Välkommen DISTRICT LODGE PENNSYLVANIA No. 9 VASA ORDER OF AMERICA A Swedish-American Fraternal Organization
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Hälsningar!
Welcome to Pennsylvania District #9 of the Vasa Order of America!
The Vasa Order of America, founded in 1896, consists of 20 district lodges in the United States, Canada, and Sweden. District Lodge Pennsylvania #9 was established in 1908 to form a regional umbrella for local lodges in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. Most of our activities are conducted through our local lodges Nobel-Monitor #130 in Cleveland, OH, Drott #168 in Potomac, MD, and Svea #296 in Erie, PA. Each local lodge offers traditional Midsummer and Lucia/Christmas celebrations, in addition to regular (mostly monthly) meetings throughout the year. Please contact the local lodge nearest you for details.
We are currently working to expand our activities and events at the District level, in collaboration with the local lodges. This website is an important part of that effort. Plans are being developed for concerts/music events, visits to places and museums of Swedish cultural significance, sporting events, tours of Scandinavian businesses, and other events. This will be the main focus at our upcoming 60th biennial District Convention which will take place at The Lodge at Geneva State Park on the shores of Lake Erie on September 27-29, 2024.
The Vasa Order of America was originally started as a fraternal organization offering health benefits and other support for Swedish immigrants. Now most of our members are 2nd or 3rd generation immigrants with Nordic origin or connections, while some have arrived in our area more recently. We all share an interest in preserving and celebrating our Swedish cultural heritage.
Arne Dunhem
District Master
Pennsylvania District #9
In addition to our website, we also have a District #9 Newsletter. We will send it out regularly, approximately 4 times per year. For current information about each of the Lodges go to their websites:
www.svea-erielodge.org
www.nobelmonitor-lodge.org
Check out the News Tab. In the section for District Newsletters, read Spring 1992 Distrikt Tidningen!
Make sure that you sign-up for the Newsletter! Click here: Sign-up Today For Our District No. 9 Newsletter!
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Our 60th Biannual Convention for Pennsylvania District #9 was held September 27-29, 2024 Left photo is the newly elected District Officers for 2024-2026. Sitting: Ashley Mullinax, Master of Ceremonies Kathy Williams, Auditor Pat Bellingham, Vice District Master Arne Dunhem, District Master Karin Weeden, Executive Board Karen Chilcote, Historian Brian Davis, Asst Master of Ceremonies Standing: Emma Hedman, Membership Bo Carlsson, Past District Master Rolf Bergman, Treasurer Lorraine Johnson, Chaplain Lisa Davis, Trustee Marit Knollmueller, Cultural Leader
Of note: the District Secretary position is still vacant. On the right are the new delegates getting installed with the District Degree. Emma Hedman, Karen Sundquist, Emma Vaughn, Kirk Johnson, Bjorn Lensander, Bob Henry, Linda Cline, Ben Crull, Brian Davis, Lisa Davis. Some highlights of the Convention:
Thinking ahead - the 2026 District Convention will be held in Erie. Svea is starting to think about venues and activities to showcase their Lodge and Erie, PA. More photos will be put up when more are sent in. Göteborg Lodge #452 Celebrates 100 years in Sweden with the King
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OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS IN THE OHIO/PENNSYLVANIA/MARYLAND/DC AREAS
Jamestown, NY - Scandinavian Cultural Days on the first Saturday of the month from October - May.
Luray, Virginia - Luray Caverns - The cavern system is adorned with speleothems such as columns, mud flows, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and mirrored pools. The caverns are perhaps best known for the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a lithophone made from solenoid-fired strikers that tap stalactites of various sizes to produce tones similar to those of xylophones, tuning forks, or bells. (Wikipedia).
Cleveland, Ohio - The Henry Ford - You might want to visit the Factory Tour and the Museum of American Innovation at The Henry Ford complex.
Not a member yet?Active communication is very important to grow our three Lodges and make a difference. If you have not signed-up yet, here is your chance to become a member in one of our Lodges: Nobel-Monitor, Svea, or Drott. Click and Sign-up below |