January 2020 VIKINGS NYHETER Published by Viking Lodge 735, Vasa Order of America Founded 1985 A cold night in Kongsberg, Buskerud County, Norway source:Instagram Lucia 2019 Photos courtesy of Todd Peterson The French Bloodline of the Bernadotte Royal Family Jean Bernadotte was one of the many figures who took advantage of the power vacuum and the emergence of meritocracy after the French Revolution. However, Bernadotte distinguished himself from other upstarts of the Revolutionary era by being astute enough enough to abandon the sinking ship of Napoleon’s empire before it was too late. To this day, Bernadotte’s family reigns in Sweden. How did the dark-featured Catholic Bernadotte from the southwestern French city of Pau find himself on the Swedish throne, ruling over a country of Scandinavian, blond Lutherans? Like many if not most key figures of the Napoleonic era he rose to prominence through the army. Bernadotte began his military career under Louis XVI and rapidly rose in rank after the Revolution. During the 1790s he made a name for himself in battles along the Rhine and in Italy. Once Napoleon came to power, Bernadotte was made one of Napoleon’s marshals, or top generals. Although Bernadotte was one of Napoleon’s most capable generals they had a rather uneasy relationship. A dispute over who deserved credit for the French victory at Wagram (1809) led Napoleon to strip Bernadotte of his command on the battle field. After this dispute with Napoleon, Bernadotte returned to Paris where he unexpectedly learned that the Swedish had elected him crown prince and successor to the Swedish throne. The Swedes, who urgently needed a king with military prowess, a had been impressed by Bernadotte’s kind treatment of Swedish prisoners during an earlier conflict. Although Napoleon did not support Bernadotte’s ascent to the Swedish throne, he did not oppose it either. Presumably Napoleon thought that Sweden under Bernadotte could be a reliable ally. Napoleon must have been disappointed. Upon arriving in Sweden, Bernadotte (who, as adopted son of King Charles XIII took the name Charles John) aggressively began to promote Swedish interests. In return for recognition of Sweden’s claim over Danish-controlled Norway, Bernadotte joined the Sixth Coalition, allying with Britain and Prussia against Napoleon. This obviously was a smart move. By 1815 Napoleon was in exile in St. Helena and Bernadotte was the prince of a kingdom which he had already doubled in size. Charles XIII died in 1818 and Bernadotte (who had converted to Lutheranism) acceded to the throne as Charles XIV John of Sweden and Charles III John of Norway. Although his reign had turbulent moments, he ruled Sweden until his death in 1841 at the age of 81. Unlike Napoleon, Bernadotte established a dynasty that lasts until this day with the reign of Carl XVI Gustaf. Indeed it is not hard to see the family resemblance between the current Swedish Prince Carl Philip, and his French ancestor. taken from historyfix.com images from Pinterest 2020 If anyone ever has anything of interest which they MEMBERSHIP DUES would like to share with the group and have it added to the monthly Nyheter, please send it on to Mike Bird should be paid now !! please post your check “[email protected]" made payable to “viking lodge 735” to did you know…….. * norway had only one tv channel until 1988 ANNE SCHEIRER * there is no equivalent for the word for ‘accountability’ in use in 801 Mountain View Road, the Nordic languages Reading PA 19607 * alcohol stronger than 4.7% can only be bought at a government-run store those who paid by december 31st will * the Norwegian word for boyfiend/girlfiend is gender neutral; be entered into a drawing to have ‘kjæreste’ (‘dearest’) doesn’t specify male, female, other. their dues reimbursed in full! * it is believed over 800,000 Norwegians emigrated to USA 2019 dues are $40.00 between 1825 and 1925. Only Ireland lost more. There are 5000 year old drawings in Norway that depict a stone age man skiing. These drawings were vandalised by two youths who claimed to attempt to make them “easier to see” and had “only good intentions” to scratch them deeper into the rock. Tragic. the image to the lef shows how it looked before the vandalism The Icelandic prestakaffi – priest’s BIRTHDAYS, coffee, and the Norwegian karsk, BIRTHDAYS, both representative of what can BIRTHDAYS…. only be described as a pan-nordic recipe, is made following these January: simple steps: 13 Lee Reynolds • Place a fairly large coin at the bottom of a glass or February: carafe. Pour coffee into the container until you can no 6 Marian Sunnergren, longer see the coin. Pour a 11 Bevin Scheirer, spirit of your choice 17 Shirley Nylund (traditionally vodka) until the coin appears again. upcoming dates and events to remember • SUNDAY, January 19th, Customary Monthly Meeting Lodge 735, 4:00pm Come mingle with the members of Viking Lodge 735 for the customary monthly meeting. Guests are always welcome, refreshments will be served. Please contact Anne [610.777.3035] or Linda [610.965.2210] if you would like to bring any refreshments. **Please note that the meeting is being held at 4:00pm and not at the customary 2:00pm** Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 696 Johnson Road, Nazareth, PA 18064 • SATURDAY, January 25th, New Nordic Cuisine and Pea Soup Supper, 6:00pm This year we are combining an old tradition with a new innovation. Warm up on a chilly winter’s night with a bowl of Swedish yellow pea soup and a cup of punsch combined with the modernity of new Swedish tilltugg och efterrätt or Hors d'oeuvres and dessert. Attendees will have the opportunity to view our newest exhibition New Nordic Cuisine including exhibit talk by Curator Tova Brandt. Tickets are $25 for members and $30 for non-members. Register by phone or online by January 22nd. The American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145 phone 215.389.1776 • SATURDAY, February 8th, Semlor and a Movie Treat yourself to a rich semla, a cream and almond paste filled Swedish pastry, along with a cup of hot coffee and a Swedish film. Semlor are often eaten before the start of lent, the Swedish version of “Fat Tuesday.” Event tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Ticket price includes one semla, additional semlor are $6 each. Walk-in welcome or pre-register by phone or online by February 3rd. The American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145 phone 215.389.1776 • SUNDAY, February 16th, Customary Monthly Meeting Lodge 735, 2:00pm Come mingle with the members of Viking Lodge 735 for our customary monthly meeting. Guests are always welcome, refreshments will be served. Please contact Anne [610.777.3035] or Linda [610.965.2210] if you would like to bring any refreshments. Cultural programme to follow monthly meeting. Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 696 Johnson Road, Nazareth, PA 18064 • SATURDAY, February 29th, Nordic Tasting Menu, 6:00pm An evening with Chef Frida Johansson & JAM Catering. ASHM invites you to join them for an exclusive evening featuring a multi course menu prepared by Swedish Embassy Chef Frida Johansson. The chef’s menu will feature local, seasonally inspired Nordic ingredients. Each course will be introduced by the chef. Don’t miss this exclusive dining experience. The event is all inclusive. $115 members and $130 nonmembers. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Call the museum to register. The American Swedish Historical Museum, 1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145 phone 215.389.1776 Minutes of Viking Lodge 735 15 December 2019 CHAIR, DEAN NELSON, opened the short meeting at 4:36 pm and welcomed all members and guests. BOB ANDERSON introduced the following individuals: JERRY and TERRY MELOSKI; JACK AND INGER HANRIGHT; KRISTINA CARLSON ORLANDI; MICHELE DiALFONSO; ROBERT, JR. and CHRISTINE COLEMAN and MAX DiALFONSO. ULLA DUNKEL gave the Chaplain’s message, and ALAN FORSMAN gave the prayer. ANNOUCEMENTS: BILL SCHEIRER read the names of the nominees for Lodge Officers to be elected in 2020 which are BEVIN SCHEIRER, Chair; ALAN FORSMAN, Vice Chair; JEAN GERDING, Recording Secretary; KAREN ZIMMERMAN, Assistance Recording Secretary; KAREN WYKA, Treasurer; SHIRLEY NYLUND, Assistant Treasurer; ANNE SCHEIRER, Financial Secretary; HATSIE FORSMAN, Assistant Financial Secretary; ULLE DUNKLE, Chaplin; PLUMMER DUNKLE, Master of Ceremonies, TYLER SCHEIRER, Assistance Master of Ceremonies; TODD PETERSON, Cultural Leader; MARIE FLUCK, Inner Guard; LOIS OUDHEUSDEN, Auditor; and DEAN NELSON, Trustee. A Motion was made by PLUM DUNKEL and seconded by TODD PETERSON to accept the above individuals as Officers for 2020. CORRESPONDENCE: It was reported that the Lodge received a Christmas card from its Swedish Sister Lodge signed by all of its members. SHIRLEY NYLUND summarized the items that were being offered in the silent auction. The 50/50 was done by TODD PETERSON and won by BILL SCHEIRER who collected $39.00. NEXT MEETING: 19 January 2020 at 4:00 pm. Submitted by JEAN GERDING on December 27, 2019. Page 6 Viking Lodge Officers 2020 please let mike know if any corrections need to be made in Bevin Scheirer Chair any contact information 610.301.1114 [email protected] 326 Spruce Street, Reading, PA 19611 Alan Forsman Vice Chair 610.682.7028 [email protected] 7 Weber Drive, Topton, PA 19562 Jean Gerding Recording Secretary 610.392.1393 [email protected] 261 1/2 East Hickory Street, Allentown, PA 18109 Karen Zimmerman Assistant Recording Secretary 610.760.1887 [email protected] 529 Blue Mountain