DL NEWS District Lodge Pacific Southwest #15 District Lodge Pacific Southwest #15 hosted its 94th Convention February 20 - 22 of February 2009 at the Crown Plaza hotel in Irvine California with PDM Thomas Jahn and PDM Susan Premo as co chairpersons. The hotel provided a superb atmosphere for business and pleasure. On Friday afternoon, two seminars were offered. The first was conducted by Robert Johnson of Seaborg Lodge #719 with the theme of “LeRoy Anderson, a Swedish American Musician.” The second seminar was presented by Ann Heinstedt of Nordic Heritage Lodge #741 with the theme” Our beautiful Vasa Park.” The evening concluded with a reception hosted by Mayflower Lodge #445. On Saturday, the Convention begun with the Flag Ceremony presented by the children from the Viking Village Camp followed by the introduction of guests. The election of the new District officers was held throughout the day. The evening banquet, hosted by the very capable PDM Ken Murphy of Nordic Lodge #660, was truly a magnificent feast enjoyed by everyone. Scholarship Chairman Maidie Karling of Golden Valley Lodge #616 presented the 2009 Scholarships and the evening concluded with dancing to the music of Sam Conti. On Sunday, the Memorial Service was held under the direction of District Chaplain Jean Peckfelder from Northern Light Lodge #620 and our Vasa Choir led by LeRoy Anderson of Nordic Lodge #660. A wonderful lunch followed with raffles galore. In the afternoon, District business continued. The Convention concluded with the installation of officers. The District was honored with the presence of Grand Master Rolf Bergman and his wife Marty, Grand Treasurer Richard Overberg and his wife Dorothy, MEB Western Region Tore Kellgren and his wife Birgitta, Grand Secretary Joan Graham, District Master from District 12 Kathryn Mathews, Grand Lodge Deputy Wayne Pierson and his wife Siv, Grand Historian Carolyn Salk and the special guest Grand Lodge Deputy Knut Rosenquist from Södra Sverige #20 Two distinguished Past Grand Masters graced our Convention, George Nord from Connecticut and our own Ulf Brynjestad from San Diego. Submitted by: Thomas Jahn Photograph by: Joan Johnson
District Lodge Pacific Southwest #15 2009 Officers FRONT ROW: Marlene Bardarson, Member of the Executive Board; Bob Solt, Treasurer; Gudrun (Nel) Solt) Asst. Recording Secretary; Mary Ethel Pierson, District Master; Isabella Muscarella, Past District Master; Arlene Lundquist, Recording Secretary; Kerstin Wendt, Asst Master of Ceremonies; Kevin Luft, Master of Ceremonies. BACK ROW: Thomas Jahn, Trustee; Susan Premo, Trustee; Jean Peckfelder, Chaplain; Jane Hendricks, Trustee; Kenneth Murphy, Member of the Executive Board; Robert Salk, Vice District Master; Maidie Karling, Member of the Executive Board; Ann Hellgren, Member of the Executive Board; Carolyn Salk, Cultural Leader; Kjell Åke Hellberg, Auditor. NOT SHOWN: Ann Heinstedt, Auditor; Jerry Reylek, Inner Guard; Russell Almquist, Outer Guard. Page 14
Vasa Star May-June 2009