nordstjernan The Swedish Newspaper of America
Published by Swedish News. Volume 143 No. 15, September 15, 2015. Price per copy $2.50
Page 21-36
Biking in Sweden isn’t a form of exercising, it’s a means of transportation and perhaps even a love affair. When Swedes aren’t biking or taking public transportation, they’re walking. Turn to page 4 for a walk through the Norrmalm/Vasagatan region of Stockholm: ‘My Old Neigborhood’
Photo: Kristoffer Pettersson
This Week, Page 7
Milestones When some of you read this, we’ll have passed our 144th anniversary — yes, our first issue hit the streets of New York on September 21, 1872. That thought is still mind boggling to me as a rather recent immigrant. Our co-editor, Amanda Olson Robison, however, is 100% Swedish American with great grandparents immigrating at the end of the 19th century. Her ancestors must have come through New York, and perhaps walked past our first office at 52 Broadway, a mere stone’s throw from Battery Park. What a sight it was when the first newspaper came back from the presses: The newly arrived Swedes were met not just by street peddlers and hustlers of every kind but by Nordstjernan’s greeting to “take a look at the latest news from the homeland and Välkommen till Amerika! ” Välkommen back to Nordstjernan after our August hiatus! UBM,
Page 8 Chicken stew with root vegeatables, beans...
In Brief, Page 2, 3
Not a single car in Stockholm on September nine / Men in Sweden now outnumber women / Malmö at the top among bike friendly citites/ Swedish library is No. 1 in the world / Royal baby / Best brunch anywhere!
Feature, Page 6 If you’re lucky, dill-cooked, salty crayfish were overflowing at an end-of-summer party near you. The kräftskiva, a traditionally Swedish crayfish party, has taken on a life of its own in some areas of the U.S., including a song contest devoted specifically to the tasty crustacean ( … with schnapps, of course). / Pages 6, 10, 11
Ideas based on another Bergman
While we celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of the Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman (1915-1982), another Bergman is thought of and often associated with her, though there is no relation between the two. Ingmar Bergman (1918-2007) was also Swedish, he also worked in film, and he even included Ingrid in his 1978 film “Autumn Sonata” (“Höstsonaten”), but the actress and film director weren’t related. A few years ago, a newcomer to the club of Ingmar Bergman fans joined the staff at the House of Sweden in San Diego, and she realized it was the perfect opportunity to share her new-found appreciation for the renowned / Page 9 master of dramatic film.
The winning schnapps song of 2015 also won the audience’s runner-up award.
Sports, Page 19
Carlstad Crusaders became 2015 European champions after defeating Serbian champions Vukovi Belgrade in the final.
Swede of the Year, Page 16
news in brief. page 2
Swedish News
Stockholm’s city center didn’t have a single car driving through it on September 9.
No cars for a greener Stockholm
Stockholm city center didn’t have a single car driving through it on September 9. The cosmopolitan capital was the largest city joining more than 200 cities in Europe during a one-day ban on all automobile traffic in its city center. It’s hard to imagine it can be done, but Swedes are already driving less and walking more; and Stockholm’s buses run ‘round the clock on renewable energy. It is one of the cleanest cities in Europe, and for many reasons, including its strong pollution control efforts, Sweden was the European Green Capitol in 2010. “By closing the streets to cars for one day … we hope the citizens of Stockholm will be inspired to choose alternative modes of transport instead of the car,” said Daniel Helldén, head of Stockholm’s traffic division. Piteå and Lycksele in northern Sweden, Täby in central Sweden and Älmhult and Varberg in the south also signed up to go car-free for the day.
Men in Sweden now outnumber women
For the first time in Swedish history, as the total population edges toward 10 million, new interim data shows there are more men than women living in the Nordic country. More boys than girls are born every year in Sweden, but they are usually outlived by women, giving the nation’s female population the edge. But on Aug. 17, 2015 Statistics Sweden revealed that women have been in the minority in Sweden since March 20. The population has increased in all provinces, except Norrbotten, and as of June 2015, Sweden’s population was 9,793,172. This is nearly 46,000 more than at the end of 2014, mainly due to a relatively high immigration. Statistics Sweden suggests the shifting demographics are due largely to the fact that more men than women immigrate to Sweden to seek asylum and find work. The breakdown: 4,894,904 women vs 4,898,268 men. The biggest increases are in the major cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
Flyktingkrisen är en ödesfråga för EUs framtid på EU-nivå. “Det finns inget alternativ till att hitta en Sydsvenska Dagbladet gemensam lösning”, konstaterar Öster6 september 2015 rikes förbundskansler Werner Faymann. Stödet för ett öppet och humant Europa Enbart under lördagsdygnet beräknas förenar.Människor runt om i landet har uppemot 10 000 flyktingar ha nått engagerat sig i insamlingar och nä- den österrikiska gränsbyn Nickelsdorf. tupprop. Under söndagen slöt såväl de Nu kräver Faymann att det ordnas ett politiska ungdomsförbunden, som stod extrainsatt toppmöte om flyktingssitubakom manifestationen, som tusentals ationen inom EU direkt efter det ordinarie andra människor upp i regnet på Med- inrikesministermötet den 14 september. borgarplatsen i Stockholm. Insikten om att frågan försummats På talarlistan stod bland annat statsmin- börjar sjunka in runt om i Europa. Storbriister Stefan Löfven (S). tanniens premiärminister David Cameron Äntligen tog han alltså till orda, men för meddelar till exempel att landets särskilda sent för att likna verkligt statsmannaskap. program för utsatta personer ska utökas. Nu gäller det att han utnyttjar kommande Det handlar dock fortfarande om tillfällen att visa politisk initiativkraft skamligt låga nivåer i förhållande till i flyktingfrågan – och då inte minst på landets storlek och antalet flyktingar i europeisk nivå. Det är alltjämt inom Europa. Och Cameron ställer sig fortEU som kärnfrågorna måste lösas kring satt avvisande till förslag om jämnare hanteringen av flyktingströmmen från fördelning av asylsökande inom unionen. krigets Mellanöstern. Teoretiskt verkar Han har förstås en svår balansgång att unionssamarbetet idealiskt som plattform gå i Europafrågorna. Före utgången av för att lösa akuta migrationsfrågor. Vad 2017 ska britterna folkomrösta om EUpassar bättre vid gränsöverskridande medlemskapet och enligt en ny mätning utmaningar än mellanstatligt samarbete vill en majoritet lämna unionen. Men så med överstatliga inslag? Problemet är de tenderar den brittiska EU-debatten också enorma skillnaderna i medlemsstaternas att handla om avgiftsnivåer och Brysselsyn på unionens humanitära ansvar och byråkrati. Cameron hade gott kunnat ta roll. Medan några länder öppnar sina tillfället i akt att visa att Europapolitiken gränser för flyktingarna gör andra sitt rör något mer och större – som att hjälpa yttersta för att hålla dem ute. människor som flyr för sina liv. Men faktum kvarstår: oavsett hur de Tyskland väntas ta emot cirka 800 enskilda unionsländerna agerar, så står 000 flyktingar i år, utan att det medför de inför en gemensam utmaning och kan vare sig skattehöjningar eller äventyrad då knappast avstå från att söka lösningar budgetbalans, betonar förbundskansler Gästledare
Angela Merkel. I Sverige väcks nu frågan om att utöka antalet så kallade kvotflyktingar enligt FN:s program för vidarebosättning. Folkpartiledaren Jan Björklund vill se en fördubbling jämfört med dagens nivå. Han uppmanar statsministern att snarast kalla till partiledaröverläggningar om flyktingkrisen. Det skulle vara på sin plats. Allianspartierna och de rödgröna står trots allt nära varandra i migrationspolitiken. Och det finns av allt att döma mycket att diskutera. Flera av partiledarna har de senaste dagarna gjort utspel i frågan. Möjligen kommer Stefan Löfven snart också med något nytt förslag. I sitt tal betonade han i alla fall att alla landets kommuner ska ta emot flyktingar och att ingen ska kunna smita undan. Men så här långt är det bara på EU-nivå som han talar om behov av ett tvingande och permanent omfördelningssystem. “Sverige ska fortsätta att ta sitt ansvar i detta. Men det räcker inte. Hela Europa måste göra mer.” Det lär bli snarlika tongångar när Löfven träffar Merkel i Berlin på tisdag. Som ledare för två av de länder som tar emot flest flyktingar borde de kunna tala sig samman inför kommande EU-möten. Det europeiska samarbetet föddes ur erfarenheterna av andra världskriget, påminner Löfven. “Nu måste vi återigen bestämma oss: Vilket Europa ska vi ha?” Svaret på den frågan avgör i förlängningen EU:s framtid.
The stories, the traditions, the people behind the news — NORDSTJERNAN A tradition since 1872, covering three worlds: Sweden, America, and Swedish America order your own copy, $55.00 for a year (22 issues) at www. nordstjernan.com—choose 'subscribe' or call 1.800.827.9333 x10
Bike friendly Malmö
Already known for trying alternative modes of transportation, Swedes are ridings their bikes more than ever. And that’s taken very seriously. The annual Copenhagenize Index recognizes cities that focus on improving infrastructure, which can include “reestablishing the bicycle on the urban landscape.” That’s exactly what Malmö in southern Sweden has done, earning it praise for being the sixth most bike-friendly city in the world, according to 2015’s index of cycling in urban environments. Europe dominated the 2015 rankings, although Buenos Aires and Minneapolis made their debuts this year. Other top cities are Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Strasbourg, Antwerp and Seville.
Swedish library is No. 1 in the world
Kista Library has won the Public Library of the Year Award 2015. The international prize, given by the Danish Arts Agency, was awarded on August 16 at the annual meeting of the Library Unions World Federation (IFLA). Kista Library, whose convenient, multicultural location in northwest Stockholm helped its win, had stiff competition around the world.
Nordstjernan, September 15, 2015
Founded in New York City in September 1872 Editor & Publisher: Ulf Barslund Mårtensson (editor@nordstjernan.com) – www.nordstjernan.com Assistant Editor: Amanda Olson Robison Managing editor & Production: Everett Martin Metro Editor: Eva Stenskär Sports Editor: Chipp Reid Design: Daniel Berubé-Arbello Contributors: Valorie Arrowsmith - Terry Lee Blunk - Julie Lindahl - Claes Magnusson - Ulf Nilson Kristina Hall - Leif Rosqvist - Ulf Kirchdorfer - Ted Olsson - Jeanne Eriksson Widman - Olle Wijkström - Bo Zaunders Publications Director: Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333 x12) Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670) is published by Swedish News, Inc., 570 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10022 • Connecticut - P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Periodicals Postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing offices. Nordstjernan is published semi-monthly, except for the month of August. Post Master: Please send address changes to Nordstjernan, P.O. Box 1710, New Canaan, CT 06840 Subscription rates: 1 yr. - $55, - Two yr. - $99 - Outside US 1 yr. $167.
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News in brief. page 3
It is well known that Sweden, while it’s been accepting migrants by the tens of thousands, “has been virtually alone” in pushing for more humanitarian action toward migrants throughout Europe. Following additional pleas and a joint call for action by Germany, France and Britain, the European Union has announced an unprecedented meeting to be held in Brussels on September 14 to discuss international cooperation, measures to prevent trafficking and how to outline a return policy. After many struggles and tragedies, this surge of concern comes after a Syrian emigrant toddler’s body washed up on a beach in Turkey, symbolizing the gravity of the crisis. “The situation of migration phenomena outside and inside the European Union has recently taken unprecedented proportions,” an EU spokesperson said. Swedish justice and migration minister Morgan Johansson welcomes the meeting and called for joint efforts to tackle the migrant crisis. The number of migrants reaching borders of countries
in and out of the EU reached nearly 340,000 during the first seven months of 2015, up from 123,500 during the same period in 2014, according to border agency Frontex. That number doesn’t include the thousands of (known) migrants who died in pursuit of a better future.
Welcoming refugees
As another wave of immigrants makes its way to Scandinavian destinations, weary men, women and children have been receiving a “Refugees Welcome” at Stockholm’s central station. On September 8 they were met by some 100 volunteers who distributed food, drink and clothing, and offered help with language interpretation. They were greeted by signs written by adults and children in “every language we know” and had bags full of drawing pads, pencils, toys and stuffed animals for kids. “These people are just like us and they need to be met by people with sense and solidarity,” said a Swedish resident. Many migrants went directly to shuttle
buses when they stepped off the train, but a portion went to the volunteer table which was set up with cartons of fruit and coffee, and large bins of outerwear, children’s wear, pants and blankets.
The U.S. will try to help
As the refugee crisis in Europe continues, the U.S. is promising help. Geography clearly separates the United States from the source of migration in volatile regions in the Middle East and North Africa; northern Europe is simply a more obvious destination for these people fleeing war, persecution and poverty. But the U.S. National Security Council said Monday, Sept. 8 that the U.S. was “actively considering” steps to help alleviate the situation in Scandinavia and Europe, where more than 340,000 people have sought refuge this year alone. “The White House will consider steps we can take to help the countries carry this burden,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest, according to Reuters.
You know you’ve been in Sweden too long when ... 1. It’s acceptable to eat lunch at 11 a.m.
ously deteriorated; you begin to “eat medicine” and “hire videos.”
20. You care who wins “Expedition: Robinson.”
2. You think Leif ‘Loket’ Olsson is entertaining.
12. Your front door step is beginning to resemble a shoe shop.
3. You rummage through your plastic bag collection to see which ones you should keep to take to the store and which can be sacrificed to garbage.
13. When a stranger on the street smiles at you, you assume that: a. he is drunk b. he is insane c. he is American d. he is all of the above
21. Your old habit of being “fashionably late” is no longer acceptable. You are always on time.
4. You associate pea soup with Thursday. 5. The first thing you do upon entering a bank/post office/pharmacy is look for the queue number machine. 6. You accept that you will have to queue up to take a queue number.
23. You know that “religious holiday” means “let’s get drunk.” 24. You are no longer scared of volvos and volvo drivers.
15. It seems sensible that the age limit at Stockholm night clubs is 23 or 25.
25. You have your own innebandy club.
7. A sharp intake of breath has become part of your vocabulary, as has the sound “ahh.” 8. You associate Friday afternoon with a trip to system bolaget.
17. The only reason for getting off the boat in Helsinki is to eat pizza.
9. You think nothing of paying $50 for a bottle of ‘cheap’ spirits at systembolaget.
18. It no longer seems excessive to spend $200 on alcohol in a single night.
10. Silence is fun.
19. The fact that all of the v’s and the w’s are together in the phone directory seems right.
11. Your native language has seri-
22. You no longer see any problem wearing white socks with loafers.
14. You stay home on Saturday night to watch Bingolotto.
16. The reason you take the ferry to Finland is: a. duty free vodka b. duty free beer c. to party
Swedish News
26. You enjoy the taste of surströmming. 27. You find yourself debating the politics of Carl Bildt. 28. You use “mmmm” as a conversation filler. 29. An outside temperature of 9 degrees Celsius is mild. 30. When someone asks for “three cheers,” you say “hoorah, hoorah, hoorah, hoorah.” 31. You wear sandals with socks.
NORDSTJERNAN: Alltid mer att läsa—There’s always more to read! Call 1.800.827.9333 for your own copy.
Sweden will welcome another prince or princess in March 2016. Princess Estelle turned 3 on February 23, 2015. Here she is celebrating with her parents at Haga Palace.
A royal baby
The Swedish royal family announced on Sept. 4 that Their Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are expecting their second child, due March of 2016. The new prince or princess is expected about a month after big sister Princess Estelle turns 4 on February 23. The new baby will take his or her Uncle Carl Philip’s third place in line for the crown, behind mother Victoria and sister Estelle, who are first and second in line of succession.
Sweden and U.S. jointly release stamp
The U.S. Postal Service and Posten AB of Sweden have jointly released a stamp of Hollywood legend and awardwinning actress, Ingrid Bergman. The stamp was available for sale on Aug. 20, just nine days shy of Aug. 29, the Swedish celebrity’s birth and death date.
Best brunch in the world!
A restaurant in Sweden’s second city serves the best brunch in the world, according to Britain’s The Mirror. In August 2015 the newspaper listed the top 10 hotel brunches, and the hip meal experience at Norda Bar & Grill in Gothenburg’s Norda Bar & Grill. Image stylish Clarion Hotel Post source: Goteborg.com ranked number one in the world. The hotel is in the restored old main post office at Drottningtorget 10, the restaurant run by celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson — his first restaurant in his hometown. The brunch, described by The Mirror as “a gothic and glamorous brunch” is served on Saturdays and Sundays in the early afternoon. It offers a luxurious buffet with a selection of cheeses and charcuterie, with a main course like steak or pancakes, and a wine list that emphasizes special selections from small wineries in Oregon. The dessert buffet is loaded with cakes and sweet treats by the award winning pastry chefs chosen by the prince and princess for their wedding on June 13. Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV came in second place, in part for its more than 100 types of pastries. Two other American hotel restaurants ranked in the top 10: Number 8 is Marriott Marquis in New York and in ninth place is Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge in Orlando, FL.
U.S. student wins Water Prize
Perry Alagappan, of Houston, Texas, received the 2015 Stockholm Junior Water Prize at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. Alagappan, now 18, spent the last three years inventing a filter that purifies drinking water from heavy metals.
The Exchange Rate: $1.00 = SEK 8.40 00.09.2015
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
Photo: Kate Gabor www.kungahuset.se
Sweden calls for joint efforts in migrant crisis
feature. page 4
A walk through my old neighborhood in Stockholm James Kaplan, Moorhead JKaplan@nordstjernan.com
Drottninggatan 88, entrance to Författarnas Hus and Centralbadet, the Stockholm bathhouse, which is accessed through the park in back to the left.
Drottninggatan begins all the way south, by Riksbron (The National Bridge) which, in the other direction, brings you to the parliament building and goes all the way up to Observatorielunden with the old Stockholm Observatory. The author’s old neighborhood begins north of Klarabergsgatan. Above, north on Drottninggatan. Photo: I99pema/Wikimedia Commons.
Nordstjernan, September 15, 2015
Everybody who has lived in Stockholm has their own favorite neighborhood. For me it is a couple blocks centered on the little park in front of Centralbadet, a wonderful Art Nouveau (jugendstil) bathhouse from the turn of the last century, one of the city’s architectural jewels. Why is this my neighborhood? Because I lived for three summers at Drottninggatan 88, the headquarters of the Författarförbundet, the Swedish National Authors Association. They have a small apartment that they rent out to a lucky few writers and translators. Drottninggatan (Queen Street) runs through downtown Stockholm and intersects with Kungsgatan (King’s Street). It is a pedestrian street so you can stroll pleasantly and enjoy the shop windows and very diverse crowds. The many sidewalk cafes and restaurants give it a Parisian feel. The part of Drottninggatan that I call home is uphill from Kungsgatan and starts at the Skandia Cinema, designed by the famous Swedish architect Gunnar Asplund in the 1920s and considered one of the most beautiful and historic movie theatres in the world. It has gone through its ups and downs over the decades but was recently restored to its original splendor. It is not usually open to the public but if you see people inside maybe you can talk your way in. A few yards further on is Olof Palmes Gata. If you turn right and go across Sveavägen you come to the spot where the Swedish Prime Minister was shot in 1986 after seeing a movie with his wife. A bronze plaque marks the spot of the crime that has never been satisfactorily explained or resolved. At Författarnas Hus (the House of Authors) Drottninggatan 88, you can see where I lived right above Restaurant Al Forno, a nice place to eat. As you go through the portal you see the lovely little park, all that remains of a seventeenth century farm. The bathhouse is in back to the left. The swimming pool with its colorful, flamboyant paintings is quite a place to visit (bring a bathing suit, a towel and 300 crowns! Half price for seniors). There are several restaurants in the park and a wonderful little antique pagoda where ice cream is sometimes sold. It is a great place to relax in shady peace, right in the heart of the city. Across the street from the Författarnas Hus is another park that features the City Conference Center. This is the former North Latin School (Norra Latin). The school was embellished with art works by some of Sweden’s greatest artists, including Carl Larsson, Prince Eugen and Bruno Liljefors. It is only open when there are conferences going on - and so not usually in the summer - but if you see people coming and going, go down and walk around and enjoy some of Sweden’s greatest art treasures, various restaurants and cafes. In this part of Drottninggatan there is a very unusual work of public art. It consists of
I lived for three summers on Drottninggatan, a street that runs through downtown Stockholm and intersects with Kungsgatan. It is a pedestrian street with history and art, very diverse crowds, sidewalk cafes and restaurants.
Strindberg quotation, “To love is to give: Give”
quotations from the Swedish author August Strindberg and is made of stainless steel letters about seven inches high, set in the asphalt. Strindberg was chosen for this because his home was further uphill where the Drottninggatan street meets Tegnérgatan. As you could expect from Strindberg, the quotations are rather extreme and over the top. They are in Swedish but here are a few translations: “Your Mother was here and she leaves after her a smell like that of a snake beaten to death.” “And I don’t believe in God? Yes, I probably do, but I don’t like him since he destroyed my rose bushes.” “A smart rat has a lot of holes.” “To love is to give: Give.” Continuing our way up Drottninggatan we take a left at the next street, Barnhusgatan, where we find at number 1 Eders Konditori and Bageri (café and bakery). This is a little unprepossessing place, but Dagens Nyheter named it Stockholm’s best bakery. Although it calls itself a konditori where you can sit and have coffee, there are only a few tiny stools so count on doing take-out. Next door at Barnhusgatan 3 is Studio B3 where they sell the most high end, prize winning, designer furniture.
The Aether och Essens Fabrikon Wallingatan, a few steps from Drottninggatan, founded right here in 1889 where you can pick up exotic herbs and spices, essential oils (like lavender that helps you sleep), extracts, flavorings for akvavit and vodka and eau de cologne. Photo: Nordstjernan
Our next stop is Wallingatan, a short walk uphill. Turn left and stop at number 14, the Aether och Essens Fabrik. This is a store founded right here in 1889 - and it hasn’t changed a bit since then. You feel as though you’re back in the day of Oscar II. They sell herbs and spices, essential oils (like lavender that helps you sleep), extracts, flavorings for akvavit and vodka and eau de cologne. It’s Continues on next page
feature. page 5
definitely worth a visit. Buy cologne, extracts and oils (in small bottles) but not herbs, since they would surely be taken by customs when you return home. Turn back to Drottninggatan and continue on Wallingatan till you come to Adolf Fredriks Kyrka. In the cemetery of Adolph Fredrik’s Church, close to the south transept, is the grave of murdered Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme. It is very moving - an uncut block of Swedish granite with only his signature carved in the stone. Walk across the street and see Myrorna (The Ants), the Swedish Salvation Army thrift store. I load up on Swedish detective novels but you can buy clothes and fine Swedish crystal, china, pottery, etc. Upper Drottninggatan is a great place to visit. There are lots of places to eat and shop, most of them bustling and full of people, but there are also cozy quiet nooks here and there
where you can be at peace. Best of all it is my old neighborhood. This is the place I left in the morning to go to work and where I came back to at night. It was home. Författarnas Hus www.forfattarforbundet.se Centralbadet www.centralbadet.se Eders Konditori and Bageri www.ederskonditori.se Studio B3 www.studiob3.se Aether och Essens Fabrik www.essencefabriken.se
Centralbadet built in 1904 and designed by the Jugend architect Wilhelm Klemming is one of the foremost examples of Art Noveau in Stockholm. Photo: Holger Ellgaard/Wikimedia Commons
Myrorna (The Ants), the Swedish Salvation Army thrift store and a gem for the thrifty traveler where you can buy books, clothes and fine Swedish crystal, china, pottery, etc.
The author takes a quiet moment at the gravestone of former Prime Minister Olof Palme. Photo: Nordstjernan
Strindberg quotation in the pavement, “A smart rat has to have many holes!”
Not just the exterior of Centralbadet is astonishing but once inside, you’re met with a magnificient interior. Photo courtesy of centralbadet.se
Scandinavian Festival in the upper midwest The Nordic Council of Milwaukee has arranged the indoor (no worries about the weather!) Scandinavian Festival since 1991, bringing together the local organizations of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. There is a local organization of Iceland, too — the US Icelandic Horse Congress — but due to its nature it has been difficult to bring their specialty (the Icelandic horse) to the festival. As a bigger group we are more successful together, with each country well represented in many ways. We feel a togetherness that makes us strong. A little bit of Viking is in everyone, and it’s fun to see “old country” men and women with whom we have so much in common, even though there are borders between the countries. All entertainment is Nordic, and each country takes turns bringing in their artist or group, while local talent performs folk dancing and other music. This year, the headliner entertainment is ABBA Salute from Chicago. They will represent Sweden and the great tunes of ABBA at two performances: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
There are plenty of vendors selling Scandinavian favorites such as handknit mittens, hats, scarves and sweaters, textiles, T-shirts, decorative pieces in crystal, china, pewter, wood and iron, Christmas decorations, calendars, books (especially children’s), arts, crafts, toys and more. It wouldn’t be a festival if ABBA Salute from Chicago entertains this year. there wasn’t food, and there is always plenty! It’s all perfectly planned so you adeller and medisterkorv on a stick. The can have breakfast, lunch and dinner, and even Finnish American Society proudly serves and snacks in between, while you shop or listen sells their famous makkara and pula. And the local Sons of Norway Fosselyngen group ofand watch the entertainment. The Swedish Linde Lodge 492 (Vasa Order fers their specialties: open-faced sandwiches, of America) offers Swedish pancake plates lefse, rosettes or other cookies. There may with lingon and knäckebröd, or Swedish even be Big Olaf’s Super Ice cream cones. meatball plates also with lingon and knäcke- Of course coffee is sold as are water and soda. bröd, or a combo plate. The Danish Sisterhood (Sorry, no snaps!) The festival has a group of very talented always comes through with their fabulous aebelskiver, Danish kringle or Seven Sisters folks who help with genealogy research in the bakery, and this year they’ve added frik- Nordic countries, and a special children’s area
Drottninggatan 85, Blå Tornet, the Strindberg Museum where Drottninggatan meets Tegnérgatan east of Tegnérlunden Park. Udo Schröter/Wikimedia Commons
Come rain or shine, the local organizations of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland represent many special traditions at the 25th annual Milwaukee area Scandinavian Festival on Oct. 3, 2015. is always set up — they even have a parade with instruments and dancing — and there is an authentic Saami Lavuu Exhibit (Sami tent). A Rosemaling demonstration and a great raffle with many nice prizes top it all off. To make this both a cultural and community event we encourage guests to bring a nonperishable food item for a price reduction on adult admission. All items collected will benefit a local food pantry. The 2015 Scandinavian Festival takes place on October 3, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Elementary School, 4225 S. Calhoun Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151. $8/ adults ($7/pre-sale or with a non-perishable food item), $2/ages 4-12. By Liza Ekstrand
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
local events. page 6
The 2015 Queen of Schnapps Songs Göran Rygert goran.rygert@nordstjernan.com
Nordic Lodge #708 started the contest in 2011 and for the last three years it has been open to anyone in the United States. This year we received 26 entries of which eight came from states other than Georgia: California, Oregon, Illinois, New York and North Carolina. Many entries were really good, funny and ingenious. Others suffered from not quite fitting into the given melody. And a couple were written to melodies that, according to the jurors, were not familiar enough to be used for schnapps songs. For a week, the two judges, Professor Jay Lutz and Dr. Sten Ekberg had been facing the hard, sweaty, tricky, maybe nerveracking work of selecting the winners. The requirement this year was that the word crawfish (or crayfish) had to be mentioned in the text. The results were revealed at Nordic Lodge’s annual crawfish party on August 22. Only one $50.00 prize was to be awarded with the addition of three honorable mentions. Another prize had been added, however: a bottle of Absolute Vodka. Donated by George Smedberg and Tom Riley, this was a runner-up prize to a winner present at the crawfish party. The winner was voted for by everyone at the party. The songs were printed out without their composers’ names to remain anonymous,
The 2015 winners: Winner of the first prize as well as winner of the audience runner-up prize: Pam Minton
I’M A CRAWFISH Melody: Mr. Sandman
I’m a crawfish, I swim alone, I call the streams and rivers my home. I am so quick and I’m very clever, at night I steal your Aquavit, however. Plastered, still want some more, don’t touch my bottle, I’ll show ya’ the door, I’ve devised the perfect scheme. I’m a crawfish, living the dream.
Honorable Mention: Anita Menegay
CRAWFISH IN TRAPS
Melody: Stars and Stripes Forever Let’s go get the crawfish from traps, to be eaten with dill and with schnapps on a warm August eve outdoors, it’s enough to make you ask for more. Hurrah for the crawfish in traps, to be eaten with plenty of the schnapps, with the moon rising high in the sky. It is enough to make your spirit soar and fly.
and with help from Vasa Drängar, song after sor at lunches and dinners during Vasa schnapps song was sung through. Eventu- Drängar’s visits to Pam and Sten, Vasa ally the audience could start voting. The bal- Drängar’s president. lots were counted. People waited excitedly. At last juror Lutz cleared his throat and the The location of the crawfish party was big moment had come. “The winner of the same as last year, at Mona and Mason first prize is: Pam Minton, Cumming, GA, Brown’s house in Atlanta – around with ‘I’m a Crawfish!’” their swimming-pool, to be precise. The first Honorable Mention went to And though there were some threats Anita Menegay, Marietta, GA, for “Crawfish In Traps.” The second Honorable Mention was presented to Pam Minton, for her song “Little Crawfish.” And the third Honorable Mention was for the song “I’d Like To Feed the World Crawfish,” also, believe it or not, written by Pam Minton. Now everyone wondered who the winner of the vodka would be. The audience’s votes showed that most votes were given to “I’m a Crawfish.” But haven’t we heard that title already? Sure enough: The winner of the audience runner-up prize also went to Pam Minton, the Schnapps Song Queen of the Year! It turns out Pam has no Swedish background, she does not eat crawfish and doesn’t even like to sing. But she knows how to write great Swedish schnapps songs! She lives just north of Atlanta and People arrive to the crawfish party. got to listen to numerous snapsvithat rain would wet the crawfish, we had a perfect evening in the American south. The crawfish from IKEA was excellent, as was all the additional food, cooked and provided by Nordic Lodge members. Beer and wine Honorable Mention: Pam Minton was included in the dinner price, but it was LITTLE CRAWFISH BYOS (bring your own schnapps). No one Melody: Itsy Bitsy Spider tumbled into the pool. The only one seen in the water was Vasa Drängar’s Sven LovegOne little crawfish swimming with the trout; ren - and he jumped in voluntarily. As a down came my hand whole, the contest was very successful and and pulled the crawfish out. the Nordic Lodge of Atlanta is hoping to Open up my mouth and ate him head to feet. continue the tradition next year. Now the little crawfish swims in Aquavit.
Melody: I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing
Nordstjernan, September 15, 2015
Sven Lovegren in the pool.
I’d like to feed the world crawfish and garnish it with dill, suck noisily from its claws. Now that would be a thrill!
Submit to editor@nordstjernan.com
Guitarists Sten Ekberg and Hans Hörnfeldt accompanying the singing.
Vi har öppet måndag till fredag kl 9:30 till 15:00 Den mobila passtationen är i Fort Lauderdale 29 september-1 oktober.
Välkommen!
I’D LIKE TO FEED THE WORLD CRAWFISH
Your newspaper. Your stories.
Jurors Jay Lutz and Sten Ekberg.
Kontakta konsulatet för mera information.
Honorable Mention: Pam Minton
I’d like to buy the world a schnapps and drink all afternoon, wear funny hats and flashy bibs, hang paper lantern moons.
The undisputed Queen of the 2015 Scnapps Song Contest: Pam Minton.
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The Pacific states. page 7
With fond memories of her movies, a professor of electrical engineering finds a way to wish Ingrid Bergman a happy birthday - with numbers. Ingrid Bergman was a Swedish actress who starred in a variety of European and American films. She won three Academy Awards, two Emmy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award for Best Actress. She is best remembered for her roles in Casablanca (1942) and Notorious (1946). August 29, 2015 marked Bergman’s 100th birthday as well as the 33rd anniversary of her death. She was born August 29, 1915 (also known as 29 August 1915) in Stockholm, Sweden and died on August 29, 1982 (also known as 29 August 1982) in London, England. In her honor and to celebrate her centennial birthday, I constructed the following five numerical brainteasers:
‘Jag är Ingrid’ Stockholm gala premiere for the documentary about three-time Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman.
Journalist, writer, and talk-show host Mark Levengood and author, poet, artist Jonas Gardell with a friend.
Alicia Vikander, above, does the voice over in “Jag är Ingrid”
International poster for the movie with the original Swedish title “Jag är Ingrid” Photo courtesy of Mantaray Film AB
1. If numbers are assigned to the letters of the alphabet (both Swedish and English, in this case) with A being 1, B is 2, C is 3, etc., the numbers assigned to the letters of “Ingrid” and “Bergman” add up to 61 and 60, the sum of which yield 121. Interestingly, the square of the sum of the digits of the day number of Bergman’s birthday (29), also add up to 121. 2. Bergman died on 29-8-1982 in which the leftmost and rightmost three digits contain the same three digits: 2, 8 and 9. Bergman’s 13th birthday, expressed as 298-1928, had the same property. In addition, if her 13th birthday is expressed in the month-day-year date format as 8-29-1928, it is a palindrome.
The four children of Ingrid Bergman in Stockholm; L-R: Roberto Rossellini (II), Isotta Rossellini, Isabella Rossellini, Pia Lindström Actors Marie Göransson, Jan Malmsjö.
4. If the reverse of Bergman’s birth year 1915 is 5191, it can be split as 51 and 91, adding up to 142, the reverse of which is also 241: Bergman was born on the 241st day of 1915.
By Aziz S. Inan, professor of electrical engineering at Donald P. Shiley School of Engineering, University of Portland, Oregon, who watched and enjoyed Bergman’s movies while growing up.
Actress Lena Endre and friend.
Berit Gullberg, publisher and Gunnel Lindblom, actress.
3. The digits of Bergman’s birth year, 1915, can be added up to equal 16. The reverse of this is 61, which coincided with the sum of the numbers assigned to the letters of Bergman’s first name “Ingrid.” Also, half of 16 yields 8, the month number of Bergman’s birthdate.
5. Casablanca had its world premiere in 1942. Interestingly, the digits of 1942 add up to 16, and 19 plus 42 (which side by side make up 1942) yield 61 (“Ingrid”). Also, 2491 (which is the reverse of 1942) equals 47 x 53, where primes 47 and 53 add up to 100.
Photography: Kerstin Alm
Bergman Birthday Brainteasers
Björn and Helen Rosengren. Businessman and Arlanda Stad developer Per Taube
I
ngrid Bergman — In Her Own Words opened in Stockholm with a star studded gala premiere at the Royal Dramaten Theater on August 24. All four children of the acclaimed Swedish actress and many of the Swedish acting elite were present for the event. Seven-time Academy Award nominee and three-time Academy Award winner Ingrid Bergman was one of the most talented actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with great performances in films such as Casa-
blanca (1942), Gaslight (1944) and Autumn Sonata (1978). In spring 2011, director Stig Björkman met Ingrid Bergman’s daughter Isabella Rossellini at the Berlin Film Festival. She suggested he “make a film about Mama.” Through Isa- Actress Liv Ullman, Another early favorite bella, Stig tells Ingrid’s story through a favorite of another of Ingmar Bergman, her own words and images. Bergman, often considered actress Harriet Andersson A tribute to the Hollywood star in one of the Swedish (Summer with Monika, Smiles of a Summer Night) celebration of the centenary of her director’s muses. birth, this Cannes-awarded feature documentary is directed by Stig Björkman investering in Örebro through Filmregion with voice over by Swedish actress Alicia Stockholm- Mälardalen, SVT, Chimney Pot, Vikander. In never-before-seen private foot- Henrik Johnsson, Annica and Bo Uddenäs, age, notes, letters, diaries and interviews with YLE and NTR with support from the Swedher children, it presents a personal portrait ish Film Institute, Creative Europe, Nordisk and captivating behind-the-scenes look of the Film & TV Fond, and Konstnärsnämnden, in remarkable life of a young Swedish girl who collaboration with ARTE. became one of the most celebrated actresses Nordic distribution through NonStop Enof American and world cinema. tertainment. Its world premiere and first screening was Critics in Sweden have been raving, “Poiat the Cannes Film Festival in May, 2015. It gnant and engaging documentary drama, opened in Sweden on August 28 and is set to which gives a warm, heartfelt and very close open in the U.S. on Nov. 13. picture of who Ingrid Bergman, this talented and intelligent woman was. In retrospect, it Ingrid Bergman - In Her Own Words really feels as if I also have the honor of get(Original Swedish title: Jag är Ingrid) ting to know her, Ingrid, at least a little bit.” 1 hour 53 minutes. (MovieZine.se) Directed by Stig Björkman and produced For more info, see www.mantarayfilm.se and by Stina Gardell for Mantaray Film, in for the U.S. premiere, see the U.S. distributor’s co-production with ZDF, Jonas Gardell updates at www.prettypictures.fr Opening in Production, Spellbound Capital and Film- the U.S. on Nov. 13, 2015. September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
local events. page 8
Soup or stew?
The definition above is for soup but really works equally well for a meaty stew. Roving food writer Gunilla Blixt entered a recipe competition organized by the Chilean Cono Sur vineyards and winery. (A sure winner in our book but unfortunately impossible to vote for unless you’re voting from Sweden.) The competition is for food bloggers, and five winners will be going to Paris to cook their recipes in front of Christopher Carpentier, well-known TV chef in Chile, and Adolfo Huarto, CEO of Cono Sur. Food bloggers from the United States, Chile, Canada, Ireland and Japan have entered along with 27 Swedish food bloggers.
Soup/stew with beans, root vegetables, tomatoes and crispy chicken Serves 6
(The recipe was created for a chardonnay, the Cono Sur Organic Chardonnay) Ingredients: 6 chicken clubs with skin and bone 5 1/4 cup (1,25l) water 3 carrots 1 piece celeriac, 1/2 lb (250 g) 4 small potatoes 1 yellow onion 1 small leek 5 white peppercorns 1 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 lb (350 g) fresh broad beans, vicia faba, makes about 1/4 lb (100 g) shelled 0.5 lb (200 g) small cherry tomatoes 2 tbsp (25 g) sundried tomatoes 2 tsp smoked rapeseed oil oil to grease the molds possibly some more salt You also need slotted spoon spatula grate fine sieve
There’s no practical difference: ‘A liquid food made by boiling or simmering meat, fish, or vegetables with various added ingredients’
Instruction: 1. Place the chicken in a pan with the skin side up. Preheat oven to F 225 2. Rinse and groom carrots, celery and potatoes. Cut one carrot into larger pieces and dice the other two small. Cut half of the celery into large chunks and dice the rest small. Cut the potatoes into quarters. 3. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Wash and clean the leeks. Cut the green into large pieces and shred the white small. Split the onion into wedges with the peel and all. Add all small root vegetable pieces, potatoes and shredded leeks into bowls and set aside. 4. Cover the chicken with water. Boil and skim with a skimmer. Lay the pieces of carrot, celery pieces, large pieces of leek and onion with shell, and add white pepper grains. Bring to boil again, reduce heat and simmer about 35 minutes. 5. Grease two ovenproof dishes. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and the dried tomatoes into strips. Put them in one form, and sprinkle with rapeseed oil with a smoke flavor. 6. Shell the beans. Put the beans in a strainer and set it over the boiling soup. After a short while it is easy to remove the shells. Put the shelled beans in a bowl. 7. Remove the chicken from the broth when the internal temperature is 165°F. Put the chicken pieces to cool on a plate. Then loosen the skin gently. Put the skin in one oven-proof form. 8. Roast the skin in the oven for about 15 minutes. Set the mold with tomatoes and toast them in the oven at the same time with the chicken skin. 9. Strain the broth and pour it into a clean saucepan. Bring to boil and immerse the diced carrots, celery and potatoes. Let simmer until the potatoes are cooked through, about 10 minutes. 10. Carefully remove the crispy skin from the mold using a spatula, and let it cool on a rack. Cut out the bones from the chicken pieces. Keep the chicken warm under a lid or aluminum foil. 11. Pour the chicken broth into the sauce pan. Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning with additional salt according to taste. Add
the shredded leeks and beans, and let the soup simmer for approximately 30 seconds. 12. Serving: Take out the form with the tomatoes from the oven. Cut the chicken into slices and put it up on hot plates. Divide the tomatoes next. Carefully pour in vegetable broth with beans around. Top the chicken with the roasted skin. Helpful hints -Allow the skin to be left on the yellow onion. It provides both flavor and a beautiful color to the broth. -It Is important to skim off the protein the chicken develops, so that it does not remain in the pot as gray chunks. -If You do not have access to smoke flavored rapeseed oil, using smoked sun-dried tomatoes will bring the same nice smoked flavor to the stew.
Roving food writer Gunilla Blixt creating the recipe for Cono Sur.
Ingredients are easy to prepare.
It doesn’t get much more appetizing than this!
Broad or fava beans
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local events. page 9
Another Brilliant Bergman Five years after coming up with a brilliant idea that would change the course of film festivals forever, a “mini” Ingmar Bergman film festival finally took place in San Diego.
Full of enthusiasm for joining the House of Sweden in San Diego five years ago, I had what I thought was a brilliant idea to put the nonprofit educational organization on the map. Let’s have an Ingmar Bergman film festival, I suggested. Let’s show his films nonstop — 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Let’s sell vodka 24-7, too. Such a fundraiser would not only finance numerous scholarships and cultural events, I reasoned, but it would also make the House of Sweden famous around the world. It might be a little ambitious to show movies for an entire week the first time, I acknowledged excitedly, but that should be the long-term goal. We could limit the inaugural event to a weekend, starting Friday afternoon and ending in the wee hours of Monday morning. I volunteered to apply for corporate and government grants to help launch my brainstorm.
Real life meets the dream
Alas! My brilliant idea was not to see the light of day. The House of Sweden, which is part of a “mini United Nations” in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park, does not have a liquor license. Only once a year are the city’s international cottages allowed to sell alcohol, and that occurs during the park’s December Nights Open House which kicks off San Diego’s Christmas season. As a Bergman neophyte, I fell into mildly disgruntled disappointment rather than utter despair. Without complaining I continued to fulfill my duties as the House of Sweden’s recording secretary. A glimmer of hope emerged early this year when the city of San Diego required the international cottages to expand their hours to help commemorate Balboa Park’s centennial. The House of Sweden was obligated to be open an entire week before its annual Midsummer celebration on June 21. While the house’s officers proposed various cultural activities for each day of the week — such as reading Pippi Longstocking stories to children — I saw a chance to revive my idea, which had been so quickly and cruelly extinguished five years ago.
Start under the radar
Although the “mini” Ingmar Bergman film festival was only a shadow of my original grand plan for a movie marathon accompanied by a 24-hour vodka bar, I welcomed the low key, “under the radar” start. I also welcomed the likelihood that no one would attend a film festival set for Monday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. That way no one would discover that I am woefully ignorant. I wouldn’t have to admit publicly that I didn’t understand the few Bergman films I had viewed while earning my two
The world famous director, Ingmar Begman with long-time friend and cinematographer Sven Nykvist.
been ashamed that I wasn’t becoming depressed. House of Sweden, San Diego, California
A lighter side of Bergman
Based on the results of my informal survey, I decided to show a lighter side of Bergman — “Smiles of a Summer Night” — with the decidedly deeper and heavier work, “Autumn Sonata.” Such a sampling would placate two audiences, serious film connoisseurs and Bergman novices. To accommodate special requests — in the remote chance that someone knowledgeable would show up — I checked out other films, including a collection of documentaries, from San Diego’s PubThe stage is set for the world’s first ever “mini” Bergman Festival. lic Library. To my pleasant bachelor’s degrees at the University of surprise, people did show up that Monday in June. Some people were, admittedly, obliviCalifornia Berkeley. Despite my expectation of an empty ous to the special event — a homeless man house with empty chairs, I publicized what sleeping on the House of Sweden’s veranda I deemed an historic event: The House of and dozens of tourists wandering aimlessly Sweden’s very first “mini” Ingmar Bergman through the park’s campus of international film festival. I prepared by asking cultural cottages. But to my astonishment, several experts and House of Sweden members individuals came in response to my publicwhich Bergman films were their favorites ity about the first mini Ingmar Bergman and which movies would be less intimidat- film festival. The first customer, Eva Lantz, a Swede ing for beginners. By seeking such advice, I was admitting who lives in San Diego, arrived about 11:30 that I am a Bergman lightweight. However, a.m. However, she and I became so engaged one has to start somewhere; after all, infants in discussing our respective connections to crawl before they stand upright and walk. Sweden with other visitors, it was nearly I thought of this project, my first mini film impossible to start a film. festival, as “Baby Bergman.” I realized I was taking a negative — my own feelings of Starting with ‘the real thing’ intellectual inadequacy about the Bergman About an hour later when La Mesa resident genre — and making a positive — creating Donna Swing arrived with her two out-ofa learning opportunity for myself. How town guests, we agreed on a short documenun-Bergman-like, I thought. I should have tary: A 2002 interview with Bergman when
he was 84 years old. We enjoyed watching Bergman take charge by directing the cameraman and interviewing the interviewer. Bergman’s comments, made in Swedish with English subtitles — “Aren’t you going to have a camera on him? ... I would prefer to question you” — made us laugh. Bergman the artist is highly acclaimed for exposing on film his personal demons, which include a preoccupation with death, sexual relations and the quest for and loss of religious faith ... what colleague Woody Allen calls “the battlefield of the soul.” Bergman the conversationalist is light and bright, charismatic and funny, surprisingly accessible even while discussing the reality, darkness and foibles of the human condition. Later in the afternoon, after more visitors arrived, I showed another interview with Bergman, conducted in English in 1970 when he was 52 years old and at the pinnacle of his career. Like other visitors at the film festival, Joan McNamara said she learned something new. Although she said she has seen some of his films, she knows little about Bergman. McNamara, who happens to be taking a world religion class at San Diego Community College, said she was especially interested to hear Bergman talk about how his concept of God changed. Personally, it was refreshing to hear Bergman equate making movies with doing any other job, such as making furniture. I can relate to his approach to work because it’s similar to what I experience with almost anything I do, including writing. “It’s always the first time (with each film). I’m always trying, and I’m trying again. . . . I always have the same difficulties. . . . I couldn’t express what I wanted to express.” With that, please remain posted for details about the House of Sweden’s second “mini” Ingmar Bergman film festival in 2016. Suzan Hagstrom
Freelance journalist, recording secretary and editor for the House of Sweden in San Diego’s Balboa Park.
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
feature. page 10
Flavors of a late Swedish summer On August 21, the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia, in collaboration with the American Swedish Historical Museum, welcomed members and non-members to a kräftskiva. This, a traditional crayfish party, is what many Swedes in Sweden do at the end of summer. Guests are able to enjoy a taste of the typical flavors of the Swedish end-of-summer party with a lovely buffet of Swedish boiled cold crayfish, Västerbotten cheese pie, meatballs, dill potatoes, schnapps and more. SACC-Philadelphia representatives Erwin Apell, Ulla-Britt Apell, Johanna Sabel and Sofie Karlquist presenting a check to Tracey Beck, executive director of ASHM. Photo by Ulla-Britt Apell
The dinner was followed by a raffle drawing and auction with prizes donated by a variety of sponsors. It was a lovely evening spent outside in the museum’s party tent overlooking the lush greenery of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park. SACC donated part of the raffle proceeds to the museum and presented a check to the museum’s executive director, Tracey Beck. The ASHM and SACC-Philadelphia have collaborated on many events in the past and continue to participate in joint events. For more information, see www.sacc-philadelphia. org, www.americanswedish.org Contributed by Johanna Sabel
InBox July, 2015 Attention: Editor A year (or more) back you looked at Swedish words spelled with “Sj….” Etc. As a youngster in Sweden my grandfather told med about the five words in the Swedish language that are spelled “stj…” He said one easy way to remember these five words is in the sentence: Den stjälande gåsen stjälpte sig på stjärten bland sjärnblomsstjälkarna.” (The stealing goose flipped over on its tail among the stellaria stems) Please feel free to use as you wish. Lars Hiers Cape Coral FL Thanks for this Lars. Certainly a new take on the usual tongue twister; “sjutusensjuhundrasjuttiosju sjösjuka sjömän sköt en sjuk sjöstjärna i stjärten… “ [Seven thousand seven hundred and seventy seven seasick sailors shot a sick starfish in the tail. And no, while hard to pronounce, these twisters don’t necessarily make sense.] /Ed. August 15, 2015 Dear Editor, My sister sent me copies of the paper Nordstjernan that I much enjoyed reading. I must object to the rank foolishness of the “Horned Helmet” (and a spike) from the fall 2014 issue. It is a poor example of a Viking era helmet that NEVER was used during that era (approx.. 300 year expansion out of northern Europe). From your published article on mead, Paul Ljunggren seems to have had a few too many. I would refer to Professor Kristen Wolf’s book Viking Age, everyday life during the extraordinary era of the Norsemen. On page 163 you will find a photograph of an ornate real helmet (c. 550-793). Very different from the American football team that became popular in the last century. Like many people of Swedish decent I became interested in Viking era history from watching the history Channel series, Viking.
Nordstjernan, September 15, 2015
Imagine receiving a near miss blow wearing a “Horned” Helmet! You would probably have your neck broken. This is a poor example of Viking history. Remove the spike and horns – then you have a helmet from the Viking era. /Jon Peterson from Bishop, Cal.
Perhaps you can publish an article in the future using the TV series as a starting point for helmets of the Viking era? From what I have read online, the writers of that show are trying to use historical documentation to stay tru to “form.” Thank you for your time. I am a Federal Special Agent, National Park Service employee who had to retire early due to illness. At 63 now I am able to do some reading – and have made the “Horned Helmets” one of my “things.” Thanks for listening Jon Peterson Bishop, CA PS. Mother’s side of the family were Larssons/Elvings from the 1870 and onwards settlements into the Midwest. Father’s side; Peterson/Runberg (?) arrived to Kansas City at the turn of the twentieth century pre WWI. Dear Jon, While we can not guarantee that Paul did not have too much mead on the particular lodge meeting he reported from we can assure you he is well aware of the less practical side of wearing a horned helmet in hand to hand battle
one thousand years ago. Especially after a visit to a few vendors at the recent Scandinavia Fest at Budd Lake in New Jersey we simply had to find out where the horns came from. Every helmet at the vendors present had horns and while striking up a conversation with Claus Mørch of Swe-Den we were informed of a plausible theory; the horns are a late 19th century addition by fraternal organizations in the U.S. Their popularity came from the festive look - after all, a horn-less helmet would be just as exciting as a wool cap - and the later appearance in the Nordic region became a re-import of sorts. While going through our archives we found this image from the early nineteenth century of a mid-western lodge (spikes, not a horn
Scandinavian Fest, Budd Lake NJ—lots of fun but everywhere we looked, only helmets with horns...
in site)—it may be further proof of Mørch’s theory. Meanwhile, we also found “the real thing” tattooed on the arm of subscriber Craig Carlson’s right arm, above. /Ed.
local events. page 11
2015 Kräftskiva: No Cancellations You may recall that last year’s crayfish got stuck at O’Hare Airport in Chicago because of a fire there. Consequently, we had to cancel our Kräftskiva ... and we did not think of asking if we could join the SACC party, which was scheduled to take place the next week. This year, we thought of it. The SCS Board and I decided in June to ask Jim Hornyak, SACC-Ohio president, if we could come to their August event. They were delighted to let us join the fun, so ... we did. And fun is was. With the combined groups, we had more songs and singers, and of course more crayfish: 90 pounds were ordered this time. A guest from Italy, Carlo Viglaini was there, and even though he was busy taking many photos, he and his Italian girlfriend, Ilaira Tamago had a great time.
Good News from northern Ohio: The Swedish Cultural Society joined the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce for what could be the best Kräftskiva yet.
This year’s crayfish didn’t get stuck at O’Hare Airport in Chicago because of a fire (like it did last year).
Norrbotten delivers...
I had been asked by SACC, as the President of SCS, to provide song sheets and desserts. That was easy as I have many different song sheets; we ended up using two of them. Of course it became more fun as well as confusing after the guests have had a few nubber... The desserts were from Gordons Food Service, but somehow I heard myself telling some of the ladies they were from Gothenburg and Norrbotten … and I heard these tales repeated as the guests gobbled it all up. The best song was “De satt en Mås på en klyva bom och tom i magen var kräket ...” Do you know this one? I got five people to come up and sing it with me, but it wasn’t on any of our song sheets. Leave it to Google to come to the rescue: Three of us used our iPhones to find the lyrics. It was a wonderful evening. I especially liked that there were no cancellation this year and also, meeting so many new friends! Ingemar Svala
Of course it became more fun as well as confusing after the guests have had a few nubbar... Photo by Carlo Viglaini.
LINGONBERRIES • Fresh Frozen • Dried • Preserves
The best song was “De satt en Mås på en klyva bom och tom i magen var kräket ...” Five people came up to sing it, but it wasn’t on any of our song sheets. Leave it to Google to come to the rescue: Three of us used our iPhones to find the lyrics. Photo by Carlo Viglaini.
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‘Not my time to die’ The Titanic and the Swedes on board Perfect bound, large size paperback, 296 pages. Richly illustrated. Please send me ____ book(s) x $19.95 = _______
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The 123 Swedes on board made up the third largest ethnic group on the Titanic after the American and the British. The book profiles each of the Swedish passengers; including the 34 survivors... Mail order form to: NORDSTJERNAN P.O. Box 1710 New Canaan CT 06840 Or call 1.800.827.9333 ext. 10
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
The Pacific states. page 12
A great Swede who lived the American dream Greg Linde was born Olle Gregor Linde in Hede, Härjedalen, Sweden on October 3, 1925. He was athletic and loved the farms and forests, mountains, nature and wildlife of his province and country. His youthful delight as a sports fisherman and hunter never deserted him, fashioning his character as a successful businessman and community member. Linde’s mother had traveled to the U.S. and his uncles had immigrated there, so the lure (if not allure) was set early. As a young man in Sweden, Linde pursued aviation, and in World War II he downed a Russian plane off Götland in 1944. After the war he completed studies in civil engineering; in 1949 he left Sweden to make his fortune in the U.S. Emigration was but one of the many ironies and triumphs in his fabled career. Arriving at Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty beckoned with her words: “Give me your … masses yearning to be free … I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” Those are the sentiments we publicize, but the officious guards for emigrants after the end of the war were anything but welcoming, deriding him. “Why are you coming here? To take away jobs from our countrymen?” In the U.S. he became known as Greg. And it was as Greg Linde, the successful American businessman, who many years later returned to Ellis Island to receive an award for his contributions as an emigrant, who had enriched this, his adopted country. He was employed by several typical, lower level emigrant jobs, including a stint with a soccer team, before he landed a job with a railroad company that would make his career and bring him west. The Southern Pacific Railroad Company (SP) is as legendary as Linde’s rise within that company. SP began almost a dozen years after the California Gold Rush, eventually retaining its name, even as it became part of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, which had built the toughest part of the railroad that unified the U.S. as the first transcontinental railroad.
By the time Linde joined them, SP was already the largest landholder in California and one of the largest in the west, thanks to federal grants for unifying the country, a feat equivalent to building the Great Wall of China. Not only did SP need a man of Linde’s technical skills, but they also recognized his leadership and invested in his development by sending him to Stanford University (founded by the first president of SP, Leland Stanford) for further executive education. With his steady rise in the executive ranks, he became CEO for two decades of SP’s realty company, which had holdings throughout the south and the west. Ironically, the Southern Pacific and its railroad tracks became famous for another hallmark of modern technology when its telecommunications network along its railway right of way, enhanced by its state-of-the-art microwave and fiber optic backbone, became the Sprint telecommunications company. Linde’s career was in the real estate portion of the business, and under him it was always profitable. He built two iconic San Francisco office buildings, the SP headquarters at One Market Plaza and the Golden Gateway, both in the financial district adjoining the Embarcadero. He also built a 1,100-room hotel in New Orleans and the 10-acre Los Angeles convention center. His reach extended over SP’s 14 states, managing almost a million acres not merely of railway lands, but also of forests, farms, oil fields and a variety of other real estate ventures. As SP’s owner of Mission Bay, he had dreamed of creating a Venetian canal complex here on the southern waterfront of San Francisco, on land owned by SP. While that did not happen, the area today is headquarters for the state’s biotech medical research as well as one of the prime spots of San Francisco’s current development. The other great accomplishment of his life was marrying Sylvia Linde, who was as accomplished academically as he was
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commercially. Together they were a power couple, with their common Swedish heritage and good looks — a tall and distinguished man, he could have walked off the set and been mistaken for the hero in any movie. Even as a busy executive he still found time to be chairman of the Swedish American Chamber of Commerce as well as an emeritus member of the Swedish Council of America’s Round Table. It was in this former capacity, when I joined the board of SACC-SF/SV (from which I have retired after a quarter century), that I first came to know Linde and considered him a mentor. He set the standard for me. He helped Palestinians settle in southern California while he became a friend of Ronald Reagan and other presidents. For all his contributions, and for his continuing advocacy of Sweden, the kingdom knighted Greg Linde as Commander of the Order of the Polar Star. In addition to all his accomplishments, Sylvia considered her husband’s strongest trait to be the generosity of his character, what the ancients called “magnanimity” (great heartedness): “The beauty is that Greg made so many friends around the world, assisted them to ‘shine,’ and contributed, in a quiet way, to their success as well. He truly enjoyed and valued their friendship, were they ordinary folk or leaders of mankind.” In their retirement the couple founded Linde Vineyards in Sonoma and in 1998 acquired yet another vineyard in South Africa. By 2006 they had also bought a 15,000-acre spread in South Africa. Illness began to cripple Linde’s once elegant figure, and though it may have bent him, it never broke him. My wife and I, accompanied by our colleague Gunilla Ramel, visited the Lindes at their northern California vineyard, where Linde led the way describing all aspects of the winery. He showed off his and Sylvia’s beloved SP caboose at the vineyard, a symbol of the company that had fostered him. He escorted us around their beautiful home where he and the family resided, with its long hall filled with his handsome official portraits, certificates and pictures documenting a lifetime of familial, commercial and political accomplishments. At the table his humor and smile showed that he was as keen as ever. Greg Linde realized his ambition and lived the American dream. He published a memoir in Swedish, which Gunilla Ramel ab-
Greg Linde, a distinguished and disciplined entrepreneur, always appeared larger than life — in stature, accomplishments, grace and generosity. Having travelled the world, his heart never left Sweden.
Greg Linde in the prime of his life.
sorbed and noted: “Few Americans of Swedish descent have developed the stature and ability to blend into Corporate America as Greg did. It was hard to [believe] that he was not a native speaker of English, [for] he had a commanding presence at the same time as he exuded kindness and generosity.” As the end of his life’s journey approached, Olle Gregor Linde returned home to Hede to be with the people and the land he cherished. There, on Friday, June 19, as the light of Midsummer Eve beamed down and blessed him, Olle Gregor Linde took his final rest. For a beautiful Swedish obituary by his lifelong friend Jan Hedberg of Falun, see: www.tidningenharjedalen.se - minnesord, Olof Olle Gregor Linde. By Ted Olsson San Francisco
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The Pacific states. page 13
Celebrating the legacy of Sveadal This summer the Swedish American Patriotic League, SAPL, honored Karin Massey, Fred Bianucci and Steve Peterson in celebration of the 89th anniversary of the founding of Sveadal in 1926.
Another year and another anniversary of the founding of Sveadal was celebrated with a special event that included presentations, awards and dinner. On July 26, Swedish American Patriotic League (SAPL) President Conor Massey shared with the guests the well known story of how a small committee had been scouting sites for a Swedish retirement community in the greater Bay Area for a couple years. The group travelled down El Camino Real to the little town of Morgan Hill and up a long, dusty road to find this property for sale. They discovered this perfect place, 1,000 feet above sea level, nestled amongst redwood trees and fed by two creeks. The site had originally been homesteaded by the Martins, a Norwegian and Swedish couple, and now was offered for sale by its current owner who had converted it into a hunting retreat with a magnificent lodge and a number of simple hunting shacks. The League was short of funds to meet the asking price. So, the half dozen men of the committee each pledged a thousand dollars and the League purchased the property. Those men set the precedent of volunteering for the good of the community. Special people in every generation have followed their example with their time, efforts, money and other resources and so for many years the League has used this anniversary to recognize those who have honored our community by their years of dedication to local Swedish culture and the Sveadal community. This year’s anniversary program also included Nate Fabel’s discussion of Sveadal’s boundaries and surface water re-
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sources. Having married into the community and because he works for Marin County’s water management agency, Fabel has all the tools and experience to provide the maps delineating our area and those of our neighbors. The majority of the surrounding land is dedicated to a county park and a nature preserve. Awards Committee Chairwoman Mary Ann Nichelini and Past President Carol Madigan presented this year’s laureates. These announcements are always a surprise to the audience as much as to the laureates themselves.
This year’s leaders and laureates are honored
The SAPL 2015 Medallion went to Karin Olsson Massey Sayegh for her lifetime of contributions to the work of the League and Sveadal. Her paternal grandfather, Alexander Olsson, editor of Vestkusten, and a founder of both the League and Sveadal, set a high standard. Within her immediate family, six
Photography: Twinkle Peterson
Ted Olsson, San Francisco ted@nordstjernan.com
Commitment to the League and Sveadal is a family affair. Here Karin Olsson Massey Sayegh is joined by some of her family (back to front, left to right): husband Mike Sayegh, Karin, Conor, Ryan, Dania, Andrea and Darren Massey; Kyra, Evie, Ari, Jordan and Linnea.
Husband and wife, Steve Peterson (Sveadal Laureate 2015) and Twinkle.
Karin Olsson Massey Sayegh is honored for her contributions to SAPL.
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members have been president of the League, including herself for both the San Francisco League and its former East Bay branch. She continues on the board with two of her sons, Ryan and Conor. She has been Midsummer Queen and is a longtime member of the Midsummer Committee, where she has managed the Queen and Court, the Clubhouse smorgasbord and music, and her family staffs the Midsummer Café. Mary Ann Nichelini announced a second recipient of the League’s Medallion: Fred Bianucci. Like other recipients, Fred represents many who have married into the Sveadal community, adopted its traditions and contributed to the success of both the League and Sveadal. As vice president of the Swedish Society of San Francisco and chairman of its Building Committee, he is also the man most responsible for the renovation of San Francisco’s Swedish
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SAPL laureates: husband and wife, Fred Bianucci (2015) and Susan Bianucci (2012).
American Hall. Fred married Susan Walker, whose grandfather, Eric Strom, was a founder of Sveadal. As a professional electrician for five decades in large-scale commercial construction, Fred’s expertise has continually been called upon. He is also known for giving very informative historical walking tours of Sveadal during Midsummer afternoons. Carol Ann Madigan returned to introduce the League’s laureate for the Sveadal Medallion, Steve Peterson. Steve grew up in Sveadal where his parents and uncle had cabins. He first worked at Sveadal at age 14, assisting his father Leroy and uncle Erik Erickson in building the bleachers for Sveadal’s pool. Ever since Midsummer moved to Sveadal in 1967, Steve has built each of the program’s stages and has never missed a Sveadal work weekend. He also helped build Sveadal’s new Clubhouse and its adjoining new dance floor. As a permanent resident, he is also one of the two men charged with monitoring our water. After a hearty skål and photos of all laureates, the crowd adjourned to a delicious dinner in the Clubhouse. It is remarkable that all laureates, as well as everyone who volunteers by contributing work, money, time or other resources to improve and continue the community, are still doing the work of the founders. They have accepted the legacy given them, repaid that debt with interest and teaching by example by gifting the League and Sveadal to future generations. September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
Viewpoints. page 14
Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com
Bilfärden ut från Stockholm mot Nynäshamn och Torö var som alltid böljande fager. På skogsbrynen som kantar vägen står lövträden ännu grönskande. Aspar, ekar och björkar vägrar tydligen tro att sommaren sjunger på sista versen. Personligen är jag tacksam och lycklig över träd som inte ger upp utan envisas med att förgylla naturen med sin prakt och färg. Efter vår regniga och småkalla juli tog den verkliga sommaren fart igen. Till förtjusning för alla som hoppas att den härliga sommaren till slut måste övergå i användandet av galoscher och regnställ. Vi har ännu ej upplevt några frostnätter. När de väl kommer blir färgerna utan vidare tidsspillan sprakande i gula, röda, bruna och violetta färger. Det kan i och för sig vara strålande vackert också. Men vi vill inte vara där riktigt än. Vi har inte njutit färdigt av sommarens fägringar. Frågan är om vi någonsin gör det. Ute på Torö mötte vi som alltid den andlösa skönheten. Horisonter där hav möter himmel. Kobbarna ligger nästan på måfå utströdda på Konabbsfjärden utanför vår stuga. Just nu är vattenståndet lågt i våra trakter. För någon vecka sedan var vattenståndet nästan halvmetern högre. Vid den tiden blommade algen i Östersjön. Vattnet steg runt kobbar och stränder. När vattenståndet sjönk stannade algern kvar på stränderna. Så småningom torkade
Augusti weekend på Torö algerna av sol och värme. Som resultat ligger det nu en gulvit rand av torkad alg runt de flesta kobbar. Ibland kan jag tycka skären och stränderna härigenom erhållit en viss uppiffning. Precis som när en akvarellmålare ger sitt konstverk ett extra drag med penseln. Stigen ner från vår stuga till stranden går över kullriga berghällar. I alla bergskrevorna växer och blommar just nu ljungen. Ibland anser jag mig vara säker på att det inte finns någon växt som kan tävla med ljungen i skönhet. Ljungen är inte bara förtjusande vacker. Den prålar aldrig som pioner ibland gör. Ljungen är anspråksfull till sin natur. Den gör sig aldrig märkvärdig. Den är mer anspråkslös än andra blomster. Den tränger sig inte på. Den kräver inte att bli gödslad, ansad eller vattnad. Den kräver inte ens sitt eget utrymme. Den bara stillsamt och försynt växer i bergsskrevor. Och verkar nöjd med sin lott. I vår familj brukar vi roa oss med att be var och en i familjen berätta om vilken färg ljungen har. Det är svårt att enas på den punkten. Några menar att den rödbruna färgen dominerar. Andra ser violetta eller lila kulörer. Dessutom har ljungen en doft av jord, natur och trolldom. Om jag inte växt upp som människa utan som någon form av växt skulle jag gärna velat bli en ljungkvist . Helst om jag fått finnas i någon fin skreva på Torö med utsikt över fjärden.
En del tappra seglare syns fortfarande ute på vattnet. Egentligen bjuder sensommaren på en del fördelar. Det blir inte längre lika trångt om goda förtöjningsplatser runt stränderna. Handelsboden på Torö finner jag det alltid en glädje att kliva in i. För några år sedan höll den på att kollapsa. Det gick inte att livnära den på en krympande fast befolkning. Förmodligen har den fasta befolkningen inte ökat. Kanske har dock alla fritidsboende förstått glädjen av att handla i den lokala i Toröbutiken istället för att bunkra upp inne i stan. I varje fall lever butiken vidare. Det är en ren glädje att besöka den och konstatera att den innehåller allt från fläskkotletter, delikatessköttbullar till snus och småbröd från Torös eget bageri. I handelsboden möter jag också folk från trakten som jag haft samröre med under de många år vi bott här. Johan Petterson som hjälpte mig att gräva en slamanläggning för avloppet som kommunen i Nynäshamn kunde godkänna. Ivar från Treviksgården som liksom jag - enligt vår egen mening - målar vackra tavlor på fritid. Vi byter alltid några ord alltid när vi ses om det inte snart är tid att håller vi en utställning tillsammans. Det finns oändligt många fler anledningar än själva handlandet av dagligvaror som gör att butiker i skärgården bör hållas vid liv.
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local events. page 15
More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS
l California
09.20.2015 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM Scandinavian AutumnFest & Marknad Have family fun the Scandinavian way at beautiful Vasa Park! There is something here for everyone: authentic food, skilled artisans, musicians from Sweden, games, pool, water slide, tube slide and many other activities for children some activities require closed-toed shoes. We’re having our 7th annual meatball contest and you can be a judge. For $5 you can sample 10 meatballs, served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries, and vote for your favorite. Parking $10/car. 310-347-8439. www.vasapark.org
l Connecticut
09.19.2015 06:30 PM - 09.19.2015 09:30 PM Concert at Scandinavian Club Join us for a night of wonderful music and light refreshments as Mariehamn Kvartetten choir performs at the Scandinavian Club, Connecticut. Doors open at 7pm Concert 7:30 to 8:30 Coffee, Cake and Small Sandwiches after concert $15 per person $20 per person at the door Visiting from Mariehamn, Åland, Finland, the Mariehamn Kvartetten has become Åland’s leading male choir. Originating more than 70 years ago, Mariehamn Kvartetten’s longevity is given to their belief in the male choir, progressive spirit, camaraderie and a constant renewal of the repertoire without losing sight to tradition. Please make Reservations by September 16-Make check payable to: Scandinavian Club Note number of attendees and mail to: 1351 South Pine Creek Rd Fairfield, CT 06824. 203.384.2761 | www.thescandinavianclub.com
l Florida
Continuously The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce of Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach has begun working to promote trade, commerce and investment opportunities between Sweden, Fort Lauderdale Palm Beach and members. See www.sacc-sfl.org
l Georgia
09.27.2015 05:00 PM - 09:00 PM Finland Dinner Finland is the subject at this meeting. Margareta Martin will talk about current Finland. The dinner that follows will include Finnish specialties.. Nordic Lodge #708 770-3611074. www.vasaorderatlanta.org
l Iowa
09.19.2015 01:00 PM - 04.17.2016 09:00 PM Woodcared Figures, Nordic Roots Delight in the distinctive and often whimsical figure carvings by past and present artists from the Nordic countries and the U.S. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. 563-382-9681.www.vesterheim.org.
l Illinois
09.12.2015 09:00 AM - 09.12.2015 11:00 AM Viking Breakfast and Activities! Come dressed
in your best Viking attire and be prepared to do battle with some delicious Swedish pancakes/ donation of $5/serving. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 09.13.2015 10:00 AM - 09.13.2015 06:00 PM The 36th annual Scandinavian Day Festival celebrates the cultures of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Entertainment by Swedish Recording Artist Peter Nordberg, Norwegian Singer-Songwriter Ann Marita, Violinist Dorothy Shaw, Chicago Spelmanslag, Combined Nordic Men’s Chorus, and Nordic Folk Dancers. Nordic Beer Tasting. Free pony rides and activities for children. Scandinavian food, vendors and displays. $10/adults, free/ages 12 and under. Free parking. Scandinavian Park, Inc. 847-695-6720. www.scandinaviandayil.com 09.13.2015 01:00 PM - 09.13.2015 03:30 PM Scandinavian Jam at the Museum. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 09.18.2015 10:00 AM - 11.29.2015 04:00 PM Appleton: Portrait of a Swedish Chicago Legacy.” Albert Ivar Appleton came from Sweden to Chicago in 1885, and by 1903 he had founded Appleton Electric in Chicago at a time when the electric manufacturing industry was in its infancy. Appleton continues to innovate in the electric and lighting industry, today as a subsidiary of Emerson Electric. www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 09.18.2015 11:00 AM - 09.19.2015 12:00 AM Hejsan–Story & Craft Hour. All ages welcome to attend with a caregiver for this free (w admission) program. Reservations appreciated. Theme: “Why the Crayfish Lives in the Mud” by Johnette Downing www.swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 09.20.2015 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Bullerbyn: Swedish Language Playgroup Taking place roughly every other Sunday in tandem with Svenska Skolan, Bullerbyn is a time for singing cherished children’s songs, reading fun tales, and having lots of fun in Swedish. 773.728.8111 09.24.2015 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM Walking Tour of Andersonville. Guided tours leave the Swedish American Museum at 1 p.m. www. swedishamericanmuseum.org | 773.728.8111 Continuously Step back in time in historic Bishop Hill. Utopia on the Prairie, then and now. For information call 309-927-3899 or email heritage@bishophill. com. Visit our Website at: www.bishophill.com
Apply now for the SWEA NJ Fall Scholarship! Deadline: October 1, 2015 More information at:
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l Kansas
10.09.2015 09:00 AM - 10.10.2015 10:00 PM Svensk Hyllningsfest 2015 Come join us for our 75th anniversary! Occurring in October in odd numbered years, the residents of Lindsborg host a community-wide festival and don traditional Swedish folk costumes to celebrate the Swedish pioneers who settled the Smoky Valley in 1868 – 1869. The festival features a grand parade, Swedish folk dancing, arts and crafts, a lavish Smorgasbord, food demonstrations and vendors, unique music and other special entertainment.. Svensk Hyllningsfest Committee. 888-227-2227. www.svenskhyllningsfest.org
l Massachussetts
09.12.2015 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM Smörgåsbord Nordic Food Festival Local chefs
Hos oss kan du ta en svensk fika, läsa tidningar,
Öppettider 13 - 26 sep SÖNDAGAR
MÅNDAGAR
låna böcker samtala och tända ljus i kyrkan och
be för något som är angeläget
go Nordic! Representing each Nordic nation, local chefs will present a dish that best captures the cuisine of each Nordic culture and you’ll be the judge! Join us for tasting stations, Nordic vendors, music and fun for all ages, including a kids’ station and a Viking encampment and battle! $15-$20/General Admission $20-$25/”Foodie”. Scandinavian Cultural Center. (617) 795-1914. www.scandicenter.org
l New York
09.15.2015 06:30 PM - 11:00 PM SWEA-NY Crayfish Party SWEA at Battery Gardens Restaurant. 09.16.2015 11:00 AM - 10.06.2015 06:00 PM “Three Swedish Artists” The original work of three innovative and talented Swedish artists - Anette Lillhammar, Lizz Sandelin and Susan Lidström will be on display at Agora Gallery’s Enigmatic Visions exhibit. Agora Gallery. (212) 226-4151 www. agora-gallery.com 09.17.2015 11:00 AM - 01.17.2016 05:00 PM Swedish Wooden Toys—an exhibition at Bard Graduate Center Gallery. 212-501-3074 | www. bgc.bard.edu/gallery 10.09.2015 04:00 PM - 10.12.2015 04:00 PM FinnFest USA 2015: The annual national festival of Finnish and Finnish American culture, this year in Buffalo, NY. www.finnfestusa.org/buffalo2015.html
l Pennsylvania
09.12.2015 04:30 PM - 02.28.2016 04:00 PM United Stockholms of America See Stockholm like you’ve never seen the city before! Did you know there are at least eight towns in the Unites States named Stockholm? Most of the towns are now sparsely populated, often desolate but beautiful resorts that do not have much in common with Stockholm in Sweden. Yet, they all pay homage to the great capital city in Sweden. Come to ASHM this fall and discover the landscapes and people of each town when you visit our upcoming exhibition, “United Stockholms of America,” a large-format photography exhibition by Swedish photographer, Charlie Bennet, who beautifully documented the wildly varying degrees of Swedishness of the different Stockholms. Join us for the opening of “United Stockholms of America” on September 13 at 4:30 p.m. Light refreshments served. The exhibition will be on view through February 28, 2016. Don’t miss this extraordinary photo documentary series about the Swedes who stayed!. American Swedish Historical Museum. (215)389-1776. ptieu@americanswedish.org. http://americanswedish.org/calendar.htm
l Wisconsin
09.24.2015 10:00 AM - 10.08.2015 11:00 PM Passport: Sweden at Milwaukee Film Festival. Milwaukee Film Festival. http://mkefilm.org 10.03.2015 10:00 AM - 06:00 PM Scandinavian Fest Scandinavian entertainment featuring ABBA SALUTE--also dancing and more music. Scandinavian food, genealogy help, vendors and more. Ronald Reagan Elementary School 4225 S Calhoun Rd New Berlin, WI For more information--www.nordiccouncil.com or 262-255-2127. Nordic Council of Wisconsin. . jokre_76@yahoo.com.
5 East 48th Street, New York, NY 10017 Tel: +1 (212) 832-8443
www.svenskakyrkan.se/newyork
TISDAGAR
ONSDAGAR
TORSDAGAR
FREDAGAR
LÖRDAGAR
13 sep Högmässa 11.00 START FÖR Caféet öppet 12-16 VERKSAMHETER Ung Svensk i NYC 14-16 Caféet öppet 12-18
Caféet öppet 12-18
Caféet öppet 12-18
Caféet öppet 12-18
Caféet öppet 12-18
Caféet öppet 12-16
20 sep Högmässa 11.00 12.15 Middagsbön Caféet öppet 12-16 18.00 Aftonbön Ung Svensk i NYC 14-16 Mässa, Gloria Dei 16.00
12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
12.15 Middagsbön 15-17 Träffpunkt 18.00 Aftonbön
12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
12.15 Middagsbön 18.00 Aftonbön
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
Photography: Kerstin Alm
dashboard. page 16
Stockholm, Sweden
Swede of the year Max Martin surrounded by the Pippi-styled Margetelund School’s girl’s choir, performing to celebrate the phenomenon of Pippi Longstocking, who this year turned 70. The Swede of the Year award 2015 was awarded to the music producer and songwriter at a ceremony at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm on August 19 by Swedes Worldwide, SVIV. SVIV annually celebrates a Swedish person who’s made outstanding international contributions to promote Sweden in culture, business, science, sports and humanitarian spheres. SVIV said, “Max Martin was awarded the annual Swede in the World award 2015 for his successful work as an international music creator.” Max Martin, whose real name is Martin Sandberg, has for more than 20 years created music that has topped world charts. This year marks his 21st first-place hit on the U.S. Billboard charts, a feat only surpassed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. He has received one Grammy, and for eight years in a row he’s been named Songwriter of the Year by the American music organization ASCAP, American Society of Composers. Martin has so far had no less than 58 songs on the Billboard list Top 10 and was also awarded a Swedish Grammy. Earlier this year he received the Swedish government’s Music Export Award. Martin has contributed to the musical successes of artists such as Taylor Swift, Ace of Base, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, The Backstreet Boys, Justin Bieber and Robyn. For more info on Swedes Worldwide, see www.sviv.se
Stockholm, Sweden
Tuve Johannesson takes the gavel at SVIV, the Swedes Worldwide organization, succeeding Michael Treschow. Tuve Johannesson took over as chairman at SVIV, Svenskar i Världen (the Swedes Worldwide organization) at a board meeting in Stockholm in August. Johannesson, with a solid executive background from Tetra Pak and Volvo, replaces UniLever chairman Michael Treschow on the position. For more info on SVIV, see www.sviv.se Style
Royal Palace
“The Lilian Look!” exhibition at the Royal Palace will be open until January, 2016. Photo by Kungligaslotten.se
Clothing exhibition celebrates a princess
Queen Sylvia opened “The Lilian Look!” exhibition, featuring about 30 garments from Princess Lilian’s wardrobe. The clothing represents a span of 30 years of several different types of garments. The opening ceremony included comments from fashion historian Tonie Lewenhaupt, who spoke of Princess Lilian’s sense of style, and the queen introduced the clothing, saying, “The pieces shown in this exhibition reflect Princess Lilian’s personality. We recognize her in the pastel colors, the elegant cuts and even in the fine details. There’s that ‘tongue in cheek’ that was so characteristic of her.”
Princess Lilian, who died in 2013, would have turned 100 years old on August 30. She had been a fashion model as a young woman in South Wales and became a member of the Swedish royal family when she married Prince Bertil in 1976, making her an aunt of King Carl XVI Gustaf. She was beloved by her extended family and represented the royal family at official engagements and other occasions, even after Prince Bertil died in 1997. She was the patron of many organizations. The exhibition opened August 28 and goes through January 6, 2016 at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.
Herr & Fru | Mr. & Mrs.
Her: “Are you sure you Her: “This is Her: “It’s our turn can handle this?” Him: different.” Him: now.” Him: “I’m “I’ve been on the scariest “Can’t be worse ready.” roller-coasters.” than free fall.”
‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar
In New York In Stockholm In Kiruna Lund In Los Angeles
Nordstjernan, September 15, 2015
September 15: Sunrise 6.36 a.m. 6.17 a.m. 5.57 a.m. 6.39 a.m. 6.37 a.m.
Sunset 7.05 p.m. 7.08 p.m. 5.01 p.m. 7.24 p.m. 7.00 p.m.
Her: “Let’s pretend we’re on our first date…” Him: “Why?”
September 15 Sigrid/Siri September 16 Dag/Daga September 17 Hildegard/Magnhild September 18 Orvar September 19 Fredrika September 20 Elise/Lisa September 21 Matteus September 22 Maurits/Moritz September 23 Tekla/Tea September 24 Gerhard/Gert September 25 Tryggve September 26 Enar/Einar September 27 Dagmar/Rigmor September 28 Lennart/Leonard September 29 Mikael/Mikaela September 30 Helge
d
dashboard. page 17
Malmö, Sweden
Petra Wadström received SWEA International’s Woman of the Year Award (ÅSKA, Arets Svenska Kvinna) for her Solvatten invention. She is second from the right here with: (L-R) Christina Moliteus, committee chair; Margaret Sikkens Ahlquist, SWEA International Chair; Petra Wadström; Agneta Nilsson, founder of SWEA. Photo: Kerstin Alm Awards
SWEA Woman of the Year
Petra Wadström, pictured above, the inventor of Solvatten, received Swedish Women’s Educational Association (SWEA) International’s Award “Årets Svenska Kvinna” (This year’s Swedish Female) 2015 at the SWEA Sweden Dinner in Malmö City Hall on August 13. Wadström grew up outside Stockholm in an art- and nature-loving family. She learned early on to think and create with a vision. As an artist, she has worked a lot with recycled materials and further developed practical, ingenious inventions that attracted attention in Sweden and abroad. Her most famous invention, Solvatten, gives many developing countries access to clean water. The invention warms and purifies polluted water in a portable, twopart 10-liter container with the help of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Women are especially favored by her green invention since they are usually responsible for the household Research
Uppsala, Sweden
Budd Lake, NJ
After being stopped by the police fol- Vasa Park at Budd Lake, NJ, rustic with its majestic trees and rolling lowing a concert in Uppsala, American hills, was home to the 31st annual ScanFest festival, the largest Scansuperstar rapper Snoop Dogg is boycot- dinavian celebration in the northeast on Sept.6. The event draws ting future appearances in Sweden. No thousands of visitors every year, who come to enjoy a smörgåsbord word yet on whether he’ll be missed or of fun and a long list of entertainers, vendors and Scandinavian arts not. Image: Wikimedia Commons and crafts venues. For more info, see www.ScanFest.org
in the parts of the world using Solvatten. It is cheap and easy to use, and Petra’s wish was precisely to create a tool that women can use on their own. The jury said, “Petra Wadström’s outstanding creativity and philanthropic ingenuity makes her a shining example of a Swedish international woman.”
Swedish wooden toys An exhibition on Swedish wooden toys will open at Bard Graduate Gallery, 18 West 86th Street, New York on Sept. 18. The exhibition explores Sweden’s long and enduring tradition of designing, making, and consuming wooden toys and features doll houses, puzzles and games, pull toys, trains, planes, automobiles, and more. For more info, call 212.501.3023 or see www.bgc.bard.edu/gallery
About the award—The recipient must be a Swedish woman who in an unprecedented way represents and highlights the Sweden of today in the world. The annual award has celebrated 25 Swedish women who in various ways have been ambassadors for Sweden abroad since 1989. For more info on SWEA, see www.swea.org
Solar powered water
Solvatten, which translated from Swedish literally means “sun water,” is Swedish technology at its best. By 2014, just four years after it was first established for use, Solvatten’s success increased the quality of life and the life expectancy of people in nearly 20 countries — benefiting more than 100,000 users. Solvatten AB, founded in Stockholm in 2006 based on technology created by the Swedish inventor Petra Wadström, supplies a pioneering portable water treatment unit that allows households to heat up and treat contaminated water using solar energy. Sold and distributed to partners in developing countries around the world, the 11-litre containers, built to last an entire childhood, are placed in the sun for two to six hours to sterilize water, which can then be used for drinking, cooking and other daily hygiene-related tasks. Solvatten was invited to demonstrate its household water treatment at the Smithsonian Museum during the exhibit “Why Design
Solvatten is improving the lives of many people in developing countries.
Now?” in 2010-2011. The exhibit displayed objects that presented reasons that make design an essential tool for solving a variety of today’s most urgent problems. Aside from providing drinking water, Solvatten was shown to also be used as a solar water heater capable of providing hot water for cooking and hygiene. For more info, see www.solvatten.se September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
local events. page 18
Continued from page 19
Vukovi Belgrade. Against Belgrade, the chief opponent was the heat. Sundberg said the temperature on the field topped 100 degrees (Fahrenheit) and defense became an afterthought as both teams lit up the scoreboard. The Crusaders jumped out to a 21-7 firstquarter lead and never looked back. Once more, it was a dominant performance by the offensive line. Guard Sebastian Johansson and left tackle David Hedelin were two big reasons for Carlstad’s control of the line of scrimmage. “They both play in the States for universities – Sebastian is at Marshall and Hedelin is at Purdue. They will play each other this season and I think it is the first time two Swedes have faced each other in a game,” Sundberg said. “Both are big reason why our O-line is so good. They have been together for five, six years and have a lot of experience playing together.” With the offensive controlling the line of scrimmage, Hermodsson had ample time to find his receivers. He finished 13-22 for 212
yards and four touchdowns. The Crusaders’ quarterback picked up 224 yards on the ground on just 13 carried and scored five touchdowns. Koepp ran for 130 yardsand two touchdowns on 12 carries and had two receptions for 62 yards, including a 58-yard scoring strike from Hermodsson. The Crusaders’ crushing offense racked up 631 yards of total offnse, while Belgrade had 446. Belgrade quarterback Myles Gates finished with 8-for-17 in the air for 120 yards and one interception while rushing for 140 yards on 17 carries. Sundberg said the Champions League isn’t necessarily a boost to American football in Sweden, but in the wake of the folding of NFL Europe, it is filling a void. “Maybe it doesn’t mean so much for the development of football on a national level, but on a European level, it is very important,” he said. “People can see there is good football all over Europe. Without NFL Europe, there wasn’t an outlet, but now, with the Champions League, we play against teams from all over Europe. We beat the Finnish champions, the
ops more in Sweden and in Europe because now coaches can come over here to look for players for high school or college. Ten years ago, no one knew anything about (American) football. Now it’s on TV and people can see it all the time and that means the common guy can learn about it.”
Danish champions. We beat the French and the Serbian champions. Now people can see where there is good football and that opens up the cooperation and knowledge between countries. It opens up the communication between countries instead of each country by themselves. That’s the big importance.” Although American football remains small in Sweden and the rest of Europe, it is growing. Sundberg said programs such as that in Carlstad and increased media attention could result in even more growth provided players in Sweden and the rest of Europe get the chance to play at higher levels. “When you look at all the big sports (in the U.S.) – basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer – there are a lot of international players, except in football,” Sundberg said. “I think when NFL Europe stopped that hurt us, but now we growing again. The Champions League is important for this because players can see there is good football in other countries and not just Germany, which is always where people think the best football is. From my point of view, it is good for the NFL is the sport devel-
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Crusader QB Anders Hermodsson is one of the few Swedish quarterbacks in the league. Photo: Anders Sandström/ Bildbyrån
sports. page 19
Photo: Anders Sandström/Bildbyrån
Swedish, European titles for Crusaders
Carlstad Crusaders running back Brett Koepp, a Chicago, Illinois native, breaks a tackle to pick up some of 198 yards in the title game of the Swedish American Football League. Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com
The Carlstad Crusaders are crushin’ it. Thanks to a dominant offensive line and a running game that ripped more holes in its opponents’ defenses than a Miley Cyrus outfit, the Crusaders rambled their way to the top of the American Football mountain, winning their sixth consecutive Swedish title with a 42-17 victory over the Örebro Black Knights Sept. 7 in Uppsala while also carrying home the Champions League title after knocking off SBB Vukovi Belgrade 84-49 July 26 in Belgrade. “It’s wonderful,” said Crusaders place kicker/tight end Jakob Dahre. “It has been a long season that has been up and down, but it’s great to win two championships in one season.” The Crusaders built both titles on their powerful running game. American running back Brett Koepp, who played collegiately at Tiffin University in Ohio, led the team in rushing in the Swedish championship game, rambling for 198 yards on just 13 carries. Quarterback Anders Hermodsson, a product of the Crusaders’ system, ran for 96 yards on 10 carries while going 12 for 19 for 164 yards in the air. “Brett was playing in Europe in 2012 in a game where the best European players played against all the imports,” said Crusaders general manager Robert Sundberg. “We had team USA vs Team Europe and we had representatives from our club and Brett played for Team Europe. He met the players, got
really fond of Carlstad and how we played. Brett asked our plans for import players for the 2013 season, so we scouted him, looked at game tape, and brought him in.”
Earning another title
Koepp put Carlstad in front in the Swedish title game, scampering for 34-yard touchdown at 10:40 of the first half. The run capped a four-play, 82-yard drive. Koepp also snared a 42-yard pass from Anders Hermodsson. Orebro came right back, however, as Black Knights running Anders Lehtonen capped a 69-yard, 11-play, 7:23 drive with a 3-yard scoring run. The long drive was part of Orebro’s game plan as it looked to capitalize on the one weakness the Crusaders’ have shown this season. “We have been slow starters all season long and we don’t know why,” said Sundberg. “They played very physically in the first half. They really went all in.” Örebro took the lead in the second quarter on a Joe Cafferty field goal that linebacker Eric Murphy set when he picked off a pass from Hermodsson. It was the high point for the Black Knights as the Crusaders reeled off the next 35 points, crushing any thoughts of an upset. Hermodsson put Carlstad in front for good at 7:49 of the second quarter when he capped an 8-play, 70-yard drive with a 5-yard run. Although the Crusaders held the lead, Sundberg said his team wanted to send a message. “We have not lost a second half all season and we didn’t want to lose one in this game,” he said. “We went into the half and made
The Carlstad Crusaders celebrate winning their sixth consecutive title in American Football after defeating Örebro 42-17 Sept. 7 in Uppsala. Photo: Anders Sandström/Bildbyrån
some adjustments and maybe they were a little tired. One of our biggest strengths is our depth and we came and controlled the half.” The Crusaders went up 21-10 at 8:45 of the third quarter when Johannes Magnusson caught a 2-yard scoring pass from Hermodsson. The Crusader quarterback made the score 28-10 at 13:07 of the third quarter when he scored on a 13-yard run. Dahre made it 35-10 when he caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Hermodsson while Koepp capped the Crusaders’ day with a 50-yard scoring run to put Carlstad up 42-10. Welp hit Johan Stal with a 24-yard pass at 9:17 of the fourth quarter, but the Black Knights were never really in contention. “That first drive really set the tone for the
second half,” Sundberg said. “We wanted to make them hang their heads a bit, and on their first possession they went three-and-out and we came right down and scored. That was big.”
Boosting football in Sweden
The title is Carlstad’s sixth straight and marks its seventh-straight appearance in the championship game. The Crusaders have been to the Swedish final in 13 of the past 14 years and have reached the playoffs in 18 consecutive seasons. In the Champions League, Carlstad defeated 2014 European champions Helsinki to reach the final, where it faced Serbian champions Continues on page 18
September 15, 2015 Nordstjernan
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the vasa star vasastjärnan
summer 2015 Publication of The Vasa Order of America
The Annual Tri-Lodge Picnic in California featured a Kubb tournament won by above Sveaborg #449 team; L-R: David Bilyeu, Ellen Morrison, Ollie Forsberg, Evelyn Ternstrom and Dan McDonald. Photo: GM Tore Kellgren
The Grand Master’s Message with Distriktslogen Södra Sverige #20 held in Ljungby in Småland. The following week we attended Distriktslogen Norra Sverige #19 held in Borås in Västergötland. It was really nice to see old friends and make new ones. Vasa is an amazing organization, where you can make friends close to home and also across borders and oceans. We also had a little time for visiting family and friends. We arrived home late May and a week later we were on a plane again, this time to Canada for District Lodge Alberta #18 Convention, held in Westerose, Alberta, a small town on Pigeon Lake, south of Edmonton and across the lake from Scandia Lodge #549 Vasa Park. A wonderful summer paradise for many and year-round residence for some. Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters, On a personal note: One of the highlights It has been a busy few months since I wrote of the trip to Sweden was when we met with my previous column. Birgitta and I have atmy cousin Christina (I wrote about her in an tended four conventions, starting with our earlier column this year) for the first time in own District Lodge Golden Gate #12 in late over 60 years. We had an opportunity to catch April. After that we just had time to get back up with what we had done over the years and home, pack and then it was off to Sweden. I found out that she had been my neighbor We attended both conventions there, starting
(well not quite) when she lived in Seattle for seven years. What she didn’t know was that another cousin of ours, Peggy, had also lived in Seattle at the same time. As I am writing this we are enjoying our summer but wishing you would send some rain this way. California is in an unprecedented fourth year of a drought that has us looking at our brown, dead front lawn with pride as we do our bit to save the water we have. If you still have a green front lawn you’d better have artificial turf or access to recycled water around here. Otherwise “brown is the new green.” Soon it will be time for travel again, visiting District Lodge Pacific Northwest #13 for their convention followed by a trip to New England. First for the convention at District Lodge Massachusetts #2 followed by a Grand Lodge Executive Board Meeting that lasts the better part of the week. This is one of two such meetings scheduled for the Board’s four-year term. The week will be capped off with the convention at District Lodge Connecticut #1 and a Vasa National Archives Board Meeting.
Later in the year we are looking forward to additional travel, visiting Lodge Omaha #330 for their 100 year anniversary in October and in November hopefully also District Lodge New York #4 for their convention. Are you attracting new members? Are you keeping your members? I hope you are growing as a lodge. Many of our lodges are working hard at keeping their members engaged and making sure they are coming to the meetings. Yes, it does take work. Are you keeping your members informed with what is happening at the lodge? A lodge newsletter is easy to put together and is an essential part in creating excitement. Publishing it by email removes the financial burden of printing and mailing it to all members. You may have some members who don’t have email and for them you’d need to publish it in print. You must have an exciting lodge meeting if you are going to attract new and keep your current members. Don’t be boring! The competition for your current and prospective members’ time is stiff. You have to put on programs that engage. / continued on p4
National Archive News
A Century of Conventions
Swedish Language
Winners of the 2015 Scholarships
Bill Lundquist, the president of the National Archives gives an update on filling the open position in Bishop Hill. / p3
District Lodge Golden Gate No.12: Another district celebrates a century of gathering for annual conventions. / p8
The Swedish Language Corner: Svenska Språkhörnan is back for another helpful lesson; this time on pronunciation. / p14
The Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee announces the winners of this year’s College or Vocational School Scholarship Awards. / p6
archive news » p3
grand lodge news » p4
district lodge news » p8
local lodge news » p10
language » p14
in memoriam » p15
swedish news » p16
the vasa star / Summer 2015
editor’s Message
issue highlights
We have another long list (p5) of members to welcome to Vasa – your brothers and sisters of this organization greet you from all over Swedish America! Somehow, Sweden is everywhere. I’ve heard from a lot of people who traveled to various places this summer, excited by the bits of Sweden they experienced outside Scandinavia, even if it was just flying somewhere via SAS or test driving a Volvo. I myself was in Paris, France, where I spent a little time at the L’Institut Suedois – they were serving fika and selling Pippi books in the garden. The Swedish Institute and the Swedish church designed by Ragnar Östberg (of Stockholm City Hall fame) are but two of the iconic Swedish sites in Europe’s fashion capital. My visit was brief, but a seasoned traveler to France is writing up more recommendations for us in an article to look forward to in Nordstjernan later this fall. Meanwhile, it’s evident by the many
creative, interesting and enriching activities happening in local lodges across the U.S., that one needn’t really go far to find Swedish experiences (p10). Yes, we all want to go to Sweden, but there’s so much “Sweden” going on in our backyards. As you think of the Swedish summer behind you and fall activities ahead, read about what your lodge is doing, get ideas from other lodge information, and revel in the increased interest in – and awarding of – scholarships (p6): a testimony of the promise for a strong and thriving new generation of Swedes in America. Remember that nearly all the content of the Vasa Star comes from you, our readers. If you aren’t sending your contributions and requests digitally to vasaeditor@gmail.com, please send them to our new mailbox at: P.O. Box 13331. Milwaukee, WI 53213-0331 We would love to hear from you!
Deadlines for The Vasa Star
Where to Submit Material
Fall Deadline » October 15 Winter Deadline » January 15
MAIL TO: vasaeditor@gmail.com
• Picture and article, 200 words or less. • For Letters to the Editor column, 150 words or less. • 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! IN MEMORIAM » Please read instructions on how to send and pay for Obituaries.
amanda olson robison vasaeditor@gmail.com
or Vasa Star PO Box 13331 Milwaukee WI 53213-0331
Christmas Greetings
Send your lodge or personal Christmas greetings to vasaeditor@gmail.com ‘Vasa Star’ • Box 13331 • Milwaukee WI 53213-0331 Please send no later than October 20. One inch greeting - $10, larger greetings - $25
The Swedish Newspaper in America –––––––––
is proud to be of assistance in presenting The Vasa Star, Vasastjärnan in a new format, in print and digitally. Nordstjernan has been reporting on current events in Swedish America since September, 1872. Kenneth T. Jackson, Professor of History at Columbia University and Editor-in-chief, The Encyclopedia of New York City, said it best: “Over the past century and a half, more newspapers were published in New York than in any other city in the world, in large part because of the huge foreign-born community and the variety of publications that the different ethnic groups spawned. Most had a brief and almost ephemeral life, but Nordstjernan has been remarkable for its long life and high quality. It not only helped Swedish immigrants adjust to life in a new world and a giant city, but it set a standard that other newspapers worked hard to emulate.”
www.nordstjernan.com • 1.800.827.9333 ext. 12 (Call now for a special if you are a Vasa member)
Family Tree Släktutredningar
Remember the Vasa Archives
I am a member of the Vasa Order in Sweden and an expert in Swedish genealogy. Over the years I have helped many Vasa members to find their roots in Sweden. If you want my help to find your Swedish ancestors, please email me for further information: swedengen@telia.com
when you are making a memorial donation Send your donations to: Vasa National Archives PO Box 101, Bishop Hill, IL 61419
Donate to the Education & Scholarship Funds Send your donations to: Vasa Order of America, Joan Graham, Grand Secretary 5838 San Jose Ave., Richmond, CA 94804
page 2
Höganäs No. 634 celebrates 60th anniversary in Varalöv, Sweden. / p15
Winners of this year’s College or Vocational School Scholarship Awards. / p6
‘Uttal’ - Swedish Pronunciation Chapter 8, Part 2 of Introduction to Swedish pronunciation. / p14
the vasa star Summer 2015 Vol. 107, No. 3, Serial 849 Published by The Vasa Order of America www.vasaorder.com HEADQUARTERS Grand Secretary / Joan Graham 5838 San Jose Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 526 5512 vasajlg@aol.com Grand Master / Tore Kellgren 5971 W. Walbrook Drive San Jose, CA 95129 Phone: (408) 996 1970 | (408) 505 6623 gmtore@kellgren.org Editor / Amanda Olson Robison
Managing Editor / Liza Ekstrand Send articles, photos & memorials to: The Vasa Star PO Box 13331 Milwaukee WI 53213-0331 vasaeditor@gmail.com Circulation Manager / Joan Graham 5838 San Jose Avenue Richmond, CA 94804 (510) 526 5512 circulationvasastar@gmail.com Send address changes and bottom section of application for new members to Joan Graham. Membership Chairman / Bruce Elfvin 3231 E. Overlook Road Cleveland Heights, OH 44118-2113 bbe@elfvinbesser.com Advertising Call 1.800.827.9333, ask for Vasa Star rates vasaeditor@gmail.com
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Summer 2015 / the vasa star
How to submit Photos to the Vasa Star Occasionally photos are submitted to Vasa Star that are not usable, and you’re disappointed when your photo isn’t used. Here are some guidelines to follow: 1. Best photos are taken with a digital camera or a cell phone camera. These are perfect when downloaded to a computer and emailed directly to the Editor. Please don’t try to modify them, no tweaking, no changing to black and white. 2. Photographs can be scanned, but be sure they are good quality photographs, at least 4x6 in size. If you scan them, be sure they are saved as a .jpeg and 250-300 dpi. If you are not sure of the size, mail the original photograph. 3. Photos pasted into a Word document are difficult to work with, so whenever possible don’t use this method. Send the photos separately, as an email attachment or by regular mail. 4. Most importantly, be sure to include a caption naming each person (if it’s a small group.) Editor’s email: vasaeditor@gmail.com Address: Vasa Star PO Box 13331 Milwaukee WI 53213-0331
Family Tree Släktutredningar I am a member of the Vasa Order in Sweden and an expert in Swedish genealogy. Over the years I have helped many Vasa members to find their roots in Sweden. If you want my help to find your Swedish ancestors, please email me for further information.
swedengen@telia.com
WWW.VASAORDER.COM
ARCHIVE news Message from the President of The Vasa National Archives Greetings Fellow Vasa Members, We are receiving many inquiries and letters of interest from potential candidates and hopefully I will be able to share good news soon regarding a new archivist. The job description and requirements for the position have been circulated throughout the Order and to colleges and universities. The three greatest challenges include the need to be fluent in Swedish, innovative digitalizing of data making it readily available to users, and living in a small rural community. Meanwhile a local resident, Kim Thrush, is working at the Archives dispensing information and offering guidance to those who visit until the archivist position is filled. I’ve received many questions about the Archives as well as the Bishop Hill area, therefore I felt an article explaining what is done both at the Archives and throughout the village will help answer those questions. The Vasa National Archives is located in Bishop Hill, Illinois. Visitors who are interested in the “Great Immigration” as well as the history of the Vasa Order use the Archives to complete genealogy research. A surprising number of Swedish members and others travel to the Bishop Hill area annually looking for precious family connections. At the Archives, visitors also find a collection of several hundred original cassette tapes of interviews with Swedish immigrants to the midwest, biographic and photographic records and other artifacts. Bishop Hill is a fully functioning village
and administration offices. The settlement became a successful economic enterprise and a hub for thousands of Swedish immigrants who settled in the midwest. Erik Jansson’s philosophy lasted approximately 20 years and the community was divided among the members in the 1860s. With the help of the Old Settlers, The Bishop Hill Heritage Association and the State of Illinois, the buildings in Bishop Hill were saved. In the 1970s, with the help of the Swedish Royal family, descendants of the early pioneers helped restore and preserve the buildings you see today. Bishop Hill thrives again for the tens of thousands who visit every year. The Vasa National Archives strives to educate others regarding the “Great Immigration” and to create new electronic processes to digitalize data, making it even more accessible and bringing the Archives Bishop Hill Janssonists into the future. Bishop Hill was settled by the Janssonists I hope you and your families will consider who were a group of Swedish Protestants a visit to the Bishop Hill area soon. I also who fled oppression seeking religious freewant to thank our many Vasa members dom in the United States in 1846. In Sweden, who are contributing to the annual HeriErik Jansson, the group’s leader, had been tage Fundraiser. This fundraiser is used to jailed for his beliefs. He fled Sweden with support operations (unless otherwise desigmore than 1000 followers. They purchased nated) at the Archives and your assistance land in the western wilderness of Illinois and lived the first winter in dugouts along the is greatly needed. As we all know, improvecreek. Many died of cholera but survivors ments are continuously needed to keep a built a church for worship, dormitories, a building and grounds maintained properly. bakery and brewery. They built industries in truth and unity, lundquist, president of the vasa including broom, buggy and woven rug bill national archives production. They built a hospital, a school
located in Henry County, near the Mississippi River on the western side of Illinois. It is a registered historic landmark, an actual living, working piece of the history of this significant immigration period. Bishop Hill is considered a birthplace of the Swedish immigration in the United States and is affectionately called a “utopia on the prairie.” It is not a reproduction, but is very much the same town that was settled in 1846. Many of the historic sites in the village are open to the public such as the colony church, the steeple building and others including the Olof Krans Museum where the original artwork depicting prairie life in the 19th century by this early local pioneer is displayed. The town of Andover is nearby where the Jenny Lind Chapel is located. It stands as a tribute to her history.
Because of a lack of participation at meetings, members living out of state, and the advancAfter 110 years and many good memories to cherish, a Swedish organization closes its ing ages of some, we talked and talked and doors, merging with another to keep up the Swedish American traditions. Helen Johnson agonized ... and came to a motion and vote to merge with Lodge Baltic-Framat #360, another Haumacher reflects. lodge close by in New Jersey. On October 7, 1905, Tryggve Lodge No. 88 Miss Vasa Park beauty contest, cooked many We forwarded our request to the New Jersey began in East Orange, New Jersey, one day dinners and filled many glasses with the liquid Executive Board and it was accepted. Our before New Jersey District No. 6 became part of choice. And of course, for more years than I Charter will be retired and will hang with honor of the Vasa Order of America. The group was can remember, we hosted our two-day picnic, with those other former New Jersey Lodges originally a Swedish workingmen’s society serving all kinds of wonderful food in the din- in District 6 Archives. Since its inception 110 but with the new association, women were ing room and handmade hamburgers in Lilla years ago, Tryggve has received over 1,000 welcomed to join immediately. Stugan. Since the inception of Vasa Park, there applications for membership; they have been The lodge meetings were originally conducted has always been a Tryggve member elected and preserved in our Archives. They are a wealth of in Swedish, changing to English in 1950, and serving on the Board of Trustees, the governing information to review, including addresses from the location changed a few times, mostly body of the Park. families in Sweden, names and occupations. for convenience of its members. The place I In recent years, Tryggve meetings moved from This is sad for me to reminisce upon. I joined remember fondly was the Odd Fellows Hall Montclair Women’s Club to Clifton Masonic Tryggve 58 years ago when Tryggve hosted on Main Street in Orange; many celebrations Hall. We have had Lucia celebrations, Christ- the official visit for my father, Carl G. Johnson, happened there, monthly meetings were filled mas parties with Jul tomtes and Santa Clauses, District Master in 1957. I have not delved into with music, singing, dancing, agreements and send-offs and homecomings, Oktoberfests and specific names other than my father, as there arguments, friendship, refreshments of all kinds, anniversaries. are too many important and significant — each greetings, Swedish and Swinglish. Many ideas In 1985, Bernadotte #122 merged with Tryg- member was and is an important part of the hiswere formed and exchanged and implemented, gve; in 1993, Svea #92 disbanded; in 2005, tory of Tryggve. I have my memories to cherish. as were many lifelong friendships. Höga Nord #194 disbanded. Many members Tryggve is hosting a party to commemorate Tryggve sponsored Children’s Club Vitsip- from these lodges transferred to Tryggve, and the ending of Tryggve and the beginning of pan #116 in 1943, and they held most of their over the years our membership has been as high Baltice-Framat membership at their meeting programs here. We all had a great time. as 250. Currently our roster has 58 members. hall in October. At that time membership pins When our Vasa home in New Jersey was esTryggve has been honored to have 10 of its will be presented to those who have reached tablished — internationally known as Vasa Park members rise to the office of District Master. In milestones, members who are transferring to in Budd Lake — many Tryggve members were this auspicious group is the first in New Jersey of other lodges will be recognized, and we will very involved in its development and activities. father, son-in-law, daughter, husband and wife all join together in a new beginning. They built two cabins, helped design the roof combination of District Masters. Over the years, Helen Johnson Haumacher configuration of the original dance hall, hosted Tryggve members have served as officers on the Tryggve member the Mr. Tryggve beauty contest, participated Grand Lodge level, such as Cultural Director, District Master 1998, Grand Lodge Deputy 2002-2006, Vasa National in every Leif Erikson Parade and Leif Eriks- Supervisor of Children’s Clubs, Deputy, Ac- Archives Board Member 2011-1014 son Smörgåsbord, had several winners in the tivities Director Vasa National Archives Board.
A beginning and an end
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the vasa star / Summer 2015
grand lodge news From the grand secretary’s desk Vasasyskon,
Summertime is that special time when things slow down and we can pause to look back where we’ve been and look forward to what comes next in our lives. This past year since the Grand Joanie Graham Lodge Convention has been a very busy and hectic time for me. So many tasks must be completed following our quadrennial meeting, and I am relieved to say that all tasks have been completed. The Constitution calls for certain documents to be completed within six months of the meeting. Because of my husband’s serious health issues during the past year, I missed this deadline. I was able to complete, produce and distribute electronic copies of the Record of Proceedings and the updated Constitution in March 2015. Then came the tasks of requesting quotes from various printers to produce the paper copies of these documents.
Lodge meeting, many changes were made to the Constitution for Grand Lodge, for District Lodge and for Local Lodge. Each local lodge received six copies for the lodge officers and each district received 12 copies for their district executive board members. All Grand Lodge Officers and Delegates received one copy of each of these documents. If you would like to order a copy of the booklet Record of Proceedings, a limited number of copies is available from Grand Secretary Joanie Graham (vasajlg@aol. com) at cost (printing and postage). The Constitution is now available from the Vice Grand Secretary Lee-Ann Anderson Hurtubise. The complete Vasa Handbook (binder) includes the updated Constitution, the Local Lodge Ritual, and the Instruction Manual. Send your order to Lee-Ann at ande6353@gmail.com or by mail to 350 Kenyon Ave., East Greenwich, RI 02818. Lee-Ann will package your order, determine postage and contact you with the full amount. You will mail a check to her, payable to “Vasa Order of America.” When the check is received, the package will be mailed. Please allow plenty of time for mailing. Each new member should receive a handbook at their initiation.
is available as an email attachment. This can be printed on your home printer, but I suggest you save it on a flash drive and take it to your local copy center (Staples, Kinko’s, etc.) to have them print it double sided and bind with a spiral binding. Makes for a handy and inexpensive desk copy. The Grand Lodge will not be producing this in hard copy/print. If you find incorrect information in the Vasa Directory, please contact me at vasajlg@aol.com, so I can make the correction on my master copy. As I mentioned, all of these documents are also available by email as a pdf. Contact me, Grand Secretary Joanie Graham, at vasajlg@aol.com. This way you will have them on your computer, which makes it easy to search for specific words. You can also print specific sections or pages, if desired. The Constitution has been posted to the Vasa website (vasaorder.com). Please do not post the Record of Proceedings or the Vasa Directory to any website or social media.
at vasajlg@aol.com and are submitted to the local lodge. At the Grand Lodge meeting, the officers and delegates voted to increase the grants provided to the Youth/Children’s Clubs from $200 to $300 when they submit their Annual Report to GL Children/Youth Club Director Lynda Smith. This year, of the 25 children’s clubs, only 12 clubs submitted their reports and awards were mailed to these clubs. I’m happy to hear that discussions are taking place in several local lodges to form new children’s clubs.
Trouble in cyberspace
During the summer, I discovered that some emails were not getting through to me. I contacted AOL and learned the problem was at their end, not my computer. I have no idea how long this has been happening. If you emailed me in the past six months (or more) and I did not respond, please send your email again. I always respond to your emails, even if just to say “thanks.” The Student Loan Program problem has been resolved. If you seem to Announcing that the Education Fund’s Stu- have trouble getting an email to me, try my dent Loan Program is once again available other one: circulationvasastar@gmail.com. to receive applications. These no-interest Record of Proceedings loans are available to college students. The As always, if you have any questions or I am happy to report that every lodge has student signs a promissory note, and a par- concerns, please feel free to contact me. If received one copy of the Record of Pro- Vasa Directory ent or guardian AND the local lodge sign I don’t have the answer to your question, I’ll ceedings, the minutes and reports from the The Vasa Directory, listing all Local Lodg- as guarantors of the loan. The student may tell you who might. Grand Lodge Quadrennial Meeting in July es, Children’s/Youth Clubs, Vasa Activities apply for up to $1,500 each year for three 2014, to share among the members. Each Club, as well as the District Lodges, Grand years, for an aggregate of $4,500. Student In truth and unity Joanie Graham, Grand Secretary district lodge received four copies to share Lodge, and Archives Board of Directors, must have been a member of Vasa for two among the district officers. At the Grand has been updated as of July 1, 2015 and years. Applications are available from me
Grand Lodge Executive Board Member The Grand Master’s Message (continued from page 1) in Sweden, Ulf Alderlöf Dear Vasa Friends! Chairman. I served As the Member of the Executive Board- as a member of the Sweden, I want to make a short presentation District Executive of myself. I’m 71 years old and was born and Board from 2003 grew up in Karlskrona, Blekinge county, in to 2009. As a delsoutheastern Sweden, “the garden of Sweden.” egate to the Grand I attended eight years in primary school, three Lodge Convention years in engineering school, and then served in 2010 in Washington, the Swedish Air Force as an aircraft mechanic DC I was elected as for one year. After this I began education and MEB-Sweden, and training as a pilot in the Swedish Air Force in am now in my second term. I am also an “Odd Ljungbyhed, Skåne. I spent three years there Fellow” member in Ronneby. and after graduation I became a pilot with the All these years in Vasa Orden have given my F17 Wing in Kallinge, Blekinge, not far from wife and me so many good friends and great where I grew up. After 37 years I retired in experiences, in Sweden, the USA and Canada. 2002 and became a civilian. I wish all Vasa Members and Vasa Orden of I married Ingegerd in 1970 and have two Amerika the best in the future. daughters and two grandchildren, nine and six years old. We became Vasa members in In truth and unity, Ulf Alderlöf, MEB-Sweden Local Lodge Ronneby #630, DL Southern Sweden #20 in 1985 and I have served as Guard, Vice Chairman, Chairman and Past
I mentioned in my previous column that we are working with Swedish companies to get special value programs for our members. By now, if you are a Vasa Member in the U.S., you should have been informed by your Lodge Secretary about one such program we have with Volvo Cars. If you haven’t heard, please ask your Lodge Secretary. Grand Secretary Joan Graham sent out this information in June. Otherwise, send me an email GM@vasaorder.org to get the details. This is a special deal for Vasa Members in the USA which means I cannot provide more details here. If you are not a Vasa member and are reading this, please contact me or go to www.vasaorder.com/VasaMembership/ for
more information on becoming a member. Our new Vasa Database is ready to be put to use. To that end I am sending a spreadsheet template to all District Secretaries to provide member information. This data will be entered into the database allowing each Local Lodge to conveniently maintain its membership information. It will be accessible on the web where password-protected information can easily be updated and retrieved. With the database in place, annual reporting of membership can be handled automatically, providing that all lodges keep their data current. You will also have a place to announce your upcoming events and have your members RSVP to meetings where that would be appropriate. Support your District Secretary by providing this information in a timely manner! in truth and unity, tore Kellgren,grand Master
Do you have a question for the Grand Lodge? Ever wonder why or how or when…? Send your questions about anything Vasa-related to vasajlg@aol.com and then watch for the FAQ Column in The Vasa Star. page 4
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Summer 2015 / the vasa star
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, 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. Bruce Elfvin, Grand Lodge Membership Chairman 3231 E. Overlook Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118 / elf4law@aol.com DL CONNECTICUT NO. 1 Norden Lodge No. 1 Christine Bongiorni Erling Reinhold Johnson Karl XII Lodge No. 103 Sara Grace Melendez Margaret Julie Yacovino DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2 Brage-Iduna Lodge No. 9 Kathy Mullins Ingeborg Lodge No. 66 Linda Jane Pearson Nordic Lodge No. 611 Rasmus Mikael Andersson Gail Boutiette DL NEW YORK NO. 4 Thule Lodge No. 127 Diane Grodecki Carla Olinger Philip Armstrong Shevory Donna Lee Starks DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6 Arlington Lodge No. 62 Anthony C. Aponte Jennifer Sue Aponte Michael A. Aponte Barbara Babcock Mickael Bisttara Maxwell J. Di Alfonso Janet Mary Gallagher Carla Holusha Stephen Holusha Cara Jacobsen Lars Skov Kristensen Pam Kristensen Elise Marie Land Mervat Maher Douglas McConnell David Allan O’Connor Laura Lee O’Connor Lauren Ordner Raymond J. Raiani Richard S. Schweighard Cristal Marie Seifert Fred Wind
Erin Smith Wisloff Stephanie L. Zilinskis Linne Lodge No. 429 Jacob Rubenstein Gothiod Lodge No. 486 Elexa May Bauman Daniel Patrick Nelsen Howie Weiss Vågen Lodge No. 588 Melody A. Johnsen Peter S. Misinsky DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8 Bessemer Lodge No. 203 Douglas William Gershon Hailey LeeAnne Gershon Amy Rae Lippert Marie Alexandra Lippert Mary Anna Lippert Svea Lodge No. 253 Ronald A. Baumgart Rachelle A. Baumgart Marty Lindgren Viljan Lodge No. 349 John H. Higgins Lowell G. Nordling Trudy Nordling Joe Harbor Lodge No. 534 Brian Dee Culverhouse Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 Elizabeth Gabriel Allen Ronald Allen DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9 Svea Lodge No. 296 Tyler Richard Keller Sarah Larson DL SUPERIOR NO. 10 Monitor Lodge No. 163 Pauli Johannes Kniivila DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12 Tegner Lodge No. 149 Ellen Marie Morrison Balder Lodge No. 343 Logan Stanley Lancaster Benita Lillemor Robinson
Svea Lodge No. 348 Jenny Robertsson Per-Ola Robertsson Nord Lodge No. 392 Christopher William Hanham Michael Joseph Hanham Courtney R. Vanover Framåt Lodge No. 405 Jonathan Holtermann Chamberlain Michael Wilhelm Suhr Mia-Marie Holtermann Van Docto Sveaborg Lodge No. 449 Liliana Echevarria Lindbergh Lodge No. 494 Anna-Carin Blendulf Bengt RW Blendulf Dr. Joan N. Buckley Anita Charlotta Peterson Linnea Lodge No. 504 Nick Emanuel Provenzano DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST NO. 13 North Star Lodge No. 145 Ray Hugh Fahrenkopf Tie E. Fahrenkopf Claudia Marie Hustrulid Marianne Leek Bernice Helene Rosendahl Tegner Lodge No. 224 Kristen Comstock Kresta Ruth Hurlbert Christi Swanson-Gardner Skogsblomman Lodge No. 378 Miae Seve Aramori Scott Ridout Susan Ridout DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST NO. 15 North Star Lodge No. 106 Lisa Gonzales Skandia Lodge No. 247 Anna Lisa Poganski Evening Star Lodge No. 426 Victor Long Mayflower Lodge No. 445 Anette Glaser Paul Ottosson Golden Valley Lodge No. 616 Mikael Amador-Stromberg Jason Blohm Deric Dodd Alice Karling Stephanie Keys Morgan Klintare
Clinton Lien, Jr. Jens/Kevin Mikkelsen Natalie Mikkelsen Jennifer Norman-Lund Valerie Olson Alexander Richards Robert Shoemaker Sayd Birgitta Sidenius Lillemor Stromberg Lucas Taylor Victoria Zdor Scandinavian Lodge No. 667 Maxine Marie Larson Persson Paul Robert Persson Oak Leaf Lodge No. 685 Annmarie Compton Marianne Eva Cotone Margaret Cecilia Finnstrom Jennifer Danielle Gossett Cheryl Irene Haggerty Jay Donald Halvorson Märta Elizabeth Hethmon Isaac Lieberman DL IOWA-NEBRASKA NO. 17 Norrskenet Lodge No. 331 Gail Berger Rosemary Forsling Robert Franklin Swanson DL ARIZONA NO. 21 Phoenix Lodge No. 677 Keirsten Gale Anderson Astrid Cecilia Johnson Stig Magnus Jonah C. Magnusson Nancy Marie Magnusson Dana Modén Mercz Christopher J. More Amanda Kay Pabst Becky Ann Walkden Nicklas Alan Yockey
Jan O Johansson Bo Thoursie Monica and Torleif Rubin Calmare Nyckel No 628 Yvonne Sölvinger Ole Torffvit Kerstin and Per-Olov Olsson Ronneby No 630 Elisabeth Fohlin Torsten Norberg Tomelilla No 631 Kerstin Andersson Lu Ejvegård Pia and Bengt Lindström Carl von Linné Nr 678 Lena Taavo-Flenhagen Lars Falegård Gunnel and Toni Sjö Westervik No 679 Gun Bengtsson Liew, Yonda Andersson Harriet Uhre Frykdahl Nybyggarna No 698 Barbro and Karl-Erik Asp Eva Ahlin Tomas Roström Anita Boakes, Rhiannon Djupdalen Marie and Åke Andersson Åsa and Karl Englund Monica and Hans-Åke Jönsson Karin and Assar Olsson Jolanta and Lars Pettersson Annika and Peter Lauri Agneta and Lars Stanley Marianne and Jörgen Brandsvig Mariann Ehde Frick and Ola Frick Christina and Mats Kjellin Klockan No 747 Thomas Nilsson Blå Jungfrun No 749 Ewa and Owe Carlsson
DL NO. 20, SWEDEN: Skåne No 570 Gunvor Wild-Nordlund Anita Hassel Ingemar Joelsson Kärnan No 608 Bengt Starå Ingrid Pettersson Christian No 617 Kerstin Ewing Småland No 618
New Members Bring New Blood to the Lodge more members to help the Cultural Leader. Include your New Members on this committee. By doing some research you can identify resources for programs in your community. Your New Members shouldn’t be overlooked for interesting programs. Select a theme for the year. You must develop a strong cultural program if you want to build and keep your membership. INCLUDE!
invite non-Vasa members to join. Decide which of these activities will work best with your group, and then publicize in the community activities column of your local newspaper or post a flyer at your local library. Let your community know that you are actively sharing your Nordic traditions. CONTRIBUTE!
We need to encourage our New Members to share their talents. Develop interest groups in your lodge: singing, folk dancWe need to keep the New Members en- ing, language, crafts, travel, or current gaged. We all know that a successful lodge events in Sweden. Or perhaps genealogy, must have a strong cultural focus. Form a or a computer club. You can form an AcCultural Programs Committee of three or tivities Club for these special interests and
Mom Lisa Raddatz and her baby Wren, 9 months. Nordikfolk/Noridkids, story page 13.
Welcome to all the New Members listed here from the many people who were “new members” before you, each with an enthusiasm for our heritage and a desire to enjoy the familiar traditions together. Let’s remember that New Members want to feel included in the activities of the lodge. Put them on committees; talk to them when they arrive at your meetings. Be sure to fill them in on the information that others already know, so they know the background of things that are happening. Include them when nominating officers for the new term. WELCOME!
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grand lodge news
the vasa star / Summer 2015
Winners of the 2015 ScholarshipS The Grand Lodge is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s $1,000 College or Vocational School Scholarship Awards. SUSAN AMIDON Viking Lodge No. 735 DL New Jersey No. 6 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Susan will be attending Penn State University in State College, PA, majoring in Chinese and Japanese. While in high school, she studied Chinese and Japanese on her own with the assistance of online courses. She is very motivated and enjoys learning. As a Vasa member, Susan is very active in her local lodge and participates in cultural and musical events.
EDWIN BENNETT Evening Star Lodge No. 426 DL Pacific Northwest No. 15
MIRIAM SAUCEDO Astor Lodge No. 215 DL Pacific Northwest No. 13
MARIA CARLSON Brage Iduna Lodge No. 9 DL Massachussetts No. 2
Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship Miriam is graduated from Concordia Uni- Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 versity in Portland, Oregon, with a degree – $1,000 Edwin is a biochemistry major at Whit- in Psychology. She is planning to continue Maria is attending North Park University tier College in Whittier, CA. He has earned her studies in a Professional Counseling in Chicago and is double majoring in sonumerous awards for his outstanding service graduate program at Lewis and Clark Col- ciology and history. After graduation she to the community, Vasa Order, high school lege. Miriam is a member of Astor Lodge intends to attend law school. and college. He has always been on the #215 in Astoria OR. She has been an active In high school, Maria played the trumpet Dean’s List. Upon graduation from college, member in Vasa since 2009. She was serv- in band and was a track star, earning many Edwin expects to enter medical school with ing as Miss Sweden in 2010 and has been medals. In college she is active in sports, a scholarship from the Air Force or Navy. helping out at many different events in the volunteers in child care and tutors children. Vasa community.
HANNAH INGERSON Tuscon Lodge No. 691 DL Arizona No. 21 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Hannah will be attending a university to major in art education. She is a member of the National Honor Society and played high school tennis, volleyball and soccer. As a Vasa member, she has been with the Swedish Children’s Folkdance Group since age 5, has participated in many Lucia pageants and is a volunteer for lodge events.
EMILY PEARSON Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 DL Lake Michigan No. 8 Winner of Lodge Viking #730 Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Emily is attending Purdue University and majoring in business management. She is on the university tennis team and volunteers in the community. As an active Vasa member, Emily has been a member of Nordikids since its inception and has held various officer positions.
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LINNEA HEINSTEDT Golden Valley Lodge No. 616 DL Pacific Southwest No. 15
RACHEL HANNIGAN Nordik Lodge No. 761 DL Lake Michigan No. 8
JOHAN ENGLEN Facklan Lodge No. 248 Central Region
Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Linnea is attending Utah State University Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship and majoring in public health education. – $1,000 Prior to Utah State, Linnea attended Col- – $1,000 Johan is attending Drury University in Rachel is attending Purdue University and lege of the Canyons and earned associate’s Olathe, KS, majoring in history and interdegrees in math and science. She has always majoring in electrical engineering technolnational political studies. Upon graduation maintained her grades and a place on the ogy and computer engineering. Upon graduhe will attend graduate school to become Dean’s List. Upon graduation, she plans to ation she desires to attend graduate school a political analyst, journalist or professor. attend graduate school then work toward and obtain her Master’s degree. Johan speaks Swedish fluently and particiRachel is active in university activities becoming a pediatrician. pates in the Swedish community. As a Vasa member, Linnea was a Vasa and was chosen to be the vice president of He is an Eagle Scout, a pool lifeguard, and Park Folk Dancer and has held various lo- Women in Technology. She is also a student volunteers at a foster home, Phillips Univercal lodge officer positions, including youth IT trainer. sity Legacy Foundation, the Salvation Army As a Vasa member since 2006, Rachel has supervisor. and the Special Olympics. held various local lodge officer positions including delegate for two District Conventions as a representative of Nordikids children’s group.
The Grand Lodge is pleased to announce this year’s Sjölunden Language Camp awards. Bertha Kalm Sjölunden Language Camp Awards were awarded to: EMILY BENSON, District No. 12 ERIN BENSON, District No. 12 CLAIRE CUSTER, District No. 9
KAELIN DEN HERTOG, District No. 15 NELSON GRANZOW, District No. 8
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grand lodge news
Summer 2015 / the vasa star
VASA SCHOLARSHIPS TO SWEDISH LANGUAGE CAMP ALEXANDER ENGLEN Facklan Lodge No. 248 Central Region Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Alexander is attending Culver-Stockton College in Canton MO, majoring in psychology. Upon graduation he will attend graduate school to attain a degree in industrial / organizational psychology. He is on the President’s List with a 4.0 GPA, plays college soccer and is a volunteer at Canton Community Center. He attends regular Vasa meetings and participates in Kansas City Ethnic Festival, Santa Lucia and other traditional events.
The Grand Lodge Executive Board will award up to five Sjölunden Scholarships to qualified applicants from the U.S. and Canada.
Eligibility
Applicant must be between 12 and 18 years of age as of April 1, 2016. Applicant, parent/guardian or grandparent must be a member of the Vasa Order of America for at least two years prior to April 2016.
Requirements
Award winner is expected to provide: A. Evidence of health and accident insurance absolving the Vasa Order of America of any liability, B. A letter of recommendation from a current teacher and the latest records of grades, C. A brief essay on “WHY I SHOULD BE CHOSEN TO GO TO THE SJÖLUNDEN SWEDISH CAMP,” D. A letter, bearing the Local Lodge Seal, verifying that applicant, parent/guardian or grandparent will be a member for at least two years prior to April 1, 2016, E. Other comments that will assist in selecting the winners.
Awards
The Vasa Order of America will pay the basic tuition (around $2,035) for the two-week 2016 Summer Program and will reimburse travel expenses up to $600 against submitted receipts. All other costs will be borne by the recipient. Date of Camp: August 1-13, 2016 (schedule is subject to change.) Refer to: http://www.concordialanguagevillages.org/youth-languages/swedish-language-village Additional information and the scholarship application is available on the Vasa web site: www.vasaorder.com. Deadline for application is a postmark date of February 10, 2016
The Grand Lodge 2016 Scholarship and Essay Contest The Grand Lodge of the Vasa Order of America offers the following to students attending or planning to attend institutions of higher education. ABIGAIL OGRENZ Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 DL Lake Michigan No. 8 Winner of the Pennsylvania #9 Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Abigail is currently enrolled at DePaul University in Chicago, where she’s majoring in theater management/education. In the future, she hopes to work in a theater where she can create educational theater for young audiences; ultimately, she would like to open a theater that focuses on being accessible to underserved communities. Abigail has been a Vasa member since 2009. She has been involved in Nordikids and still participates in all lodge functions, including attending District Conventions.
Family Tree Släktutredningar I am a member of the Vasa Order in Sweden and an expert in Swedish genealogy. Over the years I have helped many Vasa members to find their roots in Sweden. If you want my help to find your Swedish ancestors, please email me for further information.
A limited number of $1,000 COLLEGE or VOCATIONAL SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS: awarded to students to continue education at an institution of higher learning. Applications will be available on the Vasa website (www.vasaorder.com) from September 15, 2015 to January 15, 2016. To be eligible, all the following items must be postmarked no later than February 15, 2016 to be considered. 1. Completed application. 2. Complete transcripts of grades through the first half of the senior year for high school students or fall semester of current academic year for college students. 3. Include a current, good quality, passport style photo 2”x3” or email a high-res headshot to vgm@vasaorder.org. 4. Letters of recommendation from applicant’s Local Lodge. 5. Letters of recommendation from two personal references. 6. A letter of reference from your Dean, Principal, Teacher or Counselor. 7. An original, typed essay, not to exceed 1,000 words.
Please put in one envelope if possible. Suggested Essay Subjects: 1. The role youth can and should play in Vasa. 2. My vision of the future of Vasa. 3. My local lodge and the community. 4. What Vasa means to me. 5. My Swedish Heritage. AWARDS ARE PAYABLE TO the institution at which the student is enrolled or accepted for enrollment. The $1,000 College or Vocational School Scholarship, student needs to be enrolled in an accredited vocational school or institution of higher learning taking no less than six (6) credits per semester or eight (8) credits per quarter in the academic year immediately following the award. In extraordinary circumstances, on petition to the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee, payment may be postponed for a period not to exceed two years.
For questions email: vgm@vasaorder.org
swedengen@telia.com
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the vasa star / Summer 2015
DISTRICT lodge news Golden Gate No. 12 Celebrating 100th Annual Convention
Pacific Southwest No. 15
Easter Lunch
On March the 28 the District held the third, what we hope to be annual, Easter Lunch. This year Mayflower Lodge No 445 in Torrance, California, opened its doors to the members. Happy Vasa members enjoyed a lunch that included herring, salmon and semlor. The latter homemade by DC Maidie Karling. ADS Nel Solt headed the event and had many happy helpers. DS Isabella Muscarella donated her deviled eggs. EBM Valerie Larson donated potatoes and carrots. After lunch DT Bob Solt served as “Bingo Boy”; silly little Easter items served as prizes. Guests were also welcome to make their own Pask ris. Everybody seemed happy with their afternoon.
Springfest in Vasa Park
District 15’s Vasa Park is located in Agoura Hills Southern California. May the 3rd was a beautiful day - perfect for the annual Spring picnic and Vasa member appreciation day. Many Viking’s enjoyed the pool while others preferred just to socialize. In the morning we could enjoy a yummy waffle breakfast. Later the “Kaffe stuga” 100th annual district meeting of DL Golden Gate No. 12 in Stockton, Cal., hosted by Nord Lodge No. 392 opened and at noon the barbeque served lunch. We had Swedish entertainment by Nord Lodge #392 hosted the Golden Gate dance by Helen Mingram, PDM, HLM, fol- that Joy Marie Brusenback from Norden Tjärnmyrbergarn, Karl-Ivar Pettersson who District #12 100th annual convention April lowed by the Flag Ceremony. Members of Lodge #684 was the 2015 District Scholarplayed accordion and sang. Julia Pihl sang 24 – 26, 2015 at the Holiday Inn, Stockton, the PDM Club processed carrying the flags ship winner. along while husband Eskil was happy to California. of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, IceBanquet Master of Ceremonies PGM Eric visit. In spite of the California water shortAn extensive display placed near the en- land, Canada and USA as each national song Johnson introduced speakers Grand Master age, the Park was beautifully green. It was trance to the convention room brought to life was played with people proudly singing Tore Kellgren and DM Paul Jevert. What a a lovely day for all! the history of our district. Past convention along. Emma Hanlon of Svea Lodge #348 wonderful time of fellowship as we enjoyed Great big Thank You to Vasa Park Asmemorabilia spanning 100 years was lov- was bestowed the Honorary Life Member- a delicious meal and then danced to the sociation for sponsoring this event for our ingly assembled by all the lodges. ship award for her tireless contributions to music of Waterloo ABBA Tribute Band. District! The District meeting convened on Satur- the Vasa Order of America. Another memorable convention! submitted by nel solt submitted by carol ann sell day morning with a welcome to all in attenDuring the convention Emma announced district press rep
Golden Gate No. 12
Sweden Day: Akvavit Kryddat Brännvin World Championship
Vasa Order of America Golden Gate District #12 hosted this event at the annual Sweden Day festivities, May 30 at Sveadal, a resort nestled in the beautiful redwoods in the Santa Cruz Mountains, 20 miles southwest of San Jose, California. There were 39 entries of favorite akvavit recipes judged by three distinguished and esteemed culinary experts: Roberth Sundell, a native of Stockholm, Sweden who currently owns Pläj Scandinavian Restaurant & Bar in San Francisco; Alexander (Alex) Hult, native of Borlänge,
Sweden who currently owns Hult’s Restaurant in Los Gatos; and the Rev. Benjamin Davis Hutchinson, native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and pastor of Cassopolis United Methodist Church in Michigan who stepped in for Lars Nordel of Umeå, Sweden who suddenly took ill. Awards were given as follows; Traditional: Robert Erik Olson Best Tasting: (3 way tie) Dave Jansson, Catherine Lipscomb, Greta Anderson Best Presentation: Jim Melin The day was filled with many other activities and a beautiful performance of Akvavit winners: Jim Melin, Catherine Lipscomb, Greta Anderson, Robert Erik Olson, Dave Jansson
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Roberth Sundell, Benjamin Hutchinson, Alexander Hult
stringed instruments by Nykken, a pre- pared by Dave Jansson, featuring foods mier musical group from the Bay Area, from southern Sweden. walking tours of the grounds, a Kubb submitted by carol ann sell tournament and a delicious banquet pre-
Flags celebrating Sweden Day at Sveadal
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district LODGE NEWS
Summer 2015 / the vasa star
Lake Michigan No. 8
Satellite 661 hosted the 107th convention on May 29-31, 2015 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Cultural Leader Tim Ogrentz held the first kubb tournament with 18 players, and we were entertained by graduate students from WMU’s School of Music who played Scandinavian Folk Music, and Holly Jensen who gave a presentation of her trip to Göteborg, Sweden to collect a new Volvo. District 8 established a District Cultural Enhancement Fund (CEF) to support local lodges in increasing knowledge and enjoyment of Nordic culture. Each year, every local lodge will be allotted $10 per lodge member plus a fixed sum of $300 per lodge from the CEF. The money may be used for open houses, programs, training, materials, entertainment, food and/or participation in community cultural events. The objective is to make our activities more learned, cultural and fun, to encourage members to stay members, and guests to join. Plans and achievements will be reported so we learn from one another. Dr. Murray Cooper and DC Marvin Anderson presided over the memorial service for members who died during 2014. They were remembered with memorial candles lit by Judith Ruser. Membership Awards of $300, $200 and $100 were earned by and presented to Svea 253, Viljan 349 and Bessemer 203, respectively. Seven $1,500 scholarships were awarded to Rachel Hannigan, Sofia Nelson, Abigail Ogrentz, Harrison Ogrentz, Jennifer Pearson and Emily Pearson of Nordik Folk 761, and Ashley LeBlanc of Linde 492. VDM Michael Pearson Sr. presented the DSA to PDM Edward Hultgren, who has served in numerous capacities since 2002, and the officers for 2015-2016 were announced.
Trivial Pursuit winners: Swedish Trivial Pursuit Game winners: Elizabeth Stopka, Randy Anderson and Ashley LeBlanc. Officers for 2015-2016: Front Row - DEBM Paula Stopka, DHFS Linda Tylk, ADS / Valthornet editor Joella Hultgren, PDM Edward Hultgren, DM Susan Cleveland, VDM Nancy Hult, DS Susan Nilsson, DT John Loula and DEBM Michael Pearson, Jr. Back Row - DC Marvin Anderson, IG Steve Westlund, IG James Pelzman, DSCYC Lynda Smith, DA Herbert Smith, DA Robert Merrill, DCL Timothy Ogrentz, DMC David Runstrom and DH Iva Lynn.
submitted by joella hultgren
KUBB tournament participants: District Cultural Leader Tim Ogrentz, DSCYC Lynda Smith, Deborah Renaud, Barbara Olson, Harrison Ogrentz, Patricia Pelzman, Sofia Nelson, James Pelzman, Luke Turoci, DA Herbert Smith, ADS Joella Hultgren, Michael Figueroa, DEBM Paula Stopka, PDM Edward Hultgren, Diane Figueroa and Linnea Ogrentz.
Scholarship News
$1,500 toward their college expenses. Five of these scholarships are being funded by District Lodge Lake Michigan #8 had a the South Side Chicago Lodges fund (an convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan the last endowment fund started in the 1990s), and weekend of May. We were very fortunate to two of these scholarships are being funded be able to award scholarships to seven very directly from District 8’s funds, budgeted deserving young members. We are so very just for this purpose. Here are the recipients, listed in alphabetiproud of our youth! They are our ambascal order by first name, and the school they sadors to the future of our Order! All scholarship recipients this year receive will be attending in the fall semester:
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Cultural Room Display (with Cultural Leader Timothy Ogrentz in the background)
Abigail Ogrentz – DePaul University/IL Ashley LeBlanc – Valparaiso University/IN Emily Pearson – Purdue University/IN Harrison Ogrentz – Chicago City Colleges/ IL Jennifer Pearson – Purdue University/IN Rachel Hannigan – Purdue University/IN Sofia Nelson – Indiana University/IN s ub m i t t ed b y ly n d a s m i t h
Christmas Greetings Send your lodge or personal Christmas greetings to vasaeditor@gmail.com
‘Vasa Star’
PO Box 13331 Milwaukee WI 53213-0331 One inch greeting - $10 Larger greetings - $25 No later than October 20
di s t r i c t s u p e rvi s o r o f c h i ld r en an d youth
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local LODGE NEWS
the vasa star / Summer 2015
LOCAL LODGE news
Edwin Sandberg, past NY District Master, Allie Linnea Nelson Withers, past cultural leader, and John Sipos, lodge historian, all being honored for their birthdays.
Thule No. 127
jamestown/bemus point, ny / Hello from Thule Lodge. We have had a wonderful summer season with favorable weather, and our At a recent midsummer festival, Henrik Karlsson (top row, second from left) and Anna Karlsson lodge continues to meet on a regular basis (bottom row, far left) share good cheer with other lodge members. for meetings, discussions, cultural reports and refreshments. Recently three of our members - Edwin Sandberg, Allie Linnea scotia, ny / Many activities marked our loved Midsummer Festival and Smorgas- Nelson Withers and John Sipos - celebrated birthdays and were honored with a special Albany, NY, area Tegner Lodge #109 sec- bord in June. made cake in Swedish colors. ond quarter, which culminated in our much submitted by barbara naple Thule Lodge was a participant in the annual Scandinavian Folk Festival held in the middle of July. The festival featured three days of music, dancing, Scandinavian gifts, food and crafts. A fun time was enjoyed by all, and Thule member Donald Sandy was the coordinator of the annual event.
Tegner No. 109
We are having our annual hot dog and corn roast in late August for all Thule members. It’s corn season in our area, and all take advantage of the fresh corn. Edwin Sandberg is our corn roaster who uses his own special technique. Our lodge is located at 4123 Pancake Hill Road in Bemus Point, and welcomes visitors. All those in the Thule Lodge wish everyone a wonderful summer season, and a beautiful fall time. If you are in our area, stop and visit us. “God dag” to all. submitted by john sipos lodge historian
Tegnér No. 149 Marie Ann Hill demonstrates how to make a variety of cookies.
Fylgia No. 119
san francisco, ca / News for 2015 is that renovation is done and we are meeting again at the Swedish American Hall, our home for 107 years. We have an elevator to the top floor and a new restaurant on the street level. In the spring, Ann Marie Hill demonstrated how to make various cookies and Scott Schulkin shared his famous - or infamous - recipe for glögg. Ted and Astrid Olsson taught us how to make “feather branches” and we enjoyed semla. Our district cooking class theme at Nordic House in Berkeley was Aquavit Infusion. Afterward, we enjoyed Swedish sandwiches and lovely Swedish music of Jennie and Mark Fylgia members making Påskris -“feather branches” Walstrom. Another Aquavit Infusion event taught by Ted and Astrid Olsson. was held at the Swedish American Hall in April in preparation for the first International We enjoyed Midsommar in June at Aquavit Contest held at Sveadal for Sweden Sveadal. And Väsen, the most famous and Days in May. This was the third annual recognized group in Sweden for folk music, Aquavit contest, now an international with came back to the U.S. in June to perform judges from Sweden deciding which entry in Berkeley. deserved the coveted hats. submitted by dianne dahlberg
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oakland, ca / We had the honor of selecting the Bay Area’s Swedish-American Patriotic League’s Midsummer Queen Rachel Tennis. She is the granddaughter of Tegnér member Ann Tennis and the late Barry Tennis, and daughter of Terri and Jon Tennis of West Linn, OR. Rachel graduated from Azusa Pacific University then spent a year as an au pair in Australia. She is now a pastoral assistant at a Presbyterian Church in Wilsonville, OR. Rachel has traveled twice to Sweden with her family and grandmother. They always rent a van and have driven to Jokkmokk above the Arctic Circle to Skåne in the south, from Stockholm to Trollhättan, and once to Visby. They enjoyed a picnic with a dozen Swedish cousins at the historical site Ballingstorp near Kristianstad, where Ann’s mormorsmor and morfarsmor grew up in the mid 1800s. Rachel treasures her Swedish ancestry and felt it was a great honor to be Midsummer Ken Weissenborn, Past President of the SwedishQueen. In July Tegnér hosted the Tri-Lodge Pic- American Patriotic League crowning Queen Rachel Tennis. nic, where Sveaborg again won the Kubb Tournament. Tri-Lodge Picnic. Two members won bingo Eight Tegnér members attended East Bay prizes - it was an enjoyable day! Day in Sveadal in August, and six members played Kubb, getting practice for next year’s submitted by ann tennis
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local LODGE NEWS
Summer 2015 / the vasa star
Drott No. 168
Helen Kakkuri
Monitor No. 163
ishpeming,mi / We celebrated long time member, Helen Kakkuri’s 99th birthday at our lodge meeting in July. Thirty people were in attendance.
S u b m i t t ed by D e bbi e B u s s o n e
potomac, md / Drott Lodge continues offering new events mixed with traditional celebrations to provide diverse programming. A Swedish Iron Chef Competition was held in May with 12 recipe entries, all complying with the condition they must include lingonberries. Swedish Chef Frieda Johannson and Finnish Chef Miko Kasanon were challenged as they tasted savories or sweets ranging from salads to cheesecake. Past Chair Julie Olson won first place for her lingonberry stuffing; Chair Eric Randolph took second with his saffron panna cotta with lingonberry reduction. Historian Eva Dunhem submitted three entries and was awarded third place for her root crop pancakes. Everyone got to sample the entries. Midsummer was celebrated on a hot afternoon in a joint venture with other Scandinavian groups. Children’s games, dancing around the Maypole, and good food and fun was enjoyed by all. In July, a small group repeated last year’s service project of serving Sunday dinner to families arriving at the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. The Inn is a free residential facility for children and their families who travel from all over the world to participate in leading-edge research studies at the Institute’s premier biomedical research hospital. An Italian-themed dinner with Swedish desserts was served to approximately 80 guests.
submitted by carol whitley
Brahe No. 245
The presentation of 50 year medal to Karin Johnson from her father, Arlie Veis.
Monitor No. 218 sacramento, ca / After a delicious dinner in March we had a very interesting and entertaining presentation of genealogy by lodge member Dr. Richard Baldwin. With a flip of his hat he took us back in time to his childhood, giving insights of humorous and distinctive relatives from his past. Our anniversary dinner in April was well attended with 60 members. A presentation of 25-year pins was made to Marianne Ek and Gail Nemy. Karin Johnson received her 50-year pin from her proud father, Arlie Veis, making seven Monitor members with 50-year and two with 60-year pins. These people need printed recognition because they have all been such hard working members: 60 years - Lillian Staffford and Louise Center; 50 years - Lennart and Britt Andersson, Birgitta Ellis, Charles Linn, Donna Niemoller, Arlie Veis and Karin Johnson. This isn’t an indication that Monitor is aging, but rather just shows a good mix with many families bringing their children to dinners, Lucia and other activities, and with Barry Moore leading us in folk dancing our activities are geared to all. Current Chairman Mark Delle is working diligently to keep Monitor in the news.
submitted by arlie veis
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rockford, il / We met on June 14 in our VASA Park Lodge with 17 members attending! Chairman Gary Johnson led the meeting, which included reading the obituary of Vasa member Marlyn Ryall. Cultural Leader Betty Rottman gave an interesting discussion on genealogy, which included reference to a service that will supply your DNA history for only $99.95! Treasurer/Financial
Helen Kakkuri
Finnish Chef Mikko Kosonen, 3rd place winner Eva Dunhem, 1st place winner Julie Olson, 2nd place winner Eric Randolph, Swedish Chef Frida Johansson.
Omaha No. 330
Finnish chef Mikko Kosonen and Swedish Chef Frida Johansson (of the Swedish Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC) ready for the Iron Chef Competition.
Secretary Charlotte Tollin reported on the finances. Refreshments were provided by Joyce Anderson. On July 26 we had another meeting with 14 members. Refreshments were provided by Vivian Anderson and Cultural Leader Betty Rottman reported the interesting information from our July 2015 issue of Valthornet that District 8’s Cultural Enhancement Fund (CEF) will “allot $10 per lodge member plus a fixed sum of $300 per
omaha, ne / Twenty-two members participated in a tour to Kansas City, KS. They visited two well known stores with Swedish ties: IKEA and Nordstrom’s. Robert Lindwall from Vasa in Kansas City welcomed us at IKEA and after a Swedish lunch the shopping spree started. The Vasa and Omaha Viking lodges have cooperated in arranging bus tours to Bishop Hill, IL, and to Minneapolis, MN. The lodge will celebrate its 100th anniversary in October 2015 and the committee is hard at work to make it a special occasion. submitted by gunn henriksson
each lodge … to raise our enjoyment of our Nordic activities, to encourage new members to stay members and guests to join.” Auditor David Tollin said he would be going to Milwaukee to participate in the August 22 crayfish meal provided by Linde Lodge and had room to take four Brahe members. Next meeting will be at 1 p.m. on August 23 for a potluck and corn boil! submitted by dennis g. eksten
Svea No. 253
indianapolis, in / In April, Marc Hagn presented the American form of barbershop music, and introduced “The Late Shift” (Tim Martin, tenor; Andrew Myer, lead; Adam Winans, bass; Bob Kendall, baritone), reigning champions of the Cardinal District Harmony Society of Indiana and Kentucky, who entertained with quality harmony singing. Lodge members, Dans Norden, and Scandilocity performed at Nordic Faire in Munster, Indiana. In May, June McCarty Clair presented Hans Christian Andersen, A Fairy Tale Life, about the world’s famous creator of children’s stories, such as The Ugly Duckling, The Little Mermaid, The Emperor’s New Clothes, and The Princess and the Pea. Jim Nelson and Glenn Carlstrand led a history trip to Porter County, Indiana to visit historical buildings, churches, businesses, residences and sites. Svenska Nationaldagen was celebrated in June with lunch at Rick’s Café Boatyard. Attendees dressed in Nordic costumes or wore blue and yellow attire. Midsommar was
Svenska Nationaldagen at Rick’s Café Boatyard.
Midsommar celebration with maypole decorating (above) and a pot-luck dinner.
enjoyed with a decorated maypole, a Grand March, dancing, singing, Kubb games and a delicious pot luck dinner. Douglas Krantz played the accordion, Marie Lawlor and Eija Vesterqvist led the dancing and fun, and Michelle Escalante made a piñata in the shape of the Swedish flag. submitted by joella hultgren
Tim Martin, Andrew Myer, Adam Winans and Bob Kendall of “The Late Shift.”
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local lodge news
the vasa star / Summer 2015
Svea No. 348
Isabella Jones, Maid of Honor at the Midsummer Queen’s Court.
Linde No. 492
milwaukee, wi / Our April and May meetings covered a lot of Carl Larsson history and art. Culture leaders Cris and Susanna Rosario did the presentation, and many of our members
summer at Sveadal. Isabella Jones, a san jose, ca / Robert Peterson, Fylgia Lodge 119 member, PDM Golden Cupertino Homestead High senior, Gate No. 12 and Past Grand Treasurer, represented Svea Lodge as Maid of presented the “Swedish Heritage of Honor at the Midsummer Queen’s Kingsburg California.” Bob presented Court. We have our 99th Anniversary dinner this history from the perspective of his family. Many of us probably have on August 21, and “Fun in the Sun” is experiences that can enrich the pres- our final summer activity at Sveadal ervation of our Nordic culture that on Sunday, September 13 with a picwill be lost if we do not record them nic, games and hiking. and also share them with our families submitted by emma hanlon and friends. Verlene Schermer presented a delightfully entertaining and educational musical evening at the May meeting. We appreciate Verlene’s artistry and dedication to Scandinavian music. We are most fortunate to have the Sveadal Resort Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains as a venue for the 4th of July Pancake Breakfast. The breakfast serves approximately 200 folks each year, including the San Jose Classic Car Club. The Sweden Day celebrations at Sveadal for the past three years have had resounding Robert Peterson, Fylgia Lodge 119 success; all DL12 lodges enjoy Mid-
brought their own stories or pictures, espe- got a summary of the District Convention by cially the ones that had visited the CL museum our delegates. And the beloved Midsommar in Sundborn (Dalarna) in Sweden. We also had event was celebrated at Old World Wisconsin, the ever so popular “show and tell of Svenska hosted by SAHS-WI on June 21. We had a bit of a summer break before Things.” The June meeting was a great lunwe reconvened for the annual Kräftskiva in cheon with pie at Baker’s Square, where we August, and then a road trip to Minneapolis
L-R: David Bilyeu, Ellen Morrison, Ollie Forsberg, Evelyn Ternstrom and Dan McDonald. Photo: GM Tore Kellgren
Sveaborg No. 449 oakland , ca / The Annual Tri-Lodge Picnic, hosted this year by Tegner Lodge #149, was held Saturday, July 18th under the beautiful redwood trees in Roberts Regional Park, Oakland, California. The players on the winning Kubb tournament team were David Bilyeu, Ellen Morrison, Ollie Forsberg, Evelyn Ternstrom and Dan McDonald. The Sveaborg team defeated both Framåt Lodge #405 and Tegner Lodge #149. Framåt won second place by defeating Tegner, the team with the most years of winning the Kubb trophy. All three lodges are members of District Lodge Golden Gate #12.
submitted by evelyn ternstrom photographed by tore kellgren
in mid-September before we participate in Scandinavian Festival on October 3. This is the 25th Annual festival put on by Nordic Council in Milwaukee with headliner entertainment ABBA Salute! Call if you like to join any of our activities - you are always welcome. submitted by liza ekstrand
A few SKOL officers celebrated Ashley’s birthday. L-R: Rebecca Gesme, Ashley LeBlanc, Andrea Wall and John White.
Skol Club of Linde Lodge valparaiso, in / During the college year dic Faire held by Nordik Folk, and they are 2014-2105 Linde member Ashley LeBlanc often practicing or playing Kubb, the game was busy organizing a subsidiary charter at that’s gaining popularity for all ages, but Valparaiso University where she is studying. particularly the younger folks. Ashley also The group named themselves Scandinavian made a beautiful quilt that she donated to Klub of Linde, or SKOL for short, as Linde Satellite Lodge #661 for them to auction off Lodge is sponsoring them. They have at the convention. sparked an interest on campus with movie nights, birthday celebrations, a visit to Nor- submitted by liza ekstrand
Lindbergh No. 494 los altos, ca / In March, 60 members and guests enjoyed a social hour followed by a brief business meeting. We had a St. Patrick’s Day meal and Sven-Ove Westberg, District 12 Archivist and accomplished genealogist, shared what he has learned about the experiences of early Swedish immigrants to America. The highlight of the May meeting was the Mother’s Day smörgåstårta, salad and dessert created and served by the men of the Lodge. The cultural program featured Tjärnmyrbergarn, musical alter ego of KarlIvar Pettersson. We enjoyed several rousing compositions from his repertoire with vocal accompaniment from our members.
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Midsommar at Old World Wisconsin - raising the maypole.
Brent Erickson testing Marge Gruel’s Näverlur (birch horn) by giving it a “blast.”
Phoenix No. 677 The annual Sweden Day celebration was held at Sveadal, District 12’s picturesque Swedish resort hidden in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Friday evening included a potluck dinner and on Saturday we had a choice of activities including kubb, hiking, walking tours and swimming. The featured event was the First International Akvavit World Championship, judged by 3 famous Swedish culinary experts. Hors d’oeuvres were served to all who participated in the tasting. The evening meal was a gourmet dinner catered creation by our own Dave Jansson, featuring foods from southern Sweden. submitted by betsy nilson
phoenix, az / Our first fall meeting is Sep- of Christmas with an opportunity to find tember 26, with a delicious luncheon and an unusual gifts. enjoyable program for members and guests. The Lucia fest takes place at the same loOctober 24 will bring the next gathering and cation on December 12. With the guidance educational meeting. of our leader, Sindi Westbrook, we even The biggest events are Jul Bazaar and have star boys with Lucia and her entouLucia fest. The bazaar, on November 7 at rage, which always makes for a memorable Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, is pageant. We’ve seen many of these young from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It is one of the high- people grow up, as they offer cherished lights of our season with handmade crafts songs as well as new ones, always a movand Swedish items donated by members, ing event. For information contact Nancy Anderson at 480-464-5469 or visit www. homemade cookies and a pea soup lunch. A host of other lodges participate, too, such vasaorder.net/?lodge=677. We wish you a as SWEA, Finn and Friends, Danish Club, happy fall! Norwegians Worldwide, Sons of Norway and Scandinavian individuals. It is a taste submitted by romy solomonson
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local lodge news
Summer 2015 / the vasa star
Sierra Kronan No. 737
Golden Gate District 12 scholarship recipient Joy Marie Brusenback, scholarship coordinator Marne Johansson and Joy Marie’s mother Pernella Brusenback.
Norden No. 684
fresno, ca / This has been a busy time of year for us. Our Joy Marie Brusenback received a $2,000 dollar scholarship from Golden Gate District No. 12. She would like to be a doctor and specialize in pediatrics. Our lodge scholarship recipient was Brittany Johnson. She received $700 dollars and will put it toward her college education. Valborg at George and Carol Sell’s home in Visalia, California was great fun, and the food was outstanding. We swam, sang,
New members are Christin Holt and her son Aaron and daughter Rebecca, and Audre Smith.
ate and enjoyed the company of our lodge families, and initiated a new member, Kenneth O’Rand. We are looking forward to our Anniversary Luncheon on September 5, 2015 at the Cattleman’s restaurant in Selma, California. The crayfish and salmon smorgasbord dinner on August 8 at Mike and Corky Peterson’s was delicious. Those who attended brought a variety of salads, desserts and other side dishes. Mike Peterson was the “grill master.” It was a great time to catch up on everyone’s summer events. We
sang Swedish songs and welcomed four new members: Christin Holt, Aaron Holt, Rebecca Holt and Audre Smith. Norden Lodge is sponsoring a Vasa Children’s Group called Svenska Kids Musik Club. The Charter #211 has been applied for and there are 25 members in it already; Christin Holt is one of their instructors. We are delighted to be sponsoring them and look forward to hearing from them in the near future. submitted by clyda dehn
granite bay, ca / Greetings from Sierra Kronan! On a mission to emphasize Scandinavian culture inside as well as outside our regular meetings, Cultural Leader Loie Rhodes has educated and entertained us this year. She gave a delightful presentation on IKEA, what the acronym stands for, the founder Ingvar Kamprad, plus other interesting and fun facts. We learned about Scandinavian Easter traditions including similarities in decorating the home, foods prepared and children’s activities, as well as some differences, such as “Teaser Letters” in Denmark and crime-solving novels called “Easter-Thrillers” published in Norway. A book club was organized as another way of educating members about Scandinavian culture. Loie presented on the “Names Adoption Act” passed in 1901 which abolished the patronymic naming practice in Sweden. Intrigued by the excellent article in the May 2015 Nordstjernan concerning the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco, she arranged for our tour in July. Several other area lodges were represented and members reminisced about childhood recollections of this building, now designated as an historic landmark. We look forward to our September meeting when the cultural topic will be “Swedish Migration.”
submitted by carol nesewich
Nordikfolk No. 761 Nordikids No. 208
Vinland Lodge No. 703 annual “Lodge Family photo” by Karen Anderson
Vinland No. 703
cape cod, ma / Midsommar celebra-
tion in pictures.
submitted by dorothy kean
Decorating the Maypole with fresh flowers and greens. Photos by Dave Swanson.
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munster, in / The “Kids” and the “Folks” combined forces and planned a Nordic Faire on May 2, a lovely spring Saturday. The public was invited for a donation of $5. Lodge members dressed in folk costumes or wore their blue and white Nordikids T-shirts. More than 180 people attended. The Nordic countries were represented by many different culture groups, and there were Swedish needle crafters, ancient Nalbinding needlework displays, woodcarvers, rosemaling displays and sales of Nordic items. An exhibit of Viking replicas and artifacts, as well as genealogy table offered historic information. There were games of kubb, Nordic ski races, ancient Viking Runic message writing and coloring stations for the littlest ones. Lodge members prepared a spread of Nordic foods to sample: Swedish pancakes and lingon, meatballs and potatis with dill, open-faced sandwiches and many wonderful desserts. Live entertainment was enjoyed all day long! The Dans Norden group came from Indianapolis to both perform and encourage audience participation. Nordikids danced and performed a few songs including old favorites as well as a couple Abba selections. It was such a success in many ways that we have already started planning how to improve and make Nordic Faire an annual event!
submitted by lynda smith
Mom Lisa Raddatz and her baby Wren, 9 months.
Sylvia Swanson dances with Henna Schecter.
page 13
language & culture
the vasa star / Summer 2015
Svenska Språkhörnan – The Swedish Language Corner Introduction to Swedish – Chapter 8 a guide to pronunciation – Part 2 of 2
The reason the Svenska Språkhörnan was missing in the previous issue was, unfortunately, that this chapter was lost in transition. Here it is now, the last chapter of this course. For more information, please see my notes at the end. Strange spellings The spelling of some Swedish words differs from their pronunciation. The conservative written language has preserved certain word combinations reflecting an older way of pronunciation, even though the actual sounds disappeared long ago in everyday speech. Since the spelling of the words is not always phonetic, even native Swedes sometimes find it difficult to tell how a word should be written correctly, so do not despair. Many times the peculiar spellings, because of their old roots, can actually help you to see how closely they are related to words in English, which in turn will facilitate learning them. The j sound
The tj sound
The sj sound
The ng sound This chapter concludes the Introduction to Swedish course. The previous chapters have also been posted in the Vasa Star, starting with the winter 2012 issue. I hope you have enjoyed the course and that you now know more Swedish than when you started. The whole course, with sound bites for pronunciation, may be downloaded at http://www2.hhs.se/isa/swedish/default. htm. This comprehensive course is wellsuited for self-studies as well as studies in a group setting. And now, what would you like to see in future installments of Svenska Språkhörnan? I am very interested in your ideas and I thank you in advance for your suggestions. Write to me at vasasvenska@verizon.net. Tack så mycket! siv swan-pierson grand lodge language director vasasvenska@verizon.net
Beware of “False (Language) Friends”!
(http://www.lexiophiles.com/english/swedish-false-friends) When you are learning a new language the so called false friends can cause confusion, laughs or, in the worst case, you may even end up insulting someone (unintentionally of course). Many languages share words that look very similar to each other, and may therefore lead even the most meticulous language learner to accidentally construct some pretty weird sentences. Swedish and English are a rather well-known pair when it comes to false friends, so be careful! Delicate – delikat: If you try to explain to someone in Swedish that you are a very delicate person, you may not want to use the word “delikat” as it does not mean sensitive page 14
or fragile, it means delicious! :) Full – full: You have been invited to a Swede’s home and have been offered a lot of delicacies, and now you want to tell your hosts how full you feel after the great meal. It is very tempting to use the English word full to describe your state, but please be aware that “full” in Swedish means drunk. Not good! Must not – måste inte: Imagine you are babysitting a Swedish-speaking child and you feel the need to teach the young one what he may or may not do. Your attempts will most likely fail if you try to say that
he or she must not do something, since in affront someone by calling them a prick. A Swedish “måste inte” means do not have to! “prick” in Swedish simply means a dot, like at the end of this sentence. Pretty neutral, so Offer – offer: Perhaps you will try to sell better think of something else. an item to someone in Swedish at some point in your life. You may want to preLearn more at http://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/ pare for that moment by remembering this Lista_över_falska_vänner_mellan_svenimportant fact: Don’t try to convince your ska_och_engelska. potential customers by telling them what a great offer you have for them, since “offer” in Swedish means victim. People will find this very disturbing. Prick – prick: If you ever feel the need to insult a Swedish-speaking person, you will just seem like a lame weirdo if you try to WWW.VASAORDER.COM
Summer 2015 / the vasa star
Swedish news Höganäs No. 634
höganäs,sweden / I strålande sommarväder samlades 125 Vasamedlemmar den 27 juni 2015 för att fira logens 60-årsjubileum på Hotel Erikslund i Varalöv. Bland gästande Ordenssyskon märktes bl.a. MSLER Ulf Alderlöf, SLD för DL 20 Catherine Bringselius-Nilsson, SLD för DL 19 Ewa Pilhammar, DM för DL 20 Karl-Axel Bengtsson samt DM för DL 19 Connie Grön. Större delen av ER i DL 20 var närvarande samt Vasasyskon från när och fjärran. O Birgit Olsson kunde även hälsa en amerikansk gäst, Daga-Karin Lindquist, LL North Star nr 145, välkommen. En stilfull fanparad utfördes och belönades med varma applåder. Lyckönskningar hade inkommit från Stormästaren, DL 20, PDM-klubben och många enskilda loger. Tio och 25 årsmärken utdelades till förtjänta medlemmar. Knut Rosenkvist tilldelades utmärkelse för 40-årigt medlemskap. Knut
tackade för utmärkelsen och betonade att Vasa Orden under alla år betytt så otroligt mycket för honom. Efter en vacker ljussläckningsceremoni avslutades mötet och välkomstdrinken serverades innan gästerna tog plats vid de vackert dukade borden. Logens egen keramiker, Ove Thornblad hade tillverkat och skänkt vackra keramiksaker till ett helt lotteri och många lyckliga vinnare kunde glädja sig åt de fina vinsterna. Stämningen var hög och steg ytterligare när underhållarna Peter och Viktor visade sina musikala talanger. Dansen tog vid och som vanligt fylldes golvet snabbt av dansglada Vasasyskon. Den minnesvärda jubileumskvällen avslutades med att Leif Larsson traditionsenligt sjöng “We’ll meet again” till allas förtjusning.
Gäster från DL 19: Einar Savolainen-Grön, DM Connie Grön, Morgan Andersson, SLD Ewa Pilhammar.
submitted by hans bogren kulturledare
MSLER Ulf Alderlöf framför gratulationer.
Fanparad.
in memoriam Memorial Notices should be mailed with check or money order to The Vasa Star, PO Box 13331, Milwaukee, WI 53213-0331.Email: vasaeditor@gmail. com. The fee is $8 for one column inch. Longer obituaries will be charged a flat fee of $25.00. All notices must be typed and in a format similar to what you see here. No newspaper clippings If you submitted an Obituary and it is not listed here, please resubmit to be included in the following issue..
ARIZONA
Margaret Dawn lit up the room with her bright smile and friendly personality. Margaret was a 21-year member of Tucson Lodge #691 and active until passing away at age 95. Born in Nogales AZ, she and husband John had three children.
Blanche Terslin was born in Denmark to Jewish parents. This great lady was grateful to Sweden during WWII for granting her safe passage. She was an active Tucson Lodge #691 member until passing away at age 94. CALIFORNIA
Clarence H. Bergquist died in Los Angeles on March 10, 2015 at the age of 91. He was born on Dec. 12, 1923 in LA and joined North Star Lodge #106 in 1945 where he served as District Master in 1979 and three terms as Chairman.
He was born in Geneva, IL on Oct. 20, 1942. He joined Viljan Lodge #349 in Batavia, IL in 2013 after looking up information about Vasa on the Internet. He is survived by one brother. Richard H. Schmidt, 86, died on May 9, 2015 in Winfield, IL. He was born in Chicago on January 25, 1929. He joined Viljan Lodge #349 in 2003 and is survived by his wife Jaimie, two children and four grandchildren.
Melvin Henry Iverson died on April 12, 2015. He was born June 4, 1921 in Portland and grew up in Astoria, was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran and owned Designs of Scandinavia gift store in Portland for more than 30 years. Mel was also very active in the Scandinavian community, joining Nobel Lodge #184 in 1989 and Astor Lodge #215 in 2013. He was a gracious and hospitable man at his store and throughout his life. WASHINGTON
OREGON
Lester Hailey of Lake Stevens Nancy Lee Grimberg, 76, died at age 102 on February 8, 2014. was born in Portland and spent He played the saxophone for 82 years, Anne-Marie Pearson of Ros- her early years on a homestead in entertaining folks at the World’s Fair eville, CA died on April 10, 2015. She Birkenfeld, OR. She loved Astoria in Vancouver, BC and at home at the was born in Seattle, WA on May 8, and joined Astor Lodge #215 in Swedish Club and Nordic Museum. 1932. After graduating with a degree 1977. She will be missed at Lodge Lester was honored by Willis Scott of Helen Kelly was born in Malta, in occupational therapy, Anne-Marie and Sewing Club. Nancy is survived the TODAY Show at age 100. Montana to Swedish parents. This worked in New York, Sweden, Seattle by her daughter Ann and two grandWASHINGTON D.C. sweet lady enjoyed square dancing and San Jose. She and her husband, daughters. and was a 28-year member of Tucson John, long-time members of Svea Lodge in San Jose, transferred to Joanne Hellberg, 72, was Pauline A. Hancock, the Lodge #691. Sierra Kronan #737 in 2008. Anne- born in Portland. She joined Astor oldest member of Drott Lodge #168 Marie was very proud of her 100% Lodge #215 in 2002, serving imme- and her beloved Augustana Lutheran Joan Swenson-Hitz was born in Hempsted, NY. She moved Swedish heritage and will be remem- diately as senior court chaperone for Church in Washington, DC, died on to Tucson in 1978 and was a neo- bered for her infectious smile and her the Scandinavian Festival in Astoria June 30, 2015 at age 98. Her love that year; Joanne also authored three of music and care for others ennatal intensive care nurse. Joan was positive outlook on life. children’s books with Scandinavian riched her life. Widow of Raymond, a Tucson Lodge #691 officer durthemes. She is survived by her hus- mother of Kenneth and Richard, and ILLINOIS ing her entire 18-year membership band Dick and two sons. proud grandmother to one grandson, (chairman, secretary and District 21 she was a member of Drott since chaplain). Joan, a proud mother and Frederick J. Nord, 72, died on 1982. May 9, 2015 in Edgewater, Florida. grandmother, died at age 85. WWW.VASAORDER.COM
Thomas B. Whitley, 85, died on June 18, 2015. Friendly and enthusiastic, he lived life to the fullest. He had a professional career in real estate law and management, then 15 years as a tour guide. Survived by his wife, Carol, a daughter and son, and a step-daughter, step-son and stepgrandson. Tom joined Drott in 2010. WISCONSIN
Eugene “Gene” Solveson, New Berlin, found peace on August 21, 2015 at the age of 92. Preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Jayne (nee Bertelson) and dear son James “his best buddy”. Gene was a Linde Lodge member for 23 years, and will be missed.
Family Tree Släktutredningar I am a member of the Vasa Order in Sweden and an expert in Swedish genealogy. Over the years I have helped many Vasa members to find their roots in Sweden. If you want my help to find your Swedish ancestors, please email me for further information: swedengen@telia.com
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the vasa star / Summer 2015
Swedish news Härnösand No. 673 epoken i Rö och dess historia. Lars-Erik härnösand,sweden / Logen Härnösand nr Magnusson informerade sedan om Vasa673 firar Sverige-Amerikadagen. I soligt väder lördagen den 4 juli, samlades Orden för våra gäster. Vi kunde också köpa ett fyrtiotal logesyskon och gäster på Rö hembakt bröd och kaffe, som vi avnjöt innan Folkets Hus för att fira Sverige-Amerikad- det var dags att vända hemåt. agen. Premiär för oss men en mycket uppskattad plats att vara på. Mycket trevligt submitted by bo selin kulturledare bemötande från paret Johannes och Renate Menzel, som stod för värdskapet. Vi började med att vår ordförande Lars-Erik Magnusson, hälsade alla och våra underhålRight: Ordförande lare för dagen välkomna. Därefter spelades Lars-Erik Magnusson Amerikanska och Svenska nationalsångerna. hälsar deltagarna Noratrion som vänligt ställde upp för oss, välkommen. spelade låtar från sin senaste CD-skiva innan de reste vidare till Skule-festivalen. Sedan vidtog frågesport samtidigt som vi intog medhavd picknick. Efter genomgång av frågor och svar, drogs vinster från ett lotteri som blev mycket uppskattat. Johannes Menzel berättade om sågverks-
Right: Lars-Erik och Ulla Magnusson, Pia Björeqvist Hamrin, Karl och Monica Bäcklund, Torsten Pettersson med fru, Eivor och Per-Erik Bylund.
The Grand Master’s Message (Swedish) Kära Vasasyskon, Det har varit några hektiska månader sen jag skrev min förra kolumn. Birgitta och jag har varit på fyra distriktsmöten. Vi började i våregen District Lodge Golden Gate # 12 i slutet av april och efter det hade vi bara tid att köra hem och packa om och sen bardet iväg till Sverige. Vi deltog i båda konventionerna där. Vi började med Distriktslogen Södra Sverige #20 som hade sitt möte i Ljungby i Småland. Den följande veckan var det Distriktslogen Norra Sverige #19 som höll sitt möte i Borås i Västergötland. Det var trevligt att se gamla Vasavänner och att knyta nya bekantskaper. Vasa är en fantastisk organisation där man kan ha vänner både nära hemma och över gränser och oceaner. Vi hade naturligtvis också lite tid för familjen medan vi var där. Vi kom tillbaka hem sent i maj och en vecka senare satt vi återigen på ett flygplan. Den här gången till Kanada för District Lodge Alberta #18 som hade sitt möte i Westerose, Alberta. Det är en liten stad som liggersöderom Edmonton vid sjön Pigeon
Lake. Tvärs över sjön ligger Vasa Park som ägs av Scandia Lodge #549. Ett härligt sommarparadis för många och året runt bostäder för en del. Lite merpersonligt: En av höjdpunkterna på resan till Sverige varnärvi träffade min kusin Christina för första gången på över 60 år. (Jag skrev om henne i en av mina tidigare kolumner i år.) Vi fick en chans att prata om vad vi hade gjort under årens lopp och jag fick reda på att hon hade varit min granne när hon bodde i Seattle WA i sju år på 70-talet (Ja kanske inte riktigt granne, det är ju omkring 135 svenska mil dit). Vad hon inte visste var att en annan i kusinskaran, Peggy, hade bott där samtidigt. När jag skriver detta njuter vi av vår sommar, men önskaratt någon kunde skicka oss lite regn. Vi ärnu på det 4:e året i en torka av historiska proportioner och vi tittarofta på vårbruna, döda gräsmatta med stolthet. Vi alla görvad vi kan föratt spara på det vatten vi har. Om du fortfarande haren grön gräsmatta häromkring ärdet säkrast att det ärkonstgjort gräs. Det nya slagordet är “Brunt är den nya gröna”.
Scandinavian Festival Nordic Council Wisconsin
Inviting friends and family to join in arts & crafts, sales booths, ethnic food, genealogy, children’s activities, entertainment and more. Ronald Reagan Elementary School 4225 S Calhoun Rd, New Berlin WI 53151 262.366.9152
Oct. 3, 2015 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $8 - children $2 Headline Band:
ABBA Salute
Snart är det dags att börja resa igen. Vi besöker District Lodge Pacific Northwest #13 för deras konvention i början av september. Efter det hinner vi knappt hem innan det bär av till New England. Först till District Lodge Massachusetts #2 förderas möte och därefter, under resten av veckan, är det dags för Storlogens ER möte. Detta är ett av två sådana möten planerade för styrelsens fyraårsperiod. Vi avslutar sedan veckan med District Lodge Connecticut #1s möte och ett styrelsemöte för Vasaarkivet. Senare under året ser vi fram emot ytterligare resor och besöker då Lodge Omaha #330 för deras 100 års jubileum i oktober och i november förhoppningsvis även District Lodge New York #4 för deras konvention. Kommer det in nya medlemmar i din Loge? Förnyar alla sitt medlemsskap? Jag hoppas att din Loge växer. Många Loger arbetar hårt med att hålla sina medlemmar engagerade och med att hjälpa dom att komma till mötet. Får medlemmarna information om vad som händer i Logen? Ett Nyhetsbrev är lätt att sätta ihop och är en viktig del för att alla medlemmar skall veta vad som händer på Logen. Publicera det via e-post och spara både tryckkostnaderoch porto. Det kan vara några medlemmar som inte har e-post och dom behöver naturligtvis få det i tryck. Det är absolut nödvändigt att ha ett trevligt Logemöte för att
locka nya och behålla nuvarande medlemmar. Var inte tråkiga! Konkurrensen för medlemmars tid är idag mycket hård. Det måste alltid vara ett program som engagerar. Jag nämnde i min förra kolumn att vi arbetarmed svenska företag för att att sätta upp program som gervåra medlemmarspeciella förmåner. Vid det här laget, om du ären Vasa medlem i USA, borde du ha fått information av logesekreteraren om ett sådant program som vi harmed Volvo Cars. Om du inte har hört, vänd dig gärna till logesekreteraren för att se vad Storlogesekreterare Joan Graham skickade ut om detta i juni. Annars kan du skicka e-mail till mig GM@vasaorder.org för att få information. Detta är ett specialerbjudande för Vasa Medlemmar i USA, vilket innebär att jag inte kan gå in på detaljer här. Om du inte är medlem i Vasa och läser detta, kontakta gärna mig eller gå till www.vasaorder. com/VasaMembership/ för mer information om att bli medlem. Vår nya Vasa Databas är redo att tas i bruk. Jag kommer därför att skicka ett spreadsheet till alla distriktssekreterare för att få medlemsinformationen som behövs. Den informationen kommer därefter att föras in i databasen och sedan kan varje lokalloge enkelt hålla sin medlemsmatrikel uppdaterad. Databasen kommeratt vara tillgänglig på internet därlösenordsskyddad information kan enkelt hämtas och uppdateras. Med databasen på plats kommer den årliga rapportering av medlemskap att kunna hanteras automatiskt, naturligtvis underförutsättning att alla logerhålla sina uppgifter aktuella. Det kommer också att finnas plats att annonsera kommande evenemang med möjlighet för medlemmarna att OSA till möten i de fall det är nödvändigt. Stöd din distriktssekreterare genom att tillhandahålla denna information i god tid! i sanning och enighet, tore kellgren, grand master
Don’t miss out!
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