TTHHEE VVAASSAA SSTTAARR VVaassaassttjjäärrnnaann

Publliicatiion of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERIICA WWIINNTTE E RR 2200112 2 wwwwww..vvaassaaoorrddeerr..ccoom m The Grand Master’s Message

Bill Lundquist

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, Kära Vasabröder och Systrar! We are well underway recovering from Vasa’s large financial losses Vi är på god väg att återhämta oss från Vasas stora finansiella förlust of 2009 thanks to your understanding and generosity. Through your 2009 tack vare er förståelse och generositet. Genom ert stöd för våra nya support of new fundraising efforts and donation of your OA&B ansträngningar att samla in medel och donationerna av överskottet i de surpluses combined with the current GL Board’s dedication to a budget Nordamerikanska logernas ‘Old Age and Benefits Funds,’ tillsammans designed to support only essential spending, we have been able to get med innevarande styrelses inriktning på att endast nödvändiga utgifter får our financial focus back. I ask all Districts to continue to support these rymmas i budgeten, har vi kunnat få tillbaka vårt finansiella fokus. Jag ber donation efforts annually in order to restore Funds. The Grand Lodge alla berörda distrikt att fortsätta stödja dessadonationer årligen för att åter - Financial Report doesn’t appear in this issue of the Vasa Star because ställa de medel vi behöver. Storlogens finansiella report finns inte med i of an audit delay, but will be sent via e mail distribution and available detta nummer av Vasastjärnan på grund av en försenad revision men den on the website as soon as possible. The printed copies will be in a kommer att sändas ut via mejl och också sättas upp på webbsidan så snart future issue of the Vasa Star this year. det är möjligt. Den tryckta rapporten kommer att finnas med i ett kom - Wherever I travel within the organization I hear the desire to restore mande nummer av årets upplaga av Vasastjärnan . the Education Fund and the Scholarship Program which can be accom - Vart jag än reser inom organisationen, säger man att man önskar åter - plished through strong donation to the annual Stamp Campaign. Thank ställa Utbildningsfonden och vårt Stipendieprogram, vilket kan uppnås you to those dedicated members who accepted my challenge in the last genom avsevärda donationer till den årliga Brevmärkeskampanjen. Tack issue of the Vasa Star and made additional gifts to the 2011 Stamp till de hängivna medlemmar som tog min utmaning i förra numret av Fundraiser. Additional stamps were sent to all Districts and an addition - Vasastjärnan och gav ytterligare gåvor till Brevmärkeskampanjen 2011. al $1,500.00 has been received bringing the total to $15,000.00 with Fler brevmärken skickades ut till distrikten och vi har fått in ytterliga more contributions coming every day. I can only hope that all Vasa $1,500.00, vilket höjer det totala beloppet till $15,000.00, och fler bidrag members contribute to this fundraiser next year when another beautiful kommer in dagligen. Jag kan bara hoppas att alla Vasamedlemmar bidrar stamp will be introduced. till denna insamling nästa år, när ett annat vackert brevmärke kommer att Thank you to those members who generously contributed to the introduceras. annual Jul Gran Fundraiser in support of the Vasa National Archives, Tack till de medlemmar som generöst bidrog till den årliga Bishop Hill, IL. Personalized ornaments honoring loved ones were Julgransinsamlingen, som stödjer Vasa Arkivet i Bishop Hill, Illinois. hung on the tree during the dedication service in December. The service Personliga julgransprydnader till minne av nära och kära hängdes på was attended by five Archive Board members, the Archivist, granen under dedikationsceremonin i december. I ceremonin deltog fem av Arkivets Styrelsemedlemmar, Arkivarien, några av Storlogens utsedda Grand Lodge appointed officers, District Lodge No. 8 board members Tjänstemän, Styrelsemedlemmar från Distriktslogen nr 8 och medlemmar as well as members of Bishop Hill Lodge. The newest member of av Bishop Hillslogen. Den nyaste medlemmen i Arkivets Styrelse, Helen the Archive Board, Helen Haumacher and her husband, Art traveled the Haumacher och hennes man Art, reste den längsta sträckan (New Jersey) longest distance (New Jersey) to participate. The program was för att deltaga. Programmet spelades in på video och visades på Vasas video taped and appeared on both Vasa websites, vasaarchives.com and båda webbsajter, vasaarchives.com och thevasaorder.com . thevasaorder.com . Jag är fortfarande överväldigad av den hängivenhet som många Lokala I remain overwhelmed by the devotion many local lodges give to Loger visar när det gäller att fira och bevara den Skandinaviska kulturen. the celebration and preservation of Scandinavian culture. The challenge Det kan vara en utmaning att hitta sätt att dela med sig av dessa fina pro - is developing a way to share these great programs with those who find gram till dem som tycker att programutveckling är svårt. Jag uppmanar ofta program development difficult. I often encourage cultural leaders to Kulturledarna att planera sina program med hjälp av internet, där informa - plan programs using the internet where information is at our fingertips. tion finns lätt tillgänglig. Att ha tillgång till internet har dock visat sig vara Internet accessibility is a greater challenge than first anticipated. en störrre utmaning än vi först trodde. Många medlemmar använder fort - Many members still do not use computers as District Secretaries will farande inte datorer, vilket Distriktssekreterarna kan intyga. Med detta i attest. With that in mind, I am developing alternative initiatives to pro - åtanke håller jag på att utveckla alternativ för att ge våra medlemmar “en vide our members “an exciting Vasa,” one that will encourage new spännande Vasa Orden,” som kan locka nya medlemmar och bidra till att members as well as keep our existing members. I receive a District behålla våra nuvarande medlemmar. Jag får en Distriktsrapport varje gång Report each time I visit a Convention. I read of the amazing work done jag besökar en Konferens. Jag läser om det enastående arbete som by District Cultural Leaders and Historians internationally. These dedi - Distriktskulturledarna och -Historikerna gör internationellt. Dessa hängivna cated leaders express a willingness to help others. I’ve contacted sever - ledare visar en villighet att vara till hjälp för andra. Jag har kontaktat flera al of them and they’ve volunteered to help me create “Cultural Care av dem och de har erbjudit sig att hjälpa mig skapa “Kulturella Kits” available to local lodges either electronically or in hard copy. Redskapsset” för de Lokala Logerna antingen på elektronisk väg eller i I’m hopeful that this effort will burn up limitations on the local lodge tryckt form. Det är min förhoppning att detta arbete ska eliminera sådana level that are holding us back related to maintaining member interest in begränsningar på den lokala logenivån, som håller oss tillbaka när det cultural preservation. This will make the Vasa Order better and gäller att säkra medlemmarnas intresse för att bevara vår kultur. Detta kom - stronger. mer att göra Vasa Orden bättre och starkare. I encourage you all to shake off any discouragement and negativity En vänlig uppmaning till er alla: skaka av er känslor av uppgivenhet and work together for the “Good of the Order.” och negativitet och arbeta istället tillsammans för “Ordens Bästa.” In Truth and Unity I Sanning och Enighet Bill Lundquist, Grand Master Bill Lundquist, Stormästare THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020 ) THE VASA STAR WINTER 2012 Winter 2012 Vol. 105, No. 1, Serial 848 Deadlines for The Vasa Star: Published by: Vasa Order of America Winter Deadline is January 1; Spring Deadline is April 1 vasaorder.com Summer Deadline is July 1; Fall Deadline is October 1 HEADQUARTERS: Picture and article, 200 words or less. c/o Joan Graham Grand Secretary Please send pictures of good quality in order for them to reproduce well in The 5838 San Jose Avenue Vasa Star. Electronically submitted photos should be scanned in JPEG format at a Richmond, CA 94804 resolution of 300 dpi. Phone: 510-526-5512 E-mail: [email protected] For submitted Lodge articles, please add city and state. Thanks! Price for Christmas Greetings – $30.00 column inch Grand Master: Bill Lundquist Deadline for Lucia articles is January 1 1456 Kennebec Rd. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 IN MEMORIAM Phone: 810-695-3248 Please read instructions on how to send and pay for Obituaries. Cell Phone: 810-845-5065 E-mail: [email protected] Editor: VASA DIRECTORY OFFICIAL ADDRESS LIST It is the listing for every lodge in the Vasa Order, with meeting locations and offi - cers, and addresses and telephone numbers for all Grand, District, and Local lodges as well as all Children’s Clubs and Activities Clubs. Circulation Manager: (All Address Changes) In an effort to cut costs, the Vasa Directory will be provided to every district and Joan Graham local lodge via an email attachment. It has been re-formatted so that it can be print - 5838 San Jose Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 ed on your home printer, on 8 1/2 x 11 paper. Please take it to your local office sup - Phone: 510-526-5512 ply store to make copies for those in your lodge who don’t have computer capabili - E-mail: ty. It can be copied “double sided,” and put into a binder or notebook. If no one in [email protected] the lodge has the capability of printing the Vasa Directory, please contact the Grand Send bottom section of white copy of application for new members to her. Secretary Joanie Graham, and a paper copy will be sent to you. DIRECTORY IS ON THE VASA WEBSITE Membership Chairman: You can also check the Vasa website www.vasaorder.com to locate Grand, District, Art Bjorkner 31 Vasa Drive, and Local Lodge information. Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 USA Advertising: U.S. Postage Service Statement of Ownership Only electronic submissions Management and Circulation Send to: Joan Graham 1. Title of publication: Vasastjarnan, The Vasa Star. 1A. Publication No. 65-0702. E-mail: [email protected] 2. Date of filing 9/30/11. Invoices will be submitted electronically 3. Number of Issues Published Annually: 4 3A. No. of issues published annually: 4. 3B. Annual subscrip - (via e-mail) tion price: Members’ dues include magazine; subscription-$10 yr. 4. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804 5. Complete mailing address of the headquarters of general business office: 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804. Advertising Prices: 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, Full Page Black and White $500.00 OH 44060. Managing Editor: William L. Lundquist, Grand Master, 1456 Kennebec Rd., Grand Blanc, MI Half Page Black and White $275.00 48439 Quarter Page Black and White $150.00 7. Owner: Vasa Order of America, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804 One Column Inch $ 30.00 8. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total Half Page Color $500.00 amount of bonds, mortgages or other: None. Full Page Color $800.00 9. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for Federal Available only for inside front cover, inside income tax purposes has not changed during preceding 12 months. back cover or back cover. 10. Extent and nature of circulation: 10% discount for Vasa Lodges and Members Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months. A. Total no. copies: 8,133. B. Paid or requested circulation. 1) Sales through dealers, carriers and counter sales: 0. 2) Mail subscription: 7,984. C. Total paid and/or requested circulation: 7,984. D. Free distribution by mail–0. 3) Other classes mailed through the USPS: 0. E. Free distribution outside the mail: 149. F. Total free distribution: 149. G. Total distribution: 8,133. H. Copies not distributed: 0. I. Total: 8,133. J. Percent paid and/or requested THE VASA STAR (ISSN 0746-0627) is circulation: 98%. published quarterly by the Vasa Order of 11. I certify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete: Joan Graham, Business America. Periodicals postage paid at Manager, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804. Richmond, CA, and additional entries. POSTMASTER: Send address changes Cover: to The Vasa Star, 5838 San Jose Ave., Swedish Jul Bock enjoying a beautiful snowy Michigan day. Richmond, CA 94804. Picture by: Bill Lundquist, Grand Master

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 3 Letter from the Editor (pro tem) First, the Grand Lodge wishes to thank Marie Carlson for the tremendous job she did as Vasa Star Editor since 2002. Marie made many improvements to the magazine during her tenure and we appreciate her style and expertise. After completing this issue as the pro tem Editor, I certainly appreciate her efforts. We wish her great suc - cess in her new endeavors in Sweden as a “hemspråkslärare” home language/mother tongue teacher in English. You will notice something new on the cover - a change in the monthly designation. Instead of identifying the months, the designation will describe season when the activ - ities were held. Thus, the “Winter” issue will report on the activities held during the previous winter months, “Spring” issue will report on the activities held during the spring months just concluded, etc. This more descriptive way of identifying each issue will remove the feeling that each issue was “late,” when receiving it “after” the desig - nated months. Thank You Vasa We are happy to be able, finally, to produce a printed issue of The Vasa Star fol - lowing two web-only issues. The GL Executive Board was not happy to have to pro - PAGE 16 duce two web-only issues, but financial limitations forced this budgetary decision. The plan is to produce four printed issues during 2012. However, this will probably be the last glossy magazine produced. We are looking at several options to lower the cost – TABLE OF CONTENTS possibly a newspaper or newsletter format. A definite money saving solution is to produce an online-version simultaneously for those members who prefer to read The Vasa Star online. This will reduce printing Archive News ...... 5 and mailing costs tremendously by removing those members from the snail-mail mail - ing list. Please read the article in this issue about this option and let me know if you prefer this method of receiving The Vasa Star. Grand Lodge News ...... 7 The position of Vasa Star Editor is open and anyone wanting to explore this job opportunity is encouraged to contact the Grand Master Bill ( [email protected] ) or Lodge News ...... 9 the Grand Secretary Joanie ( [email protected] ) for more information, a job description and an application. Swedish Lodge News ...... 20 Thank you for your patience with me as I try to wear the Editor’s hat without giving short-shrift to the Grand Secretary’s responsibilities. Youth News ...... 21 Joanie Graham Tillförordnade Redaktören har ordet Culture ...... 21

Först önskar Storlogen tacka Marie Carlson för det fantastiska arbete hon har lagt Swedish Language Corner ...... 22 ner på Vasastjärnan sedan 2002. Marie gjorde många förbättringar till tidningen under sin tid och vi uppskattar hennes stil och expertis. Efter att, som tillförordnad redaktör, ha gjort färdigt det här numret, uppskattar jag verkligen hennes arbete. Vi önskar Welcome to New Members ...... 25 Marie stor framgång på hennes nya äventyr i Sverige, som hemspråkslärare för engelsktalande. In Memoriam ...... 26 Ni kanske märkte att vi har ändrat framsidan. I stället för att datera med månad har vi nu årstiden då tidningen publiceras. Det betyder att vi nu rapporterar alla vinteraktiviteter in numret “Winter.” Likaså är “Spring” numret för vårens aktiviteter, osv. Detta sätt att datera blir mera beskrivande och leder till mindre missförstånd. Det blir inget nummer som “kommer ut försent.” Det är trevligt att kunna producera ett nummer av Vasastjärnan i tryck, efter att ha varit tvungna att göra två som endast kom ut i web format. Som många av er vet, var vi tvungna att göra detta av finansiella skäl. Planerna är nu att publicera fyra tryckta nummer i år. Vi söker att på alla sätt minska kostnaderna och behöver förmodligen ändra format och kanske också papperskvalitet. Ett garanterat sätt att minska kostnaderna vore att producera en on-line version och leverera den till alla som gärna skulle ta sin prenumeration så. Det skulle minska tryckkostnaderna avsevärt genom att ta bort dessa medlemmar från den tryckta distributionslistan. Läs mer om detta i en artikel i detta numret och låt mig få veta om ni föredrar att få Vasastjärnan levererad på detta moderna sätt. Positionen som Vasastjärnans chefsredaktör är vakant. Om du funderar på att ta det jobbet kan du kontakta Stormästare Bill ([email protected]) eller Storlogssekreterare Joanie ([email protected]) för att få mera information, med en arbetsbeskrivning och en ansökan. Sheldon Cornwell, GTS Lucia 2011 Tak för ert tålamod när jag försöker vara redaktör och samtidigt göra allt som sekreterarjobbet kräver. PAGE 18 Joanie Graham Page 4 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 ARCHIVES NEWS Vasa National Archives The Archives are located in Bishop Hill, Illinois, at 109 South Bishop Hill Street. The building was built in 1974 to make room for archival material, museum items, library refer - ences, as well as a nice bright room on the lower floor for exhi - bitions, meetings and conferences. Materials in the archives consist of different items that have been donated by kind-hearted people – saved documents and writings, microfilms, books and photos of interest to future gen - erations. Where can you find Lennart Setterdahl’s unique col - lection of interviews with immigrants? About 1000 tapes are in the process of being converted to digital media. This unique col - lection is a contribution to future generations of stories about Group in Norra Sverige Nr 19 in 1946. their ancestors who came from different parts of Sweden. finna Lennart Setterdahls unika samling av intervjuer av imi - People can sit in our library and hear how they had it in granter, ca 1000 kassettband som nu omvandlas till digital Sweden, their trip across the Atlantic, and their experience when media, Emigranterna kom från olika delar i Sverige och slog sig they settled in the United States. In many cases, it was a hard ner i USA. Denna unika samling är ett bidrag till framtida gen - journey. Disease and severe weather took many lives. At one erationer, otroligt intressant att lyssna på, De som har tur att point, it is said that they had four potatoes, but that was for eight finna sina förfäder här kan sitta ner i vårt bibliotek och lyssna people. timma efter timmar, på hur dom hade det i Sverige, resan över During the 1940s there was much poverty in Sweden and Atlanten, och när dom slog sig ner i USA. I många fall berättar many had to move to the “poor house.” During that time, the dom om vilken hård resa det var, och många kom aldrig fram. Vasa Order of America sent coffee to various poor homes in Sjukdomar, svält och kraftigtväder tog mångas liv. För dom Sweden. There are two thick hard cover books with letters of som kom fram väntade ett hårt arbete. Vid ett tillfälle berättas thanks from people who received these packages. Thank you det om att dom hade fyra potatisar, men dom var åtta personer. letters are divided into provinces from all over Sweden. Several Under 1940 talet var det mycket fattigdom i Sverige, och also sent photos of old men and women enjoying their coffee många fick flytta till “fattighemmet.” Under den tiden skickade hour. Vasa Order Of America kaffe till olika fattighemmen i Sverige, Many of the items donated to the archives are on display in idag finns det två tjocka inbunda böcker med tackbrev från the Museum, such as wooden objects, tools, coins, stamp collec - dessa hem. Tackbreven kommer från hela Sverige och är i dessa tions, beautiful hand-painted furniture, paintings, etc. A library två böcker uppdelade i landskap. (med många av tackbreven har and conference rooms are on the second floor. There is a det även skickats med foton) Svart/vita gamla kort på damer och “Swedish corner” for more contemporary information about herrar som njöt av kaffestunden. Sweden, such as maps and Swedish tourist destinations. If any - Många av de alster som skänkts till arkivet finns i Museet för one would like assistance about bookings for travel, staff will be allmännheten att beskåda, såsom träföremål, olika verktyg, able to help. mynt, frimärkssamlingar, vackra handmålade möbler, tavlor In the library, there are old and new books in both English mm På 2:a våning finns det tillgång till bibliotek, konferensrum, and Swedish. There are Bibles from 1800 and various encyclo - och en “svensk hörna” för mer nutidsinformation om Sverige, pedias. såsom kartor, Svenska turistmål, Och om någon önskar hjälp Genealogy och råd om olika platser, eller med bokningar, så finns det per - In the archives, we also work with family histories, both in sonal som kan hjälpa till. Sweden and the United States. This is an interest that seems to I vårt bibliotek finns det både gamla och nya böcker på increase among people more and more each year. Today we Engelska och Svenska. Många av böcker är av äldre årgång och work in five different programs. We digitize even our own innerhåller även gamalsvenska, Det finns också biblar från 1800 members and their relatives. Many visitors to our site are talet, uppslagsverk, svenska hantverksböcker, kokböcker, olika amazed at the range that we can offer – books with emigrants’ romaner mm. names, hardcover books with stories from Galva magazine (no Släktforskning longer in existence). We also have catalogs from groups dedi - På Arkivet arbetar vi även med släktforskning, både i cated to genealogy. Sverige och USA. Ett intresse som verkar öka ibland människor Arkivet mer och mer för varje år. Idag arbetar vi i 5 olika program, vi Arkivet är beläget i Bishop Hill, Adressen är: 109 South digitaliserar även våra egna medlemmar samt dess släkt. Många Bishop Hill St, IL. En underbar byggnad som uppfördes 1974, av våra besökare till museet, blir förvånade över det utbud som ljusa fina lokaler, som ger utrymme till Arkivet, museum, bib - vi kan erbjuda, olika böcker med emigranternas namn, inbunda liotek, såväl som en fin ljus lokal i undervåningen för utställ - böcker med reportage från Galva magazin dessa innerhåller ningar, medelstora möten samt konferenser. även ett register med namn, (Tidningen är numera nerlagd), vi Arkivet innerhåller olika alster som har skänkts av godhjär - har också diverse olika kataloger från olika grupper som släkt - tade människor, Arkivet har sparat dokumet, skrifter, micro - forskar. filmer, böcker, foton, för kommande generationer. Där kan Du Submitted by: Viktoria Kofoid Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 5 Vasa National Archives Vasa National Archives Honor Roll of Donors Honor Roll of Donors Heritage Fund Campaign Ever Living Julgran Campaign May 1, 2011 to February 8, 2012 October 1, 2011 to February 8, 2012 Thank you for your generosity Given in Memory of Your Loved Ones Adams, Karen G. Jenny Lind Lodge #388 Sales, Robert & Twyla Who will Live in your Hearts Forever Agauld, Roerta Jensen, Donna Mae Salk, Bob & Carolyn Anderson, Dorothy B. Johansson, Doris Sandler, Jane Anderson, C. Hendrickson, Jack & Norton, John E. Anderson, Dorothy R. Elizabeth Nyberg, Philip & Patty Anderson, E. & V. Johansson, Peter Scheele, Birgitta Anderson, Erik Hillander, Hans Anderson, Evelyn C. Johnson, Anna & Earl Scheirer, Bevin Anderson, Evert R. Holtermann, Kathy Olsen, Magda I. Anderson, Grace N. Johnson, Carolyn E. Schewe, Al & Dorothy Anderson, Dr. & Mrs. Hudson, Michael A. Olson, Britt-Marie Family Anderson, Karin Johnson, Donald & Joyce Schueman, Gerald & George Hult, Sten & Nancy Olsson, Lennart H. Anderson, Norman E. Johnson, Donna N. Margaret Anderson, Grace N. Hultquist, Jeana & Larry Oquist, Marvin & Sandra Anderson, Robert L. Johnson, Edryce Seberger, Cheryl Anderson, Roger & Judy Anderson, Shirley K. Johnson, Jennifer L. Sharp, Nancy J. Andersson, Dorothy P. Jessen, Maxine A. Pantaleo, Vito & Louise Anderson, T. C. Johnson, Kenneth M. Shearer, Louise Atherton, Jane A. Johansson, Doris E. Patzer, Dorothy E. Johnson, Arlie E. Peterson, Cynthia J. Axelsson, Lloyd & Linda Johnson, Niel M. Shoberg, Ray W. Barret, Verna N. Johnson, Dorothy R. Peterson, Frank & Vangie Johnson, Raymond & Silver, Elsie E. Barthelson, Glenn Johnson, Edryce Peterson, Mike & Corky Barrett, Verna Nordland Constance Sipos, John & Susan Belden, Norma & Bob Johnson, Evelyn Petersson, Lennart Barthelson, Glenn Jones, Richard & Marilyn Smith, E. S. Bendall, Arthur Johnson, Karl A. Petterson, Craig Belden, Robert & Norma Josephson-Sullivan, Helene Smith, Gail Bennett, Alice Ternlund Johnson, Mae D. Berglund, Eva B. Jubilee Lodge #692 Snowberg, Karen Benson, Dorson Johnson, Marion & Hagard Rasmussen, Robert Bergquist, Stephen A. Judah, Joyce S. Sommer-Weddington, Bergh, Marianne Johnson, Niel Renzi, Norma & Joseph, Jr. Betolucci, Estelle Lennea J. Berglund, Eva B. Johnson, Phyllis H. Roach, Carolyn Bergman, Rolf & Marty Roberson, Susan Peterson Bjorkner, Art & Nancy Kaaid, Paul & Patricia Sonntag, Theodora Birtwistle, David Kellgren, Tore & Birgitta Rosengren, Howard & Blomgren, Gustave E., Jr. Kantar, George & Ann Steinmiller, Linda Johnson Bjorkner, Art & Nancy Kelly, Marion J. Dianne Burman, Bob Knowlton, Margaret E. Strandberg, J. & M. Blakeman, Brant & Laura Kessel, Ann & Dick Rudberg, Ted & Jenny Burnett, Hellen J. Kronan Lodge #179 Sutor, Doris Boor, Suzanne Kiesel, Gene & Dawn Busch, Cheyenne Swanson, Barbara Brandon, Phyllis Lindquist King, Thomas & Jeannie Sack, Norman La Grande, Jane P. Swanson, Swan & Rosanna Broden, Clark E. Korfanta, Anna Greta Salk, Robert & Carolyn Carlson, Anna L. Lambert, David & Deborah Swenson, Geraldine A. Byerly, Jayne Kronan Lodge #179 Sanderson, Henry A. Carlson, Kenneth & Phyllis Larson, Alden A. Sylvander, Roy & Joan Saterstrom, Selma M. Carlson, George Landstrom, Britta Schenholm, Sandi Carlson, Paul C. Larson, Karen L. Carlson, Rita Larson, Frank E. Schmutz, Alice M. Carlson, Rita D. Larson, Lilly E. Tafvelin, Nils & Britta Carlson, Robert W. LeBlanc, Ashley Schroeder, Alice Carlson, Robert W. Larson, Willard R. Tegner, Arvid Y. Carlson, Ronald Leopold, Shirley L. Schroeder, Daniel & Mary Clarki, Birgitta L. Leafdale, Keith Tennis, Ann Carlson, Sylvia R. Lesko, Ingrid Setterdahl, Lilly Clausen, Betty Jane Leopold, Shirley L. Thompson, Ellen Hammar Carlsson, Bo & Glenda Lidman, Elna G. Shipley, Monica & Family Clyatt, Ann Marie Lindow, Tom Thoreen, Joann E. Carter, Evelyn R. Lindberg, Erik & Birgit Shoberg, Ray Collin, Linda M. Long, Kenneth E. Tonder, Robert E. Carter, Ralph R. Lindgren, Donald R. Signor, Fred & Chu Cusson, Doris M. Loreen, Florence V. Tornquist, John Choudhry, Laily Lindgren, Sven Smith, Dale & Linda Cleveland, Tom & Susan Lindquist, Daga-Karin M. Smith, Lynda & Herb Lutz, Jay A. Torstensen, Elvi Crooker, Jill K. Littlejohn, Vera E. Sodergren, James Dawn, Margaret M. Touve, Leslie Ljunggren, Harriet Solstad Lodge #709 Dcheirer, W. H. McCaffery, Karin Danielson, Mary Lou Long, Kenneth E. Spalin, Robert G. De-Lima, Ulla McKinnon, Janice R. Valentine, Stacey Dawless, Walter & Brenda Lundquist, Bill & Sheila Stake, Richard & Marjorie Dement, Joanne & J. Payton Mills, Doris A. Velander, Gurlie I. Dostmann, Marie Lundstrom, Bo Strandberg, Jeffrey Dorner, Eleanor Mills, Hazelle E. Vickstrom, Edward C. Doty, Fae Lynn, Iva Svea Lodge #469 Mueller, Roberta L. Doule & Doucette Swanson, Bibi Drake, Betty B. Magnusson, Erland Swanson, Florence Ekstrand, Elisabeth M. Murry, Marian Wahlmark, John Maguire, Dorothy Erickson, Richard L. Wahlstrom, Paul Ebbersten, Robert McCaffery, Karin Tegner, Arvid Y. Erickson, Victor Nelson, Jean M. Stohl Weaver, Gerald E. Ekstrand, Liza & Rolf Melin, Tracy L. Tennis, Ann Ernes, John & Linnea Nettz, Louise & Roger Weaver, Howard Elfvin, Bruce B. Meloskie, Terry Tiegen, Jeanne E. Nielson, Martine & Gilbert Wendel, Michael D. Eliason, Carl Mendelson, Carol Torstensen, Don & Elvi Fisher, Bonnie L. Nilsson, Bruno & Britt Werner, Fenis & Mildred Ellis, C. & B. Meyer, Elinor S. Folkesson, Lars Nilsson, Lars-Ove Wieselquist, Erik S., Jr. Elston, Charles & Marilyn Michalski, Harry & Patricia Velander, Gurlie I. Fredrikson, Alice M. Norrskenet Lodge #331 Wilczynski, Andrea Emihl, Walter A. Mihelich, Josephine Erickson, Richard L. Mills, Doris A. Wahlmark, John Freja Lodge #100 Norton, John E. Wyler, Viola R. Eskilson, Evald & Barbara Mishel, Louise Waligowski, Monica Friesen, Ulrika & Quint Nowlan, Juleen Evans, Kathleen Mlsak, Franz & Maj-Britt Walkup, Janet P. Froemming, Barbara G. Nygren, Ethel M. Moberg, F. Alden Wallen, Eva Feely, Carol J. Moritz, Gaylynn Waller, Earle Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge Oliveira, Mary Ellen Ferguson, Stina Avahn Armstrong Wallin, Arne #719 Olson, Florence V. Finnerty, Beverly Mossberg, Siw & Gunnar Wallin, Chuck Grandin, John & Lina Orchel, Margareta B. Folkesson, Lars Muniz, Mona Walty, Nancy D. Gullbrand, Howard A. Orlandi, Christopher D. Forsblad, Karin Weddington, Linnea & Frank, Stephen Naslund, Irene Andy Gustafson, Clifton S. Franson, Kay Nelson, Morris White, Charles & Minet Pacific Southwest District Freja Lodge #100 New Jersey District #6 Wiese, Maj & Roger Hammarstrom, Margareta #15 Nielsen, Joyce A. Wieselquist, Erik S., Jr. Hanson, Henry & Mildred Pagano, Sandra Johnson Gaviola, Roselind Nord Lodge #392 Wiggins, Daniel & Jeanette Harris, Lois Marie Patzer, Dorothy E. Giffin, Mary-Joan Nordholm, Catherine Williams, Sheldon R., Jr. Hayward, Nancy C. Pennsylvania District #9 Gildea, Delores M. Nordic Folk Dancers CHG Wreigard, Margaret A. Hedlund, Nancy Peterson, Anita C. Gomez, Karen Soderberg Norman, Joyce Hellberg, Kjell & Cheryl Petersson, Lennart Göta Lejon Lodge #84 Graham, Joan Lindquist Hildebrand, Janet Phoenix Lodge #677 Guidara, June W. To view the Hillegonds, Florence Pohlman, Clyde R. Gullbrand, Howard A. Ever Living Julgran Dedication Service Hiryak, A. E. Gustafson, Karen K. Hofmann, Kristina Quarfordt, Pernilla Gustafson, William F. held on Dec. 3, 2011 at the Gustafson Vasa National Archives Holmes, Charlotte V. Richardson, Edmund & Haggblad, Richard H. Holtermann, Kathryn Edith Hammarstrom, Margareta in Bishop Hill, Illinois Hult, Sten & Nancy Richmond, Blanche L. Hanson, Shirley M. go to: Harvey, Anne Charlotte Hultgren, Tore & Marianne Roper, Ingrid H. Haumacher, Art & Helen http://www.vasaarchives. Ryan, Beverly Hendricks Haywood, Nancy C. Jarrell, Dr. David & Barbro com/special_events

Page 6 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 GRAND LODGE NEWS GRAND SECRETARY’S REPORT FOR SALE GRAND TREASURER’S REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2011 Due to a delay in the report from the auditor, the Grand Secretary’s and Grand Treasurer’s Reports for fiscal year 2011 (May 1, 2010 – April 30, 2011) will be print - ed in a future issue of The Vasa Star. By the time you read this, copies of both Reports will have been sent via e-mail attachment to all e-mail addresses in the GS’s lists. If you did not receive a copy of the Reports and wish one by e-mail or regular mail, Imagine…spending a week during please contact GS Joanie Graham at [email protected] or 510-526-5512 for a copy. the middle of winter on a beach in Southern California!

How Would You Like Your Vasa Star ? The sun is shining, a gentle breeze Online or Print? is blowing, and the temperature is in the 70s or 80s. In an effort to reduce the high cost of looking at many different options, for producing The Vasa Star , many options example: four issues per year instead of are being discussed – by the GL six; different, less glossy paper; newspa - In 2005 the Grand Lodge received a Executive Board and by many Vasa per or newsletter format instead of a donation of a time share at the San members. Many people have said they do magazine; charge a subscription fee, i.e. Clemente Inn in San Clemente, not like the online version because they $10 per year; online version for those California. The current Grand Lodge do not have internet access. Others just who prefer it. Executive Board has voted to sell prefer to have the magazine to hold in Postage accounts for about 30% of the the time share and is offering this their hands when they read it. In order to total cost of producing The Vasa Star . One opportunity to all Vasa members. The have a print version every time, we are option would be to mail the Star to those highest bidder will take ownership and who prefer the print copy and not mail the proceeds will go to the Education to those who prefer the online version. Fund. To give the GL Executive Board an idea how many people would prefer to San Clemente is a charming coastal Shortly before going to print, have the online version , please send an town half way between Los Angeles we received the sad news that email to Joanie Graham, Grand Secretary and San Diego and within easy and Circulation Manager/Vasa Star to be driving distance to all the well- Past Grand Treasurer C. counted. We will determine if this is a known vacation spots. Explore the web Richard Overberg passed viable option to lower both the printing site for the San Clemente Inn at away on Monday, February 6, and mailing costs. If you prefer online www.sanclementeinn.com . only, email: [email protected] 2012. Our condolences to Please share your thoughts with your DETAILS: Ours is a “Breaker” unit; Richard’s wife Dorothy and Regional Grand Lodge Executive Board 485 sq. ft.; sleeps four; separate bedroom The family, as well as to the mem - Member on how to reduce costs for with a queen-size bed; two Murphy sin - Vasa Star: gle beds in the living/dining area. Galley bers of Local Lodge Svea No. Eastern Region: Art Bjorkner, 31 Vasa kitchenette with full-size refrigerator, a 296 and DL Pennsylvania No. Dr., Hackettstown, NJ 07840; two burner stove and microwave oven. ¾ [email protected] bath (with shower). Time period: 9. Richard was a dedicated Midwest Region: Sten Hult, 14951 “Swing” – one week during December and faithful Vasa member Kenton Ave., Midlothian, IL 60445; through February. Our time share is part and will be sorely missed by [email protected] of Vacation Resorts International (VRI). Western Region: Ed Netzel, 9105 The annual assessments run just under all who knew him. Richard Thilow Dr., Sacramento, CA 95826; $700. was Grand Lodge Deputy to [email protected] DL PA #9 1998-2002 and Canada: Ken Banks, Box 46 Site 5, Serious bids will be accepted through RR1, Thorsby, AB T0C 2P0; June 15, 2012. For more information and served as Grand Treasurer [email protected] to submit a bid, contact the Grand 2002-2010. Sweden: Ulf Alderlöf, Uttervägen 12, Secretary Joanie Graham at SE 372 50 Kallinge; [email protected] . [email protected] Submitted by: Joanie Graham, GS

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 7 Grand Lodge Education and Scholarship Funds Honor Roll of Donors January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 Thank you for your generosity Anonymous Carlson, Clarence Gordon, Evelyn Johnson, Janice Meling, Charlotte Quarfordt, Pernilla Thompson, Ellen & Dick Abraham, Leigh Carlson, Dorothy Gorman, Irma Johnson, Jeannette & Michel, Asta Thoreen, Brian & Sonja Ahlberg, Kenneth & Carlson, Eric & Margery Graham, Celeste Harland Mihelich, Mrs. William Radel, John and Kerstin Thoreen, JoAnn Norma Carlson, George & Arline Graham, Joan Lindquist Johnson, Lavone Mills, Doris Rasmussen, Beatrice Thorin, Erik & Karin Albrechtsen, Al & Carlson, Harold Grandin, John Johnson, Lyle Moberg, Alden Raymond, Norma Thornquist, Shannon & Gunhild Carlson, Ingrid Green, Arline Johnson, Millie Moline, Jacqueline Rees, Fredrick & Mona Lennart Alexis, May-Britt Carlson, Joseph Erik Green, Dawn L. Johnson, Niel Molloy, Josephine Renud, Douglas Three Crown Lodge No. Allen, Christina & Carlson, Robert Green, Retta Johnson, Ralph Morgan, John Richardson, Edith 91 William Carlson, Ruth Greenough, Madeline Johnson, Robert Morrison, Don and Ellen Richmond, Edward & Thurfjell, Laila Allen, Dale Carlsson, Bo Guethe, Inger & Joachim Johnson, Ronald Mullenbach, Linda & Blanche Tometich, Marion Almquist, Nellie Gunhild Carpenter, Shirley Guidara, June Johnson, Ruth Hugh Riston, Karen Tornquist, John Anderson, Grace Carter, Evelyn Gustafson, Clifton Johnson, Susan Muniz, Ramona Roberson, Susan Torstensen, Don & Elvi Andersen, Jeanne & Brad Carter, Ralph Gustafson, James R. Johnson, Swen & Elsie Muscarella, Isabella Rolerat, Betty Touve, Leslie Anderson, Bob Catrone, Susan Johnston, Mr. & Mrs. Myrberg, Alice Roncarti, June Travelers Lodge No. 758 Anderson, Borjer Caves, Karin Haag, Leif John Rooth, Signe A. Turnquist Anderson, Carl & Sylvia Cepielik, Elizabeth Haaheim, Ellen Jones, Richard & Marilyn Naim, Tahir Rosenquist, Beth Anderson, Evelyn Chilcote, Karen Haas, Louise Jordan, Lois Nelson Family Roy, Renee Valentine, Stacey Anderson, Gayle Clark, Birgitta Haderle, Ronni Jorgensen, Thelma Nelson, Charles Rudberg, Jenny & Ted Velline, Chris Anderson, George & Clark, Russ & Margaret Haffey, Mildred Jothen, Marjorie Nelson, Debra Ruser, Charlotte & Viking Lodge No. 730 Mildred Collin, Linda Hallberg, Robert Nelson, Eunice Theodore Von Rueden, Ruby Anderson, Karla Conrad, Jonathan Hammarstrom, Kalwat, Katherine Nelson, Janet Von See, Nancy Anderson, Kenneth Cook, Hazel Margareta Karen Soderberg-Gomez Nelson, Jean M. Stohl Sack, Norman Anderson, Lena Cook, Lois Hammer, Ludvig Karling, Maidie Nelson, Robert Salmonson, Gerd Wahlmark, John Anderson, Louise Crummey, Gunnel Hancock, Barbara Karlsson, Svea Nettz, Louise Satterlund Family Wahlton, Ray Anderson, Marion Hanson, Henry & Karlstrom, S. Olof Niarhos, Charles & Edith Scandinavian Lodge No. Wallen, Eva Anderson, Norman Dackow, Aina Mildred Kellgren, Tore & Birgitta Nichelini, Mary Ann 667 Wallin, Charles Anderson, Oscar & Dahlstrom, Nancy Hanson, Victor Kelly, Marion Nielson, Dolores Lenore Scheirer, Bevin Wallin, Karin & Alrik Dorothy Davis, Leena Harless, Judith Kiesel, Gene and Dawn Nilsson, Bruno & Britt Schelin, Carol Walson, Joan Carlson Anderson, Ralph Dawn, Margaret Harper, Felicity Kindberg, Michael Nord Lodge No. 392 Schmidt, Marion Walters, Judith Anderson, Robert DeMent, Joanne Harrington, Ellen Kinnison, Ann-Marie Nord, George & Marge Schmutz, Alice Warden, Jane Carlson Anderson, Shirley Dill, Birgitta Hart, Kerstin Rita Klein, Jeffrey Nordic Lodge No. 611 Schneble, Karen Weaver, Robert & Anderson, Westen DL Lake Michigan No. 8 Harvey, Anne-Charlotte Klooster, Marilyn Larson Nordic Lodge No. 708 Schon, Lars & Lucy Catharina Andersson, Anders DL New York No. 4 Hayward, Nancy Kolbeck, Larry & Susan Nordin, Dale & Lilian Schreyer, Linea Weber, Nora Antonson, Jane DL Pennsylvania No. 9 Hedlund, Gerd Kristiansson, Leif & Siw Nordquist, Joyce Schueman, Margaret Weeden, Christine Antonson, Kermit & Dobres, Donald Helberg, James Kritzer, Karen Nyblad, Mildred Seaholm, Marian Wells, Mildred Anna Docksteader, Sharon Henderson, Diane Nyborg, Marie-Louise Seberberger, Cheryl Welsh, Katarina & Arneson, Karin Dorner, Eleanor Hendrickson, Elizabeth Lambert, David R. Nylund, Shirley Segerberg, Maurice & Michael Arvidson, Carl R. Doty, Fae & Lee Hendrickson, Miriam Lantz, Malle Freudig Nyroos, Raul Yvonne Wenner, Lambert Asplund, Ray Doyle, Merial Herberts, Sylvia Larson, Brian Seltzer, Marylou Werner, Finis Atherton, Jane Drott Lodge No. 168 Hersh, Bill & Sandie Larson, Ernest Odell, May Senno, Greta Westenburg, Wendell Athey, Margareta Duffy, Ruth High, Bodil Larson, Jack & Linda O'Grady, Britt Shearer, William Whited, Noel "Ostrom" Dugan, Jean Hildebrand, Janet Larson, Lorraine Ohlsson, Gun Shoberg, Raymond Wickstrom, Anne Marie Bachan, Lisa (Davidson) Dunbar, Emily Hillander, Hans Larson, Robert Oinas, George & Carol Sierant, Staci Widman, Helen Ball, Lillian Hiryak, Audrey Lawson, Madelyn Olmstead, Audrey Siljan Mora Tuna Lodge Wiebke, Ingrid Bagge Baltic Lodge No. 689 Earnest, Ron Hochberg, Susanne Lehman, Janice Olsen, Magda No.134 Wiese, Maj Bana, May Carlgren Edmark, Harvey Hodder, Prudence Leipold, Barbara Olson, Donna Silver, Elsie Wieselquist, Erik S., Jr. Barrett, Verna Eklund, John Hogan, Elayne Leopold, Shirley Olson, Ken & Susan Simmons, Cheryl Wikstrom, Bertil & Barthelson, Glenn Eklund, Sharon & Gary Hohler, E. Lillian Levig, Anne Siren Olson, Kenneth & Sipos, John & Susan Sandra Belden, Norma Ekstrand, Liza & Rolf Hollcraft, Kristine Lidman, Elna Madeline Skogen Lodge No. 700 Wild, Constance Benacci, Berit Elfvin, Bruce Holm, L. Liljenwall, Geoffrey & Olson, Lee Smith, Gail Wilkening, Ruth Bennett Alison Emihl, Walter Holmberg, Victoria Cassandra Olson, Marilyn Smith, Linda Wilson, Ralph & Edna Berg, Connie-Lu Englen, Nick & Vicki Holmes, Charlotte Lind, Wallace Olson, Robert Smith, Lynda & Herbert Wilson, Stephen Berg, Herbert E. Erickson, Alice Holmquist, Eric Lindberg, Eira Olympic Lodge No. 235 Snowberg, Karen Wood, Betty Berggren, C. Otto Erickson, Ayleen Holtermann, Kathy Lindberg, Erik & Birgit Oquist, Marvin Soderblom, Marshall Wood, Marie-Louise & Bergman, Martha Erickson, Brent Holtermann-Docto, Mimi Lindblad, Elsa Orlandi, Kristina Carlson Spaberg, Gary & Gunlog Charles Bergman, Rolf & Marty Erickson, Cynthia & John Hovis, Linda Lindgren, Sven Orlando, Richard Spalin, Robert Wooster, Richard L. II Bergstrom, Albion Erickson, Dwayne Hovland, Margareta Lindhe, Inger Osden, Carol Stahl, Dorothy Wreigard, Margit Bergstrom, Donna Erickson, Richard Howe, Elin Lindquist, Edna Osden, Dawn Stake, Richard & Wright, Curtis & Linda Beruldsen, Jacob Erickson, Victor Huebner, Mary Ann Lindstrom, Doris Marjorie Birch, Betty Eriksson, Lloyd Huggett, Elinor Linne Lodge No. 153 Pantaleo, Vito & Louise Stenberg, Arthur & Yarger, Kathryn Bishop, Barry Eriksson, Maude Hughes, Kathryn Linsmaier, L. & J. Pasco, Jean Judith Yarwood, Margareta Bjorkner, Art & Nancy Eskilson, Evald & Hult, Sten and Nancy Littlejohn, Vera-Elisabet Patman, Carrin Stenstrom, Jan Yencer, Anna Stina Bjorkner, Kurt & Cheryl Barbara Hurtubise, Lee-Ann & Ljunggren, Harriet Patzer, Dorothy Strand, Gwendolyn Bjorling, Elizabeth Carl Ljunggren, Paul Pearson, Earle & Diantha Strandberg, Jeffrey Zarli, Lily Blaser, Sarah Fahlstedt, Carl & Ragna Hutchison, Greta Loff, Per-Olof Pearson, Gordon Strasburg, Gunn Bloomquist, Lorraine Falk, Frederick Long, Kenneth Pearson, Nels & Lisbeth Strode, Clara Book, Velma Fassl, Rosemary Iverson, Alice Lowell, Marla Pearson, Robert & Stuyvesant, Judith M. Boor, Suzanne Feltus, Richard & Elsie Lua, Sandra Marcia Sund, Sonja Bosson, Chell Ferrazzano, Ruth Jacobs, Maria Luce, Louise B.W. Pefferly, Nancy Sutor, Doris Bostrom, Roland Filbeck, Loren & Evelyn Jahn, Thomas & Lundahl, Patricia Pelzman, James & Svedberg, Ove & Mary Boyes, Kristin Finnstrom, Maj-Britt Margareta Lundberg, Richard C. Patricia Swanson, Carl Brainard, Janell Forsblad, Karin Janson, Wm. & Anne Lundgren, Marian Peterson, Anita Swanson, Louise Brandon, Phyllis Forsman, Evelyn Louise Lundquist, Bill & Sheila Peterson, Edwin & Swanson, Swan & Lindquist Fossen, Julian Jansson, Kyle Lundstrom, Bo Cherstin Rosanna Briggs, Dawn L. Foster, Norma Jensen, A. Peterson, June Swedish Consulate Brown, Cheryl Fraser, Robert Jensen, Lillian Madsen, Sharon Peterson, Linda Milwaukee Bruce, Marion Fravel, Elna Jernberg, Inger Majava, Irene Peterson, Roy Swenson, Charlotte Buchman, Jean Froberg, Nils Johanson, Ragnhild Mattison, Caryl Petersson, Lennart Swenson, Russell Bulin, Hildur Froemming, Barbara Johansson, Doris Mattson-Grosso, Wendy Petersson, Sandra Sylvan, Marta Burman, Bob Fulton, Laurie and Steve Johansson, Jorgen Mattsson, Bengt Petronzio, Pam Sylvander, Joan Johnson Raymond Mayette, Merlene Polutanovich, Larry Szymanski, Maria Calleja, Karin Gadde, Frances Johnson, Ann McCaffrey, Karin Popescu, Kerstin Campbell, Virginia Gallie, Per Raymond Johnson, Beda McConnell, Sandra Post, Janice & Arthur Tafvelin, Nils Carlen, Birgitta & Jan-C. Gaviola, Roselind Johnson, Betty McCrillis, June Potter, Margaret Tegner, Arvid Carlson, Ann Gerkman, Mary Johnson, Donna McGrath, Elaine Price, R. and Erickson, Teigen, Jeanne Carlson, Anna Glatz, C. William Johnson, Earl K. McKillip, Karen (nee M. Tennis, Ann Carlson, Arthur Glinski, Sally Johnson, Grant & Seaman) Puttner, Werner & Asta Thenstedt, Paul & Nancy Carlson, Carl Golden, Carol Corinne Melberg, Margaret Thofson Family

Page 8 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 LODGE NEWS Brage-Iduna “waiting” which is the focus of Advent. Scandia Lodge #23 Remembering a Martyr provides inspira - Lodge #9 Manchester, CT tion for us to live a better life. Rachel Hansen was Saint Lucia. She is fifteen Springfield, MA years old and already an accomplished How gratifying it was that so many vocalist. The Emanuel Children’s Choir people came out to experience our Lucia sang Santa Lucia. Woosug is providing celebration during the Christmas shop - formal musical training for children. The ping season on December 11! There were exceptionally high quality of this training families of children’s club participants, was obvious in the impressive quality of friends, lodge members, and some from the singing by the Children’s Choir and the general public. Announcements in Rachel. several area newspapers perhaps attracted Submitted by: Ed Gawlinski newcomers to this Scandinavian celebration. North Star The venue for Brage-Iduna Lodge’s Bringing back a favorite tradition Lucia event is St. Paul Lutheran Church I have been looking through old photo Lodge #106 in East Longmeadow. Its sanctuary albums and enjoying memories of past Los Angeles, CA provides a devotional type setting for this Christmas celebrations. I have found, and ceremony. read many articles from the Vasa Star Explanations of what the Lucia enact - about the Saint Lucia Pageants at ment means were given in readings by Emanuel Lutheran Church of Manchester several of the participants, as well as in that had been sponsored by Scandia lodge chairwoman Margaret Falkowski’s Lodge No. 23 (VOA). I had been director welcoming remarks. Interspersed of this pageant for twenty years and have between music numbers, participants seen girls come back year after year. In gave recitations describing the history of the twenty years I’ve seen some girls start the Lucia legend; the customs and cos - as a tomte at three or four years old, and tumes of Lucia; and “the Modern Lucia.” continue until they were a senior in high Lucia herself expressed how “I am Lucia school and portrayed Saint Lucia herself. from Long Ago.” And there was a skit Between rehearsals and performances, depicting activities of little “Tomtar.” Saint Lucia had been a very important This year’s lovely Lucia was Emma part of our Christmas celebrations for Balboni, daughter of Kristin Balboni and twenty years. granddaughter of member Karin Johnson. I was no longer able to keep this per - Emma has been active in the Three formance going, and for the past several Crowns Swedish Children’s Club since years there has been no Saint Lucia cele - 2000. She attends the Renaissance School bration in Manchester. This year, the in Springfield where she excels in cross- organist, Woosug Kang is reviving this country, sings in the glee club, and enjoys Swedish custom. Rather than a separate playing guitar. performance, Woosug used a Saint Lucia Submitted by: John Morgan procession as the opening of the normal Carolina Pall, who represents North Star Photo by: Larry Radner Sunday worship services on December Lodge #106 as Lucia at the Christmas dinner 11. This emphasizes the message of on December 11, 2011.

Please remember the Grand Lodge Scholarship Fund and the Vasa National Archives when making a memorial donation. Vasa Scholarship Fund, Joan Graham GS, 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804 ~ Vasa Archives, Jake Gruel, Financial Secretary, 13716 W. Lilac Lane, New The highlight of Brage-Iduna Lodge’s year: Berlin, WI 53151. Luciafest performed by Three Crowns Swedish Children’s Club.

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 9 Fylgia Lodge #119 Thule Lodge #127 San Francisco, CA Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY

Gott Nytt År from San Francisco! In October 2011, Fylgia celebrated her 104th Anniversary. Members and guests enjoyed a wonderful anniversary dinner at Schmidt’s restaurant in San Francisco’s Mission District. Nels John Nelson, who serves as the outer guardsman for Thule Lodge #127, played Christmas music on his harmonica, accompanied by assistant mistress of ceremony Bernice Veights. Nelson In December 2011, Fylgia members has been playing the harmonica for 80 years. were active with lodge holiday activities. On December 3, 2011 Fylgia had a Hello to everyone from the Thule Veights accompanied on the piano. table/booth at the annual SWEA Lodge #127 in the Jamestown/Bemus Historian Sipos read to all a Christmas Christmas Fair, which dispensed member - Point, NY area. Our lodge will begin its Eve story Scandinavian style. A good ship information and highlighted our cul - 105th year of preserving the Swedish her - time was enjoyed by everyone. tural events – especially our splendid itage, and we look forward to a wonder - Thule Lodge will begin its spring and annual Julbord! ful and busy time. We continue to hold summer seasons with pancake breakfasts, Members beautifully decorated Freya our meetings, dinners and activities at our meatball dinner, fish dinners, and special Hall on the second floor of the Swedish lodge located at 4123 Pancake Hill Road. events right after the winter season. Thule American Hall for Fylgia’s annual The Thule Lodge will begin its sum - Lodge #127 wishes all a happy spring Julbord dinner held on December 13, mer season in April with meetings being and summer season, and welcomes all to 2011. Over fifty guests enjoyed an held on the fourth Thursday evening at 7 visit our lodge. “God dag” to all! absolutely delicious and festive dinner, p.m. On that April Thursday, our lodge Submitted by: John Sipos, which included a visit from Santa Claus will be celebrating “walpurgis” night. Lodge Historian (Richard Wooster) bearing gifts – and a Even though we do not have farm ani - wonderful guest agreed to make an mals to let outside for the summer, it is Nobel-Monitor impromptu appearance as Santa Lucia! always a good time to clean up the lodge Ted Olsson, as Master of Ceremonies for and get ready for summer activities. Lodge #130 the Santa Lucia procession, served as Recently our lodge held its annual Cleveland, OH delightful storyteller. While all members elections. Elections were conducted by pitched-in to make this holiday event a past chairman and past district master The Lucia celebration for Nobel- smashing success—Astrid Olsson coordi - Edwin Sandberg. Ralph Veights will con - Monitor #130 in Cleveland took place on nated the Julbord menu and evening – and tinue to serve as our lodge chairman. Dec. 10 at Forest Hill Presbyterian is very deserving of “tack så mycket!” Others officers are: Jeff Anderson, vice Church in Cleveland Heights. Our annual Please join us in 2012 at the historic chairman; Carolyn Ostrom, secretary; event began with our Julbord shared by Swedish American Hall in the heart of Donna Sandberg, financial secretary; about 120 members and friends. The bas - San Francisco for cultural events. Loretta Smith, treasurer; Fanchon Fuller, ket raffle and a Jul butik were successful For more information on our upcoming cultural leader; Donna Johnson, mistress fundraisers. A silent auction was held for cultural calendar of events and for of ceremony; assistant Bernice Veights; a framed counted cross-stitch of the additional photographs, please see: Don Carlson, inner guardsman; Nels John Swedish table grace donated by our http://www.vasaorder.net/?lodge=119 , Nelson, outer guardsman; Diane Shaw, member Dorothy Carlson. where our current chair, Scott Schulkin, is chaplain; John Sipos, historian; Robert Our Lucia this year was Melanie diligently updating Fylgia Lodge’s web - Fuller, trustee; and Wayne Nelson,audi - Graham, age 12, who has been participat - site on the Vasa Order of America home - tor. ing in the Lucia pageant for 10 years. She page. The annual Doppa I Gryta was held lead the procession of Lucia attendants Submitted by: Victoria Lynn just prior to Christmas at our lodge. In and Starboys, all singing in Swedish. Peterson, Vasa Star Correspondent addition to a wide variety of Swedish Melanie’s solo was Luciavisan (The Photograph by: Victoria Lynn food, the group was entertained by Nels Lucia Song) also sung in Swedish. Peterson John Nelson on his harmonica. Bernice Continued on next page

Page 10 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 Tegnér Lodge #149 Continued from previous page Oakland, CA Tegnér Lodge No. 149 of Oakland, CA, held its Lucia program and Christmas smörgåsbord on Dec. 10, 2011 in Björnson Hall. About forty people were present. Meagen Youngdahl was our lovely Lucia. She is an English and Film student at the University of California, Berkeley. She is learning Swedish and will be taking a trans - lation workshop with the poet Robert Hass in the spring. Meagen plans to go to England next summer to study at the University of Cambridge. Our Lucia had one attendant and three star boys. There were Annika Zamora, Keegan Lister, Kristopher Root, and Joacim Zamora. Inga-Lill Fivian read the Lucia Story. T. C. Brevitz played music for us and our singers were Tore Kellgren, Elsy Mattsson, Ingrid Andersson, Kathryn Hughes, and Marie Ann Hill. They led us in singing the Lucia song and Christmas carols. A lively raffle finished off the evening. Submitted by: Ann Tennis

Lucia Melanie Graham Melanie is in 6th grade at Shaker Middle School, plays the violin, swims, likes to read, draw, and travel. She participates in the youth program at her church along Keegan Lister, Kristopher Root, Meagen Youngdahl, Annika Zamora, and Joacim Zamora. with being in choir and a bell choir. The Lucia pageant was preceded by a concert Drott Lodge #168 by the Vasa Voices under the guidance of our new director, Zachary Siler. Our Washington, DC accompanist was Charlotta Enflo, our Drott Lodge celebrated Lucia on course, a visit from Santa, who was espe - 1997 Lucia! December 11 with the largest participa - cially attentive to each child as he distrib - The year 2012 will bring a big change tion in many years, both in terms of the uted age-appropriate goody bags. to our lodge meetings. After more than number of children processing and the Olga, our multi-talented Lucia, is a 30 years at our present location our lodge size of the adult chorus, many attired in 10th grader at Richard Montgomery High will no longer meet in the community traditional Swedish regional dress. School in Rockville MD. An A+ student, center due to a sharp increase in rent. We Lucia coordinator Karin Alexis Frenze her activities and interests range from will begin meeting at Messiah Lutheran explained the Sankta Lucia story prior to singing and playing fiddle, guitar and Church, home to some of our Vasa mem - the lowering of the lights and commence - ukulele to rock climbing, karate, multi- bers, which will also be able to host our ment of the music. Lucia, 15 year-old lingual fluency and the ambition to Lucia activities next year. At our January Olga Prokunina, led the stately proces - become a practicing physician and lodge meeting Cheryl Brown, our District sion of attendants, a star boy, and four medical researcher. Deputy from Svea #296 in Erie, PA, we tomte. One family welcomed all with the Submitted by: Carol Whitley will be installing the officers for 2012. song Goder Afton , the adult chorus led Our new Chairman is Dick Erickson, also the singing of several Swedish songs, the known to some as the treasurer for DL tomte acted out excerpts from the famous Pennsylvania #9. Viktor Rydberg story about farm children Submitted by: Marty Bergman, Past searching for a missing baby reindeer, Chairman and all the children sang heartily the famous chorus, “Tipp, Tapp, Tipp, Tapp…” in perfect harmony. Lucia sang a solo of the beautiful Bethlehems Stjärna and later performed a fiddle duo with her stepfather, Master Fiddler Göran Olsson. The Jul party included dancing around the Christmas tree, a Kid’s Corner oppor - tunity to paint dala horse tree decorations, a Julbord complete with glögg, and, of Lucia Olga Prokunina Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 11 Monitor Lodge #218 Skandia Lodge #247 Sacramento, CA Pasadena, CA December 20, 2011 was the scene of the annual Lucia celebration at Skandia Lodge No. 247, Pasadena, California. The outstanding group of boys and girls, with Rachel Demarjian as Lucia, was directed by Birgitta Roodsari, assisted by Kathleen Demarjian. We were also blessed with the accordionist excellent, Mr. LeRoy Anderson. LeRoy brought his grandson, Allen, with him and we all enjoyed a wonderful visit throughout the afternoon. It is a joy to note that several of the boys and girls in the pageant are repeat performers – the Cepielik grand - children, Chaz and Edyn have been Star Boys for 9 and 7 years respectively and Matea who is five this year has participat - ed two times already and new members Violet and Rueben’s granddaughter as a new performer. With introductions by Monitor Lodge No. 218 in Sacramento “visited” Philadelphia at their November Skandia Chairman Nel Solt the afternoon meeting. Leading up to the dinner meeting put on by Dinner Team 1, the lodge included not only the Lucia Pageant but a newsletter explained what a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich is, along with some visit from jolly old St. Nick represented Swedish History about the “City of Brotherly Love.” Over 80 members and friends by his special jolly family Kitty and Bob were quite verbal in their compliments to the cook team for a meal well done. Cota. For more information on the goings on at Monitor Lodge, visit our Website at Dinner was included with the evening www.monitorlodgesacramento.org . and a Swedish/Scandinavian Christmas Submitted by: Jack Larson Julbord was served to our guests. Many thanks to all the members and guests for staying and putting everything back in Brahe Lodge #245 place and order. We have elected our officers for the Rockford, IL new term and they will be installed at the Fifty hungry people partook in our Vasa Brahe Lodge PANCAKE BREAKFAST January meeting with our new Chairman in our Vasa Park Lodge on Sunday, October 30, 2011! Our breakfast consisted of Jane Hendricks. So ‘til next time – keep “svenska pannkakor,” lingonberries, syrup, sausages, orange juice, and coffee! smiling and stay strong. Onward and Among our guests were two visiting Swedes from Sverige-Barbro from Uddevalla and upward. Ingegerd from Brålanda. Afterwards, we gave them a tour of our large Vasa Park in Submitted by: Dr. Jackie Ahlen Rockford, IL! Submitted by: D. G. Eksten, Vasa Brahe Lodge #245 member

Lucia for 2011, Rachel Demarjian Page 12 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 guages led by Iva Lynn, Eija Vesterqvist, medal in a race this year. Amber is the Svea Lodge #253 and the Svea Singers. A delicious daughter of Randy and Rhonda Bojanski Indianapolis, IN smörgåsbord, glögg and other beverages, and the granddaughter of Sharon raffles, Jultomte, ring dancing, and Lilledahl, member of Vasa Lodge. tempting merchandise for sale at the Submitted by: June Soderlund Swedish Emporium, managed by Susie and Mark Swanson, all contributed to a memorable and happy event. Submitted by: Joella D. Hultgren Svea Lodge #296 Erie, PA

Lucia for 2011, Marissa Childs.

4 December 2011: Lucia Celebration Amber Bojanski and Julfest is always a special event and this year’s festivities were held at the Latvian Community Center in Framåt Lodge #405 Indianapolis, Indiana. This year’s Lucia El Cerrito, CA was Marissa Childs, who is 14 years old and a 9th grade honor student at Highland Junior High School. At school she plays on the Varsity Soccer Team, and plays Emma Chaffee the Flute in the Anderson High School Our annual Lucia Fest was held Marching Highlanders Band and Alto - December 11, 2011 at Luther Memorial Saxophone in the Jazz Band. Church. Lucia was portrayed by Emma Marissa is a member of the Drama Chaffee, a senior at Fairview High Club and had parts in the school produc - School. She is a very talented young lady. tions of “Beauty and the Beast” and She has studied at Long’s School of “Aladdin.” As a student of Svea Skolan Dance for ten years. Also a singer – she she’s participated in Swedish language has performed in her high school musi - classes and has also helped for several cals, the last one being “Xanadu.” Next years at the Svea Lodge booth at the year in college, she will study Criminal annual International Festival in Justice. Emma loves animals also – espe - Madison Chavez, Alicia Chavez, Anthony Indianapolis, Indiana. At church Marissa cially her two dogs Angel (a Jack Chavez. is a member of the Youth Hand Bell Russell) and Bella (a German Shepherd.) Choir and the Youth Group. She’s been a She also has two cats to care for! Emma lifelong volunteer with Pet a Pal, an orga - On the evening of December 9, 2011, was Kris Kringle in last year’s Lucia members, family, and friends of Framåt nization which does pet visits and pet Fest. She says she has enjoyed being parades at local nursing homes. Marissa Lodge #405 gathered for the annual Lucia, and would like to thank her family Smörgåsbord and Lucia Fest. Chef Ryan is the daughter of Svea Lodge No. 253 and friends for their support. members Ingrid and Mark Childs of Brodie, a Framåt member, prepared a Submitted by: Linda Collin Anderson, Indiana. delicious array of traditional Swedish A record number 216 people attended, dishes. The table decorations, set by with 57 children at the event. The Lucia Omaha Lodge #330 Yvonne Segerberg, included dalahästs procession coordinator was Diann Ryan, and candelabra handmade by her husband assisted by Jonas Björk. Sara Olsson Omaha, NE Maurice Segerberg. Maurice and Yvonne directed the children of Svenska Skolan, Amber Bojanski served as Sankta are 69- and 62-year members of Framåt and other youths, in the Lucia pageant. Lucia for Omaha Lodge 330 in Omaha, Lodge. The procession and children’s perfor - NE on December 11th. Amber is in the Our beautiful Lucia was Alicia mance was followed by singing 7th grade at Bryan Middle School. She is Chavez, her sister Madison was her atten - Christmas carols in a multitude of lan - on the swim team and won her first Continued on page 14

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 13 Framåt Lodge #405 Continued from page 13 dant, and Tomte was brother Anthony. Alicia, Madison and Anthony are the fifth generation of their family to celebrate their Swedish heritage learned from their morfar Jim Brodie and Great Grandmother Ellene Brodie – also a 69- year member of Framåt Lodge. The tradi - tional story of Lucia was read by Joanie Graham. At our 90th Anniversary in October, Framåt Lodge honored Maurice and Yvonne Segerberg and Ellene Brodie with Honorary Life Membership, in appreciation for their many, many years of dedication and hard work for the Morning Star Children’s Club presenting a Lucia Program at Evening Star Lodge’s 89th Anniversary. lodge. At the Installation of Officers in January 2012, Joanie Graham was pre - charge of our opportunity drawing with and dancing around the Christmas tree sented Honorary Life Membership. gifts provided by lodge members. Past and the coming of the much awaited Submitted by: Joanie Graham Lucias and mothers led the audience in Santa Claus. Photo by: Terry Roy typical Swedish and American Christmas Article and photo submitted by: songs. Thomas Jahn Evening Star The evening concluded with singing Lodge #426 Joe Harbor Lodge #534 Los Alamitos, CA St. Joseph, MI On Saturday, December the 17th, Members and guests of Joe Harbor Lodge #534 attended the 17th Annual Evening Star Lodge No. 426 celebrated Smörgåsbord Candlelight Dinner and Concert on December 9, 2011 held at the its 89th Anniversary as well as the 45th Harbert Community Church in Harbert, Michigan. This event is presented each year Anniversary of Morning Star Children’s by the Harbert Women’s Ministry. Over 200 people enjoy a traditional Swedish Club No. 172 at the Our Redeemer smörgåsbord prepared by church members and are seated at tables decorated for the Lutheran Church in Garden Grove, CA. Christmas season that include traditional Swedish adornments. The Master of Ceremonies for the Table hostesses coordinate decorations unique to each table and folks enjoy seeing evening was Chairman Haakan Spaberg. the beautiful variations of the Christmas season expressed with Scandinavian inspired The evening begun with the Lucia table settings. Every year the Joe Harbor Lodge has hosted one or two tables at this Pageant led by our beautiful Lucia Liana event and it is one of the highlights of the year for the lodge. Tomasevic, daughter of our past Lucia The program for the event includes the singing of Swedish carols, the reading of Stephanie DeVirgilio Tomasevic. The the Christmas story and a concert. This year, the program featured the internationally program was under the direction of past known Christian pianist, Huntley Brown of Aurora, Illinois. He has performed at Billy Lucia Stephanie Tomasevic with musical and Ruth Graham events, the Crystal Cathedral in California and has toured through - accompaniment by Marie-Louise out the world. He thrilled the audience with his arrangements of Christmas music. Nystedt. Following the Lucia program, Brown invited the audience to join him in the singing of several Christmas carols. Chairman Haakan Spaberg introduced the Submitted by: Colleen and Dennis Lundgren following dignitaries attending our event: Grand Lodge Deputy Thomas Jahn; Grand Lodge Historian Carolyn Salk; District Master Susan Premo; Vice District Master Gunlog Spaberg; Past District Master Robert Salk; District 15 Master of Ceremonies Valerie Larson; and District Chaplain Gunilla Wotkins. Lucia Liana was presented with a com - memorative amulet by Chairman Haakan Spaberg. The evening continued with a very special Swedish dinner prepared by the ladies of Evening Star Lodge. Cookies and cake was served following dinner. During dinner, the boys and girls of the Morning Star Children’s Club took L-R: Betty Albrecht, Berry Ross, Betty Apple and Colleen Lundgren.

Page 14 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 Olympia Lodge #550 Satellite Lodge #661 Olympia, WA Kalamazoo, MI On December 10, 2011, Satellite Lodge #661, Kalamazoo, MI, celebrated the St. Lucia Pageant. Our St. Lucia was Kaijsa Johnson with her tarnor: Ingrid Johnson, Katherine Groesbeck and Annalise Piazza. The three stjargossar were: Lars Johnson, Erik Olson, and Steven Olson. Jon Cleasby was our Jul Tomte. Jon also delighted us with singing “Glad Tidings.” We sang several Swedish songs as well as favorite Christmas carols. Our Vasa Member Choir was wonderful. Following the pageant, we had food, fellowship and a lot of fun. We all look forward to next Lucia and her court – Olympia Lodge #550. year’s celebration. Golden Valley Lodge #616 Submitted by: Janis Forsberg Van Nuys, CA Golden Valley Lodge celebrated their Muscarella and husband, Master of 65th Anniversary on September 25, 2011. Ceremonies Frank Muscarella, Maidie It was held at Sportsmen’s Lodge in Karling who had done a great job arrang - Studio City with one of our two remain - ing the celebration, Vice Chairman Steve ing Charter members, Barbara Swanson, Tabanelli and wife Andrea Tabanelli who spoke of how the sisters’ father in (Chaplain), Vice Chairman (and Past 1946 was instrumental in getting some Chairman) Kerstin Wendt, husband Bill people together and the Golden Valley Wendt (long time GVL secretary). Lodge was born. Her sister Lily Nelson is PDM Daga-Karin Lindquist who now the other remaining charter member but lives in Spokane was having a great time was not able to attend this evening. Some with her visiting sisters and their families 80 members and guests from as far away from Sweden and USA. It was also great as Stockholm, Spokane, and Oregon to see some of our younger members enjoyed a selection of wonderful appetiz - Emily Wendt, Daniel Wendt, Jessica ers and refreshments followed by a tasty Osman, William Osman, Lena Osman, sit-down dinner and Anniversary Princess and Anneli Anderson holding fort at their Cake. table. They have worked so hard during Sam Contis Orchestra was in charge of the year for GVL while attending schools the entertainment. Whirling around the in the state and studying. We are fortu - dance floor you saw GVL Chairman nate to have them in our organization. Bertil Winter, District Master Susan Submitted by: Maria Jacobs, Premo, Past District Master Isabella Historian, GVL #616 Lucia Kaijsa Johnson Phoenix Lodge #677 Phoenix, AZ Deja Taggart, our Lucia on December 10, 2011, is twelve years old and is in 7th grade at Sunrise Middle School. At her school Deja is in the Digital Learning Center for the gifted, which is a combina - tion of honors classes. She is in her school’s Student Council, plays advanced violin in her school orchestra, and is a member of her school’s drama club. She has a passion for ballet and is on point for Charter member Barbara Swanson having a fun conversation with DM Susan Premo (stand - her studio’s performance of the ing), PDM Isabella Muscarella and husband Frank Muscarella, GVL Master of Ceremonies. Continued on page 16

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 15 Phoenix Lodge #677 Continued from page 15

Nutcracker this December. Deja works with her Girl Scout troop to help 1st graders read at her former elementary school. Deja has been participating in the Lucia Festival since she was four years old and enjoys learning the songs. Her ancestors immigrated from Blekinge and Skelleftea, Sweden and were early set - tlers in Montana. She still has relatives living in Sweden and hopes to visit them someday as her father and her aunts did at her age. In the meantime during the summer, she has made many trips to New Sweden, Maine with her Aunt and Uncle to participate in their Midsummer Mom Katarina Ingels, Lucia 2011 Anna Ingels, and Cultural Leader Monica Shipley. Festival. She has a collection of Dala The Lucia celebration included a lights- recitations in both Swedish and English, horses that she painted there. Her out processional led by this year’s Lucia and – of course – an appearance by Santa deceased great grandmother and her great Anna Ingels, holiday songs, poetry and and dancing around the Christmas tree. aunt have been long time members of Phoenix Lodge #677. Norden Lodge #684 Submitted by: Carol Blackwell Fresno, CA

Thank You VASA!!!! Stephanie Laich (granddaughter of Norden Lodge #684 members Fred and Pauline Mathes) gives a big thank you to Vasa. Stephanie received two scholarship awards while attending college, one from our local lodge (Norden) and one from Golden Gate Lucia Deja Taggart District #12. After graduation she wanted to personally thank all the Vasa members and thought of a special way to do it. As a surprise she and her mother brought a deli - Norden Lodge #684 cious cake to one of our lodge meetings. Written on top of the cake were the words “Thank You Vasa.” Fresno, CA Norden Lodge’s Lucia Celebration **Here is a personal thank you from Stephanie; 2011 was an enormous success. We said “I would like to thank Vasa for the scholarships I received for college. I graduated Välkommen to about 170 people who from Fresno State in December, 2011, with a B.S. in Business Management. I decided gathered for our annual traditional lute - on this course after working as an assistant manager and realizing that I like working fisk dinner, wetted down by delicious in management. I received 2 scholarships, the first was a district scholarship in 2003, cups of warm and fragrant glögg, and fol - for $1,000.00, and the second was from Norden Lodge in 2005, for $500.00. These lowed by airy saffron buns and tempting scholarships were a big help in assisting with supplies and books for my classes.” plates of homemade Christmas cookies. Thank You, Stephanie Laich

Page 16 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 around the Christmas tree. Four of Lena’s Skogen Lodge #700 great-grandchildren participated in the Redding, CA procession. Anne Swanson, in her Swedish costume, read the poem. For A joyful Lucia led a procession of 18 young adults and children, including 4 years the baker boys had sung for us. We Starboys, into our IOOF meeting hall, with accompaniment by sister Gail Nemy, who lost another of the baker boys, George traveled from Sacramento Monitor Lodge to assist. Lundquist to illness this fall also. Sorrow We had special Swedish melodies, sung in Swedish as well as in English by dear and joy were intermingled for our mem - friend Celina Young. The program was introduced by Celeste Spencer, daughter of bers and families. It is through participat - recently deceased sister Dorinda Nyland of Tegner Lodge #149 in our District. ing in our traditions and reviewing our Our Lucia, Aud Malene Halånd, is Norwegian, born in Naustdal and recently culture that we have formed a special engaged to be married. Aud Malene is a graduate of Stavanger University. The group to support one another in difficult guitarist was Robin Eklind, from Sweden. He helped with the Starboy hats, while also times and to rejoice and celebrate wearing one. We also had a young Danish lady participate, Karoline Mia Jessen. together creating happy times. All sang several American Yuletide songs and Swedish variations. Robin Eklind Submitted by: Dorothy Ann-Ellner Kean was the leader to inspire “tomtes” to dance around the Yule tree. We had several Linneas and Christinas. Celine Young and her daughter, Linnea, sang a lovely song, Celina in Swedish and Linnea in English. When the excellent Lucia celebration was over, the little children met Santa Claus, played convincingly by our own Fred Erickson. Everyone was invited to enjoy our well-planned refreshments that Nanci Cortemarche arranged, and glögg was served by our keepers of the beverage, Bob Wallenberg and Mike Courtemarche. This was a delightful and informative presentation, helping to keep our dedication to Vasa traditions alive.

Lucia Grace Sohoel-Goldberg Nordic Lodge #708 Atlanta, GA Nordic Lodge #708 presented its Third Annual Scandinavian Show on October Lucia, Aud Malene Halånd with attendants and starboys, with Gail Nemy at the piano. 23rd, 2011. The show is designed to fea - ture talents and music from the Scandinavian countries. A record many – Vinland Lodge of Cape Cod #703 85 people – attended this 2011 version of Dennis, MA the Show, held at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Atlanta. The holiday season begins early for us Soon the members and guests filled the After a short business meeting every - with so many details and chores to plan room. George played traditional Swedish one was treated to a variety of delicious and prepare for our Lucia Fest. Marilyn tunes. The Lucia bride, Grace Sohoel- pancakes, coffee, beer and wine. Thus and Eivind Sohoel with daughter Goldberg who is Debbie Goldberg’s provided with food and drinks the audi - Debbie’s assistance had been orchestrat - daughter and Marilyn and Eivind’s ence was ready to enjoy the show of the ing this day each year. We lost Eivind to granddaughter, led the procession in the evening. The first item on the program illness this September and yet Marilyn darkened room attended by one starboy was Swedish folk-music, performed by organized everything. Just like a small and 10 maids. Grace served coffee and Alla Melnik and Gabe Granitz on accor - family everyone set about the many tasks Lucia buns to her mother and grand - dions, Lynn McConnell on alto balalaika as George Hedlund practiced on his mother in a poignant setting. For many (!) and Göran Rygert on bass – a great accordion. There was a special cama - years, Lena Anderson read “Twas the success. raderie as we worked together to trans - Night Before Christmas” poem to the Then Erik Kind from Norway present - form the room. children and handed out small gifts to the ed “Alle man hadde fota,” illustrated by On Saturday, December 10, the chil - children. We lost Lena to illness this fall, an arm- and legless doll, who throughout dren for the procession arrived early to yet her granddaughters, Kajsa Brimdyr the song got new legs from dangling dress and practice. The holiday desserts and Trapin Hughes dressed the children were set out and the coffee prepared. and led everyone in traditional dances Continued on page 18

Vasa Star Winter 2012 ww.vasaorder.com Page 17 Nordic Lodge #708 duced her fellow officers. Special guests Continued from page 17 in the audience included the first Lodge Chairman Anna Godfrey (1976) and Charter Member Kirsten Andersen. After pieces of wood and arms from two strings Sibelius and Edvard Grieg, beautifully the Invocation by Seaborg member Pastor of bratwursts. performed by Brazilian born opera singer Leland Lantz, guests enjoyed a delicious Alla Melnik, from the Atlanta Juliana Castanho-Spector, currently Smörgåsbord. Balalaika Society orchestra played the studying music at Georgia State The best korv this side of Sweden was bayan, the Russian version of accordion University. a huge hit – made by Mim and her korv and received a standing ovation. The Third Annual Scandinavian Show team. Members met on Friday to help Next on the program was Vasa turned out to be a great international Laura Cornwell transform the fellowship Drängar, Atlanta’s Swedish men’s choir, evening! hall into a Luciafest and Smörgåsbord accompanied on the piano by Gabe Submitted by: Göran Rygert masterpiece. All the hard work and plan - Granitz. Finally we heard songs by Jean ning by chair Phyllis Brandon and event committee really came together. Lucia for 2011 was the lovely Sheldon Cornwell who led the procession of many maidens and starboys. How wonderful to have our children and grand-children learn to sing songs in Swedish during the pageant directed by member Kin Lindgren and her SWEA team. The Seaborg Allsång Singers, led by Sue Carlson, filled the room with Christmas spirit. A special thanks to Santa! After spreading his infectious cheer with gifts to the children, one tiny maiden asked if she could see his sleigh. Vasa Drängar in action. From left to right: Göran Rygert, Erik Kind, Jay Lutz, Sten Ekberg, Time was short, so Santa replied, “Maybe Dale Nordin, Oscar Kjellberg, Magnus Edlund and Sven Lovegren. next year!” Pictures from the past 35 years were Solstad Lodge #709 projected onto a large screen, and MC Sun City West, AZ Elizabeth Busick kept the evening mov - ing. Raffle baskets and a small decorated Solstad Lodge #709 of Sun City West, Christmas tree were raffled off. Arizona began its annual Lucia celebra - The evening was topped with tradi - tion with a traditional Lucia procession tional dances led by the famous Kindig through the home of Cultural Leader Family Dancers with LeRoy Anderson on Anne Levig where the celebration took the accordion. The exciting news is that place. Tierra Rose Byman and her atten - several guests that evening have decided dants Paiton Terito, Jordyn Terito, and to join Seaborg lodge! Many members Brielle Anderson processed to the famil - helped all during the evening to make the iar music of Sankta Lucia , carrying trays Luciafest and Smörgåsbord a spectacular of homemade Lucia buns and pep - way to celebrate our 35th Anniversary!! parkakor which they distributed to Vasa Submitted by: Phyllis Brandon members and their guests as they sipped traditional Swedish glögg. Later, all in attendance enjoyed a tra - Participating in the Lucia Procession for ditional Swedish smörgåsbord filled with Solstad Lodge #709 in Sun City West, Swedish meatballs, potatis korv , herring, Arizona, are Tierra Rose Byman, Lucia, and Janssons Frestelse , red cabbage, various attendants Paiton Terito, Jordyn Terito, and cheeses and breads, rice pudding, and a Brielle Anderson. variety of Scandinavian pastries. Submitted by: Anne Levig Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge #719 Laguna Woods, CA Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge No. 719 hour, guests shopped for Swedish gifts hosted their fabulous Luciafest and 35th and baked goods. Mim Curtis, PC, wel - Anniversary Celebration on December 3, comed everyone, including DL Pacific 2011. During the registration and social Southwest DM Susan Premo, who intro - Sheldon Cornwell, GTS Lucia 2011

Page 18 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 tory of Lucia was read by the master of Scandia Lodge #728 ceremonies, Elise’s cousin, Richard Prescott, AZ Laumann. Pepparkakor were distributed and an evening of Christmas cheer and Scandia Lodge #728 celebrated its good fellowship was enjoyed by all. annual Smörgåsbord and Lucia Fest on Submitted by: Carol Nesewich, December 11, 2011. Christmas lights, Historian colorful tables, and seasonal decorations were a beautiful welcome to the members and guests, who enjoyed many of the tra - Jubileum ditional smörgåsbord dishes, including a Lodge #755 dessert table with krumkaka, rice pudding with lingonberries, and assorted other Madison, WI delicacies. The social time before dinner Liza Ekstrand, Linde Lodge #492 was a chance to have some glögg and Chairperson, re-installed our officers, all greet old and new friends. A small live serving for another year. Christmas “money” tree with added orna - Our January 8, 2012, program was ments and a delightful custom birdhouse “Open Mic Day.” Charlie and Sandy, the were raffled off. Ken Fahlman played his “Stark Scandinavian Singers,” described accordion and also accompanied the their program offerings in all five Nordic “Swedish Singers” who sang familiar languages. Sandy also showed a portion Swedish carols. They were Mia Ackley, of her doll collection. Lowell Nordling Inger DaPron, Hillevi Baer, Karleen described the leave camp and dances Andrews, and Nina. Our Lucia pageant Autumn Rae Anderson German soldiers had on Götland during was narrated by Jessica Anderson, who World War Two. Jan Johnson showed an sang “Sankta Lucia” in Swedish while DeMent and Sue Malarkey and many “old-school” sausage stuffer, a metal her daughter, Autumn Rae slowly pro - other willing workers who helped to cone and wooden plunger. While in mid - ceeded through the darkened room. They make this one of the best Christmas dle school in 1940s Lund, Hans Fride each took turns telling about the Sankta Smorgasbords and Lucia Fests ever! visited the TetraPak company (juice Lucia legend, and Autumn gave a little About Autumn: She is 8 years old and boxes) when it had only six employees. information about herself. As she slowly in the 3rd grade at Coronado Elementary Char Thompson showed a candle left the room, her mother sang “Santa School in Gilbert, AZ. Her favorite sub - holder and gave a brief history of Lucia” in English. The Lucia buns were jects are reading and writing. She is a tal - Orrefors glass. Marshall Berg’s uncle then passed out by Autumn and her ented soccer player with the Gilbert sang “Rida, Rida, Blanka,” while filling grandmother, Jaynie Anderson, who is a Youth Soccer Association, and also his potatiskorv, using a KitchenAid. charter member of Scandia Lodge. enjoys singing, dancing and acting with Gunnard Swanson’s grandparents emi - Autumn's great-grandmother is Pat the Talent Team at her school. She grated – twice! His father was born in Flippen, also a charter member of the aspires to be a singer and dancer when America, yet his baptism, by Pastor lodge. The Smörgåsbord chairman was she grows up, and wants to practice as Djerpe, New London, CT, is also in the Debbie Wood, assisted by Joanne much as possible along the way. Swedish church records. As a young wife, Maj Wiese made Sylta for Christmas with the in-laws. When she Sierra Kronan Lodge #737 defrosted it, the gelatin dissolved. So it Roseville, CA became Pitt i Panna. 2011 is winding down much as in the Swedish artists. It was presented by one Refreshments were provided by Tracy past for Sierra Kronan. In October we of our youngest members, Richard Melin and Phil & Joan Sullivan. elected officers for the new year to be Laumann, as written by Cultural Chair, headed by incoming chairperson, Joan John Pearson. John brought various show Lofgren Sherry. Later in the evening and tell books and illustrations for view - Edwin and Betty Wickenberg, sponsored ing before and after the talk. Also that by Walter and Barbara Wickstrom, were evening the lodge collected items to be initiated and welcomed into the lodge as donated to the Sacramento Blue Star our newest members. There was a good Moms, a Veterans Service organization turnout of attendees at the Sacramento which sends care packages to our troops Scandinavian Festival the following stationed overseas. This Outreach Project Saturday and a big thank you went out to was coordinated by outgoing chairman, everyone who worked on food prepara - Raye Brown. tion and sale or helped at the craft table Our annual JulFest, Julbord, and glögg for Sierra Kronan. They both continue to party was held Friday, December 9th. be successful endeavors for our lodge. The pageant featured Elise Chatterton as At the November meeting we learned Lucia. She and her attendants walked a great deal from a cultural program slowly down the aisle to the music of the Sandy Stark and Danish, Swedish, Norwegian about artist Carl Larsson and other Santa Lucia song after which a short his - Hardanger, and German dolls.

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 19 Vasa Park Christmas Party 2011 Lake Sammamish, WA On December 11th, the four lodges mallow and candy. The children also old saying he planned to tell all his that own Vasa Park on Lake Sammamish, made many lovely ornaments that they friends about this events, and one little Excelsior #435, Frihet #401, Klippan used to decorate our tree. six year asking her grandmother if they #228 and Skogsblomman #396, along We then had a lovely dinner, in which could come again next week. These affir - with the Vasa Park Board of Directors the group “Mud Fiddlu” played mations are the kind that we had hoped to held their annual Christmas party. Scandinavian background music. The hear. There were about 200 adults and 50 When entering our hall we were treat - Lucia program followed dinner and con - children to our first annual Christmas ed to a sight of decorated tables, holly sisted of about 30 girls and boys walking event. with red berries, candles glowing and a behind the candles aglow to live music of As you can tell there are so many to 12’ Christmas tree to set off the event. cello and bass. A reading of the story of thank and it would be a shame to miss Our first hour, we enjoyed hors Lucia was followed by singing around one person, so HUGE THANKS to d’oeuvres of cheese, crackers, herring, the Christmas tree with live accordion everyone that had some participation. and hardtack while visiting with our fel - music. Santa arrived magically and had This party was in the planning for a year low Vasa members. During this time craft filled stocking for all the children. with many meeting. It was worth every tables were set up for the children to The children danced to music, made moment. make Christmas trees out of ice cream new friends and ran around and had fun. I Submitted by: Karla Anderson and cones, and then decorated with marsh - heard a young fellow about eight years Susie Winkowski SWEDISH LODGE NEWS officers take regular officers seats on 1991, hela 11 år, jobbade sy Dagny som Härnösand 19th of November. It was really gray biträdande finanssekreterare. Och 1991 Lodge Nr 673 November day, 10 degrees C, gray and var ett stort år då sy Dagny fick Logens Höstens andra möte den 21 oktober misty and the fact is that Sweet peas still och Distriktets förtjänsttecken Och nu samlade ca 40-talet Vasasyskon. are blooming. The lodge had a long and 2011 fick vi i logen Westervik äran att Ordförande Karl Bäcklund hade nöjet att uplifting meeting. Sister Dagny Persson överlämna 40års tecknet. Tecknet över - hälsa två nya medlemmar välkomna i vår began her career as an interior guard lämnades av kvällens sittande ordförande, Loge, nämligen Britt-Marie och Per 1976; from 1980 to 1991 Sister Dagny Br Christer Hultberg, måhända, Sveriges Grundström. Till CM Kjell Hamrin över - worked eleven years as deputy finance äldsta medlem som tar emot tecken av lämnades en gåva som tack för gott tjän - secretary. 1991 was a big year for Sister Sveriges yngsta ordförande? stemannaskap. Därefter slutfördes Dagny as she got the Lodge and District Därefter intogs en underbar buffé med förhandlingarna. Merit and now in 2011 we were in the kyckling och kalkon med alla frukter som Till efterkapitlet hälsade värdparen Westervik Lodge to honor Sister Dagny’s tänkas kan och kaffe och kaka därtill. Lena o Bo Selin, Gun o Rolf Westin samt 40th year of membership. The badge was Naturligtvis avslutades kvällen med dans Barbro o Lars Sundgren syskonen presented by the evening's Lodge till goa bitar till fram emot småtimmarna. välkomna till bords. Chairman, Brother Christer Hultberg, Ytterligare en underbart trevlig kväll läg - Kjell Hamrin ledde bordsvisorna med perhaps, the oldest member that receives ger vi till våra minnen i sann vasaanda. komp av Bo Selin på dragspel. Efter the badge from the youngest Lodge Anette Hultberg logehistoriker maten berättade Monica Bäcklund, om Chairman in Sweden? After the ceremo - hurdet är att vara vittnesstöd, för vittnen ny we were served a wonderful buffet of som inkallats vid brottmål. En viktig chicken and turkey with all the fruits that uppgift då många vittnen aldrig varit med can be imagined and coffee with cake. Of om rättsförhandlingar tidigare. Inom vårt course, the evening ended with dancing distrikt arbetar sju st vittnesstöd ideellt to lovely music. Another wonderfully med endast täckning för resekostnader enjoyable evening, in true Vasa spirit was Till kaffet hade vi ett lotteri med många added in our memories. fina vinster. Submitted by: Anette Hultberg Kvällen avslutades med mer sång och lodge historian därefter var det dags att bryta upp och Äldst och yngst? bege sig hemåt. Vasaorden av Amerika, logen Westervik nr 679 hade sitt traditionella Logen Westervik novembermöte där alla vise tjänstemän intar ordinarie tjänstemäns platser 19/11. Nr 679 En riktigt grå novemberdag var det, 10 Västervik grader varmt, grått och disigt och faktum The oldest and the youngest? är, att luktärterna fortfarande blommade. Vasa Order of America, the Lodge Logen hade ett långt och upplyftande Westervik No 679 had its traditional möte. Sy Dagny Persson började sin kar - November meeting where all the vice riär som inre vakt 1976. Från 1980 till Page 20 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 YOUTH NEWS Nordikids #208 Munster, IN Lucia 2011 Melissa (Missy) Pearson was the for the group and her little sister is wait - Lucia for Nordikids No. 208 this year. ing for her chance to be Queen in a few She proudly wore the crown of candles at more years. Missy is a fifth grade student all of our performances and events at John Bosco grade school in Hammond, throughout the month of December. She Indiana where she is in the school choir. appeared at the Museum of Science and She is fourth of five children in her fami - Industry in Chicago, for its annual ly. Her parents are Mike and Lisa “Christmas Around the World” celebra - Pearson who are both charter members of tion, The Indiana Dunes National Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 in Munster, Lakeshore, IKEA Bollingbrook and at Indiana. Mike is a Past Chairman of the our own Luciafest in Highland Indiana on lodge and he is currently the Audio- December 4th where she sang a solo – “O Visual Director for the Grand Lodge. Lucia Melissa Pearson Come All Ye Faithful” with two verses in Missy’s Swedish heritage comes from Swedish and one in English at each per - her father’s side of the family where her voyage and went on to raise his family in formance. great-great-grandfather – Ernst Ulrik Northwest Indiana. Melissa has been a member of Persson of Julita, Sodermanland – immi - Submitted by: Lynda Ann Smith, Nordikids since she was 3 years old. Her grated to the United States in April of Nordikids leader two older sisters have already been Lucia 1912…..on the Titanic. He survived the CULTURE American society with Svithiod as the unknown, but from the anonymity some most preferred followed by Vasa Order VOICES FROM well known profiles come forward such of America and Vikings, plus another 10 as the building contractor Ragnar CHICAGO societies and a dozen of province soci - Benson, the local authors Ingrid eties with Värmland and Västergötland as New book by Lilly Setterdahl Bergstrom and Bror Johansson and Kurt the most common. Those without any Matthiasson, the initiator of the Swedish- A great number of books have been known affiliation were frequently very American Museum Center in Chicago. written about Swedes and swedishness in occupied in their professions. Not least interesting is the interview with Chicago with Ulf Beijbom’s thesis Single errors of numbers and spelling Selma Jacobson, who for a long period of (Swedes in Chicago) from 1971 as the do not interfere with the overall very time was sort of co-ordinator for preser - most important source for knowledge and good impression of this book that is real - vation and maintenance of many reference. Lilly Setterdahl has now added ly worthwhile reading by all with interest Swedish-American activities in Chicago. a new book on the subject based on inter - in Swedish-American history. It is impossible to give a good summa - views with 340 people with year of birth Stig S. Salgeback ry of the single stories from all these indi - from 1873 to 1965. The now printed GLCD Sweden viduals with different adventures and interviews emerge from a bigger material Lilly Setterdahl: Chicago Swedes fates. One way of trying to describe their of tapes (1280) that her husband, Lennart They spoke from the heart lives could be to making use of the infor - Setterdahl, made from talks with people Available via www.amazon.com from different areas with substantial mation about affiliation to churches Swedish-American population. Examples and/or secular societies. Concerning of these oral histories are available for membership of churches 138 (41%) ROSTER FRAN listening to at the House of Emigrants in people have given information. Within Växjö, Sweden and at the Vasa National that group a majority (69%) belonged to CHICAGO Archives in Bishop Hill. the Lutheran denomination, 10% to the Ny bok av Lilly Setterdahl A similar book with longer interviews Covenant Church and 7% were Baptists. Ett stort antal böcker har tidigare for preservation of immigrant (not only There were additional 7 denominations skrivits om svenskar och svenskhet i Swedish) experience was edited in Seattle (Catholics, Mormons and others) men - Chicago med Ulf Beijboms doktor - 2001 (Lynn Moen: Voices of Ballard). tioned. Those figures may to some degree savhandling (Swedes in Chicago) från The content of the current book are fit in to swedishness, but at the same time 1971 som det grundläggande standard - direct talks, mainly brief, with individuals we don’t know about the remaining 202 verket för kunskap i ämnet. Lilly and each one represents an interesting (=59%). Around 80% of all the individu - course of life. Most people are to us als were affiliated to some Swedish- Continued on page 22 Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 21 Röster från Chicago profiler som storbyggmästaren Ragnar på sitt sätt ett mått på svenskhet, men Continued from page 21 Benson, de lokala författarna Ingrid samtidigt saknas redovisning, aktiv eller Bergstrom och Bror Johansson samt Kurt passiv, för övriga (202 = 59%). – Ungefär Setterdahl har nu adderat en bok byggd Matthiasson, initiativtagaren till det 80% i materialet har anslutit sig till någon på intervjuer med 340 individer i flera svensk-amerikanska museet i Chicago. förening och här dominerar Svithiod, generationer med födelseår från 1873 till Inte minst intressant är intervjun med Vasaorden och Vikings, men det 1965. De nu tryckta intervjuerna härstam - Selma Jacobson, som under många år var förekommer ytterligare ett 10-tal sällskap mar från det större material av bandin - ett slags allt i allo för bevarande och och dessutom ett dussin landskaps - spelningar (1280 st), som hennes man, upprätthållande av flera svensk- föreningar, där Värmland och Lennart Setterdahl, på sin tid samlade amerikanska aktiviteter i Chicago. Västergötland är vanligast företrädda. De från olika svenskbygder och som idag Det är en omöjlig uppgift att ge en icke uppgivet föreningsanslutna är ofta ingå i Vasaarkivet i Bishop Hill samt i sammanfattning av dessa individers öden hårt upptagna av sin yrkesverksamhet. form av enstaka exempel kan avlyssnas i och äventyr. Ett sätt att försöka beskriva Enstaka siffer- och stavfel drar inte Utvandrarnas Hus i Växjö. människornas liv kan vara att utnyttja den ned helhetsintrycket av att denna bok är Ett liknande verk med längre inter - i boken redovisade kyrko- och/eller värdefull läsning för alla med intresse för vjuer för att till eftervärlden bevara immi - föreningstillhörigheten. Beträffande svensk-amerikansk historia. granters (inte bara svenskars) erfaren - kyrkotillhörigheten finner man då, att 138 Stig Sälgeback, Karlstad heter utgavs i Seattle 2001 (Lynn Moen: (41%) sagt sig ha en sådan. Inom denna SLKL Sverige Voices of Ballard). grupp är lutheranerna störst (69%) och Lilly Setterdahl: Chicago Swedes. Innehållet i den aktuella boken utgörs därefter följer Covenant Church (motsv. They spoke from the heart. av direktintervjuer, mestadels korta, och Missionskyrkan) med 10% och baptister - Finns endast på engelska. Tillgänglig belyser var för sig ett intressant levnad - na med 7%. Ytterligare sju kyrkotill - via www.amazon.com söde. De flesta är för oss okända, men ur hörigheter anges, bl.a katolska kyrkan anonymiteten framstår några välkända och mormonkyrkan. Dessa siffror är väl Svenska Språkhörnan — The Swedish Language Corner The Grand Lodge Swedish Language Program VasaSvenska As previously reported in the Vasa Star (the first and third issues in 2011), Svenska Språkhörnan – The Swedish Language Corner – is the vehicle for the GL Swedish Language Program on the web and in the Vasa Star. I am pleased to announce that the webpage is now up and running at www.vasaorder.com (click on the icon Visit The Swedish Language Corner) . The page’s main feature is a comprehensive Swedish language course with text and sound tracks, which can be downloaded and studied in your local lodge or in your home. (The District Cultural Leaders will be the link between the local lodges and the GL Swedish Language Program Committee responsible for posting the course.) On that webpage you will also find links to other online language courses, Swedish Radio/TV and Swedish-American magazines, a Jokes-and-Trivia page and more. I am happy to likewise be able to here present the first part of a different Swedish Language Course in the spirit of a long and much appreciated tradition within the Vasa Star to publish instruction in Swedish. Because this course is tailored to those readers, who may not have access to the program offered on the Vasa Order website, only the paper issues of the Star will include the lessons, thus ensuring continuity for the students . This is a rather short, basic course, which I think will work fine for beginners. More advanced students may find it good for repe - tition as well. The course is comprised of five sections: Alphabet and Pronunciation Lesson One: Vad är det? (What is it/this/that?) Lesson Two: Var bor du? (Where do you live?) Lessons Three : Possessiva pronomen (Possessive Pronouns) Lesson Four: Siffrorna 1-10 and pluralforme r (Numbers 1-10 and Plurals ) Each lesson consists of Vocabulary, Grammar, Exercises, and Answers to Exercises. Let’s get started right now with the Alphabet and Pronunciation section. Lesson One will follow in the next issue of Vasa Star. Lycka till med dina studier ! Good luck with your studies ! In writing many common words are very similar in the two languages, e.g. man – man, fisk – fish, hus – house, horn – horn, hund – hound and bok – book Because of Swedish word changes other words are not as easy to recognize, e.g. ord – word, under – wonder, tacka – thank, hjärta – heart and hjälp – help. There is often a great difference in pronunciation of English and Swedish words due to several factors such as different intonation (Swedish is more ‘sing-song’) and stress (meaning which syllable is emphasized in a word), and which portion of the tongue, back or front, is used. English has only back rounded vowels, as in ‘boat,’ while Swedish has both back and front rounded vowels. In addition to the placement of the tongue, the lips may be protruding or rounded to a varying extent. Swedish words generally are pronounced with more protruding or rounded lips than English words, especially in American English. Continued on page 23

Page 22 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 Svenska Språkhörnan Continued from page 22 Many Swedish words that may sound very much alike to an American are spelled differently and have different meaning , e.g. fika (long i) – have coffee, and ficka (short i) – pocket; gråta (long å) – /to/cry, and grotta (short o) – cave, grotto. Then we have some Swedish and English words, where the spelling is the same but the meaning very different like the Swedish word from (short o) – pious, and the English from (where the short o sounds more like a Swedish å). Another example: the English word glass (where the long a in American English sounds more like a Swedish ä) = Swedish glas (long a). You use the Swedish word glass (short a) to ask for an ice cream! So, you see there is room for confusion. Practice is the key, and, of course it’s very helpful if there are Swedish speaking people around to practice with, perhaps in your local lodge. The Swedish alphabet has 29 letters. The first 26 are the same as in English and the last three are the famous Å, Ä and Ö: Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Xx Yy Zz Åå Ää Öö Those of you who have an internet connection might enjoy practicing the Swedish alphabet right now along with Tess, my grand - daughter, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDlEuFrOuPI . Consonants The pronunciation of some of the Swedish consonants depends on whether they precede a hard or soft vowel. The hard vowels are a, o, u, å and the soft vowels are e, i, y, ä, ö. The following consonants are pronounced basically the same as in English: b, d, f, h, l, m, n, p, r, t, v . g, k, sk: Before a stressed soft vowel g is usually pronounced like the Swedish j; k like the American ch and sk like the American sh . ( gäst – guest, kyrka – church, sj uk sk öterska – nurse ). After l and r or at the end of a syllable and in Sverige, g is pronounced like in Swedish j (sor g – sorrow, hel g – holiday ). Before t and s, g is pronounced as k (s agt – said), k is like k in key (komma – come) , sk is like sk in skin ( sk ola – school). In most other cases g is pronounced like the g in gun. j is, with a few exceptions, pronounced like the y in yes (jaga – hunt). s is voiceless, pronounced like the s in sell (saga – story); q = k; w = v; z = s; x= ks. c = s before a soft vowel ( citron – lemon), = k before a hard vowel ( Carl) . The ng sound is pronounced like ng in singer, never like in hunger (lå ng – long) . The sj sound is almost always pronounced like sh in shelf. In spelling, sj is represented by sj and sk before a stressed soft vowel (sj älar – souls) , and in männi sk a (human being); by skj (skj öt – shot), or stj (stjärna – star). The tj sound is pronounced like ch in check (tj änare – servant). In spelling, tj is represented by tj (tj ata – nag), kj (kjolar – skirts) and k (köpa – buy) usually before a stressed soft vowel. Silent consonants: Initial d, g, h, l are silent before j. dj = j (d jur – animal) ; gj = j (g jorde – did) , hj = j (h jul – wheel). Vowels In standard Swedish all vowels are pure, meaning they lack the diphthongal “off glides” heard with many English vowels. However, in the southern regions of Sweden, especially Skåne (Scania), diphthongs are a major part of the dialect. Hard vowels: a, o, u, å . S oft vowels: e, i, y, ä, ö . Hard vowels Long a ( like in father): st aden – the city. Short a (like in must): hast – haste. Long o (like in soon): kr ona – crown. Short o (like in plot): bort – away. Long u ((like in stew): fr u – wife. Short u (like in pull): tull – customs. Long å (like in so): bl å – blue. Short å (like in throng): sp ång – small bridge. Soft vowels Long e (like in crêpe, no diphthong): rep – rope. Short e (like in let): ett – one. Long i (like in fleet): kr it a – chalk. Short i (like in split): fr itt – free. Long y (round your lips as if to say o but say ee .): fl yga – (to) fly Short y (less prolonged): hydda – hut. Long ä (like in air): här – here. Short ä (like in bad): rädd – afraid. Long ö (like in shirk): bj örk – birch. Short ö (like in perplex): förhäxad – bewitched. Siv Swan-Pierson Grand Lodge Language Director [email protected]

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 23 Svenska Språkhörnan — The Swedish Language Corner Du vet att du är svensk ...( You know that you are Swedish...) My daughter Mia gave me a book for Christmas titled Du vet att du är svensk …. (You know that you are Swedish …) by Mattias Boström, Fredrik Månsson and Christopher Overton. Here are some excerpts for you to test how Swedish you or your relatives or friends really are whether you are native Swedes or any generation Swedish-Americans. I seem to still have quite a bit of Swedish peculiarities in me in spite of not having lived in Sweden full-time for some 20 odd years. This reminds me of the rhyme: Zebran är ett randigt djur, ränderna går aldrig ur (The zebra is a striped animal, the stripes never go away). So: Du vet att du är svensk (när du)...You know that you are Swedish (when you)... Inte kan ta emot en komplimang för din nya klänning utan att säga: Ah, den här gamla trasan Can ’t accept a compliment for your new dress without saying: Oh, this old rag Har dåligt samvete för att du inte går ut när solen skiner Feel guilty that you don ’t go outside when the sun is shining Vill dela notan även på första dejten Want to split the check already on the first date Tror att det bara är Sverige som har pinsamma ministrar Believe that it is only Sweden that has embarrassing ministers Är stolt över att Sverige i alla fall har haft sommar-OS... år nittonhundratolv Are proud that Sweden after all did have a summer-OS...in the year nineteen-hundred –and-twelve Tar för givet att Pippi Långstrump är den populäraste barnoksfiguren i Kina Take it for granted that Pippi Longstocking is the most popular children ’s book character in China Berättar om midnattsolen för alla utlänningar du träffar fast du själv inte varit norr om Uppsala Tell all foreigners you meet about the Midnight Sun although you yourself have not been north of Uppsala Är livrädd att förstöra maträtten om du inte följer receptet till punkt och pricka Are scared to death of ruining the dish if you don ’t follow the recipe to the letter Kommer tillbaka från utlandssemestern och det första du frågar är hur vädret varit här hemma Come back from your vacation abroad and the first thing you ask is how the weather was here at home. Tror att du inte blir påverkad av reklam Believe that you do not get influenced by advertisements. More Du vet att du är svensk... excerpts to follow in next issue.

Good Old Swedish Words Some of you who came to this country several decades ago or whose parents/grandparents spoke Swedish did perhaps learn words that are not in common use in Sweden today. See if you can recognize these old words: Raip piaurikR... Hin purmubi...stiliR flutna ...Oh, sorry, I went too far back in time – this is runic script and translates as Rådde Tjudrik... den djärve...vikingarnas hövding (Ruled Tjurdrik...the Brave...Chief of the Vikings). Better luck with the words below. (Send me an email and let me know how you did!)

Aber – Hindance Gå hädan – Die Raljera – Joke, tease Annorledes – Different Huruvida If, Whether Sannfärdig – Truthful Bliga – Stare Ingalunda – Hardly Sålunda – Thus Changera – Change for the worse Jordmor – Midwife Trumpen – Sullen Drasut – Lanky, lazy male Kanhända – Maybe Uppdaga – Discover Enkom – Solely Konsternerad – Dismayed Villfarelse – Illusion Föga – Not much Lärospån – Experiences Yvas – Be proud Förmer – Snobbish Moloken – Sad Åstunda – Wish/Long for Gramse – Angry Njugg – Stingy Ambar – Bucket Grunna – Ponder Orunkelig – (Stand) Firm Over hövan – Too much In the next issue we will have some new Swedish words.

Swedish Proverbs and Old Swedish Sayings Here are some proverbs and sayings that you may be familiar with; if not it ’s a good opportunity to learn them so you can share with your fellow members at your next lodge meeting. Some of the proverbs have their origin in the Bible or were in ancient times translated into Swedish from other languages, particularly Latin. • Alla goda ting är tre. All good things are three. • Alla känner apan, men apan känner ingen. Everyone knows the monkey, but the monkey knows no-one. (Meaning: Those that stick out are often both well-known and avoided.) • Alla sätt är bra utom de dåliga. All ways are good except the bad ones. (Meaning: Unconventional solutions are just as good.) • Blod är tjockare än vatten. Blood is thicker than water. • Blott Sverige svenska krusbär har. Only Sweden Swedish gooseberries has. (Meaning: Sweden is a unique country in many ways .) • Friskt vågat, hälften vunnet. Bravely dared, half of it won. (English equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.) • Sopa rent framför din egen dörr först. Sweep clean in front of your own door first. (Meaning: Don’t criticize others for things you yourself can be criticized for.)

More Swedish proverbs to follow in the next issue. For now I say adjö (good-bye) or hej då (bye-bye), whichever fare well (farväl) phrase you like best. And keep smiling because Ett gott skratt förlänger livet. A good (hearty) laugh lengthens your life. Siv Swan-Pierson Grand Lodge Language Director [email protected]

Page 24 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 Welcome To Our New Members

On behalf of the Grand Lodge and members of the Vasa Order of America, I am pleased to welcome you to membership in these local Vasa lodges. If you are new to the Vasa Order of America we bid you welcome. If you are transferring or are a dual member, your new lodge bids you welcome. We hope you will enjoy your membership and will participate in all of the activities planned for you. Art Bjorkner, Grand Lodge Membership Chairman 31 Vasa Drive, Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 USA

DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2 DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8 DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST DL ALBERTA NO. 18 Brage-Iduna Lodge No. 9 Svea Lodge No. 253 NO. 13 Skandia Lodge No. 549 Tom Nilsson Douglas Warren Krantz Norrskenet Lodge No. 189 Colton James Barrett Ingeborg Lodge No. 66 Viljan Lodge No. 349 Linda Arlene Rogers Katherine Faith Gon Alice Carlson Lene F. Scherer Astor Lodge No. 215 Debbie Lynn Bonnar Ann-Kristina Eastman Austin Lodge No. 466 Marissa Drew Hagglund Liam Douglas McRae Marian Faye Grabau Bryan G. Garb Billie Jo Tarabahia Rodney Victor Wales Nancy Esther Krushas Leona M. Maglaya Frihet Lodge No. 401 Nordic Lodge No. 611 Letecia M. Puttrich Sam H. Clake DL SÖDRA SVERIGE NO. 20 Joseph C. Fournier Satellite Lodge No. 661 Steven Sewall Clake LL Kärnan Nr. 608 Lynn M. Fournier William Irving Baldwin Janice M. Dobbs Gunilla Nilsson Sarah Jean Gustafson Constance Douglas Lisa M. Gerrard Torsten Nilsson Winifred E. Hanson Sandra Jean Neal Katherine Gayle Halgren LL Christian Nr. 617 E. W. Pete Petterson Bishop Hill Lodge No. 683 Vanessa Elizabeth Jackson Gun Hermansson Shirley A. Petterson Emma L. Gerard Lisa E. Papineau Sven Hermansson Birka Lodge No. 732 Kim L. Goodrich Svea Lodge No. 469 Jan-Erik Larsson Danika Lyn Ashness Timothy Alan Johnson Robert George Raney Jr. LL Westwervik Nr. 679 Viktoria Kofoid-Almgren Rose Marie Raney Ulla Hänninen DL NEW YORK NO. 4 Barbara Jean Koller Olympia Lodge No. 550 Mikael Karlsson Stenland Lodge No. 727 Marita Ann Koller Dorothy E. Adamson LL Blå Jungfrun Nr. 749 Becky Ann Rasmussen Richard A. Leddy Patricia Lazar Barbro Hermansson Rigmor Elisabeth Schneider Ronald Stam Mats Hermansson Ingo Schneider Jubileum Lodge No. 755 DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST Jörgen Holm Julie Jeanne Syvarth Anne L. Woodson NO. 15 Monica Johansson North Star Lodge No. 106 Sylve Johansson DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6 DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9 Christin Ann Loebs Britt-Marie Lindblad Arlington Lodge No. 62 Drott Lodge No. 168 Evening Star Lodge No. 426 Britta Ogebrink Elisabeth Bojko Dianne S. Clark Annika Finn Spaberg William Bojko Douglas Clark Mayflower Lodge No. 455 DL ARIZONA NO. 21 Vivien Thorsen Barbara Bertoldi Solstad Lodge No. 709 Tryggve Lodge No. 88 DL ROCKY MOUNTAIN Northern Light Lodge No. 620 Janet Lehman MacDowell Louis S. Cassarello NO. 11 Bjoern Johannesson Karl Arne Hendela Enighet Lodge No. 178 Leah Christine Johannesson GRAND LODGE David C. Waldron Kevin Robert Nelson Desert Viking Lodge No. 682 JURISDICTION Linne Lodge No. 429 Gary Crooks Nordic Lodge No. 708 Erik Anderson Douds DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12 Valley Vikings Lodge No. 701 Christina Birgitta Palm Dominick Anthony Durso Monitor Lodge No. 218 Gordon Eugene Peterson Per Olof Rolf Palm Three Crowns Lodge No. 704 Susan Edelmayer Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge No. 719 Franklin Phelips Baker III Daniel Paul Eriksson Janice May Olson Kathy McGrath Baker Richard Earl Eriksson Stephen F. Colonna Kerstin E. Hermann Kelly Marie Conover Paul Dwight Johnson George William Gutleber Darlene Rae Miller AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTOR Renee Virginia Lupia Barry Moore Lilian Lora Radel Amy Beth Winter Mike Pearson John K. Rehse Svea Lodge No. 348 John Rothenberger Terry Elizabeth Jalkemo 7309 New Hampshire Pl Laura Michele Stiller-Williams Nord Lodge No. 392 Viking Lodge No. 735 Nathan Straub Hammond, IN 46323-2937 USA Helen Wernlund Framåt Lodge No. 405 Phone: (219) 588-4752 Peter A . Graham DL MINNESOTA NO. 7 Rebecca S. Graham E-mail: [email protected] Stenbock Lodge No. 138 Sierra Kornan Lodge No. 737 M. Lillian Gavitt Elissa Kim Peterson The Vasa website at www.vasaorder.com contains a “materials Kronan Lodge No. 433 Betty Elaine Wickenberg button” which has the listing of audio visual materials available. Sally Jean Spreeman Edwin Rex Wickenberg Taylor Afton Spreeman If you are unable to use the Vasa website, you can still ask that a listing be sent to you by mail.

Vasa Star Winter 2012 www.vasaorder.com Page 25 of the Scandinavian American community in Atlanta, co- TEXAS founding the Vasa Order of America’s Nordic Lodge #708, in HELEN STARK-HOWLAND BOSTOCK passed away 1974, and the Scandinavian Festival in 1994. Always the on March 9, 2011. Helen was born February 13, 1930, near In Memoriam quintessential hostess, Barbro orchestrated many parties and Georgetown, TX, to Ellen Bloom Stark and Frank Henry social events, including Vasa’s Crayfish Party, an annual Stark. Helen was a proud member of Carl Widen Lodge Till minne av hädangångna Swedish tradition. Along with her husband, she welcomed the #743. She is survived by daughters Connia Kanetzky and ordenssyskon genom vilkas King and Queen of Sweden during their visit to America. husband Jerry Don, LuAnn Howland, grandchildren and Those who knew Barbro acknowledge her generosity, intelli - great-grandchildren, brothers and wives, nieces and nephews. bortgång syskonkretsen gjort gence and loyalty. She was quick to provide whatever assis - en kännbar förlust tance she could to enable others to succeed, especially those BOBBIE JEAN (BJ) KEMPF passed away on December new to the United States and the metro-Atlanta area. Barbro is 12, 2010, in Dallas, TX. BJ retired from IBM after 35 years in In memory of our departed survived by her son Charles, her sisters Kerstin, Ulla, and 1988. BJ was very active in civic and charitable organiza - members who will be Gunilla, and her brother Sven. She was preceded in death by tions. She was an active member of Carl XVI Gustaf Lodge her husband Sam and her son Jeffery. #715 and had served as Chairman. sorely missed ILLINOIS ILLINOIS HELEN M. WALDING passed away on December 21, ELIZABETH DOERING passed away on June 4, 2010, in 2010. She was born on April 6, 1918, in Fråndefors, Sweden, Hoffman Estates, IL, at the age of 82. She was born January and joined Three Crown Lodge #38 on January 16, 1987. She 13, 1928, in Stockholm, Sweden. She joined Viljan Lodge These names are being reprinted is survived by a nephew. #349, Batavia, IL, on September 27, 2001. She is survived by her son and 2 grandsons. from the October-December issue MICHIGAN of The Vasa Star. GEORGEANN BERGH passed away on August 1, 2010, in MARY “MAY” LOI GRONBERG passed away on Escanaba, MI, at the age of 72. She was born on October 16, December 23, 2010. She was a member of Linnea lode #504. 1937, in Duluth, MN. She joined Framåt Lodge #463 on Mary was born in Chicago, IL, on July 4, 1933. “May” is sur - CALIFORNIA February 2, 1978, serving as Chaplain. She is survived by vived by children Linda and John Ward, Carl and Gina ROBERT P. CARLSON passed away on January 22, 2011. husband Stig, GLD District #10, and daughters Lorna, Peggy, Gronberg, Paul and Barbra Gronberg and their families, also He was a member of Framåt Lodge #405, El Cerrito, CA, Mona, and 2 grandchildren. a sister Jean (Raymond) LaVoi and brother Henry (Sarah since 2011. Brother Bob, born in Berkeley, CA, on July 10, Lee) Gronberg. 1925, is survived by wife Nancy, son John, daughter Kristina, OHIO RUTH J. MAZAK passed away on November 30, 2008, in and sister Lillian Ball. Bob called himself “an old accordion VIVIAN L. HEIKKINEN passed away on January 14, Bloomington, IL, at the age of 94. She was formerly from player” - he was a wonderful accordion player and loved 2011, in Cleveland, OH, at the age of 87. She was a graduate Torrance, CA. She is survived by sister-in-law Deeda playing the old favorite Swedish tunes. of Bowling Green University and earned her master’s degree from Edinboro State College in Pennsylvania. Vivian was the Johnson, nephews, Thomas (Marietta) Mazak, Mark Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Kris Johnson, nieces Cordelia Waterhouse, HAROLD “RAY” OWEN passed away on November 28, historian and program chairperson of the Finnish Heritage Astrid McQueen, and Ann Marie Mazak. Ruth earned her 2010, at the age of 86. He was born on February 22, 1924, Museum in Fairport Harbor, OH. She is survived by her son, Ph.D. in psychology and was a world traveler. and joined Mayflower Lodge #445 on April 2, 1987. He Douglas (Debra Woodruff-Capper) Heikkinen, daughters Laura (Veikko) Malkamaki, and Bonnie (Dave) McLeod, attended Venice High School in California. He entered the CHARLOTTE MILLER passed away on January 4, 2011, grandchildren Daniel and Dennis Malkamaki, and 8 great- Navy and served as a Radioman and Underwater Demolition in Wheaton, IL. She was born on June 10, 1938, in South grandchildren. Vivian was preceded in death by her husband with the Marines in WWII, participating in the liberation of Bend, IN, at the age of 72. She joined Viljan Lodge #349, Arthur, brothers Raymond and Dale Hall, and parents Laura the Philippines. He married Vera Carson in Santa Monica, Batavia, IL, on March 22, 2001, where she was an active and Lafie Gustafson. She joined Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 CA, on December 17, 1948, and lived in Westchester for member. She is survived by her husabnd Robert, 2 daughters, in June of 2010. almost 60 years. He is survived by his wife Vera Carson 1 son, and 5 grandchildren. Owen, Harold Ray (Hank) Owen III, Kristina Ann Owen (Hoberg), Linda Owen (Cantrill), 5 grandchildren, and a JOAN M. LIBERTINE (NEE CARLSON) passed away on WASHINGTON fierce dog, Casey. His youngest son, Sidney Carl Owen, pre - December 1, 2010, in Willoughby, OH, at the age of 71. BETTY JO HANSON passed away December 19, 2010, in ceded him in death on January 21, 1991. Survivors are her children Virginia, Susan Sweigert, Sandra, Mt. Vernon, WA. She was born May 24, 1929, and married Georgette Aspero, and Carrie; cherished grandchildren Maurice Hanson in 1946. They had three children. Betty Jo is RAGNOR J. SEGLUND , Ph.D., passed away peacefully at Aimee, Renee, Ronnie, and Tom; great-grandchild Lincoln; survived by her children, Kathy and Larry Lochen, Brad and home on February 7, 2011, at the age of 81, after a coura - siblings Richard Carlson, Jean (Bill) Collister, and Erick Cathy Hanson, and Debbie and John Allen, 1 sister, 4 grand - geous battle with leukemia. He was born on November 1, (Marie) Carlson; and sister-in-law Eleanor Carlson. She was children, 5 great-grandchildren and special friend Bjorn 1929, in Munising, MI. Ragnor was a member of Sierra preceded in death by her husband Ronald E. Libertine, par - Svendsen, life-long friend Pat Bromels and many nieces and Kronan Lodge #737. He is missed by beloved Diana of 20 ents Carl and Birgit (nee Lindberg) Carlson, brother Robert nephews. She was active in Sons of Norway and Solidaritet years, 6 children, Patti, John, Paul, Cecelia, Julia and Amy, 3 M. Carlson, and sister-in-law Marion Carlson. Joan joined Lodge #396. grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was an account - Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 on September 11, 2005. ing professor for 20 years at CSUS. He also taught in univer - BETSY W. (GRUBB) STENGER passed away on January sities in Arizona, Finland and Australia. He will be missed by NEW YORK 22, 2011, at home in Anacortes, WA, at the age of 103. She all who knew him. HARRY VICTOR HEDIN passed away peacefully on was born in Burke Co., ND, the 3rd of 8 children. She attend - February 16, 2011, at the age of 82. Harry was preceded in ed and later taught in a 1-room county school before her mar - ALVA GOTTY VIOLA SID EN passed away on February death by his wife, Mildred. He is survived by his daughter, riage to Hardin Stenger in 1930. She and Hardin were mar - 7, 2011, at the age of 90, with family by her side. Alva was Ada (John), son, Earl (Guihua), and 5 grandchildren. Harry ried for 78 years until his death at the age of 101-1/2. She is born in Läckeby, Sweden, on June 23, 1920. She married the was actively involved in the Swedish community in New survived by 4 children, Jack (Arleen) Stenger, Jeanine (Jim) love of her life, Arne Jean Sidén in 1946. They immigrated to York City, where he grew up. From a young age, he Murphy, Betsy Jane Mosley, and Jennifer Calnon; 22 grand - the USA in 1953 where they settled in Glendale, CA. embraced the culture and heritage of his parents, which he, in children, 35 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-grandchil - Affectionately known as A&A, they kept alive Swedish tradi - turn, shared with his children and grandchildren. He was an dren, and 1 sister. She joined Solidaritet Lodge #396 too late tions through 30 years active membership and service in the accomplished dancer and taught many children and adults the in life to be very active, but enjoyed her time there. Swedish Vasa Club, Thule Lodge #467. Alva was preceded art of Swedish folk dancing and other dances. He was an in death by Arne, her loving husband of 63 years. Much active member of many Swedish organizations, including ASTRID (JOHNSON) TENGELIN passed away April 27, loved and deeply missed, she is survived by daughters Jill Bredablick Masonic Lodge and Vasa Order of America’s 2010, in Stanwood, WA, at the age of 94. She was born Monica Sidén, Linda Christine Nessen, son-in-law Steve Olympic Lodge #235 in Staten Island. He held many offices October 15, 1915, and married Axel Tengelin on March 2, Nessen, granddaughter Christina, and brother, Karl Erik during his membership in Vasa and was a delegate from 1940. They had 3 children. She is survived by a son, John (Sweden). District Lodge New York #4 to the Grand Lodge Convention (Brenda) Tengelin and daughter Nancy Tengelin, grandchil - in Tarrytown, NY, in 1986, where he was elected GL dren, great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. EDMUND LEONARD SWANSON passed away on Executive Board Member for the Eastern Region and served She was a member of Solidaritet Lodge #396. September 19, 2010, in Mohave Valley, AZ, at the age of 90. from 1986 to 1990. Harry met his wife, Mildred, in Uppsala He was born in Los Angeles, CA, on February 18, 1920, and College in East Orange, NJ, while fulfilling his ambition to be joined North Star Lodge #106, on August 14, 1937. He is sur - a teacher. After college, he was drafted into the Korean War, MEMORIAL NOTICES vived by a son, Larry Swanson in Texas, and a daughter, Lois and returned home safely after the school year had begun. Butler of Reseda, CA. Wanting to marry Mildred, he took a job with Crayola, which should be mailed with check or money lasted for 10 years. He was then named Administrator of the order to: Joan Graham, 5838 San Jose GEORGIA Swedish Home for the Aged on Staten Island. For his ser - Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone BARBRO LINDEN passed away on January 10, 2011, at vices to Sweden within the Swedish community in the United the age of 73. She was from Stone Mountain, GA. Barbro States, Harry was Knighted by the King of Sweden in New 510-526-5512. E-mail: [email protected] . The was born in Filipstad, Sweden, on December 9, 1937, and York City in 1976. Harry made many trips to Sweden and fee is $8.00 for 1 column inch. Longer moved to California as a young woman. In 1962, she married kept in contact with his relatives there. His hobby of collect - obituaries will be charged a flat rate ing Mickey Mouse memorabilia, became a signature of his in Samuel Linden, who was from Hallstahammar, Sweden. In of $25.00. All notices MUST be typed and 1974, the Lindens and their 2 sons moved to Atlanta, as retirement. Harry also loved gardening, New York Mets base - Sam’s successful engineering and construction business grew. ball and volunterring at Monmouth Battlefield State Park in WRITTEN in a format similar to those in Sam and Barbro remained devoted to each other until his the gift shop with Mildred. this column. NO newspaper clippings. passing in August 2010. Together the Lindens became pillars

Page 26 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star Winter 2012 and sister-in-law of Eric Arvidson. Betty joined WASHINGTON, D.C. Nobel-Monitor Lodge No. 130 on February 28, CARL E. ANDERSON of Vienna VA, died on In Memoriam 1947 and was a LIFE Member. November 20, 2011. Born in Providence RI on January 4, 1931, Carl was initiated into Drott Lodge Till minne av hädangångna MARIA I. ARVIDSON (nee Wenzel), 84, died at #168 in October 1974. Following a stint as a mem - ordenssyskon genom vilkas home (Mentor, OH) on September 9, 2011. She was ber of the U.S. Army Band, Carl earned a degree in bortgång syskonkretsen gjort the beloved wife for 55 years of Eric O. Arvidson; engineering and became a civilian employee of the en kännbar förlust loving mother of Gerda (Gunnar) Maidhof, and navy and later the Army Corps of Engineers. grandmother of Sylvia, Katia, and Peter, all of Survivors include his widow, Sandra Wilson, two In memory of our departed Germany; sister-in-law of Emil (Betty) Arvidson of daughters from his first marriage, and two grand - members who will be Mentor. Maria was a 50 year member of Nobel- daughters. sorely missed Monitor Lodge No. 130, having joined January 6, 1961. EUGENE K. DAHLMAN 85, of Fairfax VA, passed away on June 5, 2011. He was born on June RICHARD F. KANENGEISER , age 83, dear hus - 30, 1926 in Minneapolis MN, and spent his career CONNECTICUT band of Frida (nee Ek) for 60 years, passed away on working in personnel management for various GLADYS M. DAWLESS, wife of the late Walter September 25, 2011. He was the devoted father of Federal agencies. Eugene joined Drott Lodge #168 Dawless Sr., passed away Oct. 1, 2011. She was Paul (Patricia) and David (Lynn); proud grandpa in March of 1985. He is survived by his wife of 49 born in Chicago, IL July 10, 1924, served with the and “papa” of Nicole, Alyssa, and Richard; brother- years, Greta Charstad Dahlman, three sons, three Navy WAVES during WWII. She was a member of in-law of Elsie Jones (Robert, deceased), Irma grandchildren, and a brother. Greta Dahlman is also Diana Birger Jarl No. 3. She is survived by son Jackson (Delbert) (both deceased), and Barbara Ek. a Drott member. Walter and his wife. Dearest uncle of many. Dick joined Nobel-Monitor Lodge No. 130 on February 11, 2001. MARIE ANNE ERICKSON , a writer with an avid GRACE L. JOHNSON, wife of the late Iver interest in local communities, died September 3, Johnson passed away Dec 15, 2011. She was born TEXAS 2011. Born in Aurora IL on September 5, 1932, in Melrose, MA on Nov 15, 1926. She was a mem - DORA BOWMAN passed away on November 9, Marie lived in Braddock Heights MD since 1967. ber of Diana Birger Jarl No. 3, Bethesda Lutheran 2011 at the age of 98. She was born in Taylor, TX She was a Vasa member for over 53 years, joining Church, and Scandinavian Women’s Chorus, on July 22, 1913 and joined Carl Widen Lodge Drott Lodge #168 shortly after moving to MD by AAUS. She is survived daughter Alice Baglioni and #743 in February 1992. She is survived by daugh - transfer from Fylgia Lodge #119 in San Francisco. her family and son Robert Johnson and his wife. ter-in-law Brucie Bowman and grandchildren. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Raymond Price, two daughters, and a grandson. STIG O. LYDELL , husband of Mary Lydell EMILY A. VAN NIEL passed away on November Ray, one daughter, and her grandson are also mem - passed away on Jan. 21, 2012 in Walterboro, SC. 28, 2011 at the age of 78. She was born January 31, bers of Drott Lodge. He was born in New Haven, CT on May 29, 1927, 1933 near Georgetown, TX and was a Charter served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, Member of Carl Widen Lodge #743, February 12, EDITH LINNEA JOHNSON , 91, departed this started Lydell Motors, and was a member of Diana 1989. She served the lodge as Asst. Recording world on October 9, 2011. Known as “Lynne” Birger Jarl No. 3. He is survived by wife Mary, sons Secretary, Brev Editor, Financial Secretary, Vice through most of her life, she was a member of Drott Mark and Kurt, and daughter Kajsa and their fami - Chairman, and Chairman. She is survived by daugh - Lodge #168 for 65 years, and was the first daughter lies. ter Barbara and son Robert. of the late Karl W. and Anna Johnson. Karl was Vasa Grand Master from 1945 to 1955. Born in ILLINOIS WASHINGTON Washington DC on July 16, 1920, Lynne worked IRMA KAEV , from Buffalo Grove, IL, passed ELOV ERICK BODIN passed away December 15, for the FBI before transferring to the State away on December 12, 2011 at the age of 91. She 2011 at the age of 98. He was born March 7, 1913 Department and entering the Foreign Service. She was born in Halsingland, Sweden and came to the in Seattle, WA. Elov’s activities included member - served in Consular Affairs in many different coun - United States in 1954. She has been a member of ship in Frihet Lodge No. 401, Swedish Cultural tries and also served on Presidential Commissions Vasa since 1954 and belonged to Kronan Lodge No. Center, and Vasa Park Board. He was a retired mail and was given special duty assignments. Home was 179 VOA. She is survived by her three children, carrier and musician in the “Mail Carrier’s Band” Washington DC or Falls Church VA when not two grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She for 50 years. Surviving him are his wife Hulda, son abroad. Fluent in 23 languages, Lynne’s most satis - will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her. Steve, and grandchildren Kelly and Sarah. fying professional activities were working with dis - placed persons. Predeceased by a brother and a sis - MICHIGAN BORIS OSTERBACK , born March 21, 1920 in ter, Lynne is survived by a nephew, the Most ALMA C. BENDALL passed away on 6-10-2011 Overmark, Finland, died January 23, 2012 in Reverend Carl G. Purvenas-Smith. She was a resi - in Flint, MI at 87 yrs of age. She was born 10-19- Seattle, Washington. He served in the Finnish Army dent of New Oxford PA at the time of her death. 1923 in Iron Mtn., MI. She joined Viking 730 in in WWII. In 1961 he immigrated with his family to 1990 and was a very active member. She is sur - Seattle. Boris was a long time member of Frihet vived by her husband Art, sons Larry/Eric and Lodge No. 401. He leaves behind his wife of 65 daughters Rose Mari/Alice. years, Anni, sons Gustav and Ralf. DORIS M. HASKILL (92) passed away 7-30-2011 RALPH THOMPSON , born May 19, 1942 in IN Boise, ID. She was born 7-24-1919 in Flint, MI. Seattle, WA, died December 5, 2012 in Snohomish, She was a member of Viking Lodge 730 since WA. Ralph graduated from Lake Washington High 1984. She is survived by her son Lee and daughter School in Kirkland, WA, spent time in the Army, Marie. and 35 years with the Duvall School District in MEMORIAL NOTICES Custodial Maintenance. He was Frihet Lodge No. OHIO 401’s long time Master of Ceremonies and a guid - should be mailed with check or money BETTY ARVIDSON , age 86, of Mentor, OH ing light to all of us. Vasa Park at Lake Sammamish order to: Joan Graham, 5838 San Jose passed away on October 19, 2011 at Hospice House was his passion. Ralph was Vice Chair on the Vasa Avenue, Richmond, CA 94804. Phone in Cleveland, OH. She was the beloved wife of Park Board and spent countless hours working to 510-526-5512. E-mail: [email protected] . The Emil Arvidson and William Becker (deceased); lov - better the park. He is survived by life-companion fee is $8.00 for 1 column inch. Longer ing mother of Kim (Mark) Sample, grandmother of Judy Solo, sister Heidi, brothers Randy and Bob, obituaries will be charged a flat rate Matthew, Gwen, and Tim; great-grandmother of daughter Deborah, son Dennis, and grandchildren of $25.00. All notices MUST be typed and eight; stepmother of Penny (Neil) Richards and Pam Kaylah, Sarah, and Samantha. (Jim) Hooley; step-grandmother of Cameron, Ian, WRITTEN in a format similar to those in Dylan, and Rose; loving sister of the late Carl Lind; this column. NO newspaper clippings. Two Prime Cemetery Lots For Sale Restland Memorial Park, 77 DeForest Ave., East Hanover, New Jersey 07936 Sale Price $2,000.00 each Please call or e-mail: David G. Johnson 865-408-0796 [email protected]