THE VASA STAR - the Vasa Order of America.

THE VASA STAR
Vasastjärnan
Publication of THE VASA ORDER OF AMERICA
MARCH-APRIL 2010
www.vasaorder.com

The Grand
Master’s Message
Vasa brothers and sisters!
Happy Easter!!
Easter is about a month away as I write. For Christians,
Easter is of course the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus as
Son of God, Savior, and Lord of creation. It is also a sign of
hope of our own resurrection through Christ. I am certainly glad
that for that hope as it seems that I have died a few times in the
last few months because of the financial disasters that overcame
me, the GL and the VOA National Archives.
But there is hope. I have received much encouragement and
support from our members; for that I am very grateful. I also
know that many are shouldering a little extra work on behalf of
Vasa to see if they can help strengthen the organization, not
only financially, but in terms of its long-term viability and
goals. We also know of committees and individuals following
up on the causes of the financial losses which will hopefully
lead to better structures and rules for us to follow. Thus, I am
beginning to see that there may be great good come from the
disaster. While the events are rather terrible, the conclusion, yet
to be drawn, is that it was likely for our good. Similar statements
can hopefully be made on the far worse crisis in Haiti and
Chile.
Marty and I had the pleasure of attending the DL Pacific
Southwest No. 15 convention the end of February. Theirs is the
first district convention in the Vasa calendar. It was a delight to
see old friends in southern California and see the new officers
eagerly take on their new responsibilities. I was very
encouraged to see a couple of very young members take on
district offices. Vasa activities pick up in earnest in April and
May as there are many meetings to attend including DL Golden
Gate No. 12, DL New Jersey No. 6 and DL Lake Michigan
No. 8.
Then comes the BIG meeting, at least for me. I am referring
to the Grand Lodge meeting in early July in Washington DC.
You can read about it in these pages under the Grand Lodge
heading. DL Pennsylvania No. 9 has many fund raising
activities to raise money to pay for the events for the delegates
and GL officers. One is the advertisements in a Program Book
the district will produce commemorating the convention.
If your lodge or business forgot to place such an ad you
still have time, but barely. Another very visible fund raising
item is the raffle tickets found in the center of this issue.
Please take time fill one or more of them out and send them
in with a donation. You could win up to $1,000. The
drawing will be at the GL banquet on July 8. And pass the word
along.
Finally it was a pleasure for Marty and me to be present
to help celebrate the recognition of PGM Ulf Brynjestad
as Officer 1st Class in the Order of the Polar Star at the Swedish
Ambassador’s residence. See all the things that Brother Ulf has
accomplished in his lifetime as written about in this issue.
Rolf Bergman
Vasa bröder och systrar!
Glad Påsk!!
Det är ca en månad till påsk när jag skriver detta. För de
kristna betyder påsken naturligtvis firandet över uppståndelsen
av Jesus, Guds Son och skapelsens frälsare. Det är också ett
tecken till hopp om vår egen uppståndelse genom Kristus. Jag är
verkligen tacksam för detta hopp, eftersom det känns som om
jag “dött” några gånger under den senaste tiden på grund av den
finansiella katastrofen som jag, SL och VOA Nationella Arkiv
råkade ut för.
Men det finns hopp. Jag har fått mycket uppmuntran och
stöd från våra medlemmar och jag är oerhört tacksam för det.
Jag vet också att många tar på sig litet extra arbete å Vasa vägnar
för att se om de kan hjälpa till med att stärka organisationen,
inte endast ekonomiskt, men också på lång sikt. Vi känner
också till att olika kommittéer och enskilda individer följer upp
och undersöker orsakerna till de finansiella förlusterna.
Förhoppningsvis kommer det att leda till en förbättrad struktur
samt förbättrade regler för oss att följa. Jag börjar skönja att
något gott kommit ur denna katastrof. Trots att dessa händelser
varit ganska så ruskiga, får vi väl säga att det på något sätt var
till vår fördel. Liknande kommentarer kommer förhoppningsvis
att kunna ges för den långt värre krisen i Haiti och Chile.
Marty och jag hade nöjet av att delta i DL Pacific Southwest
Nr 15 möte i slutet av februari. Deras distriktsmöte var det
första enligt Vasa kalendern. Det var en fröjd att träffa gamla
vänner i södra Kalifornien och att se det nya officerarna ivrigt ta
itu med sina nya ansvar. Jag blev mycket uppmuntrad av att se
några väldigt unga medlemmar bland de nyvalda officerarna.
Vasa aktiviteterna kommer verkligen igång under april och maj,
det finns många möten att delta i bland annant DL Golden Gate
Nr 12, DL New Jersey Nr 6 och DL LakeMichigan Nr 8.
Snart är det dags för det STORA mötet, åtminstone för mig.
Jag tänker då närmast på Stor Logens möte i början på juli i
Washington DC. Du kan läsa om det på följande sidor under
överskriften Grand Lodge. DL Pennsylvania Nr 9 har många
aktiviteter på gång som ska finansiera de evenemang som
ordnats för delegaterna och SL officerarna. Ett sätt är genom
annonser i programhäftet som distriktet gjort till minne av detta
möte. Om din loge eller ditt företag glömt att sätta in en annons,
så finns det forfarande tid till det, men gör det så snart som
möjligt. Ett annat sätt för att samla in pengar är försäljning av
lotter som finns i mitten av denna upplaga. Var vänlig och fyll i
en eller flera av dessa lotter och skicka in er betalning. Ni kan
vinna upp till $1.000. Dragning kommer att ske under
SL-banketten den 8:e juli. Berätta gärna om det här för andra.
Slutligen var det ett nöje för Marty och mig att närvara vid
firandet av PGM Ulf Brynjestad som 1:a Officerare i Orden
Polar Stjärnan på Residenset hos den Svenska Ambassadören.
Läs om allt som broder Ulf lyckats med under sin livstid och
som finns skrivet i denna upplaga.

THE VASA STAR (USPS 657-020)
March-April 2010
Vol. 103, No. 2, Serial 849
Published by:
Vasa Order of America
vasaorder.com
HEADQUARTERS:
c/o Joan Graham
Grand Secretary
5838 San Jose Avenue
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-526-5512
E-mail: vasajlg@aol.com
Grand Master:
Rolf S. Bergman
3236 Berkeley Avenue
Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
Phone: 216-371-5141
Fax: 216-274-9664
E-mail: rolf.bergman@sbcglobal.net
Editor:
Marie Carlson
9560 Curberry Drive
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 440-255-4665
E-mail: mariec@swedes-r-us.com
Circulation Manager:
(Address Changes)
Cathy Anderson
13194 N. Woosnam Way
Oro Valley, AZ 85755
Phone: 520-219-9433
E-mail:
circulationvasastar@gmail.com
Send bottom section of white copy of
application for new members to her.
Membership Chairman:
Tore Kellgren
5971 W. Walbrook Drive
San Jose, CA 95129
Phone: 408-996-1970
E-mail: tore@kellgren.org
Orders for advertising should be sent to:
THE VASA STAR
Marie Carlson
9560 Curberry Drive
Mentor, OH 44060
Phone: 440-255-4665
E-mail: mariec@swedes-r-us.com
Advertising Prices:
Full Page Black and White $500.00
Half Page Black and White $275.00
Quarter Page Black and White $150.00
One Column Inch $ 30.00
Half Page Color $500.00
Full Page Color $800.00
Available only for inside front cover, inside
back cover or back cover.
10% discount for Vasa Lodges and Members
THE VASA STAR (ISSN 0746-0627) is
published bi-monthly by the Vasa
Order of America. Periodicals postage
paid at Richmond, CA, and additional
entries.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes
to The Vasa Star, P.O. Box 69997, Oro
Valley, AZ 85737-0025.
THE VASA STAR MARCH-APRIL 2010
AN IMPORTANT REMINDER
Please send pictures of good quality in order for them to reproduce well in The
Vasa Star. Electronically submitted photos should be scanned in JPEG format at a
resolution of 300 dpi.
For submitted Lodge articles, please add city and state. Thanks!
Don’t forget “Kids Corner” nor forget to look at
our back cover for a Sweet Reward!
AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTOR
Todd Anderson
1383 Middlebrook Way • Rohnert Park, CA, 94928 • Cell Phone: (707) 694-1345
E-mail: audiovisual.vasaorder@yahoo.com
The Vasa website at www.vasaorder.com contains a “materials button” which has the
listing of audio visual materials available.
If you are unable to use the Vasa website, you can still ask that a listing be sent to you
by mail.
Deadlines for The Vasa Star:
Jan./Feb. is Dec. 1st
March/April is Feb. 1st
May/June is April 1st
July/Aug. is June 1st
Sept./Oct. is Aug. 1st
Nov./Dec. is Oct. 1st
Deadline for Christmas ads is October 15
Deadline for Lucia articles is December 24
Picture and article, 200 words or less.
Price for Xmas Greetings – $30.00 column inch
MOVING TO ARIZONA, WELCOME TO DISTRICT
LOGDE ARIZONA NO. 21
We have 5 Lodges in the State of Arizona and we invite each of you who are or will be
moving to our beautiful state to continue your membership in Vasa by joining one of
our existing Lodges, or helping us to start a new one in your new location.
We have Phoenix Lodge in Phoenix, Scandia Lodge in Prescott, Nordic Red Rocks
Lodge in Sedona, Solstad Lodge in Sun City West, and Tucson Lodge in Tucson, and
with your help, start a new Lodge in a new area. We do know that more and more people
are moving to Arizona, and many of Nordic heritages, and we want them to continue
their fellowship in the Vasa Order of America.
Should you have any questions, you may call District Lodge Arizona No. 21, District
Master Vito Pantaleo at 928-282-3469. We welcome you all!
Cover:
The Washington Monument in Washington, DC.
Picture by: Marie Carlson, Editor, VS
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 3

Letter from the Editor
We have had a wonderful winter in my opinion! This is what winter
should be like; white, bright snow that make crunchy noises under your
feet as you walk! Remember that I am a Swede, a “direct import!” Lately
the winters have simply not been like the ones we should have here in
northeast Ohio. The same phenomenon struck Sweden this year. Every
one of its counties has been covered, from the north all the way down to
the province of Skåne. Sweden has not experienced this much snow for
the past thirty years. Looks like global warming is taking a break this
year!
Many of us enjoyed watching the Winter Olympics. The Swedes
received many medals, several of them from the province of Jämtland. A
big celebration was held for them after they returned to Östersund in
Jämtland with a special lighting ceremony in the newly restored town square. The athletes were
not the only celebrities visiting Östersund this year; read “When Hollywood came to Jämtland.”
Another important winter event in Sweden is Vasa Loppet/The Vasa Race; the world’s largest
cross country ski race. It is held in Mora, in the province of Dalarna, every year in memory of
King Gustaf Vasa’s escape rout from the Danes. http://svtplay.se/v/1917939/vasaloppet/starten.
Each season has its charm. But now I think lots of us are looking forward to spring and the
rebirth that Mother Nature so miraculously is able to provide us with.
Easter is on our doorstep and in Sweden we have some peculiar stories surrounding this time
of year; see a short story on page 6. Talking about stories, some people really know how to present
a story that makes you laugh out loud. See if you laugh when you read “Why Learn to
Speak the Language.”
We have so many Swedes of which to be proud, some that are presented in this issue, including
some early adventurers immigrating to America as well that you can read about under
Culture.
As you likely know the Grand Lodge convention will be held in Washington DC this year. In
commemoration of that event the cover shows The Washington Monument reaching the sky. We
will all be looking towards the sky about that time since the convention will take place over the
4th of July weekend, Independence Day! I can’t wait!
Marie
“George Washington is the only president who didn’t blame the previous administration for
his troubles.”
- Unknown
Brev från Redaktören
Vi har haft en underbar vinter enligt min uppfattning! Det är så här vintern ska vara med vit,
ljus snö som knarrar under fötterna när man går! Kom ihåg att jag är svensk, en “direktimport!”
På senare år har inte vintrarna varit såsom vi bör ha här i nordöstliga Ohio. Samma fenomen
uppstod i Sverige. Varje län har täckts av snö, från norr ända ner till det skånska landskapet.
Sverige har inte erfarit så mycket snö under de senaste trettio åren. Det ser ut som den globala
uppvärmningen gjorde ett avbrott i år!
Många av oss tyckte om att titta på Vinter OS. Svenskarna fick många medaljer och flera av
dem var från Jämtland. Ett stort firande hölls för dem, när de kom tillbaka till Östersund med en
speciell belysningsceremoni på det nyligen upprustade torget. De var inte de enda kändisarna
som besökte Östersund i år, läs: “När Hollywood kom till Jämtland.”
Andra viktiga vinterhändelser är Vasa Loppet, världens största skidtävling i längdåkning
som hålls i Mora, Dalarna varje år till minne av Kung Gustaf Vasas flykt från danskarna.
http://svtplay.se/v/1917939/vasaloppet/starten.
Varje säsong har sin charm, och jag tror många av oss ser fram emot våren och
pånyttfödelsen, som Moder Jord så mirakulöst kan erbjuda oss.
Påsken står på vår tröskel, och i Sverige har vi några säregna berättelser som berör denna tid
på året. Ni kan hitta en kort berättelse på sida 6. På tal om berättelser, somliga människor har en
fantastisk förmåga att presentera berättelser i skrift och gör så att du skrattar rätt ut. Läs “Why
learn to Speak the Language.”
Vi har så många svenskar att vara stolta över, och många av dem är presenterade i denna
upplaga tillsammans med några äventyrare som för länge sen emigrerade till Amerika som du
kan läsa om under Culture.
Som ni antagligen vet, kommer Storlogemötet att hållas i Washington DC detta år och med
det i åtanke visar omslaget Washington monumentet som pekar rätt upp mot himlen. Vi kommer
alla att rikta våra ögon mot himlen eftersom mötet äger rum under veckoslutet kring den 4:e juli,
självständighetsdagen! Jag kan inte väntan!
Marie
“George Washington är den enda presidenten, som inte klandrade den föregående administrationen
för sina problem.”
- Okänd
PAGE 25
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Archives News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Swedish Language Lessons 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Grand Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Grand Treasurer’s Report
2010 Grand Lodge Convention
Activity Schedule
Registration Form
GL Convention Items for Sale
District Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Lodge News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Swedish News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Welcome To Our New Members . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Kisa Emigrantmuseum och Café Columbia
Kisa Emigrant museum and Cafe Columbia
Rebuilding the Scholarship Funds: Pay It Forwards
Happenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Dr. Ulf Brynjestad, PGM, Awarded
Ann Charlotte Hanes Harvey
Vasa Support Club 10 Years
Tidbits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Why Learn to Speak the Language?
Regarding 17 Swedish Designers
När Hollywood kom till Jämtland
When Hollywood Came to Jämtland
Thank You. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Don Melin
In Memory Of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Leona Anderson
Ralph Ohrn
In Memoriam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
PAGE 27
Page 4 Vasa Star March-April 2010

ARCHIVES NEWS
Digitization and Preservation
Members of the Vasa National Archives Board of Directors have asked me to put together a list of needed equipment and supplies
to sustain operations at the Archives in order to set priorities and build up support for purchase. This is a prioritized list but
all are essential for efficient use of our resources and increased productivity in our operations. Prices are fairly accurate and current
as of February 2010. We understand that these are difficult economic times, but feel strongly that equipment and supplies for our
archives is a solid, conservative investment for a more secure future. Lodges and/or individuals may pick and choose what they
might support or simply give toward the effort in general. Please send funds addressed to Vasa National Archives Treasurer, P.O.
Box 101, Bishop Hill, IL 61419-0101 and write “Equipment 2010” on the memo line. If you would like to call or write the
archivist for more information, feel free to contact us at 309.927.3898 or vasaarchives@winco.net.
In Truth and Unity: Lars Jenner, Archivist
1. Canon MS300 Microfilm Scanner
Converts microfilm images to digital formats, connects to PC
and will allow information in our large mircrofilm collection
to easily go out to patrons via email attachment and/or in
printed form. Replaces outdated microfilm readers, which do
neither of these functions. This equipment will also enable us
to put some documents online for searching capability.
$6,000
2. Ion Tape2PC Converter
Converts audio tapes to CD or MP3 format, enables us to
transfer the Lennart Setterdahl collection of Swedish-
American oral histories (1400 interviews) to more useful digital
format, making it easier to listen, lend, and copy these
invaluable resources, which in original audio tape format are
in danger of disintegrating if we wait much longer to transfer.
This is also a beginning step toward online search
capabilities.
$150
3. Acer Aspire One 10.1" Netbook
Tiny portable computer which will enhance archivist's ability
to work in different parts of the archives facility, e.g. to catalogue
book collection in upstairs library. It will also allow
him to stay connected to patrons for research inquiries when
traveling or weekly with family in Chicago.
$350
4. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XS 10.1 Megapixel Digital SLR
Camera
A high quality digital camera, which will give us the ability to
send clear images to both Vasa patrons directly and to the
Vasa Star or other publications of events at the Archives, artifacts,
displays, the facility, and additionally allow us to document
the artifact collection digitally. We receive frequent
requests from lodges for pictures of the Vasa Archives and
displays, but the archivist does not own a good camera and
has so far got along with borrowed equipment. Again,
digitization opens up the possibility for online access.
$500
5. Hollinger Metal Edge Record Storage Boxes with Separate
Lid
Acid-free record storage boxes needed for safe preservation
of archival material
$400 (100 bankers box-size acid-free corrugated board)
6. Hollinger Metal Edge Textile and Fabric Storage Boxes
Acid-free heavy board storage boxes for our extensive collection
of folk costumes, banners, wall hangings, and other fabric/textile
items.
$1000 (30 boxes of size 34Lx22Wx8H)
7. Hollinger Metal Edge Photo-Tex interleaving tissue
Acid-free tissue sheets that will allow us to store photographs
long-term without any damage from unstable materials such
as photo album paper and some types of plastic.
$107 (1000 sheets)
8. Hollinger Metal Edge Archival Quality Phonograph
Record Storage Sleeves
Allow us to store our 78 rpm vinyl records of Swedish songs
from mid-20th century.
$380 (100 sleeves at 10" size)
9. Permalife Bond Rolls
20 lb. bond acid-free paper for interleaving or wrapping
large prints, maps and oversize artifacts. Sorry to say it, but
we have not taken proper care of the charters from closed
lodges stored at the archives. One issue is climate control
(see next item) and the other issue is what the charters are
stored next to and how, for example wrapped in non acidfree
tubes or simply rolled up and tucked into tight spaces.
The result has been that many charters have become so dry
and brittle that they turn into small little chips if you touch
and unroll them. Not good! So we are initially proposing to
wrap them in Permalife paper and secondly to research the
possibility of conserving damaged charters. For now, we
would like to wrap them so they don't deteriorate any
further.
$250 (three rolls at 34" width)
10. Fisherbrand Printing Hygrometer/Thermometer
Provides a permanent record of temperature/humidity and
time-of-day/date/month with sampling rates of 1 minute to
100 hours. This instrument helps us to begin contemplating
climate control. Without an accurate record of what goes on
in the archival space during the course of a year we will not
be able to know what measures we might eventually take to
preserve paper and photographic items long term.
$670 (including machine, 6 rolls of paper, and AC adapter)
Vasa Order of America National Archives Inc.
Balance Sheet as of April 30, 2009
Assets:
Petty cash $261.62
Wells Fargo 32,034.18
SBT checking 1,024.31
SBT savings 16,836.15
Waukesha checking 661.40
Waukesha savings 10,000.00
Waukesha CD 11,545.35
Money Market Plus 836,205.74
Land 4,160.00
Buildings 207,983.00
Furniture and Equipment 39,620.00
Total assets
Liabilities:
$1,160,331.75
Taxes payable 583.14
Assets less liabilities: $1,159,748.61
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 5

Swedish Language Lessons
By Lillemor and Richard Horngren
LEARNING SWEDISH – LESSON 22
As promised here are some new words of things we have
around the house. When you see it you will say to yourself…I
know the Swedish word for that. I can assure you that it will
make you feel good and that you will probably check around to
see what other words you remember. Little by little you will
add words to your vocabulary and before you know it sentences
will follow. Sentences using word we have learned
which we will do for the next lessons. These practices with
words and sentences are very useful when your lodge or friends
gathering for a “pratstund” session.
Ett nytt ord varje dag
A new word every day
vardagsrum, -met, --- living room
matrum, -met, --- dining room
sovrum, -met, --- bedroom
badrum,- met, --- bathroom
draperi, -et, -er drapes
rullgardin, -en, -er blind/window shades
persienn, -en, -er Venetian blinds
gungstol, -en, -ar rocking chair
pall, -en, -ar stool
fåtölj, -en, -er armchair
säng, -en, -ar bed
lakan, -et, --- sheet
filt, -en, -ar blanket
täcke, -t, -n comforter/quilt
kudde, -n, kuddar pillow
örngott, -et, --- pillow case
byrå, -n, -er chest of drawers
byrålåda, -n, -lådor drawers
garderob, -en, -er closet
galge, -n, -r (clothes) hanger
väckarklocka, -n, väckarklockor alarm clock
radio, -n, -r radio
spegel, -n, speglar mirror
skrivbord, -et, --- desk
dator, -en, -er computer
monitor/bildskärm, -en, -er monitor
tangentbord, -et, --- keyboard
mus, -en mouse
skrivare, -n, --- printer
Submitted by: Lillemor and Richard Horngren
Seeking Your
Swedish Roots??
E-mail: swedengen@telia.com
Påsk
Den som öppnar dörren på skärtorsdagen och möter en liten utklädd
häxa med en kaffepanna vet att påsken är här. Inte fullt lika charmiga
var de riktiga påskkärringarna. På skärtorsdagsnatten gav de sig av till
Blåkulla för att hos djävulen betala skatt i form av smör. Färden
gjordes på kvastar som först smorts in med en hemlig salva. Avfärd
och hemkomst gick via skorstenen och för att kunna försvinna som en
oljad blixt var häxan tvungen att först rabbla en magisk trollformel.
Till påskaftonsmiddagen hör först och främst att äta ägg.
Kycklingen som bryter äggets skal sågs förr som en symbol för livet
och mycket av påsken kom därför att kretsa kring äggen. Både som
mat, dekoration, målarobjekt, godis och som godisförpackning. Även
lax, lamm, sill, böckling och Janssons frestelse hör idag till det svenska'
påskbordet. Exakt vilken söndag påsken, dvs, påskdagen, infaller
bestäms av första fullmånen efter vårdagjämningen, alltså någon gång
mellan den 22 mars och 25 april.
Easter
The one who opens the door on Maundy Thursday and meets one
small person dressed as a witch carrying a coffee pot knows that Easter
is here. Not entirely equally charming was the real Easter witches. On
Maundy Thursday night, they went to Blåkulla (Blue Mountain) to pay
tax to the devil in the form of butter. The journey was done on brooms
that first had to be greased with a secret ointment. Departure and
returning went via the chimney and in order to disappear as fast as
lightning the witch first had to use a magic spell.
For the Easter dinner it's most common to eat eggs. The chicken
that breaks the egg's shells were long ago seen as a symbol of life and
a lot of off Easter came to revolve around the egg. It is used both as
food, decoration, in painting, sweets and candy wrappers. Salmon,
lamb, herring, smoked fish and Jansson's temptation is something that
is also featured on the Swedish' Easter dinner table of today. Exactly
what Sunday the Easter, i e, the Easter day, falls is decided by the first
full moon after the vernal equinox, some time between March 22 and
April 25.
Page 6 Vasa Star March-April 2010

GRAND LODGE NEWS
GRAND TREASURER’S REPORT
For the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2009
E D U C A T I O N A L F U N D S
Birt-
Larson Nilsson wistle Old Age
National Reim- ‘‘Vasa Scholar- Scholar- Scholar- Old Age Allo-
General Archives bursement Star’’ Regular ship ship ship Trust cations
Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Total
Fund balances May 1, 2008 $76,796.49 279,626.91 133,503.25 1,602.08 303,974.02 175,458.53 31,840.17 34,102.82 4,298,162.08 166,199.86 5,498,366.21
Receipts:
Dues & assessments $212,231.50 --- 1,250.00 --- 12,493.00 --- --- --- 3,123.25 --- 229,107.75
Sales of merchandise 8,334.89 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 8,334.89
Investment income (loss)
Net gain (loss) on sales of
-6,730.85 --- -11,397.37 --- -25,931.26 -14,987.93 -2,716.22 -2,653.30 148,921.41 --- 84,503.48
Trust Fund securities --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -37,025.42 -37,025.42
Donation for youth stamps --- --- --- --- 14,936.17 --- --- --- --- --- 14,936.17
Adv. and resolutions --- --- --- 8,459.32 --- --- --- --- --- --- 8,459.32
Student loan repayments --- --- --- --- 3,504.00 --- --- --- --- --- 3,504.00
Scholarship donation
Alloc. of per Capita dues
--- --- --- --- 100.00 --- --- --- --- --- 100.00
to Archives -45,006.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -45,006.00
Inter-fund transfers -76,.703.34 --- 300.00 76,403.34 --- --- --- --- -120,000.00 120,000.00 ---
Other receipts ___________ 271.00 __________ --- __________ --- __________ 591.89 __________ 2,002.08 __________ --- __________ --- __________ --- __________ 485.93 __________ --- __________ 3,350.90
Total receipts ___________ $92,397.20 __________ --- __________ -9,837.37 __________ 65,454.65 __________ 7,103.99 __________ -14,716.22 __________ -2,716.22 __________ -2,653.30 ____________ -4,494.83 120,000..00 __________ __________ 270,266.09
Total assets available
Disbursements:
$171,193.69 ___________ 279,628.91 __________ 123,765.88 __________ __________ 87,056.63 310,078..01 __________ 160,490.60 __________ __________ 29,123.95 __________ 28,449.56 ____________ 4,291,667.25 __________ 286,199.86 ____________
5,768,632.30
Executive Board Meeting $14,270.07 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 14,270.07
Merchandise purchases
Services:
4,082.51 --- --- --- 11,746.04 --- --- --- --- --- 15,828.55
Grand Secretary 5,400.00 ---- ---- ---- 720.00 ---- ---- ---- ---- 1,080.00 7,200.00
Grand Treasurer 1,740.00 ---- ---- - 660.00 ---- ---- ---- ---- 1,200.00 3,600.00
Editor ---- ---- ---- 4,731.00 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 4,731.00
Circulation Manager ---- ---- ---- 2,600.00 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 2,600.00
Vice Grand Secretary
Expenses for:
1,800.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,800.00
Grand Master 4,855.73 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 4,855.73
Grand Treasurer’s Office 692.48 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 692.48
Grand Secretary’s Office 2,873.35 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 2,873.35
Vice Grand Secretary 1,645.91 ---- ---- ---- ---- --- --- --- --- --- 1,645.91
Vice Grand Master --- --- --- --- 41.00 --- --- --- --- --- 41.00
Other Exec. Board Members 225.04 --- --- --- ---- --- --- --- --- --- 225.04
Grand Lodge Youth Director --- --- --- --- 176.23 --- --- --- --- --- 176.23
Past Grand Lodge Cult. Dir. --- --- --- --- 288.06 --- --- --- --- --- 288.06
Grants to Youth Club Leaders --- --- --- --- 10,200.00 --- --- --- --- --- 10,200.00
Editor and Circulation Manager --- --- --- 1,384.35 --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,384.35
Accounting and Tax Prep. 2,150.00 --- 125.00 800.00 850.00 200.00 125.00 125.00 --- 1,300.00 5,475.00
Trustee’s fees --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 16,380.35 --- 16,380.35
Old Age Benefit Payments --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 102,400.00 102,400.00
Scholarships Awarded --- --- --- --- 25,470..00 6,000.00 --- 1,500.00 --- --- 32,970.00
Membership Promotion
Printing, Mailing and
1,577.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,577.00
Office Supplies 4,997.40 --- --- 75,563.85 1,127.86 --- --- --- --- --- 81,689.11
Bank Charges
Donations, Dues and
1,354.27 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,354.27
Subscriptions 3,914.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 3,914.00
Student Loans Granted
Seed Money for 2010
--- --- --- --- 4,500.00 --- --- --- --- --- 4,500.00
Grand Lodge Convention 2,000.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 2,000.00
Computer Related Expenses 487.90 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 487.90
Advertising 190.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 190.00
Time Share Assessments 714.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 714.00
Refunds
Grand Lodge Youth Sem.
61.25 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 61.25
July 2009 --- --- --- --- 1,562.25 --- --- --- --- --- 1,562.25
Microfilming Costs in Sweden
Binding of 2007 Issues of
653.63 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 653.63
“Vasa Star” --- --- --- 317.19 --- --- --- --- --- --- 317.19
__________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________ __________
Total disbursements $55,684.52 --- 125.00 85,196.39 57,441.44 6,200.00 125.00 1,625.00 16,380.25 105,980.00 328,737.70
Transfers of Additional
Assets to National Archives:
Investments in Fed. National
Mortgage Assoc. Notes at
Market Value (face amount,
$141,000) --- -139,572.36 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -139,572.36
Total Additional Assets
Transferred --- -139,572.36 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- -139,572.36
Fund balances
April 30, 2009 $115,509.17 140,540.55 123,640.68 1,860.24 253,636.57 154,290.60 28,998.95 26,824.52 4,275,286.40 180,219.86 5,300,322.24
C. Richard Overberg
Grand Treasurer
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 7

Grand Summary of Assets
as of April 30, 2009
E D U C A T I O N A L F U N D S
Larson Nilsson Birtwistle
Reim- ‘‘Vasa Scholar- Scholar- Scholar- Old Age Old Age
General National bursement Star’’ ship ship ship Trust Allocation
Fund Archives Fund Fund Regular Fund Fund Fund Fund Fund Totals
Wells Fargo Bank, Minneapolis:
NOW checking account
Wells Fargo Cash Swap
$114,209.17 --- --- 1,360.24 15,292.53 --- --- --- --- --- 130,861.94
(FDIC Insured)
Wells Fargo Adv. Money
--- --- --- --- 11,412.11 --- --- --- --- --- 11,412.11
Market Fund
Bank of America, Tampa,
--- --- --- --- 2,047.48 --- --- --- --- --- 2,047.48
Florida, Checking Account --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 180,219.86 180,219.86
Petty Cash Funds:
Grand Secretary 1,000.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,000.00
Vice Grand Secretary 300.00 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 300.00
Circulation Manager ---- ---- ---- 500.00 ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 500.00
Other Archives checking and
savings accounts --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 140,054.55
Investment Securities at cost:
$50,000 Fed. Home Loan Mortg.
Corp. 5% notes due 6-15-2027
(market value, $22,822.40) --- --- --- --- 22,580.79 --- --- --- --- --- 22,580.79
11 shares First Trust Unit 2019
short-term monthly cash (market
value $10,633.37) --- --- --- --- 11,002.03 --- --- --- --- --- 11,002.03
400 shares MBNA Capital E
8.1% preferred stock
(Market value $5,640) --- --- --- --- 7,662.00 --- --- --- --- --- 7,662.00
Investment in Standard and Poor’s
500 Index Contracts (original
investments $451,865.88 plus interest
and net realized gains to date,
$13,565.45) --- --- 123,640.88 --- 131,676.38 154,290.60 28,998.95 26,824.52 --- --- 465,431.33
Order of Vasa Trust Fund cash and
investments, at book value
(market value $3,857,799.34) --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 4,275,286.90 --- 4,275,286.90
__________ __________ __________ ________ __________ __________ _________ _________ __________ ________ ___________
Total assets $115,509.17 140,054.55 123,640.88 1,860.24 253,636.57 154,290.60 28,998.95 26,824.52 4,275,286.90 180,219..86 5,300,322.23
2010 Grand Lodge Convention
C. Richard Overberg
Grand Treasurer
Things are getting exciting. Registrations are beginning to come in to the District Secretary. Hotel reservations are also
well over three hundred room nights at the Marriott. The ads and greetings for the District Pennsylvania No. 9 program book
are also coming in even though some of those are slower than anticipated. All invitations have been sent out to various VIPs,
including President Obama and the Swedish Ambassador to the USA. Wouldn’t it be interesting if President Obama decided
to come and bring a greeting? He is only a few blocks away from the hotel. We’ll wait and see. Ambassador Hafström has
promised to attend the opening. We hope you respond through and ad, or by coming to the convention events. If not we
encourage you to send in a donation with the raffle tickets printed in this issue of the Vasa Star.
One significant addition to the program has been arranged. We have invited members of the Swedish Colonial Society to
make a presentation on Monday evening, July 5. Previously that evening was free. The Swedish Colonial Society was established
about a century ago and has actively tried to write the history of the early Swedish colony established at, what is now,
Wilmington, DE, in 1638. Through historical records and genealogical research they have also traced the lineage of many of
the early Swedish settlers to the current day. See their website www.colonialswedes.org for more information. Herb Rambo,
current President of the Society will, with others, present all the exciting activities in which they are involved. We think this
would be worth coming to hear and see, whether you previously knew of the existence of the Swedish Colonial Society or
not.
Please look at the full activities schedule in the following pages of the Vasa Star. If you are planning to attend please register
for the convention events and at the hotel. Finally don’t forget to look at the items that DL Pennsylvania No. 9 has for
sale as one of its efforts to help fund the convention. Note that this information is also available on the Grand Lodge website.
Page 8 Vasa Star March-April 2010

ACTIVITY SCHEDULE for the 37 th Grand Lodge Convention
July 2 - 8, 2010 – Washington, DC
Friday, July 2
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Registration Desk open.
8:00 – 10:00 PM Welcome ’Dessert’ Reception hosted by DL Pennsylvania No. 9; free to all who registered.
Entertainment provided by DL New Jersey No. 6 Vasastjärnan Youth Club.
Saturday, July 3
9.00 AM – 12:00 PM Registration Desk open.
8:30 – 10:00 AM New delegate breakfast: sponsored by the Grand Lodge
1:00 – 2:15 PM Opening Ceremony with special greetings, presentation of flags by Vasastjärnan Youth Club and introductions
of Grand Lodge Officers.
2:15 – 2:45 PM Coffee break
2:45 – 4:30 PM Opening Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates; Vasa members invited to join.
5:30 – 10:30 PM Reception at the House of Sweden. Two busses leave for the House of Sweden at 5:30 PM and return
for additional trip at 6:00 PM. Tours of the Embassy and upper floors of HOS starting at 6:00 PM (staggered
small tour groups). Light buffet open at 7:00 PM including a glass of wine. Music provided by
’Svenska Spelman’ group from Jamestown, NY. Busses return to Marriott at 9:45 and 10:15 P.M.
Cost: $85/person.
Sunday, July 4 Free day for everyone to enjoy Independence Day in downtown Washington. Because of the difficulty
of travel in Washington on July 4 th , no scheduled tours are planned.
Monday, July 5
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates.
7:30 PM – 9: 30 PM Seminar/presentation by Swedish Colonial Society.
Tuesday, July 6
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM Mt. Vernon Tour. No Grand Lodge Session. Busses leave hotel for Mt. Vernon, home of President
George Washington, at 8:15 AM. Tour Mt. Vernon for four hours; mansion, new visitor’s center, shops
and food court. Busses leave Mt Washington at 1:45 PM for return to Marriott. Cost: $40/person. See
www.Mountvernon.org.
7:00 – 10:00 PM Cultural, membership and web seminars – responsibility of GL Ex Bd
Wednesday, July 7
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates.
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM Non-delegate Tour of Hillwood Estate; lunch included. Cost: $55/person.
See www.hillwoodmuseum.org.
Thursday, July 8
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Session for Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates; election and installation of new officers
6:00 – 7:00 PM. Cocktail hour (cash bar) and photo opportunities.
7:00 – Midnight Grand Banquet with Barnklubben Elsa Rix #1peforming. Dance music by Smörgåsbandet.
Cost: $115/person
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 9

REGISTRATION FORM
37th REGISTRATION FORM
37 Grand Lodge Convention • July 2 – July 8, 2010
th REGISTRATION FORM
37 Grand Lodge Convention • July 2 - July 8, 2010
th Grand Lodge Convention • July 2 - July 8, 2010
Registration Deadline: May 14, 2010 www. vasaorder.com
NOTE: Grand Lodge Officers, Honorary Life Members of the Grand Lodge and Delegates receive complimentary tickets for
the Saturday and Thursday nights banquets, and the Tuesday tour. Spouses and other participants are responsible for payment
of all events in which they partake except for the Friday Welcome Reception.
Total Cost of Registration may be paid either by check (see details below) or by credit card using the capability on the Grand
Lodge website shown above.
Date, Week Day a
Event (Please see Activity Schedule in this
Vasa Star issue for event details)
No. of People
Attending
July 2, Friday Welcome Reception No Cost
Price Per Person
(Prices in U.S. $)
July 3, Saturday Reception at House of Sweden $ 85
July 4, Sunday
Free day to enjoy Independence Day in
Washington
Your cost
July 6, Tuesday Tour: Mt. Vernon $ 40
July 7, Wednesday Non-delegate Tour: Hillwood $ 55
July 8, Thursday Grand Banquet $ 115
PLEASE WRITE CHECK TO: Grand Lodge 2010 Convention
MAIL TO: Sharen Tizzano, 2250 Par Lane #1217, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
Total Included: $
_________
Note: Advance Registration is required for, or a portion of, the Convention, including the Welcome Reception!
Personal Information: Please Print Clearly
Total Cost
Name _____________________________________________ Local Lodge & No. ________________________
Address ___________________________________________ District Lodge & No. ______________________
City _____________________________________ State/Prov. __________ Zip/Postal Code_____________
Country ___________________ Phone Number: Country Code/Area Code/Number ____________________
E-mail Address ____________________________________________________________
(How many?) Delegate ___ GL Officer (Elected) ___ GL Officer (Appointed) ___ GL Honorary Life Member ___
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Please make your Hotel Reservations directly with the Hotel to ensure Convention rates
775 12th Street NW
Washington, DC 20005 USA
Phone: 1-202-737-2200
Fax: 1-202-347-5886
Toll-free: 1-800-393-2510
You can make reservations by calling the Marriott at the number
above or by using the internet. If you call to make the reservation the
group name is VASA 2010.
You can also register at the hotel using the internet using the
information found on the Grand Lodge webpage shown at the top.
Expected arrival date ________________________ Expected departure date ___________________________
S
Room rate: $159 (+ tax of 14.4 %) per night
for all rooms.
$159 rate applies for one, two, three or four
people per room.
Rooms contain either One King or Two
Double Beds
All rooms are non-smoking
$159 room rate available between June 30
and July 12, 2010.
Reservation deadline is 6:00 PM, Friday,
June 11, 2010 to obtain rooms at above rate.
Page 10 Vasa Star March-April 2010

2010 Grand Lodge Convention Items for Sale
The following items are offered for sale by the 2010 GL Convention Committee to help host DL
Pennsylvania No. 9 raise funds for the convention. Thank you for your support!
S
H
I
P
T
O
Dalahäst
Lapel Pin Pin
Sweatshirt
50/50 blend
ORDER FORM
Name ________________________________________________________
Address _______________________________________________________
City __________________________________ State ______ Zip ___________
Phone No. ____________________________ Country _____________________
Email _______________________________________________________________
Quantity Item Description Price Each Total
Dalahäst lapel pin (size shown in relation to penny) $ 7.00
Nordic Flags Sweatshirt, YthM __ YthL__ S__ M__ L__ XL__ XXL__ XXXL__ $ 20.00
2030 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank inside, “Linnea”; 8-pack $ 6.00
2040 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Viking at Sea”; 8-pack $ 6.00
2044 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Flowers-the Provinces”; 8-pack $ 6.00
2048 ‘Daphne’ greeting cards, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Dala Horses&Flowers”; 8-pack $ 6.00
2050 ‘Daphne’ greeting card, 4.25x5.5 in, blank, “Blu & Yel Heart Basket”; 8-pack $ 6.00
Please write check to: 2010 Grand Lodge Convention
Mail your order and check to: Dorothy Overberg, 5431 Patton, Erie, PA 16509
Phone: (814) 864-2406 Email: croverberg@aim.com
Note: Sales tax is
included in prices.
Note: If purchasing
dalahäst lapel pins only,
a shipping charge of
$5.00 applies for any
amount purchased.
Subtotal
Shipping (see chart)
TOTAL INCLUDED
Shipping and Handling (USA) Please call for orders above $150.00 or for any order to Canada or to Sweden
Subtotal Shipping Subtotal Shipping Subtotal Shipping
$0.00-$18.00 $5.00 $18.01-$36.00 $8.00 $36.01-$54.00 $10.00
$54.01-$80.00 $12.00 $80.01-$110.00 $15.00 $110.01-$150.00 $18.00
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 11

DISTRICT LODGE NEWS
DL Rhode
Island #3
You know, history doesn’t have to be
dull, culture doesn’t have to be boring –
and that’s what RI District #3 set out to
prove at a Nordic Masquerade in
November. It was a fun, entertaining and
educational evening all rolled into one.
Ebba Brahe was in attendance – you
know THE Ebba Brahe, who at the age of
16 was the mistress of the future King
Gustavus Adolphus; the same Ebba
Brahe who later married Count Jacob de
la Gardie and bore him 14 children! She
joined several other well-known celebrities
– Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Dr.
Lovisa Ahlborg, St. Brigit, Sonja Henie,
Dorothy Hamill, Elsa Beskow, and Kayla
Kleevage (do you know who these folks
are? Look them up – they’re an interesting
part of Scandinavian history and culture
– you’ll learn a lot).
In addition to a great parade where
each person gave a brief biography we
had what was publizied as a “minismörgåsbord”
(definitely was not
“mini”)! Didn’t get a chance to sample
Chef Bengt Wedholm’s expertise though
(look him up)!
All in all – a great way to learn a lot in
a fun way.
Submitted by: Lily Zarli, DCL
1st prize winners: Star Boy, Connie Johnson
and St. Lucia Ray Johnson.
DL Golden Gate #12
The members of the District 12, Golden
Gate, are a very active, very cohesive
group of people, whom enjoy being together
fostering Nordic heritage, traditions, and
culture, and inviting anyone who shares
these interests, to join them. Each individual
Lodge within District 12 has a full
docket of activities that promote unity,
enthusiasm, and help in time of need, to all
members. Activities are not strictly limited
to those focusing on Nordic tradition,
either! Several gatherings have nothing at
all to do with being from Sweden or
Norway or any other Scandinavian region.
For example, Lindbergh Lodge in Palo
Alto has at least two outings per year at a
local winery, bottling their own wine, helping
with the grape harvest there, or simply
picnicking, and members of Skogen Lodge
in Redding customarily spend a nice summer
day on Whiskeytown Lake, just picnicking
and enjoying the fine weather.
Each issue of the Golden Gate Nyheter
newsletter is full of culturally-focused articles
which have been thoroughly
researched and meticulously written by
various members. These articles are a treasure
trove for our youth, who have referenced
these articles in school writing projects
and oral presentations. Not only that,
but when the authors include their own
personal connection to the topic, others
within the district have discovered that
they share similar experiences, or have a
special association that brings them closer
together in some surprising way.
Our Golden Gate Nyheter is full of
exciting and joyful events such as birthday
celebrations for members who turn 100
years old, or congratulations for new
babies or marriages, or new members who
join our organization. We also enjoy celebrating
when milestones or outstanding
achievements are reached! Included in this
article are two snippets from an issue of
the Nyheter which illustrate this perfectly:
At the Norwegian night on September
18, our Chairman, Harold Nelson, presented
Karen Olson her pin honoring her 25
years of membership in Svea Lodge.
Karen joined Svea on May 18, 1984.
These are excerpts from the inspiring
email Karen sent when notified of her
qualification to receive her 25 year pin. “I
am so happy to realize this milestone in my
life since we all love and value Vasa and
Svea Lodge. I am glad to receive my 25
year pin. I have helped Anita as assistant
cultural leader and coffee maker and also
as clean up crew and chief dishwasher at
the old YMI hall. I was also bartender for
one year and served as inner guard and
outer guard several times. I also helped
make pea soups and desserts and was a
server many times. I have also helped
Anita decorate the Midsummer stage for
the past 10 years.”
“Vasa is truly a family and we have
lived through much of our lives together.
We have seen our children grow up and
move on. We have seen marriages and
deaths and memorials, sickness and grief.
We have shared so many Christmas parties
and bonfires and picnics and dances
and dinners. So many happy memories and
tear jerker. Thanks for letting me be a
small part of this as it has marked my life
for the better and has given me joy to
remember all the times of fun. And it is not
over yet. There is more to come!”
At the August Anniversary Dinner, we
were so fortunate to have seven Svea
members present who have all been
District Masters. This certainly is a tribute
to Svea Lodge to have had so many of our
members so active in the District.
Submitted by: Ann Marie Richardson,
Editor, Golden Gate Nyheter
From left to right: Tore Kellgren, Mike Bray, Birgitta Kellgren, Per Cardestam, Lilian
Rejbrand, Keith Hanlon, Gunnar Lillquist and then Richard Wooster, our current Golden Gate
District Master.
Page 12 Vasa Star March-April 2010

LODGE NEWS
Diana Birger
Jarl Lodge #3
New Haven, CT
At our October meeting LL Diana Birger
Jarl Lodge #3 welcomed 10 new members.
Front row - John Edeen, Carolyn Staehly, Ben
Wojan and in 2nd row Judy Corrigan, Mary
Ann Edeen, Barbara Prior, Nancy Thorsen,
Arthur Thorsen, Lorraine Reimer, Gorden
Reimer.
Submitted by: Paul Ljunggren
Picture by: Lars Edeen
Brage-Iduna
Lodge #9
Springfield, MA
October’s meeting featured a delicious
homemade Swedish pea soup supper, followed
by a bingo word game using
Swedish phrases. The St. Paul Church’s
total kitchen renovation is still underway
and will be appreciated. The lodge voted
to make a generous contribution toward
the modern kitchen facilities.
As we submit the Lodge’s required
annual report, we note that Brage-Iduna
Lodge welcomed two new members during
2009, but sadly, several members
passed away during the year. At the
November meeting, the charter was
draped to remember them. We notice that
those departed had been devoted members
of Brage-Iduna for many years!
Gourmet deserts from a local caterer
were a treat during the social hour.
Brage-Iduna’s annual Lucia celebration
was held on December 13 despite a
snow/sleet storm that same morning. A
very good turnout came in spite of the
adverse weather forecast.
Members of the lodge and Three
Crowns Children’s Club signed a
Christmas card to be sent to our sister
lodge in Sweden, Logen Strömkarlen
#653 in the city of Trollhättan in western
Sweden. We’ve heard in national news
that General Motors intends to divest
itself of its Saab division which has produced
the Saab auto line in Trollhättan
for many years. If a corporate buyer cannot
be found for the Saab auto division,
will the manufacturing plant shut down?
As of late January, Swedish newspapers
were reporting that a sale has been made
to the Dutch car maker Spyker, much to
the relief of Saab’s 3,400 employees.
Submitted by: John Morgan
The source for the last sentence is the
Swedish news site:
www.thelocal.se/24620/20100127/
and a long New York Times article in
January.
Scandia Lodge #23
Manchester, CT
Members of Scandia Lodge #23 of
Manchester, CT, enjoyed a Christmas
gathering at the Nutmeg Restaurant in
South Windsor, CT, on December 4,
2009.
At our February 2010 meeting, three
new members were initiated. They are
Judy Anderson, Deb Haylar and Judy
Mitrowski.
Submitted by: June Roncarti
Left to right: back row - June Roncarti, Sylvia
and Mel Helstrom, Deb Haylar, and Paul
Berg. Middle row - Judy Anderson, Clara
Stowell, Judy Mitrowski. Seated - Gail Porter,
Rosemary Hokanson, Lilja Strazinskis.
North Star #106
Los Angeles, CA
It was the day of North Star’s 103rd
anniversary and we celebrated by having
district #15 officers invited. It was a pleasure
to have our guests on this special
occasion. DM Mary Ethel Pierson gladly
led the meeting. Dist. officers present
were: Isabella Muscarella, PDM, Susan
Premo, PDM and D. Trustee, Bob Salk,
PDM and VDM, Bob Solt, D. Treas., Nel
Solt, VDS, Arlene Lundquist, PDM and
DS, accompanied by Hans Lundquist, a
former Dist. officer, Ken Murphy, PDM
and EBM (he brought lovely Louise). We
also had Jane Hendricks, PDM, and
Maidie Karling, EBM. Guests Elvine
Lundberg and Frank Muscarella also
came along to enjoy the day. VC Jane
Sandler was home recouping.
District convention coming up soon,
plans are being finalized and delegates
were elected. A Nordic symposium at Cal
Lutheran University slated for February
5-6. These are very informative and popular.
On this special occasion was the
announcement of Jennifer Larson as our
scholarship recipient. Jennifer has high
goals to be a physical therapist. She is the
daughter of Valarie Larson and the
granddaughter of Peggy Pages. Joselyn
Pages was our Lucia. We hope Peggy
won’t run out of beautiful granddaughters!
Following our business meetings, we
aimed for the tables to enjoy a luncheon
catered by Jane Hendricks of Nordic Fox
and believe me when I say it was amble
and delicious! A delightful day and we
thank all of our guests for joining us.
Submitted by: Elinore Thornton
Fylgia Lodge #119
San Francisco, CA
In September our Cultural Program
was presented by our own Cultural
Leader, Ms. Yasuko T. Wooster, II, the
wife of our District Master. She had
many beautiful Japanese Kimonos to display
and she told of the common characteristics
between Swedish Folk Costumes
and Japanese Kimonos, and answered
many questions.
October 13th was our 102nd
Anniversary and we had our usual
potluck dinner, followed by a short meeting.
The evening was spent with the
members visiting with each other and
catching up on events the past summer.
Our website is:
www.scandinavius.com/vasa/fylgia.
Submitted by: Jean Nelson
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 13

Thule Lodge #127
Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY
Thule Lodge completed its 102nd year
in December 2009 and continues to preserve
the Swedish heritage through
events and activities. Cultural leader
Fanchon Fuller keeps the members
informed of upcoming events, and adds a
special report on a Swedish activity. We
appreciate all of her efforts.
Our winter schedule continues with
meetings and social hour on the third
Saturday of the month through March.
Our lodge is now into its 103rd year, and
recently held its installation of officers.
Edwin Sandberg will serve as the lodge
chairman in 2010. Appreciation is
extended to immediate past Chairman
Eugene Johnson for serving as our chairman.
Chairman Sandberg was the first to
be installed as an officer, and then continued
the installation ceremony.
Thule Lodge looks forward to the
spring season, as past chairman Robert
Fuller is looking forward to having some
capital improvements done on the lodge,
and grounds.
Following the installation ceremony,
yellow pea soup was prepared and served
to all, as a new year's gesture. Thanks to
Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130
Cleveland, OH
Thule Lodge #127 officers for 2010. Front row: assistant mistress of ceremonies Bernice
Veights, immediate past chairman Eugene Johnson, 2010 lodge chairman Edwin Sandberg, vice
chairman Ralph Veights, mistress of ceremonies Donna Johnson, and financial secretary Donna
Johnson. Standing: lodge secretary Lucile Marsh, past chairman Robert Fuller, cultural leader
Fanchon Fuller, trustee John Marsh, outer guardsman Nels John Nelson, trustee for three years
Tim Miller, auditor for three years Jerry Erickson, inner guardsman Don Carlson, treasurer
Albert Nelson, and lodge historian John Sipos. Missing from photograph is lodge chaplain
Diane Shaw.
Photograph by Susan W. Sipos.
Robert and Fanchon Fuller, Betty
Lawson, and Edwin and Donna Sandberg
for their efforts.
Thule Lodge wishes all a happy spring
At the January meeting, the cold and snow did not stop our District Deputy, Cheryl
Brown, coming from Svea #296 in Erie, PA, to install our officers for 2010. Sandra
Miller, the Svea Chairman accompanied her. They expressed their enjoyment of seeing
how another lodge conducts a lodge meeting. It was delightful to have them with
us.
Bo Carlsson, our Cultural Leader, presented a program of ancient musical instruments.
Bo had visited the Music Museum (Musikmuséet) and purchased a DVD. He
not only was able to show us slides
of the instruments, we were able to
‘hear’ the instruments as well. You
can visit the Museum yourself by
going to their web site:
www.musikmuseet.se. It is possible
to change the script to English.
We had our traditional Pea Soup
and “Plättar” meal in February
prior to our business meeting.
During our lodge meeting we were
happy to initiate three new members.
It was a great way to start out
the New Year and we have
approved applications from three
others wishing to join.
Submitted by: Marty Bergman,
Past Chairman
Mary Cirino, Paula DeCaria and Julian Fossen.
season. If you are in our area, we welcome
you. “God dag” to all!
Submitted by: John Sipos,
Thule Lodge Historian
Tegnér Lodge #149
Oakland, CA
The members of Tegnér Lodge #149,
Oakland, CA, celebrated their 101st
anniversary at a dinner at Pier 29 in
Alameda, CA, on November 14, 2009.
We were pleased that long-time member,
Nancy Root, who lives in Citrus Heights,
and her son and his wife could join us.
Also it was a pleasure to have Grand
Lodge Secretary Joan Graham, Framåt
Lodge #405, present. Conflicting engagements
kept several other dignitaries from
attending.
At our November meeting in Bjørnson
Hall we were entertained by Laurel
Paulson-Pierce, Gold Nugget Lodge
#662. She brought her “nyckelharpa” and
played a collection of Scandinavian folk
songs, explained the instrument and gave
us information about Sweden and her
connection to Sweden. It was a very
interesting program.
Since quite a few of Tegnér members
attended the Sons of Norway’s Bjørnson
Lodge #14 lutfisk dinner on November 1,
Continued on page 15
Page 14 Vasa Star March-April 2010

Tegnér Lodge #149
Continued from page 14
Cultural Leader Ann Tennis decided to
give a “lecture” entitled “Facts, Fiction,
and Jokes” about lutfisk. Member
Kathryn Hughes then finished the topic
off with “Still More Jokes.” After that,
everyone seemed to be in a good mood
for the business meeting.
Due to the illness of Stig Björk,
Charlotte Weissenborn has taken over as
Gustav Lodge #175
San Diego, CA
The tradition for Gustav V Lodge is to have a holiday buffet meal, sing Christmas songs in both
Swedish and English have a white elephant gift exchange and celebrate with our friends. The
meal and all the coordination was by Lillian Norquist, who turned 90 in July (front right). We
did not have a business meeting; just pure holiday fun on a lovely day at our usual meeting
place: Balboa Park’s House of Sweden cottage.
Submitted by: Carol Kerr, Secretary
THE SWEDISH
CLOCK MAKER
Traditional Swedish design
handcrafted in Oregon.
Custom painted to order
in any color or folk art style.
For details
541-461-0329
Email: suwalschul@aol.com
our “Swedish chef.” She has produced
interesting and delicious entrees for our
potluck suppers. Charlotte is also very
computer literate and produced beautiful
flyers for our anniversary dinner and the
December Lucia Fest. We are happy to
report that Stig is feeling much better and
was able to attend our anniversary dinner.
Submitted by: Ann Tennis
Monitor Lodge #218
Sacramento, CA
After the short summer hiatus,
Monitor Lodge met in September for its
annual “Sill Frukost,” a rather unique
affair that’s been happening for many
years. Yes, that’s right, Herring
Breakfast. No one goes away from this
fun day hungry since we do serve a
variety of dishes for those not “into”
herring! The day was made perfect by
nice weather and a chance to spend time
at the Larson residence located in the
Sierra Nevada Mountains. About 50 people
attended.
The recent Scandinavian Festival held
each year in the Sacramento Area was a
huge success with many vendors, presentation
of Colors for each Nordic Country
as well as food and dancing in keeping
with the theme and spirit of the day.
Monitor Lodge is quite instrumental in
working toward this annual successful
event.
I had the pleasure of explaining why
our lodge is called Monitor Lodge. A
visitor at the festival noticed my nametag
and asked if our lodge was named after a
local high sierra pass called Monitor
Pass. It was fun explaining the connection
to Swedish engineer/designer
John Ericsson who invented the Civil
War Ironclad Ship Monitor as well as
being part of the development of
the “Göta Kanal” which cuts from coast
to coast in Sweden. On a recent trip
to Virginia, my wife, son and I had
the opportunity to view the turret, gun
and engine mount that has been raised
from the bay and is on display at the
Mariners’s Museum in Newport News.
Check out www.monitorcenter.org.
As with all lodges within Vasa,
we have lost some long-time members
who will be missed. We are fortunate
to have new members joining
frequently who will hopefully step in and
fill the void left by those who have
passed.
We are busy planning for our 100th
Anniversary coming up in 2012! It’s
never too early to plan for such an
auspicious occasion. Our Annual
“Glögg och Julbord” was held in early
December with children from The
Sacramento Swedish School sharing a
Lucia Program.
Submitted by: Jack Larson
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 15

Brahe Lodge #245
Rockford, IL
Guests and members enjoyed our delicious “smörgåsbord.”
We held a Holiday Bazaar in our
spacious Vasa Park in Rockford Illinois
on a colorful Sunday, October 25, 2009.
We were busy from 10 AM until closing
at 4 PM for our public-invited event.
There was no admission charge so shoppers
came throughout the day and had a
chance to check out our new lodge too.
At one time there were 40 automobiles in
our parking lot!
Twenty-three vendors were selling all
sorts of items including Swedish and
Norwegian imported gifts, Christmas
decorations, "tomtar", engraved rocks,
wreaths, cards, dog treats, hand-carved
wood figurines, pumpkins, squash, hand
woven rugs, blankets, quilts, gift baskets,
bakery, "lingonberry" jam, embroidered
towels, scarves, candles, tote bags, baskets,
glassware etc! For hungry visitors
and members we had barbecues, chips,
pop, coffee and cookies with table's setup
in our kitchen. A good time was had by
shoppers while visiting with friends over
Seeking Your
Swedish Roots??
E-mail: swedengen@telia.com
a cup of coffee. What a great turnout for
our Holiday Bazaar! Maybe we will even
get a few new members as a result of this
event?
At our Nov. 22 lodge meeting, officers
were elected for 2010. Vasa Brahe
Member Conrad Johnson, age 105, was
also awarded a pin for his 65 years as a
member of our Vasa Order of America!
Vasa Brahe Lodge #245 held our
"Julfest" on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009. First
we were treated to a delicious "smörgåsbord"
prepared by our 32 lodge members
in attendance. Appropriately with it being
Lucia Day, we were entertained with a
program where Lucia was portrayed by
Miss Morgan Waterson and her accompanist.
Later we played bingo and many
lodge members won prizes.
Twenty-seven Vasa Brahe Lodge
#245 members attended our January 31,
2010 meeting on a cold, snowy but sunny
winter day! Highlight of the meeting was
the installation of 2010 officers by Grand
Lodge official Jake Gruel. Members then
discussed plans for our Open House in
April in our Vasa Park, "Midsommar"
activities, and other business items.
Submitted by: Member
Dennis G. Eksten
Skandia Lodge #247
Rockford, IL
The regular business meeting of
Skandia Lodge #247 on Thursday,
October 8, 2009, had many special guests
besides our wonderful members. Guest
speaker, Julianne Rose gave a great
presentation about her summer camp
adventure at the Viking Village.
We regret that the daughter of Miriam
(and Earl) Berndes, Phyllis Dahl,
passed away in Denmark on October 19,
2009.
The Lucia Dinner and program was
held Saturday, December 12, 2009. A
catered Christmas party was sponsored
by the Swedish Club of Los Angeles at
Skandia Hall. A full Christmas buffet
table catered by The Food Perfected with
Swedish chef Mikael was presented. The
evening included a “grog” ceremony, a
visit from Lucia and her court, and entertainment
by the Swedish Folk Dance
Club.
Congratulations to Skandia sister, Jane
Hendricks, at the opening of her SANCO,
Swedish America Gift Shop, in the Alpine
Village.
If you have a bicycle that is no longer
being used and you have other plans for
the space, please contact Chairman
Jackie. There is a local Boy Scout Troop
member who is working on his Eagle
Scout Award by restoring and refurbishing
bicycles which are then donated to
Shelters
Remember you are all always
welcome at our Lodge and in our hearts!
Submitted by: Jackie Ahlen,
Chairman
Skandia members (from left to right), Betty
Holm, Steve Rose, and Jackie Ahlen working
the gate at Vasa Perk’s annual Autumnfest
and “Marknad.”
Page 16 Vasa Star March-April 2010

Svea Lodge #296
Erie, PA
Mike Stickner of Cranesville, PA, with his
grandmother, Helen Bellingham.
Our lodge has continued to enjoy
meaningful activities and meetings. We
have members who are able and willing
to share their talents and lives with us.
Our member, Kathy Gustafson, is the
organist at St. John’s Lutheran Church
here in Erie. She had the experience of a
lifetime to visit Sweden and play the
organ at several well-known sanctuaries
there. Her presentation showed a very
professional photography ability and we
could feel as though we were also on her
trip.
The next monthly meeting had a most
interesting and informative presentation
by another member – David Cope – he
spoke about the New York World’s Fair
in 1939 (no he was not there himself).
The Swedish Pavilion must have been
exceptional. It was the favorite of Eleanor
Roosevelt. David has a special interest in
Expositions, being quite an authority on
the Chicago Fair. He spoke about the
book “The Devil and the White City” at
Chautauqua last summer.
Bo Carlsson installed Svea officers.
On a sad note, a 37-year member,
Ingrid Hedlund, passed away at age 92.
Hopefully her daughter Berit will share
her mother’s Swedish recipes.
But we can plan for youth members
too. Mike Stickner, grandson of Helen
Bellingham, shows much interest in all
things Swedish.
Sveaborg Lodge #449
Concord, CA
“Polka Dots” band performing for the annual Oktoberfest. Members Ray Ternstrom (tuba) and
Evelyn Ternstrom (clarient) and their son Dan (trombone) play in this group.
On September 20, 2009, Svea Lodge
#469 of Longview, WA, celebrated their
84th Anniversary at the Red Lion Inn in
Kelso, WA. Theme for the dinner was
“Just Plane Fun.”
Welcome and invocation were given
and our special guests were introduced.
District Master Alice Iverson, Chairman
of Nobel Lodge #184 Jeff Klein, District
Secretary Carol DeSarr, Chairman
District Membership Karla Anderson and
Elsie Norby.
Svea Lodge #469
Longview, WA
Our lodge started the year with installation
of officers. Bo Carlsson from
Nobel-Monitor #130 presided over the
ceremony.
The following week the group met at
the home of Leona Carlson to plan the
schedule for all upcoming meetings.
Submitted by: Linda Collin
Chairman Don Morrison (right) initiating
new member David Seaborg, an evolutionary
biologist. David’s father, Glenn
Seaborg, received the 1951 Nobel Prize
in Chemistry.
Submitted by: Bob Burman
Luncheon was served and recognition
of long-time Vasa members were presented
certificates in honor of their years of
membership.
A fashion show was presented by our
members, songs were sung accompanied
by Jeff Klein, birthday greetings were
given and door prizes passed out. A good
time was had by all.
Submitted by: Judith Jones
Recording Secretary
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 17

Harmoni Lodge #472
Portland, OR
Portland, Oregon’s Harmoni Lodge #472 strives to provide a variety of local activities
and programs for their members. Cultural Leaders Kristi and Denver James organized
a delightful lingonberry learning experience in November 2009.
Treated to pastries and Swedish coffee prior to boarding the rented van, we headed
approximately 60 miles west of Portland to Friendship Farm. It is located a few miles
uphill from our mighty Columbia River in the Goble area of Rainier, OR. Terry and
Dinah Farr started their blueberry and lingonberry farm in 1995. Crops of the fairly
unique plants have flourished and jars of their specialty products are sold directly to
the public as well as a select group of retail distributors.
The owners not only provided us an informational tour of their farm and berry harvesting
and merchandising process, but also allowed those who wished to experience
picking the miniscule mountain fruit aided by the clever comb-like rake apparatuses
provided. Many members were thrilled to secure adequate bucketfuls to make jam
later! With perfect Swedish hospitality prior to departure, Terry and Dinah welcomed
us to their warm kitchen to partake of hot coffee and sumptuous lingonberry prepared
delicacies – take home recipes included!
They told us the best part of farming is the friendships they cultivate – thus their
farm’s name was derived. This philosophy holds true regarding Harmoni Lodge too.
Representatives of their name, they always succeed in encouraging camaraderie and
friendship by cultural insights to our local Pacific Northwest.
A dedicated slate of officers to lead us in 2010 were installed at the January business
meeting. Our February Social gathering found us gathered for a crab dinner procured
and delivered fresh from Pacific Ocean waters to our table by member Doug
Hanson. The “fun” in fundraising reigns as we combined the evening with competitive
bidding on donated creative silent auction items.
The Vasa spirit of unity prevails in Portland – Harmoni rocks!!
Submitted by: Alice Harris
Friendship Farm
Lindbergh Lodge #494
October Fest was celebrated with
much gusto. Ann Marie Van Horn supplied
some beautiful Porcelain Beer
Steins as ethnic decoration. She manages
to come up with the décor of whatever
Palo Alto, CA
we are celebrating. Our talented member
cooking staff made the evening complete
with German bockwurst, Potato Salad,
Sauerbraten, and rye bread, topped off
with apple strudel for desert. New mem-
bers were initiated … Martin and
Susanne Omander and Jo-Ann Abie-
Thurfjell.
Dean Babcock our Cultural Leader
gave a history of the Lodge in 1927, first
meetings held in Whiskey Gulch. The
name of our Lodge projects, the pride
that all Swedes felt at Charles
Lindbergh's astonishing feat flying solo
across the Atlantic that year. The evening
ended with Swedish music and dancing.
November was our traditional soup
night. Salmon soup is such a popular dish
that almost everyone makes a special
effort to attend. Additionally we had
lentil and tomato soup and sandwiches.
Desert was Swedish pancakes smothered
in jam and cream. There were at least 70
members enjoying the meal. We also
installed the officers for the coming year.
Among them are a new Chair David
Johnson, Vice Greg Meyers, Secretaries
Bea Andrews, Laila Thurfjell, T.J. Naim,
Malle Lantz and Treasurer Sandie Hersh.
The evening ended with members showing
off their dancing skills.
Our January meeting is always a very
festive one. Members bring their special
dishes for a pot luck bonanza. Attendance
is always large and the sampling of many
treats always a culinary event with much
lip-smacking and contented sighs.
The program was conducted by our
cultural leader Dean Babcock who gave a
review of Bishop Hill and the Vasa
Archives. He discussed the history of its
formation and a general talk about
Swedish immigration to this country
from the earliest days of New Sweden in
Delaware and the eventual arrival of Erik
Jansson and his followers in 1846 to
Bishop Hill. Their goal was to establish a
new utopia. The surviving buildings are
now listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. It is a repository of information
about the Swedish presence in
this country and a source of information
about the Vasa Order of America and its
many Lodges.
Submitted by: Muriel Nelson Beroza
Page 18 Vasa Star March-April 2010

Oak Leaf
Lodge #685
Thousand Oaks, CA
After celebrating Marknad in Vasa
Park in Agoura, CA, we had a wonderful
time at our Social/Anniversary with a
“Western Night” complete with cowboy/girl
hats and blue and red kerchiefs,
which were given to each member in
attendance.
Our lodge was decorated as though it
was an old-time western saloon complete
with “feed bags” and sarsaparilla (root
beer floats). In November we held a wonderful
“All American” Thanksgiving and
December found us celebrating a good
old “Family Christmas” with Torkil
Hammer playing his “nyckelharpa.”
At our January business meeting we
installed our new officers for 2010 and
we look forward to installing new members
soon. At our social we had a large
table full of food and had a member tell
of their trip to Sweden over the recent
Christmas holidays, then just a lot of stories,
memories and jokes. We will be
having a huge garage sale in March. We
will be serving meatballs and lingonberries
at the Scandinavian Festival held at
California Lutheran University on April
17-18, 2010.
At our general meeting in February
the third generation of the Swann/
Eckdahl family were installed into Oak
Leaf Lodge, Johan and James Eckdahl.
Submitted by: Judi Palmquist
Marian Swann, James Eckdahl, Karl Swann,
Johan Eckdahl, Karin Eckdahl and Chairman
Lorraine Parriott.
Torkil Hammer
Tucson Lodge #691
Tucson, AZ
The Vasa Swedish Folkdancers
We have had a very busy fall 2009 mainly due to our participation in the Tucson
Meet Yourself Festival. It was held October 9-11, downtown Tucson and this year
attracted around 80,000 people for the three-day event.
Thirty four (34) ethnic clubs served delicious food from their respective countries
and also treated the crowd to dance and music. Affectionately the event is called
Tucson Eat Yourself.
The Tucson Lodge #691 served a sample meatball plate, apple cake with whipped
cream, Ris a’la Malta, baked goods, raspberry saft, coffee etc and our Vasa members
thought it was a lot of fun to work the shifts in our “Swedish” booth. Our profit goes
to several local charities.
The Vasa Swedish Folk Dancers performed together with the band, the Camarata
Aurora Borealis and really delighted the audience with traditional folk dances as well
as polka, waltz and schottische. Some members also showed their folk costume in the
Folk Dress Parade.
At our lodge meeting November 20, after election of officers for 2010 and discussing
other lodge business, we made Swedish Christmas tree ornaments and had fun
just visiting!
December 12 we celebrated Lucia. On January 16, we installed our new officers
and enjoyed open face sandwich potluck and on February 19, a power point program
about" the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjarvi" was held.
Lodge #691 activities can be seen on our blog: tucsonvasaswedes.blogspot.com or
on www.Vasaorder.com (local lodges)
Submitted by: Ann-Marie Kinnison
Tre Kronor Lodge #713
Salem, OR
Tre Kronor Lodge #713 celebrated
Greta Marie Hedman’s 95th birthday at
our regular lodge meeting on March 8,
2009. Greta is a regular attendee at our
meetings and is a joy to know.
Greta was born in Målilla, Småland,
Sweden, on March 23, 1914. She made
her transatlantic voyage and transcontinental
travel by rail to Tillamook, OR, in
1925.
On January 7, 2001, Greta became a
member of our lodge and we are glad she
did. Her caregiver, not of Nordic ancestry,
raves about the quantity and quality
of the food served at the regular lodge
meetings. I think Greta is on to something.
Happy 96th in advance Greta!
Submitted by: Barry Ostrom
Greta Marie Hedman
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 19

Scandia Lodge #728
Prescott Valley, AZ
Lucille Jeppson presenting her aunt with a
fifty year Vasa service pin.
Our October meeting brought us two
new members and one dual membership.
The first of the two new members is
Payton DeMent, husband of and nominated
by Joanne DeMent, our Chairman. The
second new member is Del Ackley, husband
of and nominated by Mia Ackley,
one of our trustees. The dual member is
Lucille Jeppson, an aunt of our Chairman,
Joanne Dement.
We were again honored by a visit from
our District Chairman, Vito Pantaleo and
his wife Louise. Vito gave a warm welcome
to our new members and congratulated
Lucille on her 50 years of service to
Vasa.
Gunhild Albrectsen reported that her
husband Al is still on the road to recovery.
She stated that cancer is a really
scary disease when it hits one of your
loved ones.
At the conclusion of our regular meeting
we had our annual pot luck meal (with
“Glögg”) and White Elephant auction.
The auction was conducted by Dennis
Malarkey and Payton DeMent. There
were over 30 items donated by our members
for the auction. Bidding went well
with "$9.50 Bob" having the most successful
bids.
Scandia Lodge #728 began the New
Year with the initiation a new member,
Elaine Fahlman, wife of Ken Fahlman,
who nominated her. He also convinced
her to join the lodge by bringing her as a
guest where she found the benefits of
joining. The initiation was headed by our
District Master, Vito Pantaleo and assisted
by our Lodge Chairperson, Joanne
DeMent and other lodge members followed
by a Swedish pea soup social, hosted
by Pat Flippen and Debbie Helmer.
This was followed by the formal meeting
and the day was wrapped up with a pre-
sentation by Richard Docksteader where
he described the life of his grandfather as
a farmer in the Midwest during the early
twentieth century.
Submitted by: Dennis Malarkey
Viking Lodge #730
Flint, MI
Under the leadership of Lodge
Chairman, Eric Swanson, we had another
succesful year. We often missed Bill and
Sheila Lundquist, busy with their respective
duties as VGM, Vasa Order of
America, and DM of Lake Michigan #8.
Following is a partial year in review.
Sheila Lundquist showed a video on
Swedish fences during the April meeting
for which Ron Carlson constructed a
model fence. Bill Lundquist had received
eight applications for $500.00 scholarships,
and the lodge agreed to fund them.
Bob and Marcia Pearson provided openfaced
sandwiches.
The annual September fishboil was
again successful thanks to Art Bendall
and Nils Froberg who timed and cooked
the potatoes, onions and whitefish to the
minute. The ladies served the fish along
with a buffet of salads, breads and
desserts.
On September 26-28, twelve members
drove to Bishop Hill, IL, in a 15-passenger
van rented by Sheila Lundquist. They
toured the village and Vasa National
Archives to which Ron Carlson donated
his model of a Swedish fence.
The December Lucia Festival and
“smörgåsbord” held December 6 at the
Grand Blanc, MI, Senior Center was
again the highlight of the year with decorations,
hot “glögg” on entry and great
food. The colorful pageant featured
Denise Carlson as Lucia accompanied by
her attendants. Howard Weaver played
his button accordion for Christmas carols,
and Jerry Peterson’s “Hey---Js” played
dance music.
Submitted by: Howard Weaver
Fishboil kibitzers
Jubileum
Lodge #755
Madison, WI
We had two fascinating Vasa programs
to go with our cold, rainy October and
mild, dry November in Madison, WI. On
October 11, Ann-Britt Keillor presented
“A Month in Sweden and Norway,” the
story of a trip she and her husband Phil
took the year before. It was a bittersweet
occasion, as Phil had planned to present
the talk the previous April, but died in a
tragic accident. Still, we were quickly
swept up in Ann-Britt’s stories and the
beautiful scenery, even though the computer
projector in our meeting room
wasn’t working and we had to squint at a
laptop sitting on a chair on the table.
There’s always a way!
Ann-Britt Keillor
The journey started at Stockholm, by
car. High points included “Midsommar”
Eve and the Carl Linneaus Garden in
Uppsala, the world’s first “green”
McDonalds in Umeå, and the birthplace of
American labor organizer and martyr Joe
Hill in Gävle.
Phil and Ann-Britt then continued by
light rail on the “Inlandsbanan” from
Mora in Dalarna to the Arctic Circle town
of Gällivare. This sounded like a delightfully
relaxing way to travel—the operator
sometimes stopped the train so the passengers
could get out and stretch or photograph
wildlife! In Härjedalen, Phil and
Ann-Britt saw Viking tapestries from 700-
800 AD. From modern genetic analysis,
the curators knew the type of plant dyes
used and therefore the proper reddishbrown
colors. The church town and Sami
village in Vilhelmina were another highlight.
At Gällivare, they boarded the train for
Narvik, on the Norwegian coast, and trav-
Continued on page 21
Page 20 Vasa Star March-April 2010

Jubileum Lodge #755
Continued from page 20
eled under the midnight sun past
Kebnekaise, the tallest mountain in
Sweden. The Norwegian journey was by
boat, the MS Vesteralen of the Hurtigruten
Line, through the Lofoten Islands, in and
out of the Trollfjord, past the Seven Sisters
Mountains and the Hole-In-The-Mountain
to Bergen. After another spectacular railroad
journey from Bergen to Oslo, they
flew home. I want to go someday!
We think of Sweden as a peaceful
(though well-armed) and staunchly neutral
nation, but on November 8, we learned
from Scott Mellor of the University of
Wisconsin Scandinavian Studies department
that this was not always so. In
“Sweden as a Great Power,” Scott began
with the story of how Gustav Vasa led a
rebellion that threw off Danish rule in the
early 16th century, and then broke with
Rome and made Sweden the first officially
Protestant (Lutheran) nation in Europe.
Sweden gradually came to dominate all
the land surrounding the Baltic Sea, and
then suddenly emerged as a European
Power as a major ally of France during the
Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648). Under
“The Lion of the North,” Gustavus
Adolphus (Gustav II Adolf), the Swedish
Army probably saved the German principalities
from forced recon version to
Catholicism.
Sweden’s fall from great-power status
began during the reign of Karl XII.
Simultaneously attacked by Poland,
Denmark, and Russia, he won some spectacular
early victories, but was lured deep
into Russia where the Swedish army was
destroyed in 1709. Karl XII survived,
spent several years in Ottoman Turkey,
and was finally killed, possibly by his own
troops, during a failed invasion of Norway
in 1718.
Scott Mellor closed with a story of
speaking Swedish with his grandmother,
much to the dismay of his Quebecois-
French grandfather. She retorted, “I listened
to your French all these years; now
you’ll listen to my Swedish!”
Our January speaker was Kristin Stand
Gorton, a speech pathologist at the
University of Wisconsin. Like many Vasa
members, Kristin has made several trips to
Sweden in search of her roots. But on her
most recent visit, she also decided to seek
out professional colleagues. Her proposed
one-hour drop-in at DART, a speech
pathology institute in Göteborg turned into
a three-day visit, during which she gave
three presentations and spent the evenings
with an institute staff member in her home
on Öckerö, in the Göteborg archipelago.
Kristin felt right at home—many of the
same assistive technologies and therapies
she uses in Madison, WI are also being
applied in Sweden. At the end of her visit,
she received a personalized send-off. In
her work with children in Wisconsin,
Kristin often uses the song, “If You’re
Happy and You Know It,” and the DART
staff surprised her by singing the same
song, in Swedish, and then treated her to a
seafood dinner. Perhaps some of you
might follow in Kristin’s footsteps, not literally,
but by exploring a vocational or
professional connection as well as an
ancestral one on your next (or first) visit to
Sweden.
Submitted by: Robert Merrill,
Historian
Nordic Red Rock
Lodge #760
Sedona, AZ
Our October meeting featured some
lively gnomes and trolls and we learned of
their sometimes nasty habits. We welcomed
new member Ingama Barentheim
and then draped the Charter for loss of
Mack Brainard, observing a moment of
silence for a Charter member.
By November we were anticipating and
planning for a festive Lucia Fest. Then
Nadine Murphy’s program presentation of
the development of Scandinavian languages
was well-received with members
adding their memorable experiences dealing
with the language, especially dialects.
Thinking back to early December, what
a good time our lodge members had at
Lucia. The Nordic scene was set with candle-lit
tables, Lucia wreaths and colorful
programs. Hovering down on ribbons over
the dining table were heart-shaped “pepparkakor,”
below, all the favorite “jul”
food from the old country even a big dish
of “korv,” handmade by Chuck and
Marilyn Elston. After the fine dinner, the
program included Chuck telling the story
of Sankta Lucia. As we sang her song in
the darkened room, our Lucia, lovely
blond Emily Adams, entered. At all the
tables she bestowed “pepparkakor,” to
each of us.
We weren’t so lucky in January when
record snow in the high country and rain
that kept falling all over the rest of
Arizona made the meeting quite inadvisable.
We anticipate being together again,
planning for a big state meeting in
October.
Submitted by: Nadine Murphy
Nordic Folk
Lodge #761
Hammond, IN
The Year 2010 is going to be a big year
for our young lodge as we will be hosting
our District Lodge Convention for the first
time. The theme is “Scandinavian Folk Art
and Culture.” As hosts of Convention, we
began our year with a Convention Planning
Meeting with 10 members and lots of
ideas. We will be holding the convention in
Michigan City, IN, May 14th-16th at the
Clarion Inn just off Interstate 94 and conveniently
located on Route 421 just 5 minutes
from Lake Michigan and miles of beaches,
sand dunes and woodland forests. Other
nearby attractions includes the Washington
Park Zoo, the Old Lighthouse Museum, the
Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall and
Blue Chip Casino.
Because our Lodge is closely knit with
our Nordikid Children’s Club, we are
happy to be including our young
members at every turn. With the help of
lodge members Phyllis Kalajian and
Barbara Hannigan, they will be hosting a
Nordikids Camp for grade school children
from 9-3pm on Saturday, May 15
during adult convention meetings. The
program will be in the spirit of the
Sjölunden Swedish Camp they have
attended at Concordia Language Village
in Bemidji, MN. They will be sharing their
knowledge of the Swedish language,
music, dance and hand crafts. A Viking
actor will also be on hand for further
entertainment. All attendees are encouraged
to bring the young people in their
lives to this year’s convention to share the
Truth and Unity of Vasa Order of
America. The program is free and will
include lunch. Reservations will go out
with the Convention Reservation
Form. Direct questions regarding the
Nordikids Camp please contact Phyllis
Kalajian by emailing her at
phylpete@yahoo.com.
If you wish to purchase an ad for our
program book, please contact Annelise
Gingold-Nelson at (219) 922-9994 or
email at amgingoldnelson@yahoo.com.
Ad pricing and details have been mailed
out to district lodge secretaries and our
Convention Raffles will be coming to each
of our district members by March. The
Annual Convention is a time when The
District Lodges can come together to represent
and share their local lodges. We
hope you will all help support our convention
by purchasing an ad or raffle ticket.
Submitted by: Linnea M. Ogrentz,
Recording Secretary
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 21

SWEDISH NEWS
Logen
Eskilstuna Nr 633
We were four members from Lodge
Eskilstuna Nr 633, Carin and Folke
Lundvall, Lillemor and Hans Karlberg,
who made a trip to America last
September. We intended to visit the
areas, where most Swedish immigrants
settled around the years 1900.
We stayed a few days in Minnesota by
Lake Chisago, where we visited places
that have become famous from the novelepic
of the Swedish author Vilhelm
Moberg. One Sunday morning we attended
the Lutheran church service, where we
met a couple, who most kindly guided us
in the small church-museum and to all
places of interest.
Another day we visited the American
Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.
Everywhere we met descendants from
Swedish immigrants. An old man, Nels
Gronquist, told us many interesting
things about his first time in the new
country, and he was still speaking surprisingly
good Swedish!
We had got invitations from Judy and
Roger Anderson to stay in their home in
Galva during the “Jordbruksdagarna
Days” in Bishop Hill, which we most
gratefully accepted. On Friday evening
we visited the Vasa Archives and there
was a barbeque in the garden, where
many people also from other parts of
America were gathered. We met PGM
Lennart Petersson and his wife and many
other interesting people. There were
many delicious courses and we tasted a
big birthday cake, which was made for
Judy, who had her birthday this very day!
This evening was really something to
remember.
Saturday morning we went back to
Bishop Hill and had a wonderful day
there. We went to the Vasa Archives for
another visit. There were folkdances,
Swedish food and lots of handicrafts to
look at in many workshops along the
main street. Everywhere there were lots
of decorations for Halloween. Saturday
evening we spent in Judy’s and Roger’s
home, where we also met Judy’s mother,
their children and a grand child. We had a
very nice time and a great way to end our
stay in Galva and Bishop Hill.
During our last week we went to
South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore
and the area in Black Mountains. We also
Page 22
visited Deadwood and saw the show of
Wild Bill Hickok in Saloon No 10. One
rainy and terribly windy day was spent in
Badlands before starting our journey back
to Chicago and our flight back home.
Just outside Chicago we had a very
nice evening with Sten Hult and his wife
Nancy in their home. We could talk about
many memories concerning Vasa and
Sten told us much about his coming to
America as a young boy. Our last day in
the USA we spent with Sten and Nancy,
as they showed us the beautiful recreation
area called Lake Katherine not far from
their home.
Of course we have lots of photos to
help us remember the many places and all
the people that we met during our trip to
America.
Submitted by: Lillemor Karlberg,
Cultural Leader
At the museum of Bishop Hill together with
Judy and Roger.
Logen
Höganäs Nr 634
På vårt Högtidsmöte den 30 januari,
2010 på Hemgården i Viken var vi 87
ordenssyskon som hade samlats. Tre stycken
kom från Logen Nybyggarna Nr
698 i Ängelholm och 29 st från Logen
Kärnan Nr 608 i Helsingborg. När gästerna
hade förts in hälsade vår O Sy Evy
Lindstrand oss alla välkomna till mötet.
Sedvanliga årsmötesförhandlingar
hölls, varefter logens nyvalda tjänstemän
installerades av DD Br Alf Nilsson med
stab från Logen Kärnan Nr 608 i
Helsingborg. Avgående tjänstemän
avtackades med vackra blommor och Br
Rolf Juveus tilldelades 10- årsmärket.
Vid efterföljande bankett utbringades
kvällens första skål till Hans Majestät
Konung Carl XVI Gustav varefter
Kungssången sjöngs.
Efter en utsökt måltid började dansen
till tonerna av Niklas Larssons enmansorkester.
I pausen hade vi sedvanligt lotteri
med många fina vinster. Kvällen gick
fort och alla gick hemåt nöjda efter en
mycket trevlig kväll.
Insänt av: KL Ingrid Berg
Bild av: Hans Bogren och
Bodil Larsson
Kvällens värdar från vänster. Br Ulf
Blomgren, Sy Ewy Blomgren, Br Bertil
Cannerhagen, Sy Ingrid Cannerhagen, Sy
Birgitta Bohlin och Br Lauritz Bohlin.
Logen Malmöhus
Nr 643
Fredagen den 8 januari 2010 hade LL
Malmöhus Nr 643 årets första logemöte.
Vår Ordförande hade varit på semesterresa
i Egypten och skadat sig, så VO Iris
Lundgren fick rycka in som Ordförande
för logemötet.
Efter mötet bjöd grupp 1 in oss till
matsalen där det serverades en laxrätt
med dillstuvad potatis. Våra kulturledare
Elisabeth och Gunilla stod för underhållningen
och lärde oss en del intressanta
saker om våra vänloger.
Insänt av: KL Elisabeth Västerstjärna
Ann-Christin Prahl serverar.
Seeking Your
Swedish Roots??
E-mail: swedengen@telia.com

Logen Nybyggarna Nr 698
Det är nytt år, 2010, och utomhus i
Skåne, ja i hela Sverige har vi det kallt
och på många platser, ett vintrigt landskap
och då är det skönt att sitta inne och
först önska alla ordensyskon, i Sverige,
USA och Kanada, ett Gott Nytt Vasaår i
sina loger.
Det gågna året, för vår loge, avslutades
den 12 december med val av
Tjänstemän för år 2010. Kontakt
Amerika, framförde en julhälsning från
SLKL Gun Lith och DKL Maureen
Bengtsson och Logen Nybyggarna.
Mötesförhandlingrna avslutades med att
KP, VO och FDO läste var sin
adventsvers under det alla syskonen stod
upp med ett tänt ljus i handen.
Efterkapitlet i gammal god jultradition
med gott julbord, lucia med tärnor som
sjöng och framförde dikter, tomten kom
med stor säck, klappar till alla snälla
“Vasabarn,” kvällen avslutades med lotteridragning,
med många fina vinster
innan arrangörerna tackades för en trevlig
Vasaafton.
Lördagen den 9 januari, började vi
årets första logemöte med att se
Engelholmsrevyn, Svart på vitt, och vi
var 34 ordensyskon som roades. Därefter
gick vi till Odd Fellows Ordens lokal och
höll årsmötesförhandlingar.
KL Gunnar, Kontakt Amerika, framförde
en “tillbakablick” på grunderna av
Bishop Hill, som många ordensyskon
under årens lopp besökt, allt sedan profeten
Eric Jansson från Biskopskulla i
Uppland kom dit med den första stora
samlade svenska gruppen. Själv har jag
varit där tillsammans med min hustru, sy
Karin, år 2001 och det var en stor
upplevelse, bl:a att av dåvarande
föreståndare, Lillemor och Richard
Ängelholm
Välkomsthälsning i ton och bjällerklang.
Horngren, få en grundlig genomgång av
den historiska byggnaden och nationella
arkivet. Vid detta tillfälle överlämnade vi
Logen Nybyggarna handmålade lergök,
Ängelholms symbol.
Arrangerande logesyskon avtackades
och en kväll i sann Vasaanda var slut.
Insänt av: Gunnar Hyberts,
Kulturledare
Logen Sundsvall
Nr 705
Logen Sundsvall har hållit sitt
årsmöte. Utöver sedvanliga mötesförhandlingar
behandlades det gångna årets
verksamhet varvid kassören och styrelsen
beviljades ansvarsfrihet. 2010 års tjänstemän
installerades i sina respektive
ämbeten av Distriktsmästarens representant
Kjell Hamrin som med sin 7-mannastab
från Härnösandslogen genomförde
installationen på ett stilfullt och vackert
sätt. Flera hälsningar till Logen framfördes
från både när och fjärran.
Efter mötet serverades en mycket god
måltid med alla tillbehör och många
uttryckte beröm över den välsmakande
måltiden. I pausen efter maten underhöll
fem elever från Kulturskolan med en
mycket uppskattad musikstund med varierat
innehåll. Flera av lyssnarna uttryckte
önskemål om återkommande besök Efter
musikstunden serverades kaffe och kaka
och ett par av logens medlemmar hyllades
med var sitt presentkort eftersom de
inträtt i “den gyllene åldern.” Kvällen
avrundades med lotteridragning.
Submitted by: Jan Hellsing
Translation Services - Översättningstjänster
Swedish to English - Svenska till engelska
Correspondence, certificates, etc. - Brevväxling, intyg, osv.
First hour free for Vasa members - Första timmen
gratis för Vasamedlemmar
Rates negotiable - Priser förhandlingsbara
Please contact: - Var god kontakta:
Cindy Coan
cjcoan@dakotacom.net
http://www.indexingbythebook.com
PO 12513, Tucson, AZ 85732-2513, USA
Tel. (520) 750-8439
Translating Service: Spanish & Swedish to English
INDEXING “BY THE BOOK”
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 23

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.
Tore Kellgren, Grand Lodge Membership Chairman
5971 W. Walbrook Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
E-mail: tore@kellgren.org
GRAND LODGE JURISDICTION NO. 0
Carl Widen #743
David Borg
DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2
Spiran #98
Fred Peterson
Joanne Peterson
Nordic #611
Christine Redfield
DL NEW YORK NO. 4
Nobel-Liljan #64
Courtney Hansen
Gote Lejon #84
Warren Dyckman
Kent Johnson
DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6
Arlington #62
Judith Beck
Robert Capuano
Kenneth Kallman
William Kastning
Igor Kusznirczuk
Kevin Miele
Jennifer Nelson
Norm Penney
Susan Penney
Heather Rollins
Lyckan #507
Walter Clifford
Vagen #588
Ann Marie Christiansen
Susan Christiansen
DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8
Brahe #245
Hazel Lingelbach
Svea #253
Cindy Gast
James Hook
Eija Vesterqvist
Linde # 492
Karen Schneble
Jubileum #755
Luther Morton
DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9
Drott #168
Alison Bennett
James Berge
Lois Berge
Donald Brown
Donna Clarke
Martha Clarke
Jeannine Danielson
Helen Farmer
Gerri Grum
John Langworthy
Jonelle Lewis
Ione Jeanne Linke
Louise Meyer
Don Morris
Marjorie Morris
Kenneth Nelson
Julie Olson
Karen O’Steen
Linda Smith
Bruce Swenson
Stephen Thoren
Carol Anne Traxler
Mavis Vandegrift
DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12
Sveaborg #449
Raymond Anderson
Marie Gagliardi
Jean Geyer
John Geyer
David Olson
Dolores Olson
Lindbergh #494
Jessica DeMartini
Mark DeMartini
Evelyn Filbeck
Loren Filbeck
Gold Nugget #662
John Gamberg
Norden #684
Curtis Burford
Valhalla Scandinavian #746
Alexis Irby
DeWitt Irby Jr.
Advertise
in the
Vasa Star
DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST NO. 13
Astor #215
Kim Dowaliby
Meg Dowaliby
Todd Dowaliby
Colleen Hensley
Elsebeth Jonsson
Cassandra Liljenwall
Geoffrey Liljenwall
DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST NO. 15
Mayflower #445
Elliott Codding
Heather Codding
Lilian Cropper
Richard Stephens
Kristina Wozniak
Nordic Heritage #741
Linda Bagby
Jane Lewis
Page 24 Vasa Star March-April 2010

CULTURE
Kisa Emigrantmuseum och Café Columbia
Ungefär 40 km söder om Linköping
ligger Kisa samhälle med ungefär 5.000
invånare. I ett rött gammalt trähus vid
Storgatan finns nu Kisa Emigrantmuseum
och Café Columbia. Huset lär ha flyttats
till sin nuvarande plats på 1700-talet, och
där inrättades ett apotek och ett laboratorium.
Apotekare Carl Gustaf Sundius var
född i Malmö och fick sin apotekarutbildning
i Tyskland. Han arbetade i
Köpenhamn och Vadstena och kom sedan
till Kisa där han 1835 fått “privilegium
på Kongl. Provincialapoteket.”
I Tyskland hade Sundius fått höra
talas om nya liberala idéer och om emigrationen
till Amerika, vilket intresserade
honom mycket. Sundius startade därför
1846 Sveriges första emigrantbyrå i
apotekshuset. Där kunde de som funderade
på att utvandra få råd och praktisk
hjälp, t.ex. hur man bar sig åt för att köpa
biljett.
Redan året innan hade den första gruppen
svenska utvandrare lämnat Kisa.
Ledare för dem var Peter Cassel, som var
född nära Kisa 1790. Han hade blivit god
vän med Sundius, som starkt påverkat
honom att emigrera genom att beskriva
Amerika som ett drömland med större
möjligheter till ett bättre liv än vad
Sverige kunde erbjuda.
Peter Cassel var en märklig man. Han
var intelligent och arbetsam. Han var
bonde, mjölnare och byggmästare. Han
hade uppfunnit och fått patent på en
tröskmaskin. Han kunde läsa och skriva
och hade till och med studerat engelska.
Han deltog också aktivt i kommunalpolitiken.
Efter många och livliga diskussioner
med sin vän, apotekaren, om fördelarna
med att utvandra, bestämde sig den 55årige,
självägande bonden Peter Cassel.
Han sålde sin gård. Tillsammans med sin
familj, några släktingar, vänner och tjänstefolk
lämnade han Kisa en tidig majmorgon
1845. De var ett sällskap på 25
personer, som via Göta Kanal tog sig till
Göteborg. Där gick de ombord på
briggen Superb och efter åtta veckors
sjöresa var de framme i New York.
Därifrån fortsatte gruppen till Iowa, där
de slog sig ner och grundade den första
svenska kolonin, som de kallade Nya
Sverige.
Från New Sweden skrev Cassel entu-
siastiska brev hem till sin vän Sundius
och beskrev sitt nya, underbara land.
Breven lästes upp för kunderna på
apoteket och spreds på Kisa Marknad i
original och avskrifter. Några av dem
trycktes även i tidningen Östgöta
Correspondenten. Breven väckte enormt
intresse och lockade många från södra
Östergötland och norra Småland att
utvandra. Mellan åren 1845 och 1915
utvandrade 1.361 personer från Kisa
socken, som då hade c:a 3.000 invånare.
På andra våningen i det röda huset
finns nu Kisa Emigrantmuseum. Det är
ett mycket litet museum, men ändå finns
där mycket intressant att se. Där finns
mängder av brev, foton, kartor, tidningar
och urklipp. Det finns kläder, smycken
och medaljer och några “amerika-koffertar”
förstås. Man kan läsa intressanta
dokument, t.ex. det om Peter Cassels
försäljning av sin gård. År 1912 reste
några emigranter från Kisa med Titanic.
Kopior av tidningsartiklar om katastrofen
och dödsannonser visas i en monter.
Cassels och Sundius´ propaganda för
att emigrera hade dock även väckt opposition
hos många. I muséet finns också
broschyrer och häften, som varnar svenskar
för att lämna sitt land för ett nytt liv
och en oviss framtid i ett okänt land.
På första våningen finns ett litet café i
gammaldags stil, Café Columbia. På vintern
brukar en brasa vara tänd i öppna
spisen. Man kan köpa hantverk och presenter
och karameller i strut och så njuta
av gott kaffe med dopp (fika) förstås. Det
var 1921 som fru Dorothéa Florén kom
hem från USA, dit hon utvandrat i sin
ungdom. Hon öppnade sitt kafé, som hon
kallade Café Columbia. Det sägs att
hennes café var ett av de första i Sverige
som serverade bryggkaffe, en nyhet hon
tagit med sig från Amerika. Hennes café
var mycket populärt och blev snart en
samlingsplats, kanske delvis beroende på
att i Columbia kunde man lyssna på den
allra första radion i Kisa, en kristallmottagare.
Sedan 1979 firas varje år i juni minnet
av Peter Cassel och den första organiserade
utvandringen, “Peter Cassel dagen.”
Initiativtagare var Kinda kommun och LL
Filbyter Nr 174, DL 19, av Vasa Orden
av Amerika.
Insänt av: Gun Lith, SLKL
Foto: Ing-Marie Wallin.
Kisa Emigrant
museum and Cafe
Columbia
About 40 kilometers south of
Linköping in the county of Östergötland,
is Kisa, a community with about 5.000
inhabitants. In an old red wooden house
at Main Street you’ll find Café Columbia
and Kisa Emigrant Museum. They say
the house was moved to its present place
in the 18th century, and on the first floor
a pharmacy and laboratory were installed.
Carl Gustaf Sundius, pharmacist, was
born in Malmö, and received his education
to become a pharmacist in Germany.
He worked in Kopenhagen and Vadstena
(a town near Linköping) before he settled
down in Kisa 1835, having been granted
the privilege to run the “Royal Provincial
Pharmacy” in Kisa.
In Germany Sundius had heard some
new liberal ideas and the emigration to
America. This had made him very curious.
In 1846 he therefore started
Sweden’s first emigrant office in the
house where his pharmacy was located.
Those who were thinking of emigrating
could visit the office and obtain advice
and useful help, for example how to buy
tickets.
The leader of the first group of
Swedish emigrants leaving Kisa was
Peter Cassel, who was born near Kisa in
1790. Earlier he had made friends with
Sundius who had strongly influenced him
to emigrate by describing America as a
“dream land” with greater possibilities to
live a better life than they could ever be
able to do in Sweden.
Peter Cassel was indeed a special man.
He was intelligent and hard-working. He
was a farmer, miller and a master builder.
He had invented and patented a threshing
machine He could read and write, and
had studied English too. He was also an
active participant in the activities of the
local community.
After many lively discussions with his
friend, the pharmacist, about the advantages
of emigration, the landowning
farmer Peter Cassel, at the age of 55, had
made up his mind. He sold his farm.
Together with his family, some relatives,
Continued on page 26
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 25

Culture
Continued from page 25
friends and servants he left Kisa on an
early May morning in 1845. There were
25 people who, via Göta Canal, arrived in
Gothenburg. There they went on board
the brig Superb and after an eight weeks´
voyage they reached New York. From
there the group went on to Iowa, where
they settled down and founded the first
Swedish colony which they called New
Sweden.
From New Sweden Cassel wrote
enthusiastic letters home to his friend
Sundius, describing their new, wonderful
country. The letters were read aloud to
the customers of the pharmacy and also
made public at Kisa Fair, both originals
and copies. Some of them were also
printed in the Östgöta Correspondenten,
a newspaper. The letters aroused great
interest and tempted many people from
southern Östergötland and northern
Småland to emigrate. Between 1845 and
1915 1.361 people emigrated from Kisa
parish where about 3.000 people lived at
that time.
On the second floor of the red house is
now the Kisa Emigrant Museum. It’s a
very small museum, but still there are
many interesting things to see. There are
lots of letters, photos, maps, papers and
cuttings. There are clothes, jewelry and
medals and some “America trunks” of
course. You can read interesting documents,
for example one recording the sale
of Peter Cassel´s farm. In 1912 some
emigrants from Kisa were on board the
Titanic. Copies of newspaper articles
about the catastrophe and death
announcements are shown in a special
showcase.
Cassel´s and Sundius´ propaganda for
emigrating had however aroused opposition
from many people. In the museum
there are also brochures and pamphlets
warning Swedes about leaving their old
country for a new life in an uncertain
future, in an unknown country.
On the first floor there is a small café,
old fashioned style, Café Columbia. In
winter there usually is a fire in the fire
place. You can buy home made crafts,
gifts and sweets in cornets (twists of
paper). Of course you can enjoy a cup of
good coffee and buns (fika). It was in
1921 Mrs. Dorothéa Florén returned from
the US and opened a café. She called it
Café Columbia. They say her café was
one of the first in Sweden to serve
brewed coffee, an idea she had brought
from America. Her café was very popular
and soon a meeting place, maybe because
in Columbia you could listen to the radio,
the first one in Kisa, a crystal receiver
set.
Since 1979 the memory of Peter
Cassel and the first organized emigration
is every year in June celebrated in Kisa,
during what is known as “Peter Cassel
Days.” Initiators were the community of
Kinda and LL Filbyter Nr 714, DL 19, of
Vasa Order of America.
Submitted by: Gun Lith, GLCD
Picture by: Ing-Marie Wallin.
Bilden är hämtad ur Turistbyråns i Kinda broschyr för 2009. Under bilden står: “Kisa
Emigrantmuseum och Café Columbia.
The picture is retrieved from the Tourist Information Bureau in the Kinda brochure for
2009. Under the picture it reads:” Kisa Emigrant museum and café Columbia.
Rebuilding the Scholarship Funds:
Pay It Forwards
In 1946, the Grand Lodge Convention
in Hartford, Connecticut, voted to establish
a scholarship fund. Initially funded at
15 cents per member, the fund was
intended to provide scholarships for college
and university studies. From the
early offering of five $300 awards, the
program has grown over the past 60 years
to become a highly successful aspect of
the Vasa community. In 2009, the Grand
Lodge was able to support the educational
goals of 16 promising students and
sent 6 more to the Sjölunden Language
Village for a total contribution of over
$30,000.
Unfortunately the future of Vasa’s
successful scholarship program is in jeopardy.
As Vice Grand Master Lundquist
reported in 2009, a declining return on
investments made it impossible to offer
the full range of awards without
encroaching on the principle. Then as
Grand Master Bergman reported in
January, the principle itself, more than
$400, 000, may have been lost through an
investment broker who is now under
investigation by the FBI.
While this loss is much regretted,
Vasa have faced difficult challenges in
the past. The principles of our Order –
Generosity, Truth, and Unity – have
drawn the membership together to
achieve many impressive goals. Indeed,
the initial proposal to create a scholarship
fund from contributions of just 15 cents
per member is one such amazing achievement.
While membership dues still contribute
to the scholarship funds, at only
$1 per member per year it would take
more than 30 years to rebuild the fund.
Since 1946, the scholarship fund is
estimated to have provided a direct benefit
to over 500 members and to have paid
out more than $800,000. I am one such
member. I am also fortunate enough to be
in a position to pay forwards the amount I
received. To that end, I pledge to set
aside $10 a week over the next two years
to return the generosity shown to me by
other members. If you are a past scholarship
recipient, I ask you to consider
whether you are able to invest in future
students for the amount you received.
Through the unity of past scholarship
winners, we can work to recover the
$400,000 that was recently lost or perhaps
even the $800,000 that was invested
in us when we needed most.
Submitted by: Sandra Petersson,
VDM DL 18
Page 26 Vasa Star March-April 2010

HAPPENINGS
Dr. Ulf Brynjestad, PGM, Awarded Second Swedish Medal
Swedish Ambassador to the USA, Jonas
Hafström, presenting Dr. Ulf Brynjestad, Past
Grand Master, with a jewel commemorating
him as an Officer First Class of the Royal
Order of the Polar Star on January 26, 2010,
at the Ambassador’s residence.
At a ceremony in the residence of
Jonas Hafström, the Ambassador of
Sweden in Washington, DC, on January
26, 2010, Dr. Ulf Brynjestad was awarded
the Officer First Class of the Royal
Order of the Polar Star.
In this way, the country of Sweden
showed Dr. Brynjestad appreciation for
his years of work promoting Swedish
ideas, culture and technology.
Dr. Brynjestad served as a commercial
liaison officer for technology and trade at
the Swedish Consulate in San Diego,
California, from 1986 to 2002. On
October 1, 2002 he was appointed Consul
for Sweden in San Diego and served until
his retirement in December 2008.
In 1992, His Majesty King Carl XVI
Gustaf of Sweden bestowed upon him the
Gold Medal of the Royal Order of the
Polar Star.
Dr. Ulf Brynjestad
Consul for Sweden, San Diego
Born in Göteborg, Sweden, September
29, 1940.
He attended public schools and upon
graduation served with the Royal
Bohuslän Infantry Regiment in
Uddevalla, where he was commissioned
2nd Lieutenant in 1960. After leaving the
service he worked as design engineer
with the Volvo Corporation, while completing
the requirements for his BS
degree in Aerospace Engineering, which
was awarded in 1963.
On July 4th, 1964, he married JoAnne
Spear in Göteborg and in September
1964, they immigrated to the United
States and settled in Southern California,
where he accepted a position as a
Research Engineer with Northrop
Corporation, first with the Aircraft
Division and later with the corporate
Research and Technology Center.
He became a US citizen in 1967.
In 1977, the Brynjestads relocated to
the San Diego area where he had accepted
employment with the General
Dynamics Corporation. He worked in
their Advanced Systems Section and rose
to the position of Deputy Director for
Strategic Defensive Systems.
In 1985, he and JoAnne started their
own consulting firm, specializing in
Systems Science, specifically Operations
Research, Long Range Strategic
Planning, Technology Forecasting, and
Large Scale Systems Integration. Their
clients were largely US as well as foreign
organizations and corporations.
He attended University of Southern
California where he received MS degrees
in Aerospace Engineering and later in
Systems Management. He attended
UCLA for his Ph.D., specializing in
Operations Research and Mathematical
Programming. He is one of few civilians
that have graduated from the National
Defense Management Course at the
National Defense University, Ft Leslie
McNair, Washington, D.C.
He was elected to public office in
1983, when he ran for a position on the
Alpine Planning Group, San Diego
County. He served until 1990, not seeking
re-election.
He was co-chair for the San Diego
NEW SWEDEN 88 committee and chairman
for the fundraising committee. He is
also the Founding President of the
Swedish-American Chamber of
Commerce, San Diego/Tijuana, and is
still serving on the Board of Directors.
He also served on the Board of Directors
of the Swedish-American Chamber of
Commerce, US. In addition to the
Chamber Board of Directors, he served
on the Board of Directors for the Optical
Sciences Company, Placentia, and the
Board of Trustees of La Jolla Institute for
Molecular Medicine.
In 1992, His Majesty, King Carl XVI
Gustaf of Sweden, bestowed upon him
the Gold Medal of the Royal Order of the
Polar Star.
In 1991, he founded Hygeia
Pharmaceutical, Inc. in San Diego, with
the mission to develop a new generation
of human health products based on the
technology of Human Monoclonal
Antibodies, and targeted initially towards
the field of human cancer therapeutics.
He took this firm public in 1992, trading
on the Vancouver Stock Exchange. He
has since started several joint ventures
with Swedish companies in the areas of
environmental technologies and medical
informatics. In 1996 he founded
NovaTelligence, Inc., a medical informatics
company specializing in artificial
intelligence in health care. He served as
Managing Director of International
Resource Center, a business development
consulting firm. In addition, he is a
licensed securities principal and monitors
the investments of an asset management
fund.
He has a commercial pilot license and
enjoys flying classical airplanes. He is
also a FAA Certified Flight Instructor.
His professional associations are the
Operations Research Society of America
(ORSA), American Pain Society and the
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
(AOPA). He is also active in the San
Diego Association of BioTech
Companies and the UCSD/CONNECT
entrepreneurial organization.
In 1986 he was appointed
“Commercial Liaison Officer” at the
Consulate in San Diego, assisting with
Technology and Trade issues. He was
appointed Consul for Sweden in San
Diego and Imperial Counties on 1
October, 2002 and served until December
2008.
Upon retirement, he moved to and
now resides in Cypress, TX.
Source: Larilyn Andre, Press Office,
Embassy of Sweden, Washington DC.
(Picture by. Rolf Bergman, Grand Master,
Vasa Order of America)
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 27

Anne Charlotte
Hanes Harvey
Ann Charlotte Hanes Harvey
Emigrantinstitutet i Växjö i samband
med Minnessotadagen 2009. Ann
Charlotte var ju Årets Svenskamerikan
2009 och hon håller i sin hand den tavla
som Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin överlämnade
till de båda svenska Distriktslogerna i
samband med hans besök i Sverige när
han mottog utmärkelsen årets Svenskamerikan
1970. 2009 var det 40 år sedan
som han landade på månen. Tavlan förvaras
på Emigrantinstitutet i Växjö.
Texten på tavlan:
Anne Charlotte Hanes Harvey
At the Institute of in Emigration in
Växjö in conjunction with
Minnessotadagen/Minnessota Day 2009.
Ann Charlotte was Swedish-American of
The Year in 2009 and is holding in her
hand the picture that Edwin “Buzz”
Aldrin gave to both of the Swedish
District lodges in connections with his
visit in Sweden when he received his
nomination as The Swedish-American of
The Year 1970. In 2009 it was 40 years
since he landed on the moon. The picture
is kept at The Institute of Emigration in
Växjö. The text reads:
• This Flag and Patch were flown to
the Moon on Apollo 11, the first
manned lunar landing, July 20,
1969.
• To the VASA Order of America in
appreciation for its contributions to
Swedish American relations.
• Presented by Col. Edwin E. Aldrin
jr. on the occasion of his visit to this
country, August 1970.
• Buzz Aldrin
Submitted by: Gunnar Mossberg,
PGLMEB, Distriktslogen
Södra Sverige Nr 20
Picture by: Gunnar Mossberg
Vasa Support Club
10 Years
The Vasa Support Club, which was
founded April 2, 2000, is a Vasa Activity
Club within the Vasa Order of America.
In the District Lodge South Sweden
No. 20, we support cultural activities
either in the district or in contacts with
USA and Canada, as well as youth activities,
i.e., recruitment and youth exchange,
Sweden-USA-Canada. We also grant
scholarships to young people, primarily
members of Vasa or their children and
grandchildren. Our program also includes
information about the Vasa Order,
recruitment of new members and other
activities for the benefit of DL 20, the
local lodges and its members.
The local lodges in DL 20 each pay an
annual fee of SEK 100, and personal
members SEK 30 per year to the Vasa
Support Club. The number of members
varies between 700 and 900 per year.
We are very optimistic and look forward
to more years where we can contribute
with our idealistic work for the
benefit of both lodges as well as single
members of the Vasa Order of America.
All our best wishes to all friends in
USA, Canada, and Sweden.
The Vasa Support Club
Rolf Arnshed
Chairman
The Vasa Support Club, bildad den 2
april 2000, är en Vasa Aktivitetsklubb
inom Vasa Orden av Amerika.
Inom Distriktslogen Södra Sverige Nr
20 stödjer vi kulturaktiviteter inom distriktet
eller vid kontakter med USA och
Kanada, ungdomsverksamhet exempelvis
rekrytering och ungdomsutbyte Sverige-
USA-Kanada. Vi lämnar också stipendier
till ungdomar, företrädesvis medlemmar
av Vasa Orden av Amerika eller
barn/barnbarn till dessa. I vårt program
ingår också information om Vasa Orden
av Amerika och rekrytering av nya
medlemmar samt övrigt som kan vara till
gagn. Lokallogerna i DL 20 betalar 100
sv. kr och enskilda medlemmar 30 sv. kr
per år och medlemsantalet i Vasa Support
Club varierar mellan 700-900 per år.
Vi ser med optimism fram emot ytterligare
år där vi med vårt idéella arbete kan
glädja såväl loger som enskilda medlemmar
inom Vasa Orden av Amerika.
Med många hälsningar till våra vänner
i USA, Kanada och Sverige.
Styrelsen för Vasa Support Club
Rolf Arnshed, Ordförande
TIDBITS
Why Learn to Speak
the Language?
By Ann Marie Richardson, DL #12
I want to share two valuable lessons I
learned that prompted me to learn to
speak Swedish, my father’s native
tongue.
This first incident happened on my
first trip to Sweden when I was 14 years
old. My older sister and I accompanied
my father for five weeks, moving from
summer “stuga” to summer “stuga,” fishing
a lot and driving around looking for
moose (well ok, DAD was looking for
moose, WE were looking for boys).
Being young teenage girls, we were dismayed
by the fact that there were many
cute boys around, and no convenient
showers, blow-dryers or electric curling
irons in these stages. Finally, my sister
and I could stand it no longer and one
afternoon, when my father was out on the
lake fishing, we went into the cabin and
scrounged around for shampoo or soap of
some sort. We found some under the cabinet
in the kitchen.
Knowing we were headed back to civilization
that afternoon, we wanted to
look dazzling, and so braved the ice-cold
water to bathe. We got our hair wet, lathered
in the soap and steeled ourselves for
submersion in the cold water. The minute
the cold water closed over our heads, the
“soap” hardened on our hair and solidified
into a gummy mess. Imagine our
horror, when we were unable to rinse it
out and had to return to our Aunt and
Uncle’s house with bandanas tied over
our heads, not looking very glamorous.
My father almost keeled over laughing
when he told us we had used floor wax in
place of shampoo. Had we learned a bit
of Swedish, we could have figured out
what “på golvet” meant, and avoided this
disaster!
Now fast-forward to the year 2000.
Again, my sister and I make a pilgrimage
to Sweden; this time without our dear
father, who passed away a few years
prior. We spent a wonderful two weeks
visiting family, eating and drinking a lot,
living in summer “stugor,” and this time,
when we drove around the forests, we
actually looked for MOOSE and not
boys. We also brought our own shampoo
wherever we went.
Continued on page 29
Page 28 Vasa Star March-April 2010

Why Learn to Speak the
Language?
Continued from page 28
As frequently happens to me when I
burn the candle at both ends, I came
down with a cold. It was a few days
before we were scheduled to return to
America, and I’d drunk all of the tea and
orange juice in the “stuga,” huddled by
the fire (it was a cold and rainy summer
in Hälsingland that year) and still didn’t
feel any better. So we drove into town
and confidently strode into ICA to buy
some vitamin C. We thoughtfully
scanned the shelves and tried to look
nonchalant until we spied a tube marked
“Vitamin C.” Bingo! Who says you need
to learn the language!?
We left the store feeling very self-sufficient
and pleased with ourselves, and as
my sister started up the car, I peeled open
the vitamin C tube. Hmmmm! These pills
were a lot larger than the ones I was used
to in America. This must mean they are
chewable, like the ones I give the kids.
So I put one in my mouth and began to
chew. As my sister maneuvered the car
around the parking lot, she watched my
face out of the corner of her eye.
Suddenly my cheeks began to puff out
and my eyes got big. This was unlike any
vitamin C I’d ever had before! I had to
hurry and roll down my window and lean
my head out to spit…. Foam had filled
my mouth and was rolling down my chin
and people were beginning to stare. She
asked with alarm what was wrong and I
managed to convey that this was some
sort of effervescent tablet, and not a
chewable. She began to laugh uncontrollably,
which affected her driving, and the
last picture Edsbyn had of us that year
was our Volvo weaving recklessly out of
the ICA parking lot, me hanging out the
passenger-side window with a vitamin C
foam trail down the door and dotting the
pavement. I learned the hard way what
“lösa sig i vatten” means.
When I returned to California, I
searched out a Swedish teacher and
signed up for the very next class. I
encourage everyone planning a visit to
Sweden to do the same.
By Ann Marie Richardson, DL #12
love art of most any kind. They had done
a show in November at the Cleveland
Institute of Art, which I was sorry I had
missed, so I decided to see if there were
any info/pictures on it from the web. I
pulled up an article which disclosed that
all 17 designers were women and it
admitted that fact wasn’t widely publicized,
but only in fine print – I guess,
with good reason. Read on. The article
included a few pictures of pieces that I
thought had really lovely, pleasing
shapes, color and design. The article went
on to say, “A quick scan of images provided
by the art institute indicates there’s
no reason to think the show will be any
less exciting than a show on Swedish
designers of both genders.” I just had to
laugh! That poor writer, Steve Litt of
University Circle Guide, must think we
are still living in the dark ages thinking
that women are less talented! We’ve
come a long way from the Swedish artist
and designer’s day, Carl Larsson, when
they wouldn’t even let a woman into their
Art League! I guess you just have to
chuckle in the end! :)
Anyway, the women’s work is great.
If interested, here’s the article:
http://www.cleveland.com/arts/index.ssf/
2009/11/17_swedish_designers_debuts
fr.html. Enjoy! And thanks for all your
extra work with the St. Lucia articles and
the rest of the magazine. Great work!
Sincerely, Linda Sacrison
Thompson, Three Crown Lodge No. 38,
Stamford, CT
När Hollywood kom
till Jämtland
Superstjärnan George Clooney har
besökt byn Singsjön strax utanför Östersund
för att spela in en scen ur filmen
“The American” och handlar om lönnmördaren
Jack, som gör ett jobb i Sverige
som går snett. Exakt vilken scen som
teamet filmade hölls topphemligt. Under
ca en vecka befann sig ett filmteam på ca
95 personer i det jämtländska samhället,
däribland George Clooney.
Clooney landade på Östersunds
Flygplats i ett reguljärt SAS-plan som
alla andra och blev snabbt upphämtad av
en svart Volvo. Han vinkade glatt till
folksamlingen. Han stannade till vid
Hotel Clarion och med polis och säkerhetsvakter
fortsatte de till en liten timmerstuga
i Singsjön i Brunflo. Där fanns
också en turnébuss till förfogande endast
tillägnad Clooney.
Clooney såg ut att njuta av tillvaron
trots kylan på ca 21 minusgrader, värmde
sig gjorde man bl a med att ha snöboll-
skrig. Enligt källor såg det tydligen ut
som om han tycker att Singsjön är den
bästa platsen på jorden!
Marie Carlson, VS
Källa: Vänner i Östersund samt
lokalpress i Östersund, Jämtland.
When Hollywood
Came to Jämtland
Megastar George Clooney has visited
the village of Singsjön just outside Östersund
to play a scene from the movie “The
American” which is about a murderer
named Jack that does a job in Sweden
that has gone wrong. Exactly which scene
the crew filmed was held top secret. For
about a week the film team of approximately
95 people stayed in the Province
of Jämtland, including George Clooney.
Clooney had landed at the Östersund
Airport in a regular SAS-airplane just
like everyone else and was quickly
picked up in a black Volvo. He waved
happily to the enthusiastic crowd. He
made a brief stop at Hotel Clarion and
with police and security guards he continued
to a small cottage in Singsjön in
Brunflo. There was also a bus/trailer for
his personal disposal.
Clooney looked as if he enjoyed himself
despite of the cold at approximately
minus 21 degrees Celsius, among the
things they did to stay warm was having
snowball fights. According to sources, it
looked as he thought that Singsjön is the
best place on earth.
By: Marie Carlson, VS
Sources: Friends in Östersund and
Local Papers from Östersund, Jämtland.
Thank You
Don Melin!
The term of
Brother Don Melin
as chairman of
Skandia #549 will
soon come to a
close. With no disrespect
to dedicated
members of our
organization, or to
those who came
before him, I cannot
recall any individual
that has committed
Don Melin
more time, energy, and personal sacrifice
Regarding 17 Swedish
to this position. It seems Don has been
involved everywhere, with everything, and
Designers
everyone. In the many years that Brother
I’m so glad that I read the Star cover
Don has been chairman I have come to
to cover, starting at the back, as I always
realize that his level of commitment
do! On page 34, the article on the 17
comes with a high personal price. It comes
Swedish Designers caught my eye as I Continued on page 30
Vasa Star March-April 2010 Page 29

IN MEMORY OF
Leona Anderson
January 25, 1921 - June 19, 2009
Leona’s ancestors were from Sweden
so it was natural that she would be interested
in the culture and you would find
her energies being channeled to those
areas. She was a member of The Vasa
Order of America, Skandia Lodge #549,
where she was Cultural Leader for a
number of years. She joined Skandia
Lodge #546 in 1972. She was born in
Agremont, AB.
I had the opportunity to work with her
on certain projects. Leona Anderson,
Evelyn Johnson, Verna Larson and
myself served as Reading Partners at
Norwood Public School. We chose this
project to recognize the first one hundred
years since the Vasa Order of America
was founded in 1896. We spent 1994,
1995, 1996 on Tuesdays with these children.
In 1997 a request came from nine
teachers to speak to two classes at
Kendall School for Young Offenders.
There were two classes of 40 and 25.
Leona and I spent time with one group
and then switched. There was a lot of
community action over the years.
Erecting exhibits for Christmas at the
Festival of Trees and Provincial Museum
showcases for the holiday season.
Citizenship Court at Canada Place -
During the tour of the Citizenship court
Judge, Margaret Osbaldeston we served
coffee and pastries for the 40-50 new citizens
in each class During our membership
in the Women’s Canadian Club
Leona and I served on the Board for two
terms – she was the Secretary and I handled
Special Events
She was interested in the Scandinavian
Languages and as a member of The
Scandinavian Studies Association was
active in our fundraising. In 1994 we
went together to the Vasa Order of
America Grand Lodge Convention in
Hartford, CT. In 1997 we made a trip to
Turkey and Greece.
Leona never turned you down for any
volunteer work unless she had a family
commitment or traveling. She liked
Minot, ND, a lot of Scandinavian presence
and daily artists performing. Thank
you Leona for always responding with
your sincere, positive replies.
Submitted by: Linnea Lodge
and Verna Larson,
Skandia Lodge #549
Ralph Ohrn
(1925 -2009)
Ralph Henry Ohrn was born on
December 2, 1925, on a farm west of
Calmar, and attended Progress School, a
mile south of the home place. He passed
away on September 1, 2009 in Edmonton,
AB. Ralph joined Skandia Lodge #549 on
October 1, 1979.
After graduating from high school,
Ralph chose teaching as a career, and in
1946 began in Funnell School near Breton,
later in Sunnybrook, Alder Flats, Mirror,
and finally in Edmonton where he taught
for many years at Bonnie Doon Composite
High School. Here he actually taught
Brother Don Melin, Chairman of Skandia
#549.
As he was born and raised on the farm,
he had a particular interest in tractors,
especially John Deeres. He and his wife
Mary enjoyed weekends and holidays at
their acreage east of Edmonton, and, of
course, there he made use of his tractor,
preparing the ground for their garden.
Ralph loved to travel. He and Mary visited
many parts of Europe: England,
France (and naturally Sweden), Egypt,
Jerusalem, Colombia and most of the
states in U.S.A. At home he had his
favorite hobbies – gardening and woodworking,
He made multi-layered boxes
and gave them as raffle prizes at Vasa
meetings, as well as gifts for friends and
family.
For over twenty years Ralph and Mary
were active in the Rundle Mission at
Pigeon Lake. It was a retreat/holiday center
that was built to commemorate Robert
Rundle who was the first Protestant missionary
in the west.
Ralph was very Swede-oriented. He
attended Swedish classes starting about
1973-74 under Marianne Lindvall. He
took a summer course in Sweden, and also
took occasional courses from the
Edmonton Public School Board’s
Continuing Education program whenever
they were available. Ralph then decided to
fill the void by organizing group lessons in
private homes. He phoned all the Swedes
he thought might be interested, and a
group of about ten began to meet regularly
under the guidance of Marianne Lindvall.
This continued for several years, with
Ralph as organizer. About 1987 several
who had attended various Swedish classes
decided that in order to maintain their language
skills; it would be a good idea to
meet for lunch every Tuesday, at various
venues in south Edmonton. This became
the “Swedish Luncheons” and continues to
this day, but Ralph’s absence is very
noticeable.
Ralph leaves his wife Mary and three
children, Douglas, Susan and Jocelyn.
Submitted by: Verna Larson and
Linnea Lodge,
Skandia Lodge #549
Thank You
Continued from page 29
with more work than thanks... it comes
with more listening than being heard....and
it comes with more giving than receiving.
But in between the meetings, events,
and casinos… aside from the Swedish
meatballs, pancakes, and aquavit… and
in spite of the bylaws, rituals, and
ceremony… there exists something much
more valuable. It can be found in the
strength of his character, the quirkiness of
his humor, the sensitivity of his heart, the
gentleness of his spirit, and the depth of
his caring and compassion for us all.
Don represents everything this organization
stands for. He personifies what is
good in all of us. With all the uncertainty
in this world, it is through him and others
like him, that we find stability in the foundation
of our community and in our lives.
From people like Don Melin I discovered
the true strength of our organization
is not on the VASA calendar, or in the
pride of what we accomplish, or in the
enthusiasm of where we are headed.
Our true strength waves no flags and
makes no noise. It resides quietly within
each of us....forever connecting us... in
who we are... where we have come from...
and what we mean to each other. From
Don Melin I learned that everything
Skandia #549 needs to be... it already is.
I am privileged to have Don as my
brother... my neighbor... my friend. There
are no gold stars, awards, or trophies to
display for his efforts. So please accept
my heart felt thanks Brother Don... on a
long and challenging job so very well
done... and most importantly... for being
so generous with who you really are… for
treating us equally... for listening openly
to opposing points of view....and for
revealing the true meaning of the words
“Brother” and “Sister.” If ever you
thought some of us never noticed....
please know that we have.
Submitted by: Ray Wold, Past
Chairman of Skandia Lodge #549,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Currently the District Deputy to
Skandia from District Alberta #18
Page 30 Vasa Star March-April 2010

In Memoriam
Till minne av hädangångna
ordenssyskon genom vilkas
bortgång syskonkretsen gjort
en kännbar förlust
In memory of our departed
members who will be
sorely missed
CALIFORNIA
NANCY BAUER, passed away on January 4, 2010, at
Sonoma, CA. She was born in Winnipeg, Canada, on May
27, 1929. She was very active in historical and volunteer
societies and in Linnea Lodge #504 for 23 years. Nancy is
survived by 2 daughters, 1 son, 2 grandchildren, nieces,
nephews and many friends.
JOSEPH NUNES passed away on October 20, 2009, in
San Juan Capistrano, CA. He was born on March 18, 1920,
in Faro, Portugal and joined Mayflower Lodge #445 on
July 7, 1960. He received his Life Membership as well as
his 25- and 40-year pins.
LORETTA WENDELL passed away on January 15,
2010, in El Segundo, CA, at the age of 80 years. She was
born in Fond du Lac, WI, on July 13, 1929, and joined
Mayflower Lodge #445 on December 20, 1956. She served
our lodge as Secretary for 15 years and was the District
Lodge DLPSW #15 as Assistant Secretary. She received
her 25-, 40-, and 50-year pins and was a Life Member in
1995.
ELIZABETH ANN WOOLF passed away December 20,
2009, in Rocklin, CA, at the age of 87 years. She was born
on May 3, 1922, in New Castle, IN. Elizabeth, better
known as Betty, was initiated into Sierra Kronan Lodge
#737 in June of 1997. Betty enjoyed photography, wine
tasting and singing in Sweet Adelines. She is survived by
her daughter Sharry Green and grandson Rhett Butler.
COLORADO
ANNE LORRAINE FALK, 79, of Arvada, CO, passed
away in Arvada, CO. She was born April 14, 1930, in
Arvada, CO, and retired as a Denver Public School teacher.
She was initiated into Enighet Lodge #178 on May 26,
1996. Anne was also a member of The Swedish Club of
Denver, The Augustana Church Choir, and Board Member
for the Arvada Cemetery.
SJODIN A. MATS, 84, of Denver, CO, passed away on
February 7, 2010. He was born on April 21, 1925, in
Resele, Sweden. He was initiated into Enighet Lodge #178
on January 24, 1993. Mats is survived by his wife Helma, 2
sons David and Arne, 2 granddaughters Sara and Amy.
Mats was a founding member of The Swedish Club of
Denver in 1958, where he was an active member as well as
The Augustana Lutheran Church.
CONNECTICUT
LILLIE G. FLODIN, beloved sister and aunt, passed
away peacefully on Christmas Day, (December 25, 2009),
at the age of 84 years. She was born in New Britain, CT, on
May 18, 1925. Lil lived her whole life in Hartford, CT.
After she graduated from Hartford High, she was employed
by The Travelers Insurance Co., where she devoted herself
and stayed for 49 years. A lifelong member of Emanuel
Lutheran Church in Hartford, she was proud of her
Swedish Heritage and belonged to The Vasa Order of
America’s Norden Lodge #1. She loved the Golden Age of
Movies, English royalty, traveling and the arts. Lil is survived
by her devoted sister, Ethel T. Saaf of West Hartford,
and also leaves her nephews, nieces and family to whom
she was always so inspiring and loving, Robert Saaf of
NYC, David Saaf and his wife Paula of East Hartford,
Susan Currier and her husband Roger and daughter Sara of
New Hampshire, Donald Saaf and his wife Julie and sons
Isak and Ole of Vermont, and Kristine and Ed Bittner of
Guilford, CT. She will always be remembered and loved
and missed very much.
CLARA SOMODY LARSON passed away on January
10, 2010 at the age of 100 years. She was born on
December 28, 1909, in Eleanora, PA. She joined Three
Crown Lodge #38, Stamford, CT, on November 16, 1973.
She is survived by her daughter Louisa and her grandson
Scott.
MICHIGAN
CATHERINE “KATE” NYQUIST FULLER passed
away October 24, 2009, in Benton Harbor, MI. Kate was
the proud daughter of the famous Swedish Physicist Harry
Nyquist. Kate’s husband, Marv, passed away six months
ago. They were active members of Joe Harbor Lodge #534
since April of 1996 and enjoyed attending district conventions.
OHIO
EVELYN L. BROOCKER, age 94, passed away in
Middlefield, OH, on January 24, 2010. She was the beloved
wife of the later Peter “Red” Broocker. Evelyn was born in
Halland, Sweden, on May 8, 1915. She was an Honorary
Life Member of Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130, having joined
the lodge on August 1, 1932.
JEAN (Campbell) JANKE, 83, passed away on
November 25, 2009. She was an artist, potter, and musician,
as well as a Montessori teacher. Jean was dedicated to
home and family and was preceded in death by her husband
Joseph and her daughter Teresa Ann. She is survived by
daughter Jeanne (Paul) Catalano, and grandchildren John,
Josh, Jean, Paul, and Genevieve. Jean was born on May 13,
1926, in Cleveland, OH, and joined Nobel-Monitor Lodge
#130 on February 13, 1994.
VIOLA HJELM (nee Berglund), age 90, died December
16, 2009. She was the beloved wife of the late Sten, dear
mother of Marie (Toby) Hammar, and Glenn (Patricia)
Hjelm, grandmother of Tomas (Camilla) Hammar, Monika
(Agnar) Dalbakk, Bryan and Gary Hjelm, great-grandmother
of Malte and Tyra Hammar and Markus and Amanda
Dalbakk. Viola was born on June 1, 1919, in Cleveland,
OH. She joined Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 on September
27, 1935, and was a Life member.
PAUL E. JOHNSON passed away on January 31, 2010, at
the age of 89. He was born on June 26, 1920, in
Youngstown, OH, and was initiated into Harmony Lodge
#465 on June 11, 1964. He is survived by his daughters
Karen James of Canfield and Janis Markusic of Maryland.
His wife, the former Sarah P. Petty, died on March 19,
2005.
NORMA N. WILSON, passed away recently. She was
born on December 3, 1919, in Akron, OH, and joined
Nobel-Monitor Lodge #130 on May 2, 1987. She was the
beloved wife of the late William D., dear mother of Laurel
Wilson of Santa Cruz, CA, Carol Forsythe (Peter) of
Detroit, MI, and Mary C. Wilson of Northampton, MA,
loving grandmother of James Forsythe, sister of Inez Beck
and the late Ruth Frye.
OREGON
MICHAEL (DOC) BUCHMAN passed away on January
31, 2010, in Astoria, OR, at the age of 92 years. Michael
was born in Winnipeg, Canada, on April 21, 1917, and was
initiated into Astor Lodge #215 in Astoria, on May 14,
1992. A kind and faithful member, he will be sorely
missed. Michael is survived by his wife, Jean, 1 son and 4
step-children and families.
MYRTLE N. DREYER passed away on January 3, 2010,
at the age of 89 years. She was a member of Astor Lodge
#215. Myrtle was born on August 31, 1920, in Astoria, OR,
and joined Astor Lodge #215 on November 10, 1983. She
was a faithful member who never tired of promoting
Swedish heritage, traditions and language. She served Astor
Lodge tirelessly on many committees, as lodge Treasurer,
Cultural Leader, Vice Chairman, Master of Ceremonies,
and Trustee. Myrtle’s passing is not only a loss to Astor
Lodge, but to the whole Astoria Scandinavian community
as well. She will be sorely missed. Myrtle is survived by
her husband of 66 years, Clarence, a daughter Judith, and
numerous nieces and nephews.
PENNSYLVANIA
DOROTHY ANN STEN of Washington, PA, passed away
November 26, 2009, at the age of 80 years. She was born
January 22, 1929, and was initiated into Balder Lodge #308
on May 24, 1952.
WASHINGTON
LILLY INGEBORG MOEN (Strand), member of Frihet
Lodge #401, passed away on December 31, 2009, at the age
of 88. Lilly was born in Spokane, WA, on June 7, 1921.
She joined Frihet Lodge in 1985, and was a 1993 delegate
to convention and former Chaplain. Other activities included:
Swedish Women’s Chorus (since 1953), Vannerna
Circle (Swedish Club), Nordic Heritage Museum, and Sons
of Norway organizations. A highlight of her life was when
she was the sole greeter and hostess to King Carl Gustaf
XVI and Queen Silvia during their tour of the Museum.
Lilly was preceded in death by her husband Anders Moen
and son Jon Anders. She is survived by her brother Richard
Strand, of Portland, OR. We will miss her.
WISCONSIN
MARION ANDERSON, age 88, of Madison, WI, passed
away on December 17, 2009. Marion was born in
Milwaukee, WI, and moved to Madison after retirement.
She was a member of Linde Lodge #492 since 1984. She
also loved to travel and enjoyed needle working and quilting.
Marion is survived by sisters, brothers, nieces,
nephews, and many friends. She will be missed by all.
RALPH H. “BUD” WESLING, of Ashland, WI, passed
away on December 10, 2009. He is survived by his wife,
Alice, and other relatives and friends. Ralph was always a
good and helpful person to his family and helped building
storages for our lodge. He was a member in Linde Lodge
#492 since 1982. We will miss him.
CANADA
ALICE RAGNA SORENSEN was born on June 4, 1933,
in Lindum, Denmark, and passed away on August 28,
2009, in Victoria, BC. She joined Skandia Lodge #549, on
May 6, 1961. She is survived by her loving family, daughter
Joanne (Garth) and Linda (Roy), her grandchildren,
Kelly, Lauran, Michael and Mitchell, her sister Sonja and
brother Benny (Lise), the loving family of Kief and many
dear and wonderful friends. Over the past 50 years, Alice
loved spending time with her family and friends at the
cabin at Vasa Park, Pigeon Lake, Alberta. She also enjoyed
many happy years living in White Rock and Victoria, BC.
Alice loved dancing, traveling, cooking, painting, drawing,
knitting, sewing, quilting, needlepoint, reading, doing puzzles,
playing Yahtzee and Scrabble. She was very gracious
in showing our members how to make those beautiful
open-faced sandwiches. The service was conducted by
Pastor Scott Brown at Vasa Park Clubhouse, Pigeon Lake,
Alberta.
ERLING ROGER WINQUIST was born in Edmonton,
AB, on March 9, 1933, and passed away in Ft.
Sasakatchewan on January 2, 2010. He joined Skandia
Lodge #549 on July 2, 1960. Erling leaves his children,
Carey (Donna Mae), Sandra, Jody (Donovan), Todd, his
adopted family Michael and Tamara Olynyk, 8 grandchildren,
4 sisters, June Young, Violet Watson, Sonja Sund and
Doreen Heeks, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and a
large number of friends. A celebration of his life was held.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vasa
Summer Camp, checks payable to VOA Skandia Lodge
#549, c/o Leslie Morris, 6412-102A Avenue, Edmonton,
AB T6A 0R7. As a young parent he gave of his time to the
Kindsmen Club and was busy with the Rainmaker’s Rodeo,
St. Albert, AB. After 40 years of age you step up to the
senior group known as K40. He and his family spent many
summers at Vasa Park, Pigeon Lake. He was employed
with the Province of Alberta, Department of Forestry. He
retired at age 55 and was able to purchase a two-story
home at Vasa Park. He enjoyed fishing and often would
smoke these fish. During Camp Week at Vasa Park he
would contact Hole Greenhouses for some plants to be
placed in a flower bed located under the Vasa Park
entrance sign. Some of the students enjoyed designing the
layout for the new plants. Erling was a resource inventory
specialist with Bartech Photogrammetric Surveys. They
specialized in air photo interpretation, mosaics, satellite
imagery and mapping. As president of Integrated Remote
Sensing Ltd. (IRS) he was responsible for forest cover
interpretation, forest fire mapping and interpretation. All
this work was carried out from Hangar 6A, Municipal
Airport, Edmonton, AB.
MEMORIAL NOTICES
should be mailed with check or money
order to: Marie Carlson, 9560 Curberry
Drive, Mentor, OH 44060. The fee is $8.00
for 1 column inch. Longer obituaries
will be charged a flat rate of $25.00. All
notices MUST be typed and WRITTEN in
a format similar to those in this column.
NO newspaper clippings.

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