April 2017 NEWSLETTER

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Gwendoline Bruce
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1 NEWSLETTER Dear Sisters and Brothers, It takes a Village! That is true about Drott Lodge and all our great events. So many people work so hard to create the wonderful events at Drott Lodge. We just celebrated our traditional Pea Soup Dinner Event and what a successful event! So many people showed up so much good food including all the plattar. We had a wonderful presentation by Kerstin Hendrickson explaining the history of the Nyckelharpa and demonstrating its features as she performed so well with her beloved instrument. Two weeks ago we had another great event with many Drott Lodge members joining the Swedish Heritage Night with the Swedish hockey players at the Capitals vs. Dallas Stars game. Despite our cheering, our Swedish players did not pull off their normal win this time. But they are still great! During the Question and Answer session after the game, with the Swedish Ambassador and the Swedish players, member Karin Weeden had an interesting discussion with Nicklas Bäckström. They both went to the same junior high school in the same small town in Sweden. A young lady, not a Drott member, said she was on spring break and was wondering if André Burakovsky wanted to join her on a date BUT It Takes A Village to make such great events happen. We have so many members who are volunteering a lot of time and energy for our events, and they do it only for the joy of spending valuable time with friends in our Lodge. This is the Village necessary for all the events. Although there are so many members that help out during our events, I particularly would like to thank the following: Carol Whitley, Joann Moretti, Julie Olson, Linda Smith, Marit Knollmueller, Gerry and Margaret Schueman, Larilyn André, Eva Dunhem, Susan Remmert, and Virginia Cain. Without you all there would be no Drott Lodge. Thank you! We will have another exciting meeting on April 9 th with the presentation: Vikings and their Vessels. Bruce Edward Blackistone (AKA Cap n Atli) will discuss the evolution and different types of ships that were used by 1 of 8

2 Vikings. He is active in the not-for-profit educational organization, The Longship Company, which maintains two vessels recreated from Viking designs. Finally, April 29 th we will have our now traditional celebration of Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Night) with bonfire, spring-inspired singing and music. This year the Swedish Songgroup will perform and there will be Swedish musicians from Washington s Spelmanslag. And of course the traditional presentation of the Welcome Spring Goodbye Winter Speech. All are welcome to this free event! There are many more exciting events planned for Drott Lodge is something very special so please spread the news. Let s grow our membership and welcome more members that have Sweden and Scandinavia in their hearts. In truth and unity, Arne Dunhem Chairman P.S. Please remember that Dues are Due. Check with Carol Whitley at carol4600@verizon.net or if you are not sure what you owe. We thank David Birtwistle for making a special donation to help defray Lodge expenses. DROTT COMING EVENTS APRIL DROTT LODGE MEETING April 9, 2:30 PM, Undercroft of St. James Episcopal Church, Seven Locks Rd., Potomac MD We will begin with a business meeting. It will include Draping of the Charter in memory of four Drott Lodge members who have passed on; Bob Widholm, Carl Liner, Erica Kropp, and Helen Finch. We will also vote on and initiate new members and discuss the financial state of the Lodge and our income from the 2016 Bazaar. 2 of 8

3 A cultural presentation, Vikings and their Vessels, will follow. Bruce Edward Blackistone (AKA Cap n Atli) will give a presentation on the evolution and different types of ships that were used by Vikings. He is active in the not-for-profit educational organization, The Longship Company, which maintains two vessels recreated from Viking designs: the 40 foot long Sae Hrafn and a 20 foot long ship's boat, Gyrfalcon, (plus a small 14' power auxiliary vessel, Ihor's Chaika, for towing and photo duties), which are presently located in St. Mary s County, MD. They take groups out for living history experiences of rowing like the vikings on the waters of the Lower Potomac. Further information on the Longship Company may be found at Valborgsmässoafton April 29, pm 8 pm. Drott Lodge and SWEA DC will celebrate Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Night) with a bonfire, spring-inspired singing and music. The Swedish Songgroup will perform and there will be Swedish musicians playing. A senior representative from the Swedish Embassy will present the Welcome Spring Goodbye Winter Speech. All are welcome to this free event! This is the evening when Swedes traditionally go out singing and joining others to watch bonfires in their communities to celebrate the coming of spring. Students wear their white student caps so please bring your student cap along if you have one. The celebration will start at 4 pm with children s games to include fun races for young and old. Please bring your own picnic food and BYOB and if you so wish, marshmallows for s mores over the fire. Bring folding chairs/beach chairs or blankets since no seating will be provided. The celebration will be in a large private park in McLean, VA with ample parking close-by. RSVP by April 20 th to Marit Knollmueller of Drott Lodge at mknollmueller@yahoo.com or to Pia Jensen of SWEA at sweadcprogram@gmail.com and they will then provide specific address information. Please tell Marit or Pia how many adults and children you plan to bring. Please join us for this delightful spring event. 3 of 8

com if you re interested so she can keep you informed of the details as they develop.

4 April 2017 August, Kalmar Nyckel Excursion We are still working on a sail day out on the Kalmar Nyckel in late August. Members should Marit Knollmueller at mknollmueller@yahoo.com if you re interested so she can keep you informed of the details as they develop. DROTT EVENTS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED About 50 people attended the March Pea Soup and Pancake Dinner. There was plenty of everything and it was all yummy! The talented Kerstin Hendrickson gave a fascinating demonstration of the unique characteristics of the Swedish national instrument, the Nyckelharpa. 4 of 8

About 20 Drott members and friends attended Swedish Heritage Night to see a Washington Capitols Hockey Game. Although it was an exciting game, the Caps lost.

5 About 20 Drott members and friends attended Swedish Heritage Night to see a Washington Capitols Hockey Game. Although it was an exciting game, the Caps lost. However, member Ashley Mullinex and fiancee Jason got a special treat! Ashley relates, Jason and I were given the opportunity to play Broomball after the Caps game on Swedish Heritage Night. We didn't know the rules or how to play but were excited to try it out. Just as the Caps vs. Stars was ending, we were taken to a room full of helmets, knee pads, and "brooms". After suiting up (and signing a waiver) Jason and I were escorted to the ice along with the other participants. It was scary stepping on the ice wearing shoes instead of ice skates but it wasn't as slippery as I thought it would be. I quickly figured out that Broomball is very similar to hockey except a ball is used instead of a puck and a "broom" is used instead of a hockey stick. It was pretty chaotic because 2 games were being played simultaneously and it was hard to tell who your teammates were. Regardless of the confusion it was so much fun and the highlight of our night. Karin Weeden also had a special moment at the game. She wrote, I go back and visit my small Swedish hometown every two years or so. I run into people I haven't seen in years. They find out I live near Washington DC and their next question is: Have you seen Bäckis? At the Swedish Heritage Night Capitals Game, we had the opportunity for some Q&A with the three Swedish hockey stars. Towards the end of the session, I grabbed the mic and talked to Nicklas. He has no idea know who I am, but he smiled as I told him we share the same hometown of Valbo. I told him we went to the same Jr. high school 5 of 8

6 (Högstadieskola). On behalf of me and other Valbobor (folks from Valbo), I told Nicklas how proud we are of his success. He smiled again and said he appreciated it. Applause and cheers from an audience filled with Swedes and Swedish-Americans.That was my moment with Bäckis and I can now tell my friends back home that we have officially met. MEMBER NEWS We recently learned that Helen Finch, a Drott member since 1991, passed on at her home in Myrtle Beach, SC on March 9, She was 89. Helen and her husband Lowell met at Drott Lodge. She will be remembered at the Drott Lodge Draping of the Charter on April 9. Lowell has made a donation to the Lodge in Helen s memory. OTHER EVENTS Exibition: Stories of Migration - Sweden Beyond the Headlines, March 18-December 10, House of Sweden, an exhibition aiming to add new perspectives to the story of Sweden and migration and give new insights into the current situation. Issues will focus on fleeing and arriving, finding work, learning Swedish, and meeting people. April 5, 12, 19, 26 at 7:30 pm, The Nordic Dancers of Washington, DC, Highland View Elementary School in Silver Spring, MD. Newcomers are welcome. They meet regularly on the first Wednesday until June. Come any Wednesday and learn traditional folk dances of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. No prior dance experience is necessary. For more information, contact Chris Kalke at: or ckalke@verizon.net. 6 of 8

7 April 17, 8 PM, Chris Kalke, winner of the 2016 ASA Service Award, will present her study, WHY DID THEY DANCE?, St. John s Church, Wisconsin Ave & Bradley Blvd, Chevy Chase, MD. She will provide a general overview of the role of social dance and folk dance in the Scandinavian-American communities in the twentieth century, based on historic photographs, archival research, oral histories, and her own memories of growing up in the Scandinavian community. May 3, 2017, ABBA The Movie (1977), Pickford Theatre,at the Library of Congress James Wintle, Music Division, Librarian of Congress, lectures on the influence of disco on European dance music and hosts a screening of ABBA: The Movie (1977), directed by Lasse Hallström. This 1977 documentary-styled cult film narrates the Australian tour of Swedish pop group ABBA. Released in conjunction with their 5th studio album, the tour highlights performances from their classic hits such as, Tiger and Dancing Queen while also entertaining the viewer with the madness of touring life. Get free tickets from Eventbrite (tickets available 03/30/2017, beginning at 10 AM) EDITOR S NOTE Please send your submissions for the May newsletter to editor Linda Smith no later than April 17. leslieandlinda2@comcast.net Drott Lodge Website: 7 of 8

picnic, Folding chairs and/or blankets are highly encouraged as seating will not be provided RSVP by April 20th name, how many adults / children and organisation - Marit Knollmueller

8 VALBORGSMÄSSOAFTON Welcome Spring Goodbye Winter! Drott Lodge & SWEA Washington D.C. Welcome to celebrate a traditional Swedish Walpurgis Night McLean, VA Saturday April 29th pm 8pm Bonfire Singing Games Speech to the Spring Swedish Songgroup Free entrance, Bring your own picnic, Folding chairs and/or blankets are highly encouraged as seating will not be provided RSVP by April 20th name, how many adults / children and organisation - Marit Knollmueller mknollmueller@yahoo.com More / Mer information or Välkomnar dig till Valborgsmässofirande McLean, VA Lördag 29e april 2017 kl Brasa Sång Lekar Tal till våren Svenska Sånggruppen Fritt inträde, Ta med egen picnic, filt / campingstol att sitta på. Sista anmälningsdag 20e april Namn, Antal Vuxna, Antal barn, organisation man tillhör - Pia Jensen sweadcprogram@gmail.com 8 of 8

EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE LODGE!

NEWSLETTER EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING IN THE LODGE! We now have three families with new babies! There s something about seeing the next generation that gives you real optimism about the future.of the