THE VASA STAR

THE VASA STARTHE VASA STARVasastjärnan

Publication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICAPublication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2009www.vasaorder.com

Vasa brothers and sisters!_âv|t tÇw V{Ü|áàÅtá zÜxxà|Çzá àÉ tÄÄ Éy çÉâ yÜÉÅ `tÜàç tÇw Åx4We wish you all a wonderful time with your lodge activi-

ties and celebrations as well as a time of refreshment andrecreation with family and friends. I’m sure many of us havehad difficulties with work, health or families this year, but Ihope that you can also find time to give thanks for the bless-ings received. In the USA we do try to set asideThanksgiving Day, the last Thursday of November, to givethanks to God for blessings given and received.

Fall, in the odd-numbered years, brings many meetings.Marty and I attended district conventions of DL PacificNorthwest #13, DL Massachusetts #2, DL Connecticut #1and DL New York #4 in September and October. When youthrow in a weekend for Marty’s family reunion, the GrandLodge Executive Board meeting in Sacramento and aSwedish Council of American Board meeting in Philadelphiayou will find that there are not any weekends left inSeptember and October. Thanks to all of you who hosted usin those conventions; we enjoyed your hospitality and meet-ing new Vasa friends. I do not have space to thank all of youindividually.

The GL Executive Board met for four days in Sacramentoto finalize GL Convention plans and decide on motions towrite for that meeting. I cannot go into detail on the work butone of the items the Board will present by motion is arevised and reformatted District Ritual.

If you did not already notice, take another look at thefront cover of this Vasa Star. Our Editor, Marie Carlson, hasredesigned the cover with a more modern look where thepicture covers the entire page and becomes both a pictureand the background for the text. I really like it! Send Mariecomments on it, or any other items you find interesting, ordisturbing. She loves to hear from her readers.

I thank all of you that sent in donations to the GLEducation Fund as requested when the education stampswere received. GS Joanie informs me that she is receivinglots of envelopes every day. That is good to hear particularlysince we announced that we would not offer any scholar-ships in 2010 due to losses in our Education financial portfo-lio. If you have not yet sent in your contribution, please taketime to do so; we really need your support.

Please take time to look at the Grand Lodge Conventioninformation contained a few pages in. Note the activityschedule and the items for sale page. Note also that theGrand Lodge website has the information and that you canpurchase any item or register for the convention using acredit card. I hope you are interested in coming toWashington DC next July. See you there if not before!

Vasa Syskon!_âv|t Év{ ]âÄ{ùÄáÇ|ÇztÜ yÜüÇ `tÜàç Év{ Å|z4Vi önskar Er alla en trevligt tid tillsammans i era gemen-

samma loge aktiviteter och firanden samt en stund till avkop-pling och vila med nära och kära. Jag antar att en del av osshar erfarit svårigheter när det gäller arbete samt sjukdomar ivåra familjer under året som gått, men jag hoppas också attni haft en chans till att tacka för de välsignelser ni fått. IUSA försök vi använda sista torsdagen i November somtacksägelsedagen (Thanksgiving Day) för att tacka Gud förde välsignelser som givits och som ni fått.

Hösten för många möten med sig under udda år. Martyoch jag deltog i Distiktskonferenser för DL PacificNorthwest Nr 13, DL Massachusetts Nr 2, DL ConnecticutNr 1 och DL New York Nr 4 i September och Oktober. Närman sen tillbringar ett veckoslut med att delta i Martys släkt-träff, utövar styrelsemöte för Storlogen i Sacramento och ettstyrelsemöte för Svenska Konsulrådet i Amerikan samt ännuett styrelsemöte i Philadelphia upptäcker man att det intefinns några helger kvar i September och Oktober. Ett storttack till alla Er som tog hand om oss under dessa konfer-enser, vi uppskattade Er gästfrihet samt tillfället att möta nyaVasa vänner. Jag har inte tillräckligt med utrymme för atttacka Er alla individuellt.

Storlogens exekutiva råd möttes under fyra dagar iSacramento för att slutföra Storlogens planer och skrivamotioner inför mötet. Jag kan inte i detalj skriva om allt,men ett av motionerna som kommer att presenteras är enreviderad och omgjord Distiktsritual.

Om ni inte redan lagt märke till omslaget på denna uppla-ga, titta igen, omslagsbilden täcker hela framsidan ochbilden används även som bakgrund för texten. Jag tyckerverkligen det blev bra! Skicka era kommentarer till Marieoch berätta vad ni tycker men skriv även om andra saker nitycker är intressanta eller störande. Hon vill gärna att ni hörav er!

Jag vill tacka Er alla som skänkt till Storlogens utbild-ningsfond som vi bad om när ni fick frimärkena. SS Joaniesäger att det dagligen kommer in mycket post. Det är godanyheter speciellt eftersom vi meddelade att vi inte kunde erb-juda några stipendier för 2010 på grund av förluster i vårfinansiella portfölj gällande utbildning. Om ni inte har skick-at in något bidrag ännu, tänk på saken och gör det; vibehöver verkligen ert stöd.

Titta på Storlogekonferensens informationssidor i dennaupplaga. Lägg märke till sidorna som visar planeradeaktiviteter och varor som är till salu. Lägg också märke tillStorlogens hemsida som har all denna information där ni kanhandla eller registrera er till konferensen genom att användakredit kort. Jag hoppas ni vill komma till Washington DC iJuli. Om inte vi träffas innan dess, så ses vi där!

Rolf Bergman

The GrandMaster’s Message

Vasa Star November-December 2009 Page 3

THE VASA STAR NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2009

Cover:Erika Mary Brattstrom, Lucia 2009 for Skansen #147 Children’s Club at Viking Hall, VasaPark, Budd Lake, NJ.

Submitted by: Laura Brattstrom

THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020)November-December 2009Vol. 102, No. 6, 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

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!MOVING TO ARIZONA,

WELCOME TO DISTRICT LODGE ARIZONA NO. 21We have 5 Lodges in the State of Arizona and we invite each of you who are or

will be moving to our beautiful state to continue your membership in Vasa by joiningone of our existing Lodges, or helping us to start a new one in your new location.

We have Phoenix Lodge in Phoenix, Scandia Lodge in Prescott, Nordic RedRocks Lodge in Sedona, Solstad Lodge in Sun City West, and Tucson Lodge inTucson, and with your help, start a new Lodge in a new area. We do know thatmore and more people are moving to Arizona, and many of Nordic heritages, andwe want them to continue their fellowship in the Vasa Order of America.

Should you have any questions, you may call District Lodge Arizona No. 21,District Master Vito Pantaleo at 928-282-3469. We welcome you all!

The Vasa National Archives has a new email address: [email protected]

U.S. Postage Service Statement of OwnershipManagement and Circulation

1. Title of publication: Vasastjarnan, The Vasa Star. 1A. Publication No. 65-0702.2. Date of filing 10/1/09. 3. Number of Issues Published Annually: 6 3A. No. of issues published annually: 6. 3B. Annual subscrip-

tion price: Members’ dues include magazine; subscription-$10 yr.4. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 948045. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business office: 5838 San Jose Ave.,

Richmond, CA 94804.6. Names and complete addresses of publisher, editor and managing editor. Publisher: Vasa Order of

America, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804. Editor: Marie Carlson, 9560 Curberry Dr., Mentor,OH 44060. Managing Editor: Rolf S. Bergman, Grand Master, 3236 Berkeley Ave., Cleveland Heights,OH 44118

7. Owner: Vasa Order of America, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 948048. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of

total amount of bonds, mortgages or other: None.9. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal

income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months.10. Extent and nature of circulation:Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months. A. Total no. copies: 9,100. B. Paid or request-ed circulation. 1) Sales through dealers, carriers and counter sales: 0. 2) Mail subscription: 8,510. C. Totalpaid and/or requested circulation: 9,100. D. Free distribution by mail–0. 3) Other classes mailed through theUSPS: 0. E. Free distribution outside the mail: 590. F. Total free distribution: 590. G. Total distribution:9,100. H. Copies not distributed: 0. I. Total: 9,100. J. Percent paid and/or requested circulation: 94.11. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete: Joan Graham, BusinessManager, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804.

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 is October 15Deadline for Lucia articles is December 24

Picture and article, 200 words or less.Price for Xmas Greetings – $30.00 column inch

Page 4 Vasa Star November-December 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTSArchives News......................................................5

Swedish Language Lesson 20 .............................6

Grand Lodge News ..............................................7Grand Lodge ConventionFAQActivity ScheduleRegistration FormGL Convention Items for Sale

Lodge News ........................................................11

Swedish Lodge News .........................................15

Family .................................................................18Wedding Announcement

Wecome To Our New Members .......................19

Christmas Greetings..........................................20

Culture................................................................23Jenny NyströmAdvent

Happenings.........................................................26Vasa Ceremony to Honor WallenbergVIP Visitors to TenneesseeRaoul Wallenberg Memorial BrickAutumnfest and Marknad at Vasa ParkTrollebo Family CampHelping Hands for Tony’s HandsEmigration Conference 2010

In Memoriam .....................................................29

PAGE 23

PAGE 27

Letter from the Editor

Brev från Redaktören

When I sit down to write my Editorial I never really know what I willwrite about. But being this time of year, the first thing that comes to mindis how fast the year went by, again!

This year I only have one child living at home helping me making gin-gerbread cookies and saffron rolls for the 1st of advent, a tradition I holdsacred. Some of the history regarding advent and a recipe for gingerbreadcookies is included in this issue.

Since this is our Christmas issue, we have a very interesting articleabout Jenny Nystöm who has mesmerized Swedes with her illustrations of“real Swedish tomtar” over the years that you will find under Culture.

Our cover has a new look and I hope you like it! I thought it was time toupdate our cover page to keep up with the times and what wouldn’t bemore appropriate than a beautiful Lucia to introduce this new look! I also

want to thank Jill Schroeder at our printing company; I wouldn’t have been able to do this withouther. “Thank you very much Jill!”

Please take a moment and read about Helping Hands for Tony’s Hands on Page 28. This is theperfect time of the year to give to someone who could really use your help.

As you know, our Lucia’s will only be featured in the Jan/Feb issues of The Vasa Star.Please observe deadlines for submissions of articles and pricing for Christmas Greetings on

Page 3.For the 2010 issues I would like to dedicate a page for the children called Kids Corner. The

submission could be in the form of a story they have written, a cartoon, a poem or a drawing thathas something to do with Sweden, whether they have been there or not. So for you parents andgrandparents who read this, please pass the information to your children/grandchildren andencourage them to participate.

Remember to stay Happy and Healthy!I wish you all a wonderful Christmas Holiday!

Marie“Do not regret growing older. It is a privilege denied to many.”-Unknown

När jag sätter mig ner för att skriva min Ledare vet jag aldrig egentligen vad jag ska skriva om.Men under den här tiden på året kan jag inte låta bli att tänka på hur fort det gick, igen!

I år har jag endast ett barn som bor hemma och som kan hjälpa mig baka pepparkakor ochlussekatter till 1:a advent, en tratition som är helig för mig. Litet historia angående advent och ettrecept för pepparkakor kan hitta i den här upplagan.

Eftersom detta är vår vår julupplaga, har vi en mycket intressant artikel som handlar om JennyNyström och som har hypnotiserat svenskarna med sina illustrationer av “svenska tomtar” genomåren, det hittar ni under Culture.

Vårt omslag har ett “nytt ansikte” och jag hoppas ni tycker om det! Jag tyckte det var dags attförnya och uppdatera oss litet och vad passar inte bättre än en vacker Lucia som introducerardenna nya look! Jag vill också passa på att tacka Jill Schroeder på vårt tryckeri; utan henne skulledetta inte vara möjligt. “Tusen tack Jill!.”

Ta er litet tid och läs om Helping Hands for Tony’s Hands, på sidan 28. Det här är den perfektatiden på året att kunna ge till någon som verkligen behöver er hjälp, om ni har möjlighet.

Som ni vet, presenteras våra Lucior endast i Januari/Februari upplagan av Vasastjärnan.Var vänlig observera senaste datum för insända artiklar och priser för julhälsningar på sida 3.För våra 2010 upplagor skulle jag vilje ge barnen en sida som kommer hete Kids Corner.

Bidragen kan vara en berättelse de skrivit, en liten tecknad serie, en dikt eller en teckning somhandlar om något som har att göra med Sverige, huruvida de varit där eller inte. Så till er föräldrar,mor- och farföräldrar som läser detta, berätta om det här för era barn/barnbarn och uppmuntra demtill att delta.

Kom ihåg att vara Glad och Håll Er Friska! Jag önskar er alla en underbar julhelg!

Marie“Klaga inte på att bli äldre. Det är en privilegie som förnekas många.”-Okänd

AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTORTodd Anderson

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


ARCHIVES NEWSA big thank you from the board members of

the Vasa National Archives goes to Siljan-Mora-Tuna #134 (D.L. #8) member, ReyCarlberg, for doing an excellent job in refur-bishing two Vasa emblems both of which hangon the outside of the building the one over thefront entrance and the other by the side door.“Tusen tack och bra gjort!”

Submitted by: Sten Hult, Boardmember Vasa National Archives

THANK YOU!

Rey holding the emblems that he repainted.

New Arrivalat the Archives

We proudly announce the arrival ofour brand new baby boy, Finn BrorJenner. He was born November 16th,2009 and weighed 7 lbs. 6 oz. His bigbrother Jesper is very excited, as we allare. Everything is great with Mom andbaby, and we look forward to spendingChristmas with family in Bishop Hill.

Our Best Holiday Greetings, Lars andAnne.

Lodge Stenland #727 Lucia and Jul Feston

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12th, 2009 at 7:00 p.m.

GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH112 N. Main Street, Pearl River, N.Y. 10965

Donation $7.00 under 16 freeCome for glögg, coffee, cakes, cookies and a raffle

For info, call: 845/425-1574 oremail: [email protected]

Finn Bror Jenner

The TomtenHard is the cold of Midwinter's night,

stars sparkle and gleam.

In the lonely town at this midnight hour, all are sleeping.

Moon wanders its silent way,

snow lights white on fir and spruce,

snow lights white on roofs.

Only tomten is awake.

Tomten

Midvinternattens köld är hård,

stjärnorna gnistra och glimma.

Alla sova i enslig gård djupt under midnattstimma.

Månen vandrar sin tysta ban,

snön lyser vit på fur och gran,

snön lyser vit på taken.

Endast tomten är vaken.


Where has the year gone? Now we are facing the long anddark winter. We should all be like children and enjoy whatnature has to offer regardless of the season. Perhaps you canrecall, when as a child, you did not let bad weather prevent youfrom heading out because it might have been raining, snowingor the temperatures were below freezing. If at this time, you donot want to join the children but instead preferring to stayinside in your favorite chair…and of course studying theSwedish language lessons. Well, maybe at least some of thetime. Just a few minutes a day practicing words you know isreally all it takes.

NYA ORD – NEW WORDS

hela the wholeår, -et, --- yearkallt coldregnigt rainysommar, -en, somrar summersolig, -t, soliga sunnyhöst, -en, -ar fall/autumnbättre betterregn rainnästan almostvarje dag every daydessutom furthermore, besideskort, kortare, kortast shortmycket att göra much to doen del a fewkväll, -en, ar eveningatt tillhöra, tillhör, tillhörde, tillhört to belongatt träna, tränar, tränade, tränat to practicebrottning wrestlingvecka, -n. veckor weekatt spela, spelar, spelade, spelat to playutomhus outsideatt snöa, snöar, snöade, snöat to snowsnöflinga, -n, snöflingor snowflakesatt vakna, vaknar, vaknade, vaknat to awakenatt sluta, slutar, slutade, slutat to endeftersom sinceatt bestämma, bestämmer, bestämde, bestämt to decidesnölykta, -n, snölyktor snowball lanternha tur have luckkramsnö wet snowmark, -en, -er groundtomt, -en, -er yardatt bygga, bygger, byggde, byggt to buildljus, -en, --- candlemörkna darken

att tända, tänder, tände, tänt to lightmänniskor peoplegick förbi walked pastatt stanna, stannar, stannade, stannat to stopfotografera to take a photovackra beautiful

SVENSKA – SWEDISH

Hela året har varit kallt och regnigt. Sommaren hade intemånga soliga dagar. Hösten var inte bättre. Regn nästan varjedag. Dessutom började dagarna bli kortare.

Tvillingarna hade mycket att göra både i skolan och en delkvällar i veckan. Karin Helena tillhör en gymnastikklubb ochLars Olof tränar brottning en dag i veckan. Båda barnen spelari skolorkestern. De spelar fiol och trumpet. Så de har intespenderat mycket tid utomhus.

En kväll började det snöa. Snöflingorna var stora och myck-et vackra. När tvillingarna vaknade på morgonen hade det inteslutat att snöa.

Eftersom det var lördag behövde inte barnen gå till skolan.De bestämde sig för att göra snölyktor. Om de hade tur skulledet vara kramsnö på marken.

De spenderade flera timmar ute på tomten och byggdemånga snölyktor. De hade fått ljus från Ingrid. När det börjademörkna tände de ljusen. Människor som gick förbi stannadeoch fotograferade de vackra snölyktorna.

ENGELSKA – ENGLISH

The whole year has been cold and rainy. The summer didnot have many sunny days. The fall was not better. It rainedalmost every day. Furthermore the days are starting to getshorter.

The twins had much to do both in school and a few days inthe week. Karin Helena belongs to a gymnastic club and LarsOlof practices wrestling once a week. Both of the children playin the school orchestra. They play the violin and the trumpet.They do not have much time to spend outdoors.

One evening it started to snow. The snowflakes were largeand very beautiful. When the twins awakened in the morning ithad not stopped snowing.

Since it was Saturday the children did not need to go toschool. They decided to make snowball lanterns. If they werelucky there would be wet snow on the ground.

They spent several hours out in the yard and built manysnowball lanterns. They had gotten candles from Ingrid. Whenit started to get dark they lit the candles. People passing bystopped and took photos of the beautiful snowball lanterns.

Swedish Language LessonsBy Lillemor and Richard Horngren

LEARNING SWEDISH – LESSON 20


GRAND LODGE NEWSThe convention committee has not

been as active the last couple of monthsas previously, but some new actionshave been accomplished. For examplewe have now confirmed a caterer for theHouse of Sweden reception for Saturdayevening. We have also confirmed thatJeannie Andersen’s ‘Smörgåsbandet’will play for the dance at the GrandBanquet on Thursday evening. We arestill working on a few other items thatwould be of interest. Possibly these canbe confirmed in the next issue of theVasa Star.

One change that only affects new del-egates is that the New DelegateBreakfast will be held on Saturdaymorning at the Marriott, rather thanSunday morning as listed in last month’sissue. We highlighted the Fridayevening opening dessert reception lasttime. This time the focus is the Saturdayevening reception at the House ofSweden (HOS). The HOS is a four-storybuilding that houses the Embassy ofSweden. However, the building hasoffices and apartments, as well as an

event center that features conference andexhibition halls. It is situated onthe Potomac River, in the heart ofGeorgetown. The building was awardedSweden's most prestigious architectureaward; the Kasper Salin Prizefor best building. To learn moreabout the HOS see the website,http://www.houseofsweden.com.

The plan for the GL Convention visitis to have staged tours of the Embassy,possibly by busload, beginning at about6 PM. A catered light dinner reception –no place to sit down for everyone –begins at about 7 PM. Backgroundmusic will be provided by SvenskaSpelman, a Jamestown NY ensemble.Drott Lodge #168 will celebrate its100th anniversary in 2010 and they planon providing a visual presentation oftheir lodge’s history during the recep-tion. Just to see the HOS would be wellworth the trip to Washington, DC.

Please look at the full activitiesschedule in the following pages of theVasa Star. Also find a registration formand a page advertising items that DL

Pennsylvania #9 has for sale as an effortto help fund the convention. Note thatthis information is also available on theGrand Lodge website, where you alsohave the option of purchasing items andregistering for the convention using acredit card. Note in particular that thepictures of the sale items are in color onthe website. This may help you decide topurchase some of them. More detailsnext issue. Submitted by:

Rolf Bergman, Grand MasterC. Richard Overberg, Grand Treasurer

and Convention Chair

2010 Grand Lodge Convention

Each month, a Vasa lodge meets,has a dinner, presents a program, andconducts a meeting. Another page iswritten about the history of the VasaOrder of America. Is it being recordedor is it just breezing by without a sec-ond glance? The lodge Historian isresponsible for keeping that historyalive.

How?

A scrapbook is the easiest way.Many items can go in that scrapbook– newsletters, minutes of the meeting,a written account of an activity,flyers, photographs with names, news-paper clippings, membership lists,guest lists, written histories, biogra-phies of members, oral histories, orany other items of interest. Othermethods can include albums, binders,posters, videos, audio recordings, orany other method of display.

Local Lodge Historian – make anextra copy of your items and sendthem to the District Historian. TheDistrict Historian keeps informationabout the local lodges plus the samefor district. The District Historianreports to the Grand LodgeHistorian, with copies of what hasbeen collected. Then, finally, the his-tory of the Vasa Order of Americawill be recorded for all time at theVasa Archives where researchers willfind the gems of history about yourparticular local lodge.

The Constitution for Local Lodgeand for District Lodge provides thedescription of the duties of Historian.It’s a very important position in theVasa Order. Please don’t let thehistory of Vasa drift off into theclouds.

Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat Does the Lodge Historian Do?


ACTIVITY SCHEDULE for the 37th Grand Lodge Convention

July 2 8, 2010 –Washington, DC

Friday, July 2

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration Desk open.

8:00 – 10:00 PM Welcome ‘Dessert’ Reception hosted by DL Pennsylvania No. 9; free to all who registered. Entertainment provided by DL New Jersey No. 6 Vasastjärnan Youth Club.

Saturday, July 3

9.00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration Desk open.

8:30 – 10:00 AM New delegate breakfast: sponsored by the Grand Lodge

1:00 - 2:15 PM Opening Ceremony with special greetings, presentation of flags by Vasastjärnan Youth Club and introductions of Grand Lodge Officers.

2:15 – 2:45 PM Coffee break

2:45 – 4:30 PM Opening Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates; Vasa members invited to join.

5:30 – 10:30 PM Reception at the House of Sweden. Two busses leave for the House of Sweden at 5:30 PM and return for additional trip at 6:00 PM. Tours of the Embassy and upper floors of HOS starting at 6:00 PM (staggered small tour groups). Light buffet open at 7:00 PM including a glass of wine. Music provided by ‘Svenska Spelman’ group from Jamestown, NY. Busses return to Marriott at 9:45 and 10:15 P.M. Cost: $85/person.

Sunday, July 4 Free day for everyone to enjoy Independence Day in downtown Washington. Because of the difficulty of travel in Washington on July 4th, no scheduled tours are planned.

Monday, July 5

9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates.

Free day and evening for guests to tour Washington on their own.

Tuesday, July 6

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Mt. Vernon Tour. No Grand Lodge Session. Busses leave hotel for Mt. Vernon, home of President George Washington, at 8:15 AM. Tour Mt. Vernon for four hours; mansion, new visitor's center, shops and food court. Busses leave Mt Washington at 1:45 PM for return to Marriott. Cost: $40/person. See www.Mountvernon.org.

7:00 – 10:00 PM Cultural, membership and web seminars – responsibility of GL Ex Bd

Wednesday, July 7

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates.

10:30 AM – 3:30 PM Non-delegate Tour of Hillwood Estate; lunch included. Cost: $55/person. See www.hillwoodmuseum.org.

Thursday, July 8

8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates; election and installation of new officers

6:00 – 7:00 PM. Cocktail hour (cash bar) and photo opportunities.

7:00 – Midnight Grand Banquet with entertainment and dancing. Dance music by Smörgåsbandet. Cost: $115/person


REGISTRATION FORM

37th Grand Lodge Convention • July 2 – July 8, 2010

Registration Deadline: May 14, 2010 www. vasaorder.com

NOTE: Grand Lodge Officers, Honorary Life Members of the Grand Lodge and Delegates receive complimentary tickets for the Saturday and Thursday nights banquets, and the Tuesday tour. Spouses and other participants are responsible for payment of all events in which they partake except for the Friday Welcome Reception.

Total Cost of Registration may be paid either by check (see details below) or by credit card using the capability on the Grand Lodge website shown above.

Date, Week Day aEvent (Please see Activity Schedule in this

Vasa Star issue for event details)

No. of People

Attending

Price Per Person

(Prices in U.S. $)Total Cost

July 2, Friday Welcome Reception No Cost

July 3, Saturday Reception at House of Sweden $ 85

July 4, Sunday Free day to enjoy Independence Day in Washington

Your cost

July 6, Tuesday Tour: Mt. Vernon $ 40

July 7, Wednesday Non-delegate Tour: Hillwood $ 55

July 8, Thursday Grand Banquet $ 115

PLEASE WRITE CHECK TO: Grand Lodge 2010 Convention

MAIL TO: Sharen Tizzano, 2250 Par Lane #1217, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094 Total Included: $

_________

Note: Advance Registration is required for, or a portion of, the Convention, including the Welcome Reception!

Personal Information: Please Print Clearly

Name _____________________________________________ Local Lodge & No. ________________________

Address ___________________________________________ District Lodge & No. ______________________

City _____________________________________ State/Prov. __________ Zip/Postal Code_____________

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E-mail Address ____________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________________________________

Please make your Hotel Reservations directly with the Hotel to ensure Convention rates

775 12th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 USA

Phone: 1-202-737-2200

Fax: 1-202-347-5886

Toll-free: 1-800-393-2510

You can make reservations by calling the Marriott at the number above or by using the internet. If you call to make the reservation the group name is VASA 2010.

You can also register at the hotel using the internet using the information found on the Grand Lodge webpage shown at the top.

Expected arrival date ________________________ Expected departure date ___________________________

Sharing room with _________________________________

Room rate: $159 (+ tax of 14.4 %) per night for all rooms.

$159 rate applies for one, two, three or four people per room.

Rooms contain either One King or Two Double Beds

All rooms are non-smoking

$159 room rate available between June 30 and July 12, 2010.

Reservation deadline is 6:00 PM, Friday, June 11, 2010 to obtain rooms at above rate.

REGISTRATION FORM37th Grand Lodge Convention • July 2 - July 8, 2010


The following items are offered for sale by the 2010 GL Convention Committee to help host DL Pennsylvania No. 9 raise funds for the convention. Thank you for your support!

Shipping and Handling (USA) Please call for orders above $150.00 or for any order to Canada or to Sweden

Subtotal Shipping Subtotal Shipping Subtotal Shipping

$0.00-$18.00 $5.00 $18.01-$36.00 $8.00 $36.01-$54.00 $10.00

$54.01-$80.00 $12.00 $80.01-$110.00 $15.00 $110.01-$150.00 $18.00

2010 Grand Lodge Convention Items for Sale

Quantity Item Description Price Each Total Dalahäst lapel pin (size shown in relation to penny) $ 7.00

Nordic Flags Sweatshirt, YthM __ YthL__ S__ M__ L__ XL__ XXL__ XXXL__ $ 20.00

3040 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank inside, “Ornament Tree”; 8-pack $ 6.00

3041 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Bird Winter Feast”; 8-pack $ 6.00

3043 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Lucia with berries”; 8-pack $ 6.00

3045 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Christmas Treats”; 8-pack $ 6.00

3048 ‘Daphne’ greeting card, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Straw Ornaments”; 8-pack $ 6.00

Subtotal

Shipping (see chart)

TOTAL INCLUDED

Sweatshirt

50/50 blend

Please write check to: 2010 Grand Lodge Convention Mail your order and check to: Dorothy Overberg, 5431 Patton, Erie, PA 16509

Phone: (814) 864-2406 Email: [email protected]

ORDER FORM

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Dalahäst Lapel Pin

Note: Sales tax is included in prices.

Note: If purchasing

a shipping charge of

$5.00 applies for any

amount purchased.

dalahäst lapel pins only,

DalahästLapel Pin


LODGE NEWS

Hello from Thule Lodge #127 in theJamestown/Bemus Point, NY area. Ourlodge has seen a wonderful summer andfall season with many activities. OurFriday night fish dinners concluded itsseason in September, and then the annualSwiss steak dinner was held a few weekslater. The annual Harvest dinner featuringa full turkey dinner was held in October.Many members and guests enjoyed thewonderful dinners and fellowship at thelodge.

Our monthly meetings changed fromthe summer season to the fall season,whereby the meetings are held on thethird Saturday afternoon of each monthbeginning at 2 PM. This schedule willcontinue during the winter monthsthrough March. Each meeting featuresthe activities and events of the lodge, fol-lowed by refreshments. Lodge chairmanEugene Johnson welcomes all too eachmeeting, always adding some humor tothe time.

At one of our recent meetings, StevenR. Pickett, a recent high school graduate,was awarded the Vasa Order of America,Grand Lodge Scholarship and certificateof recognition. Donna Johnson, our chil-

Thule Lodge #127 Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY

Linné Lodge #153 South Bend, IN

Tegnér Lodge #149Oakland, CA

Thule Lodge #127 past chairmen recentlyconducted the monthly meeting of the lodge.Shown in the photograph with their specialjackets, Vasa Order of America ties, and pinsare Robert Fuller, immediate past chairmanand Nels John Nelson, outer guardsman.

Nordikids

dren's dance team leader and Mistress ofCeremony, and past district master EdwinSandberg presented the certificate toSteven. Steven has been active with theScandinavian Studies program heldmonthly in Jamestown, and is attendingthe Rochester Institute of Technology.Steven is the grandson of immediate pastChairman Robert and cultural leaderFanchon Fuller.

Fanchon Fuller recently recognizedlodge member Timothy Miller with a cer-tificate for his many efforts with ourlodge. Photographs of each event weretaken by lodge historian John Sipos.

Thule Lodge will conclude its 102ndyear as a lodge in the Jamestown area inDecember. If you are in our area, wewould be happy for you to visit our lodgeat 4123 Pancake Hill Road. “God dag” toall!

Submitted by: John Sipos, Historian

The members of Tegnér Lodge #149of Oakland, CA, enjoyed a crayfish feastin August at the home of Chairman MarieAnn Hill. Many of the members weretraveling or unable to attend for one rea-son or another so attendance was smallerthan usual. However, a good time wasreported.

We were back at Björnson Hall inSeptember. Charlotte Weissenborn pre-pared the delicious entree because our“chef” Stig Bjork was ill and unable toattend. Other members contributed foodas usual for our potluck dinner. TheCharter was draped in memory of long-time (and honorary life) member, RubyNichelini. Many members told of theirmemories of Ruby. She was a specialperson and we will all miss her verymuch.

For our cultural program KathrynHughes and Richard Orlando told usabout their trip to Norway, Denmark andSweden, and showed us some of theirpictures. It was most interesting. We arenow making plans for our 101stAnniversary in November.

Submitted by: Ann Tennis

Linné Lodge #153 celebrated its 100thanniversary on September 12, 2009 at theElk’s Lodge in South Bend, IN. Cocktailhour was observed with accordion musicprovided by Lyle Anderson. It wasfollowed by a delicious Scandinavianbuffet.

Entertainment after dinner was provid-ed by the Nordikids of Munster, IN. Ourguest speaker was archivist, Lars Jennerfrom Bishop Hill, IL. He read minutes ofLinné Lodge #153, which gave the histo-ry of the first meeting, and gave an over-all view of what information is availablefor the lodges at the archives.

Helge Swanson (age 103), an 80-yearmember of Vasa, was honored, unfortu-nately he was not feeling well enough toattend. Thelma Nelson was recognizedfor her long-standing (58 years) member-ship in our lodge. Guests included digni-taries from the Grand and DistrictLodges.

A raffle was held, and the winnerswere: 1st Place Winner $300.00 – JackGraudin (Viljan #349); 2nd Place Winner$200.00 - Elinor Huggett (Linné Lodge#153); and 3rd Place Winner $100.00 -Bob Anderson of Skokie, IL.

It was an enjoyable evening, and funwas had by all!

Submitted by: Lorraine CooperPictures by: Elinor Huggett

Frihet Lodge #401Seattle, WA

How exciting it was to answer thephone and to have Ellen Cirino informme that Frihet Lodge #401 won the 3'dprize of the sum of $250.00 from the2010 Grand Lodge Convention raffledrawing. Frihet Lodge #401 has beensupporting these raffles for many years,so you see it does pay off'!

Our members are all wonderful peo-ple, and I am ever so honored and privi-leged to act as their chairman.


Members gathering for a “corn boil” in our new lodge.

Brahe Lodge #245 Rockford, IL

Skandia Lodge #247 Pasadena, CA

Forty members of our Vasa Brahe Lodge #245 enjoyed a “corn boil” at our newlodge in Vasa Park in Rockford Illinois on a cool, rainy evening in August. Besideshaving delicious fresh Illinois “corn on the cob,” we had brats, baked beans, watermel-on, cake, brownies, and refreshments!

Vice-chairman David Tollin conducted a business meeting after our feast.Highlight was for three candidates to become new members of our Brahe Lodge! Atlast, Brahe is once again growing! Hurrah!

On July 23, our Vasa Brahe Lodge #245 members were treated to an Ice CreamSocial with pie.

Submitted by: Dennis G. Eksten

All it takes is some imagination and somany wonderful things can happen. The20th of July 2009 was the fortiethanniversary of the first men to walk onthe moon. On July 20, 1969, you couldlisten to Buzz Aldrin speak about his mil-itary career and his special assignmentsas an astronaut. Now the vision turns toMars. So many fantastic events haveoccurred during our lifetimes.

Another “remarkable” event occurredat the Norton Simon Museum with theproduction of an afternoon of opera withmezzo soprano Suzanna Guzman, anative of Los Angeles, soprano AlbaQuezada, born and raised in Rosemead,and pianist Lisa Edwards, a resident of

Sierra Madre. They are all superbly tal-ented performers that produced an inter-active introduction to the world of operatitled, “Don’t be afraid! It’s justopera…and art.” Ms. Guzman was thenarrator as well as soloist and teamedwith Alba Quezada for marvelous duets.Her presentations and explanations ofopera and opera voice will be wellremembered by the audience.

In September, the Orcutt family hadplanned a pizza party for us all to enjoy.Also in September, the members of thelodge joined our delegates for the VasaPark Association.

Written by: Jackie AhlenSubmitted by: Bob Solt

Svea Lodge #296Erie, PA

On September 12th the Erie CountyHistorical Society presented the 5thAnnual Heritage Festival at Liberty Park.This is a lovely spot on the bay andincludes an amphitheater. The EriePhilharmonic presented a concert whichended with Tchaikovsky’s 1812Overture. Our flagship “Niagara” sailedby and fired off its cannons, as fireworkslit up the sky.

Our lodge had a booth for the day aspart of “Ethnic Marketplace Demon-strators and Information” – we wore ourScandinavian costumes, sold some orna-ments, jewelry, shirts, etc. We handed outinformation about our lodge and a listingof famous people with a Scandinavianbackground. There were pepparkakor andapples for free. Many visitors seemed toenjoy our display. The day was gorgeous– sunny and mild. I think we gave a verygood impression and enjoyed ourselvesdoing it.

Submitted by: Linda Collin

Joanne Dahlstrand, Linda Collin, BeritBenacci, Kay Lynne Picheco and CherylBrown.

Continued on page 13


Sveaborg Lodge #449Concord, CA

Frihet Lodge #401Continued from page 12

Several members of Sveaborg Lodge #449, Concord, CA, were recently honoredfor their many years of membership and service in this Vasa Order of America lodge.Tina Martin has been a member for 50 years. Her mother, Elizabeth Nordgren, wasGolden Gate District Master, 1959-60. Marlene Swaffar was a member for 55 years.Her husband, Baxter Swaffar, was Golden Gate District Master, 1980-81. Marlene’sfather, Ragnar Berg, was Golden Gate District Master, 1954-55. Presenting the pinswas Joanie Graham, current Grand Lodge Secretary.

Submitted by: Bob BurmanPhotos by: Baxter Swaffar

Winners of 3rd Place GL RaffleSome of our members were so gracious to meet so this photo could be taken. Between them

is 226 years of Vasa membership experience. Back row, l-r: Helen and Glen Allen, DD of ourlodge, they are our Financial Secretaries, each a 65-year member of Vasa, Karen Riston, ViceChairman, 8-year member. Front row, l-r: Doris Del Ciello, Assistant Secretary and 56-yearmember of Vasa, Julian (Del) Del Ciello, our Treasurer, a 36-year member of Vasa. Just a fewof our great team, each are special.

Marlene Swaffar, Sveaborg Lodge #449,receives 55-year pin from Joanie Graham,Grand Lodge Secretary.

Tina Martin, Sveaborg Lodge #449, receives55-year pin from Joanie Graham, GrandLodge Secretary.

Frihet was one of the lodges that spon-sored our District Pacific Northwest #13Convention during September. We are

also setting up a scholarship fund for ouryounger members.

Submitted by: Karla Anderson

Linde Lodge #492Milwaukee, WI

Linde ended the summer season withthe 7th Annual “Kräftskiva” at theEkstrand’s home. 20-something bravesouls came dressed in sweats and withblankets, as this was a cold summer day.Temperatures were only in the 60s, how-ever, it did not stop the fun. The crayfishgot polished off, but most everything hadleftovers. Everyone brought a dish, andwe had everything from herring, eggs,“gubbröra,” “Janson’s frestelse” to pastaand potato salads, sausage, cheeses, slop-py Joe’s, chicken casseroles, “biff a laLindström,” meatballs and “prinskorv,”and that is not mentioning the ten differ-ent desserts. But best of all was that wehad new potential members that we havefound during the summer.

One of the new members, SamBarrette, has also started a “SvenskDiskussions Afton,” which we will try toconduct once a month. We will onlyspeak Swedish at these gatherings.

Submitted by: Liza Ekstrand

Sten Hult and Jake Gruel finishing off the last“kräftor.” Both of them are PDMs in District#8, and also involved in the Grand Lodge aswell as the Vasa National Archives.

A plate full of crayfish.


Skogen Lodge #700Redding, CA

An adventurous group of SkogenLodge members spent a delightful dayplaying at Whiskeytown Lake on Sunday,August 16th, just before the beginning ofschool! We met at the picnic area by thebeach for lunch, visiting and swimming.

Afterwards, we headed for the marina.We had reserved a patio boat for theafternoon. How better to relax and forgetyour cares than to motor around the lake,finding quiet coves and dipping intobeautiful swimming holes!

We ended the day with a fast rununder the bridge and then to the marina togas up the boat – only $6.43 for threefun-filled hours on the lake!

We must come again soon and bring afew more of our members. What a terrificday it was!

On September 19th we celebrated our36th Anniversary. We enjoyed the

Scandia Lodge #728Prescott, AZ

On September 13, 2009, ScandiaLodge returned from a summer hiatuswith the initiation of a new member,Geraldine Olson. She was brought toVasa by current member, June Poe. Wewere informed by Maureen Anderson thatmember Al Albrechtsen is able to returnhome after his latest chemotherapy ses-sion for a cancerous growth behind hisstomach. We were asked to keep him andhis wife Gunhild in our prayers.

At the completion of the meeting wewere entertained by Sharon Docksteaderwho presented the life of a Swedishimmigrant in the mid 1800s inMinnesota. She was introduced asMatilda Moline Eckstrom, who, in fact,was her great grandmother. It was a mostinformative presentation, sponsored byour Cultural leader, Judy Hopkins.

Submitted by: Dennis Malarkey

Sharon Docksteader is wearing her Swedishcostume.

Carl WidénLodge #743

Austin, TXThe Carl Widen Lodge #743 of

Austin, Texas held their annual July pic-nic at the home of Charter member AliceStried. This event is a fundraiser for thescholarships given each year and featuresa silent auction of items donated by themembers. The 2009 scholarship is alsogiven out at the picnic and this year wasaward to Todd Warren, son of memberDebbie Warren.

Photos by Erik LindquistSubmitted by: Marlene Bartlett

Leland Lundgren is the chair of the scholar-ship committee and Debbie Warren is themother of the scholarship recipient.

LindberghLodge #494Palo Alto, California

On July 10 Lindbergh Lodge celebrat-ed its 82nd anniversary with a gala affairthat included a catered dinner and a great 7piece band for dancing and entertainment!We were pleased to include amongst ourguests and visitors the following Vasa dig-nitaries. Grand Lodge Executive BoardMember Tore Kellgren, New DistrictMaster Richard Wooster, Vice DistrictMaster Scott Mathews, Past DistrictMaster Kathy Mathews, District Exec.Board Members “Swede” Englund andVicky Fedor-Thurman, District DeputyMona Clemens

The Festivities included a special per-formance by Lodge member GerryBlaufarb (in appropriate costume) with histap dance rendition of I’m A YankeeDoodle Dandy, with everyone singingalong. The Chairman then asked allmembers and guests with a July birthdayto come forward while he corralledour usual special quartet to lead everyonein singing Happy Birthday and Ja må hanleva, followed by a rousing fourhurrahs.

With the band playing many popularsongs during dessert and coffee, everyonewas ready to get out on the dance floorand do some fancy stepping. It was a veryenjoyable evening, the food was excellentand the fellowship was great, everyonewas pleased that they had participated inthe party.

Submitted by: Chuck Wallin

evening at a local restaurant, The CedarTree, with 27 members and guests. It wasa pleasant evening with much visitingand a wonderful treat of a localBarbershop group, “Riverside Chorus,”entertaining us in such a happy reflectionof music.

Submitted by: Hazelle Mills andKristi Betts

minne av SM Swenson, som byggde ettranchimperium i Texas, och alla andrautvandrade sockenbor.

Lördag den 8 augusti var det dags förårets sommarutflykt. Vi var inte så mångaden här gången som hade möjlighet attfölja med men vi hade en härlig dag medvackert väder, intressanta platser, godmat och trevligt umgänge.

Vår resa gick först till GamlaHjälmseryds kyrka där broder RuneFornander berättade om kyrkans historia.Nästa anhalt blev hos Eva Spångberg,konstnärinnan som gjort många vackraträskulpturer till kyrkor i södra Sverige.Hon kunde inte själv visa oss runt utan vifick se en mycket innehållsrik video omhennes liv och arbete. Efter videon tittadevi på hennes skulpturer i trädgården.

Efter detta var det dags för lunch påLjunga Park, “Nordens största trähus.”Mellan 1907 och 1947 var detta Sävsjösanatorium en kureringsplats för svårtlungsjuka, mestadels tuberkulossjuka.

Efter en alldeles utmärkt lunch fortsat-te vi till Komstad Kvarn för att höra ombygdens och kvarnens historia av RunoSvensson och sedan om Jonas Brunck,smålänningen som gett namn åt stadsde-len Bronx i New York av Elna Nilsson.

Vår resa höll sig inom Njudung på detsmåländska höglandet, där de kändaNjudungskyrkorna finns. Dessa kyrkor(nio till antalet) är byggda på 1100-taletoch kallas för “barfota kyrkor” då de sak-nar sockel. Det var naturligt att avslutavår utflykt med ytterligare en av dessa,Norra Ljunga kyrka. Inne i kyrkan fick vihöra om Smålands största kyrkomålare,hovmålaren Pehr Hörberg (1746 – 1816),som hade bott i Komstad och gjort mångakyrkomålningar i Småland och Östergöt-land. Den innehållsrika dagen avslutadesi församlingshemmet med kaffe ochKomstadkringlor.

Höstens första möte blev välbesökt.Efter en skön och avkopplande sommarkändes det återigen bra att träffas ochprata om sommaren som varit. Vårt förstaefter-kapitel fylldes med ett intressantföredrag om en Kanadaresa från öst tillväst och tillbaka igen, både geografisktoch historiskt. Det var broder StigAsterling från Logen Tre Hjärtan Nr 665i Halmstad som tog oss med på dennaresa. Som vanligt ingick en utmärkt mid-dag och trevlig samvaro under kvällen.

Med denna rapport från LogenSmåland önskas alla i Vasa Orden enfortsatt trevlig höst och också En God Juloch Ett Gott Nytt År!

Submitted by: Maureen Bengtsson,Cultural Leader


SWEDISH NEWS

On September 5, 2009 the GöteborgLodge #452 celebrated its 85th anniver-sary. The lodge was established in 1924,the same year as Calvin Coolidge waselected USA’s 30th president. TheGöteborg Lodge #452 is the oldest VasaOrder lodge in Sweden. The commemo-ration party was held in the city center ofGöteborg. Close to 80 Vasa sisters andbrothers from Stockholm to Skåne partic-ipated in the celebration. An interestingexhibition had been organized byCharlotte Börjesson to present contactsbetween our lodge and lodges in theUSA. We were also fortunate to have theGrand Lodge Deputy Ewa PilhammarAndersson present during the ceremonyand dinner. After the ceremonies con-cluded the evening was spent dancinguntil midnight. This anniversary will beremembered many years ahead... hopeful-ly to the year 2024!

Submitted by: Torsten Olsson,Vice Chairman

Logen GöteborgNr 452

Göteborg, Sweden

Logen Småland Nr 618Jönköping

Anette Atterling

Den 26 april var det dags för sistalogemötet för våren i Logen Småland Nr618. Kvällen till ära bar alla damer hattar.Ett bildspel med titeln “Huvudbonaden –igår och idag” visade dess historia från1500-talet till idag. Ett allsångshäfte hadesatts ihop för kvällen med både

hattsånger och vårsånger och med hjälpav pianisten Nisse Stenbäck sjöngs visor-na glatt av alla. Systrarnas afton blevverkligen en kväll med många vackrahattar, god mat, mycket sång och gladaskratt.

Varje år välkomnas och hyllas TexasLucia av Hembygdsföreningen iBarkeryd i samverkan med Emigrant-institutets Vänner och Vasa Orden avAmerikas Logen Småland Nr 618.

I 22 år har Texas Lucias utsetts av TheSwedish Club i Houston och i 21 år harhon varje år kommit till Barkerydsdagenförsta lördagen i augusti.

Texas Lucia (2008) heter EdenShapiro. Eden härstammar på sin morssida från Dalsland och har även släkt iVärmland. Eden framförde i ett tal påutmärkt svenska en hälsning från TheSwedish Club och berättade också om sigsjälv. Från Logen Småland överlämnadesett diplom som minne.

Från Barkeryds socken har mångautvandrat till Texas. Först att resa dit varSven Magnus Swenson (år 1838) ochsedan följde många efter. Dagen firas till

Margaretha Ruthagen and FS ThorbjörnÅlund from the lodge #452 and Tiit Nurgbergfrom the lodge #626, Skövde.

Charlotte Börjesson, Margaretha Ålund andElvy Jacobsson from lodge #452, Göteborg.

Smakprov

Barbro Vesterinen bjuder på entrésnapsaroch tilltugg. Entrésnapsen smakade “Kungenav Danmark.”


Här är hela gänget samlade utanför Wild West Steakhouse.

Logen Höganäs Nr 634

Vi skulle ha vår “höstutflykt” pålördagen den 12 september och därförhade vi vårt möte på kvällen den 11 sep-tember. Vi var 44 st Vasasyskon somträffades och mötet gick ganska fort.Efteråt samlades vi vid borden som vardukade med varsin landgång. Vi satt ochpratade några timmar och kvällen avslu-tades med sång och gitarrspel av BroderLeif Larsson.

Vi åkte från Höganäs och hämtadeupp systrar och brödrar på vägen. Dennadag var vi 52 Vasasyskon. Första stoppetvar på en rastplats utanför Osby somheter Lars Dufwa. Där serverades fralloroch kaffe och vi njöt av det fina vädret.

Resmålet var Huseby bruk som liggerlite söder om Växjö. Det var CarlGyllenhielm som på 1620-talet lät anläg-ga ett järnbruk i just Huseby. Olika ägarehar ägt bruket och den siste var JospehStephens som efter sin död testamenter-ade godset till sin äldsta dotter Florencesom i sin tur testamenterade bruket tillstaten innan hon dog 1979. Herrgården ärväl bevarad och har en mycket väskött

Högvakten på besök under ledning avHöganäsaren Anders Albin. De hade enuppvisning tillsammans med Blå Stjärnansdamer som red i damsadel.

slottspark. Vi åt lunch på RestaurangStallet och sedan fick vi gå runt i parkenoch titta. Just denna dag var den beridnahögvakten på besök under ledning avHöganäsaren Anders Albin. De hade enuppvisning tillsammans med BlåStjärnans damer som red i damsadel.

Färden gick vidare till Halmstad.Broder Roy berättade lite omSimlångsdalen som är en tätort iHalmstad Kommun. Snart var det tid föross att äta middag och det gjorde vi påWild West Steakhouse, ett trevligt ställemed “mycket” god mat.

Sen blev det dags för hemfärd efter en,som vi alla tyckte, mycket trevlig “hös-tutflykt.”

Insänt av: Ingrid Berg, KulturledareFoto: Hans Bogren och Ingrid Berg

Logen MalmöhusNr 643

Höstens första logemöte förMalmöhus Nr 643 innehöll både sorg ochglädje. Det hölls parentation för BertilHansson som avled i maj och LarsHelgeson som avled några dagar föremötet. Lars Helgeson har innehaft fleraförtroendeuppdrag både i logen och pådistriktsnivå bl.a. som DM för DL 20. Viär många som har gett vårt stöd till VasaSupport Club efter att ha hört LarsHelgeson engagerat berätta om dess verk-samhet.

Till efterkapitlet hade grupp 6 bjuditin Södra Skånes Snaps Sällskap. Underroliga former fick vi smaka på fyra olikasnapsar och gissa vilka kryddor som hadegett smak. Det var inte lätt, men en delrätta gissningar blev det, och mycketskratt. Kryddornas verkningar, ellerbiverkningar i vissa fall, gicks igenomefter att snapsen var inmundigad.Kryddblandningar och böcker fanns till

försäljning och dessa gick åt som smör isolsken.

Texten av: Elisabeth VästerstjärnaInsänt av: Bo Västerstjärna

Logen KnallenNr 745

Vi samlades, ett femtiotal deltagare,vid Odd Fellowhuset i centrala Borås. Vihöll oss denna dag i Sjuhäradsbygden.Vår buss förde oss i första hand tillHedared, på vägen mot Alingsås. Dengamla stavkyrkan, en klenod blandSveriges gamla landskyrkor, förevisadesav en verkligt kunnig och intressantHedaredsbo. Han var dessutom profes-sionellt insatt i byggnadsmaterial ochbyggnadsteknik och kunde förklarastavkyrkans konstruktion med ståendestockar. Han berättade också, att sentidaforskning kommit fram till att virketuppenbarligen inte hade sitt ursprung imedeltiden utan snarare i 1500- eller1600-tal. Själva kyrkplatsen är emellertidbetydligt äldre, och detaljer har påträffatsmed definitivt säkra medeltida rötter.

I Hedared besökte vi också paret Gunoch Gustav Persson på Haraldsgården.Gustav, gammal skogsman, har sedanmånga år ägnat sig åt ett mycket avancer-at och konstfärdigt korgmakeri. Han


Mats anländer med sitt ekipage.

Logen BråvikenNr 751

Logen Bråvikens höststart är som van-ligt en samling för att inbjuda släkt ochvänner och presentera Vasa Orden avAmerika. Resan den här gången var till-samman med de andra två ÖstgötalogernaFilbyter och Vadstena. Resan gick tillSommenbygderna i bästa tänkbara vädermed en strålande sol.

Första annhalten för medtaget kaffeblev hembygdsgården i Malexander, somman kan säga är inkörsporten tillSommenbygden. Efter en stunds gemen-sam avkoppling åkte vi vidare genom detvackra Östgötska landskapet med demånga sjöarna alldeles i gränsen motSmåland. Färjan tog oss över från Blåviktill Torpön för att besöka Naturum ochinte minst beskåda Urkon, en skapelse istorformat av den berömda kon somskvätte mjölk omkring sig så rejält att detstora sjöområdet Sommen bildades. Ja, såär sägen! Från Sommen tas även vattentill stora delar av Småland och Skåne.

Man kan också hälsa på i Pigegråtenen liten damm som ligger nedanförTraneberga. Det var pigan som fått kakorsom hon lade ut i dammen för att ta sigöver den, men man vet hur det går medkakor och vatten! Pigan lär ha drunknat idammen.

Jätten Bule, ja, det är en annan histora.Han blev kristen i slutet av sin levnad ochfördes till hemmet i Bulsjö gård på enOxdrög. Han blev begraven i närheten avgården Skarpenfelt och där restes en stenöver Bule. Det finns två minnesstenar,avståndet mellan dem är 6 meter vilketskall vara Jätten Bules längd. Det finnsmånga skrönor i Sommenbygden, och härär bara ett par av dem.

Det blev trevliga timmar och enlaxlunch på Torpön innan färden gickvidare till Björn i Torpa, en skicklig han-verkare som visade upp sina vackrahantverk i trä.

Sista delen av resan blev ett besök i


Hedareds stavkyrka

avverkar de för ändamålet rätta furorna,som han med stor känsla sågar i lämpligalängder och dimensioner. Dessa blötläggssedan för att få erforderlig spänst och böj-lighet. Därefter framställs med hyvel ochskarpa skärverktyg den fulländade rottin-gen, som slutligen flätas till korgar avolika former och storlekar.

Hustrun Gun stod också för kon-sthantverk på hög nivå. Vad vi särskiltminns är hennes lappteknik och hennesfantastiska applikationer. Gun och Gustavhade tillsammans en utställnings- ochförsäljningslokal, där vi kunde se, njutaoch naturligtvis inhandla deras alster.

Det skall också sägas, attHaraldsgården och Hedared ligger i enmycket vacker och rofylld miljö, etthärligt stycke svensk landsbygd. Volvosprovbana är i all hemlighet obemärktlokaliserad i grannskapet. Ett antal arbet-stillfällen har dock givit underlag för ettlitet villasamhälle, Volvobyn, som välsmälter in i miljön.

Så lämnade vi Hedared och satte kursmot Varnum, strax väster om Ulrice-hamn. Vi fick passera genom Borås föratt nå vårt mål, närmare bestämt familjen

Logen Knallen Nr 745Continued from page 16


Wingborn på Ågården. Det har underåren blivit några vårutflykter till Ågår-den. Alltid har vi mötts av samma gen-erositet och gästfrihet från Ulla-May,Anne-Louise och Bengt Wingborn. Därfick vi träffa Mats Johansson från Knätte,3 mil bort (norr om Ulricehamn), somgjorde stilfull entré med sin “carriage”dragen av en vacker springare. Matsåterkommer med sin bakgrund samt omen mycket speciell religiös sekt fram-sprungen ur den katolska kyrkan i 1500-talets Holland och Schweitz. Det handlarom den så kallade anabaptismen, somsenare fördes över till Amerika under1700-talet. Den etablerade sig i demellersta delarna av Nordamerika och harsedan spritt sig och finns i dag i cirka 35stater, dock i stort sett bara på landsbyg-den. Den förekommer ej i storstäderna.Sekten omges av mycket stränga reglervad gäller såväl det religiösa livet somden vardagliga tillvaron. Klädedräktenför såväl män som kvinnor ligger kvar påungefär “1800-talsmode.” Att köra bileller framföra andra motorfordon är förb-judet. Man får däremot åka som passager-are i exempelvis buss eller taxi. Förlokala förflyttningar gäller häst och car-riage, en 2-axlig, 2-sitsig vagn. Den kanvara helt öppen, täckt, försedd med dörrareller till och med vindruta. De är heltberoende av ägarens ställning inom sek-ten. Det finns också en “cart,” en 1-axligvariant. Mycket finns givetvis att sägaom denna oamerikanska lilla folkgrupp idet amerikanska samhället.

Vår vän Mats hade tröttnat på“svenssonlivet” som ingenjör i Mölndal.Han köpte en liten gård i Knätte, dit hanflyttade och “började om.” Han hade vidresor i USA fått kontakt med sekten ochfascinerats av deras livsstil. Hanimporterade en Carriage, skaffade en hästoch lät skägget växa. Bilen fanns intemed i bilden. Mats är inte medlem av

sekten och står helt utanför det religiösa“reglementet” men har i övrigt anpassatsig till sin lantliga billösa men häs-tanspända tillvaro. Han har emellertidgod kontakt med sina amerikanskabröder, som han ganska ofta besöker. Dethar hittills blivit ca 15 resor.

Tiden gick snabbt på Ågården och detblev dags att åka hem efter en min-nesvärd vårlördag med Logen Knallen iSjuhäradsbygden.

Submitted by: Ingvar Carlén


Logen Vadstena Nr 762

Glad högtidsstämning på podiet, Från v. Connie Grön DD Logen Skövde, Stig Carlsson ordf iLogen Vadstena, Einar Savolainen Grön Distriktsmästare och Logen Vadstena tidigare DD,Lisbeth H Qvarfordt FDM och HM i Logen Bråviken samt den nyutnämnda DD i LogenVadstena och ordf i Logen Filbyter Arne Samuelsson.

Vi fyllde bilen med Vasamedlemmarfrån Logen Bråviken för att vara med iVadstena. Det blev en högtidlig installa-tion av Arne Samuelsson, somDistriktsdeputerad i den nyaste Logen iSverige. “Jag är synnerligen stolt överatt Br Arne nu blir vår DD,” sa Ordf StigCarlsson i Vadstena. Dagen till ära hadevi ett strålande sensommarväder.

Logen Filbyter är fadderloge till dennybildade logen i Vadstena, liksom logenBråviken Nr 751. Nämnas kan också attOrdf. Br Arnes Logen Filbyter fyller 35år under 2010, vilket naturligtvis kommeratt firas.

Många gäster, tio medlemmar från

Logen Filbyter och fem från LogenBråviken, samt några nya gäster videfterkapitlet gjorde kvällens feststämn-ing. Vadstenalogen bjöd också på en finhögtidssupé med underhållning avRiksspelmannen Sven-Erik Wernandersom spelade på sina egentillverkade fioleroch nyckelharpor.

Så vände vi hem igen i den ljummalördagskvällen och konstaterar att återi-gen har vi bevistat ett trevligt logemöte.Nu gäller det att fylla bilen till nästamöte. Vasa Orden i Tiden!

Insänt av: Inge HallbergBilder av: Inge Hallberg

FAMILY

Elliott Codding, of Downey, andHeather Larson, of Irvine, was marriedSeptember 12, 2009 at a private residencein Anaheim Hills. The bride, daughter ofValerie Larson of Irvine, and grand-daughter of Peggy Pages, graduated in2007 from Cal State Fullerton. She is amember of DL Pacific Southwest #15,North Star Lodge # 106. She works atOrange Coast College as theCommunications & Marketing Assistant.The groom, son of El Roy and LyndaCodding of Downey, graduated in 2006from Cal State Fullerton. He is aCredentialed History Teacher and is cur-rently a Substitute Teacher for theDowney Unified School District.

Submitted by: Heather Marie Larson

Wedding Announcement

Anette och Jan Ek, Lisbeth o Inge Hallberg, Elisabeth Annerhult, Owe o Inger Norberg, BeritJohansson o Gerd Johansson (gäster), Stefan o. Chriss Hagfeldt, Ulrica Hofstedt, Carl-MagnusErzell (gäster), Monica Calander, Owe Hilding, Karl-Axel Axelsson o Agnetha Nylin (gäst),Lillemor o Olof Nilsson, Marie Louise Hultin, Ingrid och Lars Olov Ingesson, Una och KarlJerlock, Gunnar Jonsson (gäst), Astrid Johansson (gäst), Britta Holmberg (gäst), Elsie o. StigOlof Claesson, Maj-Britt Strots (gäst), Vivianne Nord, Arne och Christina Lundin, SivFurubacke o. Henry Axelsso, Solveig Larsson (gäst).

Kvarnkulla Trädgård för att sedan avslu-tas på Brostorps gård inte långt frånBoxholm. Kaffe intogs som serveradesmed gådens egna tillverkade ostkakorvilka också tillsammans med gårdensegentillverkade ostar kunde inhandlas tillhyfsade priser.

En mycket trevligv resa i “Östergöt-lands Österlen” som BråvikensKulturledare Sy Una Jerlock ordnat till-samman med maken Br. Karl och sysko-nen Ingrid och Las-Olov Ingesson.

Insänt av: Lisbeth H QvarfordtBilder av: Inge Hallberg

Logen Bråviken Nr 751Continued from page 17


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]

DL CONNECTICUT NO. 1Karl The Xll #103

Allen CharltonBrandon DandelskiLinnea NeurathAnita Nyberg

DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6Viking #735

Michael BirdNancy Sandor

DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8Joe Harbor #534

Darlene KiesselBishop Hill #683

Nancy GreenMichael StravsbaughSidsel Stravsbaugh

Jubileum #755

Joan Sullivan

DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12Sveaborg #449

David SeaborgNorden #684

Joseph BellElizabeth Xavier

Golden Gate #700

Janice OilarJoan Weaver

Valhalla Scandinavia #746

Paul Henry

DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST NO. 13Norrskenet #189

Renee Van DemaeleNorden #233

Marcia AagaardRalph Johnson Laurence Pratt

Solidaritet #396

Carol OlsonFrihet #401

Erik BardIngvar CarlsonGerald Johnson

Olympia #550

Aimie JohnsonJoni JohnsonJulie KapsandyEvelyn RudstromDale WestmanVerna Westman

DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST NO. 15 Viking #256

Kathleen FrancisKerri Mc CluskeyJuliana NagelConnie Sahlin

Evening Star #426

Kiley JahnKristiana Nordin

Scandinavian #667

Hannah JohnsonBaltic #689

Robert HethmonJames PetersonMarion Peterson

Valley/Vikings #701

Ned Driggers

Glenn T. Seaborg #719

Christopher Scott

DL CENTRAL CANADA NO. 16Strindberg #259

Merrill BergLars JanssonCraig SidwallLinda Virag

DL ALBERTA NO. 18Nordstjarnan #575

Brandon SharpeBreanne Sharpe

DL NORRA SVERIGE (SWEDEN) NO. 19Härnösand #673

Barbro DahlqvistJan KindsjöMona KindsjöEgiel Nordlöf

Kongahälla #702

Ingegerd JohnssonArne LindströmLena LindströmInez LjungbergJan PetterssonAnn SieversKenneth Sievers

Advertisein the

Vasa Star

Holiday Greetingsfrom

Arizona District #21District Master Vito Pantaleo

Tucson Lodge #691 Solstad Lodge #709 Phoenix Lodge #677 Scandia Lodge #728

Nordic Red Rocks Lodge #760


God Jul och Gott Nytt Årtillönskas alla Vasavänneri USA, Kanada och Sverige

Richard & DorothyOverberg, GLT

Holiday Greetings UniteMembers and Lodges

God Jul ochGott Nytt År

VASA ORDER OF AMERICAGRAND LODGE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Grand Master - Rolf S. BergmanVice Grand Master - William Lundquist

Grand Secretary - Joan GrahamGrand Treasurer - C. Richard OverbergVice Grand Secretary - Helen MingramMEB-Eastern Region - Pamela Genelli

MEB-Midwest Region - Jake GruelMEB-Western Region - Tore Kellgren

MEB-Sweden - Tore TellbergMEB-Canada Ken Banks

MEB-At-Large - Bertil Ericsson

God Jul och Gott Nytt ÅrTo All Our Vasa Friends

fromDistrict Lodge

Pennsylvania #9Bruce Elfvin

District MasterDavid Williams

Vice District MasterSharen Swanson Tizzano

District SecretaryRichard EricksonDistrict Treasurer

Margaret SchuemanMember Executive Board

Linda AlexyDistrict Cultural Leader

Sandy MillerDistrict Historian

District LodgeLake Michigan #8

wishes all our Vasa friendsGod Jul och Gott Nytt År

Sheila Lundquist, DMTom Cleveland, VDM

Marge Gruel, DSJoella Hultgren, ADS

Lisa Cianci, DTTed Ruser, DHFS

Andrea Wilczynski, DCLLynda Smith, DSCYS

Ed Hultgren, EBMSue Cleveland, EBM

Sten Hult, PDM

God Jul och Gott Nytt Årfrom

Three Crown Lodge #38Stamford, Connecticut

Margit AndersonKarl Fritz

Barbara K. GardeckiPamela Groeschner

Phyllis JohnsonErnest V. Larson

Shirley L. LeopoldGeorge & Ingrid Lukach

Richard J. OlsonEthel ThomasHelen Walding


God Jul och Gott Nytt År from

Siljan Mora TunaLodge #134

Chicago Area

Christmas Greetings from theOfficers and Members of

Oscars Borg Lodge #172Philadelphia, PA

Linda and Ken AlexyMary AuwarterMaj-Britt Gabel

Tony and Rae KazlouskiDoris Kirkpatrick

Sharon and John MarkelMay Odell

Dorothy PaleyDale and Linda Smith

Virginia SwedbergAlice and Charles Thiee

Helen Widman

Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130Cleveland, Ohio

Christmas Greetings and Warm Wishes for Good Healthand Much Happiness in the New Year to all our VASA friends

Emil & Betty Arvidson Ralph & Marianne JohnsonEric & Maria Arvidson Allan & Valerie McAllisterRolf & Marty Bergman Darlene NelsonBurton & Gunvor Carlson Marie-Louise NyborgDorothy Carlson Betty Swenson SchallerBruce & Jackie Elfvin Gail K. SmithDick Erickson Bill SweigardJohn Esborn Ernest SweigertLennart & Marianne Gotrich Sharen Swanson Tizzano

Mildred Valand

God Jul och Gott Nytt Årtill alla VASA Syskom

Mayflower Lodge #445Inglewood, California

God Jul och Gott Nytt Årfrån

Officers and MembersSvea Lodge #296

Erie, Pennsylvania

God Jul och Gott Nytt År

Carl Widen Lodge #743Austin, Texas

God Jul och Gott Nytt ÅrTo All Our Vasa Friends

Skogen Lodge #700Redding, California

Best Wishes for Healthand Happiness

God Jul och Gott Nytt ÅrMerry Christmas and

Happy New Year!From all of us at

Frihet Lodge #401Seattle, WA


ttttttttttttttttttttttttt tt tt tt tt tt tt ttttttttttttttttttttttttt




God Jul och Gott Nytt Årtillönskas alla Vasasyskon

Logen Höganäs Nr 634

ttttttttttttttttttttttttt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt tt ttttttttttttttttttttttttt

Distriktslogen SödraSverige Nr 20

God Jul och Gott Nytt Årtillönskas

alla VasasyskonExecutive Board Members:

Catherine Bringselius NilssonÅke Mellnert Olle Wickström Ingrid Cannerhagen Bengt HammargrenAgneta Västerstjärna Bengt ÅbergMaureen Bengtsson Anita Nilsson


Vi önskar en God Juloch Gott Nytt År

Anita och Lennart Nilsson DL Nr 20 LL Skåne Nr 570

God Jul och Gott Nytt År tillönskas alla Vasavänner i USA, Kanada och Sverige

Gunnar och Siw MossbergPGLMEB

God Jul och Gott Nytt År tillönskas alla Vasasyskon Göran och CatherineBringselius Nilsson

DD LL Nr 680 och DM DL Nr 20

God Jul och Gott Nytt Årtillönskas alla Vasasyskoni USA, Kanada och Sverige

Knut RosenkvistMaj-Lis Friedman

Grand Lodge Deputy - DL Nr 20

Jul – och Nyårshälsningar frånDistriktslogen Södra Sverige Nr 20

Distriktslogen Norra Sverige Nr 19

Ring klocka ring i bistra nyårsnattenmot rymdens norrskenssky och markens snö;

det gamla året lägger sig att dö…Ring själaringning över land och vatten.

Ring in det nya och ring ut det gamlaoch årets första skälvande minut,

Ring lögnens makt från världens gränser ut,och ring in sanningens till oss som famlat.

ALFRED TENNYSON

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Unite Members and LodgesMerry Christmas and A Happy New Year

to All Our Vasa Friends in the US, Canada and SwedenLisbeth H. Qvarfordt and Inge Hallberg

FDM LL751 Norrköping


CULTUREJenny Nyström föddes i Kalmar 1854.

Pappan, Daniel, var folkskollärare ochkantor i Slottskyrkan i Kalmar. Mamman,Anette, var en underbar mamma somenligt JN var en “hejare på att baka pep-parkakshjärtan,” vilka ofta fanns med påJN:s julbilder. I familjen föddes fembarn, tre pojkar och två flickor. En dotteroch en son dog i unga år, och de andrasönerna utvandrade till Amerika. Kvar iSverige blev alltså bara yngsta barnetJenny, som kom att bli en berömd konst-när och hela Sveriges Tomtemor.

Jenny hade en lycklig barndom iKalmar, där hon älskade att leka med sinabröder och kamrater i morföräldrarnasstora, härliga trädgård. Då hon var åtta årflyttade familjen till Göteborg, där fadernfått ett bättre betalt jobb. Den första tidenblev jobbig för Jenny, eftersom hon sak-nade sina lekkamrater och längtade eftersina morföräldrar. Men då hon börjat iskolan fick hon nya vänner och upptäckteockså glädjen i att rita och måla.

Några år senare kom hon in påGöteborgs (senare = Valands) målarsko-la. Eftersom hon var både flitig och begå-vad, ansåg lärarna att hon var en avskolans allra bästa elever. Hon var bara19 år, när hon kom in som elev påKonstakademien i Stockholm, där honstuderade i åtta år. För att få pengar tillmat och hyra och arbetsmaterial understudietiden gjorde hon arbeten på beställ-ning. Hon gjorde teckningar för tidningaroch tidskrifter och även en hel delporträtt, som blev mycket uppmärksam-mad. Hon fortsatte arbeta oförtrutet, togalla chanser att få illustrera barntidningaroch barnböcker för att tjäna pengar. Honbörjade nu bli känd och alltmer uppmärk-sammad för sin konst. Hon fick flera pris-er och även, som första kvinna någonsin,kunglig medalj. År 1881 fick hon ettstipendium som gjorde det möjligt förhenne att ta sig till Paris, så många konst-närers drömmål.

I Paris arbetade JN hårt från morgontill kväll. Först vid Konstakademien, ochnär skolan var slut för dagen, fortsattehon arbeta hemma i ateljén med beställ-ningsarbeten, något som var nödvändigtför att hon skulle kunna finansiera sinastudier i Paris.

JN:s dröm var att komma med påParissalongen, vilket var en stor konstut-ställning med tusentals besökare. Att få

vara med där, var för många konstnäreratt få sin dröm uppfylld.

1884 kom JN med på Salongen medflera verk. Ett av dem var ett självporträtti olja i helfigur och i närmast naturligstorlek. Självporträttet kan man i dagbeundra på Kalmar Museum, där detfinns en permanent utställning om JennyNyströms liv.

1887 gifte sig JN med DanielStoopendaal. Han studerade medicin menblev aldrig färdig läkare.

Han var sjuklig och det var JN somfick ha hela ansvaret för familjens försör-jning och ekonomi. 1893 föddes sonenCurt. Han fick stå modell för många avde bilder med glada, lekande barn mam-man producerade. Curt tog studenten ochbörjade studera medicin. Men då ävenhan var konstnärligt begåvad, gick han imoderns fotspår. Han började i målarsko-la och blev konstnär, särskilt känd för attvara en duktig djurmålare. Hans stilpåminde mycket om mammans och ävenhan blev mycket uppskattad för sinavykort Han blev till stor hjälp för sinmamma. Sina arbeten signerade han‘Curt Nyström’ och som konstnär behöllmamman sitt flicknamn: Jenny Nyström.

Det var under studieåren i Paris JNkom i kontakt med vykorten, som enengelsk firma introducerat. JN, somförstod att vykort var en ny produkt värdatt satsa på, föreslog bl.a. till svenskabolaget Bonniers att börja trycka kort.Hon skickade dem prov på gratulation-skort hon själv gjort för den engelska fir-man, men Bonniers var inte intresserade.Men grosshandlaren Axel Eliasson isödra Sverige trodde på JN:s idé och deinledde ett samarbete. Vykorten blevsnabbt en försäljningssuccé Sedan desshann JN göra förlagor till ca 5.000 helg-och gratulationskort. Efter första värld-skriget kom de första Mors Dagskorten,efter amerikansk förebild. Många ärockså de kort med religiösa motiv JNgjort. Hon blev Sveriges mest produktivavykortsartist.

Som tidigare nämnts var JN en mycketbegåvad konstnär. Hon gjorde fantastiskaoljemålningar, porträtt av kända personeroch vanligt folk. Särskilt omtyckta blevmånga av hennes fina barnporträtt, därsonen och hans kamrater fått vara mod-eller. Hon gjorde pasteller och akvareller.Dessutom illustrerade hon många hundra

vuxenböcker och barnböcker samt otaligaomslag till jultidningar. Hon gjorde jul-dukar i tyg och papper, bonader, pusseloch bokmärken. Men det är ändå för sinatomtar och julkort hon är mest känd, fördet var med julkorten hon nådde denstora publiken.

Tomten var inte någon uppfinning avJenny Nyström, han har funnits i folktrooch sagor sedan lång tid tillbaka. I folk-tron var tomten knappast något gottväsen, han var en pyssling man var literädd för. Om man inte höll sig väl medhonom kunde man råka illa ut. Om mandäremot var snäll mot honom, t.ex. gavhonom gröt på julafton, var han myckethjälpsam mot människorna. Han vaktadederas hus och djur, och varnade för eldoch tjuvar. Men den godmodige, gladejultomten, som lyser av godhet ochgivmildhet, som är god vän med bådemänniskor och djur, den figuren har JNfrån början skapat, inspirerad av densvenske författaren Viktor Rydberg.Rydberg skrev också en dikt, Tomten,och den dikten brukar läsas i mångalokalloger sista logemötet före jul, idecember.

Jenny Nyström blev 92 år, och honfick alltså ett långt liv. Ändå är många såförundrade över att hon kunde och hannmed att göra så många olika saker. Menom man känner till något om hennes livs-

Jenny Nyström - Hela Sveriges Tomtemor (1854 – 1946)


Jenny Nyström


filosofi kan det vara lite lättare att förstå.Hennes filosofi kan sammanfattas i någratänkvärda punkter:

• Var glad och försök alltid tänka pådet som är vackert och vänligt.Elaka tankar åldrar och ger rynkor.

• Lägg dig tidigt och stig upp tidigt.• Ät inte för mycket och framför allt

inte stark och tung mat.• Var tacksam!• Skratta – även åt dig själv.

Insänt av: Gun Lith, SLKLFaktauppgifterna hämtade ur:

Karl och Astrid Jäder: Jenny Nyström.Gunnel Forsberg Warringer: God Jul

med Jenny NyströmFoton: Gunnar Lith, efter julkort.

Jenny Nyström –Sweden’s ‘Mrs. Claus’

Jenny Nyström was born in Kalmar,southern Sweden in 1854. Her father,Daniel, was a teacher and the cantor ofKalmar Castle Church. Her mother,Anette, was a most wonderful motherwho, according to JN, was a fantasticbaker of ginger bread hearts which canoften be seen in her Christmas pictures.Five children were born, three boys andtwo girls. One daughter and one son diedvery young, and the other two sons immi-grated to America. So the only child toremain in Sweden was the youngest one,Jenny, who was to become a famousartist and all Sweden’s ‘Mrs. Claus.’

Jenny was a happy child in Kalmarwhere she loved to play with her brothersand playmates in her grandparents’ love-ly, big garden. When she was eight theNyström family moved to Gothenburg,where Jenny’s father had gotten a betterpaying job. At first Jenny had a hard timeas she missed her playmates and waslonging for her grandparents. But havingstarted school she found new friends andalso discovered the joy of drawing andpainting.

Some years later she was admitted tothe Art School in Gothenburg (laterknown as Valand). As she was both hard-working and talented, the teachers con-sidered her to be one of the very best stu-dents of the school. Only 19 she wasadmitted to the Royal Swedish Academyof Arts in Stockholm where she studiedfor eight years. Almost every day sheworked a lot after school to get moneyfor her room and board, and material forher artwork. She made drawings forpapers and magazines as well as portraits.

She worked tirelessly, taking all thechances she could get to illustrate chil-dren’s, magazines and books to earnmoney. She started to get famous and herworks of art attracted much attention.

She was awarded many prizes, and, asthe first woman ever, she won the RoyalMedal. In 1881 she received a scholar-ship which made it possible for her to goto Paris, the place to be if you reallywanted to become an artist.

In Paris JN worked very hard fromearly morning to late evening. After a dayat the Academy, she went on working athome in her studio with commissionedwork, which was necessary to finance herstudies in Paris. Her dream was to beadmitted to the Paris Salon, which was avery large exhibition that attracted thou-sands of visitors. To have their workexhibited at the Salon was to many artiststhe fulfilment of a dream. In 1884, JNwas invited and exhibited some of herwork. One of them was a life size selfportrait in oil which today can be admiredin Kalmar Museum, where there is a per-manent exhibition about Jenny Nyström´slife.

In 1887 JN married DanielStoopendaal. He was studying medicine,but because of illness he was never ableto finish his studies. So JN had to take thefull responsibility of the support andfinances of the family. In 1893 their sonCurt was born. He had to pose for hismother for many of the pictures withhappy, playing children that she pro-duced. Curt graduated and started tostudy medicine. Being a talented artisttoo, he followed in his mother’s foot-steps. He went to an art school inStockholm and became an artist he wasespecially good at painting animals. Healso became a popular postcard artiststaying very close to his mother’s artisticstyle . Curt was a very good assistant tohis mother, His signature, Curt Nyström,can be seen on many cards. Being anartist Jenny Nyström kept her girl’sname.

It was in Paris JN come in contactwith postcards, introduced by an Englishcompany. Understanding that you couldmake big money on postcards as thisbeing a brand new product, JN suggestedto the Swedish publishing house Bonnierthat they should start producing post-cards. She sent greeting cards that shehad made for the English company, butBonnier were not interested.

A wholesale dealer however, Mr AxelEliasson in southern Sweden, believed inthe new idea, and they started working

together. Postcards soon were a great suc-cess. Since then JN has made about 5.000holiday - and greeting cards. After WW1the first cards for Mother’s Day cameout, an influence from America. She hasalso made many cards with religiousmotives. Jenny Nyström becameSweden’s most productive postcard artist.

As said before JN was a most talentedartist. She produced fantastic oil paint-ings, portraits of famous people and ofordinary people. Particularly popular washer many lovely portraits of childrenwhere her son and his playmates hadbeen posing. She made pastels and water-colours. She illustrated hundreds ofbooks for adults and children and lots ofcovers for Christmas wrapping. She madetextile- and paper tablecloths, tapestries,jig saw puzzles and bookmarks, all withChristmas motives. But it is for her “tom-tar” and Christmas cards she is bestknown. It was with her Christmas cardsthat she reached a large audience.

“Tomten” was not invented by JennyNyström. He has existed in popular folk-lore and tales during hundreds of years.People believed “Tomten” was not a verynice creature, he was dwarf like, a pixie,and we were a bit afraid of him. If youdidn’t treat him nice you could get introuble. But if you were good to him, e.g.giving him porridge on Christmas Eve,he was very helpful, watching your house

Jenny NyströmContinued from page 23


One of Jenny Nyström’s famous ‘tomtar.’


Jenny NyströmContinued from page 24

and animals even warning you of fire andthieves. It was he good-natured, cheerfulFather Christmas shining of kindness andgenerosity, a friend of both people andanimals, that’s the image JN has created,influenced from a fairy tale by theSwedish writer Viktor Rydberg. He alsopublished a famous poem called“Tomten” that is usually read in manylocal lodges at their last meeting of theyear, in December.

Having lived a long life JennyNyström died at the age of 92. People aresurprised that she was able to find thetime to do so many different things. Butby knowing a bit about her philosophy itmight be easier to understand.

Her philosophy can be summed up ina few points well worth thinking of:

• Be happy and always try to think ofwhat’s beautiful and friendly. Evilthoughts will age you and give youwrinkles.

• Go to bed early and get up early.• Don’t eat too much and above all

don’t eat “hot” and heavy food.• Be thankful!• Laugh - even at yourself.

Submitted by: Gun Lith, GLCD

‘Tomtar’ and child on one of Jenny’s famousChristmas Greetings Cards.

AdventWarming up for Christmas

Source: The Swedish InstituteBy the end of November it is time for

friends or colleagues to gather at a restau-rant one evening for the Christmas dinnertable, a buffet combining traditionalChristmas fare with the delights of theordinary smörgåsbord. In recent yearstoo, the Christmas dinner table hasbecome a popular attraction on board theferries to and from Finland, Germany andDenmark.

In people’s homes the approach ofChristmas is signified, for example, bygetting out the Advent candlestick, whichis often a little box with four candle hold-ers embedded in moss and lingonberrysprigs. The first candle is lit on the firstSunday in Advent and allowed to burndown by one quarter. Next Sunday it istime for the second candle, and so on,until the fourth Sunday when the firstcandle has burnt right down and the lastone has been started. This is a peculiarSwedish custom, but it was inspired bythe Advent trees of Germany and becamewidespread in the 1920s.

During Advent many windows arehung with an Advent star, the originalversion of which, made of red paper, wasintroduced in the 1930s. Today one oftensees more sophisticated versions of straw,wood shavings or metal. This customalso originated in Germany, but in recentyears it has begun to be overtaken by thestepped candlesticks which also shinefrom the windows of companies andinstitutions.

Germany also invented the Adventcalendar, nowadays called the Christmascalendar and first introduced in Swedenin 1932. Later, with the production of tie-in programmes, first on the radio andthen on television, sales of Advent calen-dars broke all records.

The celebration of Advent then, is offairly recent origin. It is only in our owntime that church services on the firstSunday in Advent have joined the earlymorning service on Christmas Day intopping the year’s attendance figures.Common to many aspects of modern

Advent celebrations is the part played bycandles, and this is usually quoted toinstance a 20th century “candle revival,”with “living light” providing a counter-poise to the cold lighting technologywhich, towards the end of the last centu-ry, superseded the old, mellower lightsources.

SWEDISH GINGERSNAPSPepparkakor

Source: The Swedish Institute350 g (12 oz.) butter450 ml (2 cups) sugar200 ml (1 cup) dark corn syrup1-1/2 tablespoons ginger1-1/2 tablespoons cardamom1-1/2 tablespoons cinnamon1 tablespoon cloves300 ml (1-1/2 cups) whipping cream1 tablespoon baking soda900 g (9 cups) sifted all-purpose flour

Cream the butter together with sugar,syrup and spices. Add the cream whippedto a soft foam. Mix the baking soda withhalf of the flour and add to the batter.Gradually add the remaining flour. Turnthe dough onto a lightly floured surfaceand knead until smooth. Return thedough to the bowl, cover and refrigerateovernight.

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Rollout a little of the dough at a time directlyon a large baking sheet with nonstickfinish. Roll the dough as thin as possibleand cut with desired biscuit cuttersinto rounds, hearts, stars, pigs or otherfigures. Remove excess dough from thebaking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes, or untilbeautifully brown. Set the baking sheeton a wire rack; remove the biscuits whencool.

If desired, decorate the biscuits withwhite icing. Beat together 400 ml (2cups) powdered sugar, 1 egg white and 1teaspoon white vinegar. Fill an icingtube, or paper cone with fine opening,with the icing and garnish the biscuits. Ordecorate with blanched almonds beforebaking. Makes 300 to 400 gingersnaps.

Holidays in SwedenTraditions and Superstitions©

Siv Swan-Pierson

Holidays in Sweden1 copy PP $15.2 copies PP $29

For more prices or to place an order, pleaseemail Siv at [email protected]


HAPPENINGS

We had a wonderful dedication of theRaoul Wallenberg Memorial brick in theVasa Park Memorial Brick Walk.

Park Chairman Art Ogonoski, DistrictMaster Paul Ljunggren and MeridenMayor Mike Rohde took part in the dedi-cation ceremony. There were about 75people in attendance.

There was a lady from Oxford whohad Raoul Wallenberg's grandchildren inher class, and she had heard about theceremony, so she and her husband want-ed to come and be part of this event aswell as a gentleman from Wallingford.

The Meriden Record-Journal ran abeautiful article a few days prior to theceremony.

Submitted by: Bill Parsons

Vasa Ceremony to Honor Wallenberg

Left to right - Art Ogonoski Vasa Park Chair,Mayor Michael S. Rohde Meriden, CT, andPaul Ljunggren District Master.

Raoul WallenbergMemorial Brick

VIP Visitors to Tennessee

Lars and Britt Rosén.

We were pleased when our long time friends Lars and Britt Rosén con-tacted us about their plans to visit Tennessee.

They are members of Strömkarlen Lodge #653 in Trollhättan and bothhave been active and served as officers in District Lodge Norra Sverige #19.

There is no Vasa lodge closer than four hours from our home here inTennessee so it is especially nice when members find their way to visit us.It gives us opportunities to catch up on our Order.

We have a Swedish mat by our front door. It greets our visitors with“Välkommen!”

Submitted by: Richard and Lillemor Horngren

City of Meriden, ConnecticutOFFICE OF THE MAYOR

142 East Main Street, City Hall • Meriden, CT 06450TELEPHONE (203) 630-4125 • FAX (203) 639-7008

E-Mail: [email protected]

WHEREAS, In January 1944, the United States War Refugee Board askedSweden to send a representative to Hungary to organize rescueoperations for the Jewish community; and

WHEREAS, Raoul Wallenberg, showing extraordinary courage, took this calland managed to saved the lives of some 100,000 men, women, andchildren; and

WHEREAS, Raoul Wallenberg risked his own life countless times during hiswork, rescuing Jews from trains bound for gas chambers, bringingfood and blankets to those on death marches, creating Swedish SafeHouses, and challenging Nazi authorities; and

WHEREAS, Raoul Wallenberg was taken into Soviet “protective custody,” inviolation of diplomatic immunity and international law, underStalin’s directives on January 13, 1945; and

WHEREAS, Soviet officials originally denied having custody of Wallenberg, butsubsequently stated that a prisoner named Wallenberg died in aSoviet prison on July 17, 1947; and

WHEREAS, The Soviet Union has never produced a death certificate or theremains of Raoul Wallenberg to prove that he died; and

WHEREAS, Raoul Wallenberg has become a symbol of the compassion andselfless action one human being can give to help another life.Furthermore, his commitment to fighting for justice and understand-ing is worthy of recognition and emulation; and

WHEREAS, On October 5, 1981, President Ronald Reagan signed into law aproclamation making Raoul Wallenberg an honorary citizen of theUnited States.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael S. Rohde, Mayor of the City of Meriden, do herebyproclaim October 5, 2009, “Raoul Wallenberg Day,” in the City of Meriden.

DATED AND PRESENTED, this 4th day of October, 2009.


Trollebo Swedish Family Camp 2009was kicked off on July 30. Introducingthe evening’s activities was a group sing-a-long accompanied by Heather Norquistplaying her ukulele – all songs inSwedish.

The next 2-1/2 days were busy withknitting, Swedish songs and dances withkeyboard and ukulele accompaniment,language lessons, time at the campfire,hiking and fishing. The “head-wreathsclass” craft project was supervised byMyrtle Widmark. Cultural programsincluded the film “Warship Vasa” for anevening program. In addition, Swedishcostumes provided by Swede Englundwere shown and modeled. The modelswere twin grandchildren of Gail Nemy,Stephen and Julia Nemy and KayleneCutro, granddaughter of Arlene Whiteand Edythe Anderson.

A lot was offered in the short timeavailable, and Trollebo provided some-thing for everyone.

Camp shirts this year were royal bluewith bright a yellow print. Adding totheir unique design was the Swedish flag

Trollebo FamilyCamp

Autumnfest andMarknad atVasa Park

Camp participants and staff

outline on both front and back.Director Edythe Anderson extends her

appreciation to those who volunteered tomake this a memorable weekend at SilverLake in the high Sierra Nevada mountainrange – Karin Johnson, Gail Nemy,Helen Mingram, Heather Norquist,Myrtle Widmark and Swede Englund.And, of course, the wonderful group ofcampers who attended!

Submitted by: Baxter Swaffar

On a beautiful and sunny day inSouthern California, the Vasa ParkAssociation of Southern California heldits annual Autumn fest and Marknad.There was a large crowd in attendanceand the new look to the park was justmagnificent and enthusiasm was foundeverywhere. The park was beautifullydecorated with new very colorful signs.The vendors skillfully presented theircrafts, arts and food, and there was alsovarious gift shops. One of the mainattractions as always was the swimmingpool and the water slide. Ample attrac-tions were provided for the children.There was a Bouncer room, a Zip line,Rock Climbing, Face Painting, Games,etc.

Kin Lindgren of Glenn T. SeaborgLodge was in charge of selecting all thewonderful vendors. The event MarketingCommittee consisted of Ken Larson, AnnHeinstedt, Haakan Lindell, MaidieKarling and Larry Klein.

An excellent breakfast was served bymembers of Oak Leaf and Northern Lightlodges followed by the sale of hot dogsand meatballs by Evening Star and Thulelodges and the District representatives.Bingo and various raffles were heldthroughout the day. As always, the VasaFolk Dance Club of Los Angeles per-formed to the enjoyment of all withmusic provided by Alfon Bergstrom. GailHalverson played lovely music on her“Nyckelharpa.”

The highlight of the day was the

Yolanda’s Swedish Souvenirs

Meatball Eating Contest. Various Vasalodges had attractively decorated bootsand provided very tasteful meatballs pre-pared from their own special traditional,family recipes. The winner of theMeatball Contest was Northern Lightlodge under the direction of HaakanLindell. At the end of the MeatballContest, the president of the Vasa ParkAssociation Frank Muscarella wascrowned the Meatball King for 2009.

It was very nice to se so many partici-pants enjoy all the events, meet oldfriends and make new friends.

Submitted by: Thomas JahnPictures by: Thomas Jahn

Helping Hands forTony’s Hands

A special appeal is being issued toALL Swedes and Swedish descendents tohelp Tony Martin Soderstrom.

Tony was born in Avesta, Sweden, in1966. After fourteen years as a ship mas-ter on the open seas circumventing theglobe for the Swedish Merchant Marines,Tony found employment in the NewEngland area as a charter boat captain.He decided to remain in the states andsettle down. He soon found his way toTexas and trained to become a cropspraying pilot flying helicopters.

Tony Martin Soderstrom

After several years spraying crops andas circumstances occur, Tony without theprotection of self-employed Worker’sCompensation insurance was severelyburned during a refueling stop.

See news articles and a completedetail journal of events at:http://www.swedesintexas.com/readin-groom.



Tony is a strong willed person andworks very hard at recovering the use ofhis arms and hands. But, this will take along time. In the meantime he has nofinancial means to support himself. Heneeds our help to just keep a roof over hishead and food on the table. His goal is toreturn to work, using his hands, as soonas he can.

Tony has no family in the UnitedStates. Through the use of the internetand phone calls he has been able to com-municate his condition to his family.

Tony will not be able to return toSweden for medical treatment. But, he isvery pleased that he is getting the bestcare possible at the burn center in SanAntonio. Since he did not have anyWorker’s Compensation insurance, hehas very limited financial resources tosupport his day to day living expenses.

In summary, his health and life insur-ance, student loan, property to park hiscamper on, car payments, and other liv-ing expenses, are approximately $2,000per month. It is anticipated that Tony willnot be able to work for a minimum of 12months.

In order to take the financial burdenoff of Tony’s shoulders and allow him tofocus on his recovery, we kindly ask foryour support to provide financial help toa special “Swede in Texas.” Your gift of$10.00 to $20.00 per month for the next12 months will go a long way in helpingTony. Your gift can be mailed monthly,quarterly, or at your convenience or evenbetter, a onetime gift. Our financial goalis 12 months of support for Tony.

Make Checks Payable to: TonySoderstrom

Send to: Broadway BankAtt: Wimberley BranchP.O. Box 17001San Antonio, TX 78217

We sincerely appreciate your helpwith this special need. Tony and hisTeam thank Broadway Bank of SanAntonio for providing this collection andfinancial service.

“Tony’s Helping Hand” TeamMarlene Bartlett, David Borg

Rod Johnson, Irma Pearson, Billy Peel,Barbara Van Neil.

This appeal is supported by VASALodges: Carl Widen #743, Austin, Texasand Carl XVI Gustaf Lodge #716, Dallas,Texas.

Vasaorden av Amerika, logenMellerud Nr 644 inbjuder åter alla som ärintresserade av släktforskning ochamerikanska band till en konferens iMellerud, Dalsland. Efter konferensen2008 blev de ombedda, från båda sidor avAtlanten, att snart arrangera en ny konfer-ens. Över 200 människor deltog i denförsta och var mycket nöjda med pro-grammet. Nu arbetar Vasamedlemmaråter tillsammans med Släktforskare påDahl för att arrangera en konferens 13-15augusti 2010.

Programmet kommer att bli omväx-lande och intressant med en fredagsutfly-kt med tåg och buss genom Dalsland,följt av seminarier och utställning påKulturbruket i Mellerud under lördagen.Lördagen avslutas med en bankett medsvenskt smörgåsbord. Söndageninnehåller en gudstjänst i Dalslands älds-ta kyrka följt av kyrkkaffe och ett besök idet lokala muséet. Det kommer även attfinnas arrangemang som tillval underdagarna före konferensen, så som en tur iCarl Oscar Borghs fotspår och en gril-

lkväll i kulturreservatet Åsnebyn. Viinbjuder besökare att stanna ett par dagarlängre för att kunna njuta av det vackralandskapet och intressanta attraktionersamt evenemang i Göteborg, Dalslandoch resten av Västsverige.

Arrangörerna hoppas att programmetska locka många människor som harsvenskamerikanska kontakter, ärintresserade av släktforskning eller harsvenska rötter. Många människor i inreBohuslän och Dalsland håller på medsläktforskning och kartläggning avkyrkogårdar och soldattorp. Samtidigtpågår en kartläggning av svensk-amerikanska kyrkogårdar i områden däremigrationen från Dalsland varit särskiltstor. Länkarna mellan de båda länderna ärotaliga.

Det går att anmäla sig till konferensenredan nu. Mer information finns på hem-sidan www.emigrationdalsland.com.Välkommen till Dalsland 2010.

Insänt av: Eiwor Backelund, LogenMellerud Nr 644

“Letters to Sweden” –Emigration Conference 2010

The Vasaorder of America, lodgeMellerud Nr 644 is once again invitingall who are interested in genealogy andSwedish American connections to a con-ference in Mellerud, Dalsland. After theconference 2008 they were asked fromboth sides of the Atlantic Ocean, toarrange a new conference soon. Over 200people attended the first one and theywere very happy with the program. Nowthe Vasa members again work togetherwith the Genealogical Society ofDalsland to arrange a conference August13-15, 2010.

The program will be diverse and inter-esting with a Friday excursion by trainand bus throughout Dalsland, followedby seminars and exhibition atKulturbruket, Mellerud on Saturday.Saturday ends with a banquet withSwedish smorgasbord. Sunday contains aservice in the oldest church in Dalslandfollowed by church coffee and a visit tothe local museum. There will also besome optional events to participate in thedays before the conference starts, such asa tour in the footsteps of Carl Oscar

Borgh and a barbecue at the culturereserve Åsnebyn. We invite visitors toextend their visit for a few days and alsoenjoy the beautiful scenery and interest-ing attractions and events in Gothenburg,Dalsland and the rest of Western Sweden.

The sponsors hope that the programwill attract many people who haveSwedish American connections, are inter-ested in genealogy or have Swedishroots. Many people in the inner parts ofBohuslän and in Dalsland are doinggenealogy and the inventory of cemeter-ies and soldier’s homesteads is inprogress. At the same time there is anongoing inventory of Swedish-Americancemeteries in areas where the emigrationfrom Dalsland has been especially big.The links between the countries arecountless.

You can register for the conferencealready. More information is available atwww.emigrationdalsland.com. Welcometo Dalsland 2010.

Submitted by: Eiwor Backelund,Logen Mellerud Nr 644.

“Letters to Sweden” –Emigration Conference 2010

Helping Hands for Tony’sHandsContinued from page 27


ARNE JEAN SIDÉN of Banning, CA, was born inStockholm, Sweden, September 23, 1921. Hepassed away August 11, 2009, at age 87. Arneserved in the Swedish Navy during WWII beforeimmigrating with his young family to the UnitedStates in 1953. He is survived by Alva, his wife of63 years, daughters Monica Sidén and LindaNessen, son-in-law Steve Nessen and 1 granddaugh-ter. Arne and Alva joined Thule Lodge #467 in1982. He is fondly remembered and will be greatlymissed.

CONNECTICUTTHOMAS J. CARLSON, 83, of Farmington, CT,beloved husband of Mary Lou (Post) Carlson, diedpeacefully September 15, 2009, at home surroundedby family and friends. Born in Hartford, August 10,1926, son of the late C. Robert and Ellen (Lind)Carlson. Prior to retiring, he was a Supervisor atSNET Co. He served in the U.S. Army Air Forceand was stationed in Germany after WWII. Thomaswas a member of many local organizations includ-ing the Scandinavian Cultural Society and wasPGLD and PDM of District Lodge Connecticut #1,Vasa Order of America and an active member ofNorden Lodge #1. Besides his wife, he is survivedby 2 children and their spouses, David A. andLouise A. Carlson of Columbia, MD, and Lisa C.and Leonard Hacking of Oreland, PA; and 5 grand-children.

CARL B. ERICSON, 89, of Forestville, CT, diedOctober 16, 2009, in Bristol. He was the husband ofthe late Daisy G. (Gustafson) Ericson. Born inHartford, a son of the late Bernard C. and Nellie(Gustafson) Ericson, Carl served in Europe with theU.S. Army, 6th Armor Division during WWII. Heworked as an accounting manager with Aetna FireInsurance Co. and retired in 1982. He was an activemember of the Vasa Order of America, havingserved as Chairman of Norden Lodge #1, PastDistrict Master (’52-’53), Past Grand Lodge Deputyand Vasa Park Chairman. Carl had a passion formusic his entire life. He played bass guitar and wasa band leader with orchestras throughout theBristol/West Hartford area and regularly entertainedat Vasa Park. He was very active with St. PaulLutheran Church, a 32 Degree Mason with Wyllys-St. John Lodge #4, and active with several otherorganizations throughout the Bristol area. He leaveshis son and daughter-in-law, Carl B. “Bernie” andGail Ericson, and granddaughter Emily.

AXEL EDWARD OHRN passed away July 6,2009. He was born in Ramnäs, Sweden, July 20,1911. Axel joined Three Crown Lodge #38,Stamford, CT, June 23, 1937. He was predeceasedby his wife Linnea. Axel is survived by a brother,Arne G. Ohrn, a daughter Barbara, son Frederic andmany grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

OHIOEVY KRIEGER, 84, of Peoria, AZ, passed awayJune 11, 2009. She was born April 11, 1925, inHalmstad, Sweden, and was initiated into HarmonyLodge #465 on May 14, 1966. She is survived by ason Gregory of Boardman, a daughter Cheryl ofPhoenix, and a stepson, William of Michigan. Shealso leaves 4 grandsons and 6 nieces and nephews.

ANNA MARIE MARTINDALE, 94, of Tucson,AZ, formerly of New Middletown, passed awayAugust 20, 2009. She was born on April 23, 1915,in Youngstown, OH, and was initiated intoHarmony Lodge #465 on May 18, 1963. Her hus-band, Howard, preceded her in death. She leaves herson Tom, a granddaughter, Holly, and a grandson,

Tom. She also leaves a sister, two brothers and anuncle.

MARJORIE NELSON passed away March 16,2009, at the age of 87. She was born August 29,1921, in Youngstown, OH, and was initiated intoHarmony Lodge #465 on March 15, 1984. She issurvived by a niece, Barbara Bestic, a nephew,Dennis Nelson and 3 great-nephews.

WASHINGTONMARGARET “MAGGIE” ANN BERTHI-AUME passed away September 13, 2009, inSeattle, WA. She was born Maj Britt Ferngen,August 19, 1924, in Stockholm, Sweden. She joinedFrihet Lodge #401 in 1999. She was always a help-ful and willing volunteer. Maggie was Frihet’schaplain and will be greatly missed. She is precededin death by husband Don Berthiaume in 2003.Maggie is survived by her daughters Lynn Mathewsand Mary Emerson.

GUNNAR T. EDLING passed away September17, 2009, in Issaquah, WA. He was born March 19,1908, in Sweden. He joined Frihet Lodge #401 in1979. Gunnar is preceded in death by his wifeThaura (Sunholm) Edling. He is survived by 4 chil-dren.

ELSIE MARIE (SOLEM) EDSTROM , ofFederal Way, WA, passed away August 2, 2009.She was born May 22, 1918, in Duluth, MN. Elsiejoined Frihet Lodge #401 in 1979. She is survivedby daughter Dorothy Hartley, of Washington, andson Robert Edstrom, of California. She was preced-ed in death by husband T. Bernard “Bernie”Edstrom.

CANADAFRANK AHLSSON, age 84, born February 7,1925, in Linköping, Sweden, passed away August8, 2009, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He leavesto cherish his memory Irma and family, Wilhelmand Doris, Eva and Fredrik, and Ingrid and family.He began working in his father’s hardware store,continuing on to Bolinder-Munktell, part of theVolvo Group. A successful salesman he was sent toCologne in 1961, Vienna in 1964 and finally toWinnipeg in 1968, where he retired in 1986. In1991 he lost his wife Marianne, later sharing manyyears with Irma Bernauer.

BLANCHE LOFGREN , born in MacklinSaskatchawan, Canada, moved to Hoquiam and wasa long-time resident, passed away November 25,2008, at the age of 92. Blanche first joined Vasa 73years ago. She is survived by 2 daughters, a son,brother, sister-in-law, 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by herhusband.

In MemoriamTill minne av hädangångnaordenssyskon genom vilkas

bortgång syskonkretsen gjorten kännbar förlust

In memory of our departedmembers who will be

sorely missed

ARIZONATHOMAS B. LEVIG, member of Vasa SolstadLodge #701 since 2001, passed away in Sun City,AZ, on September 3, 2009. He was born inClarkfield, MN, on July 31, 1932. After serving inthe US Army, Tom was dedicated to continuing hiseducation, attaining his Master’s Degree, majoringin Counseling and Guidance. After receiving hisdoctorate, he relocated to Cambridge, MN, to estab-lish a community college there. He was also instru-mental in many other leadership roles. A MinnesotaCommunity College administrator, he retired in1993. However, he continued serving not only edu-cational affiliates but was also active in civicresponsibilities throughout the years. He was mostjoyous when he could be the guiding hand to open-ing educational opportunities for people. Residingin Arizona, he was serving as Financial Secretary atSolstad Lodge and as a District Officer for DistrictLodge Arizona #21. He was a Vice President ofClub Scandinavia. He was also with the Sheriff’sPosse, volunteered at the Del Webb Hospital, andserved in numerous other community activities.Summers were spent at Breezy Point, MN. He issurvived by his wife Anne, daughter Debra Grabau(Scott), and son Michael, and grand and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by 2 brothers,Merle and David.

CALIFORNIAKEITH CARLSON, member of Linnea Lodge#504 and local artist, passed away September 1,2009, at age 82 in Santa Rosa, CA. Born in Kansas,he moved to California following service in WWIIand the Korean War. He is survived by long-timecompanion Marilyn Halvorsen, a sister, son-in-law,2 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild, nieces andnephews.

LILLIAN M. JOHNSON, of San Clemente, CA,passed away August 17, 2009, at the age of 89years. She was born in Boston, MA, on March 16,1920 and joined Mayflower Lodge #445 onJanuary 25, 1940.

ALF JOHANNES RYDBERG passed away athome on August 1, 2009, in West Hills, CA, at theage of 96. He was born on May 1, 1913, inNykroppa, Sweden. He was an engineer for theSaab aircraft division. After coming to Los Angeleshe married in 1949. He took the test and became aproud U.S. citizen. Alf was a building contractordoing room additions and kitchen remodels until heretired at age 65. He took up golf and played twicea week until well over 90 years old. He enjoyedsinging in the Vasa choir. He was a 40-year mem-ber of Golden Valley Lodge #616. Alf is survivedby his wife of 60 years, Dagmar, 3 daughters,Mona, Nina and Tina, and 5 grandchildren,Kristina, Jennifer, Deidra De Hart and Melissa andBrian Steffen.

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.


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Stockholm with a stay at the Grand HôtelSwedish Press celebrates its 80th Anniversary this year with a very special offer. Every one-year Swedish Press or two-yearScandinavian subscription (coupon below), entitles you to one entry in our draw for an Icelandair return trip for two toStockholm from Boston, NewYork - JFK, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando Sanford, Seattle, Halifax or Toronto - with a longluxurious weekend at the centrally located five star Grand Hôtel with sumptous breakfasts included. Your trip of a life-time also includes hotel for two nights in Reykjavik to explore Iceland’s exciting capital (September - April season)*. Enteryour subscriptions for the electronic or paper version of the magazines by January 15, 2010. Your chances of winningmultiply with every additional entry! And if you give two gift subscriptions this Christmas, you will get an extra gift - theCarl Larsson Birthday Calendar (value $14) with the most popular of his paintings, a biography and a “perpetual” calendar.

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and � enclosed names and addresses of gift subscriptions (qualifying for a free Calendar for ea. 2 gifts)� Please send me . . . . . copies of God Jul for $25 (see below) incl. s&h in U.S.A. and Canada� I enclose a check or � Charge my or . . . . Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .#. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Exp.Date. . . . . . . . .

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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ADDRESS CITY ZIP/POSTAL CODE

Give two Giftsand You get aGift Calendar!

Please mail to Swedish Press, Box 4302, Blaine, WA 98230, USA or 1294 West 7th Avenue,Vancouver BC V6H 1B6 Canada. Or fax to 604-731-2292 or email to [email protected]

COMPETITION ENTRY

Swedish Christmas at its bestbeautifully recorded on more than 300 old Christmas cards.This Swedish Christmas best-seller is now available in Englishfor the first time for $25 (including Shipping & Handling).You will cherish God Jul - A Swedish Christmas year afteryear. The best Christmas gift you can give. Or receive.Hardcover binding with dust jacket. The actual size of the book is 9-1/2” x 9 “(or 24 x 23 cm). 96 Full color pages. First published by Bonniers in Sweden.

Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 VOA Children’s ClubPresents

Lucia & Folk Dance Double CD, Lucia Songbook and Folk Dance Instruction Book

Listen to the sweetness of the children’s voices as you prepare for the coming Christmas season.Close your eyes and you’ll imagine Lucia floating into the room surrounded by her maidens, starboys, bakers and tomtes.

During and after Christmas you’ll be tapping your feet to the lively accordion and fiddle music on thefolk dance CD as you imagine dancers in Swedish folk costumes gliding across the dance floor, ordancing around the maypole or Christmas tree.

You can use these CDs to put on your own folk dance exhibitions and Lucia pageants since theyalso include instrumental only tracks. Our Lucia songbook includes English and Swedish versions ofthe songs and narrations.

Our Folk Dance Instruction Book has detailed instructions for each of the dances on our CD as wellas instruction and illustration pages to help you master each step, hold and position for the dances.

Get your copy of this double CD, Lucia instruction booklet and Folk Dance Instruction Book foronly $30 (which includes shipping and handling). If you already have the CDs and Lucia Bookletand wish to purchase the Folk Dance Instruction Book only, the price is $12 (which includes ship-ping and handling). Make checks payable to “Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1” and include your mailingaddress with a contact phone number or email address to:

Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1 c/o Elaine Lindquist McGrath252 Wellington Road S, Garden City, NY 11530

Information: call Elaine at (516) 565-2091 or visit www.skandjam.com/PAGES/elsarix.htm

NordiskalEric MickelsenPO Box 16994

Portland, OR 97292503-939-2144

[email protected]

Add $5.00shipping

per addressby USPS.

Checks Only!

Check with Your LocalScandinavian Store(prices may differ)

Also have Calendars, Mouse Pads,Magnets and Note Cards

for Finland, Norway, Denmark.

Selling Swedish CalendarsBilingual 13 month calendar

12 x 9 inches (open)

$10.00 each6 or more – $8.00 each

Mouse Pad7 3/4 x 7 inchesPlastic Covered

Swedish Flag$6.00 each

Magnet2 x 3 inchesSwedish Flag$3.00 each

Christmas NoteCards4 x 5 1/2 inchesBlank insidewith whiteenvelope.MerryChristmasin 7 languages.$2.50 each

Windmills onÖland Note Card

4 x 5 1/2 inchesBlank inside with

whiteenvelope.

$2.50 each

Front

Back

Make the most of your time – fly smoothly and comfortably to your friends and family. By the way, Vänner means friendsin Swedish. Check out all our timetables and destinations at flysas.com/us. Welcome onboard!

Go to flysas.com/us for great

deals to Scandinavia and Finland.

Vänner.Copenhagen Stockholm Oslo Helsinki Gothenburg Stavanger*

fl ysas.com/us *Check out all our destinations and timetables at www.fl ysas.com

Sweden & America is a joint quarterly publication of The Swedish American Center(formerly named Emigrant-registret/Kinship Center) in Karlstad, Sweden, and the Swedish Council of America.It is our ambition to reflect persons, places and events in the common history, and to preserve and strengthen the ties between Sweden and America.

Give the gift of Swedish America with a subscription

to the Sweden & America magazine!

Regular price for one year (4 issues) $16.00VASA members receive 50% discount

Send name(s) & address(es) and lodge name & number with payment to:Swedish Council of America

2600 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407

www.swedishcouncil.orgwww.swedenamerica.se

THE SWEDISHCLOCK MAKER

Traditional Swedish designhandcrafted in Oregon.

Custom painted to orderin any color or folk art style.

For details see website:swedishclockmaker.com

Phone 541-461-0329Email: [email protected]

St. Lucia FestivalDecember 12, 2009

Museum of Seminole County HistorySanford, Florida

www.sanfordstlucia.com

Documents

THE VASA STAR