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Dear Members and Friends, I hope everyone is managing well in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern which affected more than 230 million people from Texas to the East Coast. Our entire region has experienced extensive snow, ice, and freezing temperatures for the past five days. Although I grew up in northern Sweden, where winters are characterized by heavy snowfall and low temperatures, I never encountered such widespread ice—except occasionally on lakes and rivers, but never in residential areas or open fields. Local wildlife has taken refuge in the forest, while pets are finding it challenging to get regular exercise. It is my hope that conditions will improve by next week, revealing grass and pavement once more. At our January meeting, we officially installed our 2026 officers. The session also featured presentations by Wendy Shoemaker and Kris Leedom, who each recounted an ancestor’s journey to America and their experiences establishing a new life here. These narratives are always engaging and reminiscent of programs like Finding Your Roots. We anticipate making this type of presentation a recurring annual event. Sámi National Day is observed each year on February 6 in recognition of the first Sámi congress held in Trondheim, Norway, in 1917. At our upcoming February 8th meeting, Drott Vice Chairman Marit Knoellmuller will deliver a presentation on Sámi representation in popular culture. Many of you may be familiar with the story of a young Sámi woman struggling to defend her family’s reindeer herd in the book Stolen. An alternative to reading this reality-based book is watching its film adaptation now available on Netflix. The Grand Lodge has requested that all lodges survey their members regarding future electronic delivery of Nordstjernan. Please look for an email from Drott containing this poll. To ensure a timely response, we ask that you complete the poll by February 10, as Drott must submit the consolidated results by mid-February. Thank you in advance for your participation. Looking forward to our meeting in February! In Truth and Unity, Karin Weeden |
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Scholarship Application Deadline is February 15 District Lodge Pennsylvania No. 9 offers bi-annual adult and youth scholarships.
The youth scholarship is to attend language camp at Concordia’s Swedish Language Village. New this year—the youth scholarship will also cover up to $500 in travel expenses. Adult scholarships are individually designed. For complete details, see the Scholarship page. |
Upcoming Events
|  Want to Practice Your Swedish Conversation? The American Scandinavian Association is starting up a monthly group for relaxed conversation around a theme. Improve your Swedish language skills in a friendly and supportive setting. Other Nordic languages offered as well. Sign up at amscaninfo@gmail.com |
Member Spotlight: Peter Olson
My grandmother was born 1881 in Värnamo, Jönköping, Småland. She emigrated to U.S. in 1903 and found her way to Chicago. My grandfather was from Arborga, Västmanland. He emigrated to U.S. in 1892 and also ended up in Chicago. My grandparents were married in 1908 and had three children. I was born in Chicago in 1940 just before America’s entry into WWII. An early Swedish related memory was going to a Santa Lucia celebration when I was four and falling in love with the Lucia Queen (she was much older than me). When I was five we moved in with my grandparents so that my mother could help take care of my grandfather. From then on I was immersed in Swedish culture from hearing the language to eating the food (lutefisk sitting in a crockpot full of lye in the basement). |
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At Christmas we journeyed down to the old Swedish neighborhood in Chicago (Andersonville) to get traditional items for the holidays. I have memories of standing in the small shops and breathing in the aromas of all the wonderful food. Back home we had meatballs, potato sausage, herring, lingonberries etc. Wow!! I attended North Park College (also Andersonville), which is operated by the Swedish Covenant Church. After graduation I found myself in the fledging computer science field, first at the Illinois Institute of Technology, then at Standard Oil of Indiana. My wife and I married in 1970 and we have two daughters, Wendy and Julie (the Julie Olson of Drott Lodge). | My grandmother brought this painting of her home of Värnamo in order to remember it. My daughters went to Värnamo and snapped a picture of the same scene. We moved to Oklahoma where I worked at the Standard Oil Research Center. Later my parents moved down to be with their grandchildren and where my mother continued the Swedish celebrations and food. At some point in time we discovered Lindsborg Kansas, an old Swedish community not too far from us. We went there many times for the Santa Lucia celebration and to soak up the atmosphere. | There was a wonderful inn, restaurants, shops, a man who made Dala Horses and buildings from Sweden’s exhibit in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. We also went to Bishop Hill and spent several days during the Christmas holidays enjoying the food and celebrations. We visited the Vasa Archives Building and met Kathy Cuff. In 2017 Linda and I moved to Virginia to help care for our new granddaughter Victoria. Because of interest in my Swedish heritage and Julie’s active participation in Drott Lodge, we soon became members. It has been an exciting experience getting to know people with a similar interest in learning about the history, customs, traditions and the food of Sweden! |
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