Vasastjärnan Publication of the Vasa Order of America
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THE VASA STAR spring 2014 VASASTJÄRNAN Publication of The Vasa Order of America Pingstlilja, the special daffodil of Pentecost and a sure sign of spring or this year, early summer in Sweden since Pentecost is late, between June 7-9. (Pentecost is in Sweden a national holiday) THE GRAND MASTER’s MESSAGE Vasa Order of America has chosen the ing the financial future of the Order. Some of these changes were initially met with Swedish American of the Year 2014 negative repercussions but the results have IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ANNOUNCE THAT DR. C. given the Order policies governing secure FRED BERGSTEN has been chosen the Swedish future investment and fair practice for all American of the Year (SAY) 2014 after a voting members. Our Education Fund has doubled procedure in the two districts of the Vasa Order what it was prior to 2010 and our scholarship of America in Sweden. program has been restored. We now have a According to the rules, the SAY comes to synergetic partnership with Nordstjernan Sweden in August to receive the insignia of the related to the Vasa Star publication. Four recognition and attends a celebration lasting years may seem like a long time yet still several days. not enough time to accomplish all my goals The program will start in Växjö on the 16th related to cultural programing and a more of August, where Dr. Bergsten will receive the secure National Archives. insignia of the recognition from the Vasa Order Traveling to nearly every District Con- of America. The governor and the community vention has been educational as well as will honor him as well. a privilege. It has been an opportunity to In Stockholm the Foreign Ministry and the DEAR VASA BROTHERS AND SISTERS, experience a true “Taste of Vasa”. I’ve American Embassy will give their tribute to This is my final message of my four year answered members’ questions, addressed Dr. Bergsten. term serving as your Grand Master. I’m concerns and alleviated misconceptions at On behalf of the Swedish American of the C. Fred Bergsten proud to report that members of the Vasa each of these conventions. Year Committee 2014 Order have united during this term to ac- There is no right or wrong way to con- catherine bringselius nilsson, chairman of the Vasa Order of America. The purpose distriktslogen norra sverige nr 19 complish more than I would have thought duct most aspects of a District meeting. distriktslogen södra sverige nr 20 is to set focus on Sweden America and the possible. The Vasa Order was going through Some Districts put emphasis on the history Swedish Americans, either they are related a significant financial setback four years ago. of their District, others place emphasis on ABOUT THE SWEDISH AMERICAN OF to early emigrants from Sweden or emigrants I am humbled to have had the opportunity culture including a cultural program, a THE YEAR from late decades. to lead the organization with the help of a cultural room or a presentation, seminar Yearly, since 1960, a Swedish American of the Partly the award is meant to be a recogni- talented Grand Lodge Executive Board as or class. Some have excellent collegiate Year has been chosen by the Swedish branch tion of exceptional work by an individual in we made positive changes toward secur- and Sjölunden scholarship programs / p3 his or her profession and/or valuable / p3 Archive News Grand Lodge Meeting Lodge News Language & Culture “The Archives preserves the ‘old’ so that it is In just one month the Grand Lodge is meeting in Peasoup and pancake dinners were high on the Stig Sälgeback, Grand Lodge Cultural Director available for future generations, but to do that we Rye, NY to make strategic plans for the future list of activities this spring. Peasoup was allegedly for Sweden shares thoughts on Swedishness and have to get the next generation involved.” The of the Order. Motions have been submitted, each enjoyed already by the Greeks and Romans but reflects on being a Swede in Newark, NJ in the Vasa National Archives is looking forward to a carefully thought out with the expectation that the enjoyed the Swedish way (on Thursdays) it becomes 1950s versus growing up in Sweden at the same busy season, with visitors from near and far. / p3 Vasa Order will advance and grow / p4 an important, unpretentious part of social life... / p5 time. / p9 archive news » p3 grand lodge news » p4 district lodge news » p5 lodge news » p5 Swedish news » p18 language and culture » p9 in memoriam » p11 THE VASA STAR / Spring 2014 EDITOR’s MESSAGE issue highlights It seemed to most of the country that spring the reins of The Vasa Star beginning with the next, Summer issue. would never arrive. As I am writing this at Amanda comes to us with excellent references and experience Easter time, I am hoping that when this issue as an editor for several publications. You will meet her when she of The Vasa Star arrives at your home, every- introduces herself in the Summer issue. Please send your articles, one will be enjoying a beautiful springtime. photos, and obituaries to her at [email protected] or to the PO In this Spring issue, you will find articles Box listed on this page in the column lower right. I will continue about many interesting activities, including on as Circulation Manager, so please send your address changes preparations for Midsummer. Feel free to and new member slips to me. use any of the program and activity ideas, Plans are all set now for the 2014 Grand Lodge Convention in shared in the Local Lodge pages, in your own Rye, New York. Many very important motions will be discussed lodges. And be sure to send in articles about your lodge’s activities and voted upon. We must look to the future of Vasa and be will- Annual “Ärtsoppa och Pannkakor” (Pea to share in the next Vasa Star. The deadline for the Summer issue ing to make the necessary changes that will keep us vital to a new Soup and Pancakes) Dinner). / p5 is June 30. generation of Vasa members. Speaking of the next Vasa Star, I am thrilled to announce that joanie graham we have a new Vasa Star Editor. Amanda Olson Robison will take interim editor Deadlines for The Vasa Star Where to Submit Material Summer Deadline » June 30 MAIL TO: Fall Deadline » September 26 [email protected] or Marilyn Sohoel of Vinland of Cape Cod • Picture and article, 200 words or less. Vasa Star Lodge describes a Baldishol tapestry / p8 • For Letters to the Editor column, 150 words or less. PO Box 8193 • Please send pictures of good quality in order for Pittsburgh, PA 15217 them to reproduce well in The Vasa Star. Electroni- cally submitted photos should be scanned in JPEG format at a resolution of 300 dpi. • For submitted lodge articles, please add city and For Audio/Visual Material: To compare state. Thanks! Mike Pearson [email protected] and be compared IN MEMORIAM » Please read instructions on how to 7309 New Hampshire Pl send and pay for Obituaries. Hammond, IN 46323 Easy, easier and easiest but sometimes made a bit harder through umlauts / p28 The Swedish Newspaper in America ––––––––– the vasa star (usps 657-020) is proud to be of assistance in presenting The Vasa Star, Vasastjärnan in a new format, in print and digitally. Spring 2014 Nordstjernan has been reporting on current events in Swedish America since September, 1872. Vol. 106, No. 2, Serial 848 Published by The Vasa Order of America www.vasaorder.com HEADQUARTERS Kenneth T. Jackson, Professor of History at Columbia University and Editor-in-chief, Grand Secretary / Joan Graham The Encyclopedia of New York City, said it best: 5838 San Jose Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 “Over the past century and a half, more newspapers were published in New York than in any other city in the world, in (510) 526 5512 large part because of the huge foreign-born community and the variety of publications that the different ethnic groups [email protected] spawned. Most had a brief and almost ephemeral life, but Nordstjernan has been remarkable for its long life and high quality. It not only helped Swedish immigrants adjust to life in a new world and a giant city, but it set a standard that Grand Master / Bill Lundquist 1456 Kennebec Rd. other newspapers worked hard to emulate.” Grand Blanc, MI 48439 Phone: 810-695-3248 | (810) 845 5065 [email protected] www.nordstjernan.com • 1.800.827.9333 ext. 12 Vasa Star Editor / Amanda Robison (Call now for a special if you are a Vasa member) Send articles, photos & memorials to: The Vasa Star PO Box 8193 Pittsburgh, PA 15217 [email protected] Family Tree Släktutredningar Remember the Vasa Archives Circulation Manager / Joan Graham 5838 San Jose Avenue I am a member of the Vasa Order in Sweden and an expert when you are making a memorial donation Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 526 5512 in Swedish genealogy. Over the years I have helped many Send your donations to: Vasa members to find their roots in Sweden. If you want my [email protected] Vasa National Archives Send address changes and bottom section of help to find your Swedish ancestors, please email me for application for new members to Joan Graham. further information: [email protected] PO Box 101, Bishop Hill, IL 61419 Membership Chairman / Art Bjorkner 31 Vasa Drive Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 Managing Editor / Dan Berubé-Arbello to the Education & Scholarship Funds P.O. Box 8193 DONATE Pittsburgh PA 15217 Send your donations to: Vasa Order of America, Joan Graham, Grand Secretary Advertising Call 1.800.827.9333, ask for Vasa Star rates 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804 [email protected] Layout & production: Nordstjernan, Swedish News, Inc.