VasastjärnanPublication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICAPublication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA

THE VASA STARTHE VASA STARVasastjärnan

MEB-E Art Björkner MEB-W Ed Netzel MEB-M Sten Hult MEB-S Ulf Alderlöf MEB-C Ken Banks VGS Gail Olson

GS Joan Graham VGM Tore Kellgren GM Bill Lundquist GT Keith Hanlon

JULY-AUGUST 2010www.vasaorder.comJULY-AUGUST 2010www.vasaorder.com

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters,I humbly and proudly accept the most prestigious office as

Grand Master of the Vasa Order and thank you for graciouslyelecting me. I assume this office with excitement and muchenthusiasm but well aware of the challenges ahead. I amgrateful and truly appreciative of your confidence in my abilityto lead the Order for the next four years. I pledge to you that Iwill do my utmost to fulfill the goals I have set for this term.These include but are not limited to goals in the followingareas: Improvement in transparency between the Grand Lodgeand the membership, Preservation of the Swedish language,Restoration of the scholarship program and the Vasa NationalArchives, and Stimulation of available cultural programs for alllocal lodges via a complete upgrade of the Audio VisualLibrary. All of these goals and many more need to be accom-plished at a time when the budget has been reduced and evenmore help will be requested from all of us individually.

A talented group of Vasa members has been elected toserve on the Grand Lodge Board and it is my pleasure to wel-come them and congratulate them: Vice Grand Master, ToreKellgren, Grand Treasurer, Keith Hanlon, Grand Secretary,Joan Lindquist-Graham, Vice Grand Secretary, Gail Olson,Board Members – Art Bjorkner, Eastern Region, Sten Hult,Midwest Region, Ed Netzel, Western Region, Ken Banks,Canada and Ulf Alderlof, Sweden. Together we will work tomake this an awesome term.

A sincere thank you to PGM, Rolf Bergman and DistrictLodge Pennsylvania No 9’s Convention Committee for a wellrun 37th Grand Lodge Convention and the fabulous arrange-ments in the US Capital, Washington DC. July 4th, the birth-day of the United States was an exciting time to celebratetogether in the city so rich with the history of the country.Sheila and I enjoyed the fellowship of so many friends fromacross the US, Canada and Sweden.

Fund raising will be more important now than at any timein Vasa’s history. I am excited about the potential within eachand every one of our members. We all want to see the VasaNational Archives in Bishop Hill, IL able to maintain services.You will soon be receiving information regarding an annualfundraising campaign, “The Ever Living Julgrans.” I urge youin advance to donate generously to this annual campaign. Youwill also be asked to reach deep for the scholarship program.Many Vasa members have benefited from our scholarship pro-gram as they achieved success in advanced education. I knowwe are about to enter a season of increase in this area. Weare all about to experience amazing, unprecedented successin fund restoration. I want us to reach higher as we rebuild thenamed scholarships as well as develop new ones.

The foundations of our existence are the same today as

they were when we were founded in 1896, promoting our cul-tural heritage and providing a program of social fellowship.We have suffered losses by death but many from lack of inter-est. I plan to put programs in place to give you ideas to helpkeep your current members interested and active as well asmake more interesting to potential members. New membersbring in new enthusiasm, new ideas and new workers.

Scandinavians are no strangers to challenges. One suchchallenge for all of us over the next four years is the reducedbudget to The Vasa Star. A new committee has been createdto determine the best solutions. The next issue will be for Oct.,Nov. and Dec. More information will be printed regarding theVasa Star in that issue.

Your help is vitally needed for the Order and its programsto be even better and stronger. I urge you to share with meyour positive thoughts, ideas and suggestions regarding howwe can further our Order and help our fellow members. Onceagain, thank you for your support and confidence. I will do mybest to uphold the principles of our Order, generosity, truthand unity for in unity there is strength. Our new motto for thecoming term is “Preservation of Unity.” Let’s work togeth-er over the next four years to achieve amazing successthrough unity!

Bill Lundquist, Grand Master

Kära Vasa bröder och systrar!Jag känner mig både ödmjuk och stolt över att kunna

acceptera den mest prestigefyllda befattningen man kanerhålla inom Vasa Orden och vill varmt tacka Er för att nivalde mig. Jag tar denna befattning med spänning och medstor entusiasm men är samtidigt väl medveten om vilket ansvardet innebär och de utmaningar som jag har framför mig. Jagär mycket tacksam och uppskattar det förtroende som erlagtsmig, att kunna leda vår Orden under de nästa fyra åren. Jagförpliktar Er att jag kommer att göra mitt bästa för att fullgörade mål jag satt under den här 4-års perioden. Dessainkluderar, men är inte begränsade till, följande områden:Förbättrad kommunikation mellan Storlogen ochmedlemmarna, bevarandet av det svenska språket,återställande av stipendier och Vasa Arkivet samt merstimulerande kulturella program som skall finnas tillgängligaför alla lokala loger via en förbättring av det audiovisuellabiblioteket. Alla dessa mål och många fler behöver fulländasunder en tidsperiod då vår budget har reduserats så även merhjälp kommer att behövas från oss allihop.

Endast första paragrafen är översatt p g a att det inte finnstillräckligt med utrymme.

Note: Only the 1st paragraph is translated due to lack ofspace.

Bill Lundquist

The GrandMaster’s Message

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 3

THE VASA STAR JULY-AUGUST 2010

Cover:The newly elected Executive Grand Lodge Executive Board at the GrandLodge Convention in Washington DC, July, 2010.

De nyvalda Storlogemedlemmarna under Storlogens möte i Washington DC iJuli, 2010.

Pictures for Cover and Collage by: Tore Kellgren, Svea Lodge #348and Steve Farrow, Miami Lodge #554

THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020)July-August 2010

Vol. 103, No. 4, Serial 849

HEADQUARTERS:c/o Joan GrahamGrand Secretary5838 San Jose AvenueRichmond, CA 94804Phone: 510-526-5512E-mail: vasajlg@aol.com

Grand Master:Bill Lundquist1456 Kennebec Rd.Grand Blanc, MI 48439Home Phone: 810-695-3248Cell Phone: 810-845-5065E-mail: wmlund1@aol.com

Editor:Marie Carlson9560 Curberry DriveMentor, OH 44060Phone: 440-255-4665E-mail: mariec@swedes-r-us.com

Circulation Manager:(Address Changes)Cathy Anderson13194 N. Woosnam WayOro Valley, AZ 85755Phone: 520-219-9433E-mail:circulationvasastar@gmail.comSend bottom section of white copy ofapplication for new members to her.

Membership Chairman:OPEN

Orders for advertising should be sent to:THE VASA STARMarie Carlson9560 Curberry DriveMentor, OH 44060Phone: 440-255-4665E-mail: mariec@swedes-r-us.com

THE VASA STAR (ISSN 0746-0627) ispublished by the Vasa Order ofAmerica. Periodicals postage paid atRichmond, CA, and additional entries.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 $150.00One 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

AN IMPORTANT REMINDERPlease 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!Don’t forget “Kids Corner!”

IN MEMORIAMPlease read instructions on how to send and pay for Obituaries.

Deadlines for The Vasa Star:October/November/December is September 1stDeadline for Christmas ads is October 1st

Price for Xmas Greetings – $30.00 column inch

Deadline for Lucia articles is December 24Picture and article, 200 words or less.

CORRECTIONS for the May-June 2010Issue of The Vasa Star

New Members as listed on page 19. Correct spelling: Christel Avenhall-Harding,Dawn Lagerqvist, Emily Shahbaz and Åsa Wrammerfors.

Submitted by: Ed Hultgren, Chair, Svea 253

Branting Lodge is in DL Alberta #18, lodge located in Calgary. The #417 lodgebelongs to DL 18 and not 17.

“Remembering Ellis Island” As an immigration attorney assisting people toimmigrate to the USA and obtain U.S. citizenship, I was delighted with the“Remembering Ellis Island” article by Agneta Nilsson. However, there was anerror contained in the article. Felix Frankfurter became a Justice of the U.S.Supreme Court, the highest court of the land and a court for which the ‘judges’ arecalled ‘justices.’ My grandparents came through Ellis Island. I’m grateful for theirpioneering spirit and drive.

Submitted by: Beryl Valien Bergquist [Farris professionally], Beryl Farris LLCImmigration Law

1986 Montreal Rd., Tucker GA 30084

Page 4 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Archives News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Swedish Language Lessons 24. . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Grand Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

District Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Pictures from the DC Convention. . . . . . . . 12

Swedish News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Missing Family Links

Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20The Royal Wedding (Swe and Eng)Logen Skövdes kommande 60-års jubileumBalboa ParkI utvandrarnas spårScandinavian Heritage Festival

Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22WeddingBirthday

Welcome To Our New Members. . . . . . . . . 23

Please Meet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Mona Rosell

Thank You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

In Memory of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Phyllis Johnson

In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Kids Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

PAGE 16

PAGE 27

Letter from the Editor

Brev från Redaktören

Jun 21st marked the date of the summer solstice here in the north, a timethat has been celebrated by many cultures throughout the year. It is alsoknown as Midsummer. The ancient structure Stonehenge is in honor of thesummer solstice, as hundreds of people gather at sunrise to see how the mon-ument honors the sun. Swedes honor this time of year by making and dancingaround the midsummer pole. Hopefully we will continue to teach this specialkind of celebration to future generations.

Before Midsummer, on June 19th, there was another very special celebra-tion when Crown Princess Victoria married Daniel Westling. You were ableto watch this historical event live on TV in Sweden, and here in the USthrough the computer. As I was watching, it brought tears to my eyes. Iremember so vividly when King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia got mar-

ried, another fond memory.July has past and so has the Grand Lodge Convention in Washington DC. It coincided with the

USA celebration of its birthday, the 4th of July. Many people were in town, and it was a wonderfulexperience to be able to sit near the Potomac River, watching the fireworks above the LincolnMemorial and the Washington Monument. It was a breathtaking experience.

Mt. Vernon, President Washington’s home, was another special experience I will always treasure.What made it an extra fond memory to experience was that my family, including my sister, were withme.

We have a new Grand Lodge Executive Board and I am confident that they will do their utmost tocontinue working for the Orders best interest and keep it strong. In order to do so there are a few bud-get cuts along the way; one of them has to do with The Vasa Star. There will be more informationregarding this in our next, Oct-Nov-Dec issue.

August is here and “surströmmings” parties as well as crayfish parties come to mind, another cele-bration that will create fond memories

At the very end of this issue, you will find a page entitled Kids Corner. Please encourage yourchildren, grand children, and great grand children to submit something for publication to the nextissue of The Vasa Star. We will have a drawing, and the person who submits the winning entry willbe awarded a cake from The Postcake Company! Remember children are so creative and full of ideas!As children, we have the opportunity to explore our talents pretty much any way we want, a privilegedenied many!

Marie“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

- Pablo Picasso, artist

Den 21:a juni markerade datumet för sommarsolståndet här i de norra delarna, en tid som harfirats av många kulturer genom åren. Det är också känt som Midsommar. Den forntida strukturenStonehenge är byggt för att hedra sommarsolståndet, hundratals människor samlas vid soluppgångenför att se hur monumentet hedrar solen. Svenskarna hedrar denna tid på året genom att göra och dansarunt midsommarstången. Förhoppningsvis kommer vi att fortsätta lära ut denna speciella typ avfirande till framtida generationer.

Strax före Midsommar, den 19:e juli, var det ett annat väldigt speciellt firande som ägde rum ochdet var när Kronprinsessan Victoria gifte sig med Daniel Westling. Du kunde titta på denna historiskahändelse “live” på TV i Sverige och här i USA på datorn. När jag tittade på detta, kom tårarna. Jagminns så väl när Kung Carl XVI Gustaf och drottning Silvia gifte sig, ett fint minne.

Juli har kommit och gått, likaså Storlogens möte i Washington DC. Detta pågick under det attUSA firade sin födelsedag, den 4:e juli. Många människor besökte stan och det var en fantastiskupplevelse att kunna sitta vid Potomac floden och titta på fyrverkerierna ovanför Lincolnsminnesmärke och Washington Monumentet. Det var en hisnande erfarenhet.

Mt Vernon, President Washington hem, var en annan väldigt speciell upplevelse, något jag alltidkommer att hålla kärt. Det blev ett extra speciellt minne att uppleva alla dessa saker eftersom jag hademin familj och min syster med mig.

Vi har en ny styrelse inom Storlogen och de kommer att göra sitt bästa för Ordens välbevarandesamt att göra den stark. För att kunna göra detta kommer det att bli några budgetnedskärningar, ochnågra kommer att ha att göra med Vasa Stjärnan. Mer information angående detta kommer att finnas ivår nästa Oct-Nov-Dec upplaga.

Augusti är här och surströmmings fester, såväl som kräftskivor kommer i åtanke, ett annat firandesom kommer att ge oss fina minnen.

I slutet av denna upplaga kan ni hitta en sida som kallas för Kids Corner, var snälla ochuppmuntra era barn, barnbarn och barnbarns barn att skicka in något för publikation till nästa, upplagaav Vasa Stjärnan. Vi kommer att ha en dragning, och personen som sände in vinnaren, kommer att fåen tårta från The Postcake Company! Kom ihåg att barn är så kreativa och fulla av idéer! Som barnhar vi tillfälle att undersöka och experimentera med våra talangar precis som vi vill, ett privilegie somförnekas många!

Marie“Varje barn är en konstnär. Problemet är hur han fortsätter att vara en konstnär, när han växer

upp.”- Pablo Picasso, konstnär

This is a continuation of the last lessons where you learned new wordsand here you will see how those words can be used in simple sentences.For this lesson you will need to refer to lesson 22. What is so cool aboutthese new words is that these are things you find around you in yourhome…everyday stuff.A good idea is, as you go about your daily chores, when you see

things that you now know the Swedish word for…repeat that word overand over again. It will stay with you when you practice your Swedishwith a friend or at a pratstund session in your lodge.

Here then are the new sentences:vardagsrummets väggar är blåa the living room’s walls are blueen fåtölj är gul one easy chair is yellowtvå fåtöljer är gröna two easy chairs are greengungstolen har en svart pall the rocking chair has a black stoolpå väggen hänger det en spegel on the wall hangs a mirrormatrummet är litet the dining room is smallsovrummet är stort the bedroom is largedet har en stor säng it has one large bedpå sängen finns det lakan on the bed there are sheetstre kuddar och tre örngott three pillows and three pillowcasestäcket är tjockt och vitt the comforter is thick and whitefilten är tunn och vit the blanket is thin and whitefönstret har en röd rullgardin the window has a red window shadeen byrå finns i sovrummet one dresser is in the bedroomden är brun it is brownbyrån har fem byrålådor the dresser has five drawershuset har många garderober the house has many closetsmånga galgar i varje garderob many clothes hangers in every closetett skrivbord står i matsalen a desk is in the dining roompå skrivbordet står det en dator on the desk is a computerbildskärmen och skrivaren stå där också

the monitor and the printer are there tooglöm inte musen do not forget the mouseYou can try changing the words to fit what you see in your own home.

Do not worry too much if you are not sure of the grammar. Concentrateon learning the new words and then the rest won’t be such a challenge.We will have a special message for you in the next issue. In the

meantime keep on working on the lessons…all 24 of them. Goodluck!

Lillemor and Richard

SwedishLanguage Lessons

By Lillemor and Richard HorngrenLEARNING SWEDISH – LESSON 24

ARCHIVES NEWS

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 5

BE IT RESOLVEDThe IssueThe archives staff and board asked the Grand Lodge last year to

review the resolution form used to record the passing of members. We feltthat the form lacks clarity and promotes confusion when it comes time tofill it out and send copies to the proper people and groups. The GrandLodge board agreed with our assessment and has asked us to redesign theform.About a year ago, we began asking lodges to include an obituary from

a local newspaper to accompany the resolution form. Many lodges havebegun to do this, and it really helps to get a fuller picture of the person.We would like to continue this practice, but still realize that the form andits instructions need an overhaul.Until the new form is created, we ask that the local lodges continue to

use the resolution form we already have. Following is a discussion of keyissues that led to our concern about the current form.The Form As IsVasa Archives protocol, by authority of the Grand Lodge, dictates that

we keep a record of members who have passed away. The form we haveused is called the Resolution Form. While the term “resolution” is usedbroadly throughout the Order to indicate a decision for action, here it maybe a half-misnomer because the title of the form does not specify to whatend the resolution is made. Furthermore, it is not clear to whom the reso-lution is directed. There is a space at the top of the form to address thedeceased person’s family, but the resolution itself – to drape the Charter,to record the passing in lodge minutes, to send a copy of the resolution tothe Vasa Archives – is actually directed to the local lodge of the memberin whose honor the form is completed.The form continues with spaces for basic information: death date,

death place, birth place, birth date, place and date of local lodge member-ship. This is followed by sections asking how the member served the locallodge, district and grand lodge, as well as honors bestowed. Finally, theresolution action itself stands at the bottom, directing that the Charter bedraped, etc. Spaces are provided for the date and place of the meeting,signatures of chairman and recording secretary, and the lodge’s seal.The form is in triplicate but nowhere does it specify where the three

copies are to be sent, other than that one copy should be sent to theArchives. Directions on earlier versions of the form explained that the topwhite copy should be sent to the family; the middle yellow copy shouldgo the Archives; and the bottom pink copy should stay with the lodge.But without directions today, it is difficult for the lodge to know whatexactly the intent of the form is.ProblemsThe Archives receives only a fraction of the forms representing mem-

bers who have passed. Those we do receive are often not fully completedand apparently not sent to the intended recipients.These outcomes compromise one of the most essential functions of the

Archives: to record activities and accomplishments of Vasa members. Ican testify that, when genealogists have sought information about theirrelatives’ life in the Vasa Order, we typically cannot tell them anythingmore than the fact of membership, and sometimes not even that. It seemsa terrible shame, if someone has served the Order for 30, 40, even 50years or more, that nothing was recorded about what they did during thatmembership. “Nothing” might be the wrong word here, but where theinformation is recorded makes it easy or difficult to find. Offices and del-egates, for example, are often recorded in the local lodge minutes, butlong spans of time and membership transfers can make that informationdifficult for the archivist or genealogist to locate.Solutions (calling all Recording Secretaries)We acknowledge the confusion of the form, its title, its intent, and we

are therefore working on revising the form so that it functions better as avehicle to transmit important information to the Archives. Meanwhile, werespectfully ask all recording secretaries and all members for assistance toredirect attention to the activities of members for the purpose of a perma-nent record.What can you do? For starters, take time perhaps during the social

hour of meetings to ask members how they have served the local lodge,district lodge, and grand lodge during their membership. Committeework, offices held, serving as delegates to district or grand lodge meet-ings, work with children’s clubs, work on key events on the calendar (forexample, Midsummer, Lucia, Smörgåsbord, Valborg, Memorial Service),work in Vasa Parks are all important contributions. Perhaps the recordingsecretary can hand out a slip of paper and ask each member to write down

things they have done during their membership. Also, each year atelection time, the recording secretary can add offices held to each appro-priate person’s record of membership. This way when it comes time to fillout the resolution form (new name forthcoming), the recording secretarycan easily see the member’s service to the Order and include it in theinformation sent to the Archives. If someone dies, and the recordingsecretary does not know how the member served, ask that person’scontemporaries to see if they remember any details to include in thepermanent record for the Archives.The Bottom LineRegardless of your feelings about filling in forms – plenty of humans,

Vasa members or not, dislike paper pushing with a passion – the resolu-tion form helps us achieve something great. Through it, we memorializethe gifts a person gave others in the Order. Maybe this is what we shouldcall the new form: Vasa Membership Memorial? It is really to the point:service to the Order is the key factor.Svensk SammanfattningEn stor och viktig målsättning för Arkivet har varit att få tillräckligt

med information om medlemmarna och hur de har tjänat Orden. Vi haren blankett vi använder i Nordamerika, som heter “Resolution Form”som logerna skall fylla i när en medlem har dött, men blanketten ärtyvärr lite förvirrande och fungerar inte så bra. Vi håller på att göra omden, men medan vi gör det, ber vi att logerna noggrant antecknar vadvarje medlem har gjort under sitt medlemskap, så att det underlättarprocessen.

Submitted by: Lars Jenner, Archivist

GRAND LODGE NEWS

The Vasa Order again experienced a deep decline during 2009. Of all districts reporting, you can see that although there were twodistricts in the Largest Percentage Gain category above, only one District had a net gain of members. All other Districts, including thesecond place winner, lost more members than they initiated. (This may seem confusing, but by rule, percentage gain does not takemembers lost due to death or members transferred to or from other Lodges into account.)We are not initiating as many new mem-bers into the Order as in past years, but most importantly; We are not keeping our members. Of the losses experienced in 2009, 29%were lost due to death and 71% dropped their membership. More members dropped their membership than we initiated.Looking forward: for the current year “Membership 2010 – A Campaign for Vasa” can be an incentive for Local and District

Lodges to create something new. New Children’s Clubs! New Activities Clubs! New Local Lodges! There are rewards for startingnew Clubs and Lodges, even though there were no such given out this time.The Grand Lodge has available a “Prospective Member Packet” and a “Welcome to New Members Packet” which can be ordered

from the Vice Grand Secretary. Order a supply today. You can also download information and an updated Member ApplicationForm from our website www.Vasaorder.com. It is important that you used the latest version of the Application Form. It includes anentry for who sponsored your new members. Almost one in five new members initiated in 2009 did not have a sponsor listed on theapplication form.Local Lodge and District Secretaries: Be sure to get those Yearly Reports turned in by the deadline, so that your Lodges will be

in the running for Cash Awards at the close of “Membership 2010 – A Campaign for Vasa”! Let’s turn this around and start anUPWARD trend! All we need to do is bring in ONE NewMember each!Awards to new Activities Clubs are subject to verification of active status at the time of the award. This is most easily accomplished

by sending in an activities report to the Grand Lodge Activities Director, Judy Rust.I congratulate all the winners to a job well done!

In Truth and Unity,Tore Kellgren – Grand Lodge Membership Chair – Membership@vasaorder.com

* The District and Local Lodge Membership Contest Rules are as follows: Percentage gain is determined by: total # initiatedminus # lost for other reasons, divided by total membership at beginning of the year, multiplied by 100. Transfers and those lostby death are not counted. New Lodges instituted are not included, nor are those due to mergers. Deadline is March 31st - DistrictSecretaries must have their reports to the Grand Secretary to be included.

Campaign ResultsMembership 2009 – A Campaign for Vasa

Congratulations to DL Golden Gate #12, LL Eskilstuna #633, LL Baltic #689, LL Olympia #550, LL Sierra Kronan #737,LL Manheim #159, LL Drott #168 and to Betty Johnson of LL Drott #168. Each has won a First Place Award in the GrandLodge Membership Contest. For the first time in many years, all five Local Lodge winners achieved a gain of 20% or more andearned a “1st Place in District” award. Again Congratulations to all the winners.

Top two winners of the District Lodge Award for the highest percentage gain* are:Rank % Gain DL Name & No. Prize1st Place: 3.0% DL Golden Gate #12 $250 and Grand Master’s Trophy2nd Place: 2.6% DL Superior #10 $200

Top five winners of the Local Lodge Award for the highest percentage gain* are:Rank % Gain LL Name & No. Prize Membership1st Place in District: 30.6% LL Eskilstuna #633, DL #19 $100 451st Place in District: 25.8% LL Baltic #689, DL #15 $100 391st Place in District: 24.1% LL Olympia #550, DL #13 $100 511st Place in District: 20.5% LL Sierra Kronan #737, DL #12 $100 461st Place in District: 20.0% LL Manheim #159, DL #10 $100 23

The winner ofMost Members Initiated Award by a Local Lodge:LL Drott #168 in DL Pennsylvania #9 by initiating 23 new members. They will receive $100.

The winners ofMost Members Sponsored Award:First Place: Betty Johnson, LL Drott #168 DL Pennsylvania #9, with 14 members. Sister Betty will receive $100.Second Place: Vivian Edeen, LL Diana Birger Jarl #3 DL Connecticut #1, with 9 new members. Sister Vivian will receive $50

Page 6 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 7

DISTRICT LODGE NEWS

New Jersey District Lodge #6 held itsannual convention in Cape May, NJ onMay 1- 2, 2010. Beautiful summer likeweather greeted the delegates and visitingmembers gathered there for Vasa busi-ness, fun and fellowship.On Saturday morning District Master

Debbie Larsson called NJ District Six’s103rd convention to order. Eighteen ofour Past District Masters were in atten-dance along with many Grand Lodge dig-nitaries, NJ Vasa Park trustees wereelected and all annual reports werereviewed and accepted in a timely man-ner. Both the Grand Master and Vice

Grand Master addressed the conventionconcerning the financial crisis facing theGrand Lodge. Their candid commentswere appreciated by the delegates.Sunday morning opened with our

Memorial service honoring members whopassed away during 2009. Prior to theelection of our officers, Vice GrandMaster Bill Lundquist and ExecutiveBoard member Pam Genelli addressedthe convention. They thanked us for ourhospitality and warm welcome. Our busi-ness session was called to order and weproceeded with election of DistrictOfficers for the 2010-2011 term. GrandMaster Rolf Bergman congratulated ournewly elected officers and thanked us forour hospitality to him and his wife,Marty. After the installation of our newofficers good wishes were extended toour new District Master Mark Bernabei,Gothiod #486. Our 103rd convention wasthen adjourned.We should encourage all Vasa mem-

bers to try to attend their District’s con-ventions either as a delegate or lodgemember at least once. It’s a great way tolearn the inner workings of our Order. Itis always a fun weekend and you couldn’task for better company.

Submitted by: Beverly Blake

DL New Jersey #6

DL Minnesota #7

NJ District #6’s newly elected District MasterMark Bernabei with his children Anthony,Alyssa and Nicholas.

The Biennial Convention ofMinnesota District #7 was held on April17th, 2010 in the lovely historic Swedishmansion, The American SwedishInstitute, in Minneapolis, MN. The meet-ing was called to order by the DistrictMaster Mae Moore of Göta Lejon Lodge#251 in Two Harbors, MN.Our Cultural Leader Donna Mae

Jensen had received reports from theLocal Lodge Cultural Leaders and shared

many interesting ways to keep up ourSwedish culture. Our District Supervisorof Children’s and Youth Clubs, JaniceLehman, stated in her report that theClubs Linnea #14 and Vasa Kornet #16were very active and are strong part ofthe future of Vasa.Installation of Officers was conducted

by our Grand Lodge Deputy GeorgeCarlson, among them new District MasterEunice Dietrich, Runeberg #137 and ViceDistrict Master Wayne Holmgren,Kronan #433.We had a Memorial Service for those

members that passed away during thepast two years.Following the meeting, PDM Mae

Moore welcomed everyone to the after-noon festivities. We enjoyed a delicious“smörgåsbord” very elegantly prepared.PDM Mae Moore presented Marion

Lindberg of Stenbock #138 her 40-yearmembership pin.Our entertainment was presented by

the American Swedish Institute’sCloudberries, a women’s choir perform-

Marion Lindberg

ing Swedish and English songs. The ASICloudberries are a part of the AmericanUnion of Swedish Singers. Their Directoris Carolyn Spargo and Thomas Spargoaccompanied on guitar, both members ofStenbock #138.Vasa friends enjoyed a very pleasant

day together.Submitted by: Sonja ThoreenPictures by: Sonja Thoreen

DL Arizona #21District Lodge Arizona #21 is plan-

ning for their Biennial Convention inPrescott, AZ, October 22-24, 2010 at theWyndham Garden Hotel. Sedona NordicRed Rocks Loge #760 and ScandiaLodge #728, Prescott, are hosting themeeting jointly. The theme chosen is“Honor Our Nordic Heritage” and willspotlight the many achievements madeby persons of Nordic ancestry over theyears.A beautiful Scandinavian-themed quilt

made by Nordic Red Rocks memberKristin Boyes is being raffled by the twolodges, along with other selected objects.The district officers are planning a

panel discussion to cover Membership,Publicity, Cultural Programs and MeetingProcedures, with a question and answeropportunity.Our district invites anyone planning to

visit the Southwest in October to ask fora Registration Form. Contact DM VitoPantaleo at vpantaleo@myway.com.

Submitted by Pat Flippen,pataudyne@cableone.net

“Gnome Sweet Gnome,” quilt made byKristin Boyes.

LODGE NEWSNorden Lodge #1

West Hartford, CT

North StarLodge #106Los Angeles, CA

Elaine’s Restaurant in Newington, Ct.was the scene of our Norden Lodge # 1luncheon/meeting. Presided over andarranged by our New/Past ChairmanLinda Steinmiller. The event was wellattended by many loyal Norden and Vasamembers. Our invited guests includedGLD Lilja Strazinskis, DM PaulLjunggren, VDM Art Ogannoski, PDMRobert E. Johnson.Following a delicious meal, we stood

to recite the Pledge of Allegiance and tosing, “Du Gamla Du Fria” as we salutedboth the American and Swedish flags.We then proceeded with our meeting ofwhich time Linda informed us of thenumerous upcoming events at Vasa Parkin Meriden.The bus trip to Budd Lake in New

Jersey on Sept. 5th was brought to ourattention as were many other events,namely in Rhode Island and in theDistrict. Ct Dist Historian Robert E.Johnson then displayed an old 1920’spicture of Norden members’ hopingsomeone from that era might berecognized by one or more of ourattendees.After a few hours, the crowd began to

disperse, and, although dark clouds anddampness engulfed the outside, weindeed enjoyed a rather “sunny” dayinside, thanks to our chairman who socapably provided us with a lovely after-noon. “Tack så Mycket!”

Text by: Marion T. FernquistSubmitted by: Linda Steinmiller,

Chairman

It is time to relate a bit of North StarNews. We are still ‘hanging in there’after 103 years of age! Chairman ErikLindberg and wife Birgit are always earlyto open the doors of our place of meeting.Major business included: The by-lawswere re-read and are in the process ofrevision.CL Eleonora Nyren and I had the

opportunity to travel to Las Vegas withContinued on page 8

Page 8 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Thule Lodge #127Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY

Hello from Thule Lodge #127 in theJamestown/Bemus Point, NY area. Thuleis beginning to hold its many summerevents now that the warm weather is uponus.Friday night dinners are being held on

the first Friday of each month, with a spe-cial second choice meal. In May, Thuleheld its annual Swedish meatball dinneron a Sunday afternoon with many attend-ing. The annual Father’s Day herringbreakfast was held in June on Father's DaySunday.Chairman of the lodge Edwin

Sandberg, who also served as the NewYork District Master, welcomes all to thelodge for all meetings and events. Vicechairman Ralph Veights works along withEdwin at each activity of the lodge. Ourchaplain Diane Shaw opens each meetingwith a message to all, reminding all to"visit those members who are ill." Specialthanks goes out to Donna Sandberg for herefforts in keeping in touch with the illmembers, and Donna said that she recentlyhad to get a new little black book for thatpurpose since her old one used for 32years wore out. Our secretary LucileMarsh keeps minutes of each meeting, andlong time treasurer Alberta Nelson keepsour financial records.The lodge is having some renovations

completed under the leadership of pastchairman Robert Fuller. Painting, flooring,and wallpapering are improving theappearance of the interior of the lodge.

the Mayflower Lodge and friends.We joined the Las Vegas Valhalla Lodgeto celebrate the Walpurgis SpringFestival. We thank the MayflowerLodge for furnishing the bus line trans-portation. It was a grand time. We allappreciated the Valhalla Lodge’sfine hospitality. Tack så mycket! Weoffer a special thanks to our great travelleaders Ann Helgren and SherylHellberg.We were honored with special Vasa

guests at our May meeting. They wereDM Bob Salk, VDM Susan Premo, DTBob Solt, DAS Nel Solt, PDM MaryEthel Pierson, PDM Jane Hendricks andPDM Thomas Jahn, also North StarDistrict Deputy.On May 1st, several North Star Lodge

members attended the Mayflower 86thAnniversary. CH Erik and wife Birgitattended the Thule Lodge 85thAnniversary party. These werememorable events.Richelle Signe Daniel received her

Bachelor of Science Degree in Child andAdolescent Development at Cal StateUniversity Fullerton on May 23, 2010.Richelle majored in Education andminored in Sociology. In addition, shewas on the Dean’s List. CongratulationsRichelle! James Michael Weldonreceived his Bachelor of Science Degreein Civil Engineering at Cal StateUniversity Fullerton on May 23, 2010.Jimmy majored in Civil Engineering. Heis employed as a Civil Engineer in SantaFe Springs. Congratulations Jimmy!Congratulations also go out toAgneta Nilsson for receiving the presti-gious Ellis Island Medal of Honor! Weare very proud of our North Starmembers.The Midsummer Festival was held on

June 27, at the Vasa Park. JenniferLarson represented the MayflowerLodge as the Midsummer Queen, she is amember of the North Star Lodge andholds the duty as the District OuterGuard.April and May were busy months.

CL Eleonora Nyren and I cruisedwith Sons of Norway members to theMexican Riviera. Next year, we willencourage Vasa members to “cruisealong,” as well.

Written by: Elinore ThorntonSubmitted by: Jeanette Engstrom,

Secretary for Valley Vikings

Thule Lodge #127 chaplain Diane K. Shaw isshown placing a carnation at the altar duringthe Memorial Day service, in memory ofdeparted members.

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 9

Tegnér Lodge #149Oakland, CA

The March meeting of Tegnér Lodge#149, Oakland, CA, was the day beforethe St. Patrick’s Day so the membersdecided to have an Irish theme for theirget-together. Charlotte Weissenborn pre-pared delicious Irish stew. Soda bread andother Irish food filled out our potluck din-ner. The cultural program was entitled“The Vikings in Ireland.” Since memberRhoda Gilbertson is a talented limerickcomposer, she told the members about theorigin of limericks and what alimerick is. Then she read several of herhumorous verses. That inspired memberJesse Lane to recite a limerick he hadcomposed about one of his co-workers,and visitor James Doyle, Sveaborg Lodge,read a poem he had written,entitled “Peace.”Ann Tennis, Cultural Leader, then told

of the Viking raids in Ireland from about750 AD until 1000 AD and their settle-ments, including Dublin and Limerick. Tofinish off the program, Rhoda read ahumorous explanation of why there are noVikings in Ireland now. The explanationconcluded that the Irish had really madethe first lutfisk for the invaders and gaveSt. Patrick credit for truly getting theVikings out of Ireland.The cultural program for our April

meeting was about Scandinavian springcustoms. Members Elsy Mattson andIngrid Andersson had made delicious sem-lor for our potluck dessert, so the cultural

The lodge meetings continue to beheld on the fourth Thursday evening ofeach month. Thanks to cultural leaderFanchon Fuller, arrangements for refresh-ments following each meeting are alwayscompleted.At the May meeting, the annual

Memorial service was held at the lodge toremember those members who passedaway in the last year. Chaplain Shaw tookcharge of the solemn ceremony, andplaced a carnation in memory of departedmembers at the altar. Following the cere-mony, chairman Edwin called for amoment of silence for remembrance.Now into its 103rd year, Thule Lodge

looks forward to a busy summer scheduleof events and activities. If you are in ourarea, we welcome you. “God Dag” to all!

Submitted by: John Sipos, LodgeHistorian

Thule Lodge #127Continued from page 8

leader gave a short review of last year’s“lecture” about semlor and Scandinavianwitches. She then explained why manySwedish almanackor (calendars) have“Våffeldagen” printed beside the March25th date. She told about the valborgsmäs-softon (Walpurgis Night) celebrations, theimportance of eggs at Easter time, andgames that the Swedes played with eggs.

Submitted by: Ann Tennis

Drott Lodge #168Washington, DC

Drott Lodge #168 continues its com-memoration of its 100th birthday. Asreported last time, the kick-off celebra-tion held on February 21 consisted of acomprehensive historical review, displaysof beautiful poster boards and memora-bilia, a panel discussion featuring fivelong-time members discussing differentaspects of life in the Lodge, and ascrumptious birthday cake.Saturday, April 17, was the time to

party. Our Gala Luncheon was held at thebeautiful Inn at Brookville Farms inBrookville, Maryland. Guests gathered inthe handsomely decorated party room forcocktails and appetizers while enjoyingthe music of well-known fiddler AndreaHoag. Master of Ceremonies ArneDunhem welcomed all and then intro-duced several people including BettyJohnson, Chair of the 100th AnniversaryCommittee; Margaret Schueman, DrottLodge Chair; Grand Master RolfBergman; and Pontus Järborg, Minister/Consul General, Embassy of Sweden inWashington. Drott member DaveLambert gave a touching anniversaryblessing, while holding in hand theSwedish bible presented to his grand-mother when she was 13 and broughtwith her to America.

Gerry Schueman, Minister/Consul General Swedish Embassy Washington Pontus Järborg,Marty Bergman, Drott Lodge Chair Margaret Schueman, Grand Master Rolf Bergman, andAnna Järborg.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony,a toast, and then a wonderful meal.Membership award pins were presentedto 35 members in attendance and morehave been mailed. A brief overview ofthe Lodge’s history was presented byHistorian Karin Frenze. The talk by fea-tured speaker Minister Järborg was enti-tled “Sweden’s Role in the EuropeanUnion and World Politics.”Wendy Olson, sister of member Julie

Olson took pictures including the 2010group photograph published here. Over400 photographs are posted to the DrottAlbum on the picasaweb.google website.As the afternoon drew to a close,

members of the Nordic Dancers ofWashington, DC, performed a variety ofScandinavian folk dances. The colorfullyattired group in their different traditionalfolk costumes was led by ChristineKalke, who explained the type andorigins of each of the dances. The lastdance, the Norwegian Oxdans, incorpo-rates wonderfully comical upper bodyand arm and hand movements as well asunique facial gestures. Many luncheonguests joined the Nordic Dancers for asecond round of the Oxdans. The smilingfaces of all showed just how much funthey were having.All things must end, even a fine day of

celebration. Chaplain Steve Foss read thetraditional closing used at Vasa meetingsand dismissed us to gather for the groupphoto. Reflecting on the occasion, ChairMargaret Schueman said: “Just as wehave studied the pictures of 100 yearsago, we hope others, 100 years from now,will study our picture and wonder howwe enjoyed ourselves. Perhaps it is muchthe same regardless of distance or time.”

Submitted by: Carol Whitley,Past Chair

Pictures by: Wendy Olson

Page 10 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Gustav VasaLodge #175San Diego, CA

On May 13 in sunny Balboa Park, SanDiego at House of Sweden cottage,Gustav Vasa Lodge #175 celebrated 100years with 45 of our closest Swedishfriends. Attending from District #15 wasDistrict Master Robert Salk, DistrictSecretary Arlene Lundquist, and GrandLodge Deputy Wayne Pierson, and BedaJohnson, chairman for the ScandinavianLodge. Several past members, children ofmembers, and many friends came to posefor a group photo, hear moving speeches,share stories, and eat from a vast smor-gasbord supplied by the host lodge.Members enjoyed sharing their day

with many happy people. Chair DorothyRodenbo was very pleased to see our oldfriends. Tore Hultgren shared the spiritand the historical intent of Vasa lodges.22 members founded Gustav V, the thirdlodge to be created in California only 14years after the first lodge was establishedon the east coast. The membership grewto over 284 by 1976, and the Lodge hadconstructed its own clubhouse in 1928(sold in the late 90s), which was themeeting place for all Swedes. It was usedfor meetings, weddings, dances and othergatherings, for our members and for thecommunity. The members look forwardto many more fruitful years of service tothe Vasa Order.

Submitted by: Carol Kerr

Grand Lodge Deputy Wayne Pierson, GustavV's Cultural Chair and centennial coordinatorLillian Norquist in vintage Vasa costume,District Master #15 Robert Salk.

Svea Lodge #253Indianapolis, IN

Svea Lodge #296Erie, PA Harmoni Lodge #472

Portland, OR

Svea Lodge #253 is pleased toannounce that we have 132 active mem-bers. Our newest member, Glen ScottClarkson, traces his ancestry to 968 A.D.in Scotland, where his Viking ancestors(yes, he’s one of us) came fromNormandy, thus demonstrating Vikingoceanic mobility.Our monthly meetings continue to fea-

ture fine programs and food. The Aprilprogram was titled, “Stockholm, Veniceof the North” and was presented by lodgemember Annette Johannson, noted sopra-no and voice teacher, the program touredthe various districts and neighborhoodsof this gorgeous, lively city and some ofits scenic archipelago on the waterwayheading eastward to the sea. Annette vis-its Stockholm regularly, partly for musi-cal research.Our May program demonstrated new

Swedish culinary ideas via a DVD bySweden’s enormously popular chef TinaNordstrom. Lodge Chairman Ed Hultgrenand wife Joella donned their toques andmade one of Chef Tina’s salads, whichwas added to our buffet table.Svea #253’s Scandinavian Movie

Club is up and running. Shown recentlywas “As it is in heaven” a Swedish filmnominated in 2005 for Best Foreign Filmat the Academy Awards.Extra effort in good programming and

interesting activities, plus contacts withothers wishing to enjoy their Swedishness with a friendly, hearty group, paysoff for Svea Lodge.

Submitted by: Wesley Hanson

At our last lodge meeting we wereboth entertained and educated. We hadfour guests – one being our speaker,Sandy Bloga, and the other three beingLabrador Retrievers. They were all partof “Canine Companions forIndependence.”This organization says that the most

advanced technology capable of trans-forming the lives of people with disabili-ties has “a cold nose and a warm heart.”From ages 8 weeks to 18 months volun-teer puppy raisers care for, provide basicobedience training and socialize the COIpuppies. Then professional instructorsteach the dog to master over 40 com-mands for 6 to 9 months before the dog

can be matched with a disabled person.There is a joyful graduation ceremony forthe puppies beginning their new journeys.They become ears, hands, and legs fortheir human partners, leading to greaterindependence and self-esteem and theybecome best friends as well.Our refreshment table carried out a

“dog theme” with decorations, tablecloth,and bone-shaped cookies in Swedish col-ors!Our lodge celebrated 96 eventful years

with a banquet, awards were presented tolongtime members and there wereChinese Auction prizes and “give-aways”of floral table decorations.

Submitted by: Linda Collin

Sandy Bloga and Canine Companions forIndependence.

In an effort to spice up the monthlysocials with variety, Harmoni Lodge#472, Portland, OR, appealed to ourmembers-at-large to chair and coordinateactivity. Ask and response comes forthwillingly at Harmoni. We were happy tobe entertained in April by our lodge spon-sored Vasa Youth Group Folk Dancers.Constant crowd pleasers in their brightblue and yellow costumes, their DirectorMary Krunnel, lead them in a dressrehearsal for us in anticipation of theirmultiple upcoming Portland RoseFestival and Midsummer parades andperformances.

Continued on page 11

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 11

May business meeting included athoughtful memorial tribute to our depart-ed members. Marjorie Stockwell sang asolo for the ceremony. That night alsofollows tradition of honoring mothers.Male members not only present eachfemale handmade floral corsages, butalso serenade with a selection ofAmerican and Swedish songs and treatwith open face sandwiches and strawber-ry shortcake! Paying homage to wifeKristi’s matriarchal legacy, Denver Jamesshowed us a personally crafted DVD ded-icated to Harmoni mothers as well.A plethora of cultural opportunities

are offered in our city and Harmoniattempts to explore other ethnicities.With a “Heel toe, Do-se-do - Come onSwedes ... Let’s go!” an exuberant groupbecame city strollers at our April Socialorganized by Vic and Alice Harris.Availing ourselves of our famed light railtrain transit system, we exited at the OldTown stop. This area was known asNihonmachi, or Japantown during theearly decades of the 20th century. Wewere enthralled with the Oregon NikkeiLegacy Center docent as he told us howthe vibrant community blossomed in a12-square block area as a cornerstone forthe Japanese community. All came to anend with FDR’s issuance of ExecutiveOrder 9066 in early 1942. All West Coastcitizens of Japanese ancestry within 200miles of the Pacific Ocean were called forinternment. Nihonmachi disappearedalong with 1680 of its inhabitants to hur-riedly constructed tarpaper barracks,guard towers and barbed wire fences untilWWII end. Our guide educated us withan examination of United States racismpredating December 7, 1941, as well ashis fascinating personal story being aninternee. Bonus add was a two blockwalk to the Japanese American HistoricalPlaza on the Willamette River waterfrontfor an in-depth look at the symbolism ofthe copper monuments and stone carv-ings of haiku (Japanese poetry). The tourgave us reason to reflect on civil liberties,past injustices, and our nation’s currentchallenge of balancing freedom withnational security. Door prizes, conversa-tion and lunch at a popular Irish pubcompleted our enjoyable multi-culturalouting.We liken our lodge to strains of child-

hood song: Oh, the more we get togetherthe happier we are!

Submitted by: Alice Harris

Harmoni Lodge #472Continued from page 10

LindberghLodge #494Palo Alto, CA

Our usual May meeting alwaysinvolves our male members. They proud-ly do all of the work to honor all of themothers and grandmothers of the club.This involves the planning, shopping,cooking, decorating, bar tending (theirnormal work shift), clean-up and moneycollecting. We mothers have a yearlyevening of just drinking, eating, dancingand gossiping. We know how to do all ofthese complex things! Thanks to the menwho so generously shower us with theirlove and affection?After the business meeting during

which contributions were showered onthe members who worked hard to makethe recent District #12 meeting a success.Also two of our long time members werehonored at that time and becameHonorary Life Members of District #12,Tore and Birgitta Kellgren. They haveserved as officers of our and our sisterlodge Svea #348 in San Jose, District #12and our also the Grand Lodge.The evening’s entertainment was

some wonderful Swedish music by fourtalented musicians Jack Haderle, HansNilson, Jerry Clements and DaveCarlson. With that old time Swedishmelodies played on the perfect instru-ments, there were soon dancers swingingand prancing around. We had a memo-rable evening of good fellowship, foodand music.

Submitted by: Muriel Nelson Beroza

Randy Anderson. Helping that eveningwere Sue Anderson, Cathy Johnson,David and Patty Christianson, YouthClub (Pride of the Family).Lars Jenner gave the program, Nordic

Myth and Folk Tale. Members weregiven Membership Awards and theBishop Hill Lodge celebrated its 42ndAnniversary. One Charter memberremains, Helen Anderson. Karl andRandy are seen in the kitchen with otherhelpers (left to right).

Submitted by: Jeff Anderson

Bishop HillLodge #683Bishop Hill, IL

On March 26th at 6 p.m., Bishop HillVasa Lodge held its SwedishPancakes/Pea Soup Supper. Membersenjoyed food and fellowship. The PeaSoup was made by Committee Chair KarlJohnson and the Pancakes were made by

NordenLodge #684

Fresno, CA

Many of our members of NordenLodge #684 enjoyed an afternoon andevening celebrating “Valborgs-mässoafton.” In Sweden, spring is greet-ed in song by white-capped universitystudents. The name Valborg, whichoccurs on the first day of May in theSwedish calendar, commemorates a saintof that name who died in Germanyaround 776. On the day of Valborg inearlier times it was customary to say amass in her honor, and“Valborgsmässoafton,” which falls on theday before, signifies the eve of the massor “mässa.” The old superstition of witch-es being astir on this night may haveoriginated the tradition of building hugebonfires, because the fluttering flameswere supposed to chase them away.For the past 13 years our dear member

Marci Johansson has invited the entirelodge to her lovely home in YosemiteLakes, Coarsegold, and Ca for this cele-bration in May. This is the first year wehave celebrated this event without JimJohansson her beloved husband whopassed away earlier this year. Jim wasalways ready to sing (from memory)songs in Swedish for our enjoyment.To complete the festive occasion was

Lennart Kullberg playing his accordion.Songbooks would then be passed out and

Continued on page 12

Page 12 Vasa Star July-August 2010

JubileumLodge #755Madison, WI

Our April 11, 2010 program was areview of our newly digitized photoalbums. Though our lodge is just 14 yearsold this November, our Historians havetaken about 1500 pictures, with the 1000of them prior to 2006 kept in four photoalbums.As in a family, a Local Lodge’s pho-

tographs are a treasure that is all too easi-ly taken for granted. We take pictures ofpeople at events we swear we’ll neverforget, but time has a way of robbing us.We realized that members were movingaway and passing on, and with them wewere losing our own history. So wedevoted our April program to goingthrough the albums and filling in some ofthe missing names.In a weak moment, I suggested it

would be “easy” to scan the photos in thealbums, so we could project them withour new computer projector. I spent sev-eral solid days scanning, and our LodgeChairman, Gunnard Swanson, came tomy aid and took on one of the threealbums himself. “That was a lot of work,”he said, in a typically Swedish under-statement.Then I had to face another problem.

“How am I actually going to show 1500pictures at a Lodge meeting?” A busi-ness client came to the rescue. “UsePicasa 3.6. It’s free from Google.The meeting itself was a delight. I

could flip between whole pictures andfaces on the computer, while peoplespoke out, “I remember that!” “Who’sthat?” “That’s Frances!” “No it isn’t!”“Let’s see the other pictures of Frances!”“I guess it is Frances!” We ran over ourallotted time, and still only looked at a

Swedish “Stuga” Birdhouse by PhyllisPeterson given as gifts.

few hundred of the older pictures, but wehad a lot of fun and a lot of memories.And isn’t that the idea?One of our favorite annual traditions is

our “Pea Soup, Pancakes, and Proverbs”meeting, held in 2010 on Thursdayevening, May 6.As always, we ended the evening by

swapping Swedish sayings and jokes. Butfirst, Hans Fride, our Cultural Leader,explained why Swedes eat pea soup,especially on Thursdays, and shared afew interesting pea-soup facts. The tradi-tion probably began in the 15th century,when Sweden was still Catholic, andThursday pea soup was a filling prepara-tion for the Friday fast. During Sweden’smilitaristic era (16th-18th centuries), peasoup was a staple of the Swedish army,since dried peas were nutritious and easi-ly prepared in the field. But pea soup sup-pers don’t always end well. King ErikXIV ate his pea soup and died—possiblypoisoned. A recent chemical analysis ofthe King’s remains (the pea soup is longgone!) showed traces of arsenic, but notenough to be fatal. It’s still a mystery.And during World War Two, the nationalgovernment of Per Albin Hansson and hisadvisors met every Thursday night forpea soup, punch, and a game of bridge.Our lodge sent four delegates to the

Lake Michigan District Lodge #8Convention in Michigan City, Indianafrom May 14-16, 2010.We would like to thank Nordik Folk

Lodge #761 for hosting the convention.Special thanks go to Lynda and HerbSmith for their work with the NordikidsChildren’s Club. The participation of theNordikids throughout the Convention,including the singing and dancing on

Red RockLodge #760Phoenix, AZ

This spring our lodge is deep intoplanning District Lodge Convention inOctober, one we’ll host with ScandiaLodge of Prescott. We anticipate meetingsouthwestern Vasa folk. Early in the yearour charter was draped for DeannaFrench. Then the cultural programs of ourgroup continue to enhance our apprecia-tion for the old country. Marge and AllenLarson shared memories of a trip toSweden, Norway, and Denmark, showingphotos on our fine new projector. Theywere based in Växjo, the town with theemigrant archives, and traveled out see-ing places of their ancestors and visitingrelatives. The next month SalCarlomango told of sport fishing inSweden over the years, trips that includedtracking into glacial streams above thearctic circle. He had fished on the Balticfor native salmon, cod and flounder aswell as the netting of that delicacy ofsouthern Sweden, smoked eel. Anotherdenizen of the deep, the great white sharkreaches its northern range there. Then inApril we enjoyed Vito Panteleo’s pro-gram: Nordic Music with a wide rangefrom Abba to Sibelius. So we heard hisFinlandia and Grieg’s Piano Concerto inA Minor and some of Peer Gynt, then onto Abba’s Dancing Queen which led intothe hambo music where some memberscould show their talents at doing thedance. Vito even gave a nod to the ItalianMario Nascindene’s score for TheVikings program. Members signed a“Grattis” card to our sister lodge inEnköping on its 50th Anniversary. Ournew member, Tamela Swanson, was wel-comed and Diane Gentry thanked for heryears as Treasurer. Now we will continueconvention planning which involves allof us.

Submitted by: Nadine Murphy

Friday night, the flag ceremony to openthe meeting on Saturday morning, andadditional entertainment at the banqueton Saturday night warmed our hearts.The children in our group thoroughlyenjoyed the Saturday kids’ program. Wewould also like to thank Linnea Ogrentzfor chairing the organizing committee forthe convention. You have set the barhigh, Nordik Folk #761, as we knew youwould. Congratulations on a job welldone, and thank you for your hospitality!

Submitted by:Robert Merrill, Historian

Norden Lodge #684Continued from page 11

we would join Jim singing some oldiesbut goodies. This year the songbookswere passed around and we all sangaccompanied by Lennart but we missedJim. He was definitely there in spirit.This event wouldn’t be complete with-

out a wonderful smorgasbord providedby all the members, and to keep with theSwedish tradition a roaring bonfire wastended by Jim and Marci’s son. Lots ofgreat memories were made this day!

Submitted by:Carole Ann Sell, Historian

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 13

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Page 16 Vasa Star July-August 2010

LogenHöganäs Nr 634

LogenEnköping Nr 646

SWEDISH NEWS

Under kulturmöte den 17 april 2010var vi 47 ordenssyskon som samlades påHemgården i Viken. Vår O Sy EvyLindstrand hälsade oss alla välkomna.Ballotering hölls för 7 st. kandidater,

som samtliga inröstades. KL SyIngrid Berg berättade om Påskfirandet iUSA och LH Br Gunnar Lindstrandblickade tillbaka på forna tiderslogemöte.Mötet avslutades med ljussläckn-

ingsceremonin och salen iordningställdestill kvällens efterkapitel.Borden dukades upp i de skånska

färgerna och vi hittade snart till våraplatser där vi skulle sitta. Vi åt en utsöktpåskbufé som bestod av ägg, sill, bröd,Janssons frestelse och mycket mera.Eftersom Logen Höganäs Nr 634

firade 55-årsdag blev det tårta till kaffet.Underhållning fick vi av Bengt-ÅkeBengtsson från Heagården. Han berättadeom vårt vackra Skåne, varvat med sångoch historier.Vårt Sverige-Amerikamöte hölls, som

vanligt i Vikens Hemgård, lördagen den12 juni 2010 och vi var 65 vasasyskonsom hade samlats. I år hade vi, precissom i fjol, besök av Br Bertil Winther,ordförande i Lodge Golden Valley Nr616, Kalifornien, USA. Gäster frånLogen Kärnan Nr 608 i Helsingborg ochfrån Logen Nybyggarna Nr 698 i Ängel-holm hälsades också välkomna av vår OSy Evy Lindstrand och högtidsmötet öpp-nades enligt ritual.Vi hade reception för sju nya medlem-

mar och vi hälsade alla hjärtligt välkom-na till Logen Höganäs Nr 634. En stilfullfanparad utfördes av Br Kenneth Nilsson,

Sy Birgit Olsson, Br Kjell och Sy GertrudGreen och prologen till fanorna lästes avSy Maj-Lis Friedman.Vår O Sy Evy Lindstrand blev

framkallad till altaret av vår DD Br AlfNilsson som överlämnade PC- märket tillhenne. KL Ingrid Berg läste upp häl-sningar från några loger och LH BrGunnar Lindstrand berättade om ettSverige-Amerikamöte från den 2 juli1983.Mötet avslutades med den sedvanliga

ljussläckningsceremonin. Bordendukades till högtidsbankett och till toner-na från Mats Nilsson enmansorkesterintogs traditionsenligt kokt lax med till-behör samt jordgubbar med glass ochgrädde. Under desserten talade KL SyIngrid Berg till de nya medlemmarna ochBr Bengt Nilsson höll ett trevligt tacktalför alla sju.Dansen började efter en stund och gol-

vet fylldes snabbt. Efter den sedvanligalottdragningen med många fina vinstervar det tid för årets stordragning avdrömvinsten, 5.000 kr. Den lyckligavinnaren blev Berit Bogren.

Insänt av: Ingrid Berg, KL

Under lördagen den 10 april firadelogen Enköping Nr 646 sitt 50-årigajubileum på Odd Fellows lokal iEnköping. Till kvällen hade ca 85ordenssyskon från Sundsvall i norr tillLidköping i söder kommit för att deltaga.Gästerna representerade ca 11 olika logeri Sverige.Under mötet överlämnade ordförande

Karl-Erik Axelsson 50-års märken tillAlan och Ingrid Tammerfors, Thore ochKerstin Gryse samt Inga-Britt Nyberg.De har under de 50 åren de varit medlem-mar visat ett stort stöd för logens arbeteoch har med sina erfarenheter formatlogens intresse av den kulturella kontak-ten mellan Sverige och USA.Vid mötet deltog från Storlogens

Exekutiva Råd för Sverige Tore Tellbergsamt Distriktsmästaren för Norra SverigeNr 19 Einar Salovainen-Grön. UnderDistriktsmästarens tal framförde han sinagratulationer och konstaterade att hanaldrig närvarat när man utdelat 50-årsmärken till sammanlagt femordenssyskon som fortfarande var aktivainom verksamheten. Många andra

KL Ingrid Berg med den amerikanska gästenO Bertil Winther.

ordenssyskon passade också på att fram-föra sina gratulationer till logenEnköping Nr 646 och påtalade vilkentrevlig atmosfär det är i denna loge, att dealltid känner sig varmt välkomna när debesöker logen.Från Logen Engelbrekt Nr 619 som

även är faddersloge till Logen EnköpingNr 646 framförde ordförande Britt-MarieKarlsson, logen Engelbrekt Nr 619svarma lyckönskningar och överlämnadetelegram samt ett paket som minne fördenna stora dag.Logen Enköping Nr 646:s sekreterare

Elisabeth Agge uppläste sedan inkomnatelegram med gratulationer till logenshögtidsdag. Nämnas kan att gratulationerinkommit från Hans Majestät Konungensamt Drottningen, Kommunfullmäktigesordförande i Enköping kommun, JessikaVilhelmsson tillsammans med kommu-nalråd Anna Wiklund, gratulationsbrevfrån Linde loge Nr 492 samt DesertViking loge Nr 682 samt ett antallokalloger i Sverige.Kvällen forsatte med middag under

vilken logens ordförande Karl-ErikAxelsson överlämnade en bukett blom-mor till logens chartermedlemmar Ingridoch Alan Tammerfors som för femtio årsedan var med att bilda logen EnköpingNr 646.Distriktsmästaren DL 19 Einar

Savolainen-Grön framförde under sitt talvikten av att arbeta för att öka medlem-santalet och att vi tillsammans var VasaOrden av Amerika. Kvällen fortsattesedan med musikunderhållning avWiseguys som genomförde en musik-tävling med både skratt och sång innankaffet. Kvällen fortsatte sedan med dans.

Insänt av: Elisabeth Agge, PS

Lars-Åke Sjöberg, Logen MälardrottningenNr 563, Elisabeth Agge, Logen Enköping Nr646, Lennart Tyselius, Logen Upsala Nr 623och Irene Karlsson, Logen Egelbrekt Nr 619.

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 17

Logen Sundsvall har hållit vårens tra-ditionella gemensamhetsmöte med LogenHärnösand. Vid mötet lämnades enutförlig rapport från vänlogen iKalamazoo USA vars program blandannat innehöll Svensk Textil, Svenskar iTexas samt Valborgsmässofirande.Vidare noterades att Logens medlemmarnumera är medlemmar i Vasa ArkivetsVänner som är en stödorganisation förArkivet i Bishop Hill USA där bl.a.mycket emigranthistoria finns. Tremedlemmar är sedan tidigare ständigamedlemmar. Kvällens insamling gickoavkortad till Bishop Hill. Många häl-sningar och tack från både när och fjärranframfördes till logen.Efter mötet bjöds en synnerligen väls-

makande måltid där alla lät sig välsmaka. Den goda maten blandades medtrevliga allsånger och en glad och trivsamstämning spreds i lokalen och efter målti-den bjöd Riksspelman Mats Ottesen påen omtyckt musikunderhållning på flera

Våravslutningen med Logen FilbyterNr 714, blev en angenäm resa i Östergöt-lands västra delar. Med på resan var ävenmedlemmar från logen Vadstena Nr 762och logen Bråviken Nr 751, som njöt avvarandras sällskap.Den första anhalten blev på

Nationalskalden Verner von HeidenstamsÖvralid vid Vätterns strand, som byggdesoch ritades av von Heidenstam själv ochsom stod klart sommaren 1925. Då pack-ade han alla sina pinaler som fanns kvarefter tre giftemål och blev ensam om attregera fältherre på Övralid.Vasamedlemmen i logen Vadstena

och Intendenten på Övralid Per GunnarAndersson berättade bl a om närHeidenstam fångade en jättekrokodil iEgypten, den jättekrokodilen visadessenare vara en halvmeter stor och stoduppställd i biblioteket. Vi fick vidare vetaatt Prins Eugen och August Strindbergtillhörde dem som besökte Övralid.Heidenstam avled 20 maj 1940.Resan fortsatte sedan lite längre

västerut, till födelseplatsen för den väl-bekanta “Grindslantens” skapare, AugustMalmström. Det var intressant att besökaden plats där han föddes den 14 oktober1829 och tillbringade 20 år av sin tid.Nubbekulla heter gården och är enliten gårdsbildning med flyglar ca 20km väster om Motala. August är mestkänd för tavlan “Grindslanten,” ochsom för några år sedan såldes förmiljonbeloppet.Vi lämnade Nubbekulla och åkte till

LogenSundsvall Nr 705

LogenFilbyter Nr 714

Riksspelman Mats Ottesen får litet hjälp!

Continued on page 19

LogenKongahälla Nr 702“Herrarnas Afton” samlade nära 80-

talet Logesyskon med gäster, lördagenden 27 mars, i Ytterby Folkets Hus.Festkommittén bjöd på en mycket godmeny. Duon Lätt och Lagom underhöllmed sång och musik.En bussresa arrangerades till Karlstad

lördagen den 17 april, som avslutning påstudiecirkeln “Kontakt Amerika” där vigjorde ett besök på Sverige AmerikaCentret. Vi var 31 deltagare, därav 15cirkeldeltagare, 14 övriga medlemmarfrån vår loge samt två medlemmar frånLogen Göteborg Nr 452. Vi blev mot-tagna av Distriktshistoriker Br ErikGustavsson som berättade och visadebilder om bl.a. emigrationen till Amerika.Lunch åt vi här samt tittade på utställ-

ningen Värmlandsgåvan. Utställning ären unik företeelse, som skänktes tillAmerican Swedish Institute i Minneapolisår 1952, av landskapet Värmland, därgåvan visas permanent. Gåvan består avgamla redskap, konsthantverk, målningaroch textilier. Det finns även en gåva frånhela landskapet Värmland - en kopia avden brudkrona, som finns i Karlstadsdomkyrka.Hem åkte vi öster om Vänern och

stannade till på Torsö där vi besökteVisionshuset. Huset är tänkt som enmötesplats för forntid och framtid, medmånga gamla prylar och även en del nytthantverk.“Damernas Afton,” fredagen den 30

april, Valborgsmässoafton, samlades ett90-tal loge-syskon med gäster för atthälsa våren välkommen. Det var faktisktden 35:e gången som detta skedde i vårloge och denna gång var den förlagd tillYtterby Folkets Hus.Kvällen inleddes med att Vasakören,

under Sy Inger Unebacks ledning, fram-förde ett antal traditionella sånger somhör till vårens ankomst. Vårtalet, medbetoning på traditionen att fira vårensankomst, hölls denna gång av Br RolfClaesson.Kvällens musiker, Stig Sandberg,

sjöng ett antal sånger av Dan Anderssoninnan det var dags för dans.Vårmötet hölls denna gång i

Hembygdsgården Dalen, som ligger iSvartedalen, torsdagen den 13 maj, KristiHimmelsfärds Dag, med ett drygt 30-taldeltagare. I samband med detta fick vitillfälle att se de stora fina samlingarna avsåväl gamla byggnader som bruksföremålsamt deltaga i en tipspromenad medkluriga frågor.

Distriktsmötet 2011. LogenKongahälla Nr 702 har glädjen att få varavärdloge, då Distriktslogen Norra SverigeNr 19 skall ha sitt Distriktmöte den 27 –29 maj 2011. Det var 1989, alltså 21 årsedan, vi stod som värdloge för ettDistriktsmöte senast, så vi ser fram emotdetta och kommer att göra vårt bästa föratt det skall bli ett trivsamt tillfälle attträffa Logesyskon från många Loger. Vikommer att vara på Hotell Fars Hatt iKungälv, som har bra möteslokaler lik-som grupprum, bra hotellrum och restau-rang med god mat samt bra service.Kungälv är ju en relativt liten stad medf.n. ca. 40.000 innevånare, men rik pågammal historia och nära till en vackernatur.Vi önskar alla Vasasyskon hjärtligt

välkomna till oss i Kungälv!Insänt av: Rolf Claesson

Logemöte Dalen

instrument blandad med trivsamma kom-mentarer. Kvällen avslutades med kaffeoch god kaka samt dragning på kvällenslotteri där många vinnare gladde sig åtfina vinster.

Insänt av: Jan Hellsing

Page 18 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Lördagen den 17 april 2010 firades 25-årsjubileum i Parken i Trelleborg. Det var103 ordenssyskon och gäster som kom tilldetta jubileum. Anmärkningsvärt var attsex chartermedlemmar fanns närvarande.I en fullsatt logesal inleddes firandet

med ett festligt och högtidligtjubileumsmöte. Den formella dagordnin-gen avverkades, varefter framfördes häl-sningar och telegram från andra loger iSverige och genom SLD Knut Rosenkvistfick vi hälsning från StorlogemästarenRolf S. Bergman.En mycket högtidlig och stilig fanparad

genomfördes med bravur. Därefter gjordelogehistoriker Birgit Rasmussen en upp-

medlemmarna i logen Filbyter, Sy. Claireoch Br. Ola Carmefeldts sommarhus. Härbjöds vi på kaffe med nybakat kaffebröd.

En fin avslutning på dagens allaupplevelser.

Text av: Lisbeth H Qvarfordt,FDM DL 19

Foto av: Inge Hallberg,HM LL 751 SFF/BLF

Logen Filbyter Nr 714Continued from page 18

LogenTrelleborg Nr 734

Här på Nubbekulla föddes August Malmström 1829 och tillbringade 20 år av sin tidinnan det bar av till Stockholm.

Så här glada var vår DM Catherine och VDMOlle vid banketten.

LogenBråviken Nr 751

Nyvalde VDM i DL19 och F.d. ordf. iBråviken Bo Svensson, hälsar Margareta“Maggie” Ahlin Thulin välkommen som ord-förande i Logen Bråviken.

Logen Bråviken #751 har alltid varan-nan kvinna på de olika uppdragen. Så blevdet 2010 när Margareta Ahlin Thelin gickupp som ordförande för Logen Bråviken.Hon övertog den tjänsten efter BoSvensson som nu gått upp som VDM förDL 19. Maggie har då varit vice ord-förande under en treårs period. LogenBråviken, ser det som en fördel att gå denvägen. Det är mycket svårt att gå direktupp som ordföranden, utan att ha varit viceordföranden under en tid, för att på det sät-tet komma in rätt som ordförande.“Jag och min man Kurt värvades av

FDM Lisbeth H Qvarfordt 2003,” berättarMaggie, “vi var bekanta sedan en tid och

då fick vi reda på vad Vasa Orden avAmerika står för.” De ångrar verkligeninte att de gått med i Logen Bråviken ochtrivs mycket bra.När Logen Bråviken planerade sin

våravslutning blev det Runstorps Säteri,som ligger vid slutändan av sjön Roxenvid Norsholm, där Göta Kanal börjarfärderna mot Söderköping och ut motSlätbaken och Östersjön. Kanalbåtar läg-ger ofta till vid Runstorp där BaronenEddie Uggla guidar på sin gård från 1500-talet. Familjen lever här sedan släktenövertog herrgården 1933.Det blev ett mycket intressant besök vi

bjöds på. Visserligen en kall söndag menBaronen Ugglas berättade med inlevelseoch värme om den fina gården.Mottagandet var mycket högtidligt.Kanonen laddades, en så kallade trepun-daren från 1670-talet, och som blev enspännande procedur som Majoren ochlogemedlemmen Karl Westman stod för,med ingridienserna svartkrut och fördäm-pande halm. Baronen stod klar att tändaluntan som var indränkt med saltpeter ochkourin. Det blev i en riktig kanonsalut närFältherren Uggla tände på. Så blev LogenBråviken ståndsmässigt välkomnad till attgå in i det stora huset fyllt med gamla exk-lusiva målningar och byster.Besöket på Runstorp var en upplevelse

och denna resa hade anordnats avlogemedlemmarna Owe Hilding, VivekaSkott samt Monica och Ulf Andersson.Resan efter besöket på Runstorp gick

till Löfstad Slott där middagen intogs ochViveka Skott sumerade litet om LöfstadSlott och dess tillkomst.Vi önskade varandra en skön och härlig

sommar innan vi, ca 50-talet Vasa-medlemmar med gäster, skildes åt.Text av: Lisbeth H Qvarfordt, FDM DL19

Foto av: Inge Hallberg,HM LL751 SFF/BLF

skattad återblick av logens historia.Utdelning av utmärkelser skedde enligttradition. Efter en avslutning med stämn-ingsfull musik vandrade alla ordenssyskonut till en välkomstdrink och mingel.Arrangörskommittén hade utformat ett

uppskattat program för jubileumsbanket-ten, som “dirigerades” av ceremon-imästare Jan-Anders Ingvarsson.Kommunalrådet Ulf Bingsgård var en avhedersgästerna och höll ett intressant talom Trelleborg. Durfåglarna spelade upp-skattade gamla skånska visor med sinadurspel. Kvällen avslutades med dans tillBennix orkester.

Insänt av: Schmidt/OlssonFoto av: Åke Thysell

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 19

CULTUREIn the early 1960’s, my mother,

Matilda Kvarnberg, a member of BufordVasa Lodge #577 in Alberta, Canada, wasbrowsing through the Vasa Star. It was theissue containing officers of the variouslodges in United States, Canada andSweden. She noticed a Kvarnberg nameunder officers of the Trygg Lodge inMuskegon, Michigan. She asked myfather if he knew of any of his uncles whomight have immigrated to the U.S. Hereplied in the affirmative, that indeed hisfather’s brother Olof had left Swedenabout the same time, in the early 1900’s,and had landed in the Chicago area. Nocontact was ever made throughout theyears, Mother took the initiative and wrotea letter to the secretary of Trygg Lodge,suggesting that there might be some con-nection. Selma Kvarnberg was actuallypresent when the secretary read mother’sletter. She then related that her husbandOlof had mentioned the fact that his father(also Olof) had a brother Andrew (mygrandfather) who moved to Canada, butthat contact was lost.Correspondence began, which resulted

in mother and dad visiting the families inMuskegon. Selma and Olof then returnedthe gesture and came to Alberta in 1971.As well, Olof’s brother Gus and his wifeOlga visited Alberta in 1978. I too wasprivileged to meet other members of theKvarnberg family when I visitedMuskegon, Michigan in 1987. Here is alittle anecdote that I thought was ratherinteresting: Gus’s wife Olga’s maidenname was Larson – she married aKvarnberg. My maiden name wasKvarnberg – I married a Larson. I ampresently in regular contact with Gus andOlga’s son Don in Chelsea, Michigan viae-mail, and with Barbara in Colorado, whois related through Gus’s brother Andrew.One of my grandfather’s sisters,

Kirsten, also immigrated to the UnitedStates and married Andrew Leaf. Mymother and father visited them in GardnerMass. in 1958. They had two children – adaughter Eleanor and a son Russell.Would it not be interesting if one of theirfamily members would see this article andmake contact with me? That would com-plete my family history of the Kvarnbergfamily. I have records of the rest of thefamily, even in Sweden.So, thanks to the Vasa Order of

America, I was able to locate missing rela-tives!

Submitted by: Verna Larson,Skandia Lodge #549, Edmonton,

Alberta, Canada

Missing Family LinksConnected Through Vasa

HAPPENINGSDet Kungliga Bröllopet

Kronprinsessan Victoriaoch prins Daniel är nu kung-liga makar. Daniel Westling,mannen av folket, titulerasnumera prins Daniel, hertig

av Västergötland. Vi var en hel nationsom kunde föja detta sago bröllop ”live”på TV i Sverige och genom våra datorerhär i USA under denna historiska dag,lördagen den 19:e juni, från morgon tillkväll. Allting “gick som en dans,” ingamissar och tidtabellen följdes exakt tillDaniel gav sitt omtalade kärlekstal tillsin älskade Victoria. Detta tal kom litetsom en överraskining eftersom det intefanns med på programmet men somockså blev något vi alltid kommer attkomma ihåg.Det Kunliga Slottet har aldrig någon-

sin haft så många middagsgäster sam-tidigt! Så för att spara litet på kostnadernahade man utökat sina middagsbordgenom att lägga spånplattor ovanpå! Över900 meter tyg användes bl a för att läggaspå dessa bord.Middagen bestod till stor del av

biodynamisk svensk kost. Bröllopstårtanvar vit och formad som en fyrklöver.Kronprinsessans brudklänning är des-

ignad av Pär Engsheden. Hon bar kamé-diademet som brudkrona och drottningSofias spetsslöja som också bars avKronprinsessans mamma, DrottningSilvia, vid sitt bröllop med Kung CarlXVI Gustaf 1976. Brudbuketten bestodav en blandning av traditionella svenskasommarblommor och mer exotiska.Samtliga blommor var vita.Smekmånaden firades någonstans i

Syd Amerika!Mer om det Kungliga Bröllpet se

http://svt.se/detkungligabrollopetMarie Carlson, Editor, VS

The Royal Wedding

Crown Princess Victoriaand Prince Daniel are now aroyal married couple. DanielWestling, “the man of thepeople,” is now Prince

Daniel, Count of Västergötland. We werean entire nation that could be part of, andable to follow this fairytale wedding liveon television in Sweden and through ourcomputers here in USA during this his-

torical day, Saturday June 19, from morn-ing to evening. Everything went accord-ing to the plans and the timetable was fol-lowed exactly until Daniel gave hisfamous love speach to the love of his life,Victoria. This speech came as a bit of asurprise since it was not part of the pro-gram but became something we will allremember.The Royal Palace has never ever had

so many dinner guests all at the sametime. In order to save a little on the costthey increased the size of their dinnertables by putting plywood on top ofthem! Over 900 metres/3000 ft of fabricwas used to cover the tables.The dinner consisted to a large extent

of organic Swedish food. The weddingcake was white and shaped as a four leafclover.The Crown princess’s bridal gown is

designed by Pär Engsheden. She carried abridal wreath made of cameo and QueenSofia 's veil that the Crown Princessesmother, Queen Silvia, wore at her wed-ding with King Carl XVI Gustaf in1976. The bridal bouquet consisted of amixture of traditional Swedish summerflowers and more exotic. All flowerswere white.The honeymoon was celebrated some-

where in South America!More about it Royal Wedding see

http://svt.se/detkungligabrollopetMarie Carlson, Editor, VS

Den 13 nov 2010 firar Logen SkövdeNr 626 sitt 60-årsjubileum. Festligheternakommer att hållas i Odd Fellows finalokaler på Villagatan 5 i Skövde och vihoppas på stor tillslutning av våra egnasyskon samt av gäster. Vi håller just nupå med förberedelserna till vårt jubileumoch hoppas på att det blir så festligt sommöjligt.Middagen kommer att bestå av tradi-

tionell gåsmiddag. Vi kommer att haunderhållning på olika sätt samt dans.Särskild inbjudan kommer att utsändas

till samtliga loger någon gång iseptember.

Insänt av: MaiBritt Zederfeldt,Jubileumskommittén

Logen SkövdeNr 626 kommer

att fira sitt 60-årsjubileumi november

Page 20 Vasa Star July-August 2010

Under åren 1850-1915 lämnade ca 1million svenskar sitt hemland för att emi-grera till Amerika, flertalet via Göteborg.År 1990 förklarade 4,7 milj amerikaner attde hade släktband till svenskar. Det ärhälften av Sveriges nuvarande befolkning!I samarbete med Emigrantkonferensen

i Mellerud den 13-15 augusti erbjuderVasa Orden av Amerika den 12 augusti ettprogram i Göteborg, med tema kringutvandringen.På förmiddagen blir det ett spännande

besök med guide på Sjöfartsmuseet, därflera utställningar finns, bl a om SvenskaAmerika Linjen (SAL), vars första pas-sagerare var emigranter och även svensk-amerikaner på återbesök i sitt gamla hem-land.Gemensam transport med spårvagn och

kort promenad ned till Stenpiren ochPackhuskajen. Vi äter lunch på “S/SMarieholm,” som byggdes 1934 och varen av de sista fartygen som förde SvenskaAmerika Linjens flagg.Därefter besök på Emigranternas Hus i

Tullhuset. Genom detta hus passeradeemigranterna för att få sina Emigrant-kontrakt stämplade inför resan till det Nyalandet. Ostindienfararen “Göteborg” kom-mer dessutom att ligga för ankar vidStenpiren under de här dagarna.Därefter tid för egna aktiviteter. För

intresserade arrangeras en guidad prome-nad på intilliggande gator, som blev desista emigranterna vandrade på före avre-san till Nordamerika, med paus vidKronhuset och Kronhusbodarna.Kronhuset byggdes omkring 1640 i hol-ländsk stil. Här hyllades den 4-årige

arvprinsen, sedermera Karl XI, somkonung 1660, efter Karl X Gustavs plötsli-ga död i Göteborg samma år.Kronhusbodarna är drygt 200 år gamlaoch utgör idag ett stycke levande historiamed sina bodar, verkstäder och kaffestuga.Dagen avslutas med en superb

Kräftskiva!Programmet riktar sig till alla intresser-

ade, t ex besökande svensk-amerikaneroch övriga turister i Göteborg boende i vårstad samt de egna medlemmarna inomVasa Orden av Amerika. Programmet ärsponsrat av Vasa Orden av Amerika.I sin helhet beräknas programmet pågå

mellan kl 09.00-22.00. I priset SEK 400ingår besök, spårvagn, lunch samt kräftormed dryck och tillbehör. Information ochguidning ingår i alla arrangemang.För anmälan till Emigrantdagen

i Göteborg, kontakta Charlotte Börjesson,c h a r l o t t e . b o r j e s s o n@ t e l i a . c omeller Margaretha Ålund,margarethaaaalund@yahoo.se.För mer information se också

Emigrantkonferensen i Mellerud,www.emigrationdalsland.com och klickavidare till Upplev Dalsland, läs mer...(Experience Dalsland, read more...).

Ola HanssonOrdförande för Vasa Orden av

Amerika, Logen Göteborg Nr 452Margaretha Ålund

Kulturledare för Vasa Orden avAmerika, Logen Göteborg Nr 452

Foto av: Margaretha Ålund

Följ med i utvandrarnasfotspår på Emigrantdageni Göteborg torsdagen den

12 augusti 2010!

Monumentet på Stenpiren i Göteborg,föreställer örlogsfartyget “Kalmare Nyckel.”

Balboa Park’s HistoricHouse of SwedenCelebrates Its 75th

Anniversary MilestoneHouse of Sweden was founded in

1935 during the California PacificInternational Exposition and is located inone of the charming historic InternationalCottages in San Diego’s world-famousBalboa Park. They are a member of theHouse of Pacific Relations (H.P.R.)which was founded one year later in1936. Along with other cottages repre-senting 32 nations and ethnicities fromaround the world, House of Sweden isproud to open a window to its heritagethrough goodwill and culture.After 75 years, House of Sweden is

going strong with nearly 200 membersranging from children to seniors. Someactive members span three generationsincluding those of House of SwedenQueen Heather Robinson and PrincessesLisabet Ramsey and Vendela Keane. Ourcurrent member of the year is formerpresident and U.S.-born Carl “Calle”Englund whose parents came fromAxmar and Ramvik, Sweden, thoughdiversity reigned in the past when the2003 Swede of the Year was SusanTeeter, who is Japanese but loves theSwedish culture.House of Sweden members preserve

their cultural heritage through languageclasses, crafts, music, song, dance, holi-day celebrations, cuisine, and the cot-tage’s distinctive interior decorated withbeautiful hand-painted “rosemaling” inthe style of Swedish painter/designer CarlLarsson. House of Sweden’s largest eventis an annual Midsummer Festival featur-ing music, dance, and a traditional may-pole; the community of San Diego caneven be Swedish for a day by attendingMidsummer’s public celebration. GreaterBalboa Park events include Ethnic FoodFair and the International ChristmasFestival held during Balboa ParkDecember Nights.

Submitted by: Carol Kerr, Secretary,Gustav Vasa Lodge #175

CONTACTS:Anna Nilsson, President, 619-339-

4139, HOSpresident@yahoo.com orsandiegoswede62@yahoo.comCarol Kerr, Publicity Chairperson,

619-543-1676, fax 619-543-1680,carol@carolkerr.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONABOUT HOUSE OF SWEDENHouse of Sweden, one of the oldest

Swedish-American organizations in SanDiego County, promotes Swedish socialand educational programs to perpetuateand preserve the Swedish culture, cus-toms, traditions, art, songs, dances, andlanguage as a precious heritage for pre-sent and future generations. Membershipis open to persons of Swedish birth,decent, and marriage as well as individu-als with a special interest in SwedishCulture.House of Sweden:www.houseofsweden.usHouse of Pacific Relations:www.sdhpr.org

Vasa Star July-August 2010 Page 21

EVENT DETAIL, Scandinavian Heritage Festival 2010Joining Oktoberfest NW

Scandinavian Heritage FestivalOctober 8, 2010 – October 10, 2010Puyallup, WA

Description:The Scandinavian Heritage Festival Participants, Exhibitors and Vendors arepleased to invite you for three full days of festivities with Scandinavian culturalexhibits, arts and crafts, music, food folk dancing and Scandinavian gift items.Each day there will be ethnic entertainment, Dancing and Singing. Demonstrations,Rosemaling, Spinning, Bobbin lace making. Food sales of Pea Soup, Meatballs,Swedish Panca