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Svea Lodge #253Indianapolis, INWe held our first meeting of spring onApril 3, and it was held at the LatvianCenter in Indianapolis, IN. We weredelighted to welcome District MasterTom Cleveland, and his childrenElizabeth and Matthew Cleveland, whowere all visiting relatives in the area.District Master Tom Cleveland presentedPast Chairman’s Degree pins to:LaVonne Heighway, Jenne Swain, RonGardin, Jean Tygum, and EdwardHultgren. We remembered former lodgemember Violet Prah, who died in March2011, with a moment of silence. DanAnderson presented a program onSwedish postage stamps and the historyof stamp designs since the mid - 19thcentury to the present day. Dan Andersonhas collected stamps for seventy years,and he shared his enthusiasm for hislongtime hobby with unique informationabout Swedish postage stamps, which arebeautiful and fascinating.On April 26, the Fourth TuesdayLuncheon Group met at Sahm’sRestaurant, a longtime favorite inIndianapolis, Indiana. “Tack Så Mycket”to our lunch coordinators Eva Berglund,Donna Bergstrom, and PatriciaHoffmann.On May 1 st , the lodge initiated andwelcomed new member Ulla Williams,who was born in Lund, Sweden. Janisand Jerry Alfredson presented a travelogueprogram of their several trips toVärmland, Sweden and other provinces.We saw many pictures of the Alfredsonrelatives and family homes, and heardhumorous stories of their travelsThe Scandinavian movie group met atthe home of Michelle and Josh Escalanteon May 7 to view the movie “House ofAngels” / “Angel Farm,” a 1992 filmwritten and directed by Englishman ColinNutley. The movie takes place inVästergötland, and starred HelenaBergstrom and Rikard Wolff.On May 13-15, members attended theDistrict Convention. Several memberswon gift baskets or other raffle prizes.Our lodge received the first placeMembership Award for having the largestmembership gain in 2010. Ingrid Wiebkewas recognized for sponsoring the mostnew members. The Memorial Servicewas presided over by Marvin Andersonand District Chaplain Inez Törnblom.Our departed members Juanita Goranson,Charles Lindgren, Thomas Klubens, andGrace Petersen were remembered.Wesley Hanson arranged the anthemwhich was written and directed by PastDistrict Master Christine Kilstrom, andfive members participated in theMemorial Service Choir.On May 21, lodge member AnnetteJohansson, mezzo soprano and Professorof Voice, Emeriti, at the University ofHawaii, and Amanda Asplund Hopson,pianist and Adjunct Associate Professorof Music at DePauw University inGreencastle, Indiana, presented “ARecital Of Nordic Music” at The MusicRoom in Indianapolis, IN. In addition toSwedish music, Danish, Finnish, andNorwegian music was performed. Lodgemember Glenn Sweitzer, professor atBall State University, was the narrator.The artistic recital was hosted by JohnSeest, director of the Dans NordenScandinavian Folk Dancing Group.Sincere appreciation is given to SylviaSwanson and Eija Vesterqvist for coordinatingthe recital and refreshments.The Fourth Tuesday Luncheon Groupdined at “Athens on 86th,” inIndianapolis, IN, on May 24. It is a popularGreen/Mediterranean restaurant withScandinavian tiesOn June 12, “Midsommar” was celebratedat the Latvian Center inIndianapolis, IN. About 65 members andguests gathered to decorate and, paradethrough the grounds, and dance aroundthe “Majstång” to Swedish songs anddances. An abundant potluck luncheonwas served. This year’s piñata, made byMichelle and Josh Escalante, was in theshape of a Swedish Maypole in brightcolors. The event was co-chaired by FayeBevelhimer and Ulla Williams, but manymembers helped with the preparationsand activities. John Seest, Director of theDans Norden Scandinavian Folk DancingGroup, led the “Midsommar” dancing inthe park.Saint John’s Festival was celebratedon June 25 at the Latvian Center inIndianapolis, IN. This multinational festivalincluded participants and groups fromeight countries: Estonia, Latvia,Lithuania, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia,Sweden, and the Czech Republic. This isEastern Europe’s version of“Midsommar.” The Swedes started theprogram with a parade led by the decorated“Majstång,” followed by the GrandMarch and ring dancing directed by JohnSeest, Director of the Dans NordenScandinavian Folk Dancing Group.Nineteen lodge members attended withfamily and friends. The Scottish groupAnders Zorn and wife Emma Lammprovided musical entertainment; theLithuanian group prepared the food sales,and the Latvian group sold the beverages.Tug – Of – War competitions were heldbetween different nationality groups, andchildren participated in youth Tug – Of –War events. A bonfire completed the celebrations.On August 6, we held our annual“Kräftskiva” that was celebrated at thehome of Charlotte Swenson, inIndianapolis, IN. More than seventymembers, family, and friends attended,with ages ranging from youngsters underten years of age to members ninety yearsof age or more. Beverages includedAqvavit!!!,On September 11, we held our firstmeeting of the fall season featured a programpresented by lodge Historian JenneSwain on Swedish artist Anders Zorn andMora, Sweden. Many of Anders Zorn’spaintings were shown, and the history ofthe artist’s life was discussed. Hisimages of Mora in Alana captured theessence of traditional Swedish life;Anders Zorn also visited the UnitedStates of America seven times. His portraitof President William Howard Taft isthe only portrait in the White House of aPresident that was not painted by anAmerican artist.On September 27, The “FourthTuesday” Lunch group met at Rick’sCafé Boatyard in Indianapolis, Indiana.Nothing is better than enjoying a deliciousseafood meal with good friends onthe shores of Eagle Creek Reservoir.The Scandinavian Film Group met atthe home of Michelle and Josh Escalanteon September 24 to view the film “TheWhite Lioness,” about Swedish authorHenning Mankell’s Detective KurtWallender, starring Rolf Lassgård andCharlotte Sieling, and directed by PerBerglund.Continued on next pagePage 10 www.vasaorder.com Vasa Star October-December 2011