19th century. Cattle and sheep can beseen grazing in the large pastures, sur-rounded by some 300 km wooden fencesgoing in all directions.

Farming is now done with modernimplements but adapted to the old meth-ods. For example artificial fertilizers andchemical weed killers have never beenused which is why the soil in Stensjö hasspecial ecological characteristics.

Stensjö village is very unique, andwell worth a visit. There are not manyvillages like Stensjö left, as most of themare gone being victims to rationalization.Visiting Stensjö village is like going backto an old time village that looks likemany places looked a hundred years ago,a place where time stands still.

Walking on the gravelled paths makesyou think: Maybe today’s society havelost something very valuable?

Insänt av: Gun Lith, GLCD

Stensjö byStensjö by ligger tio kilometer norr

om Oskarshamn, en stad på ostkusten iSmåland, södra Sverige.

Ursprungligen var Stensjö namnet påen gård. Först hette den faktiskt Sten – ö,eftersom det var en stenig plats omgivetav vatten från tre små sjöar och en liten å.

Stensjö gård är mycket gammal. Avhandlingar vet man säkert att en av denHeliga Birgittas bröder ägde gården redanpå 1300-talet. Därefter har olika släktervarit ägare, ända tills Kronan köpte går-den i mitten av 1600-talet. På 1700-taletkom Stensjö gård i privat ägo. Straxdärefter delades den och på så sätt upp-stod den nuvarande byn.

Det följande århundradet var en bra tidför byn. Skördarna var goda och byg-gnaderna förbättrades och nya byggdes.Bönderna var lika måna om sina ladugår-dar och uthus som om bostadshusen. Envälskött lada visade att ägaren var välbär-gad. Intressant är att hållbarheten ochkvalitén på den tidens byggnader varmycket bättre än på dagens nybyggdahus.

I mitten av 1800-talet var byn somstörst. Då bodde omkring 170 personerdär. Genom utdikning och sjösänkningar,hade man fått mer åkerareal vilket var

nödvändigt eftersom åkerlapparna varsmå och växtligheten dålig. På 1900-taletbörjade dock lönsamheten minska ochmånga människor flyttade från byn. År1945 lades jordbruket ner. Inga ren-overingar eller förbättringar gjordes, var-för husen började förfalla och landskapetväxte igen.

Vändpunkten kom 1960. Tack vare endonation från Josef Anér, som växt upp inärheten, fick Kungliga Vitterhet-sakademien möjlighet att köpa hela byn.Under de följande åren uträttades ettenormt arbete. Byggnaderna liksom kul-turlandskapet restaurerades. Många av desmå åkrarna utökades och förbättrades.Gyttret av röda hus ser ålderdomligt ut,eftersom byn förblev odelad vid tiden fördet laga skiftet på 1800-talet. Kor och fårkan nu ses beta i de stora hagmarkerna,som inhägnas av ca 300 km trägärdesgår-dar, som löper i alla riktningar.

Jordbruket sköts nu med moderna red-skap men på gammaldags brukningssätt.Till exempel har aldrig konstgödsel ellerkemiska bekämpningsmedel använts.Jorden i Stensjö har därför speciella ekol-ogiska egenskaper.

Stensjö by är verkligen unik och välvärd ett besök. Det finns inte många byarsom Stensjö kvar. De flesta har försvun-nit som offer för rationaliseringar. Attbesöka Stensjö by är som att komma tillen gammaldags by och som ser ut sommånga byar såg ut för hundra år sedan, enplats där tiden har stått stilla.

Att vandra på de ringlande grusvägar-na får en att tänka: Kanske dagens män-niskor har förlorat någonting mycketvärdefullt?

Submitted by: Gun Lith, SLKLKällor: Kungl. Vitterhets Historie

och Antikvitetsakademien och K.AGustawsson: Stensjö by

Stensjö VillageContinued from page 19

HAPPENINGSKronprinsessan Victoria ochDaniel Westling förlovade

Idag den 24 februari 2009 har förlovning eklaterats på Kungliga Slottet mellanKronprinsessan Victoria och Daniel Westling.

Efter att H.M. Konungen givit sitt samtycke till att Kronprinsessan ingår äktenskapmed Daniel Westling har HM Konungen i enlighet med grundlagens bestämmelserinhämtat regeringens samtycke. Vid extra sammanträde idag har regeringen lämnat sittsamtycke. Beslutet överlämnades till Kungen i samband med dagens informationskon-selj.

Bröllop planeras till försommaren 2010. I samband med giftermålet förlänas DanielWestling titeln Prins Daniel, Hertig av Västergötland. Frågan om bostad förKronprinsessan och hennes blivande make är under övervägande. Några olika alterna-tiv prövas.

Källa: http://www.royalcourt.se/Web TV: www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/webbtv/artikel_2514075.svd

Engagement between CrownPrincess Victoria and Daniel Westling

Today, Tuesday 24 February 2009, the engagement between Her Royal HighnessCrown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling was announced at the Royal Palacein Stockholm.

After His Majesty The King of Sweden had given his consent to the marriagebetween the Crown Princess and Mr. Westling, His Majesty, in accordance with theprocedures set out in the Swedish Constitution, requested the agreement by theSwedish Governmet, which was subsequently communicated to His Majesty in con-nection with an information council held at the Royal Palace today.

The wedding is planned to take place in the early summer of 2010. I connectionwith the wedding Mr. Westling will be invested with the title Prince Daniel, Duke ofVästergörland. The question of residence for the Crown Princess and her future con-sort is subject to further consideration. Some different alternatives are being examined.

Source: http://www.royalcourt.se/Web TV: www.svd.se/nyheter/inrikes/webbtv/artikel_2514075.svd


(Vancouver January 11, 2009) In cele-bration of its 80th anniversary, theSwedish Press magazine has taken off ona virtual trip through Swedish America.The journey started on New Year’s Dayon the West Coast of Canada, in the littletown of Lund, that was founded in 1889by Karl and Fredrik Thulin from the uni-versity town of Lund in southernSweden. For the rest of January you canfollow this interesting trip primarilythrough Alaska and find out, among otherthings, how Charlie Anderson, the ThreeLucky Swedes and John Nordström ofthe Nordstrom stores, made their for-tunes.

The 365 current and historic points ofSwedish interest will pop up on a Googlemap at the www.NordicWay.com website. Each day a new dispatch will beposted from places like Ann-Margret’shandprints outside the Mann Chinese the-atre in West Hollywood to L’Anse auxMeadows in Newfoundland where theVikings established their first base camp.When completed the “travel blog” willform the most complete and fun docu-mentation of the most important Swedishpoints of interest in the U.S.A. andCanada. Best of all, “Around SwedishAmerica in 365 Days” is free and willremain at NordicWay.com long after the

trip is completed. The popular site alsocontains a lot of other information aboutthe Nordic countries, a calendar withSwedish American events and lots ofmaterial from Swedish Press and its sisterpublication Scandinavian Press.

This trip of a lifetime was the dreamof editor (and Honorary Consul ofSweden in Vancouver) AndersNeumuller. He had planned to complete itin 80 days, but realized that he would nothave time this year when Swedish Presscelebrates its anniversary. Through theyears there have been more than 2 000Swedish papers in North America,only two of them have survived to thisday. Swedish Press is the only monthly inEnglish (with certain sections inSwedish) with both an electronic and apaper edition. “Svenska Pressen” startedas a weekly in Vancouver in 1929 andnow has subscribers in every US stateand Canadian province, not to speak ofsubscribers in Sweden and around theworld.

Submitted by: Anders Neumuller www.nordicway.com

1294 West 7th Avenue, VancouverBC V6H 1B6 CanadaPhone: 604-731-6381

Fax: 604-731-2292Email: [email protected]

Around Swedish America in 365 Days

Emigration Conference in DalslandThanks for the Memories …..

My dad, Dr. Pierr Johnson, and I hadthe opportunity to participate inEmigration Conference in Mellerud lastAugust. After reading about the event inVasa Star last winter and meeting theevent coordinators Eiwor Backelund andAnneli Andersson last spring, I was con-vinced this was an event that could not bemissed for my dad and myself – a once ina lifetime experience. Part of our Swedishancestry is from Dalsland and I havealways wanted to visit this beautifulregion with him. I offer the followingbrief summary of our experience.

Day 1: In the Footsteps of theEmigrants

My dad and I were fortunate to havesigned up for the pre-conference mini-tour of Dalsland entitled “In theFootsteps of the Emigrants.” OnThursday, August 14th, we and anotherAmerican, Carl England, had the pleasureof spending the day with Kerstin

Paalberg and Tina Larsson, our Swedishtour guides for the day. In a rented vanwe first drove south from Mellerud to“Fottestugan,” a “backstuga” in ruralDalsland that has been preserved by theBolstad Hembygdsförening. Small, sim-ple, sod-roofed dwellings such as thiswere common across rural Dalsland inthe 18th and 19th Centuries.

Next we drove to “Ronnostugan” inFrändefors and had a wonderful coffeebreak, prepared by members of the local“hembygdsförening.” They preparedhomemade waffles over a wood burningfire in the old farmhouse, and we also hadhomemade lefse bread, cheese, and cof-fee. Our hosts were gracious and hos-pitable, and we were given a tour of thehistoric farm house and outbuildingsbefore our departure.

We drove along narrow, country roadsand saw the beautiful agricultural land-scape of southeastern Dalsland – wheat,rye, and oat fields; hay fields and pas-tures with cows and sheep; rape and fieldbeans.

Our next destination was Sundals-Ryrchurch. Within the beautiful white wallsof this 1000 year-old building we weretreated to a special presentation by the“Green Beans,” a group of womensingers from the congregation. They sangseveral songs, including a wonderful ren-dition of “Hälsa Dem Därhemma,” a pop-ular Swedish and Swedish-Americansong, and as explained by our presenters,a song written about an emigrant’s long-ing for his homeland while out at sea. Wealso heard the story of “Bus Andy”Anderson, who was from this parish. Heimmigrated to northern Minnesota wherehe met another Swede (from Dalarna) bythe name of Carl Wickman and togetherthey founded what was to becomeGreyhound Bus Lines.

Our final destination of the day wasthe old Sikhall Magasin on the shore ofLake Vänern. In the 19th and early 20thCenturies, this rustic building was usedfor the storage of oats, much of whichwas shipped via boat to England. Ourtour guides had a catered evening mealfor us, including an assortment of moose,fish, cheese, and bread. This ended apleasant, informative day – and we allfelt that we had, indeed, spent a day inthe footsteps of our forefathers.

Day 2: Conference Bus Trip AroundCultural Dalsland

On Friday, August 15th, we met upwith a group of around two dozenSwedes and Americans for our bus tourto various cultural sites in Dalsland. Ourfirst stop was in Dals Rostock, just westof Mellerud. We had an interesting tourof the famous herb garden with notedhorticulturalist Kerstin Ljungqvist as ourguide, and then we had a demonstrationof the keyed fiddle (nyckelharpa) playedby Alban Faust. What a treat! Both werevery interesting and talented profession-als. Prior to our departure we all weretreated to “klening bread” with cheeseand Swedish coffee.

The bus then drove us to our next des-tination, Lästvik Säteri and gallery. Thisis a well-preserved manor and farm withbeautiful views across central Dalsland’sforests, lakes, and meadows. In anupstairs room in the manor house theowner gave a presentation on the historyof the estate, followed by a presentationby Elisabeth Thorsell on genealogicalresearch at the LDS facility in Salt LakeCity, Utah.

Next, we drove to southern Dalslandand had a wonderful lunch in Färgelanda.



During lunch we had a presentation byTed Rosvall on the use of computers andthe internet for genealogical research.After lunch our bus trip took us in anortheast direction over Dalsland’sunique Kroppefjäll landscape and back toMellerud. Our final presentation of theday was by Lilly Setterdahl. Her talk wason the Swedish immigrant community inthe coal mining region of Grassflat, inwestern Pennsylvania; many of theseimmigrants were from Dalsland. At theend of the day we all had time to visitMelleruds Museum and GenealogyCenter, with its many interesting exhibitsand artifacts of life in Dalsland over thegenerations.

Our busy day ended with a crayfishdinner at Skötteruds Gård, located a bitnorth of Mellerud. We all enjoyed friend-ly conversations about our shared cul-tures over wonderful food and drink, andwith live accordion music playing tradi-tional Swedish folk tunes.

Day 3: The Emigration Conferenceand Banquet

On Saturday, August 16th, the confer-ence was held in Mellerud. Several pre-sentations were given on various aspectsof Swedish emigration and immigrationto the New World, including the SwedenAmerica Lines, emigration from awoman’s perspective, and a character re-enactment of “Olle i Skratthult,” to namea few. There also were presentations ongenealogy and the use of various soft-ware programs as tools in genealogicalresearch, for Swedes looking forAmerican relatives, and vice-versa.

Throughout the day there were manyexhibitors in the hall with information onemigration and genealogy. Several craftswere on display and were for sale bylocal craftsmen, and there were someindividuals dressed in regional folk-attirefrom 19th Century Dalsland. Last but notleast, Logen Mellerud Nr 644 had a dis-play that included photographs of all the“Swedish-Americans of the Year” ashonored by the Vasa Order of America.

On Saturday evening several of usdrove north from Mellerud to Ånimskogfor our banquet at Dalslands Gästgiveri. Iknow I speak for all in attendance when Istate that we had a very special time –one that will never be forgotten! On this

peaceful summer evening, we first milledaround on the lawn overlooking beautifulÅnimmen Lake – the view reminded meof an Otto Hesselbom landscape painting.After we had a champagne toast we werecalled into the elegant manor house fordinner. Our hostess for the evening,Eiwor Backelund, prepared a brochurefor the event with songs in celebration ofour shared Swedish and American cul-tures. We had another wonderful meal oftraditional Swedish foods, including her-ring, salmon, various meats and cheeses,and followed by dessert and coffee.Throughout dinner we were entertainedby Owe Clapson, alias Olle i Skratthultand his band. Everything about theevening was so special and we were treat-ed to such hospitality by our guests! Themusic, too, was wonderful, entertainingand appropriate to the theme. Again, itwas quite moving to listen to Hälsa DeDärhemma sung by our Swedish friends.

A smaller group participated in achurch service on Sunday morning atbeautiful Skållerud church, located just abit northwest of Mellerud. All of us inattendance can trace part of our ancestryback to this church, and so to say theleast it was very special for us to be there.

Words cannot describe how wonderfulthe Emigration Conference was; it morethan lived up to my initial expectations. Ican state with confidence on behalf of allof my fellow Americans, we will never

Emigration ConfereceContinued from page 21

Continued on page 23Melleruds Museum and Genealogy Center.

Beautiful agricultural landscapes.


The Louise Delbor Swedish Whisk fromSandviken, Sweden to Indianapolis, IN

Lois Klubens, member of Svea #253,Indianapolis, Indiana, recently discoveredand met an innovative Swedish relative,Louise Möberg Delbor, who lives inSandviken, Sweden. In fact, Lois andLouise are both named after LovisaMöberg, their great-grandmother.

Louise Delbor invented a fabulouswhisk, the Delbor Swedish Whisk. Thewhisk technology is special: it has a flex-ible coil, which permits one to whisk thebottom of a bowl while holding thehandle upright. The whisks are effective,practical, attractive, and efficient – justwonderful.

In the meantime, Svea #253 member

Edward Hultgren also has cousins, Ulfand Debra Lundahl, in Sandviken,Sweden. The Lundahl’s and theirchildren live a few doors down the roadfrom Louise Delbor – their homes areseparated by a church! What a coinci-dence!

When Ulf and Debra planned theirrecent visit to Indiana, they made a pointof meeting their neighbor Louise Delborto share the story that their respectiverelatives belonged to the same Vasalodge in Indiana. As a gracious andgenerous gesture, Louise Delbor sent 10of her whisks with Ulf and Debra.Lois received a whisk, Ed received a

whisk, and the other 8 whisks weredoor prizes at the September meeting ofSvea # 253. The lucky winners werethrilled.

“Tack Så Mycket!” to Louise Delbor –innovator, inventor, and new friend.

Another coincidence has beenuncovered. Svea #253 lodge member, IvaLynn, reports that her cousin also lives inSandviken. Ed’s cousin Ulf and Iva’scousin both work for the same company,Sandvik that manufactures machinery,tools, and medical equipment and sup-plies in several countries.

Submitted by: Joella Hultgren,Svea #253, Indianapolis, IN

From left, Lois Klubens andthe 8 winners of the WhiskDrawing: Jean Tygum,Jenne Swain, PatriciaHoffman, Chuck Lindgren,Charlotte Swenson, NormaJacobson, Wesley Hanson,and Susan Swanson.

forget the beautiful sites and sounds ofour ancestral homeland. We thank every-one for all they did to make this eventsuch a memorable experience.

We will always remember Dalsland,truly a “Sweden in miniature,” with itsthe quaint cottages, farmhouses and barnspainted in Swedish red; picturesque vil-lages and churches; and narrow, windingroads with views of sparkling lakes nes-tled in coniferous forests.

This special event brought us togetherin our ancestral homeland, with its tradi-tional foods, music, and landscapes. Thisis what family histories and genealogyare all about – celebrations of our sharedlineages; honor and recognition of ourimmigrant forefathers and their lives inthe Old and New Worlds; and last but notleast, making new connections andfriendships in our world today.

Tusen, tusen tack … Thanks again toall of you!

Kenneth Johnson, Viljan #349,Batavia, IL

Emigration ConferenceContinued from page 22

Backstuga


Experience SwedishLanguage and Culture

In Minnesota! “Sverige och Svenska: Den Sjölundska Upplevelsen” Swedish Adult Weekend

March 26-29, 2009Concordia Language Villages

8569 Thorsonveien NE Bemidji, MN 56601

1-800-450-2214

Email: [email protected] Web: www.ConcordiaLanguageVillages

2009 Program forBishop Hill Lodge #683

March 27 - 6:00 P.M. – Swedish Pancakes/Pea Soup Supper. Program: CivilWar, Mike Wendell.

April 27 – TBA – Valborg Celebration at Vasa Archives.

May 22 – 7:00 P.M. – Memorial Service - Cultural Report. Program:Pottery, Jeffrey Goard.

May 29-31st – District Lodge Lake Michigan #8 Annual Meeting andConvention

June 27 – 4:00 P.M. – Midsommar Celebration at Park and the ColonySchool

July 24 – 6:00 P.M. – Picnic and Potluck at Galva Park District – CulturalReport

August – No meeting

Sept. 25 – 6:00 P.M. – Wiener Roast & Potluck at Vasa Archives. Program:VASA, Lars Jenner.

Oct. 23 – 7:00 P.M. – Cultural Report - Program: Voices of the Past, CherylDowell

Nov. 20 – 7:00 P.M. – Election of Officers - Cultural Report. Program:Variety Show Night, Rollie Krause and RogerAnderson.

Dec. 5 – 6:00 P.M. – Christmas Party Smorgasbord/Lucia Program –EACH FAMILY WILL BRING DISH TO PASS,OWN TABLE SERVICE - $2 MAN/LADY GIFTFOR GIFT EXCHANGE

VASAORDEN AV AMERIKADISTRIKTSLOGE NR 19

NORRA SVERIGE

inbjuder genomvärdlogen nr 751 BRÅVIKEN

till distriktsmöteden 21-23 maj 2009I SÖDERKÖPING

Söderköpings Brunn

För mer info kontakta gännaDS DL 19 Birgit [email protected] värdlogen nr 751

PS Karl Jerlock, Smultronvägen 4,590 62 Lindhem, [email protected]

Utvandraranas väg 2009Utmed vägen Eriksmåla till

Karlshamn en sträcka på ca 10 mil, därden största utvandringen från södraSverige ägde rum och den väg som är såstarkt förknippad med Vilhelm Moberg’sepos “Utvandrarna” med efterföljare!

Ett antal eldsjälar, skapar första“Emigrant Festival” den 15-20 juni, ochVasa Logen 680 Karlshamn skall den 21juni fira 50 års Jubileum över statyn“Utvandrarna” Karl-Oskar och Kristinasom restes för 50 år sedan i Karlshamn,vid utloppet mot “WEST!”

Åke Sjöblom som är Vice President iSvenska Folksport Förbundet vill hjälpatill med att ge dessa eldsjälar ett bidraggenom att ordna en internationell van-dring under denna vecka.

Titta på at www.utvandrarnasvag.comför ytterligare information eller kontaktaÅke Sjöblom at [email protected]

Submitted by: Åke SjöblomVallmovägen 7, 612 46 Finspång,

Sweden

The Emmigrant Road 2009Driving along the road from Eriksmåla

to Karlshamn a stretch of about 100km, iswhere the largest emigration from south-ern Sweden took place, and is also strong-ly connected with Vilhelm Moberg’s book“The Emigrants.”

Several enthusiasts are forming the first“Emigrant Festival” between the 15th –20th of June, and Karlshamn Lodge #680will celebrate their 50th anniversary of thestatue “The Emigrants,” Karl-Oskar ochKristina, on the 21st of June in Karlshamn,a passage “out west.”

Åke Sjöblom who is the Vice Presidentof Svenska Folksport Förbundet wouldlike to help these enthusiasts through adonation by organizing an “internationalwalk,” during this week.

Please look at www.utvandrarnasvag.comfor more information or contact ÅkeSjöblom at [email protected].

Submitted by: Åke Sjöblom,Vallmovägen 7, 612 46 Finspång,

Sweden

Svenska Folksport FörbundetVasa Logen Bråviken Nr 751


EasterA festival in yellow

TO THAT section of the Swedishpopulation which is uninterested in theChurch and its message, Easter has aboveall come to represent four days off, whichin central and southern Sweden at leastcan come at just the right time for, say,tidying up the garden, overhauling theboat or paying the year’s first visit tothe country cottage. But Easter is, ofcourse, a movable feast, and if it comesin March, then, in the northern partsof the country, it presents an opportunityfor winter sports rather than outdoorwork, and even if it comes later, manypeople take the opportunity of getting ina week’s skiing in the Alps or theSwedish mountains. This mobility ofEaster makes life difficult, not least, forall the flower growers who, one weekbeforehand, have to deliver the many yel-low daffodils which have become thecommonest Easter ornament in people’shomes, frequently combined with birchtwigs.

Yellow is, of course, the colour forEaster, reflecting the part which eggs andchicks have come to play in this festival.

At Eastertime, Christians of everydenomination the world over consumemillions and millions of eggs. At no otherfestival is there such universal agreementon what should be eaten. The originalreason for this was that six weeks of Lentprevented the faithful from eating theeggs which domesticated poultry andwild birds were beginning to lay in copi-ous quantities at that very time of theyear. By the time Easter came round,eggs were so plentiful that the menu wasfairly obvious. As an additional festivetouch for the Easter meal time, it hasbeen the custom everywhere in Europe topaint eggs, an art which in Sweden ismainly practiced in the southern parts ofthe country (in the north there could be ashortage of eggs if Easter came early, inwhich case people would have Whitsumeggs instead!) Upholders of tradition stilldye their eggs with onion peels, ears ofcorn and birch leaves which are tied tothem while they are boiled, leaving pat-terns on the shell.

In other ways, too, food at Easter has areligious background. The vast quantities

of salmon consumed, in various guises,on Good Friday reminds us that, longafter the Reformation, the Swedes werestill keeping this as a fast and, according-ly, (meatless) fish day. Mind you, inthose days there was no question of deli-cacies like fresh or smoked salmon.Instead, to tame the flesh, people wouldeat salted back of salmon or dried cod,perhaps without even water to drink.

Whereas the fish diet of Good Fridayhas an ancient history, the “paschal lamb”– roast leg of lamb for dinner on one ofthe days of Easter – is a novel custom.The idea comes, of course, from the Biblestory of the Passover first celebrated bythe Israelites in Egypt, and in theMediterranean countries the paschal lambis in many places a regular custom.Lambing time in those countries comes atabout the New Year, but in Sweden itcomes so much later that the lambs can-not possibly be served at Eastertime.Instead the latter-day custom in Swedenhas been made possible by modern refrig-eration technology.

One ancient, grisly aspect of Eastercelebrations in Sweden has not beenturned into a children’s amusement. Littlegirls, wearing head scarves and longskirts, go from door to door with a coffeepot which they expect to get filled withsmall change or sweets. Known as Eastercrones or Easter witches, they recall theold superstition in Sweden that Easterwas the time when the witches flew to thedevil on the “Blue Mountain,” a beliefwhich, even in the 18th century, couldstill mean capital punishment for thosewho were denounced.

Other relics of past belief in witchcraftare also unwittingly perpetuated by theSwedes. In the west of Sweden especial-ly, firecrackers are let off on Easter night,and here and there the darkness is lit upby great bonfires. Firecrackers and firesare an ancient proven method of keepingwitches at bay. Nowadays damagedfingers and grass fires are the only harm-ful sides of those relics of ancient super-stition.

Source: The Swedish Institute


Sweden July 7, 1913, and joined North Star Lodge #106on February 1, 1999. He is survived by his wife Jane, 1son and 1 granddaughter.

FLORIDALLOYD EDWARD LARSON of Orange City, FL,passed away January 1, 2009. He was born in Ryder,ND, on July 21, 1920. Mr. Larson is survived by hiswife Doris, 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. Lloyd was anactive and loyal member of Local Lodge Jubilee #692,DeLand, FL, for 22 years and served as Chairman in1994 and as Auditor for the past 3 years. His presenceand support will be greatly missed.

ILLINOISEUGENE D. BLAIS passed away December 27, 2008,in Rockford, IL, at the age of 70. Gene was born July14, 1938, and joined Brahe Lodge #245 on March 21,1971. He is survived by his wife Caroline, and son Gene(Pebbles) Blais.

PATRICIA A. GELASUS passed away December 28,2008, in Rockford, IL, at the age of 73. Pat was born onMay 10, 1935, and joined Brahe Lodge #245 on October13, 2002. She is survived by her niece Julia (Thomas)Stotler.

LOLA M. JOHNSON passed away October 23, 2008,in Rockford, IL, at the age of 91. Lola was born October5, 1917, and joined Brahe Lodge #245 on December 2,1973. She is survived by son Randy (Jeri Sue) anddaughter Sharon (Don) Cisco, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, step-grandchildren, and a brother.

LILLIE V. KRAMER passed away December 28,2008, in Rockford, IL, at the age of 88. Lil was bornJune 4, 1920, and joined Brahe Lodge #245 on May 11,1972. She is survived by 3 sons, Kit, Bruce (Barb), andScott (Vickie), and 2 daughters, Sharon Lester andNancy (George) Lagoyda.

MICHIGANJEANETTE M. BURAK, 87, of Escanaba, MI, passedaway August 2, 2008. She was born in Escanaba, MI,November 29, 1920, and joined Framåt Lodge #463 onMarch 14, 1999. She is survived by 1 daughter, 3 sons,and grandchildren.

NEBRASKAMARIE V. ERICKSEN passed away January 16,2009, at the age of 91. She was born June 20, 1918. Shewas preceded in death by her husband, Eric. She is sur-vived by her daughter, Elsie and sons E. Neil, R. Alan,and R. Lynn, 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, abrother, nieces and nephews. Marie joined OmahaLodge #330 on November 14, 1993, and was a memberfor 15 years.

HAROLD E. OLSON passed away January 7, 2009.He was born November 12, 1934. He was preceded indeath by his wife Alice. Harold is survived by his sisterBeulah Heiberg, 2 sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews andnumerous friends. Harold joined Omaha Lodge #330 onMarch 8, 1980, and received his 25-year pin in 2005. Hewas serving as Chairman at the time of his death.

DOLA PLOUGH passed away May 14, 2008, at theage of 90. She was born October 1, 1917. She was pre-ceded in death by her husband Harold, son and daugh-ter-in-law Hap and Linda Plough. She is survived by herdaughter and son-in-law, Mary and Ron Berry, 2 grand-sons, 1 granddaughter, 3 great-grandsons, 2 brothers,and many nieces, nephews and friends. Dola joinedOmaha Lodge #330 on April 13, 1985, and had been amember for 23 years.

OHIOJANICE CLINARD passed away on December 1,2008. She was the beloved wife of O.J. for 41 years,mother of Steve (Leia), Nina (Hank) Gingerich, andAlan, grandmother of 4, and sister of Ruthann Hebble.Janice was born January 26, 1942, and joined Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 on September 11, 2007.

LILLIAN DAHLEN passed away December 27, 2008.She was born in Minneapolis, MN, on July 10, 1909,and joined Stenbock Lodge #138 on June 11, 1970. Sheis survived by cousins in Minnesota and Sweden.

ANNIE M. JAENSON (OLAFSSON), passed away atage 97 in Willoughby, OH, on December 10, 2008. Shewas born in Skåne, Sweden, April 24, 1911. Survivorsare her son Steve C. (Carol); daughter Linda (husbandMick Fagert) Jaenson; grandchildren Kristina (James)Risk, Erik Jaenson, Jamal and Bijan Derakhshan. Shewas preceded in death by her husband Karl Steve, 2brothers and 5 sisters. She was a member of Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130.

LILLIAN M. JOHNSON of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, diedNovember 16, 2008, at the age of 81. Mrs. Johnson waspreceded in death by husband, David T., and is survivedby children David (Sandra), Nancy Buettell (David),and Barbara Stewart (Donald), 5 grandchildren, brotherRoy Mogren, and step-sister Seville Lundgren. Lillianwas born June 13, 1927, in Cleveland, OH, and becamea member of Nobel-Monitor Lode #130 on February 9,1992.

OREGONMARIE JACOBSON passed away December 2, 2008,in Portland, OR, at the age of 101. Marie was born inHigbee, MO, January 7, 1907, and moved to Portland in1941. She married Nobel Lodge #184 charter member,Fritz Jacobson, in 1947, and joined Nobel in February1948. Marie engaged enthusiastically in Nobel Lodgeand served in many offices, including, among others,Cultural Leader, Chairman (6 terms), and PastChairman. Marie loved performing lodge ritual withaccuracy and by memory, and officers and membersmarched in straight lines and turned right angles inlodge room ceremony. During Nobel’s long campaignto raise money to buy and maintain its own building,Marie contributed cheerfully many hours of long workfrom flipping pancakes to gathering and organizing thevolunteers to publicizing the events. Nobel Lodge wasproud to have Marie as its second District Master ofPacific Northwest District #13 during the 1970-72 term,and she faithfully served for many conventions there-after with the other Past District Masters in the flag cer-emony of the convention opening. Outside of NobelLodge, Marie contributed to several local philanthropicorganizations. She started a fund to support the musicprogram at the elementary school across the street fromher apartment, and remembrances to Marie can be madeto the Grout Elementary School music program(Portland, OR). Many members and officers throughoutDistrict #13 liked and respected Marie. She was seriousduring the meetings and much fun afterward. Marie hadnot been able to attend meetings for several years, andthe members of Nobel missed her dignity, enthusiasmfor lodge work, and her generosity. Marie is survived byher daughter Sue Thomas, and her granddaughter andcare-giver, Susan Rychlik. The members of NobelLodge send their sincere condolences to the family ofMarie Jacobson.

TEXASMARGARET E. SWENSON passed away January 9,2009. She was born July 11, 1919, in New Sweden, TX.She was a member of Carl Widen Lodge #743, Austin,TX, and is survived by son Curt, daughter MarshaLyons-Gray, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

WASHINGTONEDNA IRENE BROOKS passed away February 7,2009, at the age of 85. She was born in Brainard, MN,and is survived by a son, Robert, and 2 sisters, her twinsister Etta Sheets and Doris Ristvet. She joined SveaLodge #469 on April 28, 1989.

AGNES LOUISE MILLER passed away January 7,2009, at the age of 92. She was born to Swedish immi-grant parents in Aberdeen, WA. Louise graduated fromWashington State University, School of Pharmacy, in1939, and worked at her profession until retirement. Sheand her husband Harold were active at First LutheranChurch in Tacoma, WA. In retirement, she directed twosinging groups, the Funtimes and the Melodears, andhas received many awards for her service to the commu-nity. She had been an active member of Norden Lodge#233 for 15 years. Husband Harold, son Ronald and sis-ter Nancy predeceased her. She is survived by herdaughter Karla Angle and son-in-law Ed, 3 grandchil-dren, many nieces, nephews and good friends. Louisewill be missed and will be remembered for her amazingspirit and generosity.

CANADAALICE BISSETT (NEE JOHNSON), passed awayDecember 7, 2008, in Winnipeg. Alice was born July10, 1921, in Lillesve, Manitoba, Canada. She was initi-ated into Lodge Strindberg #259, Winnipeg, Canada,on November 18, 1963.

In MemoriamTill minne av hädangångnaordenssyskon genom vilkas

bortgång syskonkretsen gjorten kännbar förlust

In memory of our departedmembers who will be

sorely missed

CALIFORNIATHYRA L. ANDERSON passed away in Los Angeles,CA, January 7, 2008, at the age of 102. She was born inSmåland, Sweden, on December 28, 1906. She joinedNorth Star Lodge #106 on May 17, 1949, and receivedher 50-year pin in 1999. She is survived by 4 children, 7grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

HAROLD E. “BUD” BIRCH of Ventura, CA, passedaway November 1, 2008. He was a member of Oak LeafLodge #685 and Northern Light Lodge #620, where heserved as Chairman and held other offices. He is sur-vived by his wife of 27 years, Betty, a brother, 3 daugh-ters, 2 step-daughters, 1 step-son, and several grandchil-dren and great-grandchildren.

MONICA EISERLING passed away in Tucson, AZ,May 17, 2008. She was born in Sweden on June 9,1937, and joined North Star Lodge #106 in January1983. She is survived by her daughter Ingrid and sonErik.

INGRID WISTROM HERINK, a 20-year member ofSierra Kronan Lodge #737 in Roseville, CA, passedaway in Michigan near her daughter, on November 8,2008. She was a grammar school teacher until 1983.Ingrid was born October 30, 1921, ’at sea’ north ofScotland on the Danish Liner “Frederick the 8th” boundfor America. She is survived by 2 children and 2 grand-children.

HAZEL HULTBERG passed away in Poway, CA,May 14, 2008. She was born in Los Angeles, CA, onOctober 19, 1925, and joined North Star Lodge #106 onJune 17, 1941. She is survived by 8 children and grand-children.

WALTER REINHOLD JOHNSSON passed away inNovato, CA, June 21, 2008, at age 91. He was born inKingsburg, CA, on October 30, 1916, and joined NorthStar Lodge #106 on November 8, 1932. Watler had thetitle “Mr. North Star” taking care of the finances of thelodge for many, many years. He leaves his wife Lois,daughters Barbara and Gail, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

ELSIE LIVENGOOD of Ventura, CA, passed awayNovember 11, 2008. She was a dual member ofNorthern Light Lodge #620 and Norden Lodge #684.She received her 40-year pin in the late 1990s, wasCultural Chairman and a Past Chairman by Degree. Sheleaves behind her loving husband of 61 years, John, abrother, daughter, son and grandson.

JAMES A. MOORE passed away in Los Angeles, CA,March 8, 2008. He was born in Washington State onFebruary 23, 1919, and joined North Star Lodge #106on March 8, 2002. He is survived by his wife Virginiaand 1 son.

JOHN OLSON, member of Balder Lodge #343,Ferndale, CA, passed away December 9, 2008. He wasborn in San Rafael, CA, on August 2, 1927, and was aresident of Humboldt County for much of his life. Hewas lodge chairman when he passed away. He is sur-vived by his wife Mabel, 2 sons, 2 daughters, andgrandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

JEANNINE PETTERSSON passed away in LosAngeles, CA, August 15, 2008. She was born inMontreal, Canada, on April 3, 1925, and joined NorthStar Lodge #106 on April 4, 2000.

KNUT OLAV PETTERSSON passed away in LosAngeles, CA, February 3, 2008. He was born inSundsvall, Sweden, on April 18, 1920, and joined NorthStar Lodge #106 on April 4, 2000.

DR. ÅKE SANDLER passed away in Los Angeles,CA, January 2, 2008, at the age of 94. He was born in

MEMORIAL NOTICESshould be mailed with check or moneyorder to: Marie Carlson, 9560 CurberryDrive, Mentor, OH 44060. The fee is $8.00for 1 column inch. Longer obituarieswill be charged a flat rate of $25.00. Allnotices MUST be typed and WRITTEN ina format similar to those in this column.NO newspaper clippings.

GLYD - USA, CanadaLynda Ann Smith

Born in Chicago in 1946, I now reside in Northwest Indiana, a bedroom communityof Chicago. As a little girl, I lived in the city until I was 10 years old when we madethe move to the suburbs. My Swedish heritage comes from my mother’s side of thefamily. From very early on, I always experienced the wonderful cooking of my mormorand her sisters on the holidays. My mother made sure that Swedish music alwaysplayed in our home. My grandparents had belonged to a Swedish lodge at one timebefore they retired to California and I remember going to dances and learning the

schottische and hambo from my uncles. These are wonderful memories! My morfar even bought me an accor-dion when I was eight years old so that I could learn to play the old dance tunes. Interestingly, the town whereI went to high school was populated by mostly Dutch families, and seeing my blond hair, people I met alwaysassumed that I was Dutch too. I was always quick to correct their misconceptions and let them know that I wasSwedish!

After college, I became a Biology/Science teacher in a very large high school district where I grew to loveworking with the young people there. I always took pride in teaching about the very logical taxonomic systemof classification of living things that was developed by Carl Linnaeaus. I married a non-Swede and we hadthree children. We would take them to events in an IOV lodge my parents had found. Through the IOV Ibecame acquainted with some very active Swedes who were also involved in Vasa lodges and this led me toinvolve my three children in Solstrålen #17. I was thrilled to find how much they were learning and how manyfriends they made. It opened up a whole new avenue of activities and a way for our entire family to learn aboutand share many exciting aspects of Swedish culture; my Irish/German husband even learned to sing the songswith our children! As a result of this involvement, I was invited to join Siljan Mora Tuna Lodge #134 by Stenand Nancy Hult in 1987.

In 1988, we took a trip of a lifetime and spent six weeks touring Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany andIreland with our children and my parents. On arriving home I was quite surprised to be asked to take over asmusical director for the children’s Club because their director had resigned. I did accept and was successfulthrough the help and support of the club leader (Britt Nilsson) and the pianist (Carol Ericson Combis).

By the late 90’s we had moved to Indiana and my children had all grown up. Our eldest daughter Lynneagraduated from Valparaiso University with a degree in Music Education and was the perfect choice to pick asthe director of a new group here in Indiana which we formed in 2001 – we called it Nordikids #208 – and Itook over as the Club supervisor. In 2006, I assisted the parents of all of our children members, and theirextended families, to form a new local VOA lodge; we named it Nordik Folk Lodge #761.

I became the DYS (District Youth Supervisor) for District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 in 2004.Additionally, I am the GLYD for the USA and Canada since my appointment by GM Rolf Bergman in 2006.Thus I now hold the same kind of job at all three levels of Vasa.

My greatest hope is to create a network of all Vasa members who share my passion for youth whereby wecan pool our collective knowledge of Swedish culture (from history to modern events) and use this as the basisfor educating and creating enthusiasm in our young members…knowing that they will one day become leadersof the Vasa Order!

Lynda Ann Smith

Announcing the Grand LodgeChildren’s Club Seminar/Workshop

The Grand Lodge is sponsoring a Workshop for all Children’s Club Leaders and all DistrictLodge Youth Supervisor during the weekend of July 17-19, 2009 in Alsip, IL.

The goal is to bring all of our Clubs to the ‘same page’ and to allow their leaders to learn from one anotherand bond as a group. This seminar address important issues facing our Children’s Clubs. We hope the resultwill be that all Club Leaders and Youth Supervisors are energized and excited to return to their respectiveClubs with renewed enthusiasm for engaging the children of those Clubs to share our rich Swedish/Nordicculture.

In addition to the Workshop plans include a tour of Chicago and a visit to the Swedish American Museum inthe Andersonville neighborhood.

All active Children’s Club leaders and District Lodge Supervisors have been formally invited to attend.

If you worked with a club in the past, are interested in learning how to start one in your lodge or region, orare just interested in ways to share your Swedish heritage with children and youth, please consider attend-ing the workshop and please contact me so that I may help with the process.

Respectfully submitted,Lynda Ann SmithGrand Lodge Youth Director Email: [email protected]: 219-923-8777

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