Nordstjernan Issue 15 sample, fall 2013

nordstjernan Swedish News – from Sweden & America

Published by Swedish News . Volume 141 No. 15, September 15, 2013. Price per copy $2.00

Page 21-36

This Week, Page 2

Photo: Bo Zaunders

In preparation for our December travel special and your next Sweden trip; Lake Vättern and Visingsö island seen through the ruins of Brahehus.

Stockholm Walkabout V: ‘Långholmen’ Leif Rosqvist on his latest Walkabout Tour of Stockholm, which takes him to Långholmen (The Long Islet) located between Stockholm’s Söder (southern district) and Kungsholmen islet in central Stockholm. Until 1975, it was a prison island, and with its beaches and forested areas an oasis in the city center much like New York’s Central Park - also called The Green Island.

Swish! Went the guillotine when executor Alfred Dahlman released the blade, ending the life of Johan Alfred Ander on November 23, 1910. Ander was a convicted murderer and the last person to officially be executed in Sweden, and the only one to be executed by a guillotine at Långholmen Crown Prison in Stockholm.

Långholmen is one of Stockholm’s larger islands, also called “The Green Island,” and

Karlshälls Gård, built in 1837-1838 as a residence for Långholmen prison’s construction manager Carl Modeer. Since 1989 used as a conference center with restaurant.

perhaps the one about which most myths and stories are told, mainly because of the old prison.

Photo:Gilles Martin-Raget/ ACEA 2013

by Leif Rosqvist guest@nordstjernan.com

You can discover this for yourself, during my walking tour around the island; it is not only an exciting place, but a Continues on page 4

Bon Voyage and thanks ..to Swedish Youth Challenge at America’s Cup 2013. Seven young Swedish Vikings came ashore in San Francisco in late August prepared to sail against the best in the world. They had been selected from among eighty candidates by the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) to represent their country in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. For the first four days of September, in two races daily, a crew of six sailors between the ages of 19-24, raced a fleet of AC45s against seven other countries on San Francisco Bay. We share their disappointment in just missing a podium position, but Story page 8 we are proud of what they accomplished.

Sweden, Page 2-3

Another royal baby | Swedish iconic glass factory Orrefors closed | Swedish crime sells— but, who sells the most? | Swedes are happy but some nations are happier (OK, not many, we agree) | While not the happiest, at least the most creative and in a nation made for inventors.

‘Forever Friends’ - a word from the publisher.

Hail to the new ‘Swedish Queen’

Page 3

Certifiably Swedish, Page 5 Who will qualify? The quest is on...

Dashboard, Page 18-19

U.S. president Obama about Sweden | The allure of the Swedish mountains | A good year for blueberries and a good time for scones.

They’re big, easy to pick, not easily bruised, most varieties store well, they can be eaten fresh, cooked, canned, frozen and made into many tasty and healthy dishes.

Here’s a favorite Swedish recipe. / Page 10

news in brief. page 2

Swedish News Också goda vänner kan tycka olika slagit fast att den syriska regimen gått för helst tvekan från Obamas sida. Den långt och mer eller mindre lovat militär amerikanske presidenten talade med Sydsvenska Dagbladet vedergällning. övertygelse för sin sak. Vid presskonfe5 september, 2013 Den omtalade ”röda linjen” har över- rensen var Obama mycket tydlig ifråga Barack Obamas historiska Sverigebe- skridits. Men FN:s säkerhetsråd är för- om att Bashar al-Assads regim låg bakom sök visar på den stora samsynen mellan lamat, blockerat av Ryssland och Kina gasattacken och tydlig med att ansvar Sverige och USA, men också på dess som håller diktatorn i Damaskus om måste utkrävas. gränser. Som om Syrien. ”Det är inte min trovärdighet som står på ryggen. Den amerikanske presidenten Agendan skulle omfatta relationen hoppas istället kunna bygga en koalition spel. Det är den amerikanska kongressens, mellan Sverige och USA, och frågor av villiga. Det har visat sig svårare än det är hela det internationella samfundets om frihandel, energi och miljö, där det väntat, inte minst efter att det brittiska anseende som står på spel”, sade Obama. finns mycket som förenar svenska och parlamentet sagt nej.

Om hundratals barn dödas i ett angrepp amerikanska intressen. Och när president Obama kom sannolikt till Stockholm med kemiska stridsmedel, stridsmedel Barack Obama och statsminister Fredrik med hopp om att få med åtminstone några som är förbjudna enligt internationell lag, Reinfeldt (M) träffades i Stockholm igår, nordiska länder på vagnen. då måste omvärlden reagera, ”inte leta under det historiska första bilaterala besök Den svenska regeringen genom Fredrik efter skäl för att inte agera”, slog han fast. en amerikansk president gör till Sverige, Reinfeldt tackade nej, artigt men bestämt.

Och med ”omvärlden”, konstaterade handlade det mycket riktigt om detta.

Kanske – och det är ett stort kanske – Obama, menar de flesta USA. Samsynsfrågorna.

Sant. Så ser förväntningarna ut och meslyckades Obama bättre vid den middag Men också om det som rimligtvis står Reinfeldt stod värd för igår kväll, efter att tadels är det en ytterst otacksam uppgift. allra högst på Obamas agenda just nu: detta skrevs. Där hade Obama sällskap USA både förväntas agera världspolis och Kriget i Syrien och frågan om USA ska runt bordet av Finlands president och hatas när landet gör det. intervenera.

Så bestämd var Obama med varför det statsministrarna från Danmark, Island Eftermiddagens presskonferens inled- och Norge. enligt hans mening är nödvändigt att indes med ömsesidiga försäkringar från När Obama i lördags överraskande gripa i Syrien att Reinfeldt såg sig tvingad Reinfeldt och president Obama om den beslöt att låta kongressen rösta om ett att förklara och försvara sin ståndpunkt. stora intressegemenskapen och samsynen militärt ingripande i Syrien låg det nära ”Jag förstår att USA med sin position vad gäller frihandel, energieffektivisering till hands att tolka detta som ett försök från måste agera. Men detta lilla land kommer och klimatfrågor. Men snart trängde sig presidentens sida att slippa ta ansvar för alltid att säga: låt oss ställa vårt hopp till Syrien på. ett kontroversiellt beslut. Kontroversiellt Förenta Nationerna”, sade Reinfeldt.

Efter gasattacken utanför Damaskus i utlandet, men också i USA, en krigstrött Reinfeldt håller fast vid FN-linjen, åtför ett par veckor sedan som dödade över nation som opinionen inte vill se dras in minstone i detta läge. Det är bra.

1 400 oskyldiga civila, har såväl Obama i ett nytt militärt vågspel i Mellanöstern. Även den svensk-amerikanska samsom hans utrikesminister John Kerry Igår i Stockholm märktes ingen som synen får ha sina gränser.

Gästledare

Princess Madeleine and her Chris O’Neill are expecting a baby in March of 2014. Photo: Brigitte Grenfeldt, Royal Court, Sweden.

y r e v i l e D e m o H n a n r r a e e j y t e s n d o , r k e e No w r e h t o e y r b i e r v c e s b e u s b i / r c m s o b c . u n S a n r e j t s d r o n www.

Princess Madeleine expecting a baby

Sweden’s Royal Palace has announced Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her husband, New York financier Christopher O’Neill, are expecting their first child. A statement on the Swedish royal court’s website confirmed that Madeleine is due in March 2014, which means she’s about two months along. Currently third in line to the throne, the princess lives in New York with her financier husband. She crossed the Atlantic to settle in New York following the breakdown of her first engagement to Swedish attorney Jonas Bergström. Rumors of a romance with Mr. O’Neill first emerged in early 2011 when the pair were seen together at the Central Park Boathouse. She and Mr O’Neill got married in Stockholm on June 8.

Exercising Swedes

Swedes exercise more and more, and most of them do so for the health benefits, according to a new survey done by YouGov on behalf of Friskis och Svettis (http://web.friskissvettis.se, a Swedish organization that provides various forms of exercise).

This survey shows that 34% of Swedes exercise more than they did last year at the same time, 40% exercise just as much as they did last year, and 24% exercise less. Eight in ten say they exercise for health reasons, six in ten say they do it in order to have more energy, and a third say they exercise to have a betterlooking physique. With over half a million members, Friskis & Svettis has grown to become a “people’s movement” (pun intended) in a little over thirty years. Specially educated and licensed trainers will hold classes for children at schools.

Photo: Thomas Carlgren

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, $41.00 for a year (22 issues) at www. nordstjernan.com—choose 'subscribe' or call 1.800.827.9333 x10

“A generation ago people needed rest after a day’s work. Now they need exercise.” [För en generation sedan behövde människor vila efter avslutad arbetsdag. Nu behöver de motion.]

— Unknown

Danes are the happiest in the world

We Swedes are not the happiest people on Earth, but we’re very close. Just take the fact that we ended up in a respectable fifth place among 156 nations is something to be happy about, right?

The UN just published a report on happiness in the world. The highest levels of happiness can be found in northern Europe, and no people are as happy as the Danes. Following the Danes, the Norwegians, the Swiss, the Dutch, and then, us Swedes.

Least happy are the people in Rwanda, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Benin and Togo – all in Africa. The report is the second of its kind from the UN, and is it based on how people all over the world rank their general satisfaction of life, not just how they feel at the moment. Apart from financial conditions, other factors like life expectancy, what rights and freedoms people have, as well as welfare, play important parts in how happy people feel. The authors of the report believe that human happiness ought to be taken more seriously in measurements on how countries develop. In another study, published earlier this year, the Swedes were ranked the world’s second happiest people.

Nordstjernan, September 15, 2013

Founded in New York City in September 1872 Editor & Publisher: Ulf Barslund Mårtensson (editor@nordstjernan.com) – www.nordstjernan.com Managing Editor & Production: Everett Martin Senior Editor: Eva Stenskär Metro Editor: Hanna Aqvilin Sports Editor: Chipp Reid Copy Editor: Amanda Robison Design Director: 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 Publications Director: Mette Barslund Mårtensson (mette@nordstjernan.com; 800.827.9333 x12) Nordstjernan (ISSN 1059-7670) is published by Swedish News, Inc., P.O. Box 4587, New York, NY 10163 • 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. - $41, - Two yr. - $75 - Outside US 1 yr. $200.

Contact us at 1.800.827.9333 — ext 10 for Reader services, ext 12 for advertising URL: www.nordstjernan.com email: subs@nordstjernan.com East coast local number: 203.299.0380 West coast: 1.800.827.9333

News in brief. page 3

Forever friends I just met a third-generation subscriber at a festival—that is, a subscriber whose grandparents read Nordstjernan in the early 20th century then transferred the readership to the next generation and most recently to the third. The best compliment we’ve received in a long time was when he said he felt Nordstjernan is “... personal, and a companion rather than ‘just’ a commercial entity. It feels as if a friend is arriving in the mail box.”

Thanks Dave, comments such as yours happen to be why so many of us could not imagine a more fulfilling way to pass the day, and night.

Nordstjernan has been a lifeline and a live connection to friends and family, traditions and roots for such a long time—it really takes a full year’s cycle of traditions and news to grasp what we’re truly about. Nordstjernan hasn’t missed one single edition since that day in September 1872 when our first issue hit the streets of select cities along the eastern seaboard. We have since published over 7,000 editions of the newspaper—at first weekly, then later and at present on a twice per month basis, or 22 issues per year with the exception of August.

y 1 4 $ : r a be

We all need companions; we all need to belong. Case in point: Vasa Order of America. VOA, as it’s often abbreviated, was founded in 1896 to offer companionship and create a safety net for the early immigrants, as a way to create instant friends, if you will, much like today’s Facebook, but genuinely and in the real world. The Vasa Order is comprised of the Grand Lodge, 19 district lodges, and close to 300 local lodges. Membership is open to anyone “committed to the promotion and advancement of Swedish and Nordic heritage and culture.”

What is in a name?

“You are your name” is one of our stories in this issue (page 12) about how Swedish first names reveal so much more than gender, age or roots. We don’t know why the immigrants of the late 19th century specifically picked the name Vasa for their organization. The name was supposedly proposed since Gustav Vasa, just like George Washington, had been called the father of his country, liberating the Swedes from the Danish King. Also, the Royal Order of Vasa (Kungliga Vasaorden) was a Swedish Royal order of chivalry instituted by King Gustav III in 1772. We can assume that the name was meant to instill reverence for the organization, yet we find the name choice a bit peculiar, especially in light of the underlying social causes for the Swedish mass emigration.

Vasa or Wasa

The name is no doubt closely related to the history of Sweden. After all, the House of Vasa is the Ulf Barslund Mårtensson Editor & Publisher historic Royal House of the country.

It should be noted that the name was never used at the time of the first king (Gustav Vasa, who established Swedish sovereignty independent from Denmark), Gustav 1 or Gustav Eriksson, as was his birth name. The name Vasa came later; its origin has been disputed but two aspects are unquestionably facts: Gustav Eriksson’s family has its origins in the village Vasa in Uppland, north of Stockholm, and the symbol on the coat of arms of the family, which came into use in the 15th century, can be—and was—interpreted as a “stormvase” (tied together brush used as a shield in battle while storming a fort or encampment). It is not the only interpretation of the Vasa coat of arms, however; some experts say it’s a decoration for a helmet, while others consider it related to iron armaments.

Be that as it may, the name Vasa or Wasa later became the dynasty’s name, and while the symbol transformed into something that often looks like a sheaf of corn rather than the stormvase of olden times, it is still part of the Swedish National Coat of Arms. The Swedish Coat of Arms (The “Riksvapen”) has since 1818 incorporated the Bernadotte Dynasty’s coat of arms at the center, which holds both the Vasa symbol, the symbol of Ponte Corvo (the first Bernadotte was made Prince of Ponte Corvo

by Napoleon prior to his election to Crown Prince of Sweden) with a golden eagle over it and the Big Dipper in gold.

We are what we do

A lot is indeed in a name but even more true is how we are who we are through what we do. Being Swedish may be a bit more than a state of mind.

What’s with the little red horse on your desk and why does Blue and Yellow resonate with you just like the Red, White and Blue? Ever get into an argument about the merits of potato sausage or how aquavit is not just flavored vodka ... how lutefisk is just as edible as Swedish fish … whether to use salt or sugar with gröt? And, how singing at the table is actually good manners and keeps things grounded?

We introduce Certified Swede in this

‘Välkommen’

- Regular readers: We are back after our traditional August hiatus.

- Vasa readers: Some of you may be seeing this, America’s only classic Swedish newspaper, for the first time.

Last year we introduced color on our pages. We’re happy to say this, our first issue of fall 2013, also brings something new to the readership: a section dedicated to Vasa Order of America, the largest independent Swedish/NordicAmerican organization in the United States. Nordstjernan will include the organization’s quarterly membership news, the Vasa Star, on four occasions throughout the coming year.

We hope the addition and mutual cooperation will be valuable to you all. Don’t hesitate to let us know via editor@nordstjernan.com—if you’ve subscribed for some time, you know we’re always there for you. The Vasa Order is present almost everywhere; whether you’re born Swedish or American, don’t hesitate to become a member—this group is open to new ideas and attitudes—and like many other groups, it needs fresh blood. I’ve not belonged to any organization in Swedish America, so the Vasa membership will be a first; there’s indeed a first time for everything and I will let you know what my first impressions are. /UBM issue, a label and title you could be qualified for. We’ll continuously cover the people, stories or bits and pieces we feel are certifiably Swedish, and as always welcome your input as well!

We are on a quest to find all the certified Swedes and certified Swedish in the United States. Without question a subject to be continued.

Albert Camus, the African born French philosopher, journalist and Nobel Prize winner for literature in 1957, once said about the season we’re entering: “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”

Welcome back after the summer, subscribers, and welcome Vasa members—we at Nordstjernan are happy and proud to be working together.

Ulf Martensson Editor & Publisher PS. While on the subject of Vasa: in our next issue we’ll offer a different view of “the occupant” of one of Stockholm’s most visited museums: the 17th century warship Vasa.

If you received two copies of this issue, please make good use of it (find another certified Swede) and let us know if in the future you prefer only one: 1.800.827.9333 ext.10 or subs@nordstjernan.com

Swedish News

Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson plays Queen Elizabeth in the BBC-produced TV series ”The White Queen”.

Hail to the ‘new Swedish queen’

Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson has sailed up as the latest film export through her part as the White Queen in the BBC TVseries with the same name, ”The White Queen”. For Swedish TV-viewers, Ferguson is mostly known as Anna Gripenhielm in the soap Nya tider. But now the 29-year old plays Queen Elizabeth in ”The White Queen” She also stars in the new Ridley Scott series ”The Vatican”, and as if that’s not enough she also plays a part in the upcoming Hollywood movie ”Hercules: The Thracian wars”, which will be filmed in Hungary.

How did all this happen? ”[Swedish film director] Richard Hobert gave me a part in the (Swedish) movie ’En enkel till Antibes’, which led to me getting an agent in London. The first screen test they sent me to was ’The White Queen’. They told me I didn’t have much of a chance, but that it was a great opportunity for me to meet people in the business,” Ferguson recently told Swedish media. ”The White Queen” is a series produced

by BBC in cooperation with Starz. ”I was very nervous when I went to the first screen test. The director, the producer, and Max Irons (son to Jeremy Irons), who plays king Edward, sat there.

They wanted to see what the chemistry between me and Max was like, and it worked between us right away,” Ferguson said.

U.S.viewers can watch the series on broadcasting cable network Starz, which began broadcasting season 1 on August 26

Nobody buys Orrefors

It has become clear that the Orrefors glassworks will close for good. The owner, New Wave Group, had previously said they’d negotiated with several potential buyers of the glassworks, which closed on July 12, but there will be no selling or buying of Orrefors, according to recent reports. ”It is definite, in terms of the glass production,” said Magnus Andersson, CEO of Orrefors Kosta Boda, to TT. The historic glassworks was founded in 1898, and production of the famous crystal and art glass began in 1914.

Swedish crime sells

Who tops the payroll list among Swedish writers? Topping the list for 2012, just like in 2011, is crime writer Camilla Läckberg.

Her company Camlac AB earned 20.9 million kronor ($3.2 million) during 2012. Following Läckberg is Henning Mankell (of Inspector Wallander fame), who earned little over half as much as Läckberg, 11.8 million kronor ($1.8 million). On third spot is Jan Guillou (5.5 million kronor), then Jonas Gardell (5.2 million kronor), Mari Jungstedt (4.5 million kronor), Johan Theorin (4 million kronor), Per Moberg (2.8 million kronor), Leif G W Persson (1.6 million kronor), and Håkan Nesser (1.4 million kronor). The list is based on Swedish authors whose companies are registered at Bolagsverket. There might be others not included on the list. Don’t miss our earlier video interview on youtube.com/nordstjernan with crime writing Läckberg, who visited New York last year.

The Exchange rate: $1.00 = SEK 6.52 09.11.2013

September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

feature. page 4

Stockholm Walkabout V: Continued from page one

Långholmen prison in the old days

Today’s Långholmen Hotel

The interior is still a reminder of its earlier use

piece of unspoiled countryside within the city. A visit to the island can be a full-day excursion, with a walking tour, picnic and a refreshing swim in Lake Mälaren in the summertime.

I enter the island via Långholmsbron (the Long Islet Bridge), a bridge in central Stockholm connecting the major island Södermalm (Stockholm south) with the smaller island Långholmen. The bridge is an extension of the street Bergsundsgatan.

Earlier called Spinnhusbron (the Spinning House Bridge), in reference to the precursor to the Långholmen prison, and, popularly, Suckarnas bro (the Bridge of Sighs), also in reference to the prison, its present name stems from 1885. This section of the much larger Västerbron (the Western Bridge), the bridge passing over Långholmen connecting Stockholm south with Kungsholmen islet and the north, used to be called Långholmsbron.

Most likely, an old wooden bridge was found here in the mid 17th century, since it was the location for a customs house dealing with the ships delivering goods to the city from Lake Mälaren. It first appears on a map dated 1733, later replaced by a new wooden, four-span truss bridge in 1845, just over a hundred feet (33 meters) long, and 20 feet (6 meters) wide. In 1931, the present three-span steel girder bridge was inaugurated; 180 feet (56 meters) long and 26 feet (8 meters) wide with a roadway of 18 feet (5.6 meters).

This island housed a prison between 1724 and 1975—one of Sweden’s bigger prisons with more than 500 cells. Since 1874 it was called Långholmens Centralfängelse (Långholmen Central Prison) or Långholmen Kronofängelse (Crown Prison).

Some things were not better before... Images from the Långholmen museum, with Ander’s guillotine left.

Double room in today’s hotel

Nordstjernan, September 15, 2013

Some notable prisoners have included: • Johan Alfred Ander (1873-1910), convicted murderer, executed by guillotine in 1910.

• Barbro Alving (1909-1987), journalist and pacifist who refused to participate in civil defense, jailed for one month.

• Jan Guillou (1944- ), convicted of espionage at the time of the so-called “IB Affair” (1973), and sentenced to one year in prison, later lessened to 10 months.

• Hannes Skjöld (1886-1930), socialist,

author and poet, sentenced for anti-militaristic propaganda.

• Hjalmar Branting (1860-1925), journalist and politician, the first Social Democratic Prime Minister of Sweden, imprisoned for three months for blasphemy while editing the Social-Demokraten newspaper.

• Zeth Höglund (1884-1956), a leading Swedish communist politician, antimilitarist, author, journalist and mayor (finansborgarråd) of Stockholm (1940–1950) served six months as a result of anti-war agitation.

• Ture Nerman (1886-1969), a Swedish socialist, journalist and author who was jailed for his part in the Trots allt!

(Despite Everything!), an anti-Nazi paper that caused furor at the German Embassy in Stockholm.

• Colonel Stig Wennerström (1906-2006), the most well known prisoner was convicted for espionage and treason in 1964.

During the 1950s, he leaked the Swedish air defense plans and the entire Saab Draken fighter jet project to the Soviet Union.

To say the least, this is a colorful and famous—or infamous—group of people.

While crossing the bridge I observe a young girl standing on a dock trying to take a photo of a blue heron (grå häger) sitting close by on a pole in the water. In this picture we have all the ingredients of a Stockholm midsummer dream retained.

Straight ahead of me I see the impressive main prison building, and when I come closer I see a plaque on the building wall telling where the guillotine was placed during the execution of Johan Alfred Ander in

November 1910.

The infamous Kronohäktet (Crown Prison) at Långholmen later became one of Sweden’s most famous hostels. A couple years ago The Times newspaper voted it to be one of the ten best hostels in Europe.

The old cells were converted to comfortable hotel rooms, with single or double occupancy constructed by combining the cells. There are several excellent restaurants on the premises, and during our visit we had a wonderful dinner at the exclusive Wärdshuset restaurant (The Inn restaurant).

The breakfast we had at the small bar, in the same building as the hotel, was excellent.

After consuming a delightful dinner at the Wärdshuset we went to bed in our cozy “cell” and were ready to sleep when we heard whispering voices from the corridor in the cellblock. We peeked outside the door and in the dim light saw two men sitting at a table talking with each other.

We went closer and saw it was the executor Alfred Dahlman and the prisoner Johan Alfred Ander sitting at the table over a bottle of beer talking about how well the guillotine worked.

Troubled, and on shaky legs we returned to our cell, thoroughly locked the door and finally fell into a deep sleep.

Obviously this is a bit of fiction, but the main point is that this is a top-notch hotel with a vivid history that must be discovered and experienced on the premises.

We also had a private prison guide, Anneli Björkeen, who could tell all the stories about Långholmen and the prison. During scheduled guided tours, the guides are

feature. page 5

dressed in prison guard uniforms.

Following a hearty breakfast I walk to the side of the hostel and see Knapersta Estate.

It consists of two buildings, Big and Small Knapersta, built during the 1700s by Immanuel Nobel, the father of the Nobel Prize creator Alfred Nobel. Classical landscaping and a beautiful garden adorn the front of the buildings, and songbirds are all over the bushes.

Story has it young Alfred was playing with explosives and after one of his friends was hurt in an accident, the experiments were moved away from the island to a safer place.

I continue my walk along a small road to Sofieberg, which is the far western part of the island. There are two remaining buildings here that were built according to the late 1800s architecture style: The “Red House” and the more interesting “Green House.” The Green House was built with plenty of Swedish “snickarglädje” (gingerbread style with lots of “carpenter’s joy”). In the past the Sofieberg property included the entire western cape of Långholmen, and in the mid-1970s, when the prison era ended, the area was made accessible to the public.

On the opposite side of the cape we find the Karlshälls Gård (literally “farm” but built as a mansion), an impressive and beautiful facility.

The property is now mainly used as a conference center and with its beautiful—albeit somewhat over-grown—gardens, is definitely worth a visit.

An interesting period of the Karlshälls Gård was during the heated “brännvinskriget” (the aquavit war), during 1870-1880, between the owner of Reimersholme Distill-

One of many beaches and forested areas of Långholmen. Stockholm City Hall in the background.

ery, L.O. Smith (brännvinskungen, the King of Aquavit) and the distillery of Stockholms Utskänkningsbolag (the [alcohol] Providing Company of Stockholm). Smith had set up production of alcohol on the island Reimersholme adjacent to Långholmen, which was listed as property in Brännkyrka assembly outside the Providing Company’s jurisdiction, making it possible for him to work Brännvinskungen L.O. Smith

around the local ordinance to sell alcohol. The sale of his better distilled and superior absolut rent brännvin (absolutely pure alcohol) was for a time moved to Fjäderholmarna, just outside the Stockholm harbor, to ensure distribution.

After a long time peace was established between the warring parties, but not without several incarcerations of involved parties at Riddarholmen and Långholmens prisons.

I am continuing my walk to the northern side of the island and I see two places for

Photo: Jeppe Wikström/Stockholm Visitors Board

Långholmen ‘The Green Island’

public bathing, one including a fabulous view of downtown Stockholm. I ask an older lady swimming in the lake: “How is the water, is it cold”? She answers that the water is nice, so jump in.

Just as I’m walking around the eastern cape I see the small cruise ship m/s Prins Carl Philip passing by. I have been told that if you call the captain, he stops to pick you up. I never tried and don’t know if it’s true, but it’s tempting, Continued on page seven

Are you a certified swede?

Many are called, but few are chosen.

Ever get in an argument about the merits of having lutefisk or potato sausage on the Christmas table?

Got a Dala horse on the mantle?

Did you bring out a smörgåsbord for the princess’s wedding?

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Viewpoints. page 6

Oh, the story I found!

M

y morfar (grandfather on my mother’s side) hunted alligators by a lake in Småland. If this sounds strange to you, imagine how my mother must have felt when, as a child in the 1940s in Sweden, she read Pelle Svanslös i Amerika. Or for that matter, how strange and incredible a journey to America Gösta Knutsson’s book, published in 1943, would have been to any Swedish youngster.

For several years now I have kept a stack of Pelle Svanslös adventures on my bookshelf. My mother gave them to me in the process of downsizing and no doubt wanting to make sure they were in good hands, as she is advancing in age. I treasure these books because they must have made a lasting impression on my mother. She loves to

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talk about Pelle and that evil Måns and his stupid followers Bill and Bull. When she mentions them it is with an intensity not given any other book talks we have had.

Until two weeks ago I had never read any of the Pelle Svanslös books, not even as a child. My reading list back in Sweden consisted of Emil i Lönneberga, Karlsson på Taket, Pippi Långstrump, Ture Sventon Privatdetektiv and Nils Holgersson—add to that Tintin, Kalle Anka and Fantomen, while not Swedish characters, certainly adopted as if homegrown by me and many other children in Sweden.

“Oh the story that I found,” to paraphrase Dr. Seuss deliberately as badly, when I opened up Pelle Svanslös i Amerika on a recent trip.

You have heard the saying “I could not put it down,” and it was one of those rare occasions when I kept reading; I was fortunate to have the time to do so.

Gösta Knutsson, presumably writing for children, immediately drew me into his world of cats that behaved and appeared as if they were persons, while existing in a world that features, at least peripherally, people, and also showed the cats, both in print and lovely illustrations, to be cats.

Gösta Knutsson has the ability to write in a way that appeals to all age levels, including those reaching middle age, such as myself.

He also has the ability to tell of things that concern society and the adult world, without being heavy-handed. At no time does one feel he is creating a moralistic fable, so with all due respect to George Orwell and his Animal House, move over George, Gösta is the champ. Hands down, Gösta wins the match! Gösta is the Ingemar Johansson of

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Born in Sweden and raised both in Europe and the U.S., Ulf Kirchdorfer is as Swedish American as we come. Ulf, who has a Ph.D. in English and is dean of global studies at Darton College, will keep all of us - Swedes, Americans and Swedish Americans alike - on track.

prose as it relates to animals, entertainment and literature. And T.S. Eliot, with your cats and subsequent mega musical machine, I’m sorry—nice try, but, if you will excuse the phrase, you are not the cat’s meow.

I mentioned earlier how strange this Pelle Svanslös book must have seemed to a Swedish child, maybe an adult also, in the early 1940s. I wonder how many in Sweden really knew anything at all about events or details as Knutsson depicts them in Pelle’s adventure across the vast ocean.

Knutsson informs us that America has lots of automobiles and skyscrapers. But this is where the familiarity ends for what most in Sweden in 1943 would have known.

He tells us that in America there is an ice cream man on nearly every corner because Americans are terribly fond of ice cream.

Elevators in America are ten times as fast as those in Sweden. He teaches his readers what a “drug” store is, and depicts a counter where Americans sit on high stools and drink something sweet, and eat ice cream and fried eggs.

We also learn about gangsters. In this book they are ever present and while no blood is spilled, their actions and behavior should scare any child beyond what they might see today watching The Sopranos, Good Fellas, or any mobster offering on television. Without wishing to spoil the book, I think I can share that it is both frightful and hilarious to have the cat gangsters raise their paws and and shout in unison several times the abbreviation of their gang, G.G. (for “Gangster Gang”) and motto, “Everything Ours!”

As part of the story and Pelle’s encounters, Knutsson depicts interesting social behavior such as Swedish cats immigrating to America and changing their names to sound American, as well as Swedish cats having various language proficiencies in Swedish, leaving the old country behind and inevitably losing touch with gamla Sverige. He manages to entertain and instruct in such instances, and only twice in the book is an overt pedagogical lesson, that would these days be called a “teaching moment.” They concern race relations. I translate the passage below, found on page 83 of the 1947

edition of Pelle Svanslös i Amerika: Pelle is told by another cat, “But you should not buy [a souvenir] from him, because he is a Negro [cat].” Pelle’s response is a manifesto against racism, “If I could only understand why it should matter if a cat is a Negro or not. As long as he is a good cat, that’s what matters. If he is evil, that is so much worse than a Negro cat who is good, and if I am good, I am not one iota better than a Negro cat who is good. If a Negro cat is evil, he is just like any other cat who is evil. Whether the nose is black or white shouldn’t matter.”

I wonder how much Swedish children or Swedes in the early 1940s knew about racism in America or what the opinions of the Swedish people were.

Following Pelle on his adventure in America we are in good hands with Gösta Knutsson, who educates us about geography and different cities, and even includes a tour of the Swedish exhibit that has brought Pelle and his human companions to America in the first place. The chapter features a beautiful drawing of a giant Dalahäst a boy has managed to climb to ride, as another child photographs the moment and Pelle and another cat look on. Even birch trees have been brought to the exhibit. Good to know Swedish marketing and public relations were at work in America in the 1940s.

Having had two weeks to think about Pelle Svanslös i Amerika, my hope is that by introducing or reintroducing you to the Swedish cat and his creator Gösta Knutsson you will visit or revisit some of his work.

More than anything, I would like to hear from those of you who were alive in the 1940s and read Pelle Svanslös books, your perceptions of America back then, inside or outside the Bonniers Barnbibliotek book covers of a great Swedish cat.

It is important for the sake of Swedish and Swedish-American history to know how and how much perceptions have changed as the countries of Sweden and America both integrate and disintegrate in a world that is, as they say—whether you like it or not— global. Tack ska du ha! superswede@nordstjernan.com

Most beloved, most money making The characters of SuperSwede Ulf Kirchdorfer’s childhood remain at the top of the list of popular characters. Children’s cartoon figures are big business for the companies that own the rights. Which character sells the most? Who else but the beloved characters by Astrid Lindgren: Pippi, Emil and the rest of them—together Saltkråkan AB,

the company with the rights, made $3 million off of licensing last year. This summer also brought a new record Astrid Lindgren’s World (www.alv.se/en), the amusement park in Vimmerby, Småland. The number of visitors was 429,646 during the three summer months, an increase of close to ten percent over last year.

feature. page 7

what to expect october

m/s Prins Carl Philip making its way across Mälaren Lake

‘Kanelbullens Dag’ / Trust the Swedes, who love their food and their fika, to devote an entire day to the kanelbulle (the cinnamon bun). Ever since the Home Baking Council (Hembakningsrådet) celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1999 October 4 has been celebrated as Kanelbullens Dag, the Day of the Cinnamon bun. Expect a step by step instruction to creating what’s arguably the best kanelbulle of the Western hemisphere.

NOVEMBER

as it is only a five to 10 minute boat ride from the Town Hall in Stockholm. Instead, I continue my walk.

After a short while I’m reaching the eastern side of the island and see Mälarvarvet (Mälaren Shipyard Warf) in front of me, which is the last shipyard warf on Långholmen located at the southeastern point of the island. Mälarvarvet ship warf The warf has a history going back to the 1680s, but in 2007 the warf owner went into bankruptcy and an industrial period of central Stockholm came to an end.

As I’m closing in on the western section of Pålsundsbron, the easternmost bridge connecting Långholmen with Stockholm south, I see a building called “Fördärvet” (The Blight). In the mid-1800s this was a bar from which the building got its name.

It was a place where you could “fördärva” (mar or lose) your “Fördärvet” The Bligh economy and your health if not careful. The name is speaking for itself and is in the same category as Pungpinan (when one torments the purse to pay for the alcohol) and Sista Styvern (a bar where the seamen had their last snaps prior to going back to sea, or where prisoners had their last snaps prior to their hanging).

With all these impressive images in my mind I’m crossing Pålsundsbron and slowly walk back to the bus station to get back to my mother’s apartment for dinner.

More information for the interested: • Wikipedia: Långholmen • Wikipedia: Södermalm i tid och rum. Stockholm (in Swedish only) • Stockholm’s Stadsbibliotek: Stockholms-källan Leif’s earlier Walkabout Tours of Stockholm are now online, at http://www.nordstjernan.com: I on Gamla Stan (The Old Town); II on central Söder (Stockholm South); III on Djurgården and the old navy shipyards; and, IV on Söder, Hornsgatan and Slussen. Visit nordstjernan.com and search ‘Walkabout’

Swede Thanksgiving / Add a Scandinavian touch to this year’s Thanksgiving. Easier than you think and readily accessible all over the U.S.

Your own Nobel dinner / Sooner than you think, the table is set for this year’s Nobel celebration in Stockholm. Celebrate your own! december

Photo: Henrik Trygg/Stockholm Visitors Board

Continued from page 5

First Sunday of Advent / Christmas arrives in Sweden on this day.

The season of Advent, the time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas and the start of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church is also the start of serious preparations for Christmas in Sweden, this year on December 1.

What to prepare, serve and an easy how-to for the first glögg party of the year. / Keep track of events in all of Swedish America.

Stockholm Christmas / A season of light at the darkest time of the year. Romantic and rustic Christmas in the Swedish archipelago.

Swedish Christmas in America / How to make the most of your Swedish Christmas in America.

Everything you need to make this year special.

…food, films, books, traditions, trivia and fun.

Nordstjernan brings new memories throughout the year.

September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

The Pacific states. page 8

Bon Voyage and thanks

training on the M32 and SeaCat26 class boats in Sweden gave the entire crew even more experience than they expected.

They could not say enough about the mentoring they received from the Artemis crew, from their first day of sailing with the team. Andrew Palfrey, the head coach of Artemis, spent two weeks coaching them as did Maxime Albrecht, the Artemis chase boat driver, and Troy Tindill, captain of the foiling AC45, who coached them in wing trimming in Naples.

All these critical skills had to be learned quickly—a steep curve for novices—in the brief periods of mentoring, which the Artemis teammates could spare while deep in their own competition. The young crew admitted that while the basics of sailing are the same, the radically greater speed and forces on these boats plus the brief time they spent on the boats since June when the team gelled, was intense.

ACWS

Swedish Youth Challenge sailing their AC45 in RBYAC, San Francisco, September 2013. ACEA/Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget Ted Olsson, San Francisco ted@nordstjernan.com

Now that the Red Bull Youth Challenge has concluded, let us thank these young Vikings who provided such exciting sailing. We share their disappointment in just missing a podium position, but we are proud of what they accomplished. We wish them well in their sailing careers and hope to see them in a future America’s Cup. These seven young Swedish Vikings came ashore in San Francisco in late August prepared to sail against the best in the world.

They had been selected from among eighty candidates by the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) to represent their country in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. For the first four days of September, in two races daily, a crew of six sailors between the ages of 19-24, raced a fleet of AC45s against seven other countries on San Francisco Bay. It was wonderful to welcome back Coach Björn Johansson, Helmsman Charlie Ekberg and Tactician Niclas Düring. With them were

the rest of the crew—Andreas Axelsson (wingman), Nils Åkervall (bowman), Arvid Bild (trimmer), Jonathan Ameln (trimmer) and Tom Gross (trimmer). All had only been together since June and most had not sailed these AC45s before.

RBYAC Opportunity

Speaking for the team, Coach Johansson repeated his philosophy from last year: This is the first opportunity for these young sailors, the cream of the crop in Sweden, to be recognized on a world stage for their skill. As before, he put much of the responsibility upon the team itself to take charge and grow into this responsibility. Sweden remains proud of these sailors and appreciated their performance in the competition.

The team thanked Artemis Racing and the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS) for sponsoring them in this event, where ten teams represented eight nations competing for four days. Half these teams were sponsored by the teams competing in the America’s Cup World

Series; the other half were selected from other nations around the world.

The Swedes held tryouts for the team for one week per month through the first quarter of this year. During that time sailors sailed 18-footers and single-person, hydroplaning Moths. Later the candidates sailed on bigger boats, M32s.

One particularly important part of the training was in Italy, thanks to Berg Propulsion, which provided the large boats and the chance to train with two former Olympians.

..the Royal Swedish Yacht Club

Also priceless was the support of Artemis and KSSS (the Royal Swedish Yacht Club).

The team spoke of the extreme kindness of Artemis in letting these younger sailors watch and learn the rigor, discipline and operations of a Cup team, both on shore and off. They were very privileged and proud to actually feel a part of Artemis Racing. Charlie and Niclas were the first two teammates chosen, and thanks to Artemis they were able to participate in the World Series in Naples. Further

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Participating in the America’s Cup World Series was the chance of a lifetime for these young sailors. In February, Düring prepped for the Korean boat in Naples. From working the winches, to shore crewing, to tailing on the chase boat, and changing the sails, he saw first hand the teamwork that goes into any team to compete at this level, whether on the boat crew or on the shore crew.

It turned out Nick and Charlie were the youngest sailors in the regatta. And when their teammates were reticent to participate in the Opening Ceremonies they sent Nick and Charlie to stand and speak before forty thousand people. Overall, the experience was a superb introduction into how sailing at the ACWS-level works.

World-class sailing women

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of talking with the Swedish team and coach was to learn, as they had hinted in February, the Swedes considered three women for the team and had chosen one for their crew. As Coach Johansson said, and all the crew agreed, she was as good, strong and skillful as any man on the crew. Sofie Düring, the sister of the tactician, decided in the end not to come to San Francisco.

We congratulate the team on exemplifying Swedish egality, noting that she earned her place strictly on merit. While we will miss her and eagerly look forward to seeing her sailing prowess in other competitions, one can only imagine the field day that the international press would have applied had she participated.

It is useful to remember that AC commentator Tucker Thompson, in response to a question, mentioned that he too had sailed with a woman in early Cup competition. She was in every way as fit and accomplished as her male colleagues. Both Thompson and local sailing Olympian, Jenny Tilloch, anticipate that gender equality will be an issue in the next America’s Cup.

After the races

So, in the end how did this experience in the Red Bull races prepare the team for the 35th America’s Cup? They answered as one: Were it not for this, none of them would have Continued on next page

The Pacific states. page 9

Farewell, we wish you good sailing ahead!

Red Bull Youth America’s Cup – FINAL Standings:

y r e v i l e D e m o , H k e e n w a r n e r h t e j o t y s r e d v e n Nor e d e e b i w r S c s f b o u h s c / u m o t o c . a n n a n r tha e j t s d r o n . w w : 1 4 $ : r a e ey any chance of being noticed for the next Cup. There are simply too few opportunities to break out of the pack, lacking a lucky break for a Cup team, an Olympic medal, or a worldgirdling race.

As Charlie Ekberg said at a press briefing—as one of only two helmsmen (the other was Peter Burling, RBYAC winner for New Zealand) who had participated in ACWS competition—he believes the level of competition in this regatta is even higher than in the ACWS of Naples. Here these young sailors were all evenly matched and all teams underwent the same world-class training with their peers, under the tutelage of their Red Bull coaches.

Given that the AC45s are identical boats, these eight fleet races were extremely tight for picking the winning team and country.

On the last day (with one race rather than two), a majority of the teams were vying for podium positions and only the winner was predictable. As the coaches had taught them, it was not sufficient to merely round the first mark first—the winning teams had to show

consistency throughout the races and be able to advance through the pack.

In that initial briefing, as he sat beside the helmsmen of all other teams, I asked Ekberg to speak for his colleagues. This America’s Cup’s motto is “The fastest boats; the best sailors,” whereas the Red Bull’s concept for this competition seems to be based upon the original words of the Deed of Trust establishing this longest international sports competition: “A friendly competition among nations.”

So, how does it feel to be representing your country? Ekberg graciously spoke for all, and in addition to thanking Red Bull for highlighting before the world their individual and team achievements, the fact that each team represents its country adds pride to their motivation and buoys them. This has been a keen honor deeply appreciated by each sailor on all of the teams.

We wish our Swedish sailors well in their careers, wherever the winds may take them.

Ted Olsson, San Francisco

Rank / Team Name (ACWS 2012 Team sponsor, Country) / Place per Race / Cumulative Points 1. New Zealand Sailing Team (ETNZ, NZL) / 2-*-7-3-1-1-4 / 57 points 2. Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) / 7-1-4-6-6-3-5 / 45 points 3. ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR) / 3-6-1-8-8-5-2 / 44 points 4. Team TILT (SUI) / 8-5-2-2-9-7-1 / 43 points 5. American Youth Sailing Force (OTUSA, USA) / 1-7-3-5-7-4-8 / 42 points 6. Swedish Youth Challenge (Artemis Racing, SWE) / 6-2-9-1-4-6-10 / 39 points 7. Objective Australia (AUS) / *-10-6-10-2-3 / 38 points 8. Next World Energy (Energy Team, FRA) / 4-4-8-4-5-9-6 / 37 points 9. All In Racing (GER) / 5-8-5-9-3-8-9 / 30 points 10. USA45 Racing (USA) / 9-9-10-7-10-10-7 / 15 points (* = RDG = redress awarded by International Jury)

were determined by the cumulative standings after only seven races, not eight.

6. Five teams were sponsored by ACWS teams (USA, SWE, FRA and NZL); five other teams were selected as the most accomplished sailors, among almost two dozen team applications from international yacht clubs.

7. The teams were composed of six sailors, aged 19-24, all representing, and typically chosen by their country. So, this is truly “a friendly competition among nations.”

8. The 10 teams used the Red Bull rebranded AC45 catamarans (powered by giant, hard-wing sails) used by America’s Cup teams in the ACWS races.

All these boats are uniform, so the standings indicated the ranking of the skills of each country in each race.

NOTES—Red Bull Youth America’s Cup races: 1. With 10 teams, in each race, first place is awarded 10 points; second, 9 points; etc.

2. The RBYAC series consists of fleet racing; all 10 teams race the pack at once—an initial reach, six legs up and down the course; and, a dash to the finish line.

3. The RBYAC series held two races per day for four days (September 1-4, 2013) in front of bleachers of spectators lining the America’s Cup Village shoreline at San Francisco’s Marina Green.

4. Race-8, which would have doubled the points per place and widened the point-spread between teams, was cancelled due to excessive windspeed, during the first half hour when it was supposed to be run.

5. As a result, the standings and podium positions

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feature. page 10

‘As Swedish as apple pie’ The weather is great, apples are ripe everywhere we look. Apples are fat-free, low sodium and cholesterol-free, offering about 80 calories each. They can be eaten fresh, cooked, canned, frozen and made into many tasty and healthy dishes. They were the favorite fruit of ancient Greeks and Romans and supposedly arrived in England around the 11th century at which point the Vikings had already enjoyed the fruit for many years.

The English settlers that brought apple seeds to America in the 1600s found a continent with only one native variety, the crabapple.

Leif Ericson must have forgotten to bring some...

The oldest remainder of an apple found in Sweden dates back 2,500 years B.C. and was found in the area of Omberg (near Vättern) we visited this summer.

The annual Apple Market in Kivik, Sweden in the center of the southern Swedish apple orchards, is set for Sept. 28-29 (www. applemarknaden.se). This annual event draws crowds of up to 10,000 to a weekend of entertainment, fun, a parade and the unveiling of this year’s appel art. The image you see here behind the orchestra on the left, by artist Emma Karp Lundström, was created in 2010 using

30-40,000 apples and was dedicated to the author Fritiof Nilsson Piraten.

Kivik is locaated in Österlen in the southernmost province of Skåne, Sweden, an area traditionally known for its grandiose nature and a rich culinary tradition. A vast number

Favorite apple pie recipe

As American as apple pie, the real saying goes. But here’s an apple cake straight from Sweden. This one has yummy ingredients such as mandelmassa (almond paste) and cardamom in it.

Ingredients: Piecrust 2/3 cup butter 1 Tablespoon confectioner’s sugar 1-1/2 cups flour 1-1/2 Tablespoons water Filling 1/2 cup almond paste 1/2 lemon peel, finely grated 1/2 cup butter

of artists live and work in Österlen; from painters, ceramic artists, and glassblowers to sculptors, silversmiths, and textile artists. Art is in abundance everywhere, even in apples...

2 eggs 2 ounces sugar 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 4 apples Topping 1 Tablespoon sugar 1 ounces almond slivers Instruction: 1. Mix butter, confectioner’s sugar and flower with a mixer until you have a crumbly dough. Add the water, and continue to mix until you have a smooth dough. Press this dough into a pie dish with removable bottom. Put into the fridge for 20 minutes.

2. Pre-heat oven to 400° F. Grind the almond paste, but not too fine.

Grind the lemon peel on the fine side of the grater. Melt the butter and beat the eggs, and add them to the melted butter along with the sugar. Let simmer until thick, stir often. Take the pot

off the heat. Stir in the almond paste, lemon peel and cardamom.

3. Peel and core the apple, and cut into thin slices. Take the piecrust from the fridge and make small holes with a fork. Pour the almond cream into the crust, arrange the apples slices in a pretty pattern, pour over the sugar and the almond slivers.

4. Bake the cake in the middle of the oven for 25-30 minutes. Serve with whipped cream.

European-style marzipan, which is heavier on the almonds and lighter on the sugar, is available on the U.S. market thanks to Charlotte Wetche, whose great-grandfather founded Odense Marcipan in 1909.

Avaliable at many Scandinavian specialty stores, or see www.odensemarcipan.us to order online.

‘Not my time to die’ The Titanic and the Swedes on board Perfect bound, large size paperback, 296 pages. Richly illustrated.

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local events. page 11

‘Dressing Swedish’ to open in Seattle The exhibition, Dressing Swedish: From Hazelius to Salander, showing at the Nordic Heritage Museum September 12 ­through November 10, explores the complex relationship between Swedish fashion and traditional Swedish folk costumes.

Garments, fabric and designs are used to create complex family trees, erase time periods and articulate multiple places of belonging. Through displays featuring costumes both traditional and recreated by contemporary designers, along with new urban dress from Sami and Swedish designers, the exhibition tackles the notion of what it means to “dress Swedish” and how this has developed over time.

Pieces from the Nordic Heritage Museum’s permanent collection, such as Swedish folk costumes, Ballard bunads and textile artifacts accompany the exhibition.

In addition, local members of the Swedish community will showcase outfits that reflect individual and contemporary ways of dressing Swedish and Svenska Skolan (Seattle’s Swedish School for children) will show off Pippi Longstocking costumes.

Fashion and folk costumes have always overlapped, and traces of older fashion styles can also be found in folk costume designs. In 1872, Artur Hazelius, founder of Nordiska museet in Stockholm, observed how modern fashion increasingly began to replace the folk costume. The large-scale collecting and documentation effort gath-

ered momentum in cultural history museums, powered by a desire to preserve folk culture for posterity.

Today, folk costumes are worn as formal dress at the Nobel Prize Banquet and at the official openings at Swedish Parliament and

In terms of urban dress, Lisbeth Salander—the antisocial computer hacker and anti-heroine in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy series—is an icon for a new Swedish urban femininity. Young women publish photographs on the Internet of themselves

D.C. by co-curators Dr. Charlotte HyltenCavallius, Multicultural Society, Tumba, and Dr. Lizette Gradén, Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle, with support from Multicultural Society, Svenska Institutet, Kulturrådet.

the Sámi Parliament. In keeping with folk tradition and modern fashion, the Swedish Tourist Association (STF) launched a competition— Folk Costume 2.0—to celebrate its 125th anniversary.

Twenty-five of Sweden’s most talented young designers were asked to choose a province in which to experience local culture and gather inspiration to create new, updated folk costumes for the region.

The Swedish traditional dress that is worn in the United States is dynamic and increasingly individualized.

It has a basic form that is recognizable as a folk costume, but it’s subject to change based on the choice of fabric, color and patterns that are controlled by the manufacturers and creative individuals.

dressed like Lisbeth, and the H&M Dragon Tattoo Collection by Trish Summerville was inspired by the character.

The exhibition Dressing Swedish: From Hazelius to Salander was originally produced for House of Sweden, Washington

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will offer related programs including: • Thursday, September 12, 6-8 p.m. Member & Press Preview: Members & press are invited to this special preview reception.

• Wednesday, September 25, 7 p.m. Folk Costume Fashion Show: the Museum hosts this folk costume fashion show with folk music, dancing, and food.

• Thursday, October 10, 7 p.m. Nordic Fashion: Empowering Women: Join us for an evening of fashion talks, discussion, shopping, and music with women from the Nordic countries and local businesses who have built careers around design and entrepreneurship.

Exhibition support is provided by Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Swedish Council of America, and Jane Isakson Lea with seasonal support by 4Culture, Artsfund, and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.

The museum is located at 3014 NW 67th Street, Seattle, WA 98117. For more info, call 206.789.5707 or see www.nordicmuseum.org

Annual NJ ScanFest 2013 Vasa Park at Budd Lake, NJ, with its majestic trees and rolling hills, was home to the 29th annual ScanFest festival, the largest Scandinavian celebration in the northeast, on Sunday, Sept. 1.

The heritage festival celebrates the cultures and contributions of the extended Nordic region and draws thousands of visitors every year. Allday food, entertainment, crafts, gifts, kids’ activities, re-enactors, demonstrating artisans, organizational exhibitors, field arena contests, Vikings, and... the fourth annual North American wife-carrying contest!

Plan ahead, see www.scanfest.org for next year’s celebration. Photos courtesy of Roy Groething, www. roygroething.com

Scandinavian at the 2013 Scandinavian Festival at New Jersey Vasa Park. Clockwise from above: Smorgasbandet - Jeanne Erikson Widman Andersen, Walter Erikson, Jr., Chad Widman and Wayne Soderlund with Ingrid Olsson Feingold; Shaelyn Peterson, granddaughter of one of NJ Vasa’s first family’s; girls in traditional folk costume; Minnesota native Sara Pajunen; Leonard Seastone performs with The Swedish Folkdancers of NY.

September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

feature. page 12

You are your name Our first names reveal more about us than we think; more than gender, age or geographical roots Our first names reveal more about us than we think. It reveals of course our gender, but also age, geographical home, and class belonging are mirrored in our names. But where are people named what? And how come some names never go out of fashion? Daily Sydsvenskan dug out the statistics. Today regional differences aren’t as big as they used to be, says ethnologist Charlotte Hagström, who does research in names at the Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences at Lund University.

Jöns or Ola = Skåne

“If I meet someone with the names Jöns, Ola or Karna, names that signal the province of Skåne, I can no longer be as sure (that they come from Skåne) as I could five or ten years ago,” she says. The saying “Tell me your name and I’ll tell you who you are” is somewhat true, though, according to Hagström. “In all times and everywhere people have had names. But the names vary greatly depending on what society you live in. The taste in names is very closely connected to culture, and certain names are more common in certain groups, even though that is changing more and more. This is what makes names so interesting. The name you have really says more about the person or persons who gave it to you than about you.”

Some names that today are fairly neutral once belonged only to the upper class, such as royal names like Karl and Gustav and upper class names like Fredrik and Charlotte. Historically the middle class has worried about choosing the ‘right’ name. The upper and the lower classes have been more open-minded. Today our choices in names are more about trends than class belongings. “Today a baroness can be named Carola, even though that was not common before. And spellings with ‘c’ like Carl, Eric, and Oscar, that used to be seen as better or finer, is today more about fashion than class.” Ronny, Conny, and Sonny are good examples on names that are “class markers”.

Nordstjernan, September 15, 2013

Says Hagström: “They are traditionally worker names, even though you can never be sure that that’s the case, the probability that someone with that name comes from that social environment is still high.”

Then there are evergreens like Eric and Maria, two of the most common first “Tell me your name and I’ll tell you who you are”. Names are either in or out of fashion (like most things). names in Sweden, as time- Adolf is hopelessly out, as is Anders (as in the artist Zorn above) and it used to be that Agnetha (as in ABBA’s less as the two most popular Agnetha Fältskog) was a very popular name, but today the girl’s names Agnes (singer Agnes Carlson, 2nd from names, Anna and Lars. left) or Carola, also a singer, all the way to the right, have completely replaced Agnetha.

Why some names last is difficult to say, according Pyssling’s friend’s name is Bertil there wasn’t the end of WW2. Statistics Sweden carries no to Hagström. “Perhaps the names that function a single boy in the early 1990’s with that name, special statistics over unusual or unique names. well in the rest of the western world never seem but many got it as their middle name.”

“The reason is that there are so very many of dated,” she says. “But that’s just a guess.” Today them,” says Bernhartdz. “Today 142,000 people around180,000 women’s names and 150,000 Names come in waves have names or spellings of names that they are men’s names are being used in Sweden.

“A strong fashion wave is followed by an alone to have, and that number is constantly inThe interest in names is enormous. ‘Namnsök’ anti-wave, and this is particularly true when it creasing. People are very creative. For instance, (a search function that gives out information on comes to names. A name goes from being very we have found 120 different spellings of the how many has a particular name) is one of our popular to becoming completely impossible, name Therese, and only last year we received most visited pages,” says population statistician like my own name, Anders. In the generation 4,412 all new girl’s names.” The interest in a Lena Bernhardtz at Statistic Sweden. of children being born right now it is extremely unique name is a sign of the times, according unpopular as a name. New parents don’t want to Anders Malmsten. “Up until the 1950’s, 80% Names mirror society to give their children names that they associate of all kids had one of the names on the top-ten Anders Malmsten, a journalist, became an with their parents. That’s an important factor in list. We had a collective society, where it was OK to be called Lars Andersson. Today, with expert in names when he became a father for the understanding the wave of names.” first time. “It’s fun and fascinating how much Meanwhile the middle names follow an op- Internet, that name makes it very difficult. The you can tell of a society’s development in the posite wave, parents still tend to choose grand- big thing now is having a unique name, we live names we use, says Malmsten, who’s authored mother’s and grandfather’s names as middle in a society in which we want to be seen. The four books on the subject. names, and Anders is still on the list of the 100 name becomes a brand, it should be easy to ”The children’s author Astrid Lindgren has in- most common middle names. All old names can google and you want to be able to have a unique fluenced Swedish parents a lot in modern times come back, says Malmsten. “In the beginning e-mail address. This is mirrored in the choices when it comes to choosing names. Through her of the 20th century, Agnes was removed from of names, people want to find something that’s books, names like Emil, Ida, and Alfred became the list of ‘namnsdagar’ (name’s days), and different, fun, and individual.”

There are limits even for this kind of creativpopular again, and names like Madicken and was replaced with Agnetha, which became exity, however. “Sure, there are kids named Neon Ronja were introduced. That the use of names tremely popular in the 1950’s. Now it is Agnes, Laser and such names. But the most common comes in cycles is something researchers all which was deemed hopelessly out 100 years thing to do is for parents to find a name that agree on. It takes around three generations ago, that’s popular.” There are also impossible feels normal but that is still not very common. before a “used” name can make its comeback. names. Events outside the private sphere may “Astrid (Lindgren) had the right timing, she put their mark on how we pick names. Historichose names that were in tune with society. cal persons can color a name so strongly that it The time was ripe for some of the names, but makes it near impossible. Like Adolf, a name not for all of them. Even though Nils Karlsson very few boys in Sweden have been given since

viewpoints. page 13

Ulf Nilson Sweden, September 2013 ulf.nilson@nordstjernan.com

Maybe I shouldn’t be telling you this, but the fact is YOU WON. I came to this conclusion following the drama around Syria. I happened to be sitting in Stockholm, but it’s always been a fact that big events happen in all countries on earth at the same time. There is sunshine in some places and moonlight in others, but the television screens show the same pictures, and when they are dramatic enough we all watch ...

Television has become world vision, for better or worse.

Now, lets return to Syria. The bombs have not fallen as this is written and maybe they won’t fall at all, but the fact is that this latest crisis demonstrates without any doubt that there is only one superpower, namely the United States of America. The Soviets can huff and puff and say outrageous things. It can back up small gangsters like Bashar Assad. It can, in other words, still do a lot of damage …

Olle Wijkström olle.wijkstrom@nordstjernan.com

.. och liknande På nyheterna i radio och Tv varnades det idag: Trafikvarningar! Det kommer att bli trångt på gatorna när USAs president Obama gör sitt besök. Varningar gäller inte bara områdena runt Grand Hotell, där jag förstått att Obama tänker intaga sin nattvila.

Många människor boende i städer runt hela Mälardalen rekommenderas att vara ute långt i förtid, när de skall ge sig iväg till sina jobb eller oförnuftigt nog tänker besöka någon plats i närheten, där högst densamme befinner sig. För att klara av att besöket äger rum i någorlunda lugn och ro kommer det inte på långt när att räcka med att allt vad Stockholm har av trafikpoliser ställer upp. Även ordningens upprätthållare från landsorten måste inkallas och bege sig till huvudstaden för att se till att allt kommer att gå städat till. Busslinjer måste ändra sina vanliga rutter och hållplatser. En del gator blir avstängda. Andra blir enkelriktade.

Stockholm förbereder sig minutiöst på att Obama skall kunna känna sig fullkomligt trygg, när han finns i vår omgivning.

Eftersom vi är ett fritt land har alla rätt att demonstrera och visa sitt missnöje. Många tycker att Obama skall stänga Guantanamofängelset, där en del fortfarande sitter kvar.

Andra inte. Andra vill att han skall bomba Syrien vad än övriga anser. Några protesterar mot att Amerikas president inte förbjuder andra saker. Några vill demonstrera därför att de tycker om, andra inte och ytterligare några för att de inte tycker tillräckligt mycket om vissa saker. Hittills (några dagar innan besöket) har kanske ett dussin organisationer fått tillstånd att demonstrera.

Eftersom det inte tillhör vanligheterna att en amerikansk president besöker Sverige har vår statsminister Reinfeldt vänligen också

We, the free...

But win? Decide the outcome of a confrontation?

No. The U.S. cannot dictate to the world, but the fact is that its influence has grown dramatically since the last world war. The Russians, and a few others, can make noise and make the U.S. pause (as we have seen). But win?

Not a chance.

The fact is that everybody in his or her senses knows that communism is corrupt and inefficient and certainly not the wave of the future.

To the contrary: All communist countries have grave problems, mainly because—and I say this without hesitation—it does not pay to work. You cannot build a free (and now and then rich) existence in any of the communist countries. You have to bend the rules and be corrupt, but always obey, to get ahead, but in the end there are limits. Of course there are obstacles in the West as well, but the system is

not against anybody.

In other words, you are free to win. As the saying goes: You’re able to build a better mousetrap … In the East, you yourself would be trapped in that mousetrap.

Put another way: our system. We, the free people won …

I don’t know (of course) how long Assad will be able to hold on to power. But I know that Syria will not be first choice for people who want to make business or investments.

Too corrupt, too regulated, too insecure.

Bashar can stay rich, perhaps, but people with ideas—creative people—will have to look and go elsewhere. The same is true for most countries all over the Middle East and many other places, not the least in Africa.

If what happened around Syria shows us anything, and it does, it is that we have won.

We, the free …

Obama på besök bjudit in statscheferna i våra grannländer till att komma för att skaka hand med Obama.

Det är någonting alldeles visst med besök av statschefer. Så var det även i Afrika. Från våra år i Liberia har jag framför allt två minnen av statschefsbesök som ägde rum där. Ett av minnena innehåller vackra och mänskliga aspekter medan ett annat är mer burleskt.

I Liberia bor presidenten i landets huvudstad Monrovia. När William Tolbert svors in som Liberias president hölls en praktfull bankett.

En av de inbjudna statscheferna var Idi Amin.

Idi Amin var då President av Uganda. Han anlände till Monrovia skinande av glädje och uppklädd till tusen. På hans breda bringa – han hade en gång varit framstående boxare med kraftiga överarmar och många svällande muskler – hade han hängt minst dussinet blänkande medaljer och ordnar. När han under bankettens gång bestämde sig för att hålla ett tal reste han sig hastigt upp för att ta sig till podiet. På vägen till talarstolen råkade den ena medaljen och ordenstecknet efter det andra ramla från hans breda bringa. Väl medveten om att han kunde skaffa nya ordnar så snart han kom hem lät han all grannlåt ramla till marken utan att göra sig mödan att plocka upp någonting. Därefter började Idi

hålla sitt tal. Det bombastiska talet varade i tre timmar. Den tropiska solen gassade.

Svetten föll i floder från alla närvarande. När Idi slutligen bestämde sig för att talet var slut och återvände till sin sittplats utan det antal ordnar som tappats på ditvägen, upplevdes det som en stor lättnad.

Hailee Selassie var en gång Etiopiens president. Tillsamman med dåvarande presidenten för Liberia William V.S. Tubman tillhörde Selassie Afrikas äldsta levande statschefer.

Hailee Selassie var på många sätt motpolen till Idi Amin. Hailee hade ingen stor kroppshydda. Han var liten och spänslig. Små vänliga ögon, som sett det mesta. Selassie skulle aldrig kunna vinna en boxningsmatch. Han gav ett försynt intryck. Han gjorde inget väsen av sig. På den begravningsceremoni, som hölls för Tubman, satt han stilla utan att yttra sig. Man fick intrycket, att han var där enbart för att ta adjö av en människa han värdesatte och som han ofta dryftat gemensamma frågor med.

Hailee Selassie avböjde att efteråt deltaga i någon högtidlig begravningsmiddag. Hans önskan var istället bara att i korthet fä besöka Tubmans änka och trycka hennes hand. Vänner tar man farväl av utan prål.

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local events. page 14

Concordia, Minn. Swedish Camp Swedish Camp includes reading strategies and addresses multiple learning styles.

Cambridge, Minnesota—The 24th annual Swedish Language and Culture Day Camp at the West Riverside Historic Site near Cambridge, Minnesota played host to enthusiastic children in mid-August. The Isanti County Historical Society sponsors the camp, which attracts participants from the Twin Cities and east central Minnesota.

Camp director Valorie Arrowsmith says, “We use many strategies to help children learn language, and we try to accommodate all learning styles. Kinesthetic activities are especially popular at the camp setting.

A reading strategy called Direct Instruction Reading, used in Minnesota public schools, was also employed to teach participants how to decode in Swedish.”

Campers rotated through daily language and craft classes, plus they had large group activities to begin and end each day. Tips Promenad was one activity. A traditional meal with table cloth, candles and flowers was another. Craft activities featured a hand carved wooden majstång for each camper.

The “phrase of the day” incorporated frequently used Swedish phrases such as “Hur mår du idag?” At the end of each day den hemliga ledaren, who had been observing and listening, declared which participant had spoken the most Swedish. Everyone then walked through a receiving line, in which they exchanged firm Nordic style handshakes with camp staff and won prizes for their efforts. The person using the most Swedish earned an extra gift.

Family and friends attended a final program where campers showed examples of what they learned through readings, songs and games. The audience was also invited to participate in song games such as “Morsgrisar är vi allihopa.”

Kathy Olson, Arrowsmith, Morfar Mike Johnson and Riana Reis were the teachers.

Reis had been a participant in the past and

Children at the Swedish camp dressed in blue and yellow aprons.

Photo: V. S. Arrowsmith

Learners and teachers gathered at the West Riverside Historic site for the 24th annual Swedish language and culture day camp.

Fånga fisk was a popular game at the 24th annual Swedish camp near Cambridge. The learners used words for food instead of numbers. Photo: V. S. Arrowsmith.

At the parents’ program Kaisa Brown and Allie Carlson read some of the stories they worked on in their class at camp. Photo: R. Reis.

Introducing new vocabulary was done through a puzzle map activity. Words became the puzzle pieces as campers tried to match the shape of the cut out word with the best space. Photo: V. S. Arrowsmith

has since attended the Concordia Language Village Swedish program for four years honing her skills in Swedish. Morfar Mike is a local Mora-based woodcarver who spends time each year creating a new hand-carved object for campers to decorate. Arrowsmith is one of two licensed K-12 Swedish lan-

www.CookSwedish.com

Noah Berglund demonstrates how to throw the final pin to knock down the king in the game of Kubb (or not). Photo: R. Reis.

guage teachers in Minnesota.

For more information about Swedish language programs contact the ICHS at (763) 689-4229. Folks interested in language learning in a residential setting can visit www.concordialanguagevillages.org, where there are week-long and weekend programs

for adults and families in October and April.

Next year’s camp dates in Cambridge are August 11-15, 2014 at the West Riverside Historic Site, two miles west and north of Cambridge. Children ages 5-13 are invited for a five day camp, and pre-school children, ages 4-5 may join the camp for three days.

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local events. page 15

More events and list your own, at www.nordstjernan.com-EVENTS

l California

09.29.2013 09:00 AM - 06:00 PM Scandinavian AutumnFest & Marknad. Authentic food and skilled artisans; breakfast & lunch available - 5th Annual Swedish Meatball contest; Swedish Folk dancing and Swedish musicians, waterslide, swimming, tube slide, zip line, vasa mine, bingo and other games, dancing, rock climbing, and much much more. Schedule of events and directions: www.vasapark.org Vasa Park / VOA 818-340-6465 | www.vasapark.org

l Kansas

09.28.2013 01:00 PM - 09.29.2013 09:00 PM SwedGen Tour 2013/Swedish Genealogy Workshop. Topics: How to research Swedish church records, CDs and other online resources, using Disbyt and Dispos databases, researching probate records and estate inventories, finding your soldiers: miliary records, using historical maps and thirty one-on-one consultations. The Old Mill Museum and SwedGen Tour 2013.785.227.3595 | oldmillmuseum@hotmail.com

09.27.2013 07:00 AM - 09:30 AM ‘Women empowering women’ SACC-Georgia & SWEA Women’s Networking Speaker Series. A breakfast seminar with American speaker Linda Schultz who led the global expansion of American traveling companies in Sweden. 770-670-2480 | sacc-georgia.org

10.04.2013 09:00 AM - 10.05.2013 09:00 PM Svensk Hyllningsfest, originally named Svensk Hyllnings Fest or Swedish honoring festival, and the festival began October 1941 — in conjunction with the 60th anniversary celebration of Bethany College. Since then for the Swedish-American aspects of Lindsborg, it has become the major, signature festival event of the community. Hyllningsfest is Lindsborg’s own creation in SwedishAmerica. Svensk Hyllningsfest. 888.227.2227 | www.svenskhyllningsfest.org

l Illinois

l Minnesota

l Georgia

09.20.2013 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Family Night, an evening of crafts and activities for the whole family at the museum. This evening is in celebration of the current exhibit, the Swedish Painter Michael Söderlundh. Swedish American Museum 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 09.26.2013 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM Walking Tour of Andersonville Learn about the Swedish heritage in Andersonville with a guided tour led by the Swedish American Museum. Selfguided tour books are available at the front desk of the Museum. 773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 09.28.2013 10:00 AM - 09.28.2013 12:00 PM Genealogy Session The Nordic Family Genealogy Center at the Swedish American Museum will host a genealogy session led by Marsha PetersonMaass on “The Most Helpful Genealogical Tools You’ve Never Used.” To learn more about the Nordic Family Genealogy Center, e-mail genealogy@samac.org or call the Museum and leave a message for the Genealogy Center volunteer.773.728.8111 | www.swedishamericanmuseum.org 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

09.25.2013 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM A Golden Evening with Golden Strings. The American Swedish Institute transforms into a supper club for a special evening celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Golden Strings and its founder Cliff Brunzell’s contribution to the Minnesota music scene. Cocktails and Golden Strings memorabilia at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., The Golden Strings will perform, with special guest performances by singers Connie Evingson and Charmin Michelle.

Cocktail attire. 612.871.4907. info@ASImn.org. www.asimn.org

l New York

09.20.2013 06:00 PM - 10:00 PM ‘20 Years on the 20th’ Celebrating the music of Walter Eriksson with non-stop live music, videos, entertainment, dinner and dancing at the Danish Club on 65th Street between 7th & 8th Avenues in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, $35/person, contact Jeanne 718.415.0602 or Dragspel@aol.com. www. facebook.com/walteralgoteriksson. 718.415.0602. | www.waltereriksson.com

l Pennsylvania

09.22.2013 04:30 PM - 06:30 PM The exhibition Enduring Designs of Josef Frank opens at the American Swedish Historical Museum. 215-389-1776 | www.americanswedish.org/ calendar.htm 09.23 06:30 PM - 11.25.2013 08:30 PM Swedish Language Classes. Sign up for languages classes, for beginner and advanced beginner speakers. Classes meet once a week for ten weeks, Advanced Beginners on Mondays and Beginners on Tuesdays, starting September 23 and 24. Get a registration form online at www.americanswedish.org | 215-389-1776

music, and plenty of opportunity for dancing.

206-789-5707. | www.nordicmuseum.org 10.06.2013 12:00 AM - 10.06.2013 04:00 PM Cut Paper Craft School: Local artist Sharyn Sowell returns for two days to lead classes on the art of cutting paper. No experience necessary. 206-789-5707. | www.nordicmuseum.org 10.10.2013 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM Nordic Fashion: Empowering Women. In conjunction with the Dressing Swedish exhibition, take part in an evening of Nordic fashion, discussion, shopping, and music with women from the Nordic countries and local businesses who have built careers around design

l Washington

09.21.2013 01:30 PM - 04:00 PM Care for Your Costume Craft School: Lisa Hill-Festa, Curator of Collections, and the Museum’s curatorial team are presenting a workshop on the care, display, and storage of textiles including a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s costume storage. 206-789-5707. | www.nordicmuseum.org 09.25.2013 06:00 PM 10:00 PM Folk Fashion Show. In conjunction with the Dressing Swedish exhibition, the Museum hosts this folk costume fashion show featuring a rich variety of costumes from all the Nordic countries presented on the runway. The evening includes a spread of Nordic fare and drink, live folk

Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center National archives and library for Swedish-American historical research Publishers of Swedish American Genealogist 639 38th Street | Rock Island, IL 61201-2296 Telephone 309.794.7204 www.augustana.edu/swenson

09.25.2013 08:00 PM - 09.26.2013 01:00 AM NordAmerica: Northern Nights in NYC ..supporting the hottest emerging artists stemming from the Nordic territories. This month featuring Nervous Nellie from Sweden. http://www.nervousnellie. com and the Danish Ice Cream Cathedral. At NYC Fontana’s Bar 105 Eldridge St, New York. See www. nord-america.com for more info.

- 141 years with Swedes in America, from longhand, to social media:

In case you didn’t watch the movie on Nordstjernan: 1872 - 2013 (in 6 min.) do it at www.facebook.com/nordstjernan or, at www.youtube.com/nordstjernan September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

feature. page 16

The cost of children in Sweden and the U.S. Not too different in the U.S. and Sweden unless you account for the automatic child support and aid, which is partially paid regardless of parental income in Sweden.

1.4 million SEK (or $212,000). That’s how much a child costs up to her 18th birthday in Sweden, according to Swedbank’s Institute for personal finances. ”You have to plan and save as much as possible before becoming a parent,” says Madelen Falkenhäll from Swedbank, a bank that periodically estimates what a baby costs, by looking at equipment, running costs, and income reductions.

In Sweden, children are the most expensive during their first year, with all the new equipment needed and the reductions in their parents’ income they are expected to cost a whopping 110,600 SEK ($16,740) that year.

Children are cheapest when they are about four years old, when on an average they cost little more than 67,000 SEK ($10,000) a year.

Then they get more expensive again in their teens, when things like clothes, pocket money, gifts to friends, and hobbies cost more. Youths in ages 17-18, cost an average of 80,000 SEK ($12,000) a year.

Child support and aid..

These numbers are gross numbers, Swedbank calculates that parents receive income in form of child support and study aids totaling 230,000 SEK ($35,000) until the child turns 18. ”When you are two adults with no dependents living in the same household, you often have a great financial situation, provided both of you are employed. You won’t have a situation this good in many years, which is why it’s a great time to save,” says Falkenhäll. She thinks it’s best to spend money on equipment that has to do with safety. If you drive a lot, then buying a great car seat, if you walk a lot, then put your money on a great stroller. According to Falkenhäll, it’s also important to try to understand the need for a buffer when you have children. ”You have to be prepared for that your incomes decrease and your spending increase. If you have no car, then perhaps you will need one, and if you have a car, you might need a bigger one. You may also need a bigger apartment or house,” she says. Other items to think over are

insurances and family law. ”If for instance, a couple isn’t married then it’s important to check what the law is, as finances become even more important if you have a child together.”

In the U.S.

With a before-tax family income of $59,410 to $102,870 (Average = $79,940) the estimated average spending on chil-

dren up to the age of 18 in the U.S.is $234,900. (Not counting savings or expenses for college or higher education) 2011 estimate based on a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a family with two children on a per-child basis.

[Direct and indirect subsidies in Sweden that are automatic make comparisons next to impossible. /Ed.]

September is Crayfish Time!

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sports. page 17

Officials hail Swedish-held tournament

Fans participate in a wave during the final of the 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship at Friend’s Arena in Solna. A record crowd of more than 41,000 attended the match.

Chipp Reid, Sports Editor chipp@nordstjernan.com

Sweden knows how to throw a party.

The Scandinavian nation proved it could put on the ritz with the best of any nation when it played host to the 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship of football.

A record number of fans turned out to watch matches across Sweden while a record television audience followed 16 teams from across Europe battle for the women’s crown. Germany won the title for a record sixth consecutive time while Sweden finished third.

The success Sweden had in playing host to the championships had football officials literally dancing for joy. UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino called Sweden 2013 “the best ever Women’s Euro” at a press conference on the eve of the final.

The numbers told the story as over 200,000 fans attended matches, including a UEFArecord 41,388 that saw Germany beat Norway 1-0 for the title. A total of 218,888 people bought tickets, while more than 261,000 fans participated in the “fan zones” — family fun areas — set up outside each arena. The fan zones were a new addition to the 2013 tournament and featured soccer clinics, merchandise and sponsor-provided entertainment. The fan zone attendees were in addition to ticket-holders for matches.

The attendance figures easily eclipsed those of the 2009 tournament, played in Finland, at which attendance reached 129,000.

Fans also turned out to watch the 2013 championships, with 1.3 million watching Sweden’s matches on television. Live attendance at the Germany-Norway final topped the previous

record for a final by 19,000 people.

It is no wonder Infantino, the UEFA General Secretary, gushed when he spoke to the media about the tournament singling out tournament director Goran Havik, UEFA Executive Committee member and chairwoman of the UEFA Women’s Football Committee Karen Espelund, and the president of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) Karl-Erik Nilsson, for special praise.

“Many, many thanks to Karl-Erik, to the Swedish FA, to Göran, for all the great work which they have performed in making this EURO the best ever Women’s EURO that UEFA have organized,” Infantino said. “It’s been a really great event and the climax is still to come.”

All four participants highlighted the exceptional levels of interest that the tournament has provoked, with stadium crowds and television audiences setting new benchmarks. “We have had record-breaking attendance in stadiums,” he said. “We’ve had a very high media interest — approximately 1,000 media representatives were accredited. We’ve had record TV viewership numbers, with total live audiences after the semi-finals of over 55 million,” with 10 million that watched the final.

Havik said the telling figure was the sold-out arenas for matches in which the host nation did not play.

“We must remember that 20 out of 25 games will have been played without Swedish participation,” he said. ”In the fan zones, we have had about 260,000 visitors. So, in total, we will be close to half a million people who will have watched the Women’s EURO, and that’s incredible.”

Havik said one reason for the massive tourn-

The 2013 UEFA Women’s European Championship was the most successful ever.

out, especially for the final, was simply the ability for a fan to say, “’I was there when Sweden hosted the final in a European Championship at football.’To host the final of a European Championship — it will take some time before we can do that again. It will be a historic moment.”

Actually, Sweden is no stranger to playing host to major tournament. Sweden was the host country for the 1958 World Cup, which featured the debut of a 17-year-old Brazilian named Pele.

Sweden played host to the men’s 1992 UEFA European Championship. However, in both cases, the tournaments were little more than side notes to the sports world. Today, the World Cup is the largest single sports event in the world, creating more than $5 billion in income. The men’s UEFA European Championship ranks second.

For Espelund as well, Sweden 2013 will go down as the finest edition of the competition so far. “It’s been the best EURO ever, and I can

say because I’ve been involved in all of them since 1987,” she said.

Given the overwhelming public response, the tournament looks set to leave a profound legacy.

“We’ve realized now that this national team has taken a big place in the heart of the Swedish football spectators,” said Nilsson. “And we’ve got a very good media response — a lot of articles, a lot of TV coverage, and that’s fantastic.

And lots of spectators, and in some ways a lot of new spectators. That gives inspiration to the clubs that it’s possible to attract spectators.”

Nilsson also feels Sweden has demonstrated an ability to organize big sporting events.

“We want more,” he said. “One of our strategic goals is to organize international tournaments. So, UEFA, thank you for the decision to give us the possibility and for the trust you have shown us.”

September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

dashboard. page 18

Sarasota, FL

One of the oldest Swedish Clubs in Florida, Swedish Club of Sarasota, held a special 25 year Jubilee at The Historical Mansion in the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The Club is dedicated to promote and perpetuate our common Swedish heritage with ongoing activities sponsored by the Club and its well over two hundred members of all ages. Above, the club’s oard members, L-R: Ulf Sandström, Ulrica Regnander, Ingrid Geygan, Eva Ebbesson, Lars B. Ericsson, Gunilla Imshaug, Malou Rosenquist, and Margareta Horn. Missing from picture is Margareta Josephson. www.swedishclubsarasota.org

Governing

‘It’s a gorgeous country...’

President Obama praised Sweden in a televised press conference from Stockholm

Philadelphia, PA

The Leif Ericson Viking ship crew at a summer mix of Vikings, Swedish food and beer at the annual SmörgåsBeer’d at the American Swedish Historical Musuem in Philadelphia. 300 guests at the musuem’s annual event on Saturday July 27 enjoyed, not only Swedish food and a variety of local and Scandinavian beers, but also the Leif Ericson Viking Ship with accompanying Vikings, music by DJ. Lou Diamond Disc Jockey Services, a museum tour, a fundraising raffle, a tutored tasting and perfect weather. www.americanswedish.org

September 15

The International Day of Democracy.

The UN General Assembly, in a resolution in 2007, encouraged governments to strengthen national programs devoted to the promotion and consolidation of democracy, and also decided that September 15 of each year should be observed as the International Day of Democracy.

William Howard Taft was born this day in 1857. Taft, the 27th president of the United States, is one of three presidents to be portrayed by Swedish artist Anders Zorn.

The other two were Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt.

..in Swedish history:

1621 — Swedish troops under Gustav II Adolf occupy Riga during the 30-year war.

The Swedish rule would last until 1710.

1973 — Gustaf VI Adolf dies and the present monarch, H.R.H. King Carl XVI Gustaf becomes King as the seventh in the House of Bernadotte.

1985 — Olof Palme forms a Swedish minority government (the election a mere six months prior to his brutal murder in Stockholm).

1990 — Sweden’s TV4 started broadcasting as the first terrestrial commercial television in Sweden.

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Nordstjernan, September 15, 2013

While on his 24-hour visit to Sweden in early September the U.S. president noted that his time on Stockholm Streets had been short but ‘..it’s a gorgeous country.”

Obama continued, mentioning how far ahead Sweden is in environmental issues, on the road to creating a more sustainable society and admired “Sweden’s ability to combine a healthy market economy with government programs in areas of healthcare or infrastructure...”

In reply to one of the Swedish journalist’s questions about the U.S. surveillance programs President Obama also reassured Europeans that his government isn’t sifting through their emails or eavesdropping on their telephone calls. He acknowledged that the programs haven’t always worked as intended, saying “we had to tighten them up.”

“I can give assurances to the publics in Europe and around the world that we’re not going around snooping at people’s emails or listening to their phone calls,” Obama said at the news conference with Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt from Stockholm.

Swedish media were fascinated with the entourage President Obama was bringing to Sweden, later the G20 Summit. Of course Obama flies with Air Force One, but with him he also has his limousine, five helicopters, up to 40 cars, 29 transport airplanes, 250 Secret Service agents (who worked with Swedish police to make sure the President was secure), around 300 advisors and press contacts, 150 other employees, six doctors (along with an insulated cool bag with blood in Obama’s blood group), and

his own chefs who will prepare Obama’s food (in case someone tries to poison him).

Swedes are interested in the American president, but what do Americans feel and think about Sweden? It depends much on what media you look at. Many U.S. newspapers intensified their Sweden-watch due to the presidential visit. Says Elizabeth Walentin, a Swedish-American PR-consultant who worked inside the Obama-campaign: ”There are the extreme right wing media where there are repulsive stories about the Swedish state machinery, but in the bigger media many point to Sweden as a success-

ful country when it comes to environmental technology and science. In general the image of Sweden is a positive one, but (journalists) are looking for cracks in the facade.

The riots in Husby were big news even in the U.S.” The conservative channel Fox News’ popular and controversial host Bill O’Reilly warns about Sweden’s tax-induced abortions and homosexual marriages. ”If people with traditional values won’t stand for what they believe in, we will end up like Sweden,” O’Reilly said back in January. [To end up like Sweden is not necessarily only a bad thing Bill! /Ed.]

‘Name’s days’ of the Swedish Calendar: /Kommande två veckors namnsdagar

September 15:

Sunrise In New York 6.37 a.m.

In Stockholm 6.14 a.m.

In Kiruna 5.54 a.m.

Lund

6.38 a.m.

In Los Angeles 6.37 a.m.

Sunset 7.04 p.m.

7.10 p.m.

7.14 p.m.

7.27 p.m.

7.00 p.m.

September 15 September 16 September 17 September 18 September 19 September 20 September 21 September 22 September 23 September 24 September 25 September 26 September 27 September 28 September 29 September 30

Sigrid/Siri Dag/Daga Hildegard/Magnhild Orvar Fredrika Elise/Lisa Matteus Maurits/Moritz Tekla/Tea Gerhard/Gert Tryggve Enar/Einar Dagmar/Rigmor Lennart/Leonard Mikael/Mikaela Helge

dashboard. page 19

SINCE 1872

Lund, Sweden

Lund has risen to 67th place in the 2013 QS World University Rankings, which was released in September. The same ranking puts Uppsala University as number 79, and KTH (Kungliga Teknologiska Högskolan or The Royal Institute of Technology) as 118. The rankings are based on six criteria: Academic reputation (40%), employer reputation (10%), research citations (20%), student-to-faculty ratio (20%), international faculty ratio (5%) and international student ratio (5%). For more information, see: www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings

Travel

Budd Lake, NJ

Contestants at the fourth annual wife carrying obstacle course championships. Carry your wife and win her weight in beer; part of the fun at Scandinavian Fest at Budd Lake, NJ on September 1. Photo: Pete Carron.

Every two weeks; 22 issues a year.

The allure of the mountains

The mountainous region of Sweden’s north is no longer just for survivalists and hardcore connoisseurs.

Something has happened in the Swedish mountains, the visitors look different. No longer only survivalists and hardcore connoisseurs can be found hiking here, but families and senior citizens are enjoying ”fjällvärlden”, the Swedish mountain world, as well. ”There are a whole lot of beginners coming, and that’s the way it’s been over the past few years,” says Hans Norén, Lappland manager at Svenska Turistföreningen (the Swedish Tourist Association). ”It used to be that mostly very seasoned, classic hikers came. But now we have all types of people, although since 2005 there’s also been an increase in families with children. There are also more women hiking together. Hiking in the mountains is no longer seen as something ’macho’.” It is not only the possibility to get exercize that lures people to the Swedish mountains, it is also experiencing the nature, the grandeur of of it all. For the less experienced hiker, the well trodden trails are recommended, as is staying in cabins. Before going, it is important to think about the equipment. ”What’s most important is what you put on your feet, a good running shoe or boot that

y , k e e w her e b i r c bs

Blueberry Scones

Inspired by the abundance of Swedish blueberries, we decided to try a recipe from Cecilia Vikbladh’s “Swedish Desserts – 80 traditional recipes”. Just like any other baking powderbased bread or pastry, these wonderful scones taste the best when they are still warm.

Nordstjernan is, has always been and remains America’s Swedish Newspaper Hiking in the Swedish mountains? What used to be an activity reserved for the seasoned hiker, is today something for the entire family to enjoy, and senior citizens as well. Above: Mount Ahkka in the Sarek National Park, located in northern Sweden. Photo: Tobias Radeskog

covers the ankle, to prevent from hurting it, is reccomended. As is rain gear,” says Norén.

Host of the big cabin site Abiskojaure, Greger Mellbert, says that many of his guests sleep in tents: ”Many of those who tent are probably trying to experience something genuine when they put their tents up in the mountains. HowFor 24 scones, you need: 4 cups white all-purpose flour 1 tbsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1/2 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 1/4 cups buttermilk 1/2 cup canola oil

Super year for Northern blueberries More blueberries than ever in parts of Sweden. In Svealand and Norrland there are more blueberries than in many years, but go south to Skåne and you find almost none.

“Compared to the last ten years, this is a great year,” says Göran Kempe at Sveriges lantbrukaruniversitet (SLU or the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences). The blueberries have thrived in spite of the cold that came in March and April. The sprigs

were protected under a blanket of snow.” Along the coast of Norrland, which saw warm temperatures in May, there’s been an abundance of the berries.

“Blåbär”, their name in Swedish, are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fibers. There are blueberry sprigs in 60% of all Swedish forests.

Books & heritage T-Shirts

ever, if you choose to stay on a cabin site, you get to use amenities like a bed, a sauna, and a shop where you can buy what you need instead of carrying everything up to the mountain.”

We’re preparing a guide to hiking experiences in Sweden for our first issue in October.

9 oz frozen or fresh blueberries Instruction: Set the oven to 440 F. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a bowl.

Whisk the eggs and buttermilk together in a bowl of their own. Stir the egg mixture and the canola oil in with the dry ingredients.

Lastly, add the blueberries.

Be careful when you stir so that you do not smash the berries. A few rounds with the ladle should be sufficient.

Scoop the batter into buttered paper cups, silicon shapes, or muffin pans.

Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

1.800.827.9333 www.nordstjernan.com September 15, 2013 Nordstjernan

the vasa star vasastjärnan

summer 2013 Publication of The Vasa Order of America

Drott Lodge #168 celebrated 2013 ABBA Palooza in Potomac, MD with (l to r) Ashley Mullinax and Julie Olson, Chair of the lodge (see page 9 for the rest of the cast).

The Grand Master’s Message Bertha E. Kalm, Benefactor of our Order in Sweden and in Swedish American society.

Please share these as program ideas in your own Vasa cultural programs throughout the coming year.

We are still in the process of tabulating the results of the 2013 annual Stamp Fundraiser in support of the Grand Lodge Education Program. If you haven’t yet made that important donation you may still mail it to our Grand Secretary, Joan Graham. I’m encouraged by the health of our Scholarship Program and know many young students will receive Vasa Order of America Scholarships in the future.

The Sami exhibit held during the month of June at the Vasa National Archives was a large undertaking for our Archivist, Victoria Almgren, our Midwest Archives’ Board Dear vasa brothers and sisters, This is the first Vasa Star incorporated into members and many dedicated volunteers. an issue of the Nordstjernan. The GL Board The exhibit was well attended and gave chose to accept the invitation to place our the Archives an opportunity to be seen as a Vasa Star publication into the Nordstjernan hub of Swedish culture for those who visit quarterly as a benefit to readers of both. It is Bishop Hill as well as a genealogy center encouraging for all of us to see that Swedish for our members and visitors. culture is celebrated across the US not only This year’s Heritage Fundraiser is unby Vasa members. As you read the Nord- derway in support of the operations of the stjernan you will learn about current events Archives. The future of the Archives… / p4

The End of Mass Emigration

When Professor Ulf Beijbom wrote Utvandrarna och den stora depressionen (1850-1930) a gap of knowledge in immigration history was filled with important information on that period and the first years of the following decade. Review / p15

archive news » p3

District Lodge CT #1

After a few months of planning members, friends and families of CTDL#1 and MADL#2 boarded a bus in North Haven, CT. We all had high expectations as we headed Delaware to celebrate 375 years of the New Sweden Colony. / p8

grand lodge news » p5

district lodge news » p6

We were only a week into this year when I got a call from Gunilla Thelin, one of my predecessors as chairperson of our Lodge.

Acting as executor of the Bertha E. Kalm estate she was about to distribute four checks for a total of one million dollars to benefit Swedish-American institutions. The size of the bequest came as a surprise to me even though I knew that Ms. Kalm was a generous person and that our Lodge (as well as our District Lodge, the Grand Lodge and a few other parties) was a beneficiary of her trust.

Ms. Kalm, I soon learned, was proud of her Swedish heritage and had told Ms. Thelin and another of her friends, Ingela Sörensson, that she wished to honor her ancestors by giving half of her estate to organizations within the Swedish-American community; the other half she had reserved for her Alma Mater, San Jose State University in California. The funds going to the Vasa Lodges were earmarked for education. According to the trust document, the St. Erik’s Church

in San Pedro (a California branch of the Church of Sweden) was bequeathed the same amount as each of the three Vasa Lodges.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the opportunity to meet Ms. Kalm - she never applied for membership in the Vasa Order and never attended any meetings at our lodge, the Golden Valley Lodge (GVL) in Van Nuys, California. On several occasions, however, the GVL scholarship program received donations of $1,000 from a lady who wished to be anonymous. It was only after the death of Ms. Kalm on April 11, 2012 that the name of our benefactor was revealed. Her friends, members of the GVL, have provided me with the following data about her interesting and adventurous life.

Bertha Kalm was born in Riverside, California on October 9, 1914. Her father, Charles Kalm, was an immigrant from Sweden who arrived to New York in 1893 and later settled in California where he became an American citizen in 1901… / p4

District Lodge Golden Gate #12

Grand Lodge Board Meeting

The 98th Annual District Convention was jointly hosted by Lindbergh Lodge #494 and Svea Lodge #348 in Milpitas, CA on April 26-28, 2013.

Grand Master Bill Lundquist was an honored guest. / p8

lodge news » p9

swedish news » p13

The Grand Lodge Executive Board meeting was held on April 23-25, 2013 in Milpitas, California, during the week prior to the Golden Gate District No. 12 annual convention. All board members were present, including new members. / p5

cultural news » p14

in memoriam » p15

the vasa star / Summer 2013

editor’s Message by annelie lindberg

I hope this issue of Vasa Star brings both a surprise and big smile to your faces!

Your GL Board has worked hard to launch a collaborative effort with Nordstjernan, which will add to your reading enjoyment and offer current events and timely articles about Sweden for both your personal knowledge and to enrich the cultural portion of your lodge meetings. This also means that many more readers will now be aware of the Vasa Order of America, and you may be receiving inquiries about your lodge meetings and hopefully, some new members!

issue highlights Our web site, www.vasaorder.com has all the information to locate local lodges in the USA, Canada, and Sweden. Welcome!

What an amazing gift we received from philanthropist, Bertha Kalm. Please read the entire article on p. 1 and reflect on the heartfelt impact Vasa has on people. How proud are we of this year’s scholarship winners on p. 5. Be sure to encourage the youth in your lodges to apply for the 2014 contest, details are on p. 7.

Our next issue deadline is upon us, October 1. Please send your Christmas Greetings with a check from your lodge and district so they may be included in our next issue. We all hope that you will enjoy our new look and free issue of Nordstjernan.

Deadlines for The Vasa Star

Delivering Audio, Visual Materials

Fall Deadline » October 1 Winter Deadline » December 25 Spring Deadline » March 15

Mike Pearson, Audio-Visual Director 7309 New Hampshire Pl Hammond, IN 46323-2937, USA (219) 588 4752 mikepearson@nordicfolk.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!

Online: Access the top navigation item — “Materials” — at www.vasaorder.com for the listings of audio and visual materials available.

If you are unable to use the Vasa website, you can still ask that a listing be sent to you by mail.

168 Drott Lodge celebrates another year with another Great Meatball Cook-Off and ABBA Palooza. / p9

Representative Gordon Westergren and Member Sinikka Rionilla at the District 8 Convention held in Michigan City. / p6

en eller eT?

IN MEMORIAM » Please read instructions on how to send and pay for Obituaries.

Svenska Språkhörnan — The Swedish Language corner. Siv Swan-Piersson explains the difference and when to use either. / p14

BRIGHTEN YOUR HOME WITH A LUCIA

Christmas Greetings Christmas Greetings from lodges and individuals are due NO LATER THAN October 1st.

Price $20 per column inch.

Copy must be emailed or type written and mailed with check to: Annelie Lindberg 105 Gorrion Ave Ventura, CA 93004

Barbro is a 50 year member of Harmoni Lodge #472 of Portland, OR page 2

EditorVasaStar@yahoo.com

the vasa star (usps 657-020) Summer 2013 Vol. 105, No. 3, Serial 848 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 / Bill Lundquist 1456 Kennebec Rd. Grand Blanc, MI 48439 Phone: 810-695-3248 | (810) 845 5065 wmlund1@aol.com Vasa Star Editor / Send articles, photos & memorials to: Annelie Lindberg 105 Gorrion Ave Ventura, CA 93004 (805) 672 0032 editorvasastar@yahoo.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 of application for new members to Joan Graham.

Membership Chairman / Art Bjorkner 31 Vasa Drive Hackettstown NJ 07840-5314 Advertising / Annelie Lindberg 105 Gorrion Ave Ventura, CA 93004 (805) 672 0032 editorvasastar@yahoo.com

Layout & production: Nordstjernan Swedish News, Inc.

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

Archives News The fall

to take this opportunity to express our gratitude for gifts and money, both of which are its wonderful always welcome. Among the gifts we have colors will received is a new vacuum cleaner from soon be here.

Nobel Lodge in Moline. (It does such a The evenings good job that it’s almost fun to vacuum!) will darken, and We have received a wonderful book from the we’ll want to Swedish lodge Småland No. 618 about my light candles and hometown Jönköping, featuring its match curl up on the factory and the Solstickan matches. (The

by Viktoria Almgren sofa with a good lodge meets in the Odd Fellows building book or movie. in Jönköping.) Gunnar Mossberg sent us The humming of the air conditioner will beautiful tin cups, some of which are on be replaced by the winds of autumn. display, while others were inaugurated at a At this time last year, we planned for pleasant dinner in the Archives’ apartment. the Sami exhibit. We had hoped that it The number of visitors to the Archives would draw many more visitors, but those has increased significantly. Our events who came appreciated the displays and our have made them aware of what the Vasa work. I want to thank all the wonderful Order stands for and what we have to offer. people who helped us out, no one named, During the Sami exhibit, we had the honor none forgotten. You all know what a good of welcoming Swedish governors from job you did, so once again, a heartfelt thank Northern Sweden and representatives for you. I would also like to thank Linda and Swedish tourism (more than 20 people).

Crystal, the owners of the Filling Station (a Hopefully, they will promote our activities restaurant here in Bishop Hill) for donating in their districts. We have had many other food several times and catering meals when visitors from Sweden. Here in Bishop Hill we hosted meetings on the lower level of the we appreciate that the Swedes find their way archives. The words, “can't do” are not in to our quaint little village. their vocabulary. They are an asset to our We encourage everyone who plans to viscommunity and all of us who work here. it our archives to make an appointment. We To continue on the theme of indigenous are closed on Mondays. Tuesday-Saturday, people, we’re considering an exhibit about we are open 10:00 to 4:00, and on Sundays American Indians or the Alaska Eskimos for 11:00 to 3:00. There may be exceptions as next year. We would appreciate suggestions we have only person on the staff. about what you think would be of interest So please contact us first: Viktoria Almgren, to our visitors. All ideas are welcome. archivist / Phone 309-927-3898 / Email: On behalf of the Archives, I would like viktoria.vasaarchives@gmail.com. season with

Distinguished visit from Sweden Fint besök från Sverige

Snart anländer hösten med sina vackra färger, kvällarna blir allt kortare och det känns lite mysigt att tända levande ljus på bordet, kanske kura ner sig i soffan med en bra bok eller en film, ljudet av AC.n tystnar och kvar finns suset av höst blåsten i träden. Vid denna tid förra året arbetade vi med planering inför Same utställningen, Vi hade naturligtvis hoppas på betydligt mera besökare, men de som kom uppskattade vår utställning och vårt arbete. Jag vill tacka alla underbara människor som ställt upp och hjälp till, ingen nämnd ej heller någon glömd! Alla Ni som arbetat vet vilket enastående arbete Ni gjorde! Så än en gång ett STORT TACK! Jag vill också framföra ett stort tack till vår lokala restaurang The Fillingstation ”tjejerna Linda och Crystal” som har donerat mat vid olika tillfällen och ombesörjt Catering till Arkivet när vi haft möte i vår lokal på nedre plan, det finns inget ord i deras ordlista som heter ”det går inte att fixa” dom är underbara

för vår by och alla som arbetar här.

Inför nästa år planeras en utställningen om Indianer och kanske även om Alaska Eskimåerna, kan säkert bli en trevlig uppföljare efter Samerna. Om någon har ideer ang vad och vilka tema vi ska ta upp på Arkivet för att visa för våra besökare, skriv gärna till oss, alla ideer är välkomna!

Jag vill också passa på att från Arkivet vägnar tacka för gåvor, pengar mm som alltid kommer väl till pass, bl.a fick en ny dammsugare från Nobel loge i Molin (Det är ”nästan” kul att dammsuga när man ser att det blir rent!)

Det har också anlänt gåvor från Sverige, en underbar vacker bok om min gamla hemstad Jönköping gällande tändsticks tillverkning ”Solstickan” gåvan kom från Logen Småland Nr 618 (logen är belägen i Odd Fellow huset i Jönköping Sverige) Vi fick även underbart vackra tenn glas som Gunnar Mossberg skickade till oss, en del av dom är uppställda för att beskådas, och några av dom, invigde vi i Arkivets lägenhet vid en trevlig middag.

Antalet besökare till Arkivet har ökat betydeligt, olika event har gjort att folk har fått ”upp ögonen” för vad Vasa står för, och vad Vi har att erbjuda. Vid Same utställningen hade vi äran att få besök av olika Landshövdingar samt från Turistnäringen från Norra delen av Sverige, förhoppningsvis ger dom oss en bra reklam i deras del av Landet. Det har varit många besök från Sverige denna vår och Sommar, Vi här i Bishop Hill uppskattar att Svenskarna hittar vägen till vår lilla trevliga by!

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the vasa star / Summer 2013

Bertha E. Kalm, Benefactor of our Order

(continued from the Front Page) Bertha’s the U.S. she and her travel companions

mother, Amanda, was born in Carthage, Missouri, but moved to California with her parents in 1888 when she was a 12-year old child. Bertha’s maternal grandparents, the Sodergrens, had left Sweden in the late 1860s. Following Mr. Sodergren’s passing in 1907, and soon after marrying Bertha’s mother, it is likely that Charles Kalm bought the family’s citrus ranch in Colton (near San Bernardino in California). Bertha grew up on the ranch together with a half-brother and a half-sister.

After graduating from high school, Bertha attended San Bernardino Junior College within a few miles of the family ranch. In 1933 she abandoned the comforts of home and moved 400 miles north where she transferred to San Jose State College (today’s SJSU). Here Ms. Kalm received her Bachelor of Arts degree and started to work as a teacher at an elementary school located about 50 miles south of San Jose. The following year her father died of a stroke. To be near her mother at their time of sorrow, she went back home to Colton. After receiving her teaching credentials from USC in 1939 she was employed as a business teacher at Colton High School.

Ms. Kalm moved to Los Angeles during the time when the entire country was busy gearing up for WWII. Initially she worked as a secretary but in the fall of 1942 she started her 30-year career as a business teacher and counselor in the LA school system. Ten years later she took sabbatical leave to travel in Europe with her mother and half-sister. They reserved a stateroom with three beds on the luxurious ocean liner SS America and departed for Bremerhaven (Germany) on June 20, 1952. The return to New York was booked on the same ship sailing from Southampton (England) on September 11. Bertha rented (or purchased) a car in Europe and toured many countries, including Sweden where she researched genealogical archives and took notes on her family history. Before returning to

went on a cruise that included stops in Greece, Lebanon, Israel and Egypt as well as excursions to places of interest in the region. It was probably this trip that wetted Bertha’s appetite for extensive world travel later in life.

In a personal history document Ms. Kalm described herself (at age 41) as a single woman of slight build (height 5’5” and weight 120 lbs) with blue eyes, brown hair and fair complexion. This document was probably prepared when she applied for a U.S. government job in Washington D.C. in 1956. One of her friends told me that Bertha wrote frequent letters to her 80-year old mother in Los Angeles during the two years she worked for the government. At that time her mother resided in a duplex (or possibly an apartment building) that Bertha had acquired before moving to the nation’s capital. Many of the letters concerned rent collection from her tenants.

Ms. Kalm became an accomplished world traveler after her retirement in 1972. In an article published in Who’s Who her occupation was listed as business educator and adventurer; now we should add philanthropist. The funds she bequeathed to Vasa are needed and will benefit our Order in a multitude of ways.

From experience I know that scholarship programs play an important role in recruiting new and young members. At my own Lodge we have placed the money in a separate fund; any future scholarship awards coming from this fund will be named after Bertha E. Kalm. The corresponding program at the Pacific Southwest District Lodge will be augmented this year and more so in coming years.

Furthermore, and perhaps even more important, it has now become possible to restore the Grand Lodge scholarship program to its former grandeur. submitted by bertil a. winther past chairman, golden valley lodge 616 executive board member, district #15

The Grand Master’s Message (continued from Front Page) continues to be at financial risk and concern. The very small amount per GL annual membership dues does not begin to cover the expenses of daily operations. Donations from our members, local lodges and districts are essential to the Archives’ viability. Our Jul Gran Fundraiser before Christmas builds the Archives’ Endowment Fund while the Heritage Fundraiser is earmarked exclusively for operations, our greatest challenge. As I’ve explained in other messages, we will be looking at other means to support the Archives without relying so heavily on donations at the 2014 Grand Lodge Convention. Meanwhile, upkeep and salaries need to be maintained and we need your help. Please give generously to the Heritage Fundraiser this year. It’s only through your support that the Vasa National

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Archives continues its daily operations.

Summer is a beautiful long-awaited season in the US, Canada and Sweden. Many of you have celebrated Midsummer with music, dancing, food and the company of good friends and family. I know many local lodges have had wonderful parties with fantastic Midsummer Poles. Crayfish parties are also on many cultural agendas. Already the days are getting shorter so we need to make the most of this happy time of year.

Bishop Hill is especially interesting during the summer months when all businesses are open and festivals are in progress. Consider a visit to the village and our Archives.

You recently received the activity agenda from our New York host lodge, District No. 4 for the 2014 Grand Lodge Convention to be held in Rye, NY very close to New York City.

Letters to the Editor mail attachment. Our local lodge uses this Dear vasa star, We read with interest the article in the latest approach to deliver full color versions of our Vasa Star by Jan Rygert from Nordic Lodge monthly news letter.

No 708. It brought back memories when in truth and unity, we were honored to be part of the 350th an- robert ronn niversary celebration in 1988. linne lodge #429 Richard was a member of the GL board and that year's board meeting was planned to coincide with the many celebrations.

The event at Fort Christina was awesome with the Royal couple attending.

Across the river in southern New Jersey, a Swedish Homestead had been established close to the town of Bridgeton. While waiting for the royal entourage to open the historic homestead we were treated to music performed by a Swedish military band.

After a long ride with lines of cars and buses escorted by New Jersey's finest we arrived in Trenton. Due to some delays, two of the GL members and their spouses ended up touring the museum with the VIP's. We were also able to secure first row viewing of the speeches and presentations. Unfortunately the other board members were not as lucky.

Next destination was New York. We went in a large van but the Royal couple boarded a Swedish naval vessel somewhere from the Jersey coast and arrived on the east side of Manhattan. There were Swedish flags and blue and yellow banners everywhere. Even Kenneth T. Jackson, Professor of Histhe tugboats had dyed their water sprays in tory at Columbia University och Editorblue and yellow. The program with speeches, in-Chief, The Encyclopedia of New York presentations and music were enjoyed by all.

City, said it best: We will remember this day forever and feel fortunate for having had this chance Over the past century and a half, more while serving in the Vasa Order. newspapers were published in New York in truth and unity than in any other city in the world, in large richard and lillemor horngren part because of the huge foreign-born commembers of linde lodge no 492, wi munity and the variety of publications that the different ethnic groups spawned. Most Dear vasa star, had a brief and almost ephemeral life, but The latest Vasa Star invited readers to switch Nordstjernan has been remarkable for to an electronic version saving printing its long life and high quality. It not only and postage expenses and helping the envihelped Swedish immigrants adjust to life ronment. I have one concern. The notice inin a new world and a giant city, but it set dicated that Vasa Star could be read at www. a standard that other newspapers worked vasaorder.com. This would seem to make it hard to emulate. the reader’s responsibility to anticipate when a new issue is available.

As an alternative, I suggest you invite members to submit their e-mail addresses so that Vasa Star can be delivered as an e-

NORDSTJERNAN 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 a lifeline to Swedish news and events and reporting on current events in Swedish America since September, 1872.

www.nordstjernan.com 1.800.827.9333 ext. 12

As you know, NY City is a world famous entertainment leader. There are many fabulous functions planned for you. Visitors in the US are drawn to New York for Broadway shows, gourmet dining and sightseeing. When you read the 2014 itinerary in this issue, please remember the activities in “the Big Apple” come with a cost but will provide GL officers, delegates, members and guests an unforgettable lifetime experience.

Fall district conventions will begin again, now, in September. You will be holding elections including choosing your 2014 Grand Lodge Delegate. I need to continue to remind those who decide to run as delegates and those who will be casting a vote to take this task very seriously. Look for a GL Delegate who will not only support the interest of your district but will make courageous decisions

related to the future financial needs of the Order. Your delegate should also be someone who will be eager to run for a leadership role in the Grand Lodge. We’ve made continuous progress over the past three years because the current Grand Lodge Board Members have been innovative, open minded and willing to make difficult decisions for the good of the Order. I will continue to share Grand Lodge developments with you in detail when I visit your conventions during the next year and answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your ongoing support and support of the decisions made by the GL Executive Board. in truth and unity, bill lundquist, grand master

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

Grand lodge news Highlights of Grand Lodge Executive Board Meeting 2013 The Grand Lodge Executive Board meeting was held on April 23-25, 2013 in Milpitas, California, during the week prior to the Golden Gate District No. 12 annual convention. All board members were present, including new members Doreen Nyroos, GLEB-Canada and Wayne Pierson, GLEBWestern Region.

Many administrative issues were discussed and preparation of motions to present to the Grand Lodge Convention next year.

Here are some highlights of special interest to the membership: 1. A project is in progress to set up an interactive site for discussions and sharing of ideas among Cultural Leaders across all districts and local lodges. GL Cultural Director Inger Hanright, GL Audio Visual Director Mike Pearson, and VDM Sandra Petersson (DL Alberta #18) are coordinating this effort.

2. Very Exciting News! Funds are now available, thanks to the many generous donors to the scholarship funds, to the Education Stamp campaigns and income from investments including the bequest received from the Bertha Evelyn Kalm estate, the Grand Lodge voted to award, in 2014, at least eight $1,000 college/vocational school scholarships, five Sjölunden two-week camp awards

with up to $600 travel allowance, reinstatement of the grants to the Children’s Clubs of a $200 grant to all active Children’s Clubs, and $200 to each newly organized and each re-activated Children’s Club.

3. Grand Lodge Membership Chairman Art Bjorkner has developed a Membership Kit and has made it available on the Vasa web site www.vasaorder.com.

4. The GL board voted to form a new partnership between The Vasa Star and Nordstjernan, the Swedish newspaper for all of Swedish-America, founded in 1872. With this issue you are receiving a combined Vasa Star/Nordstjernan. Not only are you receiving the same Vasa Star publication, but you will also receive four issues of Nordstjernan during the year at no extra charge. We hope you will enjoy receiving this expanded news about all things Swedish.

5. The board accepted the 2012 Financial Statement produced by our accounting firm Abbot, Stringham & Lynch CPA of San Jose, California. ASL performed a review of all financial matters of the Grand Lodge and their report was in-depth and thorough.

6. Budgets for the fiscal/calendar years of 2013 and 2014 were presented and discussed in great detail. The budget for 2013

2013 Grand Lodge Scholarship Winners Mr. Tore Kellgren, Vice Grand Master and Chairman of the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s College or Vocational School Scholarship Awards.

The Grand Lodge Executive Board will also award up to four Sjölunden Scholarships to qualified applicants from the U.S. and Canada.

Watch for further information at the Vasa website, www.vasaorder.com. As well as in the next issue of The Vasa Star.

Kaitlin Westlund Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 DL Lake Michigan No. 8 Winner of the Michigan #8 Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Kaitlin is currently enrolled at Indiana University, Kelly School of Business in Bloomington, Indiana, where she studies

Business Economics and Public Policy as well as International Business. After graduating she intends to go into business consulting or the business of international aviation. Kaitlin has been a Vasa member since 2006 and was a member of the Nordkids Children’s Club for 10 year. In her Lodge she has been serving on the Membership Committee for the last four years.

Courtney Meyer Northern Light Lodge No. 137 DL Pacific Southwest No. 15 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Courtney graduated this spring with honors from her College Preparatory studies at Redondo Union High School in Redondo Beach California. She will be attending University of Oregon in the fall, studying

was accepted. A proposed budget for 2014 to present to the Grand Lodge Convention’s Finance Committee was approved. This plan itemizes the cost per member for each line item and the resulting decision will determine the assessments for approval for the coming term.

7. The Finance Committee discussed a major overhaul of the financial processes of the Grand Lodge and will present a number of motions to the Grand Lodge meeting to bring these changes into effect. The committee has contracted with the law firm of Stanger and Arnold in West Hartford Connecticut (because we were chartered in the State of Connecticut) as well as with our accounting firm, ASL, to advise us on the legality of all issues for consideration. (All motions will be distributed to the membership via the local lodges.)

8. Disappointment was expressed at the lack of response to correspondence sent to lodges. Swedish lodges write to local lodges in USA and Canada and receive no response.

The same occurs with correspondence sent to Swedish lodges. Please consider these as letters from your Vasa family and worthy of your time and effort to respond.

9. A demonstration was presented of the

members-only web site being developed

by Quint Friesen, a software developer and member of Svea Lodge #348 in San Jose.

This exciting web site is nearing completion. A user-name and password will be required to access. This valuable tool will be accessible for all members to view and for local lodge and district lodge officers to coordinate record-keeping of all members in the lodge. Information stored will include membership lists, offices held, etc. Local Lodge administrators will be asked to enter historical data in Excel or Access and send in for download to this new database. Vasa material such as photos of all jewelry, printed materials, forms, rituals, etc. will be available. A photo gallery of activities held and notices of upcoming events can be posted to this site. This will become a very valuable tool in record keeping for all levels within the Vasa Order.

If you have any questions about these or any other issues concerning the Grand Lodge, feel free to contact your Regional Grand Lodge Board Member, or any of the Grand Lodge Officers.

Business. Courtney has been a member of Vasa since 2009. In her Lodge she has been in the Lucia Procession 10 years, serving as Lucia the last four years.

a number of times, first as a camper and then later in a staff position.

Emma Thofson Runeberg Lodge No. 137 DL Minnesota No. 7 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Emma is currently enrolled at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota, entering her third year studying Design Technology. She is an excellent student, having been on Dean’s List and President’s List every semester in attendance.

After graduating she is hoping spend a summer studying in Uppsala. Emma has been a Vasa member since 2007. She danced in the Vasa Jr. Folk Dancers from age 5 until her graduation from High School. Emma has attended Sjölunden

submitted by joanie graham, grand secretary (vasajlg@aol.com)

Miriam McCauley Astor Lodge No. 215 DL Pacific Northwest No. 13 Winner of a Grand Lodge Scholarship – $1,000 Miriam is currently attending Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, where she is in her junior year, studying Psychology and maintaining a 3.95 GPA. After graduation she plans to continue her studies in a Professional Counseling graduate program at Lewis and Clark College. Miriam is a member of Astor Lodge #215 in Astoria OR. She has been an active member in Vasa since 2009.

She was serving as Miss Sweden in 2010 and has been helping out at many different events in the Vasa community. page 5

the vasa star / Summer 2013

District lodge news New Members DL CONNECTICUT NO. 1 Karl XII Lodge No. 103 Mark Lawson DL MASSACHUSETTS NO. 2 Brage-Iduna Lodge No. 9 Maria Renee Carlson Jill Marie Mazzaferro Linda Johnson Schoonover Nordic Lodge No. 611 Charlotte E. Dion-Gaarde Merryl Havens Karin L. Lynde Richard A. Lynde Lynne Aronson Martin Karen J. Nelson Jared Samuel Parretti Sherilynne Parretti Linda Jo Porter Vinland of Cape Cod Lodge No. 703 Grace Marie Sohoel-Goldberg DL RHODE ISLAND NO. 3 Svea Lodge No. 362 Michael Thomas McDuff Pioneer Lodge No. 506 George Louis Glover III DL NEW YORK NO. 4 Thule Lodge No. 127 Carol Marlene Anderson Michael Paul Krott DL NEW JERSEY NO. 6 Arlington Lodge No. 62 Robert D. O’Connell Tar-Lyn O’Connell Clark R. Paddock Renee L Paddock Timothy Prutzman Kirsten Roth Joseph P. Salerno Linne Lodge No. 429 Joyce Antila Phipps Joanna R. Winquist Austin Lodge No. 466 MaggiePop Daniel B. Rambo John Sandors Gothiod Lodge No. 486 Daniele Marie Miele Vågen Lodge No. 588 Eileen Ann Hood Three Crowns Lodge No. 704 Richard N. Biebel, Jr. DL MINNESOTA NO. 7 John Morton Lodge No. 488 Carol Jean Pickhardt Calra Ronalyn Twardowski DL LAKE MICHIGAN NO. 8 Svea Lodge No. 253 Marc Anthony Hagn Wendy Joy Hagn Andrew Iver Johnsen Brenda Ann Miller Jeff Earl Peterson David Christopher Young Viljan Lodge No. 349 Elizabeth Sue Cleveland Julia Caroline Lekander Anders Lofgren Britt-Marie Lofgren Marilyn M. McConnaughay Mary Katherine McConnaughay Joe Harbor Lodge No. 534 Jack Edward Gould Lydia Marie Gould Alan Wenstrand Nancy Wenstrand Satellite Lodge No. 661 Barbara Ann Bragagnini Marilyn L. Sigler

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Douglas Leroy Sten Bishop Hill Lodge No. 683 Dorothy Ann Clark Christine Lynn Fredrickson Larry Dale Hanson Hagar Lodge No. 721 Bruce Erik Carlson Ellen L. Cirino Lindgren Lodge No. 754 John Charles Jacques Dennis George Miller Desi Angela Nunez Beckett Nunez-Miller Nordik Folk Lodge No. 761 Joella Donata Hultgren (dual) Tonia L. Tomky Jubileum Lodge No. 755 A. Margaret Elowson Ann C. Hanson Wesley L. Hanson Roland K. Littlewood DL PENNSYLVANIA NO. 9 Nobel-Monitor Lodge No. 130 Marie Louise Schröder DL SUPERIOR NO. 10 Framåt Lodge No. 463 William George Nelson DL GOLDEN GATE NO. 12 Fylgia Lodge No. 119 Diana Giomi Svea Lodge No. 348 Margie Alving Robert A. Homer Diane L. Maynard James Alvin Melin Viveka L. Nevins Jeanette Olsson Sveaborg Lodge No. 449 Linnea Birgitta Howie Bert Sheldon Chandra Sue Damele Lindbergh Lodge No. 494 Peter A. Johanson Linnea Lodge No. 504 Kimberly Marie Franks Marianne Karin Mander Sten J. Mander Christine Margareta Mander Norden Lodge No. 684 Lizzette Deel Clyda Mae Dehn Brittany Kristiana Johnson Stephanie Laich Marjorie L. Risi PJ (Peppy) Scott Rev. Arlynnen Claire Turnquist Skogen Lodge No. 700 Gail Elizabeth Nemy Valhalla Scandinavians Lodge No. 746 Hannah Christine Eckstein Diane Finn DL PACIFIC NORTHWEST NO. 13 North Star Lodge No. 145 Rodney A. Aho Ann Birgitta Fly Sharon Bird Highland Sharon A. Moses Eunice Ann Poirier Norden Lodge No. 233 Sandra Marie Lind Cathy Johnston Rulien Harvey Harkness Rulien Robert William Stephenson Skogsblomman Lodge No. 378 Erik Timothy Bentzen Johan Bertil Morn Maj-Gret Edelgard Morn Jesse Eugene Scott

Olympia Lodge No. 550 Jenifer Manley DL PACIFIC SOUTHWEST NO. 15 North Star Lodge No. 106 Edith R. Mayerson Skandia Lodge No. 247 Rachel Kathleen Demarjian Lauran Eva Spencer McClure Kathleen Patricia McGinley Bryan J. Rose Oak Leaf Lodge No. 685 Daniel Eric Madison Shari Ann-Marie Madison Shawna Janna-Julin Shirk Baltic Lodge No. 689 Helen Hathaway Jamie Scott Iris M. Starkey DL IOWA-NEBRASKA NO. 17 Norrskenet Lodge No. 331 Beth Nettleton Paul Olson DL ALBERTA NO. 18 Branting Lodge No. 417 Daniel Green Karl Nordin Nordstjärnan Lodge No. 575 Tammy L. Aab Darryl K. Aab Lawrence W. Dool Lori Dawn Dool Maja A. Holmlund Kurt Nahuliak Stephanie Nicole Schmidt Phyllis M. Sjogren DL SÖDRA SVERIGE NR. 20 Kärnan Lodge Nr. 608 Birgitta Nilsson Mats Nilsson Christian Lodge Nr. 617 Eva Thell Småland Lodge Nr. 618 Lennart Malmberg Joacim Svahn Calmare Nyckel Lodge Nr. 628 Kerstin Edvinsson Bengt Edvinsson Carl van Linné Lodge Nr. 678 Christer Höök Marianne Höök Westervik Lodge Nr. 679 Margareta Geary William L. Geary Björn Malm Annelie Wahlin Peter Wahlin Blå Jungfrun Lodge Nr. 749 Ingalill Nyberg Ulf Nyberg Britt Redborn DL ARIZONA NO. 21 Phoenix Lodge No. 677 Judith B. Ahlberg Fred D. Artus Bruce A. Barkley Jeanon Elene Lynch Carolyn Markson Lillian E. More

Linné Lodge 153 Representative Gordon Westergren and Member Sinikka Rionilla at the District 8 Convention held in Michigan City, IN May 13-15, 2013, where Sinikka received a scholarship. The photograph was furnished by Lynda Smith from Nordik Folk No. 761 Lodge.

District Lodge Lake Michigan #8 105th Annual Meeting and Convention The 105th District Lodge Lake Michigan No. 8 Vasa Convention was held at the Holiday Inn in Rockford, IL, on May 3 – May 5, 2013, and was co-hosted by Brahe Lodge # 245, Rockford, IL, and Linde Lodge # 492, New Berlin, WI. The Culture Room, coordinated by DHFS Linda Tylk, held exhibits featuring the theme “Scandinavian Food.” The Friday night cultural event was a presentation by Robert Merrill of Jubileum # 755, who discussed the changes in the nomenclature and boundaries of Swedish administrative units over time.

Operating Officer of Winnebago County David Peterson welcomed the attendees to Rockford, IL and spoke about the rich Scandinavian history in the area. The new, www. thevasaorder.com web site, which has many interactive links, was presented by father and son technical gurus, Michael Pearson Sr. and Jr. The Saturday evening banquet featured a Silent Auction. Membership Awards for 2012, were presented to 1st place Bishop Hill #683, 2nd place to Nordik Folk #761, and 3rd place to Satellite #661. A drawing was held with names of people who had the Vasa Decal on their car in the hotel parking lot and three members received the Viking Ship pin (fundraiser for the 2014 Grand Lodge convention) – Les Touve, Linde #492; Emily Pearson, Nordik Folk #761; and Vicky Carlson, Thor #147.

On Saturday, PDM Tom Cleveland and VDM Michael Pearson, Sr, hosted the annual New Delegates Breakfast and spoke about the procedures and protocol during the Convention. A flag ceremony opened the Convention with PDMs Christine Kilstrom, Tom Cleveland, District Scholarships were preand Sten Hult carrying the flags of sented by GL Youth Director USA USA, Canada, and Sweden. Chief & Canada/DSCYC Lynda Smith

Scandia Lodge No. 728 Alice E. Perkins Jeannie Anderson GRAND LODGE JURISDICTION Nordic Lodge No. 708 Jim Baker Carl XVI Gustaf Lodge No. 716 Jenny Barbara Jacobs Allen Eugene Olson

The 6 College Scholarship winners: Ashley LeBlanc, Linde No. 492; Abigail Ogrentz, Nordik Folk No. 761; Emily Pearson, Nordik Folk No. 761; Lisa Raddatz, Nordik Folk No. 761; Sinikka Roinila, Linné No. 153; and Kaitlin Westlund, Nordik Folk No. 761.

district lodge news

to Ashley LeBlanc, Linde No. 492; Abigail Ogrentz, Nordik Folk #761; Emily Pearson, Nordik Folk #761; Lisa Raddatz, Nordik Folk #761; Sinikka Roinila, Linné #153; and Kaitlin Westlund, Nordik Folk #761. Sjölunden Language Camp Awards were presented to Erik Nelson, Harrison Ogrentz, Jennifer Pearson, and Sofia Nelson all from Nordikids #208. GM/PDM Bill Lundquist presented a Grand Lodge Scholarship of $1,000.00 to Kaitlin Westlund, Nordik Folk No. 761.

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

trict Treasurer – Susan Cleveland; District Executive Board Member – Gene Kiesel; District Executive Board Member – Paula Stopka; District Supervisor Of Children And Youth Clubs – Lynda Smith; District Cultural Leader – Timothy Ogrentz; District Chaplain – Inez Törnblom; District Master Of Ceremonies – Gunnard Swanson; District Inner Guard – James Pelzman; District Outer Guard – John Loula; District Auditor (3 years) – Herb Smith; District Auditor (2 years) – David Runstrom; District Auditor (1 year) – Eric Swanson; District Historian – Iva Lynn; and Past District Master – Tom Cleveland.

VDM Michael Pearson, Sr. presented the District’s Distinguished Service Award to GL Youth Director USA & Canada/DSCYC Lynda Smith. Lynda was awarded a pendant bearing the Vasa Order emblem, the designa- The Sunday post-Convention lunch was tion “DSA,” and her initials. Congratulations, provided by Brahe #245 at their beautiful Lynda.

Vasa Park building in Rockford, IL. Tack Så Mycket to Brahe # 245 for their generous On Sunday, a Memorial Service was held hospitality and hard work. to remember the members who died during 2012. Participating in the service were Joella D. Hultgren, assistant district secretary Gunnard Swanson, pianist, the Vasa Choir, and Marvin Anderson, Inez Törnblom, and Hulia LeKander. The Installation Team, consisting of PDM Sheila Lundquist, PDM Tom Cleveland, GM William Lundquist, PDM Christine Kilstrom and PDM Sten Hult installed the newly elected officers for 20132014: District Master – Edward Hultgren; Vice District Master – Michael Pearson, Sr.; District Secretary - Nancy Hult; Assistant District Secretary – Joella Hultgren; District Hospital Fund Secretary – Linda Tylk; Dis-

The elected officers of District 8 for 2013 - 2014: District Master - Edward Hultgren; Vice District Master - Michael Pearson, Sr.; District Secretary - Nancy Hult; Assistant District Secretary – Joella Hultgren; District Hospital Fund Secretary – Linda Tylk; District Treasurer – Susan Cleveland; District Executive Board Member – Gene Kiesel; District Executive Board Member – Paula Stopka; District Supervisor Of Children And Youth Clubs – Lynda Smith; District Cultural Leader – Timothy Ogrentz; District Chaplain – Inez Törnblom; District Master Of Ceremonies – Gunnard Swanson; District Inner Guard – James Pelzman; District Outer Guard – John Loula; District Auditor (3 years) – Herb Smith; District Auditor (2 years) – David Runstrom; District Auditor (1 year) – Eric Swanson; District Historian – Iva Lynn; and Past District Master – Tom Cleveland.

Remember the Vasa Archives when you are making a memorial donation

Send your donations to: Vasa National Archives PO Box 101 Bishop Hill, IL 61419

For Videos and Program Materials Contact:

AUDIO-VISUAL DIRECTOR Mike Pearson 7390 New Hampshire Pl. Hammond, IN 46323-2937 USA Phone 219-588-4752 Email: MikePearson@Nordicfolk.com

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district lodge news

the vasa star / Summer 2013

District Lodge CT #1 District Lodge Golden Gate #12

After a few months of planning members, friends and families of CTDL#1 and members from MADL#2 boarded a bus in North Haven, CT. We all had high expectations as we headed south to Delaware to celebrate the 375th Anniversary of the founding of the New Sweden Colony. Among our goals was seeing and/or meeting the King and Queen of Sweden and the First Speaker of the Finnish Parliament.

The first day we visited Old Swede’s Church and Hendrickson House Museum in Wilmington, DE and then checked into the hotel. This was followed in the evening by a book signing and reception sponsored

by LL Oscar Borg and the New Sweden Colonial Society.

Saturday was a full day with a visit to the New Sweden Centre at 10AM after which we attended the “Welcome to Wilmington New District 12 Officers Celebrating Valborgsmässoafton 2013: District Master Corky Peterson, District Festival” at the Dravo Center where the Treasurer Mike Peterson, and Vice District Master Paul Jevert Kalmar Nyckel was moored. The sailing vessel Kalmar Nyckel is a replica of one of The 98th Annual District Convention was fun to see old friends and make new ones. the first vessels which brought Swedish and jointly hosted by Lindbergh Lodge #494 and On the first weekend in June, we celSvea Lodge #348 in Milpitas, CA on April ebrated Sweden Day at Sveadal resort Finnish settlers to New Sweden.

26-28, 2013. Grand Master Bill Lundquist near Morgan Hill, CA, in the Santa Cruz At about 1:30PM we headed for Fort was an honored guest. We listened to re- Mountains. Highlights included a traditional Christina where the King and Queen of Sweports, conducted business, elected delegates dinner from western Sweden, wine tasting, den arrived on the Kalmar Nyckel, laid a for the Grand Lodge in 2014, and elected an aquavit contest, and tours of the resort wreath at the base of the monument sculpted 2013-2014 District Officers.

But it wasn’t facilities. by noted Swedish Sculptor Carl Milles all serious work.

We also had lovely meals after which the King and Queen proceeded judy harless and pleasant social gatherings.

It is always to evening prayers at Old Swedes Church.

The King and Queen passed immediately adjacent to our contingent.

That evening several of us attended a black tie dinner with the King and Queen of Sweden and the First Speaker of the Finnish Parliament. We had all received an email instructing us in royal protocol prior to attending the dinner. To the delight of everyone Princess Madeleine of Sweden and her fiancé were in attendance. Vice President Joseph Biden along with several other prominent leaders from Delaware participated in the events and addressed the attendees.

Sunday, we were back on the bus heading north. We visited the American Swedish History Museum in Philadelphia, PA to see some wonderful displays of Swedish American history. They opened two hours early for us. We had hoped to visit on Friday afternoon, May 10, and instead they had to The 2013 Midsummer Court(left to right) Kjerstin Kindig, Svea, representing Golden Valley Lodge No. 616; close because the King and Queen planned Jocelyn Pages, 2013 Midsummer Queen, representing North Star Lodge No. 106; and Kyra Daily, Columbia, to visit at the time we had scheduled. We representing Nordic Lodge No. 660. Photo: Tom Jahn very much appreciated their willingness to open for us.

The Swedish American Central Association Skandia Hall Sunday April 28.

The bus ride back to CT was nothing, held its yearly Midsummer Coronation at The morning started with choosing the but discussions by everyone of what they year’s Midsummer Queen, followed by Miss had seen.

Svea and Miss Colombia. (See picture) The We would like to exvoting is done by delegates to SACA. The tend our thanks to Herb girls always look lovely. It may not be a Rambo who proposed the Miss American pageant , but you can still trip when he attended the feel excitement in the air. This part is foldedication of our Ramlowed by a nice lunch, this year prepared bo Apple Trees at Vasa by members of Golden Valley and Skandia Park in 2012, to the New Lodges. SACA president and Skandia chairSweden Alliance who man Jackie Ahlen led all involved with a supported us with timely steady hand in the hall and in the kitchen. responses to questions We had a real fest with salad, baked salmon on logistics and to VOA ,with the best sauce ever, rice, beans and LL Oscar Borg a member cake to top it off. Then came the crowning of the New Sweden Alof the lovely Ladies. Uno Kasperson of The present day replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, which brought T.R.H. liance. This was a most the King and Queen of Sweden to Fort Christina, serves as Delaware’s Mayflower Lodge had the honor of crownmemorable weekend for seagoing goodwill ambassador. She was built by a group of committed ing Miss Colombia. I was just as honored citizens to be a continuing witness to the courage and spirit of those all of us. Tusen Tack! by being asked to crown Miss Svea and individuals who undertook the mid-winter North Atlantic crossing in 1637President Jackie put the royal crown on the paul ljunggren 1638 (www.kalmarnyckel.org)

District Lodge #15 Pacific Southwest

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District Lodge Alberta #18 41st BIENNIAL CONVENTION Hosted by Nordstjärnan Lodge No. 575 June 7, 8 and 9, 2013 The Convention opened early Friday morning with a Golf Tournament held for those who wished to participate. In the evening the District Master held a reception for all members to become acquainted. Saturday`s session opened with the Flag Ceremony. Flags were presented by Darl Brown, Mya Holmlund, Phyllis Sjogren and Stephanie Schmidt, all members of Nordstjärnan. District Master Fae Doty opened the meeting by welcoming all those in attendance.

It was a pleasure to have the following visitors from the United States; Vice Grand Master Tore Kellgren DL Golden Gate No. 12 and wife Brigitta, Ed Hultgren DL Lake Michigan No. 8 and wife Joelle , and Jeff Klein and Alice Iverson both of DL Pacific Northwest No. 13.

Following the evening banquet musical entertainment and a skit were enjoyed. Presentation of pins were made to the following Nordstjärnan members; 60 year pins to Shirley Wollin, Betty Hanson and Bob Pearson; 50 year pins to Monica Sjogren, Elsie Eklund, and Darl Brown; 40 year pin to Ken Johnson.

Golf prizes were presented to the following; men`s first place – Trevor Nyroos, second Bruce Samuelson; ladies first place – Donna Englund, second Marg Samuelson.

Seven baskets (each representing a country of VASA and containing various items and baking from each country) were raffled.

The winners were; Fae Doty – Canada, Alice Iverson – U.S., Shirley Dool – Sweden, Lisa McMurray – Finland, Bert Johnsson – Denmark, Betty Hanson – Norway, Ken Johnson - Iceland.

A Memorial Service conducted by Phyllis Ochoa and Shauna Labrie, both of Nordstjärnan, took place Sunday. A flower for each departed member was placed on a cross as the name of the departed member was read.

Stephanie Schmidt sang a solo.

Grand Lodge Deputy Doreen Nyroos and installation team of Grand Lodge Officers installed the District Officers for the 2013- 2015 term. Following the installation Doreen handed the Chair over to District Master Sandra Petersson.

Sandra presented the Past District Masters pin and Vasa Plaque to Fae Doty. Sandra welcomed the new members to the District and thanked those stepping down for jobs well done. She also brought greetings from Joan and Lennart Petersson who were unable to attend this year’s convention. lois brown, past district historian

Queen’s head. The outgoing Queen Emmaline Mauritson of Skandia Lodge, draped her mantel over the new Queen’s shoulders and the Court and their escorts finished the event with a dance to LeRoy Anderson music. Everything was as nice and pleasant as it possibly could be. Special Thanks to our friends Gertie, Sven-Olof, Kathryn, Melissa, Rachel, Beau and Joel. You were all wonderful helpers. nel solt

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

lodge news Skandia Lodge #247 100th Anniversary Midsummer Celebration

The Great Meatball Cook-off winners with the judges (seated)

Drott Lodge #168

Potomac, MD / Drott Lodge #168 has had a busy spring, with several first-time events orchestrated to appeal to a larger portion of the many Scandinavians in the Washington DC Metro Area. Following our successful luncheon aboard the Swedish American Line in March, we had an ABBApalooza evening in April and a meatball cook-off in May. Over 80 people gathered at 7:00 pm on a late April Saturday night to listen and singalong with ABBA recordings, play ABBA trivia games, eat, drink, and mingle while enjoying the fabulous decorations, including a large disco ball, centerpieces made of old records spray-painted gold with mini disco balls mounted on top, a black light poster, and glittery tablecloths galore. Mamma Mia was screened on two walls; some sat in chairs theater style, some stayed seated at tables, and others hung out near the back wall so they were ready to shake it as soon the danceable tunes began. We sang robustly as we danced, and the night ended with a costume contest where the male and female winners each received a golden Oscar replica.

The Great Meatball Cook-off Contest followed our May business meeting. There were eight entries submitted for judging.

Three well-known Scandinavian chefs were the judges: Frida Johansson, currently chef at the Swedish Ambassador’s residence; Mikko Kosonen, who recently retired after 16 years as chef at the Finnish Ambassador’s

June 15, 2013 / Pasadena, CA / The members and families of Team 100 met at Skandia on Friday evening at 7 p.m. to prepare the Lodge Hall for the Saturday event with one of the most fantastic maypoles we have ever had. The program opened at 2:30 p.m.

Saturday by Skandia Chairman Jackie Ahlen and Vasa Choir Director LeRoy Anderson.

The Choir and the Swedish Folk Dancers then performed with the power point streaming photographs from our history.

The members who received member jewels at the March 9 dinner celebration were recognized: Alma Marie Nordquist, Joyce Woodward and Ken and Sarah Pearson each spoke about their time with Skandia.

Grand Lodge Deputy Thomas Jahn assisted Chairman Jackie with the initiation of four new members for Skandia Lodge: Bryan Rose, Katie McGinley, Lauren McClure, and Rachel Demarjian.

For dinner, an array of cold meats and salads and dessert was served. A musical interlude was presented by LeRoy Anderson and soloists from the Vasa Choir.

Following the end of the program, the Lodge was back in order. Many thanks to all the helpers—it was really like Skandia/they really are a great team. jackie ahlen, chairman

Astor Lodge #215 residence; and Marja Kautto, the first chef at Domku, a popular Eastern-European/Scandinavian restaurant in DC. The judges made detailed notes about each entry, awarding first place to Erick Randolph, second place to Chair Julie Olson, and third place to Betty Johnson. Once the judging was completed, we feasted on the different entries, cleansing our palates with delicious lingonberry saft.

Summer means the end of formal meetings but not the end of activities. Celebrating Sweden’s National Day, a Midsommar picnic with other Scandinavian groups, and a John Erickson tribute were all on tap for the summer months.

Check out the Drott Lodge photo website and get some ideas for activities you can plan for your local lodge [https://picasaweb. google.com/Drott.Lodge.168]. carol whitley

John Nordgren, 50 year pin and Peter Strandberg, 60 year pin

Astoria, OR / The photo is from our January lodge dinner. We install officers and share a meal. Long time members receive pins/recognition.

Astor Lodge in Astoria, Oregon was organized 101 years ago. We cherish members like John and Peter. terry arnall, historian

North Star #106

Los Angeles, CA / North Star is 106 years old!! The Lodge’s anniversary was celebrated in January 2013 with district officers present led by DM Gunlog Spaberg.

Erik Lindberg, who has served as North Star Chairman for 8 years, has left his position. What a wonderful job Erik has achieved in leading us. Tack Erik så mycket!

Erik now has been recruited to take the position of Secretary as Felicity Harper needed to vacate her post to care of her grandson. We appreciate her very much!

Erik was presented with a generous gift certificate at our February meeting.

We regretted hearing about Erik’s daughter Christina’s passing. Our love and support to both Erik and Birgit; we hold very fond, loving memories of our dear Christina, and hope you both find comfort in all the wonderful memories you have of her.

At our December Christmas party, Catherine Pages was Lucia. She is the daughter of Wayne Pages, the granddaughter of Peggy

Pages. Our Christmas event is always very special and thoroughly enjoyed.

The PSWD #15 Convention will take place at the end of the month. Our delegates are Peggy Pages, Felicity Harper, Jane Sandler, and Valerie Larsson.

We look forward to a full year ahead with well attended meetings. elinore thornton, correspondent

Donate to the Education and Scholarship Funds Send your donations to: Vasa Order of America Joan Graham, Grand Secretary 5838 San Jose Ave. Richmond, CA 94804 page 9

lodge news

the vasa star / Summer 2013

Skogen #700

Svea Lodge #253

Redding, CA / Skogen Lodge #700 had a Pea Soup and Pancake Supper in January and several possible new members attended.

Easter brought good food and camaraderie with feathers and birch leaves. Celina Young was interviewed since she was born in Sweden and she told of the history between Sweden and Norway. She is helpful to us at Lucia with her daughter Linnea. She wore a crown at our Midsommar celebration.

We will celebrate our 40th anniversary in September.

Skogen Lodge Midsommar celebration.Dancing Around the Maypole; Joining our Swedish dancing (clockwise): Celina Young, Kristina Williams, Brenda Earl, Karen Elliott, Ryan Stein, Casey Stein, Kyle Winnen and Ramon Magana

Costumed attendees: Kristina Grasso, Joella Hultgren, Susie Swanson, Marvin Anderson, Lynda Smith, Iva Lynn, and Ingrid Childs.

Enjoying the Picnic; Linnea and her mother Celina Young

Norden Lodge #684

At the District 12 Convention: Judy Harless, Roselind Gaviola, Corky Peterson, Nadja Witchez, and Mike Peterson

Fresno, CA / Norden Lodge was well-represented at the annual convention of District Lodge Golden Gate #12 in April, and it produced several of the District’s new leaders for 2013-2014. Corky Peterson, who has been Norden’s Chairman, assumed the duties of District Master. Mike Peterson, Norden’s Vice Chairman, will continue for another year keeping the numbers in order as District Treasurer. Judy Harless, Norden’s Assistant Secretary, will take on the responsibilities of Vasa Star Correspondent for District 12. page 10

In May, Norden Lodge members came together for our annual midsummer party.

Marci Johansson provided the venue, Mike Peterson mastered the grill, and many talented cooks contributed to an overflowing potluck table. The weather cooperated to give us a perfect day to come together, and our friend Lennart Kullberg and member Jean Clemons provided the music and led us in singing. judy harless

Indianapolis, IN / April-June 2013 / The April 7th meeting was held at the Latvian Community Center. The cultural program, “Cross – Country Skiing In Sweden”, was presented by Andy Johnsen, a Worldloppet Master Skier.

Andy Johnsen’s presentation highlighted cross – country skiing, and the program focused primarily on the Worldloppet, which includes the Swedish Vasaloppet, between Sälen and Mora, Sweden (90km), and the American Birkebeiner, between Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin (54km).

Andy showed his skis, hats, racing bibs, and talked about his other Nordic gear.

Andy has cross - country skied all over the world, in Sweden, Norway, Russia, Canada, and the United States of America.

The Mother’s Day meeting on May 12th was held at the Latvian Community Center.

New members Wendy and Marc Hagn were approved for membership and initiated.

Welcome to Wendy and Marc Hagn!

Cultural Leader Glenn Sweitzer presented a short program on Swedish artist Anders Zorn whose words are currently on exhibit in Boston, Massachusetts. DM Edward Hultgren gave a summary of the events, activities, and awards at the 2013 District Convention. Our new District Deputy is Timothy Ogrentz from Nordik Folk No. 761. The cultural program, “Skåne Landskap”, was presented by Kristina Grasso, a native of Sweden. Skåne is the southernmost province of Sweden.

Its capital is Malmö. The present Skåne County (Skåne län) was created in 1997 when Kristianstad County and Malmöhus County were merged, and it covers around 3% of Sweden’s total area, but its population of 1,250,000 comprises 13% of Sweden’s total population. Unlike other regions of Sweden, the Skåne landscape is not mountainous. Except for the lake – rich and densely forested northern parts, the rolling hills in the northwest, and the beechwood – clad areas, a sizeable portion of Skåne’s terrain consists of plains.

Our lodge celebrated its 100th Anniversary on June 2nd at Latvian Community Center. Members wore their Swedish costumes, and brought fresh flowers and greenery for decorating the Majstång,

(Top) Skier and accordion player, Andy Johnson. / (Above) Ulla Williams initiates Marc Hagn and Wendy Hagn

followed by the Grand March around the grounds and encircling the Majstång, led

by John Seest, Dans Norden Director.

Past Chairman John Bevelhimer presented a detailed history of the beginnings of our lodge. Three descendants of charter members of the lodge attended.

A delicious meal was served. In addition to the Majstång, there was entertainment, raffles, live music by accordionists and Scandilocity, dancing with Dans Norden, singing, and games for the children, including a Pippi Longstocking piñata made

by Michelle Escalante. The lodge was honored to welcome GM / PDM William Lundquist and PDM Sheila Lundquist; GL Youth Director for USA & Canada / DSCYC Lynda Smith and District Auditor Herbert Smith; and District Cultural Leader Timothy Ogrentz (District Deputy for our lodge) and Linnea Ogrentz (Secretary of Nordik Folk No. 761). Tusen Tack to the planning committee and cooks, as well to everyone who contributed raffle prizes and time for producing the event.

It was a grand celebration befitting 100 years of continuing Swedish culture. joella d. hultgren, publicity committee

section lodge news

Thule Lodge #127

Jamestown/Bemus Point, NY / Our Thule Lodge #127 was busy with its summer activities. Meetings were held on the fourth Thursday evenings of each month with refreshments following during the time of fellowship. Our cultural leader Fanchon Fuller keeps all up to date on upcoming events, and always speaks of some Swedish heritage events. At the June meeting, Fanchon told of “the land of the midnight” sun when only a haze is in the air around the midnight hours. Fanchon spoke of their tours to Sweden when the sun was shining almost all day long, and that sleeping meant sleeping with the sun in one’s eyes.

Thule Lodge is holding fish fry dinners with a second special choice twice a month through the summer months. A herring breakfast held on Father’s Day and enjoyed by many. The annual Scandinavian Folk Festival was held in the middle weekend of July, and the lodge members prepared Swedish meatballs and kaldolmar. Swedish food was not the only attraction of the festival. There was plenty of music, singing, dancing, the Maypole, Swedish crafts, and

Brahe Lodge #245

Rockford, IL / Our VASA Brahe Lodge #245 met on February 24, 2013 in our VASA Park Lodge in Rockford, IL. It was a cold but sunny day in Winter with our park grounds covered with snow. Liza Ekstrand from LINDE Lodge #492 was a visitor who discussed with us our District 8 Convention 2013 in Rockford IL this coming May 3, 4. and 5. 2013 marks the 100th anniversary of our VASA Lodge #245 in Rockford, IL! Since our January meeting was cancelled due to inclement Winter weather, we installed our 2013 officers who were present at this meeting as shown in the attached photo from left to right: Gary Johnson, ViceChairman; Charlotte Tollin, Financial Secretary/Treasurer; David Tollin, Park Board Chairman; Betty Rottman, Cultural Leader; Will Rottman, Auditor; Vivian Anderson, Auditor; and Scott Johnson, Chairman.

Refreshments after the meeting were graciously provided by Tess Anderson.

The afternoon of March 24 we met in our VASA Park Lodge in Rockford Illinois on this cold day with our park grounds still covered with snow. First we ate a delicious smörgåsbord prepared by our members attending today’s meeting. Then ViceChairman Gary Johnson conducted our business meeting. Tess Anderson, Acting Recording Secretary, read the minutes of our last meeting on Feb. 24 and recorded the minutes of this meeting. Charlotte Tollin, Treasurer/Financial Secretary, updated our members on our lodge finances. Most of the discussion was then on our planned District

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

knitting, spinning, and games. The opening featured the decoration of the Maypole, and dancing by everyone.

Birthdays for the months of June and July were recognized and honored at the lodge recently with a special decorated cake. On the cake was the Swedish flag. The cake and decorations were provided by vice chairman Susan W. Sipos and chaplain Diane K. Shaw. Shown in the photograph are lodge members Florence Swanson, Gloria Anderson, Betty Lawson, Carol Anderson, past cultural leader Allie Nelson Withers, lodge historian John Sipos, and past chairman and past district master Edwin Sandberg.

Thule Lodge #127 is now into its 106th year since it was first organized. Thule Lodge continues to preserve the Swedish customs through events and activities at their lodge.

All those at the Thule Lodge #127 wish everyone a happy fall season, soon to arrive.

We always welcome visitors if you are in our area. “God dag” to all.

Left photo: New member Grace Sohoel-Goldberg with Grandmother Marilyn Sohoel and mother Deborah Sohoel. Right photo: Our annual family photo! Caring, Dorothy

Vinland Lodge #703

Cape Cod, MA / Our Lodge has endeavored to form connections with other organizations in our community. Following our May meeting, June Bassett of CORD (Cape Organization for Rights of the Disabled) presented information on her advocacy efforts for the deaf and hard of hearing. She displayed hearing assist equipment that is now available. Dave Swanson planned June’s visit for us. We welcomed our newest member, Grace Sohoel-Goldberg, daughter of john sipos, lodge historian Deborah Sohoel and granddaughter of Marilyn Sohoel, three proud Norwegian generations!

With the popularity of family research using technology, children are learning about their Scandinavian ancestry. It is our hope to support 8 convention May 3-5, 2013 to be held here and foster their endeavors. Our 2013 Lodge in Rockford, Illinois; Park Board Chair- Scholarship was awarded to Linnea Soderberg, man David Tollin elaborated on details of this forthcoming convention and answered questions from members. Informal chatting Recording Secretary; and Charlotte Tollin, followed adjournment; then we left our Treasurer/Financial Secretary. beautiful VASA Park on this chilly day.

Afterwards refreshments were prepared On a sunny but cool evening of April and served by Tess Anderson.

24, 2013, we met in our beautiful VASA dennis g. eksten Park Lodge in Rockford, Illinois with 20 members attending. Our first order of activity was the monthly business meeting. The highlight was receiving our certificate from District No. 8 Lake Michigan Lodge commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of our VASA Brahe Lodge No. 245 in Rockford Illinois on January 30, 1913! Then we had refreshments provided

by Tess Anderson. Later we held an informal meeting to discuss our VASA District 8 Convention which was held on May 3-5, 2013 here in Rockford, Illinois.

Our VASA business meeting was held at our VASA Park Lodge in Rockford IL on Thursday, May 23, 2013. Main items discussed were the VASA District 8 Lodge Convention held in Rockford on May 3-5, 2013, and our forthcoming mid-sommar potluck in June 2013! Conducting the meeting in attached photo were, left to right, Scott Johnson, Chairman; Joyce Anderson,

one of our past Lucia brides. She will study dance, voice and theater at UMass. Our Midsummer’s Fest with picnic lunches, desserts and beverages was a splendid casual affair. George Hedlund played Scandinavian favorites on the accordion and Deborah Sohoel photographed our annual family photo. Members decorated our Maypole with garden flowers so that we could sing and dance according to tradition. Our Lodge and Ingeborg Lodge (Brockton, MA) are co-hosting the Mass. Dist. #2 Convention Sept.

20 – 22 at The Cape Codder Resort in Hyannis, MA. We expect to share in fellowship with our members throughout the District and neighboring Districts, as well.

thomas kean

Balder Lodge #343

Ferndale, CA / Our April meeting was a celebration of Denmark with a dinner of Danish Soup, salads and of course great desserts. We had a display of Danish items and a map of Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany.

We all enjoyed putting a pin in the map of the town that our family was from. It was amazing to see how our family roots made it from Europe to America. In May, we honored Sweden with a public breakfast serving up Swedish Pancakes and sausage during the Kinetic Sculpture race over Memorial Day weekend. Our hall is at the finish line of the race. In June, we were celebrating Norway and had to struggle with making a Norwegian item for our potluck dinner. Pat Ponnay, our Norwegian member, brought in her collection of hand carved figurines and they were wonderful to see how much detail was put into them. We honored three of our members with Life Time Membership this year. Mel Lundberg, Zena Lundberg and Don Christensen have been active for well over 50 years. They have been the back bone of our lodge and the driving force to keep us going. christian nielsen

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section lodge news

the vasa star / Summer 2013

Sierra Kronan #737 Roseville, CA / We enjoyed a happy spring at Sierra Kronan Lodge #737! A big thank you to the chairpersons and cook teams for the Easter Smörgåsbord, Mother’s Day dinner, and Father’s Day dinner.

Our cultural presentations at these meetings were quite varied and enjoyed by all: ‘New Sweden’ at April Mtg.: The Swedish kingdom, a military power in the early 17th century, founded a colony along the Delaware River and its bay as early as 1637. The Swedes lost their colony to the Dutch in 1654, but were allowed to continue to live as a “Swedish Nation” populating the Delaware Valley with a number of Swedish and Finnish families.

‘Brief History of Coffee’ at May Mtg.: Coffee was born in the Arabic countries, the Turks discovered it in the 1400’s, merchant ships brought coffee beans to Venice around 1570, in the late 1600’s London had an astounding 2000 coffee houses, it’s popularity in France even reduced wine consumption. Swedes love

Linné Lodge #153

this black, bitter, addictive drink and today South Bend, IN / As of March 3, 2013 we share with Finland the top spot for coffee had a wonderful Power Point Presentation consumption at 5 cups a day per capita.

by Bruce Johnson on Belle Gunness. In ‘A Swedish Folk Musical’ at June Mtg.: 2007, he volunteered to create a historic preMyrtle Widmark and Scott & Kathy Matthews sentation to observe the 100th anniversary recently attended a production of Värmlännin- of the Gunness discoveries and raise funds garna - The People from Värmland, reenacted to purchase gravestones for the victims by a touring group from Stockholm. Popular buries in La Porte, IN. It was his goal to in Scandinavia since its premier in 1846, research and write a factual script for the it’s the story of the tribulations of a wealthy Gunness Mystery and use archival photos landowner’s daughter who falls in love with to create an accurate account that could be a poor farmer’s son. presented to local organizations in exchange I close with mention of the passing of our for donations to the memorial fund. He was member and dear friend John Pearson on determind to locate as many living relatives June 15th. He served as Cultural Leader for of victims as possible who would be able to a number of years and kept us informed and take part in the dedication of the gravestones entertained with his excellent presentations. the following spring. More than forty relaWhile we are saddened from his loss, we tives of victims were in attendance throughremember what a privilege it was to have had out the country for the memorial dedication John in our lodge. services on April 26, 2008.

val hornet

carol nesewich

Skogsblomman Lodge#378 Preston, WA / Skogsblomman Lodge #378 in Preston WA is a very active group! We own our lodge building so many of our activities are fund-raisers to help with the maintenance and upkeep of our hall. And the taxes… let’s not forget the property taxes!

This April we held our first Swedish pancake breakfast at Vasa Park Ballroom in Bellevue, WA. Each spring and autumn,

On June 22, 2013 a number of members traveled to Chesterton, IN to the Solstice Traditions Program at Chellberg Farms.

There was decorating of the Maypole, the Musical Maypole Procssion, Nordikids and Dans Norden Performances, as well as Scandinavian Crafts and Swedish Traditions.

Our annual Picnic was July 13 at the Gloria Dei Fellowship Hall, food, fun and fellowship.

The September Meeting will bring a presentation by “Paws with a Cause” representative Andrea Schaffer. At the October Meeting we will have a presentation on Norwegian Woodvarving by Don Johansson, and in November we will have a program on Denmark with Matt Baumgartner.

we have a flea market which is always fun to attend and is very successful. We have a Swedish meatball dinner twice a year which is very popular. Besides delicious meatballs, our members make lefse and Swedish limpa.

We rarely have any leftovers as our guests want to buy the meatballs to take home.

At our May lodge meeting, the gentlemen prepare and serve lunch for the ladies

in honor of Mother’s Day, and in June the ladies return the favor in honor of Father’s Day. We will be serving Swedish pancakes at the annual midsummer fest at Vasa Park in Bellevue WA later this month. Each summer our lodge sponsors a week-long day camp for children 6-12 years of age at Vasa Park.

After our meeting we have lunch and

youth news

social time. As we do not meet in July and August, an afternoon barbecue and a potluck dinner with dance instruction brought our members together this summer. suzanne lynch

t e r o M one

Skandia Lodge #247 Scholarship Winners Robert Yankowsky In March 2013, I was honored to be a recipient of a $1,500 Scholarship from Skandia Lodge 247 in Pasadena, CA. I would like to thank the lodge for their generosity in helping support my education. I am 23 years of age. I currently live with my mother in Temple City, California and I am attending Pasadena City College to obtain my Associates Degree in Psychology. I have been attending Pasadena City College since the spring of 2011. I am planning to transfer, after I obtain my associate’s degree, to a four year university.

When I am not working or going to school, I enjoy spending my free time listening to music, exercising, being with my girlfriend and being involved in outdoor activities. I love to go hiking and see the wonders of Mother Nature. I have been attending Vasa functions and events ever since my mother became a member in the spring of 1997. I became a Vasa member as soon as I was eligible. Some of my Vasa activities are as follows: In 2003 I was given the honorary title of “Vi-Prince” within the Vasa Mid-Summer Court, at the Glenn T. Seaborg Lodge, Laguna Niguel. In 2004 through 2005 I was the Assistant Master of Ceremonies within my lodge. In February of 2006, I was a delegate to the Vasa Order of America District Convention in Torrance, CA. I was also a star boy as a child at Skandia Lodge. I have attended Vasa Park page 12

activities such as Marknad and Midsomar numerous times, since I was a child, enjoying the events and volunteering in different tasks as I became older. I have enjoyed being a Vasa Member which has enriched my life in the knowledge of my ancestors and their traditions and culture. My hope is that more young people would be involved and pass down the traditions of their ancestors to their children.

Kristin Demarjian This past March I had the honor of being a scholarship recipient from the Skandia Lodge No. 247 in Pasadena, CA. I wanted to express again my appreciation for the presentation of this scholarship. It is a great blessing to my family and it was the answer to a personal prayer.

I am twenty-one years old and currently living in Azusa, CA where I am in my fourth year, and final month, of study at Azusa Pacific University. Upon my graduation I will be receiving a degree in Studio Art with an emphasis in Sculpture and a minor in Art History. I am extremely involved in the Art Department on campus, and have been employed as a Gallery Technician for the last two years. After graduation I hope to work at an art museum in LA, and I plan on earning a masters degree in curatorial studies in order to become a curator for an art museum. I will also develop my own studio practice to produce work to show in

galleries, and upon earning my masters, I also hope to become an art professor.

Since I was a little girl, I have been participating in the Lucia program at my lodge. First, as a candle bearer, then as Lucia for two years. I have fond memories of spending that special time with my grandparents. I also have fond memories of spending time with my grandparents at their house in Sweden. That was an incredible adventure. It was fascinating to learn how the different cultures live life, and to

experience the world from their perspective.

During my sophomore year at college, I also participated in the Scandinavian Midsummer Festival. I was honored to receive the title of Midsummer Queen during the festivities, and enjoyed being a part of the festival at Vasa Park in April. I have also assisted in serving food to attendees at the Midsummer Festival in Vasa Park as well.

I am very grateful to the lodge for their exceeding generosity, and I look forward to my continued involvement with Skandia.

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

swedish news Grand Master’s Message (Swedish)

Kära vasa-syskon, Detta är den första Vasa Star som placeras i Nordstjernan.

GL-styrelsen valde att acceptera inbjudan att placera vår Vasa Star-publicering i Nordstjernan kvartalsvis, som en fördel för bådas läsare. Det är glädjande för oss alla att se till att svenska kulturen firas över hela USA, inte bara av Vasamedlemmar. När du läser Nordstjernan kommer du att lära dig om aktuella händelser i Sverige och om svenskamerikanska samhället. Vänligen dela detta som programidéer i dina egna Vasa kulturFrån vä. logens ordförande Britt-Marie Lindeblad, Hans-Erik Lindeblad och Carl Taylor ordförande i logen program under det kommande året.

Olympia från nordvästra USA. Vi är fortfarande i färd med att göra upp tabeller av resultaten av årets stämpelinsamling till stöd för Grand Lodge Education Program. Om du ännu inte har gjort Vasa orden av Amerikas lokalloge Calm- från Wilmington i staten Delaware kommer den viktiga donationen kan du fortfarande are Nyckel nr 628 genomförde lördag 20 till Kalmar 28-30 juni för att fira de 50 år skicka den till vår Storlogssekreterare, Joan Graham. Jag är uppmuntrad av hälsan hos april vårens sista logemöte i Stensbergs som de båda städerna varit vänorter. samlingslokaler. Ett 60-tal medlemmar var Logehistoriker Anja Arvidsson återgav vår Scholarship Program och vet att många närvarande. Bland gästerna fanns logens vad som hände vid ett logemöte för ganska unga studenter kommer at få Vasa Orden av distriktsdeputerade Gudrun Gustavsson och exat 40 år sedan, den 27 april 1973. Det Amerikastipendier i framtiden. hennes logesyster Irma Ågren Persson från mötet avhölls på teaterkällaren i Kalmar. Den samiska utställningen som hölls lokalloge Blå Jungfrun nr 749 i Oskarshamn. Barbro Ellinge var då protokollsekreterare. under juni månad vid Vasa Riksarkivet var Gäst var också ordföranden Carl Taylor från Hon har nu skänkt tre vackra tavlor, som ett stort åtagande för vår arkivarie, Victoria lokallogen Olympia nr 550 i staden Lacey, hon målat. Dessa kommer att utlottas, och Almgren, våra Midwest Arkiv styrelselstaten Washington i nordvästra delen av behållningen går till ett framtidsprojekt edamöter och många engagerade volontärer.

USA. Lacey ligger alldeles söder om grän- inom vår distriktsloge nr 20 för välgörande Utställningen var välbesökt och gav Arkiv tillfälle att ses som ett nav för den svenska sen mellan Canada och USA. Cal talade bra ändamål. svenska. Han överlämnade en liten bok om Ordförande Britt-Marie Lindeblad över- kulturen, för dem som besöker Bishop Hill, Lacey och dess omgivningar, och fick av ord- lämnade blommor och tackade Margareta samt som ett släktforskningscenter för våra förande Britt-Marie Lindeblad motta logens Berg och Kerstin Larsson för de insatser de medlemmar och besökare. Årets Heritageinsamling pågår för att standar och ett litet häfte om logens historia. gjort under åren som tjänstemän i logen.

Kulturledare Bengt Nordlöw berättade Reklam gjordes för logens gökotta 5 maj stödja Arkivets verksamhet. Framtiden om slutet för svenskkolonin Nya Sverige på Värnanäs ägor, och Sverige–Amerika fortsätter att handla om finansiell risk i Delawaredistriktet USA år 1655. Hollän- dagen på Kalmar slott och Krusenstiernska och oro. Den mycket lilla mängden årlig medlemsavgift per GL täcker inte längre darna ville bli herrar på täppan fullt ut, och gården 9 juni. seglade med sju fartyg upp för Delaware- Under kvällens avslutande middag berät- kostnaderna för den dagliga verksamheten. floden fyllda med soldater och sade att nu tade ölandsprofilen Göran O T Dahlberg om Donationer från våra medlemmar, lokala tar vi över. Manskapet på fort Kristina hade Kalmarsundsbolagets färjor, som trafikerat loger och distrikt är väsentliga för arkivens inget att sätta emot och någon hjälp från sundet mellan Öland och Kalmar. Göran lönsamhet. Vår Julgran fundraiser stärker Sverige kom inte till undsättning. Redan började arbeta i bolaget som biljettpojke Arkivets Donationsfond medan Heritageinnågra år tidigare hade holländarna börjat 1953 och avancerade så småningom till samlingen blir öronmärkt för verksamheten, ta ut tull av svenska fartyg på väg hem till matros och rorjängare och slutade 1972. vår största utmaning. Som jag har förklarat Sverige med kolonialvaror. Kolonin kom Under kvällen bjöd Göran oss på många och i andra meddelanden, kommer vi att titta på aldrig att få någon större betydelse för hjärtliga skratt för allt han upplevt och hade andra sätt att stödja Arkivet utan att behöva förlita oss så tungt på donationer vid 2014 Sveriges utveckling och hade en undans- att förtälja.

Grand Lodge konventionen. Samtidigt, unkymd plats i vår historieskrivning. karl westman derhåll och löner måste finansieras och vi Bengt nämnde också att en delegation

behöver din hjälp. Vänligen ge generöst till Heritageinsamlingen i år. Det är bara genom ert stöd som Vasa Riksarkivet kan fortsätta sin dagliga verksamhet.

Sommaren är en härlig efterlängtad säsong i USA, Kanada och Sverige. Många av er har firat midsommar med musik, dans, mat och sällskap av goda vänner och familj. Jag vet att många lokala loger har haft underbara fester med fantastiska midsommarstänger.

Kräftskivor finns också på många kulturella agendor. Dagarna blir redan kortare så vi måste göra det bästa av denna lyckliga tid på året. Bishop Hill är särskilt intressant under sommarmånaderna när alla affärer är öppna och festivaler pågår. Besök byn och våra Arkivet ofta!

Du fick nyligen aktivitetsagendan från vår New York värdlodge, District 4 för 2014 Grand Lodge-konventionen som skall hållas i Rye, NY mycket nära New York.

Som ni vet, är NY stad världsberömd som nöjesmetropol. Det finns många fantastiska saker för dig att göra. Besökare i USA dras till New York för Broadway, gourmetmat och sightseeing. När du läser resplanen, kom ihåg att verksamheten i “the Big Apple” innebär en kostnad, men kommer att ge GL officerare, delegater, medlemmar och gäster en oförglömlig upplevelse för livet.

Distriktens höstkonventioner börjar igen, nu i september. Du kommer att hålla val, inklusive val av din 2014 Storlogsdelegat.

Jag måste fortsätta att påminna dem som bestämmer sig för att bli delegater och de som kommer att rösta, att ta denna uppgift på största allvar. Sök en GL delegat som inte bara kommer att stödja ditt distrikts intressen, utan kan ta modiga beslut som rör de framtida ekonomiska behoven. Din delegat bör också vara någon som ivrigt satsar på en ledarroll i Grand Lodge. Vi har gjort ständiga framsteg under de senaste tre åren eftersom de nuvarande Grand Lodge styrelseledamöterna har varit innovativa, öppna och villiga att fatta svåra beslut för det goda i verksamheten. Jag kommer att fortsätta att dela logens utveckling med dig i detalj när jag besöker era konventioner under nästa år och besvarar eventuella frågor du kan ha. Tack för ditt fortsatta stöd och för att du stödjer de beslut som fattas av GLdirektionen.

y r e v i l e D e m o , H k e e n w a r n e r h t e j o t y s r e d or Nyckel #628 f Sweden - ev NCalmare e b i r c s b o u h s c / u m o t o c . a n n a n r tha e j t s d r o n . w w : 1 4 $ : r a e ye

i sanning och enhet, bill lundquist, grand master

Do you have a question for the Grand Lodge?

Every 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 13

the vasa star / Summer 2013

cultural news

Svenska Språkhörnan The Swedish Language Corner

Things in general and particular Practically nothing is left in English of the rich inflection of words that characterized the prehistoric ancestor of the Indo-European family. Traces of this ancient and very complex system of showing the exact meaning of a word in a sentence by changing its endings are still preserved in many formations in related languages, to some extent also in Swedish. This can be seen in how nouns, i.e. naming words (denoting persons, animals, things, material, and abstracts, like house, love, and dog) are treated. To use the correct forms of a Swedish noun you need to know the answers to the following questions: 1. Gender: Is the word an en-word or an ett-word?

2. Indefinite or definite: Does the word denote something in general (indefinite form: ‘a bus’, any bus) or someone or something specific (definite form: ‘the/this bus’)?

3. Number: Singular or plural: Are you referring to one thing or several?

This is less complicated than it sounds, however.

you have mixed up the groups. English is very simple in this respect, since it treats all the nouns the same way: There is no grammatical difference between ‘a woman’ and ‘a child’, for example.In contrast to this very easy-to-learn system Swedish sees ‘woman’ as an en-word (‘en kvínna’) but ‘child’ as an ett word (‘ett barn’), and therefore uses two different words for the English ‘a’ to differentiate between them.

The rules for telling whether a noun is an en-word or an ett- word are rather intricate as well as vague, and it would be easier just to memorize each noun together with the article ‘en’ or ‘ett’ to avoid confusion. Words denoting people and animals, though, are, with very few exceptions (among them ‘ett barn’, and ‘ett djur’ – an animal), en words.

If you are not sure what form to use, treat the noun as an en word; statistically you would then be right four times out of five.

Indefinite or definite?

In English you use the word ‘the’ (which with a linguistic term is called ‘the definite article’) to show that you are referring to one or several things or individuals in particular: ‘a bus’ but ‘the bus’; not just any bus but a Gender: en or ett?

First of all, in Standard Swedish all nouns specific bus. In Swedish this definite article belong to one of two genders or sexes: the early became attached directly to the noun: en-word group (in which we find approxi- The special endings for the definite forms mately 80% of all nouns) or the ett-word are thus -(e)n and -(e)t; a noun that ends in group (around 20%).It is important to know a vowel will take only -n or -t. which group a noun belongs to if you wish to speak good Swedish, since the group ett- words belonging affects what endings or special Definite forms of other words to use – but it may Indefinite å´r-et be comforting to know that the differences ett år a/one year between the groups are not very big, and ett barn a/one child bárn-et very seldom would anyone have any dif- ett kök a/one kitchen kö´k-et ficulties in understanding you just because

ett ö´ga a/one eye

ö´ga-t

en- words Indefinite Definite en dag a/one day dág-en en hand a/one hand hánd-en en mä´nniska a/one man/human mä´nniska-n

in question and its position. ”Eller hur?” corresponds to the English expressions ”he’s tall, isn’t he?”, ”you’re tired, aren’t you?, ”they won’t come, will they?”, ”she does like me, doesn’t she?”, and so on, but is not used as frequently as in English.

Notes -sk- in ‘mä´nniska’ is pronounced similarly as ‘sh’ in ‘shut’, while ‘k’ in ‘kök’ is pronounced like the ‘tj’ sound (e.g. check), since it is followed by a soft vowel. More about pronunciation will come in Chapter 9.

As mentioned in chapter 1 the English pronoun ‘it’ can be expressed in two ways in Swedish, depending on the gender of the word it stands for: ‘den’ for en-words, ‘det’ for ett-words and in neutral expressions like ‘it’s hot in here’.

Swenglish – Svengelska “They (= the Swedes) take nine parts English and add one part Swedish and come up with a charming combination of the two.

It’s called Swenglish (Svengelska)” – Colin Moon. The following sentences are examples of the comical effect of such mixing: – The door went (=‘gick’; should be closed = ‘stängdes’) fast with such a smell (= ’lukt’; should be bang = ‘smäll’) so I understood that there must be a drag (should be draft, which ‘drag’ actually means) in the room.

– Can you please shoot (= ’skjuta’, should be close =‘stänga’/‘skjuta till)’ the widow (= ’änka’; should be window = ’fönster’) ?

–Q: Do you have many cars? A: No, no!

I only have one karl ([silent ‘l’] =’man’; should be car = ‘bil)!

– Show me your leg! No, he is not asking you to show him your ’ben’ but your I.D. card (= ’legitimation’; abbreviated ’leg’ in Swedish).

Do you have any funny examples of Swenglish? Email them to me and they will be posted as space allows! (Don’t worry about how it “should be”, just send me the sentences and I will take it from there.)

Sentences to study Var är bílen? Den står här.

Where is the car? It stands here.

Hur mýcket är klóckan? Jag vet ínte, den är trásig. Men det är sent, éller hur?

How much is the clock/watch [i.e. What time is it?]? I know not, it is broke. But it is late, or how [i.e. right/isn’t it]?

Ser du húset? Det lígger där/där bórta.

See you the house? It lies there/there away (i.e. over there).

Notes When describing location, where something is, Swedes often say that things “stand” (“står”) or “lie” (“ligger”) somewhere, instead of just saying “they are here”. Which expression to choose depends on the object

About Anders Zorn and Some Other VIPs

Anders Zorn (1860-1920), the world famous Swedish painter is not anything new to the United States. Throughout his career, he made seven journeys to America (between the years 1893 and 1911). In addition to serving as Swedish art director at the Chicago (1893) and St. Louis (1904) world’s fairs he was hired for painting portraits of some of America’s most prominent figures at the time, including three presidents (Grover Cleveland, William Taft, Theodore Roosevelt) and Andrew Carnegie. The painting of William Taft is still hanging in the Oval Office in the White House.

As a reminder of Zorn’s work, the book Zorn in America with the subtitle, A Swedish Impressionist of the Gilded Age, written

by William and Willow Hagans, was published in 2009 by The Swedish-American Historical Society in cooperation with The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis.

The book has 390 pages and contains most interesting narratives and many paintings.

This year it is time for America to see page 14

another Zorn, a sort of re-introduction.

Plans and preparations have been on since 1992 with Sweden’s Consul General in San Francisco, Barbro Osher (VOA:s SwedishAmerican of the Year 2008) as initiator and driving force. There have been difficulties in gathering paintings, but in February, an exhibition came to materialize in Boston at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: “Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America”.

This exhibition shows more landscapes and figures including nude women.

The coming fall a new and bigger Zorn exhibition will open at the Legion of Honor, part of the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco: “Anders Zorn – Sweden’s Master Painter”. It is the greatest Zorn exhibition ever to be shown in the US with some 90 works borrowed from Mora (Zorn’s home town) and Stockholm. After San Francisco, the exhibition will travel on to the National Academy Museum in New York.

During his US tours, Anders Zorn with wife Emma also met many Swedish im-

migrants and enjoyed a good reputation as workers in the new homeland, which he wrote about in his autobiography. In Sweden he is considered as one of our greatest artists.

In current Sweden the most exciting happening took place on June 8: the wedding for Princess Madeleine and Mr. Christopher O’Neill from New York. The marriage ceremony was held in the church belonging to the Royal Castle in Stockholm followed by a procession in the city and later a boat transport to Drottningholm Castle, where dinner was served for relatives, invited dignitaries and friends. Everything except the (private) dinner was televised and watched by millions of people around the world. The obviously very happy couple will primarily settle in New York where Mr. O’Neill has his business. He is not going to acquire any royal title preferring to remain an American citizen and carry on with his ordinary job.

This fall there will be a change of Swedish Ambassador to the USA. Björn Lyrvall is going to succeed Jonas Hafström, who

More one

siv swan-pierson, gl language director, vasasvenska@verizon.net

has been serving for the last five years. Mr. Lyrvall comes from our Foreign Office with a broad experience in various fields.

The largest prize in the world for children’s and young adult literature is The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) from Swedish Arts Council. This year the award goes to the Argentine illustrator and author Marisol Misenta. For more information: www.alma.se From one Swedish award to an American.

In Chicago, Kerstin Lane , the SwedishAmerican of the Year 2011, recently received the Outstanding Community Leader Award for her great cultural contributions to Chicago as an initiator and driving force of Chicago Cultural Alliance and for being the founding director of the Swedish-American Museum. stig s. salgeback, glcd sweden stig.salgeback@telia.com

cultural news

Summer 2013 / the vasa star

The End of the Large Emigration: Missing Knowledge Added

When Professor Ulf Beijbom wrote Utvandrarna och den stora depressionen (18501930) a gap of knowledge in immigration history was filled with important information on that period and the first years of the following decade. The effects of the 1929 Stock Market Crash were not entirely apparent immediately, but became still more serious during the first years of the thirties.

The author points out that 1932 was the

worst of them. That year Franklin Roosevelt was elected president and much hope was directed to his New Deal, but it took nearly the remaining decade to work. In the beginning of 1932 all emergency relief funds were empty and the cost of unemployment immense.

Besides the general impact on society Beijbom relates lots of individual stories of hard life for many people, not least for the latest arrivals in the 1920s and further on.

From statistics we know that 1930 is the year for change from coming in to returning to Sweden. These figures show the immediate effect of “the Black Thursday” on October 24 and “the Black Tuesday” on October 29.

The writer of this review has a strong personal relation to the course of events. My parents had come from different places in Sweden, met and married in East Orange, NJ, aiming to stay on. My father got unemployed late in 1931, but my mother could keep her job as “Swedish maid” and was able primarily to cover both of them. Lack of hope for a

better future made them return late in 1932.

Not all of the unemployed people had any good opportunities to return to, so they had to stay for better or for worse. There was at the time crisis also in Sweden. In the US many unemployed people also became homeless and faced shortage of food and clothing, Secondarily some went into depression and abuse problems. There are several stories of that kind in the book.

Churches and aid organizations were active with the well known soup kitchens, distribution of clothes and human assistance in general. VOA and other Swedish-American societies contributed. During the years 1933-34 there were between 3 to 4 milljons of homeless people in the US. Not so few went to the countryside, where at least food was easier to get.

A characteristic feature of the depression period was the dominantly male suffering.

Women in general were less affected and became more responsible for the family trying to take care of the expenses. This was not

common at the time, but became a necessity.

Then it also was necessary to help each other which was more difficult for newcomers without relatives and established contacts.

In most books and articles of Swedish-American history there have been a dominance of descriptions of successful immigrants making good progress in the American society, but we know that not all of them had a good life. Some have just disappeared. In this well written book Ulf Beijbom has given voice to some of the less successful and that is a necessary addition to make the history more complete. The book is really worthwhile reading for all with an interest in Sweden-America, but is available only in Swedish. stig s. salgeback, glcd sweden stig.salgeback@telia.com Book: Utvandrarna och den stora depressionen: Svenskamerikaner i trettiotalets malström by Ulf Beijbom (ISBN 9789173314800, Carlsson Bokförlag, 2012)

y r e v i l e D e m o , H k e e n w a r n e r h t e j o t y s r e d v e n Nor e d e e b i w r S c s f b o u h s c / u m o t o c . a n n a n r tha e j t s d r o n . w w : 1 4 $ : r a e ye Memorial Notices

in memoriam

GEORGIA

Delores Elaine Madson Johnson, 78, of Nordic Lodge 708 in Atlanta, passed away peacefully at home with her family on April 10, 2013. She was born Sept. 29, 1934 to Agnes and Thomas Madson on their farm near Audubon, MN. She was active in high school in Lake Park and studied at NDSU in Fargo earning a BS in Home Economics from the Univ. of Minnesota. Delores was a devoted mother and wife. She worked as a home agent in Carver County.

She was an accomplished seamstress, weaver, crafts teacher, square dancer and singer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother J. Donald Madson (Alice), son Steven Johnson, and sister-in-law Yvonne Madson. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Herbert (Ted), daughter Kirsten Johnson in Woodbury, MN, son Eric (Sherry) and granddaughter Rachel in Atlanta, sisters Lucille Kaiser and Beverly Wilson in Detroit Lakes, MN, brother Charlesd Madson in Forest Lake, MN and many in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was a host mother to 16 international high school and college students. Her memorial service was held at Reformation Lutheran Church in St. Paul.

Dr. William Derwood Allen, DVM, 80, of Nordic Lodge 708 in Atlanta, passed away on March 24, 2013 at home on St. Simons Island, Georgia, Bill was born on November 30, 1932 in Atlanta and grew up in DeKalb County and also lived in Gwinnett County. He graduated from Lithonia HS in 1950, North Georgia College and the Univ. of Georgia with a degree in Agriculture, and a doctorate in Veterinary Medicine in 1957.

He was a member of Eta Chapter of Omega Tau Sigma and the American

Veterinarian Medical Society.

Bill is survived by Christina, his Swedish born wife of 27 years, daughters Sabrina Allen Tatum, Kimberly Allen Perea Roberts, son John Charles Allen, his grandchildren Christina Tatum, Samantha Tatum-Bishop, Lauren Perea Gonzales, Courtney Perea and great-grandchild Summer Cassidy Bishop.

His talents included woodworking, mechanical engineering, and aviation, having obtained his instrument rating in 1980, and piloting a Lightning Sportplane during his retirement. Bill will be missed by his family and his friends at Nordic Lodge.

ILLINOIS

Dr. Leroy Klein age 85, passed away September 5, 2012. He is survived by his wife Elisabeth; sons Norman and George; daughter Nina; and sister Florence Rovetti. Leroy obtained degrees from Syracuse, Boston, and CWRU School of Medicine. He was a full professor in Orthopedics, Biochemistry and Macromolecular Sciences at CWRU Case Medical Center. He became a member of Nobel-Monitor #130 in February 2007.

Leonard Stone, age 88, lived in Chagrin Falls when he died on June 10, 2011. He was a life member of Nobel-Monitor #130, having joined in November 1939.

Shirley Larson Zalud passed away on September 18, 2012.

She was born December 15, 1929 and is survived by her loving husband Donald; sons Eric(Amanda), Lee (Christine), and Todd (Shelley); her daughter Lisa Grossman (Bob); and her grandchildren Jake, Macy, Ashley, Merritt, Brett, Bryce, Natalie and Adrian. Shirley was a member of MARIAN LUNDEEN passed away Nobel-Monitor #130 having joined in May 15, 2013 in St. Charles, IL at the June 1996. age of 88. She was born Nov. 1, 1924 in Chicago. She joined Viljan Lodge OREGON 349 in December 1972 and was a 40 year member. She is survived by her MAUREEN KEYES LOOP SUNDhusband, 2 children, 4 grandchildren STROM died June 1, 2013. Born and one great-grandson.

January 19, 1937 in Astoria, OR, she joined Astor Lodge 215 in April 1968 and was an active member, holding NEW JERSEY nearly every position many times. She RICHARD H. CHRISTIANSEN, researched and published an article on age 77, of Waretown, NJ, passed the history of local lodges and immiaway April 19, 2013. He was born in grants which appeared in CUMTUX. Elizabeth, NJ on January 16, 1936 and was a member of Lodge Vågen for 5 LYDIA MORISETTE passed away years. He is survived by his wife Mary on May 20, 2012. Born August 23, Ann, three daughters, a son, and three 1925 in Hill, Price County, WI. She grandchildren. was initiated into Astor Lodge 215 in September 1991 and was a popular and dedicated member of her comOHIO munity. Lydia was also active in VIOLET B. CARLSON, 92, passed away on May 6, 2012 in South Elgin, IL. She was born in Batavia, IL on Sept. 21, 1919. Violet joined Viljan Lodge 349 in March 1970 and was a 42 year member. She is survived by her daughter, grand-daughter and many nieces and nephews.

should be mailed with check or money order to Annelie Lindberg, 105 Gorrion Ave., Venture CA 93004. Email: editorvasastar@yahoo. 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 written in a format similar to what you see here. No newspaper clippings.

Clatsop County Search and Rescue and Angora Hiking Club. She served as asst. financial secy. f from 2000-2009 for Astor Lodge.

rick, several grandchildren, brother John with wife Betty, sister-in-law Oneda Boerner and many nieces and nephews.

ELLA SIMONSEN, 93, died July 3, 2012 in Salem. Born January 8, 1919 in Taars, Denmark, she immigrated to Oregon and later joined Astor Lodge 215 in May 1967. She was an active member, held many offices, and planned Lucia celebrations. She taught classes in Scandinavian needlework for crafts and folk costumes out of her store, Nordic Butik. She had a part in the Astoria Scandinavial Midsummer Festival and Nordic Viking Dancers and is missed by us all.

VICTOR ERICKSON, 100, passed quietly in his sleep at home in Bethesda MD on April 12, 2013. He was the beloved husband of Elma Guth Erickson. An economist and WW II Veteran who was born in Chicago IL to Swedish immigrant parents, Victor was predeceased by a daughter.

Besides his wife, survivors include a son and two grandchildren. Victor was a member of Drott Lodge since 1977.

JOHN HAGNAS, 85, passed away March 21, 2013. Born February 4, 1928 in Astoria, OR he served as a firefighter for 30 years. A devoted husband and loving father, John also was Asst. Master of Ceremonies for 6 years. He joined Astor Lodge 215 in November 1991 and enjoyed serving pea soup and meatballs in the Astor booth at the Midsummer Festivals.

TEXAS

Christine M. Holcombe passed away on January 3, 2013 at the age of 66. She was born in Lockhart, Texas. She joined Carl Widen Lodge #743 on January 26, 1998. Survived by husband Roderick; sons Andrew David and William Clark; and sister Cheryl Walker.

WASHINGTON

BERNICE GENELLE BOERNER died April 7, 2013. She was a member of Solidaritet Lodge 396 and loved working the pancake breakfasts and taking care of everyone. Her husband, Jim, passed away in 2008. Bernice is survived by daughter Jo Anne with husband Bob, sons Michael and Pat-

FRANCES O. HUNTINGTON of Annapolis MD died at age 89 on February 23, 2010. Born October 2, 1920, in Washington DC, Frances joined Drott Lodge in 1983. Predeceased by her husband Robert Tilden Huntington in 1980. Frances was survived by two daughters, two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Three additional great-grandchildren have arrived since her death PAUL L. JOHNSON, 68, died on December 5, 2012, after a long battle with cancer. Born on June 10, 1944 in Cleveland OH and a resident of Bethesda MD, Paul was an avid amateur athlete and a professional health policy evaluator. He joined Drott Lodge in 1992 and served as Cultural Leader. He is survived by his wife, Terrie Nelson, and a sister.

MARY ANN KELLER, 82, of Pawleys Island SC passed away on April 28, 2013. Born December 8, 1930 in Philadelphia PA to Swedish immigrant parents, Mary Ann was proud of her Swedish heritage and was a great cook and homemaker. A member of Drott Lodge since 1982, she is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert J. Keller, a son and a daughter, and three grandchildren page 15

Vasa Order of America New York District No. 4 38th Quadrennial Grand Lodge Convention July 4, 2014 to July 11, 2014

Hilton Westchester in Rye, New York New York District No. 4 welcomes the Grand Lodge Officers, Delegates, Vasa members, and friends of the Vasa Order to the 38th Quadrennial Grand Lodge Convention, to be held July 4 to July 11, 2014 at the Hilton Westchester in Rye, New York.

Located in the New York City suburb of Rye, NY and 10 minutes east of White Plains, NY, the Hilton Westchester hotel in Westchester County is just ten minutes from Westchester County Airport, 35 minutes from LaGuardia Airport, 45 minutes from John F. Kennedy Airport, and 55 minutes from Newark Liberty Airport.

Sitting amongst 37 acres of beautifully landscaped woodland, this Westchester hotel provides a peaceful retreat from the city.

All guest rooms and suites feature rich, sophisticated color schemes and furnishings with panoramic garden views. This Westchester Hotel has a total of 32,000 sq. ft of Newly Renovated flexible function space in 22 rooms to accommodate up to 1,110 people.

Enjoy a workout in the Precor速 fitness center. Tone up with the weights, or burn off some energy on the cardiovascular machines. Play a game of tennis on the tennis courts, or swim a few laps in the indoor or outdoor swimming pools.

Friday, July 4th:

Arrival of Delegates and Opening Dinner - July 4th Picnic Theme with Big Screen Display of Macy*s Fireworks.

Approximate Price: $45.00 pp

Saturday, July 5th:

Delegate Registration, New Delegate Breakfast and Orientation, First Session with Opening Ceremonies. Free Evening.

Sunday, July 6th:

Tour of West Point with Lunch at the Hotel Thayer.

Approximate Price: $100.00 pp Free Evening.

Monday, July 7th:

Second Session for Officers and Delegates.

Shopping Excursion to Woodbury Common to Shop at Luxury Outlets. Approximate Price: $40.00 pp Evening Seminar

Tuesday, July 8th:

Third Session for Officers and Delegates.

Tour of New York City/Manhattan during the Day. Approximate Price: $125.00 pp

Wednesday, July 9th:

- Tour of New York City, including the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.

Approximate Price: $150.00 pp

Thursday, July 10th:

Fourth Session for Officers and Delegates.

Guided Tour of the Boroughs of New York City including Lunch Approximate Price: $80.00 pp

Friday, July 11th:

Fifth Session for Officers and Delegates with Election and Installation of New Officers.

Cocktail Reception and Grand Banquet.

Approximate Price: $90.00 pp