| Välkommen SVEA LODGE #296 VASA ORDER OF AMERICA A Swedish-American Fraternal Organization Instituted May 20, 1914 Erie, Pennsylvania Photo: | Log in to your Member account: |
From the chair - pat bellingham
Svea Lodge has a calendar filled with wonderful activities, dedicated members, new members, and a renewed sense of our purpose; bringing the Scandinavian culture to our community. There is a lot happening so you'll need to visit our website often to keep up!
Fifteen friends had a wonderful meal and great commaraderie at Primanti Brothers Restaurant this past week. We may not have made alot of money through our fundraiser but a fun time was had by all AND we gained a new member! Welcome Karen! We can't wait to share all that Svea has to offer - customs, songs, recipes, books, culture.
Once again, our Danish friends at Sommerlyst are opening up their facility for our annual Walpurgis celebration. It's a great place to have a bonfire and an aquavit toast to say good bye winter - HELLO SPRING! I hope you will come on April 30th and be a part of this wonderful tradition. Hot dogs will be available. You are asked to bring a snack to share and a chair. If Lynnette, Lena, and Amy come, perhaps we'll practice our Midsommar dance! Beverages are available through Sommerlyst.
We are a cultural society but always look to see how we can impact our community in positive ways: We are resuming Benevolence - our committee chair, Karen Lundwall, has teamed us up with Our Neighbor's Place, a shelter for people who need a warm place to stay on cold winter nights. One of the trials for people experiencing homelessness, is cold feet - frostbite, blisters, sores, toenail growth. Our Neighbor's Place offers foot care through the Lecom podiatry program. To that end, we are asking our members to bring in white cotton crew socks for individuals to wear after they have undergone foot care. Socks will be collected from now until the March meeting. To date we have collected 102 pair of socks. Thank you!
We have a new feature for our page and newsletter - Odin's Ravens. Friend Kevin Soles will share some interesting tidbits of Viking lore with us.
Be kind to your neighbors, you never know who may need a kind word.
Pat
 | Odin's Ravens sharing our Viking history! | Stay tuned to learn about Huginn and Muninn! |
Valhalla, the Hall of the Slain, is a warriors paradise located in 'Asgard; the realm of the god's'. It is the afterlife paradise for warriors who died heroically in battle. Valhalla is ruled by Odin, the Norse god of war, wisdom, and death. Those who enter Valhalla are called 'Einherja', elite warriors chosen personally by Odin. They feast and prepare to fight Ragnarok (more on Ragnarok later) with Odin.
Prior to any earthly battle or a celebrated feast of victory, vikings would beat their chests and yell "To Valhalla!" meaning - Fight the good fight with honor, Until we meet again. It is used as a respectful farewell to fallen comrades and depicts a place of honor, glory or ultimate victory.
contributed by Kevin Soles
| The Fourth in the Series: Wednesday Night Get Togethers May 13, 2026 7:PM This will be an interview with a local historian from Erie, PA MARK STEGG The Zoom Invite will be available on the District and Svea websites under the Events tab. Note: If you missed any of the previous programs; Swedish Flower Hens, the interview with our Grand Master, Jack Hanright, or the Swedish Embassy Representative, check out the District Website: |
Vasa BreakfastOn a winter hiatus! Check it out again in the Spring 2026.
|
| Join us now to become a member. Members must be 14 years of age but younger children are always welcome to participate! You can attend all of our activities. You will receive our Newsletter so you can stay informed about what is happening within the Svea Lodge. Check out Our Story - Member Benefits to see what's in it for you! Join us now!
|
OTHER INTERESTING EVENTS TO DO WITH SVEA FRIENDS IN NWPA OHIO & NY
The French Creek Immigration Project is a grassroots effort to collect and share stories about the immigrant experience in Northwestern Pennsylvania. What stories have been passed down from your immigrant relatives? What prompted your relatives to leave their native countries to come to America? How did they adjust to new customs, schools, workplaces and neighborhoods in a foreign land?
To submit a reflection please email: FCIwritingproject2026@gmail.com Stories should be no longer than 750 words. If possible, please include a photo of yourself and any other photos that depict your family's immigrant experience.
Note: Writings may by publicized in the news or online. There is no specific deadline. Depending on how many articles are submitted, the goal is to publish one article per month for 12 months. If there are more than 12 people writing, there will be a new schedule so everyone's story is heard.
Phrase of the Month:
Glad Påsk! - Happy Easter!
|
|
Not a member yet?Active communication is very important to grow our Svea Lodge and make a difference. If you have not signed-up yet, here is your chance to become a member in Svea Lodge. Click and Sign-up below Click to sign-up and become a member in Svea Lodge |
Local Lodge Svea #296 meets on the third Sunday of the month at Luther Memorial Church, 225 West 10th Street, Erie, PA for general business meetings. General meetings include a short cultural program and of course, Fika! From May - August our meetings involve cultural activities in various community locations. We celebrate Walpurgis, Midsummer, Kraftskiva, Leif Erickson Day, and Santa Lucia Festival of Light. The Mission of Vasa Order of America is to promote our Scandinavian heritage. Our Order does not conflict with religious beliefs or common law - ALL are welcome!